The “Ice Age” gang returns in the third installment of this very funny series.  This time around, the female wooly mammoth Ellie (Queen Latifah) is pregnant with Manny’s (Ray Romano) baby.  He’s busy prepping for the little one to arrive and can’t keep an eye on the silly sloth Sid (John Leguizamo).  Because of Sid’s dumb actions, dinosaurs come into the mix and create a new adventure for the gang.

I’ve always been a fan of these movies, and this one doesn’t disappoint.  The actors do a great job with the character voices, and the animation is incredible.  The animators didn’t forget the little details like blowing hair or falling snow.  The new characters in this movie added good humor to the storyline, especially the dinosaur fighting weasel Buck (Simon Pegg), and the squirrel fighting for the acorn returns but has to decide between love or food.

This movie is definitely the scariest of the three.  Not all of the dinosaurs are ferocious, but they don’t hold back on the ones that are.  But putting that aside, the new 3-D adventure is filled with laughs and some suspense that will entertain both kids and adults.  You’ll still enjoy this one even if you haven’t seen the other two, but you may not understand the characters as well.

Who to take to this movie: anyone over the age of 5

Don’t see this movie if: you didn’t like the other two

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Johnny Depp stars in this film as the notorious American gangster John Dillinger.  It takes place in the 1930s during his peak of bank robberies.  Christian Bale plays a federal agent named Melvin Purvis who is trying to hunt him down, catch him and end him for good.  For those of us who know our history, we know what happens to Dillinger, but it’s still an interesting story to see.

I have to admit that I was disappointed with this movie.  Johnny Depp did a great job, but it was way too long and quite boring at times.  There were a lot of dark, serious scenes that really slowed down the pace of the storyline.  My impression was that it would be packed with crime and lust, but it was more of a drama than an action film.

What I liked about this movie was how it truly transports you to the 1930s.  All of the costumes were fabulous, and even the minor details like facial hair and hats really told of the times and added to the characters.  It was neat to see what Chicago was like at this time and see how the country’s war on crime began.

Who to take to this movie: adults film fans who don’t mind loud gun shots and blood

Don’t see this movie if: you’re tired

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Warning: make sure you have a lot of tissue! This movie beautifully tells the story of a family who is trying to save their leukemia-stricken daughter Karen. They genetically conceived a third child, Anna, to serve as a donor for the sick one, and this turns out to bite them back when she gets a bit older.

The movie starts out by showing each person in the family’s side of the story. I really liked that unique approach, and it helped you truly understand how the Karen’s condition affected everyone. I also enjoyed the numerous flashbacks that explained how the family got to be where they are today.

Of course this movie is sad, but it’s also quite charming and funny. I was shocked at how well Cameron Diaz portrayed a fighting mother because I’m used to seeing her as the quirky, hot chick. Abigail Breslin also had a great performance as the donor daughter as well as Sofia Vassilieva’s moving role as Karen. Even though you may cry a lot, it’s one of those movies that touches you and awakens your need for companionship.

Who to take to this movie: those closest to you

Don’t see this movie if: you’re not in the mood to cry

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MIX 100 is sponsoring a really cool event called Drums Along the Rockies, Colorado’s premiere marching music event at Invesco Field on July 11.  The event features world class drum and bugle corps, and I was able to stop by the Blue Knights rehearsal and had some fun with a girl from their drumline!  For more info and to get tickets, go to http://datr.bknights.org/.  Take a look and see how I attempt to be one of the drummers!  Hope to see you at the event!

Click here to watch!

Get ready to cover your ears and sit on the edge of your seat!  This sequel is packed with so many special effects and action that it can be a bit too loud and overwhelming at times, but I think that’s what everyone is expecting.  People won’t go see this for the acting.  They want the mind blowing special effects and explosive action scenes!

Although the storyline isn’t anything impressive, it has its entertaining moments.  Shia LeBeouf is going to college and has to leave his hot girlfriend (Megan Fox) behind.  His parents provide a lot of humor to the movie, especially his mom when they’re moving him into the dorm.  His college roommate is also pretty funny, trying to pull off being suave even though deep down he’s a scaredy cat.

The Autobots (good guys) and Decepticons (bad guys) seem bigger, stronger and more awesome this time around.  They kick some serious butt while each side is trying to accomplish their goal (save the planet vs. destroy it).  All around, I think it’s better than the first one.  And by the way, you definitely need to see the first movie before checking out the sequel or you’ll be very lost.

Who to take to this movie: fans of the first movie

Don’t see this movie if: you can’t take fighting robots seriously

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After hearing Sandra Bullock’s interviews claiming this movie is a comedy rather than a cheesy, predictable romantic comedy, I must admit I was anxious to see if she was right.  Turns out she was!  “The Proposal” is a refreshing take on the typical romantic comedy, making you laugh out loud multiple times and keeping you guessing throughout the whole thing. 

This is definitely not a chick flick and will entertain both men and women.  Both genders will laugh at both main actors because Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds appeal to what women and men like: a combination of humor and eye candy.  The cheesiness was easily avoided by the plot: she’s the boss + he’s the overworked assistant = them spending more time pushing each other’s buttons than ooing and ahhing over each other. 

Betty White was also a stand out for me in this movie.  She plays Reynolds’ grandmother, and she keeps you on your toes!  From dirty one liners to chanting in the woods, she was a hysterical addition to the movie.  In fact, the cast all worked well together.  Although this flick won’t exactly move you, it’ll help you appreciate the love of family and inspire you to either appreciate or find the love you desire.

Who to take to this movie: your significant other

Don’t see this movie if: you’ve recently gone through a breakup

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Jack Black and Michael Cera (along with a laundry list of funny men cameos) star in this “historical” comedy.  Black gets kicked out of his woods tribe, so he starts on a voyage to discover what else is out there.  Cera tags along, and they embark on an adventure they never thought was possible.

This movie takes what most likely happened in 1 A.D. and puts modern language into it.  The modern twist is what makes it funny because part of you thinks that they never talked like we do now.  There isn’t a ton of laugh out loud moments, which slightly disappointed me. 

Although Black and Cera have funny moments in this movie, they’re no different than in the other flicks they’ve been in.  Black is super physical, musical and energetic.  Cera is quiet, dorky and not very masculine.  The duo work great together, and their predictable personas are funny, but I was hoping they’d give me more than their usual performances.

Who to take to this movie: history buffs with a sense of humor

Don’t see this movie if: you’ve never liked Jack Black or Michael Cera

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A-list actors Denzel Washington and John Travolta star in this suspenseful remake.  Travolta plays the bad guy named Ryder, leading a team of hijackers who hold passengers on the Pelham 1 2 3 subway hostage in NYC.  Washington is the ordinary dispatcher who happens to be on shift while all this is going down and has to negotiate with Travolta’s demands. 

Be prepared to get sweaty palms during this movie!  It’s packed with edge of your seat moments, filling you with hope that Travolta loses and the hostages will be ok.  The cinematography is fantastic, filled with emotional close ups, fast paced sequences and freeze frame time shots.

This movie was cast perfectly.  Travolta seems like a good guy in real life, so it’s cool to see him pull off a crazy villain.  Washington plays the humble city employee very well, showing real emotion and believable fear.  It’s really good, but it starts right away with the heist, so the lack of fat to the film (including more background on Ryder) could’ve made the movie great.

Who to take to this movie: adults in the mood for suspenseful action

Don’t see this movie if: you’ve never liked Travolta as a villain

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If you’re looking for nonstop hilarity, then this movie is for you!  “The Hangover” is one of the funniest movies I’ve seen in a long time.  It tells the story of four guys who go to Las Vegas for a bachelor party, and the next morning they wake up, don’t remember anything from the night before and find the groom missing.

What makes this movie work is that the characters are all so different from each other.  You have the suave one (Bradley Cooper), the odd ball (Zach Galifianakis), the straight laced one (Ed Helms), and the fairly normal one (Justin Bartha).  It’s absolutely hilarious watching all of them interact and react to the clues given to them about their crazy night of partying.  This is nothing like “Dude Where’s My Car?”, so if you were afraid of that, don’t be.

I also loved how realistic this movie was.  I’m not talking about how often you find a tiger in a bathroom or a baby a closet, but how they approach finding out what happened and looking for their missing friend.  I don’t want to give too much away.  All I can say is see this movie.  You won’t regret it.

Who to take to this movie: adults who know what it’s like to not remember a night of partying

Don’t see this movie if: you’re with people under 21

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The star of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” actually goes to Greece!  Well…not the same character, but it’s the same actress (Nia Vardalos).  In this romantic comedy, Vardalos is an American woman named Georgia who gives boring bus tours throughout Greece.  But on this tour, she discovers a side of herself that’s been missing.

This movie was very cute.  Filled with charming characters and a beautiful landscape, it’s one of those flicks that allows you to truly escape and not think so much.  The acting won’t blow you away, but the lighthearted storyline and occasional laugh out loud moments will keep you entertained.

There were two standout characters for me in this movie.  Richard Dreyfuss plays the funny man in the tour group who ends up helping Georgia in more ways than she thought possible.  Rachel Dratch was my other favorite, playing a goofy married woman proud to be an American.  And just to let all the ladies know, the romantic lead definitely lives up to his sexy Greek persona!

Who to take to this movie: friends in the mood for a chick flick

Don’t see this movie if: cheesy romance makes you gag

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