Inside Out, 3.5 Stars

This is a very good movie and has received superb reviews. Some critics have described it as an 'instant Classic' (I have difficulty with that oxymoron and, to me, only time will tell...).

The conceptual and writing staff of Disney / Pixar are to be commended for the development of this film. We took our granddaughters to this, and while it is an animated feature and held a child's attention, the story really is for adults.

This is about the inner workings of the mind. I would be interested in the thought processes that conceived this and put the script all together. A worthwhile debate could be conducted (and perhaps was) about which emotions to feature, which core memories should be significant, and which 'islands' of personality are important, etc.

I find that actor's voices are often hard to identify in animation and so I won't, with one exception - the voice of 'Sadness' (by Phyllis Smith) and the accompanying drawings are very touching.

I'm sure I will see this movie several more times and I recommend it to you highly.

Spy, 2.5 Stars

I like James Bond movies - I grew up with them. Paradoxically they're in favour of most things that I'm against such as violence and guns. But (I can be fairly shallow and) I do like strong-willed and/or attractive people, formal clothing and beautiful scenery, all of which the Bond series usually delivers .

For some reason I take a while to warm to 'take-offs' of this genre such as Kingsman: The Secret Service (see my review, 2 Stars) and Spy. This story is good and moves along well. The visuals are great (it was lovely to recognize places that I've been in). The acting is good including Melissa McCarthy, Allison Janney and Miranda Hart (all of whom I like) as well as Jason Statham and Rose Byrne (neither of whom I'm familiar with).

My daughter and my wife both liked it more than I did. I would see it again, if only to propel my rating up or down by 1/2 a star.

Far from the Madding Crowd, 3 Stars

This is a lovely film. It's like sitting back and taking the time to read an enjoyable book, savouring the phrases and their structure and flow. Reminds me somewhat of Barry Lyndon (1975).

Carey Mulligan shows a wide range of talent and dominates the screen. Matthias Schoenaerts plays his part in an understated manner and is a positive, delightful surprise. Michael Sheen does well in what is a different role than I've seen him in.

The scenery is gorgeous and is worth seeing on the large screen. The pace is slow but doesn't drag. I'd see it again and recommend it to you.

Pitch Perfect 2, 2 Stars

This movie is very similar to the first one. A little long at just under 2 hours and it drags when it's left to the dialogue (such as there is). The music and choreography is worth going for but sometimes it felt like a long episode of Glee.

Anna Kendrick is strong once again, as is Brittany Snow whom I like. Rebel Wilson plays herself (which is not my preference) and Elizabeth Banks, who directed the film and continues to expand her repertoire, is strong in the brief scenes she's in. Some of the other supporting actors are interesting to watch.

Enjoyable but I'm not sure I'd see again.