As is customary on my trips home to Cali, my mom and I went to see two very different movies. Spoilers guaranteed.

On Saturday, we saw Angels & Demons, the new “Di Vinci Code” sequel starring Tom Hanks. If you liked the first movie, I think you’ll be sufficiently entertained by this one. Plenty of mystery, action, a bit of blood, and moderately respectable acting. Tom Hanks put forth a good performance and was looking far more in shape than the previous movie. It probably helps that I love Ewan McGregor, and that he got to express his bad-boy side with a twist at the ending. Liam Neesan is always a treat and, although he has had more ambitious roles, he still oops Stellan Skarsgård mastered his character in this movie. I was pleasantly surprised that there was no creepy “what if” romance between Tom Hanks and the lead female role. The pace of the movie was spot on; in fact, I was actually anxious for the “next move” on multiple occasions. For a piece of work I could really care less about, the movie was quite satisfying. But I’m glad my mom paid for it.

On Sunday night, my mom wanted to see “Ghost of Girlfriends Past”, a cute chick-flick with Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner. Identifying Matthew as a star from Day 1, I was open to this proposition. The movie was funny, heart warming, and ultimately redeeming; qualities all good chick-flicks must possess. Matt and Jenn are cute together and make a great sexually frustrated couple who eventually end up together (surprise!).