HER:

This Oscar-nominated film that stars Joachim Phoenix, Amy Adams, and the voice of Scarlett Johansson takes place in the near future, a time and place where you can purchase a new operating system for your computer that offers the best in artificial intelligence.  That’s exactly what Theodore (Phoenix) does.  He’s a lonely man, a writer, and is in the final stages of his divorce.  Who would have thought he would fall in love with Samantha, the “person” inside the operating system.  Scarlett Johansson’s performance here, even though she is never seen, is unique and praiseworthy … but overall, this is a strange film.  Director is Spike Jonz, also stars Kristin Wiig and Rooney Mara. Rated 14A.

I FRANKENSTEIN:

An absolutely dreadful departure from the traditional Frankenstein story, this one would be laughable if I didn’t think that writer/director Stuart Beattie (Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl) wasn’t already embarrassed beyond belief when he looks at the monster of a movie he created.  Aaron Eckhart is the creature, but really not much more so than  anyone with a bad complexion.  With his creator, Dr. Victor Frankenstein, dead and buried in his grave, the creature is abducted by Gargoyles which we learn are good guys in the eternal battle between lightness and dark.  None of it makes much sense, and everyone involved really should have known better! Rated 14A.   

THE AWKWARD MOMENT:

Marginal rom-com about three friends weighing in on their coupling issues … one is perpetually single, one has just been dumped by a girlfriend, and the other is married, but his wife wants a divorce.  The stars here are Zac Efron, Michael B. Jordan, and Miles Teller.  The awkward moment of the title is when the question gets asked, “where is this relationship really going?”  Hint:  none of the guys ever ask the question … the women always do.  Predictable and lightweight.  Rated 14A.

MARS NEEDS MOMS (2011):

Just in time for Mother’s Day, this animated feature (the title is a play on the cheesy ‘60s movie, “Mars Needs Women”) tells the story of Milo, whose mother is abducted by aliens in order to raise Martian children with the cool degree of discipline that she metes out at home.  Milo hitches a ride on the spaceship where he learns they are going to take out his mother’s brain and put it in a robot. Voices of Seth Green and Joan Cusak.  Rated PG.

BEDTIME STORIES (2008):

Adam Shankman, a judge on “So You Think You Can Dance” is the director here.  Adam Sandler is the star, a guy who begins telling fantastic bedtime stories to little kids, only to learn that they are all coming to pass.  Russell Brand, Courtney Cox, and Guy Pierce also star.  Rated G.