Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, 3 Stars

While I liked this movie, and would see it again, something was missing.

In splitting the final book of the HP series, my daughter observed that the film Director had captured the book's bleakness in Part 1 of the movie. In the Hunger Games trilogy of books, the third is generally acknowledged as the weakest (I agree). So maybe there wasn't a lot to work with in the first place?

Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook) is a wonder to watch. The camera loves her, especially in gigantic close ups in the theatre. Her range of emotion is so impressive. It was sad seeing Philip Seymour Hoffman (Twister) in one of his final roles. Julianne Moore (The Fugitive) is a great addition to the cast. Donald Sutherland (Pride & Prejudice) can say so much more in a whisper than most actors. But it is Elizabeth Banks (Definitely, Maybe) (sorry, Joss) who is worth the price of admission. She is excellent in the first two films of this series and tops those performances in this one and if there's a bleak character, she's it. Bring on Part 2!

The Theory of Everything 3 Stars

I like this movie. The story is very compelling. Although some parts may be hard to believe, it is presented quite well. It does flounder around the 3/4 mark and doesn't really return to the interest and intensity of the first parts of the film. Nevertheless, the performances are worth seeing.

Eddie Redmayne (Les Miserables) is very very good in portraying Hawking's deteriorating body while maintaining his sense of humour and twinkling eyes. Felicity Jones (apparently a dinner guest in Julie & Julia) also masters a wide range of emotions. The audience is very sympathetic to her and her chosen lot in life. David Thewlis (HP series) also does a good job.

I would see it again just to see the strong performances. Some of Redmayne's lines are hard to understand and that is another reason to see it once more.

3 Kids Movies

The Book of Life - 2 Stars (maybe). Nicely drawn and some interesting philosophical challenges, but not much more.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day - 1 Star (maybe). This is a lovely BOOK. Not too hard for young readers and fun each time it comes to the chorus / title. Might take 20 minutes to read? Don't try to imagine how they made this into 80 minutes on the screen. Jennifer Garner (Dallas Buyer's Club) is her usual sweet self but even she cannot save this. Yuck.

Big Hero 6 - 2.5 Stars. Saw this in a theatre full of young kids. Some laughs. Not bad story, nice animation, interesting characters and concept. I'd see it again.

The Judge, 3.5 Stars

I liked this movie. The story is compelling but the script is a little long and sometimes feels like: "oh, let's put in this sort of scene".

Robert Duvall (The Natural) and Robert Downey Jr (Heart and Souls) play off each other well and are both excellent. The scenes that they are in, especially together, they dominate and own. Duvall's portrayal of an aging parent is very moving. Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air) does well and is back on my radar for the future. Billy Bob Thornton (Love Actually) is 'lip-curling'-ly good (but I'm not a big fan...)

I recommend this and would see it again.

My Old Lady, 3.5 Stars

I liked this movie and with Dame Maggie Smith (Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), one cannot go too far wrong.

The story is about a French system whereby one might own a building but it comes with a designated resident. The owner doesn't take possession, and indeed pays rent to the resident, who may remain there til he or she dies.

One can see how the script was built on a very successful theatre play. While some parts drag and others may be hard to believe, the whole thing works. Smith, of course, is an excellent curmudgeon. Kevin Kline (Dave) is a suitable counterpart. And Kristin Scott Thomas (Four Weddings and a Funeral) does reasonably well struggling with her role.

The dialogue is quick and sometimes heart-wrenching. And the scenery in Paris is lovely. I do recommend this and think I might see it once more.

The Other Woman, 1.5 Stars

Even though I'm not a Cameron Diaz (Holiday) fan, some friends had said this movie was okay. I struggled.

The plot went on about 30 minutes too long. Diaz met my (low) expectations. I like Leslie Mann (17 Again) but haven't seen much of her work.

Rent it, if desperate.

This is Where I Leave You 2.5 Stars

I liked this movie. The family dialogue is great, the story is a little weird and it sometimes drags.

Characters are many and include: Jane Fonda (On Golden Pond), who seems to be taking more roles than ever these days; Tina Fey (Mean Girls) performs well and is fun to watch; and, Jason Bateman (Up in the Air) of whom I've not seen a lot, puts in a good performance.

I was more impressed coming out of the theatre, but it faded a little with time. I would see it again just to catch some of the lines and admire their delivery.

The Kid (2000) 2.5 Stars

Rented this recently, it is a favourite of mine.

The concept is simple (too simple say some critics). The main character's eight year old self somehow comes to be with him in present time and they, essentially, impart their wisdom to each other.

The dialogue is fun. Bruce Willis (Red) is his usual sarcastic (but not violent) self. Spencer Breslin (Raising Helen) is very good and I believe they adopted his method of 'crooking' his finger by getting Willis to copy it. Emily Mortimer (Nottinghill) plays a younger, sweeter version of her Newsroom (TV) character. And Lily Tomlin (TV's Laugh-In, 1960's, try to find it) delivers her lines with her usual dry, non-chalance.

Good for the soul, I recommend it.

Guardians of the Galaxy, 2.5 Stars

If you like the comic book genre, and lots of violent action, you'll like this movie. I love the former but can do with less of the latter. (My daughter loved this film and would rate it higher than my 2.5*.)

The story, as I assume is the comic series also, is about some misfits who decide to save the galaxy. It's good and humorous, but on the long side.

The characters are fun. Chris Pratt (Moneyball) plays his role in a similar fashion to the captain on Firefly and Zoe Zaldana (Star Trek) is good. But it is the voice of Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook) as Rocket (the Raccoon) who steals the show and who could have a separate movie on his own. Cooper has 'upped his game' in recent films and perhaps we can expect greater things in the future?

I might see it again to pick up some one-liners that zoomed by, but I'm not in a hurry to do so.

Rainmaker, 2 Stars

This film is from 1997. rottentomatoes.com critics liked it better than I - it was slow and tedious.

Nevertheless, Matt Damon (The Adjustment Bureau) is always great to watch - some of his facial expressions are predictable but still fun to see. Danny DeVito (Matilda) plays his usual, limited self and Claire Danes (The Family Stone) shows a wide range of emotions. Jon Voight (Midnight Cowboy) is well cast.

The story is along the lines of Erin Brokovich, and does require you to pay attention. It's good, perhaps I just wasn't in the mood.

You can probably rent it somewhere.

Pride & Prejudice, 3.5 Stars

There are several versions of Pride & Prejudice (not including the Bridget Jones fluffy stories). This one is the BBC Six Part TV Series from 1995 and it is excellent.

Colin Firth (The King's Speech) is effectively moody and wonderful to watch as Mr. Darcy - he dominates each scene that he is in. Jennifer Ehle (also The King's Speech) is very good and does a more than adequate job as Elizabeth. (I prefer Keira Knightley's Elizabeth, who is angrier and less sure of herself.)

Six parts on television gives the writers ample time to develop the characters and story in more depth than in a shorter 'movie-length' production, and they do a good job. The rest of the cast are fine but not notable.

This does require a greater time commitment to view, but I recommend it to you.

The Hundred-Foot Journey, 3 Stars

As a friend described it, this is a charming movie.

The story is basically as the trailer describes it. The script is good - it drags occasionally but the food shots are scrumptious.

Helen Mirren (The Queen) is superb (as usual), as is Om Puri (whose work, in India, I am not familiar with). Manish Dayal (whom I also don't know) is also very good and (Canadian) Charlotte Le Bon (relatively new) is delightful to watch.

I highly recommend this on the big or small screen and look forward to seeing it again.

Robin Williams

Much has been said about this interesting complex man. The outpouring of grief from more than one generation speaks to his wide appeal as an artist. I’ve been reflecting on his early appeal in Mork and Mindy. I seem to recall that he and the show were nominated for awards at the time but totally snubbed, because Hollywood thought he was just a 'flash in the pan'.

We saw Robin in: Jumanji, Mrs. Doubtfire, Patch Adams, Good Morning Vietnam, Hook, Aladdin, Awakenings, Dead Poets Society, Good Will Hunting, Toys, The Birdcage, Night at the Museum (both), August Rush, and Lee Daniels’ The Butler. Through the power of film and television we felt we knew him.

I feel very sad that depression finally took him. But perhaps, with his death, he has opened a discussion about mental health that continues to be needed and let’s hope that dialogue doesn’t end. As one dealing with depression, I welcome this dialogue.

My impression is that he was a kind man. I heard of a situation while Robin was in town filming. He was at a bar in a hotel and someone approached him, saying that there were teenagers up on the 10th floor who were with Junior Achievement and would he be kind enough to go up and say hi for five minutes? Not only did he go up but he stayed for over an hour. The clips that we have seen of him have been hilarious but this is my favourite story. He will be missed.

Heaven is for Real, 2.5 Stars

This film has the potential of being totally hokey. But it avoids that (for the most part) with some strong acting and a somewhat restrained script.

It has an interesting dynamic of a search that many go through about what is life (and death) and what are we doing here? I'm not sure it matters whether you are a person of faith or not as it deals with issues in a forthright, humanistic way.

Greg Kinnear (Little Miss Sunshine) gives a good, wide-ranging performance and is partnered with Kelly Reilly (Sherlock Holmes - the Robert Downey Jr versions), whom I am starting to appreciate. Margo Martindale (Secretariat) does well and Thomas Haden Church (We Bought a Zoo) plays his typical role. Newcomers Connor Corum and Lane Styles do well and are not too 'syrupy'.

And there are beautiful vistas of the Manitoba prairies, where it was shot, which is a bonus.

Swiss Family Robinson (1960), 2 Stars

I loved this Disney movie when I was young and it still holds up (though with some 1960's/ 1800's attitudes). I didn't realize this was a remake of a 1940 version and remade in 1998 (with Jane Seymour).

There is a strong cast: Sir John Mills (Gandhi), Dorothy McGuire (Friendly Persuasion), Kevin Corcoran (Pollyanna), Tommy Kirk (Shaggy Dog), and James MacArthur & Janet Munro (who were both in Third Man on the Mountain [aka Banner in the Sky].

It drags in places and is downright silly in others, but young kids will enjoy it as a rental.

Billy Elliot, 3 Stars

Decided to see this 2000 film again. The story drags in some places, but generally it holds up well. The dialogue is a little hard to understand at first but either it cleared up or my ear became more accustomed.

Excellent performances by Jamie Bell as Billy (voice of Tintin but doesn't appear to have done much since), Julie Walters (HP series) and Gary Lewis (Joyeux Noel, which is very good).

The story about unemployment in 1980's England is compelling. We've seen the musical (by Sir Elton John) on Broadway and it is equally moving. I recommend this to you.

Begin Again, 2.5 Stars

Begin Again is from the same director who did Once. I believe the plots are very similar, about being discovered and renewal, and all centred around music.

The music is great and worth seeing for this alone (once they get to it). Keira Knightley (Pride & Prejudice) gives a solid performance. The camera is really quite kind to her and close-ups seem to linger a little longer. Mark Ruffalo (Just like Heaven, which I liked very much)(sorry Joss) is not so picturesque but is equally strong. His scenes with 'daughter' Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit, which I haven't seen) have some nice moments.

There is a lovely scene near the beginning where Ruffalo imagines backup instruments supplementing a solo performance by Knightley (who sings all her own stuff quite nicely). The movie doesn't quite return to the magic of that moment, and felt a little long at times, but I think I'd see it again and recommend it to you.

Serenity, 2 Stars

This 2005 film is on Netflix and is a follow up to the popular but short-lived series Firefly. (Not to be confused with the movie  Serendipity, which I liked.)

The cast from the TV show is all there - Nathan Fillion (nothing else notable that I recognized) was his gruff self; Gina Torres (now in the series Suits) is okay; and, Adam Baldwin (The Patriot and later the TV series Chuck) plays another over-the-top role.

The plot is a little more brutal than the series, but it keeps moving. Firefly fans will enjoy it. Not sure I'd see again.

An Affair to Remember, 2.5 Stars

Found this 1957 film on Netflix and Sleepless in Seattle fans will remember the references to it there.

Definitely romantic, it's a little dated and drags at times. But some of the dialogue is lovely and one wonders if they sometimes just let the actors go with the scene and ad lib. Excellent performances by Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr.

Worth seeing what all the fuss was about.

Jersey Boys, 3 Stars

Well, this was a pleasant surprise. I had seen the musical and loved the music but generally wasn't 'wowed'. So perhaps I went in with low expectations, fuelled by lousy reviews in local papers and on rottentomatoes.com

I really liked this and will see it again more than once, just to hear the music. Unlike some recent musical movies, everyone can sing in this one. It's a big cast, with some interesting characters developed. John Lloyd Young, whom I am not familiar with and seems to have a short / new bio, was very good. And Christopher Walken (The Milagro Beanfield War [good movie, I'm going to have to find it and look for him]) - each scene that he is in revolves around him.

The story was clearer on the screen than on stage and is quite compelling (although it drags someimes). The music should be recognizable but it is the 50+ crowd who will like it best (and hum some Four Seasons songs for a few days at least).

How to Tame Your Dragon 2, 3 Stars

This is the follow up to a very sweet movie. And this one is very different. While the first was suitable for younger kids, this one is darker with more violence.

The story is good and, unlike some sequels, it can stand on its own without having seen the first one. The voices are great: Jay Baruchel (She's Out of My League), America Ferrera (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) and Gerald Butler (P.S. I Love You). And Cate Blanchett (Robin Hood) is a welcome addition.

I knew this movie was darker but somehow my expectations were for something else. And while I liked this one and would see it again, I prefer the sweetness of the first.

Dragon 3 is scheduled for 2016 and I look forward to it.

Twenty Feet From Stardom, 3 Stars

This movie won the 2014 Oscar for Best Documentary Feature and is the story about back up singers to famous lead bands. If you like music, it's worth watching.

While the stars listed are Mick Jagger, Bruce Springstein, Bette Midler, etc, the real stars are unknowns like Darlene Love (Lethal Weapon series), Merry Clayton (a small, powerful, prescient role in the 1987 Maid to Order), Lisa Fischer, Judith Hill and Tata Vega. And though the story is about how they did or didn't get recognized, it's also about the part that timing, circumstances, and luck played.

You can find this on Netflix and I recommend it.

Chef, 2 Stars

I've seen reviews for Chef that say the food shots are top notch and that the film is not quite as good. I'd agree - the food shots are 4 Stars, but not strong enough to improve a long drawn out 2 Star movie.

Jon Favreau (Wimbledon) gives a measured (if you'll pardon the cooking pun) performance. Sofia Vergara (who has done lots of movies and, according to rottentomatoes.com, this is her best so far?) is nice to watch. Emjay Anthony (apparently in It's Complicated but I'd have to see it again to remember) does a nice job playing Favreau's son. I'm not sure why Dustin Hoffman (The Graduate) nor Robert Downey Jr (Heart and Souls) needed to be cast - I admire both actors but the production could have saved money with lesser-knowns in their roles?

A nice rental on a slow day.

The Grand Seduction, 2.5 Stars

This is a lovely, slow-moving film, somewhat reminiscent of Doc Hollywood.

Brendan Gleeson (HP series) gives a very strong performance and plays a key part in most of the scenes. Liane Balaban (Definitely, Maybe) has a small role but does it well. One of the highlights is Gordon Pinsent (Away From Her) who plays a curmudgeon of few words and delivers them well.

It takes a little time to get into the slow pace and Canadian humour of the film, but it is very enjoyable.

Edge of Tomorrow, 2 Stars

This is a war variation of Groundhog Day and includes lots of 'shoot 'em up' scenes, if you are a fan of those.

Tom Cruise (Mission Impossible series) plays his usual self but with a good range as he needs to bring a somewhat different approach to each 'new' (repeat) day. Emily Blunt (The Adjustment Bureau) is a favourite of mine and she does not disappoint. Bill Paxton (Apollo 13) adds some comic relief in his repeating role. Brendan Gleeson ('Mad-Eye Moody' in the HP series and see next review for The Grand Selection) has a restrained but effective part.

The movie was okay and the trailer describes it all. But I wouldn't rush out.

Belle, 3 Stars

This is a lovely film and I would see it again. It has much the same 'feel' and look as Amazing Grace, which was about the same subject - the slave trade in the 1700's.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw, whom I'm not familiar with, gives a very good and wide-ranging performance, as does Sam Reid who also appears to be new. But the 'glue' for the film is Tom Wilkinson (The Full Monty) who, once again, gives a measured and deliberate performance - he dominates each scene he is in and the movie is better for it.

The story flags at times and could be shorter, but it is well worth seeing and I recommend it.

Million Dollar Arm, 2.5 Stars

I enjoyed this movie - it's an interesting story (if you like baseball or India). However the movie drags and there are some scenes that I'm sure could have gone faster.

Jon Hamm (TV's Mad Men) is the central character and is fine. Lake Bell (No Strings Attached), whom I like, plays her usual role - she needs to show more range (or I need to see her in a different type of film...). Bill Paxton (Apollo 13) plays his reliable self. But the character that steals it all (once again) is Alan Arkin (Little Miss Sunshine) - the timing and delivery of his lines are excellent and he brightens the movie with each appearance.

Otherwise, not much to tell. The trailer describes most of the story which is predictable. I'd like to see it again but I wouldn't rush out - nice rental when there's nothing else.

The Grand Budapest Hotel, 2 Stars

This is a quirky movie. Reminds me vaguely of The Royal Tanenbaums and maybe Barney's Version - I think you have to like a certain type and style of film. A friend described it as "Noel Coward meets Agatha Christie". Weird might be too strong, but you get the drift.

A strong performance by Ralph Fiennes (HP series). Lots of cameos / short appearances by a variety of actors including: Tom Wilkinson (The Patriot), Jude Law (The Holiday), Bill Murray (Groundhog Day), and Jeff Goldblum (The Big Chill).

While the film moves well, I have no desire to see it again.

The Book Thief, 3.5 Stars

This is a very good film. Set in Germany in the time leading up to and including World War II, it is a story of a young girl who is adopted and adapts to life with a new family. It portrays a side of WWII that I have not often seen and includes the burning of books.

Performances are strong by Geoffrey Rush (The King's Speech), and Emily Watson (whom I'm not familiar with), as well as (Canadian) Sophie Nelisse, Ben Schnetzer and Nico Liersch, who are all new to the screen.

The movie flows well and many of the scenes are beautifully shot. I'd like to see it again.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier, 2.5 Stars

I thought this version of Captain America was flat. An okay story (if you could follow all the ins and outs), but too many booms and bangs that didn't add a lot.

I think I like what Marvel Comics (and films) are trying to do - make all their movies interconnected. But it seems to me if you miss one or two (and I have), then you might lose some of the thread (which I also appear to have).

Chris Evans is a good Captain America but was also flat. Scarlett Johannson (We Bought a Zoo) is growing on me with each film. Samuel L. Jackson (Iron Man) was his usual gravelly self. And Robert Redford (3 Days of the Condor) was traditionally sardonic.

I might watch again but wouldn't seek it out.

Muppets Most Wanted, 2 Stars

This movie was a disappointment. The story dragged, there weren't a lot of laughs for neither children nor adults and the casting was ho-hum.

Miss Piggy, is her usual great self (and not on the screen enough). Kermit is also good, as is his evil look-a-like. Tina Fey (Mean Girls) is as always very watchable, but the appeal of Ricky Gervais (Stardust) is wearing thin, as is his acting ability. I enjoyed watching Ray Liotta (Field of Dreams).

A nice rental on a boring afternoon but I wouldn't rush out.

Frozen, 3 Stars

This is a lovely film. My granddaughter has seen it at least six times and was singing along to the songs.

The music is lovely and the voice of Idina Menzel (Enchanted) and the song Let it Go are both spectacular (and worth an extra half star).

The new character Olaf the Snowman is delightful to watch and I can see future 'spin-offs'. The story is not unique, but nicely told and beautifully animated.

I'd like to see it several times again and recommend it to you.

Draft Day, 3 Stars

We had the opportunity to sneak preview this movie and we enjoyed it very much.

The story is about the hours leading up to the start of the NFL draft. You don't need to be a knowledgeable sports fan to enjoy this - the wheeling and dealing that goes on is reminiscent of scenes in Moneyball. It is a compelling story with suitable tension and a little bit of humour tossed in.

The casting is okay - several actors could have substituted for the ones who actually got the parts. Kevin Costner (Man of Steel) shines in sports movies and this is no exception; Jennifer Garner (Dallas Buyers Club) is her usual self, perhaps with a little more edge; and, Denis Leary (Thomas Crown Affair 1999) is a good choice and suitably dour - I'd like to see more of his work. For those who have seen Dave, there is a little 'reunion' of two of those actors in this one.

The film is a little slow starting out but gets faster and faster as the draft deadline approaches and gets underway. I recommend it to you and I would definitely see again.

The Descendants 2.5 Stars

I saw this movie recently on TV and liked it. There are a few different stories going on throughout, which makes it interesting.

George Clooney (Gravity) shows suitable angst when required and there are a few funny scenes of him running (I'm not sure they were supposed to be humorous...) and generally he plays himself. Judy Greer (13 Going on 30) showed more range than I've seen from her and was quite good. But the pleasant surprise is Shailene Woodley (whom I was not familiar with but is in Divergent) - her abilities shone through playing a surly, yet at times sensitive, teenager.

The theme throughout the movie is the impact of events on the family - both within the immediate nuclear unit as well as with the various groups who interact with that unit. As such, I enjoyed it and I'd likely see it again in order to reflect on the changes that occur within each of the groups throughout.

Dallas Buyers Club 3.5 Stars

This is a very good, tough film to watch. It is long (nearly 2 hours) and is a story about AIDS and HIV in the 1980's.

The acting is excellent: Matthew McConaughey has 'upped his game' (and is realizing the potential shown in Contact); Jennifer Garner (The Odd Life of Timothy Green) plays her usual role; but it is Jared Leto (who apparently was in The American Quilt) who is absolutely spectacular. His performance is wide-ranging and riveting and the movie is much stronger because of him.

There is a scene in a grocery store that epitomizes the attitudes of the '80's that I believe society still holds today. While the Academy rewarded Tom Hanks in Philadelphia 20 years ago, I'd be surprised if it did so in 2014.

Nevertheless, I highly recommend this movie.

The Monument Men 2 Stars

Well, this is as the critics say - too long (112 min and could be 96 min easily) and not focused.

Interesting story but the script fails to do it justice. Enjoyable acting by Matt Damon (The Adjustment Bureau), George Clooney (Gravity), John Goodman (Argo), Cate Blanchett (Robin Hood), and Bill Murray (Ground Hog Day).

Enjoyable rental.

Oldies

Saw four oldies that I recommend:

African Queen (1952) with Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. Excellent acting. Drags a little but worth seeing. 3.5*
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) with Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman and Burl Ives. Again, excellent acting and great dialogue. I've decided Scarlett Johannson has Taylor's pouty lips. 4*
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) with Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn and Sidney Poitier. Excellent acting, still relevant today. Apparently Tracy died about 10 days after completion. 3.5*
Big Chill (1983). Great cast including Glenn Close and Kevin Kline. Very introspective for 30-somethings at that time, great soundtrack. Saw this in the theatre (which is always better). 3*

Philip Seymour Hoffman

I admired Philip Seymour Hoffman's work and talent immensely. I saw him in Twister, Pirate Radio, Patch Adams, Charlie Wilson's War, Moneyball, The Ides of March, and Hunger Games 2 (and I expect in 3 & 4?).

I thought he played his characters believably well and often with an 'edginess'. In some ways he was similar to Meryl Streep - very versatile and you could always rely on seeing a quality performance.

That he succumbed to an addiction, even after being 'clean' for more than two decades, shows the crippling and ever lingering power of addictions.

My thoughts are with his wife and young family. We shall miss him on the screen.

Saving Mr. Banks, 3 Stars

This is an uneven film. Some parts are very good, others are not. And it's too long and drags in places.

It's not a spoiler to say that the story jumps around from the present day (1961) to P. L. Travers past as she reminisces on her childhood. These flashbacks are what 'make' the movie - they are beautifully shot with a compelling story.  Colin Farrell (whom I have not seen previously) is very good as P. L's father. Annie Rose Buckley (new to the screen) plays a young P. L. nicknamed 'Ginty' and is very credible. And Ruth Wilson (whom I also have not seen) is effective as the mother (and one wishes had a larger role).

Emma Thompson (Sense and Sensibility) and Tom Hanks (Cast Away) give stilted performances (deliberately?). Paul Giamatti (The Truman Show), who I appreciate for his skill but I cannot warm to, is very good.

In spite of this, I would see this again, to drink in the flashbacks, enjoy the music, and to see if the film grows on me the second time.

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, 2.5 Stars

I basically enjoyed this. It was only at the end of the movie that I realized how tense I'd been.

The action is pretty well non-stop, though it does drag at the start. Chris Pine (Star Trek re-boot) is good as Jack Ryan - perhaps a little 'Bourne-like', but nerdier. Keira Knightley (Pride & Prejudice) has an expressive and very watchable face and Kenneth Branagh (HP & Chamber of Secrets) is good as a villain. But it is Kevin Costner (The Company Men) who was a pleasant surprise and appears to be more comfortable in 'laid-back' roles (e.g. his critically acclaimed role in Man of Steel).

I don't like a lot of violence in films and this one has its share, but that is to be expected in this genre (James Bond, not withstanding, from which I can somehow detach myself). Not sure I'd go out of my way to see this again.

American Hustle, 2 stars

Well, I don't get it. According to Rotten Tomatoes, it got a 93% rating of critics who liked it and was 'riotously funny'. I must have been at a different movie.

The casting and acting are great and increased my rating by 1/2 a star. But for the most part (with the exception of Jerome Renner [The Bourne Legacy] and Robert de Niro [Stardust]), I felt I was watching people act - i.e. they just didn't involve me. Amy Adams (Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day) showed more range (and body parts) than I've seen. Christian Bale (The Dark Knight) was very good. Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook) continues to impress and Jennifer Lawrence (Hunger Games series) may be the most talented of the group.

But the movie is too long and the story drags. The 70's stuff is fun(ny) to see. As I overheard people next to me say as we were leaving "There goes two hours I'll never get back." Too bad.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, 2.5 Stars

I liked this movie - it is the kooky, over-the-top performances by the characters that makes it memorable.

Ben Stiller (Dan in Real Life) is likeable and convincing as a daydreamer. And Kristen Wiig (Whip It) is fun to watch on the screen - the camera really 'likes' her and she has a lovely scene in which she performs 'Ground Control to Major Tom'. Her character is quirky (well, the whole film is...). There are a lot of other very good, short performances and many 'laugh out loud' moments.

But there is a flaw in the flow - the first one-third you can buy in to the daydreams and they are intriguing and fun. And then the story switches gears from irregular daydreams to an attempt at a continuous story. The result is that I was left wondering if I was still watching a daydream or not. Unsettling.

In spite of this, I liked it and would like to see it again, in part to separate out the daydreams from real life (there's some sort of metaphor in there, I think...).

Philomena, 3.5 Stars

This is an excellent film. The story flows well - it flags in the middle a little, but perhaps that is only because it appears that the 'plot' has stalled.

There is a wide ranging cast, many of whom I wasn't familiar with. Dame Judi Dench (007 series, Chocolat, etc) delivers a superb performance - is there a movie in which she does not? Steve Coogan (whom I had not remembered was in the Night(s) at the Museum) plays a good, straight and sometimes passionate foil to Dench's character. They are 80-90% of the story and their chemistry is a natural one.

There are twists and turns and the film is not without emotion - I'd see it again to re-trace the 'thread' of the story.