Time for some extremely brief movie reviews of some movies we’ve seen recently!

Enchanted: Clumsy “Howard the Duck” remake. The void between dimensions was portrayed realistically, however.

Cloverfield: Not so much a true monster movie as a disaster movie with a giant monster running around in it. Chomp!

Lars and the Real Girl: Funny and sweet. Recommended.

The Water Horse: Nice use of the Wilhelm Scream.

The Thief Lord: A very nice film. I enjoyed the story and the Venice setting. Didn’t hold the kids’ interest, however.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: No. Just… no. Never again!

Juno: Way overhyped. “Knocked Up” was much funnier. Honest to ‘blog.

The Darjeeling Limited: We both really liked this. Funny and poignant. Skip the brief Part I webisode, however, unless you want to be scarred for life by the truly frightening sight of Natalie Portman’s ribs.

Stargate - The Ark of Truth: Awesome, awesome, awesome! Makes you wonder what Stargate SG-1 could have been if they could have upped the action (and the violence) just a little bit.

Becoming Jane: The rare chick flick where (spoiler alert!) the girl doesn’t get the guy (or any guy) in the end.

Surf’s Up: Everyone liked this. Amazing animation effects and truly funny characters. The Dude as a penguin… brilliant!

Dan in Real Life: Steve Carell combines his two characters (Michael Scott and The 40-Year-Old virgin) and is very funny, though still not as funny as Juliette Binoche.

Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School: A truly interesting film. Probably one of my top three favorite films about the healing power of dance (”Strictly Ballroom”, and “Shall We Dance” - the original Japenese version - being the other two).

Superbad: A true guy flick. Funny (if you’re a guy).

Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium: Pretty unremarkable, actually.

Mr. Bean’s Holiday: I really enjoyed this, as did the kids, despite the fact that Mr. Bean isn’t a taste I’ve fully acquired.

The Holiday: Why, Jack Black. Why? I thought I might actually like this movie, but it was sheer torture. Honest to ‘blog, torture.