Napoleon Dynamite (DVD, 2009, Full Frame/Widescreen; Movie Cash)

For the first 30 minutes, no make that 60 minutes, of this movie, I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. It was recommended to me by my sister-in-law's brother and I kept thinking "Now, why was he raving so much about this movie? And why did I listen to him since I don't even know him that well?" And then, out of nowhere, I realized I was enjoying the movie and in fact I simply HAD to know where this off the wall story was going and where it all would end. It's just one of those movies.

The main character, Napoleon, grows on you in a slow, unnoticeable way. There is no other way to describe it. You find yourself completely rooting for something great to happen to him because he is so endearing. And his best friend Pedro (seen the "Vote for Pedro" shirts and bumper stickers cropping up all over America?) is a tender-hearted puppy dog that you want to take home with you.

The movie is just a 'day in the life' type flick about a High School nerd, his semi-dysfunctional family and his hodgepodge of friends. The Napoleon-isms alone make it worth the watch, but the dance scene is the icing on the cake. And the refreshing thing about this movie is that there is no swearing, no violence (unless you count yelling at Tina to come and get her ham) and no questionable skin shots. Watch it with the family, watch it with friends, or watch it alone...it's a laugh out loud movie regardless. Just don't go into it expecting to be WOWED from the get go - it's a slow, subtle humor that evolves as the movie progresses.