Brooklyn, 3 Stars

Saoirse Ronan (Wikipedia)

This is a lovely film. It's a gentle story set in the early 1950's, well told and beautifully shot (some of the Brooklyn scenes were shot in Montreal).

The acting is understated - Saoirse Ronan (whom I don't remember in Grand Budapest Hotel) shows good range and character growth - one critic labeled her as 'one to watch' in the future. Emory Cohen (whom I'm not familiar with) does very well. I don't know if the accent by Julie Walters (HP series and Calendar Girls) is realistic, but she dominates the scenes she's in. And I'm starting to admire the work of Domhnall Gleeson (also HP series & Star Wars: The Force Awakens), who is subtle but strong.

I would see this again and I recommend it to you.

Search for Sugar Man, 3.5 Stars

This is an unusual documentary about Sixto Rodriguez, 'a rock icon who never was' (Rotten Tomatoes). It is an uplifting, sad, frustrating and fascinating story.

Rodriguez has a haunting voice, somewhat reminiscent of Bob Dylan. Somehow, his albums became underground hits in apartheid South Africa.

This was recently on the CBC network but can also be currently found on (Canadian) Netflix. I recommend it.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens, 4 Stars

Picture by Gage Skidmore **

If you like Star Wars IV, V & VI, you'll love VII. I've seen this twice already, once in a smaller, non-3D theatre and once in IMAX 3D. 3D works well, not sure I noted a difference with IMAX.

The action is non-stop and has a similar structure to number IV. Only a few quibbles about performances, but enough to deny an extra 1/2 Star rating. Daisy Ridley is an excellent, unknown, strong and likeable lead actor - gritty, with some humour and very determined. It is a pleasure to see Harrison Ford (The Fugitive) reprise his role as Han Solo. Oscar Isaac (Robin Hood) is charming and easy to like, while another unknown, John Boyega, plays his role well.

I plan to see this at least once more in the theatre and recommend it to you. Some questions arise from this production but many will be answered in future movies.  Enjoy!

(** I will do my best to give picture credits in future.)