June Movie Survey!

1. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Having seen this film twice, (a second for the elusive "post credits" scene) I have to admit, Pirates 4 was a bit of a let down (in regards to Jack Sparrow and Blackbeard) but worth seeing, especially on DVD, for the Priest-Mermaid love story. Overall: the film was a great bit of summer fun, if a bit challenging to follow. Advice: Rent it on DVD.

2. X-MEN: FIRST CLASS. This movie was especially believable as a prequel to the later films: building upon the relationship between Charles Xavier (Professor X) and Erik Lehnsherr (Magneto) as they recruit young mutants to help save the world from the Cuban Missile Crisis/Nuclear Armageddon and the evil Shaw (Kevin Bacon?!). There were enough funny moments, moments of wonder (at new mutant powers) and drama (James McAvoy's eerily accurate Patrick Stewart impression) to make this a definite contender in the series. (It's still better than that film that shall not be named X-3: The Last Stand.)

Advice: See it in theaters or rent it on DVD.

3. BRIDESMAIDS. The funniest movie I've seen yet this year. It's got everything! This is not just a movie for girls- although most guys won't have the guts to see it, even though they should (as the critics have been saying). Reminiscent of The Hangover, The Ugly Truth and Knocked Up, some of the moments are so horrifying and profane traumatically hilarious I cried. Kristin Wiig proves her comedic chops in this movie, holding her own as the lead, but with a dozen more hilarious supporting characters to boot. Advice: Go see it in theaters with your friends, or rent it for a movie-night.