The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, 4 Stars

This is an excellent movie. I agree with the critics who say this sequel is better than the first one.

Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook) is superb. It's hard to imagine that she can get even better than this, but she is still young and let's hope for her sake and ours that her talent continues to grow. Stanley Tucci (Devil Wears Prada), Donald Sutherland (Pride and Prejudice) and Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Twister) all give (expected) strong performances. Woody Harrelson (Doc Hollywood) has 'upped his game' recently and is delivery higher quality stuff. But it is the acting by both Elizabeth Banks (Definitely, Maybe) and Jena Malone (Contact) that is rightly drawing raves- they are surprisingly very strong.

A good plot, well-delivered at a great pace, I highly recommend it. I would see again (and again) and look forward to the remaining two Hunger Games films.

About Time 3.5 Stars

This is a really interesting movie with a different story that seems to work very well. It is directed by Richard Curtis who also directed Nottinghill and Love Actually and has a very similar feel to it.

The story is about time travel (which should not be a 'spoiler' as it's shown in the movie trailers) and takes a few twists that are unexpected. But the result is a thought provoking movie that I think should stand the test of time.

Bill Nighy (also in Love Actually) is delightfully good and Rachel McAdams (Midnight in Paris) plays a quieter more supportive role than I've seen her in. The surprise is Dohhnail Gleeson (Harry Potter 7 & 8) who carries the film with an awkward but strong performance. Other actors are not as well known to me but they add to the overall lovely effect.

I cannot wait to see this again and might return to the theatre to do so, soon.

Gravity 3.5 Stars

I really liked this movie. Much has been written about the style of shooting and it is very, very well done. I don't know enough about the artistic merits of filmmaking but it is spectacular to watch. I saw it in 3D but I don't know if it added anything or not (does it ever?).

There are essentially only two actors: George Clooney (The Ides of March) is his excellent, smooth self; and, Sandra Bullock (The Blindside). I liked her in this role but I've seen some reviews by critics who felt that other actresses would have been better. She gives a fairly wide ranging performance including playing an initially nauseous astronaut and at one point has a great throw-away line (which you might miss) "I hate space".

The story is an interesting premise of self examination and self worth. There are some slow parts but it generally keeps moving. And I'd like to see it again, especially on the big screen.

Last Vegas 2.5 Stars

This is a nice little film, but don't rush out.

There are some great performances.  Morgan Freeman (The Bucket List), Michael Douglas (The American President) and Kevin Kline (Dave) are all very good, are what you expect and work well together. He is the last to be introduced but they are led by Robert de Niro (Silver Linings Playbook) who is the glue for the other actors and thus the movie.

The concept isn't new, nor are the jokes, but to me it still works. Worth renting and I might even see it again sometime.