Movies

Last night we watched Superman Returns (2006,PG-13) (ScreenIt! Review). From the ScreenIt! review:

After a five-year absence, the Man of Steel returns to Metropolis and must contend with Lois now being an engaged mother, all while having to deal with Lex Luthor and his latest diabolical plan.

It was OK. It seemed like well-trodden ground. You know what to expect from the superhero genre and you get what you expect. It's not that exciting. I give it 3 out of 5.

While in Knoxville, we watched Rumor Has It (2005,PG-13) (ScreenIt! Review) with the Bells. From Wikipedia:

The entire movie is told, presumably from the present, as a flashback to events that happened in 1997. It is also, as flashed on the screen at the beginning of the movie, "Based on a true rumor". In the backstory to this movie, Sarah's grandmother, Katharine Richelieu (played by Shirley MacLaine), had an affair with the much younger Beau Burroughs (played by Kevin Costner), forming the inspiration for the affair in The Graduate between Benjamin Braddock and Mrs. Robinson (whose first name, incidentally, was never mentioned in that movie).

I didn't think there was much to it, but it was passable. I give it 3 out of 5.

Last night we watched Man of the Year (2006,PG-13) (ScreenIt! Review). From Wikipedia:

Man of the Year is a political comedy movie directed by Barry Levinson and featuring Robin Williams in the lead role. In addition to Williams, the film features Christopher Walken, Laura Linney, Lewis Black and Jeff Goldblum. In the film, Williams portrays Tom Dobbs, the host of a comedy/political talk show, based loosely on the real-life personas of Jon Stewart and Bill Maher. With an offhand remark, he prompts 4 million people to e-mail their support, then he decides to campaign for President. To nearly everyone's surprise, he is declared winner of the election.

I really liked the scene where the film explores what would happen if a presidential candidate refused to behave during a debate. Robin Williams, of course, had a bunch of funny one-liners. Otherwise, I thought it fell pretty flat. It should have skipped the suspenseful plot and played further with Dobbs' presidency. I give it 3 out of 5.

Last night we finished watching the documentary Spellbound (2002). From Wikipedia:

Spellbound is a 2002 documentary, directed by Jeffrey Blitz, nominated for the Academy Award for Documentary Feature. It follows eight competitors in the 1999 Scripps National Spelling Bee: Harry Altman, Angela Arenivar, Ted Brigham, April DeGideo, Neil Kadakia, Nupur Lala, Emily Stagg and Ashley White.

We enjoyed it. The kids are pretty amazing, and it was also quite interesting to the engagement of the parents and how the whole thing is quite an experience (and lots of hard work) for both parents and children. I give it 4 out of 5.

Tonight we watched Little Miss Sunshine (2006,R) (ScreenIt! Review). From the ScreenIt! review:

A dysfunctional family must deal with their differences and idiosyncrasies as they try to drive the younger daughter out to a California beauty pageant.

Lisa tried to watch this sometime when I was out of town but fell asleep. She made it through tonight and we enjoyed it. I give it 4 out of 5.