I have a theory...

I saw the new Star Trek. By far the best movie I have seen this year so far. I saw it with a group of friends and family, and as I was watching it I kept thinking, "Hmm, there's no way anyone else likes this movie...It's too loud, Hollywood, and sci-fi, right?" But to my surprise, everyone else loved it as well. In fact, everyone I have talked to has loved it. The casting was impeccable, with especially awesome turns by Zachary Quinto as a young Spock and Simon Pegg as Scotty. The plot was nearly flawless, perfectly connecting this new group with the classic 60's television cast. It was campy and funny, exciting and fast, smart and provoking. What more could one ask for in a summer blockbuster based on one of America's few great fables?

My theory is that everyone likes (or will like) Star Trek. It doesn't matter if you have tons of knowledge or no knowledge on any of the past "Star Trek" TV series or movies (although if you really wanna see some clever connections between this new series and the old, at least watch Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan). It is enjoyable from the first frame to the applause-worthy ending.

Have you seen it? Yes? Did you like it? Of course you did. And if you didn't....man, then I just don't know what to say. Go see that Beyonce movie Obsessed, I guess. You will probably like that....tool

2009...DO SOMETHING ALREADY!

Oh...my...gosh. This is turning into such a boring year at the movies. Has anyone else stared at your computer screen or your newspaper listings, looked at all the times and ads for the most recently released Hollywood films, and thought, "Hmmm...I think I would rather just stay home and watch Sister Act."

Seriously, people...THERE IS NOTHING OUT!...and I have really been giving things a chance. Granted, I haven't seen some promising looking recently released films yet (State of Play, The Soloist, Sunshine Cleaning), but I have seen four movies from 2009 since I last wrote, and I am so under-impressed (although NOT UN-impressed) by them that even the thought of just writing about them seems like a drag.

So here is all I can muster:

I saw Monsters vs Aliens: Good for kids, 3D was okay, writing was childish, not nearly as funny as it should have been.

I saw Adventureland: Don't let the trailers fool you; this thing is NOT a comedy...in fact it's often quite bittersweet. It's a dramedy, at most. Definitely good, but not great. Loved newcomer Jesse Eisenberg, and Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader were both great but barely in it at all. And I will always have a soft spot for Bill from "Freaks and Geeks."

I saw 17 Again: Surprisingly good...for a movie that is blatantly made for twelve-year-old girls. It should have focused on Efron's roommate's relationship with the principal. That was funny. (By the way, did anyone think some of the scenes between Efron and Leslie Mann, who I normally love, were kinda creepy?)

I saw Taken: Funniest movie of the year...not intentionally.

Okay, so these weren't all that bad, but where is the movie-magic we have been longing for?

I am sorry I sound so bitter. I know we haven't reached the peak season yet for big Hollywood films (Summer, come quick!). But the last two years some great big-studio movies came out early in the year: Baby Mama, Cloverfield, Children of Men, Hot Fuzz.

Come on, guys. Don't let last year's writing strike destroy our time at the movies this year!