To be honest, the major thing that's turning me off of "Meet the Browns," which opens in theaters this weekend, is the fact that Madea makes an appearance.

The rest of the movie looks like something anyone can relate to: a family secret gets brought to light under stressful circumstances.

In this case, the family secret is a half-sister, but it could as easily be a baby put up for adoption, a previous marriage, a miscarriage ...

Anyway, I thought it looked like an interesting comedy-drama about the difficulty a person has introducing herself into an established group and that group's trouble accepting her, or how they grow to include her.

And then the ads started featuring Madea.

Madea is funny, there's no doubt, but in no way, shape or form belongs in a real-feeling drama. Maybe in an over-the-top comedy, but not in any movie that is based in genuine human emotion.

That's why Patient Hubbins and I are going to catch "Drillbit Taylor" at Riverside Plaza on Saturday morning.

I know that we're going to get comedy that, due to the unfortunate PG-13 rating, won't push the envelope the same way "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" did. (The "unfortunate" is kind of tongue-in-cheek.)

But I like Owen Wilson. I'm sorry he had personal drama, because I think that will overshadow anything he does from here on out, but no one grabs ahold of an over-the-top character like he does.

And the mood will be consistent.

Especially with my husband, who will be grumpy that I'm dragging him with me. Let me set the scene for you:

INT. Living room.

A husband and wife are watching TV when a "Drillbit Taylor" ad comes on.

Wife: "OMG, we are SO going to see that."

Husband: "Oh, god, what did I do to deserve that?"

END SCENE.

Repeat scene every time the ad comes on.

If "Drillbit" and "Browns" aren't up your alley, here are some other movies coming to the area this weekend:

"Shutter": If generic thrills are what you crave, this will serve them up. I like Rachael Taylor (at least, I thought she was good in "Transformers") but wish she'd get some spill-off from the Rachel McAdams-Elizabeth Banks popularity.

"La Misma Luna": A movie expected to humanize the illegal-immigration debate, don't expect this area's vast conservative population to see this one. Considering the young antagonist and the heart-wrenching plot, however, expect this to be this decade's "Kolya."

"The Hammer": Wait, Adam Carolla is still alive?

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