Kingsman: The Secret Service, 2 Stars

So, I thought to myself, this has Colin Firth (The King's Speech) and Sir Michael Caine (Batman series), it must be good or cannot be too bad, can it? Yup, it can.

There's a good idea in here somewhere and it starts okay. And then the writers either ran out of material or lost their minds and got really silly. It moves pretty well in the beginning but then it starts to drag, gets pseudo-violent and takes too long to resolve. Firth and Caine are okay.

One redeeming aspect is Samuel L. Jackson (Captain America) with a lisp - he's great. And I just discovered that Mark Hamill (Star Wars in the 1970's) was in this (surprise, surprise!).

A 2 Star rating may be too high. Don't rush out but when you've got nothing else to rent, put it on in the background.

Paddington, 3 Stars

This is a wonderful movie, suitable for almost all ages (likely 5 and up). I wrestled with the rating but decided to go a little on the high side because:

• the bear is great;
• Sally Hawkins (whom I must have seen but don't recognize any of her other roles) and Hugh Bonneville (Notting Hill) are also delightful;
• Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge) is deliciously evil; and,
• I'll likely see it a gazillion more times with grandchildren.

The story moves well, my granddaughter wants to know how they got the bear to move (which I haven't researched), and it's a fun time.

Still Alice, 3.5 Stars

I like Julianne Moore (The Fugitive). I haven't seen a lot of her movies but this one is very good. And I wanted to see her in the role before the Oscars this week because they say she'll win for Best Actress and I can see why. There are a few draggy spots but, overall, it has a good pace.

The story is about early onset Alzheimer's, and, if you've been affected or impacted by the disease, there are scenes that ring true and are sad to watch. Moore's range, from an active, intelligent university professor to a person who is having difficulty looking after herself, is masterful.

The story is fairly straightforward and plays out well.  Alec Baldwin  (whom I'm not a huge fan of) (Hunt for Red October), turns in a strong and surprisingly wide-ranging performance. Kristen Stewart (Twilight saga) is also impressive as the snarky daughter who is not following the route her uber successful parents want. Kate Bosworth (Remember the Titans) plays her role well as the elder sister.

I commented, as we left the theatre: "I have seen the future and it sucks". In spite of that and the roller coaster of emotions experienced, I highly recommend it and I'd see it again (but not right away...).

My Super Ex-Girlfriend, 1.5 Stars

This is a zany little film that I've wanted to see but now I'm not sure why... It's a takeoff on the other super hero/ heroine movies and it's predictable.

Uma Thurman (I think I've only seen her in the disastrous The Avengers in 1998) camps it up, but otherwise mails in her performance, as does Anna Faris (Brokeback Mountain). But I do like Luke Wilson (The Family Stone) and he didn't disappoint with his wide range of facial expressions.

Not much else to say about it. Don't think I'd watch it again and watch it only if you're desperate...

Selma, 3 Stars

I liked this movie very much. It does drag in places but the action of the film, most of which is historically accurate, make it interesting to watch.

The portrayal of Martin Luther King, as a man with flaws, is done well. David Oyelowo (The Help) is good and measured, and he has King's speaking cadence perfected. Carmen Ejogo, whom I was not familiar with, does a very credible job as his wife. Tom Wilkinson (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), who consistently gives strong performances in film after film, does not disappoint as President Johnson. My understanding of Johnson's political moves, at that time, are that he pulled all sorts of strings and IOU's to get the Civil Rights legislation passed, and this film distorts both that effort and that support by him.

Still, the result is a well-done presentation of an important time in history. I'm not sure I'd rush to see it again but I do recommend it.