Man of Steel

I like this movie and want to see it at least once more. The plot is interesting, with some different twists to the legend that are either new or of which I was not aware.

Some of it is beautifully done - the scenes on Krypton are stunning - and there are some excellent performances. Henry Cavill (Stardust [2007]) as Superman is very watchable and credible. His angst about what his role should be or is, is tangible. Amy Adams (who mixes solid work with clunkers like The Wedding Date [which I liked!]), is very good as Lois Lane and adds a strong dimension to the story.

Russell Crowe (A Good Year) is superb. Ayelet Zurer, with whom I was not familiar, does a good job and might be one to watch. Kevin Costner (For Love of the Game), who is often only good in baseball movies in my opinion, is effective in a restrained way.

While the story generally moves along, it is too long (and drags in places) due to the length of the scenes with violence. Still, it's a good movie and if you like the Superman legend, I recommend it.

The Soloist (2008)

This is a good movie and the second time I've seen it.

Robert Downey Jr (Iron Man etc), who is always great and whom loyal readers will know I admire, is actually not his wise-cracking, impromptu self. But he is very effective as a reporter trying to help a homeless man who has a ton of talent. Jamie Foxx (Dreamgirls [2006]) is superb and this movie is worth seeing for his performance alone.

With more emphasis and public discussion on mental health in recent years, I wonder if this movie would have had greater attention and acceptance if it had been released in the last year or two.

Good story, worth seeing, moves pretty well. I think I could see it again a few times just to watch for the nuances of Downey's and Foxx's performances.

Von Ryan's Express (1965)

Well, I saw this in the 60's and just found it on Netflix. This is a WW2 movie starring Frank Sinatra (gazzillions of shows, movies, etc) and Trevor Howard (Mutiny on the Bounty 1962) and to my surprise a young James Brolin (Catch me if you can).

It's a typical war movie, good plot, usual violence. I'm surprised a re-make hasn't been made. Okay rental I guess but even better if it's free.

Iron Man 3

I like the Iron Man series. And I love Robert Downey Jr. (Heart and Souls is one of my favourite films). Gwyneth Platrow (Shakespeare in Love) is not hard to watch and Don Cheadle (Family Man [which includes Robert Downey SR]) is delightfully irreverent. Ty Simpkins (whom I'm not familiar with) holds his own in scenes with Downey.

I'd have to think hard about what the plot is or was. But who cares? It's Iron Man, it's got Downey's unbelievably fast repartee (some of which has to be 'ad lib'). If you like this sort of film, you'll like this one.

The Sessions

I had heard good things about this movie and the performances, but this one really surprised me in a positive way.

The cast is generally superb: Helen Hunt (Cast Away) is very effective; John Hawkes (whom I don't remember in Lincoln) is phenomenal considering he can only move his head; and William Macy (Seabiscuit) plays a thoughtful long haired priest who helps the characters (and the audience) deal with the issues raised by the film. Moon Bloodgood (Eight Below) gives a solid performance. (The only weak link is Adam Arkin (Hitch) - I don't know if it's how his character is written or how he delivers it.)

A very thought-provoking topic, with a few sub-topics included. The movie flows fairly well but occasionally drags. Be sure you know what it's about before you view it. I highly recommend it.

Star Trek Into Darkness

This is a worthy sequel (or Part 2) to the re-boot of the series a few years ago. Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto are Kirk and Spock again and, while enjoyable, they seemed to be just going through the motions and didn't add any 'zip' to their acting nor the film.

The key to the movie is Benedict Cumberbatch (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) who is evil and excellent. The quality and wide range of his emotional performance is riveting and  worth seeing again.

Also introduced is Alice Eve (She's Out of My League). She gives a fairly lightweight performance - I wonder if we'll see more of her in the future?

The movie has non-stop action and flows pretty well. Cumberbatch gives my rating an extra 1/2 star.

No Reservations (2007)

Saw this 2007 film recently. It is an entirely predictable, mindless story about an aunt, Catherine Zeta Jones (Zorro) who becomes the guardian of her niece played by Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine). Breslin was 11 at the time, as pictured here. The other picture is when she was 15 in 2011 (Source: Wikipedia).

Also included is Aaron Eckhart (delightful in the underrated Possession [2002]), whom I find often plays 'himself'. An actress I've started to notice more of recently is Patricia Clarkson (the also underrated Station Agent [2003]).

Anyway, this is not getting a high rating but it's an enjoyable rental.