Charlie Wilson's War

Rated R for language, violence, sexuality, drug use, nudity

Starring Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Phillip Seymour Hoffman

It's 1980. Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson spends his freetime partying with friends and strippers, playmates and going to elegant parties with famous people. It's not until he gets talked into visiting the President of Pakistan that he sees just how the Communist Soviet Union has made an effect on Afghanistan which has an impact on him to help get funding so the Afghans have a fair chance of fighting back and possibly ending the Cold War.

Based on a true story and written by those of the show The West Wing, it was a clever movie with witty dialogue. I'm not normally one to watch political or historical movies like this, but I actually found myself entertained - it was pretty good!

National Treasure: Book of Secrets

Rated PG

Starring Nicholas Cage, Jon Voight, Helen Mirren, Justin Bartha, Ed Harris

This sequel starts out with the assassination of Abe Lincoln in a flashback. Ben Gates and father surprised at a lecture when presented with a missing page from the diary of John Wilkes Booth listing their relative Thomas Gates as one of the consiprators of the Lincoln assassination. In their quest to save the family name and clear their ancestor, the Gates and Co, including Abigal and Riley, go on another global treasure hunt which sends them searching for clues in Paris, England, DC and the rumored President's Book of Secrets.

It had the same wit and cleverness as the original, as well as the same Indiana Jones type history adventure the original had also. This is probably going to be the main family Christmas movie this year. Expect a third installment in the future as well, as it clearly alludes that there will be another treasure hunt.

Alvin and the Chipmunks

Rated PG

Starring Jason Lee, David Cross, Justin Long, Jesse McCartney

In this big screen version of everyone's favorite chipmunks, Alvin, Simon and Theodore are whisked out of their woodland home and find themselves and their tree in the middle of an office building. In their quick escape, they end up in Dave Seville's basket. Dave is a struggling songwriter tried to get a break in the music industry. After coming to terms with his new furry houseguests he learns of their singing talent and writes the infamous Chipmunk christmas song we all know of. Wanting to get in on the action, "Uncle Ian" (Dave's record producer friend from college) tries to convince the chipmunks that Dave is holding them back, with rules among other things and tells them that they're superstars now - they can do whatever they want! In the end, Dave must come to terms with himself and the chipmunks must choose between a life of fastpaced fame with Uncle Ian or a structured life with Dave.

It was a good family feel-good movie with silly humor and the chipmunks were cute too!