Despicable Me

July 18.

I wasn't even sure what this movie was about when I saw the previews of "Despicable Me." But, the story of the greatest criminal adopting three orphans to help him get money for his ultimate, master plan - the greatest caper ever- was adorable. And, the hundreds of minions didn't hurt either.

This was absolutely the best kids' movie I've seen in a long time.

Cyrus

July 10.

It was kinda weird watching John C. Reilly fight it out with his girlfriend's son, Jonah Hill, because they reminded me so much of each other. They should have been great friends fast. But, Cyrus (Hill) wasn't into losing his mom (Marisa Tomei) to a new man.

The pace was sometimes off in the movie, but overall "Cyrus" was funny and touching and a little crazy. A little crazy is always good.

Everyone in the cast was great and the cringe factor was in full effect.

Toy Story 3

July 5.

"Toy Story 3" is everything it promises to be - cute, funny, warm, and touching.

The story brings back all the characters we love from the first and second movies and introduces a few new loveable toys. And, although I was entertained and would definitely say this was a good movie, I can't help but say it seems like all three movies have the same story. The toys get separated from their owner, Andy, and have to find their way back to him. Some think he doesn't love them anymore, but Woody always knows he does.

The difference with part three is that we know, and the toys know, that this is really the end. Andy's going to college and there's not much hope he'll bring his childhood toys with him. But, unless there's a new story to tell, maybe it's good that it's the end.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

July 4.

"For what it's worth, it's never too late, or in my case too early, to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit - start whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. You can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you'll make the best of it. I hope you'll see things that startle you. I hope you'll feel things you've never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again." - Benjamin Button, from "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Julie & Julia

July 4.

I have heard many people say they liked the Julia half of the movie but didn't care about the Julie half. I guess if I had to choose my favorite half, then, yes, I'd choose Julia, too, but I love both parts of "Julie & Julia."

Food, Paris, New York, well Okay, Queens, but still ... I get wrapped up in these stories of culinary obsession every time I turn the movie on.

Julie, played by Amy Adams, does crack under the pressure a few times, and the pressure is sort of silly since it's a self-inflicted deadline of making all of Julia Child's recipes and blogging about them in a year. But, I'm still rooting for her the whole time.

Julia, played my Meryl Streep is the exact opposite of Julie. She never cracks, well maybe once, but she is completely different. And, the marriage between her and her husband Paul is a sweet, unexpected love story.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

July 3.

I love the Shopaholic book series, so I had to see the movie starring Isla Fisher as Becky Bloomwood.

It was a lot better than I expected. And, Fisher was a perfect choice as Becky. The character can seem a bit overindulgent and selfish but Fisher makes her sympathetic and adorable.

The movie takes the story out of London and brings it to New York. There are a lot of other changes, too, but, Luke Brandon is still a cute British guy. And, even with all the differences, I liked the movie a lot.