It was a holiday weekend filled with monsters, robots, vampires, and a dash of comedy. Here's what I watched from best to worst:

Monsters vs Aliens: When a meteorite from outer space hits a young woman and turns her into a giant monster, she is taken to a secret government compound where she meets a ragtag group of monsters also rounded up over the years.

Not only funny but full of heart. (Plus the references to Fresno were hilarious!)

Terminator Salvation: After Skynet has destroyed much of humanity in a nuclear holocaust, a group of survivors led by John Connor struggles to keep the machines from finishing the job.

Amazing camera work as well as intense action. I regret not seeing this in the theater when it came out.

Exorcism of Emily Rose: When a younger girl called Emily Rose dies, everyone puts blame on the exorcism which was performed on her by Father Moore prior to her death. The priest is arrested on suspicion of murder. The trail begins with lawyer Erin Bruner representing Moore, but it is not going to be easy, as no one wants to believe what Father Moore says is true.

A surprisingly good film with a thought provoking ending. I was impressed how well the courtroom scenes blended in with the flashbacks.

Alien Trespass: After crash landing near a desert town, an alien enlists the help of a local waitress to re-capture a monster that escaped from the wreckage of his space ship.

B-Movie silliness.

Blood: The Last Vampire: A vampire named Saya, who is part of covert government agency that hunts and destroys demons in a post-WWII Japan, is inserted in a military school to discover which one of her classmates is a demon is disguise.

So much potential. Unfortunately, this film spirals out of control half-way through with bad CGI demons and an almost laughable backstory. Watch the original 60 minute anime this is based on instead.