I took in two movies this weekend! 

The first one --- The X-Files: I Want to Believe

Dir: Chris Carter   Stars:  David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson

Synopsis:  Mulder and Scully are back, working with the FBI to solve a case involving a missing agent, a bunch of body parts, and a disgraced psychic priest.  This movie is not based on the alien conspiracy storyline that ran through the series.

The movie didn't open very well, probably due to the negative buzz (and the fact that it's been about 10 years since we've heard from this franchise).  The bad buzz isn't really fair --- people are judging this as an X-Files movie, instead of just on it's own merits like any other movie. 

The plot was disposable, and less exciting than some of the amazing stories that they did during the run of the show.  It's a cop procedural with a bit of paranormal thrown in.  The story is not up to X-Files standards, but it's better than all those crappy Ashley Judd thrillers put together.

The strength of this movie lies in Mulder and Scully.  The movie is at it's best in it's character moments --- it focuses on their relationship, and the theme of breaking away from the darkness they're always chasing, in order to lead a normal life.  Duchovny and Anderson are great --- they know these characters well and are comfortable in the roles.

Here's what I think they should have done --- finish the alien mythology once and for all.  Make it into a trilogy if you want and see where it goes from there.  The show always had a countdown of sorts, to alien colonization.  Why not have the final chapter, where Mulder and Scully race against time to stop the alien invasion.  That would be perfect for the big screen.

Anyway, I liked this movie, but I might have trouble recommending it to anyone but X-Files fans.  3 and A HALF Dorks out of 5 on the Geek-o-Meter.

NEXT --- Step Brothers!

Dir: Adam Mckay  Stars:  Will Farrell, John C. Reilly

Synopsis:  Two immature and spoiled adults become step-brothers when their parents get married.

Okay, let's just get any and all Movie Geek snobbery out of the way.  The movie is very poorly organized and put together, blah, blah blah.  However, we don't go see a movie like this for the cinematography, we go to see two great comedians make us laugh.  Step Brothers is just that. I was disappointed by the movie itself, but entertained by most of the comedy. 

What might have been neat to see was a bit more satire on society --- how many adults in the 21st century are living this kind of extended adolecence?  Just because a movie is meant to be funny, doesn't mean you can't throw in some subversive tones.  I guess things don't always have to be smart and make sense, but any comedy, no matter how silly, will always be that much better when the writers pay attention to structure.

I would also note that this movie was hilariously crude.  Well, assuming you find vulgarity funny (and why are you at a movie like this if you don't?).  I don't want to spoil one of the big scenes in the movie, but I'll just say that I'll never look at a drum set the same way again.  Yipes!

Anyway, a funny summer popcorn movie, you'll laugh while you're watching it, and then forget about it 10 minutes after you walk out of the theatre (except for the drum kit thing...).  I'm going to be kind though, and give it 3 Dorks out of 5 on the Geek-o-Meter!