Weekends at the Movies

Bandidas

At last a fun, unpretentious western! Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz play women from different sides of the tracks out to take down an American who is ruining Old Mexico for the benefit of New Yorkers. The stars play off each other well and while the villain was an American, the movie made a point of not making his boss a typical western robber baron. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Guns, knives, cowboys. Except for Steve Zhan's butt. Could have done without that. Amy thought it was boring. If you liked Shanghai Noon, you'll probably like this movie.

The Last Kiss

This movie is well-crafted misery. No one is happy. Everyone is in a failed relationship. It's like someone decided that the romantic comedy (which is what we thought this was when we rented it) had become trite so now it is time for a romantic tragedy instead. Skip it.

Little Miss Sunshine

If you haven't seen this movie you might think that it is a goofy adventure in Volkswagen. To some extent it is, but those parts are really just the comic relief. They're the refreshing lime wedge that makes you forget you're drinking crappy Mexican beer. In actuality this is yet another movie that is dedicated to the concept that went people are most miserable, they are also most interesting.

All the characters are oddballs you don't generally find all in one place in real life, let alone in one family. And they all have their hopes and dreams dashed over the course of the film. But unlike The Last Kiss, it has those goofy scenes to make you smile so it is still bearable. And the ending doesn't suck.

UPDATE: Here are a few more...

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

This movie definitely had its moments. Like anytime Gary Cole is on screen as Ricky's dad. Or the boys, they're quality too. But in places it is almost cartoonish. Ricky walks off screen... Bam! he's healed from a broken arm or stabbing himself in the leg. Not a bad movie, but I expected to laugh harder than I did.

The Devil Wears Prada

Good solid movie. Anne Hathaway plays her usual role as a young awkward woman who learns to be suave and capable. But she's cute and she dresses well and the movie has a good moral. Amy and I both liked it.

Invincible

Liked it. This is a good movie you can watch with your kids. No cursing, but good action and dramatic tension, a little romance, good acting and photography. Frankly a lot of different themes are developed well. Plus I'm a big Eagles fan so what wasn't to like. Amy fell asleep but wanted to know what happened in the movie whenever she woke up.