"Ladykillers" makes a fine movie, but not a terribly appropriate title for this quirky criminal comedy with a churchy-gospel backbeat. How about "Of Saints & Sinners" or "Stealing Heaven" or "The Golden Calf" or "Face the Music" or "Duping Ms. Daisy?"

But enough dawdling, let's get right to the "Tom Hanks" miscast. Is Tom less the actor than he used to be? Or simply exercising his well-earned clout in the entertainment business to try out roles he finds different or interesting? I don't know. But, his performance here nails mediocre. Better choices? Sure, how about Alan Rickman? Alec Guinness? Geoffrey Rush?

After "Road to Perdition" and "Catch Me If You Can" I not longer assume Hanks will be awesome in a film. However, the Coen Brothers (writers/directors) are still a strong draw. You may have seen some of their other films: "Intolerable Cruelty," "O Brother Where Art Thou," "The Man Who Wasn't There."

While Hanks makes for a less than snug fit, the other cartoony criminals in the "band" each have their moments (sometimes extremely funny moments), though none quite break stellar. However, Irma P. Hall (as the chatty church-going widow) gives the film the character anchor upon which all others lean. Great momentum gives way to an intellectually fun (though less-than-exciting) climax. Imperfections aside, "Ladykillers" is still a great deal of fun. The film sports excellent costuming, sweet cinematography, strong direction, and wonderfully crisp quirky dialogue.

Btw, I never saw the 1955 British version, upon which this remake is based.