4 out of 5

A few weeks back we watched Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981,PG) for family movie night.  I’m sure I’d seen it before, but it was interesting because it felt more like it was familiar more from clips I’d seen, video games as a kid, and the show at Universal Studios theme park.  The kids enjoyed it.  I was kind of surprised that it didn’t seem to spook Finn.  Hopefully it was the first time they’ve seen exploding bodies. :-) 

I give it 4 out of 5.

I recently watched The Village (2004,PG-13).  From ScreenIt!:

Old-fashioned members of an isolated and simple village must contend with what appear to be incursions of monsters from an adjacent forest.

I know this one wasn’t critically-acclaimed, but I generally enjoy Shyamalan’s films including this one.

I give it 4 out of 5.

Tonight I finished watching By the People: The Election of Barack Obama (2009).  From Wikipedia:

By the People: The Election of Barack Obama is a documentary film that came out in November 2009 on HBO. The film was produced by Edward Norton during the 2008 Presidential election of Barack Obama. It follows Obama and various members of his campaign team, including David Axelrod, through the two years leading up to November 4th, 2008.

I heard David Plotz pan this documentary on the Gabfest, accusing the filmmakers of squandering their behind-the-scenes access and not getting any amazing Obama moments.  I don’t really agree (there were several moments that I thought were great…prepping for a debate, chatting off-stage while he is introduced, etc.), especially since the film was as much about a variety of other campaign staffers as about Obama…and they were interesting to watch too.  As the film closed with those folks reacting to the election results, I was reminded how I felt that night too…and that was worth remembering.

I give it 4 out of 5.

Several months back I watched The Dark Knight (2008,PG-13).  From ScreenIt!:

While trying to bring down various criminal figures, Batman must contend with a murderous psychopath who enjoys toying with him.

I enjoyed it.

I give it 4 out of 5.

On Saturday night of the June MS150 weekend, Eric and I went to see Star Trek (2009,PG-13) (continuing the tradition we started when we saw Iron Man last year).  From ScreenIt!:

The young and relatively inexperienced crew of a starship must set off on a rescue mission when a madman goes on an intergalactic spree of revenge.

I liked it.

I give it 4 out of 5.