Tuesday Tell All: Summer Blockbusters

While I love going to movies, it is something I rarely actually do. In fact I have yet to step foot in a movie theater here in Lexington and I've lived here for over 2 years. The only time I see new releases is when we are in Utah and I have willing family to watch our kids so we can sneak away and catch a flick.

But feel no pity for me. I have secret weapon, a new best friend if you will, and its name is Redbox. One dollar movies are the greatest invention since disposable diapers. I have 5 vending machines located close to my home, there is hardly ever a wait and I don't have to even talk to a check out person. I simply touch the screen, swipe my car and out pops my show. In fact I rent there so often I think we've nearly rented out their entire inventory excluding the R-rated ones. The best part is that I didn't have to break the bank to do it. I gave Redbox my cell phone number and I receive text messages for free rentals every Monday night and often on Wednesday too. Sure, I might not have read too many books in 2008, but have enjoyed watching my fill of movies while I peddle away on the bike. I'll do just about anything to make those sixty minutes whiz by. There's no guilt in wasting 90 minutes on a so-so movie if you were busy while you watched it. That's my theory at least.

The one and only summer 2008 movie I have seen was Kung Fu Panda and I thought it was great. I laughed out loud probably more than I should have, but so did my boys. I thought it was clever, clean and very original. I'd give it an 'A' and I bet the boys will be finding this movie under the tree come December. So while I have seen only one summer blockbuster when we were in Utah, I do have a slew of shows I could review.

Nim's Island: Saw this on the plane. Glad I did. Not worth my time or money. D-

21: Viewed on the plane. Interesting story, even if it did vary from the real life events. B

College Road Trip: You could watch this one with the kids. Clean and funny. B+

National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets: I loved this one. I think anytime you can weave history into a fictional movie it's like a mini history lesson. A

Astronaut Farmer: Slow and unbelievable. D

Step it Up 2: Good dancing and average plot. B-

Vantage Point: Original and intriguing. A bit violent with bad language. Not for children: A-

The Bucket List: I am all about making lists and checking them off. I like the pairing and story. B+

Waitress: Dumb story, even dumber characters. Waste of time. D-

Drill Bit Taylor: Crude and unrealistic, but there were a few funny parts. C-

10,000 BC: Not very violent, no love scenes and the kids watched parts of it after I viewed it first. B-

Definitely, Maybe: Lots of strange and wrong relationships, but I like how he set up the story with the audience not knowing the outcome. Not for children. B-

King of California: Strange, but when I saw it had Costco in it, I had to watch it for Kristi's sake. One time watch, but interesting. B-

Spiderwick Chronicles. I didn't like this movie at all. I thought the actors were stiff and I didn't like the way it was filmed. D-

Fool's Gold: Funny, not too raunchy. I enjoyed it. B+

Jumper: Unique idea, but I felt it stopped abruptly. B-

Other Boleyn Girl: I didn't like how it varied from the book. I did like the mini history lesson. B-

Over Her Dead Body: It was OK and that might be being too nice. C

Mad Money: Clever and funny. A-

P.S. I Love You: Didn't like this one very much. Her friends bothere, it was too long, dragging plot. C

27 Dresses: Chick flick for sure. I like Katherine Heigl, but I wouldn't say I loved the movie. B

The Golden Compass: With all the buzz about the author being anti-religion and mass email I received telling me to boycott this one, I didn't understand all the fuss. No closure on the ending since a sequel is in the works. I thought it was a bit hard to understand. B-

Cloverfield: Great thriller. A-

Juno: A tale of a pregnant teenager with a bit of Napoleon Dynamite tossed in and quirky music. I really enjoyed. A-

I Am Legend: I really liked this movie. It had a real creep factor and I found myself thinking about it afterwards. A-

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The boys love it. I just got that silly song stuck in my head. B

Kite Runner: Sad story of a Afghani boy. Had to fast forward a horrific scene I had been forewarned of. More than one hard to watch parts. B

Seeker: Loosely based on the Lloyd Alexander books. Poorly acted and weak storyline. D

The Bee Movie: Flimsy plot. Not one I'd watch again. B-

Enchanted: Fun Disney for all ages. Bought this one on DVD. A

Dan in Real Life: Funny and yet painful, I liked, not loved it. B

Nancy Drew: Clean and cute. Emma Roberts was very likable. B

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium: Not one I'd watch again. A bit too fluffy and I hated Dustin Hoffman's voice. D+

The Jane Austen Book Club: Hated this one. Totally liberal and hard to watch. F

Elizabeth: The Golden Age: Cate Blanchett is an amazing actress. I loved the history I found in this movie. A-

Across the Universe: Really long movie. Was on a deadline to get it back. Watched most on 2x speed. Average storyline. Set in late 60's to Beatles music. C-

Martian Child: Tale of a child who might be an alien. I was left still wondering. B

Beowulf: Violent and not for kids. I didn't mind this retelling of the ancient epic Old English poem. B-

Becoming Jane: I didn't feel that this movie told the true story. It was fine, but that was all. B

Suburban Girl: Awful. F

Sydney White: High School fluff. C-

August Rush: I didn't care for this movie. Too many times I found myself disliking the boy and I hated Robin Williams' character. C