A. and I went to the Premium Cinema at the AMC Framingham theater last night. The Premium Cinema is a great, if somewhat expensive way to watch a movie. It's set up with a restaurant in the front and then a state-of-the-art theater with very comfy leather seats. It also has a full bar and free popcorn and soda is included with the admission charge.

We went for dinner last night. We got there a bit later than we wanted because our babysitter's car broke down and she had to wait for her boyfriend to drive her. By the time dinner came, the movie was about to start. No problem - we just took everything into the theater and ate on the table in front of our seats. The steak tips I had were good, although not the best I've ever had. (That honor belongs to the Three Stallion Inn in Randolph, VT; more on that another time). The THX sound system in the Premium Cinema is really top notch; as good as I've ever heard. There's a decent sized screen for the room as well.

The movie we saw was Love, Actually. It starred Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Liam Neeson and others. It was made by the same director who did Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill. If you liked those movies, with thier very British sense of humor, you'll like this one. There were a few laugh out loud moments. There were what seemed like about 10 storylines going at the same time, which got a little confusing. I'd question the choice of Hugh Grant to play the Prime Minister of England, but maybe that was part of the joke.

Earlier in the day I took J. to see Brother Bear. It was a nice, fairly innocuous Disney tale. Certainly not the best work of the House of Mouse, but a pleasant way to spend 90 minutes or so. J. thought it was "a little sad" - the brother of one character dies and the mother of another one gets killed as well.

Between the two movies and some work around the house, we had a pretty full Saturday. It was busy, but not crazy, and I certaily enjoyed having some "adults-only" time away with A last night.

One last thing, from the "contests I would be least interested in winning" department. A recent issue of TV Guide advertised the opportunity to win a meeting with Rueben and Clay of "American Idol" fame. Being far from a reality TV fan, I can admit to having absolutely no interest in meeting either of these guys. Good luck to whoever it is that does.