Entertainment

Back in December the kids watched Balto (1995,G) for movie night.  From Reel.com:

When Nome, Alaska runs out of the antitoxin needed to fight off a diphtheria epidemic, dog teams are the only way to obtain the crucial medicine. Balto the wolf-dog proves his loyalty by leading a dangerous mission through the Alaskan wilderness.

It's interesting that this was based "loosely" on a true story...but it must have been quite a disappointment in its day that this was turned out by Spielberg.  It was OK but unremarkable.

I give it 3 out of 5.

Back in December we watched The Departed (2006,R) (ScreenIt! Review).  From ScreenIt!:

Members of the Massachusetts State Police plant an insider within a mob boss' inner circle in hopes of bringing him down, unaware that he has a mole within their organization.

With a cast including DiCaprio, Wahlberg, Nicholson, Baldwin, Sheen, and Damon and Scorsese in the director's chair, this one had a lot going for it (plus the 237 f-bombs that ScreenIt! counted. though I'd hesitate to categorize those as assets or liabilities).  It didn't disappoint.  It was excellent.  I give it 5 out of 5.

A few weeks ago we took a family trip to the movies and saw Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007,G) (ScreenIt! Review).  From ScreenIt!:

After the whimsical owner of a magical toy store announces he's leaving, his protégé has doubts about whether she can run the shop without him.

Lisa really liked it.  I though it was OK, and the kids seem to like it.  I give it 4 out of 5 for actually being a decent movie that doesn't make you cringe for you kids to see.

Last night I finished watching Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006,PG-13) (ScreenIt! Review).

To free his imprisoned fiancée, a former blacksmith turned swashbuckler tries to find a former pirate acquaintance who's trying to free himself from owing his soul to none other than Davy Jones.

Jam-packed with action and quirkiness.  I didn't like it as much as the first one, but it was still enjoyable.

I give it 3 out of 5.

Last Saturday we took advantage of the other set of grandbabysitters and went to see No Country for Old Men (2007,R) (ScreenIt! Review) with Matt and Laura.  From the ScreenIt! Review:

After finding several million dollars at a crime scene, a hunter goes on the run with it, trying to avoid a ruthless and deadly hitman who's after him, all as a world-weary sheriff tries to intervene before anything else bad happens.

The film was interesting to discuss afterwards since 3 of the 4 of us had read the book. Anton Chigurh was right on.  Like Juno, I thought the dialogue and the film in general were fantastic.  I give it 5 out of 5.