Tis the season for lots of comedies aimed at teens yet with stories broad enough to snag the adult market. 13 Going on 30 fits that bill to a T.

This is the tale of the girl who wanted everything only find what she wanted was what she had to give up. One minute our heroine is 13 trying to be cool, the next she is 30 and the epitome of cool, but all alone. Sort of Freaky Fridayish only she switches places with herself at different points in her life.

Side point, is the 80’s nostalgia movement absolutely horrifying or is it just me? Fashion was wack back then and it looks like fricking alien skin by today’s standards. Neon alien skin with pure Aquanet hair no less.

Anyway, it’s basically a lighthearted film. To say it was a romantic comedy would be a reach because the humor was more sweet than funny.

Three good things about the movie:

1) Jennifer Garner. On a scale of 1 to 10 she’s an 11.

2) The average guy next door got a chance at the hot chick. That gives us all hope.

3) The pacing and delivery was good.

Three bad things:

1) A little light in the laugh department, but the jokes didn’t fall flat so no big deal.

2) Jennifer Garner had to act 13. That made me feel awkward watching her at points.

3) Part of the movie was set in the 1980’s.

My vote – matinee it. It’s worth DVD if you catch the right sale, but it will work just fine on cable or video too.

Despite the hype machine, I braved Troy this weekend. Let me explain a few things about my love/hate relationship with period pieces. Unless the backdrop of the period piece is the Roman Empire, WWII or the 1920’s, I hate them. But reading that they spent 200 million dollars to make Troy and that it offered a chance to see how little fat was left on Brad Pitt’s body proved too powerful a lure to resist. Besisdes, the wife had free movies passes.

It’s true, Brad Pitt was in the physical condition of his life. Unfortunately, the director and screenwriters were not. The story was convoluted and loaded with weak characters. Now honestly, all that does not necessarily a bad movie make. Had the plot been less mediocre, it might have slid by. Alas the plot is but a single slice of Swiss cheese left at the feet of crazed field mice.

The direction was choppy and the editing looked like it was done in the back of a 1969 Dodge Charger on Memorial Day Weekend. At points the frames of film shook. Literally.

Three good things about Troy:

1) Helen was cute. She might not launch a thousand ships, but she can launch at least one cruise missile.

2) The recreation of the mythical Troy was believable ( trust me – it looks good ).

3) Brad Pitt is the new Terminator.

Three bad things about Troy:

1) The director.

2) The editor.

3) The screenwriter.

I didn’t dislike this movie but I didn’t like it enough to recommend paying full price. Matinee or video rental this one.

Remember high school and all the things that were fun or not so fun about it? Remember the good times? Mean Girls isn’t about either and that’s exactly what makes the movie so fun to watch.

It’s a classic fish out of the water scenario; girl who has only been home schooled raised among the tribes of Africa, sent to high school in her junior year among the true jungle of teenagers. Right off the bat we got tension. Initially Caty Heron is at the bottom of the social ladder and happy, but when the Plastics, an elite group of popular girls, wants Caty to join up, the story really get interesting.

While she initially abhors the Plastics and signs on only to conspire to effect their demise, Caty learns all the mean girl tricks and eventually out paces her master, and that’s where things get even funnier, because it’s lonely at the top. It seems everywhere she turns someone is out to get her, yet loves her at the same time.

Three good things about Mean Girls

1) It’s good comedy writing, delivered at a solid pace. The jokes are fresh.

2) The characters and delivery are great. Watch for the principal and his bat.

3) The story arc is solid and holds your interest.

One bad thing about Mean Girls

1) It makes you wish Caty was around when you went to high school. She sure didn’t go to mine.

DVD it, rent it, matinée or full price it, but if you want some quick laughs, go see Mean Girls.

Revenge is the theme of the week, first Kill Bill 2 and now the Punisher. The Punisher is a spin off character from Spiderman. He’s an ex-FBI , ex Special Forces operative who is out to avenge the murder of his entire family.

It’s very important to keep in mind his origins and history as a comic book character because the direction and story pay homage to the series. It also means that the scope and tone of the film are more comic book like than Hollywood. More grit than gloss. If you’re hoping for a cool action flick, look elsewhere.

Three props

1) Thomas Jane is a good Punisher. He looks and acts the part.

2) The character is close to the series to it’s credit.

3) Despite his behavior at the end of the day the Punisher is pretty likable and humorous.

Three flops

1) Parts of the premise are ridiculous. The FBI and the mob are looking for him, but no one sees him lurking about exacting his revenge until it’s too late to stop him. Uh huh. This needed to be addressed.

2) John Travolta = Dr. Evil. Whether it’s a tribute or a rip off, it’s blatant, obvious and irksome.

3) Take away Thomas Jane and John Travolta and it’s one nasty sea of fugly actors. And I do mean fugly.

It’s definitely worth a matinée, DVD or video rental.

Remember his credo – “This is not revenge. This is punishment.”