Yes, I took part of last weekend to see Star Trek and X-Men Origins: Wolverine (the title puzzled me until I learned X-Men Origins: Magneto is next up). I’m not going into detail on the plots, but there will be a couple of spoilers, so move on if that’s a problem.

Star Trek: I find the “reboot” approach where this is outside the longstanding TV continuity annoying (in a sense, they’re not the “real” Spock and Kirk). But that being said, it’s a solidly entertaining movie, with some excellent performances and a chunk of the Star Trek spirit. Though I really hate the new bridge—much too shiny and cluttered, and doesn’t look at all like the one I know (even in a reboot, some things shouldn’t change, darn it!).

X-Men Origins: Wolverine does a very good job making a coherent story out of Logan’s extremely convoluted comic-book history. Even for non-geeks, it’s pretty satisfying: Lots of action, colorful mutants, a nasty villain, a good performance from Hugh Jackman (as my female friends keep pointing out, it’s a good shirtless performance, which counts for a lot with them) and Liev Schrieber is a nasty piece of work as Sabertooth.

I have spent much worse time at the movies.

I also spent Sunday evening watching a recording of They Were Expendable, John Ford’s 1945 story of Robert Montgomery and John Wayne sending PT boats against the Japanese navy. For people who think realistic war movies began with Saving Private Ryan, this grim drama will change your mind.

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