JUMPING THE BROOM

Although it has been several weeks since it first came out, I chose to see "Jumping the Broom" today over "Hangover Two". I'm certain I made the right choice. I've always loved the work of Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, Paula Patton and Julie Bowen. These names plus the story of love, a wedding with some comedy thrown in promised to be my kind of movie.

"Jumping the Broom" was a tale of Boy Meets Girl...They have a whirlwind courtship, fall in love and, decide to marry...Boy has done well for himself, came from loving and, middle-classed beginnings. Girl has done well for herself, came from loving and, high-classed beginnings...

Families meet for the wedding and, a host of comedy and drama begins. As, it would be when two families with absolutely nothing in common unite there was a lot of disgust and hurt feelings. Brooklyn to the Martha's Vineyard creates a huge gap.

However, the movie showed that no matter how rich you are you can still be unhappy and have problems. But, the ones exposed on the "Wedding Day" would have sent any bride into years of therapy. This bride recovered in a few hours.

Though far-fetched at times, "Jumping the Broom" was just a sweet chick flick that will be purchased for a movie collection and watched again and again..........I'll catch "Hangover Two" later.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STANGER TIDES

In all fairness, let me say that even though I've seen three out of the four installments of the "Pirates" franchise; this is not my kind of movie. However, it was an entire family event, as the ones before, so I went knowing that a endless supply of popcorn and Diet Coke would get me through.

Johnny Depp recently told Oprah he could play Captain Jack Sparrow forever which he probably will be able to do. His presence in this movie and the ones before wake me up when all the caffeine couldn't keep me from dozing. Plus, I would watch Geoffrey Rush read a phone book. However, both of them could not keep my eyes open or keep me from squirming and looking at my watch through this much too long movie.

The great Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane seemed to be thrown in for window dressing and box office dollars when their presence only added to a series of confusing sub plots when the movie was supposed to be about a quest for finding the "Fountain of Youth". Sure the tropical locales and special effects were good but, no better than what I can see on TV.

We chose not to see the 3D version as did the packed theatre we were in. I'm not a fan of paying the extra money or wearing special glasses to see a movie. I honestly don't think it would have made it any better.

Alas, more than likely Mr. Depp will get his wish and will get to play Captain Jack again, he deserves that. And, I will probably go see it just to be with my family for a big event. They, by the way, were mixed with their reviews. I do appreciate the fact that "Pirates" is truly suitable for the entire family and, it will continue to live on.

BRIDESMAIDS

I went into this movie with great expectations after reading so many glowing reviews. I'm a big fan of Judd Apatow's work as well as the comedic talents of Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph. Plus, Melissa McCarthy has always been a delight to watch since I first saw her on the "Gilmore Girls". I fully expected a female version of "The Hangover" with all the bawdiness and fun.

These expectations were delivered with some hilarious "gross out" scenes that you rarely see women perform. Not that this was what I paid the price of admission for but, I did expect more of a "Bachelor Party" vibe and much less a story of a pathetic loser who seems to never catch a break.

However, Apatow was dealing with women and, did get the fact that we are a different breed. Men rarely get upset when someone steps in to become a more significant influence in the life of a best friend. I don't think men are afraid to say "I'm not paying for that" and "That is just stupid". Women are pleasers and tiptoe around issues that a man would readily point out.

When all was said and done....I see many more big movie roles for Wiig and this flick made me both laugh and cry. Again, not exactly what I expected but, worth the two hours and the money spent.

PROM

My movie going partner is my almost 23 year old daughter and, we try to catch one a week. I really wasn't that thrilled with going to see PROM with all the other really hyped stuff out there but, she gave me a really cool Mother's Day gift so I caved in.

What I saw was a really sweet coming of age movie about this rite of passage that so many these days consider archaic or, since the days when I was a teen a time to get drunk and have sex. There was none of this in this movie nor, as I witnessed through my children, a time to spend massive amounts of money grooming for the event. The girls in this movie painted their own toenails.

The story is of a female overachiever who had worked diligently to create a perfect prom for her classmates with many obstacles along the way including not having the "right" date of her own. The turmoils of her classmates in preparing for this event were also a focus.

I had never heard of about 95% of the cast as they are relative unknowns but, I see acting futures for so many of them. This was a DISNEY MOVIE so we never saw anything more racy than a jock cheating on his girlfriend with nothing more to tell us that than a stray earring found in his car. I don't even think I heard the word "damn" uttered.

So for all you mothers who still hold "THE PROM" as a glorious night.....take your tweens and teens to show them how precious and wholesome it can be. And, for you mothers who have grown daughters who know all that you do about what really goes on....go anyway and enjoy a quite simple Mother/Daughter afternoon.