As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t go to a lot of movies. They’re too expensive. People are too annoying. It’s too hard to get a babysitter.

Still, some films are compelling enough to make me shell out a bunch of money, get a sitter and brave the jerk next to me talking throughout the movie. So far this summer, I’ve gone to three films, which is a lot for me. Here are my reviews if you’re interested.

1. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End - As a former Disney cast member and devout Johnny Depp fan, it hurts me to say this film disappointed me. Great special effects and wonderful music, but the plot is downright silly. The first third of the film is fun, the second third is confusing, and the final third is a real downer. Whereas the previous two films were energizing, I walked out of this one almost depressed. My sister leaned over to me at one point and whispered, “Is it possible for a movie to ‘jump the shark?’” If it is possible, then this one did. Maybe my expectations were too high; I saw the midnight showing with my sister on opening week in May, and I’d planned to take my husband and son that weekend. They still haven’t seen it, and it’s July.

2. Ratatouille - My two-year-old daughter drove us nuts for a month, making us play the trailers over and over on the Internet. I thought this movie would be cute. It was much better than that. The animation is beautiful! I’ve been to Paris several times, and I would never have dreamed that animation could do it justice. Pixar’s rendering of the city was spot-on. Admittedly, I’m a Disney freak, a Francophile, and a gourmet, so the film probably had an unfair advantage with me. But it was engaging and lovely and kept my toddler and six-year-old son still for an hour and a half. Any movie that can do that has to be doing something right!

3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - I’ve read all 6 books multiple times, so unless this movie sucked, I was going to like it. It did not suck, so I loved it. The special effects are fabulous. The film moves very quickly, and you get to see some parts of Hogwarts and some areas of Harry’s life that have heretofore been neglected. The sets are magnificent, especially the Ministry of Magic. The headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix is just what I expected, although I was disappointed that Sirius’s mother was left out. I will definitely see the film again. All that being said, though, I have to admit, of the 5 Harry Potter films, this is the only one where you could get lost if you haven’t read the book. If you’ve seen the other films, you’ll probably be alright, but you may want to consult your friends who’ve read the book just to clarify some things. It doesn’t stand on its own feet as steadily as the previous four. Still, it is exciting and gorgeous, and watching these characters grow up before our eyes is a treat. They are amazing kids, and they’re becoming great actors too. I’m taking my husband and son this weekend.

I’m not planning to see any other movies this summer unless my husband, a longtime Simpsons fan, really wants to see that one in the theater. The trailer for Disney’s “Enchanted” is hilarious, though. It comes out at Thanksgiving. November looks promising!