Stuff by Steve

Sky High (Good)
The non-super son of superhero parents endures his first experiences at a high school for super-teenagers, and finds that it is just as horrifying as real high-school.
This is a Disney movie; clean and formulaic, and not exactly ground-breaking. That said, I enjoyed it - there were quite a few memorable moments, and it was fairly interesting despite the typical lameness that comes with good, clean formula. The best part was Kurt Russell’s dry, satirical take on the great all-American hero. Classic.

My Super Ex-Girlfriend (Good)
An average joe starts dating a woman who is also a superhero. He discovers this, and the fact that she is “clingy,” only after he attempts to break up with her.
Continuing the trend of superhero goodness, a socially-dysfunctional superheroine (Uma Thurman) attempts to exact revenge on her average ex-boyfriend (Luke Wilson). I liked the idea of a superhero that suffered from low self-esteem. There’s a fair amount of character development, which is nice for a fluffy movie. The thing is, it wasn’t great, just good. But still, good isn’t bad.

Before Sunset (Crap)
A man and woman who once shared an intimate-yet-fleeting moment meet by chance years later and consider the possibility of taking their fling to the next level.
A sequel to “Before Sunrise ,” this is a high-concept, artsy film. It seemed odd at first but drew me in with its intimate tone and fluid style. Shot almost entirely in “real time,” I watched the curious interplay of two people who found themselves awkwardly attracted to each other while they wandered some quaint Paris streets. Too bad the guy was married… to another woman. No matter how charming a film, when the protagonist is a jerk, it completely ruins it for me.

Lady in the Water (Good)
A fairy tale about a nymph who lives in a swimming pool whose destiny is to save mankind.
Based on an actually family bedtime story by writer/director M. Night Shyamalan, this movie was full of the same creepy style you found in “The Village,” “Signs,” and “Sixth Sense.” Yet, the movie wasn’t really that creepy, but rather more of a unique fantasy story that happened to have strange creatures in it. Still, it was missing that compelling Lord-of-the-Rings essence that makes you want to change your life after watching a movie. Still, time well wasted.

Stick It (Good)
A rebellious gymnast attempts a comeback while fighting against the stigma that surrounds her.
Chick Alert: this is one of Danielle’s new favourites. I kinda liked it too. It was clean, stars Jeff Bridges, and I have to say that gymnastics blows my mind. It reminded me of an edgier, more innocent version of “Bring It On.” To its credit, I have not tired of it even after Danielle’s repeated viewings of the DVD.