What to Expect When You're Expecting

Another comedy will be taking a stab at parenthood. This one is named after a popular book for new parents, What to Expect When You're Expecting.

It stars quite an ensemble of stars: Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Matthew Morrison (Glee), Elizabeth Banks, Anna Kendrick, Ben Falcone (Bridesmaids), Chris Rock and Dennis Quaid. I'm hopeful. Dudes doing dad stuff can be funny if done right. I want it to make me laughing until I cry. I need a good laugh.

The movie is rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, thematic elements and language. Could be a date night movie because of the focus on men (no judging!)...but it better be FUNNY. The trailer:

Why make another chihuahua movie?

I'm not surprised Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3 is going straight to DVD on Sept. 18.

Check out an early scene.

I doubt I'll watch. Unfair to say? Maybe. But I'm back to being time starved and this isn't on my list of must-see films.

Now, I did enjoy the first movie. I didn't want to see it and made my mom take my kids. She swore it was funny, so I eventually saw it when it was released on DVD. I was totally shocked that I liked the goofy humor. I was OK with my kids wanting to own it. Shocking! So yes, it's in our DVD collection.

The second movie did not impress. That's why I question a third. But then again, Disney is big on animal flicks. Think of golden retriever Buddy, star of the Air Bud franchise that lead to a series of Air Buddies movies. This doesn't happen if the movies don't resonate with kids and moms. And while I know many moms who won't dare watch, they still buy these movies to put on for their kids to have a wholesome laugh or two. Besides, puppies can do anything and be adorable, right?

The Avengers come together in a good way

I love May. It's the beginning of blockbuster movie time. Which will make the biggest impression this summer?

In my family, The Avengers has been high on our summer list. The only concern, would too much superhero makes for a terrible movie?

I'm delighted that it meshed well, and the fun zingers and pop culture references kept coming. My grade: A-

So what brings these superheroes together? Loki (Tom Hiddleston). The adopted brother of Thor (Chris Hemsworth) transports to Earth to collect the terreract, a powerful energy source introduced in Captain America, to open a gateway to Earth for the ultimate alien takeover. Loki takes two key SHIELD players, Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and scientist Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård) from the Thor movie, and turns them to his cause with the touch of his magical staff.

That's when super-secret government agency SHIELD calls in superheroes Captain America (Chris Evans), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), and the Hulk (now Mark Ruffalo). Some come reluctantly, questioning SHIELD's motives beyond containing bad boy Loki. The boys have their own ego conflicts, but in the end come together to save the day.

It takes time to play out, but the nearly 2 1/2 hour film moves quickly. You don't notice how much time passes because action and quick-witted lines keep you entertained. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, and a mild drug reference.

Things to know if you take young kids:

-Not surprising: Lots of destruction via explosions, lasers, guns and superhero/villain brute strength. Bodies get tossed around aplenty, and there's lots of casualties, including one likeable character.

-Some characters drink alcohol, and one character asks another if he takes weed to stay calm.

-Mild sexual innuendo between characters.

-Near nudity (except for a strategically placed building block) of one character after a certain transformation.

-Mild language. I don't recall any of the big bad words.

Things to talk about with kids if you go:

-How does ego affect teamwork?

-Do you think having done some not so nice things in your past makes it impossible to really be a good guy?

-Why do you think there is so much violence in comic book stories?

-Would you stand up to a power play as the one older man did when Loki was exhibiting his domination?

The Avengers was a great kick off to summer fun at the movies. Other summer movies that we can't wait to see: Snow White and the Huntsman, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, Brave, The Amazing Spider-Man and The Dark Knight Rises.

Bring on summer!

Picking your movie seat and not standing in line for hours

I have become a big fan of movie theaters that let you pick out your seat when purchasing your ticket online or at the theater. Yes, you can do that once inside any movie theater. Sometimes you get those coveted middle seats, just far enough away from the screen, but not too far. But think about all the popular films you've attended. Did you have to show up hours early to get in line to get a decent seat?

I bought my tickets for The Avengers — a movie the whole family can't wait to see — yesterday. I'll drive a little farther, but I know I'll be seated in the center in the row I preselected. I won't need to stand around for hours to get my preferred seat. I'll show up just early enough to put in my snack order. And that makes for one happy Movie Mama.

A Little Bit of Hell

Pulling out a romantic comedy about a gal who believes she doesn't need a loving relationship but then gets cancer and finds she's missing love in her life is a difficult task.

The material has to be really good to not come off as too flip or unbelievable. The chemistry among characters needs to be strong. The story needs to pull you in emotionally.

Sadly, "A Little Bit of Heaven" doesn't pull it off. Oh, it has a few moments that'll make you laugh. But they are in between what seem to be long stretches of painful awkwardness.

Had I seen the trailer before the screening, I probably would have skipped this one. You can just tell.

In "A Little Bit of Heaven," Kate Hudson plays Marley, the gal who doesn't believe in love. She's been adorable at times in romantic comedies. This time, she's not. She's a girl with a guys sensibilities - work hard, play hard, no need for being tied down for love. As you watch, you don't believe it. Then, in good romantic comedy fashion, there's a spark. But the chemistry between her and her doc (Gael García Bernal) is nonexistent. I get that it should be awkward at first, but after they've been in bed? Well, it just seemed that way. Then something gets in the way, and then they make up. Yada, yada.

Making it even more unbelievable was Marley's trip to heaven during his medical scare. This is where, obviously, she meets God and makes three wishes. Huh? Isn't that supposed to happen with a genie? Anyway, happens God appears in the form of Whoopi Goldberg. The whole heaven in the clouds comes off as silly and old fashioned. Maybe it's me?

My feeling is if you drag your guy to this one, you'll owe him for a long time. This 106 minute movie feels like it's closer to 2 1/2 hours. You'll celebrate when it's over.

That said, te movie did eventually pull at my heart just a little. My eyes did get misty near the end. Can't say why. Rated PG-13 for sexual content, including crude references, and language. My grade D.