I know, I know. Sounded stupid to me too. In fact, I only watched it because the previews made me laugh and I thought the movie would bring even more brain-numbing chuckles. But I'm not reviewing it here because it made me fall-out laughing. Check-out Rebound, Mr. 3000, Hitch, Diary of a Mad Black Woman for those kind of laughs. No, 50 First Dates is my all-time favorite love story. In 50 First Dates, the lovely Lucy (Drew Barrymore), who has lost her short-term memory, is being pursued by the swinging single bachelor Henry Roth. But former ladies man Henry Roth has given up all mere mortal women for the quest of the elusive Lucy. Everyday, he sets out to get Lucy to fall in love with him all over again. Now I ask you, what girl doesn't get a little dreamy-eyed at the thoughts of her guy giving heart and soul to winning her over every day? Find out for yourself if Henry Roth is successful and watch for the best surprise of all in the very last moments of the film. (Oh, and for another fun Sandler/Barrymore pairing, rent The Wedding Singer. Lots of fun.)

If you or any one you love or any one you have ever known has ever had OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder); or if you've ever been under-paid for over-work, ever worried about a child's chronic illness, ever been a single parent; or if you've ever been misunderstood or if you've ever really understood those who are typically misunderstood. . .THEN you will identify with someone in this movie. I think I identified with them all on some level. It's a movie about relationships, tricky, complicated, unexpected relationships that catch all involved off guard by their intensity and depth. It's a movie about life.  Watch it. Watch it again. But I wouldn't watch it with kids younger than senior high school. The mature themes are meant for adult consumption, not for kids to snack on in early adolescence.

Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah) lives an average life: she works in an average job, wears average clothes, and lives in an average neighborhood. Sure Georgia Byrd has dreams (she chronicles them in a scrapbook she calls "Possibilities"), but they don't seep into her reality. And then one day she gets news that flips her life inside out. Suddenly, Georgia Byrd is average no more.

The Last Holiday is a movie about dreams coming true for someone you'll love from the moment you meet her. Queen Latifah is outstanding as Georgia Byrd. You'll love Georgia. And I'll bet you'll want to do what I've done. . .find out what else this Queen has starred in and rent it too.

Based on a true story (a favorite quality of mine) this story about dreams coming true will delight all ages but earns its PG-13 rating. We did let our kids watch it when we rented it, but only because we were fast on the remote control. We sped through some racy scenes that had nothing to do with motorcycles and managed to skip over other scenes that seemed to promise language we didn't want our 8, 10, and 12 year olds to hear. All that said, this is a lovely story about a man who never gave up on his dream, despite what should have been insurmountable obstacles. Been smiling about the ending ever since the credits rolled.

Though this got off to a bit of a slow start for me, it surely made up for it quickly. All five of us watched this one together and everyone enjoyed it. I loved the relationship between Francis Ouimet (Shia LaBeouf) and his caddy Eddie. Eddie also delivers the funniest lines in the film, so listen for his quick assessments in stressful situations. Fun, family flick.