In the past few weeks, I've watched Worlds Fastest Indian, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and Thank You for Smoking.

All were enjoyable and well worth the movie-going experience. Anthony Hopkins in World's Fastest Indian was a genial, good-natured old man seeking and going on to fulfill his dream to race his Indian (a motocycle) in the salt flats of Utah. He journeys half-way across the world from his native New Zealand meeting queer characters and with simply the clothes on his back and donations from his motorcycle club. This was circa 1960s mind you so he went by SHIP! He even takes a job as a cook to pay his passage! Heart-warming tale that makes you feel good in a soft non-cheesy way (though the pessimist in you is expecting him to get killed/robbed/swindled/disappointed at every step of the way). Really amazing how he wins over everyone who would be totally against him at first blush.

Pirates was another fun time out with my favourite androgynous Captain Sparrow... Arrrr. Typical blockbuster fun though the end leaves a lot to be desired. Still value for your buck at 2½ hours though.

But I'd recommend as a Must-See is Thank You for Smoking. Aaron Eckhard is brilliant as a tobacco lobbyist who has amazing gift of the gab. The argumentative style and thought process he has is as good as it gets for spinning a story your way. I'd say any mooter/lawyer/politician or anyone who has to talk for a living should buy the DVD and commit his principles to heart. Hell I might even do that!

The most intelligently funny show I've watch in many months, or even years. The dialouge is crisp and sharp and well-worth the effort sifting through the multi-layered innuendos and in-jokes. Sorta like a grown-up political version of Gilmore Girls (whose scripting I also rever). I can never praise these brilliantly thought out dialouge shows enough... They do justice to entertainment I tell yer... Arrrr (Sorry pirate hangover)

But seriously, definitely Must watch! Especially the scene where Aaron Eckhart's son totally annhilates his mom's reaosn for forbidding him to follow his dad on a trip to california. Parents all over the world take heed! Your kids might champ you like that soon enough! I already do with my mum. *grinz* She even turned to me and said , "Just like you!" while I was rollicking with laughter in my seat.