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3 out of 5

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

220px-On_Stranger_Tides_PosterTonight we finished watching Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011, PG-13).  From screenit:

A flamboyant pirate, his former nemesis, a feared pirate and various others set out to beat the rest in finding the legendary fountain of youth.

Finn really enjoys Jack Sparrow's antics.  I thought it was fine.  3 out of 5.

The Book of Eli

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Last night Lisa and I watched The Book of Eli (2010,R).  From ScreenIt!:

In a post-apocalyptic world, a lone traveler continues on his quest west, but most contend with an educated villain and his array of thugs who want the potentially influential book in his possession.

At some point I'd heard from someone that this was a good film, so my expectations were a little bit elevated.  I thought is was just OK.

I give it 3 out of 5.

Land of the Lost

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I recently watched Land of the Lost (2009, PG-13).  From ScreenIt!:

A scientist, his new assistant, and a tourist trap operator end up in another dimension where the past, present and future coexist, and then try to find their way back home, all while dealing with dinosaurs, reptilian creatures and more.

Some films are just silly.  Land of the Lost is one of those that is enjoyably silly…and what's not to like about Will Ferrell, Danny McBride and Anna Friel?

I give it 3 out of 5.

Homeless: The Motel Kids of Orange County

homeless-motel-kids_150 Tonight we finished watching Alexandra Pelosi's Homeless: The Motel Kids of Orange County.

From the HBO site:

HOMELESS...explores the world of children who reside in discounted motels within walking distance of Disneyland, living in limbo as their families struggle to survive in one of the wealthiest regions of America.  The parents of motel kids are often hard workers who don't earn enough to own or rent homes.  As a result, they continue to live week-to-week in motels, hoping against hope for an opportunity that might allow them to move up in the O.C.

The toll of this lifestyle on their children is severe.  Though the community tries to provide adequate education and food, the day-to-day lives of motel kids are often a numbing exercise in frustrating complaints and ever-diminishing expectations.

These kids' lives are bleak, and I think Pelosi is right that you can find similar stories everywhere these days.  The kids' hopelessness that the film communicates is tragic.  Pelosi seems clumsy, though.  Her voice intrudes too often, as one reviewer put it, to "influence answers and provoke responses".

I give it 3 out of 5.

Avatar

200px-Avatar-Teaser-Poster A month or so ago we watched Avatar (2009,PG-13) for family movie night.  From ScreenIt!:

In the distant future on another planet, an Earthling goes undercover in an avatar body to infiltrate the indigenous race in hopes of helping his people get their hands on a valuable mineral located there.

Sometimes you hear such good things about a film that you're disappointed when you actually seen it even if it's actually quite good.  This was the flip side of that.  I'd heard it had good special effects but a terrible plot, but I didn't think it was any worse than your typical popular blockbuster plot.

I give it 3 out of 5.

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