I know I haven't posted much here in regards to recent movies,  and there's been a few reasons for that:     a)  work has been a nuthouse since I've returned from my 10 day disappearance     b)  I don't have the time or the babysitters for the theatre or Indiana Jones just yet   and c)  the new release wall at both my video stores has been pretty bare,  and unimpressive.

But I figure I owe you all a brief rundown of recent wastes of time,  so here it goes:

Thriller:

Cloverfield (R):    I actually watched this movie in the van ride to our cedar point, and I'm glad I did...  the added motion of the car mixed with the very tiny screen helped us all prevent apparent motion-sickness that I would have most likely experienced had I attempted to watch it on the big screen.   Worth the watch if you can tolerate the spastic camera shots.  +++

Comedy:

Dan In Real Life (PG13):    It was decent...  no complaints.     A bit slow at times,   and given the comedic firepower (Dane Cook, Steve Carrell) they really seemed to slow it down too much when they could have knocked some zingers out of the park.   However,   I still give it a strong +++1/2 and recommend it...  there really isn't many great options out yet. 

Walk Hard; The Dewey Cox Story (R):    I had absolutley the lowest of all lows when it came to expectations of this movie,  but looking back now,    I don't think there was a better movie that could have been watched 5 hours into the long road trip to Ohio.    Many funny one liners (mixed with the occassional ridiculous one as well) left alot of us laughing and even quoting the flick later around the grill.       Perfect for a group of drunken assholes.    +++1/2

27 Dresses (PG13):    The wife liked it...    is that good enough?    Men,  make your wives happy.     ++++

First Sunday (R):    I don't know why I bothered renting it...   "urban comedies" just haven't been funny since the 'Friday' movies.   They all try to be the next Friday movie,  and none of them seem to accomplish anywhere near its' success.   Half of us fell asleep in the van (yet another vacation roadtrip watch)...   fortunately the driver maintained some sort of alertness        1/2 +    (due to falling asleep...  maybe it got funny...   but I highly doubt it)

Drama:

We Own the Night (R):   +++1/2

Lars and the Real Girl  (PG13):    I think I wrote about this already...  it sucked...  don't rent it....    I just wanted to make that an extra special point to all my readers...     0 plus signs!

P.S. I Love You (PG13):     I'm still baffled that they listed this as a comedy at all.    About a wife who's husband dies of some illness (it's a chick flick... c'mon,  cut me some slack for not giving a shit) and leaves sperratic little notes for his wife to find after he's dead and buried saying 'go here' and 'do this' ...  all signed with a p.s. I love you.  (catchy... huh!)    If you're looking for a way to satisfy your loved one with a girly movie AND catch up on some needed zzzz's,  then I'd recommend it.   However,   this movie pained me to sit through just the first half      1/2+   (would a half a plus sign also be a minus sign?  hmmmm....  )

Family

Alvin and the Chipmunks (PG):      Of course I didn't want to rent this,  I'd rather watch vulgarity, nudity and senseless killings,  but family time...  it is what it is.    Lucky for me I had no idea going into it that Jason Lee was the star (as Dave) and David Cross (Mr Show) played the role of Ian the record producer.   For family time I recommend,  David Cross brings his great sketch style comedy to the table,  and even after all these years kids still love Alvin, Simon & Theodore.    +++1/2

Juno (PG13):    I only call this 'family' because I watched it with my 11 year old daughter,   hoping it would make her realize that the thing between her legs should remain hidden and locked away for a very, very, very long time.   I think it worked....  so for that alone I give it  ++++1/2

On the Checklist:

• Rambo
• The Last Winter
• Strange Wilderness
• Untraceable
• In the Name of the King
• Resurrecting the Champ
• The 11th Hour (yet another "global warming" ... ahem...  "non-fiction")
• Jimmy Carter:  Man from the Plains  (from the 'Inconvenient Truth' studio)