On my last trip out to Frisco, I was travelling solo so I took in a few movies to pass the evenings. Here's a brief review on each:

• Transformers: Davis and I saw this on the second night it was out. Expectations were low considering Michael Bay directed this film and the writers on the previous Transformers: The Movie really pulled out all the stoppers (on the manure cart). So anyway, I wasn't expecting much. All I can say is wow. You can really tell the influence Spielberg had on this movie. It's like a well-crafted story - you are genuinely interested in the characters by the time the action starts. The plot builds and builds over time (2 hours and 20+ minutes), all the while keeping the Transformers a bit in the background until things blow up. I'm not going to to much into the story as I think you should see it. I'll say this: I like the lead character, and the supporting roles do a great job too. My only gripe is that the action scenes involving the Transformers are a bit muddled and hard to follow what's going on - e.g. an Autobot and a Decepticon are having a brawl and you really can't tell what's happening from all the blurred action until the dust settles. I guess it falls right in line with my gripes about CGI fight scenes. But either way, see this movie. Really. I'll definitely buy this on DVD when it's out. Or HD-DVD or Blu if I happen to have a method to play either, which I probably won't (but that's another post).
• Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer - I wrote a bit about this previously. Synopsis: about what I expected. I haven't been really impressed with the F4 series; it seems a bit like a low-rent X-Men presumably because of lack of character development. Jessica Alba's Invisible Woman isn't really believable; but cute goes a long way I guess. The Jonny Storm and Thing interplay is humorous but seems stilted. Richard Reed is about as dorky as they come, which makes you wonder how Sue Storm fell in love with this guy. At any rate, the story is a little interesting what with the Silver Surfer and what-not. I was sort-of hoping that Galactus would've been a little more than a "cloud" but it was well done anyway. I'm disappointed that the writers couldn't delve a bit more deeply into the Marvel Universe to get another villain rather than rehashing Dr. Von Doom. I guess they needed to wrap up the story lines somehow...anyway, the ending was pretty cool. And Samuel L. Jackson did a nice voice over job as the Surfer. He reminds me of James Earl Jones' Darth Vader. I'll probably buy this on DVD when it hits the bargain/previously viewed bins.
• Spiderman 3 - I wrote a bit about this previously. Synopsis: better than I expected, for a third installment. A lot of plot line maneuvering going on in here, and not really for the best. Venom is introduced and is quite menacing - probably could've used a bit more of him and a little less of the Peter Parker Guilt Complex that's been going on for all 3 movies. Things bordered on campy when Peter donned the black suit, but I think it was all in fun. I'm wondering if any of the original cast (specifically Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst) will be returning for any future Spiderman movies. I'd be okay if neither did (ok, maybe Tobey could stay; I like his Peter Parker). I'll probably buy this on DVD when it hits the bargain/previously viewed bins.
• Epic Movie - I fell asleep about 15 minutes into this 24 hour ticket pay-per-view movie. I was so moved by it, I didn't watch it again. And by moved I mean not moved. Really. I wouldn't even waste bandwidth pirating this movie.