I’m not a mom, but I read enough chick lit to feel like I know what it’s like. No sleep. A constant state of semi-martyrdom. Bits of food in your hair, and an overwhelming, indescribable amount of love in your heart. In that regard, “I Don’t Know How She Does It” is just another prosaic account of a mom trying her darndest and failing, but c’est la vie, etc., and so on. The film was based on the book by British novelist Allison Pearson, and because of that you get the sense that you’re getting a polished, Reader’s Digest version of the story, which is, no doubt, a little more nuanced on the …

Attention all germaphobes and hypochondriacs: Do not ... I repeat ... do not see the latest Steven Soderbergh film. You may never leave your house again. Hell, I may never leave my house again.  The opening sequence of “Contagion” alone is enough to make the most cavalier among us – you know the ones, those who eat the communal nuts at the bar or grip the subway handrail without the slightest hesitation – recoil back into our movie theater seats and think, “Oh, God. Did I really just rest my arms on ... that?” What would happen if a highly infectious disease spread through the developed world…

For the record, “Apollo 18” is no “Apollo 13.” It doesn’t have the charm of Tom Hanks, or the pop-culture appeal of Kevin Bacon or even the calm power of an Ed Harris. I’ll just say it. It’s kind of a hot mess. An alien/horror/conspiracy theory/faux-lost-footage documentary? What the what? And yet, for all its flaws, it kind of works. I know. I’m more surprised than you. Because for all I try not to sneak a peek at the reviews prior to my viewing experience – lest an unwanted metaphor burrow its way into my brain – I did see enough of the “Apollo 18” reviews to brace myself for the worst. …

Ever wonder what those telenovelas are all about? You know, those melodramatic, guilty pleasures that abuelas everywhere set their schedules around? Well, you’re in luck, folks. Step right up for “Colombiana,” a Spanish soap opera come to life on the big screen. And just like all those telenovelas on Telemundo and Univision, it has flashes of depth, but (not so) deep down, it’s an overwrought, superficial mess. Lights up on a seedy Colombian town. Little Cataleya, wide-eyed and innocent, is sitting at her kitchen table. It’s just another day. Or is it? ::Cue dramatic guitar music:: Her father…

Shove off, Edward Cullen. Go drink some synthetic blood, Anna Paquin’s boyfriend. I’ve never seen “Dark Shadows,” but with a name like Barnabas Collins, I feel confident in saying, take a hike, Barney. Colin Farrell is officially the most smokin’ (and psychotic) vampire EVER. He also proves once and for all that being scary isn’t about being loud and screechy; it’s about smoldering. “Fright Night” is the billionth remake this summer; the original being a 1985 cult classic starring Prince Humperdinck – I mean – Chris Sarandon, as “Jerry,” the vampire. And it wasn’t one I was particularly …

Next at bat in a long – long – queue of movie remakes this year (is it wishful thinking that “Footloose” remain on deck forever?): the motion-capture-sci-fi-action-o-rama: “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” The film is described as a knock-off ... no wait, I’m sorry, a “reboot” of the original “Planet of the Apes” five-part series, which premiered in 1968 and starred the one, the only, Charlton Heston. Tim Burton attempted to raise some apes himself in 2001 with the help of Marky Mark Wahlberg and Helena Bonham Carter, to disastrous affect. (Dear Hollywood: Think of a new idea for once! …

Summer at the movies can be a little explosion-heavy. And that’s all well and good – I did enjoy “Captain America” and “X-Men: First Class” – but at a point I begin to crave something more. My husband rolls his eyes at this craving and drops the derogatory term for love-centric films that he knows irritates me. Fact: action films are JUST as predictable and contrived as so-called “chick flicks.” So there. Lucky for me, he loves Steve Carell, so “Crazy, Stupid, Love” wasn’t that hard a sell. And even more lucky for me, it actually was a good movie. Carell plays Cal Weaver, the archetypal 40-…

Fact: Americans love movies about Americans kicking Nazi butt. Fact: Americans love Marvel Comics. Combine the two, and you have a heartwarming, inspiring summer blockbuster that will entertain and enchant kids and adults alike. I’ve absolutely lost count of how many Marvel characters have appeared on the big screen, but of them all, you’d be hard pressed to find one more sympathetic and endearing than “Captain America: The First Avenger.” Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is a little man with a big heart. It’s New York in 1941, and all Rogers wants to do is stand up for his country, as he feels is …

It's safe to safe that the final installment of the epic, eight-part “Harry Potter” film series may be the most anticipated movie release of all time. And it shows. This weekend “HP7” killed a ton of box office records, including biggest opening weekend gross ($168.55M), largest single-day ($92.1M) and biggest international weekend ever, weighing in at a staggering $307M. It’s a phenomenon that has many scratching their heads. Those of us fanatics will just shake our heads back and say, “Muggles just don’t understand.” The “Harry Potter” books, penned by richer-than-the-Queen-of-England J.K. …

Attention, fellow cube monkeys. Rejoice! There is a new “Office Space,” and it’s called “Horrible Bosses.” Granted, there isn’t as much stapler- and memo-related humor in the latter, but it’s highly relatable and chock full of cringe-worthy head honcho behavior. Add humor that’s crass enough to keep the frat boys laughing but intelligent enough to appeal to the hipsters, and you’ve got yourself a summer blockbuster. Our story centers around three amigos, played by Jason Bateman (Nick), Jason Sudeikis (Kurt) and Charlie Day (Dale), who have insufferable superiors. Back in the day – you know, …

There was a time when you couldn’t go to the movies without seeing Tom Hanks – either in the main feature or highlighted in a coming attraction.  But in recent years, the beloved actor has begun to work more and more off camera, producing such hits as “Big Love” and “Mamma Mia,” as well as many other ... shall we say, unremarkable flicks (“My Life in Ruins,” we’re looking at you.) Now Hanks is back in full force – not only producing, but writing, directing and starring in “Larry Crowne.” So if you don’t like it, you know whom to blame. (Ha.) Hanks’ film is centered around a Joe-Six-pack-type …

Every now and again, a movie comes along that makes you look twice at an actor whom you had previously, for reasons unknown, thought to be boring/awkward/annoying. My husband, for example, wanted to smack Justin Bartha in “National Treasure” – so much so that he nearly refused to watch “The Hangover,” just because he was in it. Nearly. We did watch it, and he loved, and from that point on, he looked at J.B. in a whole new light. “Bad Teacher” had a similar effect on me. Mainly, I used to love Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Jason Segal and Phyllis Smith (who plays Phyllis Vance, on “The …

Mr. Popper’s Penguins packs a peppy punch, proffering people a package that’s positive and perfectly pleasant, yet also preposterous and predictable.   Say that five times fast. Seriously though, “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” is a serviceable selection for summer on the silver screen. Wait, I’m doing it with “S” now. Hm. Ok, let’s just say ... state ... DECLARE that your kids will love it, and as an adult it is more than tolerable, although I couldn’t shake the fact that we’ve all seen this movie before. Probably cause we have. It’s called “Liar, Liar.” Also, “The Santa Clause.” And “Mrs. Doubtfire…

In many people’s eyes, J.J. Abrams, co-creator of the epically popular “Lost” series can do no wrong. I’ve never seen “Lost,” but I knew enough about Abrams to be excited by “Super 8.” Add producer Steven Spielberg to the project, and you have a guaranteed blockbuster. And blockbuster it is, raking in $35 million its opening weekend. And yet the movie itself suffers a bit from all the hype. I went in expecting revolutionary. What I got was “E.T.” meets “Stand By Me.” Everything about the film felt like something we’ve seen before:  The carefree boys, causing trouble. The beautiful girl from …

No one can seem to make just one movie these days. Everything is a series. Is there any reason the “Hangover Part II” should exist? I thought the first one wrapped up the plot pretty nicely. Even ‘80s movies aren’t safe, anymore. You need to film another “Wall Street”? Really? Can’t you leave well enough alone? Apparently not. So I had to roll my eyes, just a little, when I saw the preview for “X-Men: First Class.” Marvel is a movie-makers’ gold mine, having spawned dozens of features highlighting characters from the Hulk to Ghost Rider and The Fantastic Four. The first “X-Men” flick was star…

When you love someone, you forgive them of their flaws. They can get away with a little more because at the end of the day, you enjoy the deepest parts of them and that’s all that matters. Movies are kind of like that. No one ever expects the sequel to trump the original. Why does “Fast Five” exist? Are we marveling at Paul Walker’s acting skills? No. It’s more about escaping to that place and those characters you first loved (or at least enjoyed). And that, dear friends, is the only reason “The Hangover Part II” has made nearly $90 million. Because it’s certainly not due to the quality of …

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” the fourth installment of the Disney series, is everything you’d expect from a big-budget, action-adventure film. The scenery is lush, the costumes are impeccable, the action sequences are epic and Johnny Depp is still hot (and dirty). It’s also kinda boring. For those not familiar with “Pirates,” let me catch you up to speed. Johnny Depp is Captain Jack Sparrow, a saucy pirate with a thirst for trouble. When we first met Jack, he was battling his former first-mate, Captain Barbossa, for command of his precious vessel, The Black Pearl.  There was…

“At last, my looooove has come along.” (Please sing in the style of Etta James.) Thank you, Kristin Wiig for finally writing a movie we ladies can rally around. There’s a reason the moniker “chick flick” is associated with terrible-ness. Saccharine dialogue, weak plot points and an overabundance of montages set to girl-pop gets old real quick; so it’s ironic that the “chick flick” to rise above is one that’s centered around a wedding, the frilliest of all occasions. “Bridesmaids” is a movie that’s not only ideal for girls’ night out, but one that will allow you to turn to the man in your life…

My extent of Thor knowledge – before seeing the new release currently tearing up the box office – was Tina Fey in “30 Rock” exclaiming “by the hammer of Thor!” I never knew what that meant. And now, thanks to Kenneth Branagh’s epic film, I now not only know what it means, but I am a fan. The story of the Norse God Thor, as re-imagined by comic mastermind Stan Lee, follows a brash – and strapping – young prince as he tries to grow into his father’s imposing footsteps. The movie opens in the visually stunning “realm” of Asgard, where the aging monarch, Odin (played with restrained power by the …

The word “prom” undoubtedly floods your mind with myriad images. From the general – taffeta, gymnasiums and limos – to the personal. Think back to yours. Did you snag your dream date? Do you even remember the theme? The meal? Did you boycott in the name of good taste? When I think back to my own prom, I remember my pink ball gown (don’t judge), the God-awful decor (ours was titled “Wild Nights” and involved tables topped with lions and tigers and bears. Oh my.) and my friends’ post-prom beachfront suite (I grew up near the water in South Florida.) But of course, as with any prom, the real …