Ted: Peter, meet Brian

Seth MacFarlane has a schtik.  A very good schtik, but a schtik nonetheless.  It's crude and extra (as in over-the-top for no particular reason) with a hint of intelligence.  This movie is no different, and I guess I don't know why I expected it to be.  But seeing some of the scenes that are normally reserved for his 'toons play out in real life was were a bit disturbing (e.g. cartoon violence is funny... in a cartoon).  However, the actual story of the movie was decent.  Starting with a novel concept of a "Pinocchio"-esque wish fast-forwarded 25 years, we see a man unwilling to grow up and a toy that never has to.  It's a mash-up of all of the Family Guy characters (less the never-interesting Meg) learning to be decent people.  In short, it's a good buddy movie... for the most part.
Verdict: Wait if you've ever seen an episode of Family Guy (rent it)

Magic Mike: 50-50

So, of course, the only reason why I wanted to see it is for the gorgeous bodies.  It happens; I'm human and easily swayed.  And I had very little expectations for the actual plot/storyline.  I think it barely met that expectation.  This is the classic veteran-rookie story where the rookie learns the craft and the veteran learns what it means to be a better person.  But with strippers.  I appreciated the coordinated openning dance numbers and the shirtless men, but yeah...not much else to it.  I wouldn't say it was the worst movie ever made, though that has been said, but I can't say much else for its favor.
Verdict: Wait for Redbox (Rent)

The Amazing Spiderman: authentically done

So, I'm not one for comics, but when the reboot for Spiderman was announced and the love interest was not Ms Mary Jane Watson, I had to do my research.  What could be so different to require a new female lead?!  Apparently, Toby McGuire's version was all sorts of historically incorrect.  Garfield was a far more awkward Peter Parker than I was expecting, but the story itself was more authentic and followed the comic closer.  While I am still far more excited for the third installation of the Batman/Nolan series, I was not terribly disappointed in this movie.  Only slightly... well I was severely disappointed in the 3D effects and the gratuitous flying scenes.
Verdict: See it in 2D and at 4 pm on a Tuesday (Discount)

The Black List: Summer boycotts

Before reading on, this is not to the confused with THE black list, the list of hidden gems of indie scripts, but the list of films not worth my money and almost not important enough to write about... so here is my brief acknowledgment to their existence.

Goofy comedies are running amock as we ease into the apex of summer.  While I am a fan of the stupid yet entertaining, these seem like they missed the mark on entertainment.  Though I could be very wrong, on principle they are included on the newest installment of the boycott list Summer 2012:

Title	Rationale
The Dictator	This is one of those "good in theory" type movies.  I have been fooled a few times before and would hate to be douped again by SBC.
Battleship	Yeah, I liked Friday Night Lights, but after John Carter, Taylor Kitsch isn't enough to draw in the masses; I simply just was not interested.   I'm over games turned into movies based on transportation vehicles.
Katy Perry: Part of Me	It looks like it offers insights into the strenuous life of a pop star, slave to the fans, and doing goofy hijinks to relieve the stress.  Boo hoo, you're an untalented multi-millionaire-- I care not about the trials and tribs that go with being lucky.
Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection	I'm Tyler Perry'ed out.  Though I appreciate that this is the first movie with more than 1 white person who is not the devil-incarnate, I'm still good on it.  I'll watch it on basic TV in 2 years...
Madagascar 3	Similar to the trilogies that came out last year, there is too high a number in its title and I am just not the appropriate age for this. Though I will be seeing Brave later this summer.  Sorry Dreamworks, still a Pixar fan.

Men In Black 3: total fan

So, I do not remember, nor do I care to, MIB2.  It was overly silly (with those chain-smokin' Cheech-roaches) and just left a bad taste overall.  However, I am a fan of learning organizations and it seems like the addition of Etan Cohen made this Mulligan a fantastic film.  Without requiring much knowledge of the previous installments, you could enjoy the J/K relationship and its evolution throughout the movie.  Not too long, it gives you enough of the mystery upfront to keep you engaged until its resolution at the end ("oh, that's how all those pieces fit together").  Additionally the acknowledgements to its 60's backdrop were a nice touch (similar to a Zach Morris cellphone being indicative of the 90's). With a summer chart topper on the soundtrack, all in all, I'm a fan.
Verdict: Enjoyable summer blockbuster (Go for it!)