Skyfall

I like James Bond. And I like the direction the producers have taken with series and Daniel Craig (The Golden Compass), whom I also like but I haven't decided if he can actually act (but certainly is nice to look at and I think is the best Bond since Sean Connery (Finding Forrester, 2000)).

The new characters introduced are positive additions - Ralph Fiennes (whom I liked in the ultra fluffy Maid in Manhattan that I'm sure he'd like to forget), the new 'Q' Ben Whishaw and Naomie Harris (the latter two with whom I'm not familiar). And Albert Finney (A Good Year - see my review) plays his usual self.

A few new twists, but the movie follows the Bond formula. I was surprised that it dragged about three-quarters of the way in. And I also had the constant feeling that the British travel board (or whomever) was paying a sponsorship for beautiful vistas of London or elsewhere in Britain. Still, an enjoyable romp that I would see again.

Wreck-it Ralph

I liked this movie. It had a good story and moved along well. It featured the voice of John C. Reilly (For Love of the Game, one of my favourite baseball movies), whom I think is a very good, reliable but unrecognized actor. Also had Jane Lynch (Glee) playing the tough character (in animated form) whom she is now known for (even though she has popped up in a variety of roles in movies (The Fugitive) and TV series (Boston Legal) over the past 15 years at least).

I liked the movie and would see it again. I'm not sure what age it is best for, but I would think perhaps a minimum of seven years old.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

This movie was a delightful surprise. Of the 90+ movie screens in my city, Perks only played at two - one for 2 weeks only and then at another for a further 2 weeks.  Two incredibly strong performances by the male leads - Logan Lerman and Ezra Miller (neither of whom I was familiar with) make this movie work well. Emma Watson (HP series of course) is on the screen a lot and gives a very good performance. But she doesn't extend herself - that is, she doesn't show us anything we haven't seen her do in Harry Potter. I think she'll need to take Meryl Streep's advice to Anne Hathaway to 'take roles that stretch you'.

The rest of the cast works okay. It is the tale and its telling  that drives the movie - a story of teenage angst that creates tension (sexual and otherwise) throughout.

I'm very glad I saw it and would very much like to see again.