More movie chat

Watched several movies over the holiday weekend.

Uncross the Stars (2008) was my favorite. An offbeat story about a man who goes to visit his unconventional aunt after his wife dies. He gets involved in her "star-crossed" romance while enjoying the quirky characters that inhabit his aunt's world. Bonus - it was filmed in Apache Junction AZ, and makes excellent use of desert surroundings.

The Secret Life of Bees (2008) was very good also. I'm sorry I put off seeing it.

Henry Poole is Here (2008) was a bit disappointing - not very much "there" there. And so predictable - it happens exactly as you expect it to. Henry is glum; an image of Jesus appears on his house; he falls in love with his beautiful neighbor whose daughter is "cured" by the wall; then Henry is cured by the wall. The End

Hoot (2006) was entertaining enough and the earth-friendly message was couched in plenty of slapstick humor and kids triumphing over foolish adults. Not a waste of 90 minutes. Bonus - cameo appearance by Florida legend Jimmy Buffet as the science teacher.

2012 - Surprisingly, I liked this movie better than Larry, but that is explained purely by expectations - he had some and I didn't. It was ridiculous and contrived and went on too long, but it was adequate popcorn entertainment. Larry's complaint is that they could have made a much better movie, and he is right - some great ideas, a good cast, and some terrific set pieces, but overall, pretty dopey stuff. And very little reference to the Mayans - some backstory would have improved the movie quite a bit.

Planet 51 was excellent family entertainment with the usual (but always worthwhile) message of being true to yourself. Fun. Bonus - it got us out of the house on Thanksgiving while Larry and his mom argued about the food.