I can tell it is finally the summer movie season. No matter what show time I attend, every theater is packed wall-to-wall with people that have nothing to do with their summer vacation time. The string of blockbusters continues and I had the opportunity to take part in the mindless fun over the weekend.

The first film, Over the Hedge, is a CGI cartoon that was worth my hard-earned dollars. The new wave of animation is losing its magic. Ever since the studios figured out how to produce slick cartoons at a fast rate, they've compensated their runtime with fart jokes and little content. Hedge is a film that made me laugh out loud not from crude humor, but from the personality of its cuddly critters.

The story revolves around a pack of wild animals that wake from hibernation only to discover that materialistic suburbanites have taken over the area. Their solution? Take advantage of consumerist America and get in on the overindulgence of goods. The merry animals steal everything from households including junk food, energy soda, and a digital camera/printer set.

The previews market this as a film packed with nasty burp jokes, and that is quite a sad thing. When a film that is earnestly charming has to promote itself as crude to attract fart-loving America, then my worries for the state of this nation continue to increase. Over the Hedge is a film with personality that stops when it is about to get excessive, and takes advantage of its talented voice cast including Bruce Willis, Gary Shandling, William Shatner, Wanda Sykes (surprisingly not too annoying) Steve Carrell, Nick Nolte, Allison Janney, and Thomas Haden Church. If you are like me and found yourself frustrated by the lackluster delivery of Madagasar and Robots, then do give this one a chance. There truly is hope for animation.

Grade: A-

If you've been following the box office newsletters, America's new favorite couple, Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Anniston, were seen across the nation in The Break-Up this weekend. By "new favorite couple" I mean the subjects of gossip from people that hate their lives so much that they need to worry about the lives of beautiful people (Ok, that was mean, but I'm not taking it back). From the previews, I thought this romantic comedy showed hope. Jennifer Anniston is about as unversatile and tame as performers get, but Vince Vaughn is there! This guy's goofy, loudmouth antics never get old for me. Plus, he re-teams with Swingers and Made pal Jon Favreau. How can it go wrong?

Unfortunately after a strong beginning, the film goes into excessive break-up territory. Sure…the title should make that evident. However, the filmmakers should know there is only so much bickering a third party can handle. Once these main characters get rolling, the fights never stop. By the fourth or fifth uncomfortable fight scene, I was automatically tuning them out like I do any other loud couple in public that decides to broadcast their dirty laundry.

Despite a strong supporting cast including Joey Lauren Adams, Jon Favreau, Jason Batemen, Judy Davis, John Michael Higgins, and Vincent D'Onofrio, the real focus is on the couple. Comedies about break-ups can work. War of the Roses is a prime example. However, The Break-Up tries to keep a nice balance between sweet and nasty that messes with my head. It left me with that awkward sensation where I question whether or not I want to laugh. It has its moments, but I can only suggest a video rental for this one.

Grade: C+