The One with Summer Break

It is finally here-summer vacation. And not a moment too soon. I wasn't sure I was going to make it this time around. This is the first summer without classes or work, so it should prove quite different this time around.

Baby is on her way. It looks like it may be June 23 as the magical date, and we feel pretty prepared. Well, as prepared as first-time parents can be.

The job front is better than in the past, but not as rosy as we imagined this spring. After multiple assurances of a teaching position next year at two different schools, I was passed over for dubious reasons. But I have my old job as an assistant if I can't get something better. It will be a struggle, but Ellice has her teaching job and well, when has it ever not been a financial struggle and God has always somehow provided despite appearances.

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Entertaining in a mild sort of way. Not much to say about this one. Performances are passable caricatures. There is some sense that the actors were going through the motions on this one. But the story is predictable and somewhat funny. I think they could have finessed the ending a bit to make the story arc more of a complete circle. The movie could have used a bit more development of the the minor characters and a little less on McConahey and his letcherous behavior. **

He's Just Not That Into You (DVD)
Several characters buy heavily into stereotypes. Completely predictable, with very little about these characters changing. With such a numerous cast, I would expect more than two characters to show personal growth. Three characters just made me sick. The interviews of women outside the story and in between the actual scenes of the film were by far the best part of the movie. The title is appropriate though, as I just wasn't that into this motion picture. *

17 Again
After a string of subpar movies lately, I didn't expect much here. Boy was I surprised. While the premise may be a little tired and old hat, the execution is brilliant. This movie was very funny, with a little campiness thrown in. Efron delivers an excellent performance as a younger version of an unhappy, bordering on midlife crisis Matthew Perry who gets the chance to set things right as his 17 year-old self. The show stealer however is his nerdy best friend Ned, who lives in a geek's nirvana of computer gaming, comic book loving Star Wars/Medieval Fantasy haven and has a crush on the high school principal. This movie was well worth our time, and will probably makes its way onto our DVD shelves someday. ***1/2