We’ve actually gotten out to see some movies recently. I thought I’d put my two cents in here about them:

Superman Returns

I kind of expected to be disappointed with this one, based on the negative reviews I had read. But, I was actually entertained. Of course, I would have liked to have seen a slightly older, and much more muscular Superman personally. In spite of this, the movie worked overall. I’ve read some pretty harsh reviews of the acting in this movie. Can I just say – this is SUPERMAN. You don’t really have to be able to act to play Superman, in all reality. I mean, Superman is supposed to be stoic and unemotional. Not that hard. Clark Kent is supposed to be bumbling and uncomfortable. Once again, not that hard to do. I would have liked a little more “omphh” in some scenes, but no one was near as bad as I have read.

There are talks of a sequel for this one. I think that is something to look forward to. The producer guy said he wanted to “go all Wrath of Khan” in a sequel. I don’t know what that means. Does it mean that Superman gets his tail kicked until the last scene when Lois Lane will go into some nuclear containment room and save the day just before dying with weird warts all over her face? We’ll see…

Pirates of the Caribbean

My Mom loved the first Pirates. I think it’s one of her favorites. I really liked it, too. So, do I think she will love part 2 as much as part 1? Sure. Part 2 is a great movie, also. The only thing that I think will spoil it for you is if you expect the same experience with the second one that you had when you watched the first one. During the first one, Johnny Depp’s character just jumped out of the screen and grabbed you by the gut with a “where did THAT come from” character. If you are expecting to be surprised like that with this movie, you will probably be bored. This movie is a continuation of the first, with many recurring characters. Captain Jack Sparrow is still just as funny as in the first, but he’s already been introduced. So, don’t expect the same surprise introduction. But, Jack’s entrance is unique, to say the least.

Also, I have to warn you that this one is grosser than the first one. Many of the new characters are the tortured souls of Davy Jones’s crew. Tortured as in “slowly being transformed into sea creatures over a hundred years.” And none of them have made it there yet, so they are in all states of mutation. My wife couldn’t stand that part.

If you haven’t heard, this movie was filmed at the same time as part 3. So, yes, it does end right in the middle of the story. Some reviews I have read seemed to have really missed this. But, the action was great, the special effects were top-notch, Jack Sparrow is Jack Sparrow, and the story was interesting. What more could you ask for?

Well, I didn’t like the twist at the end that sets up the next movie. Too out of character for the person that did it. When you see it (and you should), you will see what I mean. But, I am looking forward to “Pirates of the Caribbean 3: World’s End” whenever it comes out.

Oh yeah… I also got to see a preview for the Transformers movie coming next year. Call me geek, but I can’t wait for that.

The Devil wears Prada

Ummm…. definite “chick flick.” My wife will have to comment on this one. It was pretty entertaining, and it definitely makes you realize that your job can’t be as bad as hers. Nor can your boss be as bad as hers. “Go bother someone else with your…. questions.” Meryl Streep did a great job in this one.

Star Wars III

Yeah – a little late. But I think I have finally wrapped my head around why I don’t like this one so much. Too many screaming robots. I mean – seriously – why do robots have to scream when they die? That is so bad I can’t even begin to get over it. Even when the robots talk – it’s horrible. Wouldn’t you give a BATTLE DROID a more menacing voice? Twiki from Buck Rodgers had a scarier voice than those guys. And robots that make sarcastic remarks? Give me a break…

Oh, and I was watching it at home the other day and noticed something. A flying robot was attacking one of the Jedi, and it SPOKE to it’s own missiles before they launched. Are you telling me that Star Wars robots are so primitive that they can’t just internally signal their own missiles and launch? Puh-leezeeee…..

And then there is the cheesy dialogue that they use to cover up plot holes. “Wait a minute… we’re smarter than this. How did we get trapped?” Because George needed you to be – that’s all.

And don’t get me started on Emperor “Night of the Living Dead.” “No, No, No, No… I can act, but the dark side has impaired me now.” After he got zapped, I just couldn’t stop laughing at the emperor’s zombie appearance and empty yellow eyes. I was just waiting for the undead moan and groan to come from him as he busted out with a “Thriller” routine.

Well, at least I can console myself in the TV series when they air, right? Oh, please let it be so….