More movies, yo

...starting off with..

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
Seeing as how we haven't seen any of the Harry Potter movies before, we started out by renting the first one in the series. i must admit I was more than a tad sceptical, but we were pleasantly surprised. Nice introduction to how HP gets to join Hogwarth or whatever, good actors, and very well-made stuff. Cool.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
As good as the first one IMO, although by now I don't see the point of starting the movie with Harry barely escaping his evil uncle, aunt and lunchbox cousin. We get it - they're evil, selfish, stupid and out of shape. Besides, I don't see any motive whatsoever the family might have in preventing HP from going away - it's not like they want him there anyways, and the money was unknown HP inherited was unknown to them, so harping on some Dickensian evil is trite at this point, again IMO. Still a cool movie, and we're gonna see all of the now for sure.

The Marine (2006)
A WWE production, starring John "Word Life" Cena. I actually thought that this one might have decent mindless action-movie qualities, but alas, it sucked big time. Cena is actually very well suited for this type of movie, and SO much more believable as an ass-kicker than Affleck (Daredevil anyone?), that skinny twunt who played in Batman Begins (can't be bothered to look him up) or even worse, whichever gin-soaked, golf-playing, John Cleese-looking empty suit with slick hairdo is playing James Bond. Still; with 80% of what was supposed to be a storyline replaced by random explosions, and the other lead being Robert "Have you seen this boy" Patrick, it was pretty much doomed. No es bueno.

Music and Lyrics (2007)
Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore in a FANTASTIC feel-good movie. If you like Sleepless In Seattle, You've Got Mail, City Of Angels, The Wedding Singer, Notting Hill, The Terminal or It Could Happen To You, then you'll love this movie. And if not - then what the Hell is wrong with you? Crib too close to the microwave when you were a baby? Emotional development stunted and romantically bereft? Too caught up with monster truck rally and soccer to escape from a preconceived macho image? Anyway; unless you're an epic loser in all aspects of life, you'll love this movie.

Gridiron Gang (2006)
Football movie based on a true story starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The Rock is actually a quite capable actor, the story is good, and here he does not revert to his kicking-ass-and-taking-names, check yo' ass into the Smackdown motel, know your role and shut your mouth, WWE persona. If you like football movies like "Remember the Titans", or "Invincible", you'll probably like this one.