Girl with a Pearl Earring

M: A pretty good show. It tried to be a bit too deep though. And if there was romance, I didn't buy it. But, well done. 2 1/2 stars.

V: I was underwhelmed by this movie. Though I thought the acting was good, the overall mood was just a little too bleak. I mean, I like myself some bleak, don't get me wrong, but it was unwarranted here. It needed a little balance. But, it was good. Not great. 2 1/2 stars.

Nanny McPhee

M: A good family movie night movie. Nanny McPhee is an ugly nanny who comes to help teach extra bad children to behave. As the children get better, she gets more beautiful. The movie had some fun spots, and good imagination. But the kids annoyed me at times, and I wasn't really feeling the love interest. Somewhere between OK and Pretty good. 2 1/2 stars

V: Our kids liked it. It had some fun moments and some great actors. Written and played by Emma Thompson, Nanny McPhie had some fun magical stuff (the messing-up-the-kitchen scene) and some silly stuff (dancing donkey) and some okay-I-get-it repetitive stuff (NM always showing up out of nowhere and startling people.) I agree with M. (I'm always agreeing with him lately.) 2 1/2 stars

Mamma Mia

V: Fun, fun, fun! We really enjoyed this show. It was silly and quirky and rompy - just really fun. Meryl Streep, as always, is great. And she can sing! We actually pulled up a couple of the movie soundtrack songs afterward - and she sounds really good. The "Winner Takes It All" number was the best - really powerful and touching. The music by ABBA is so addicting. And I hear they make an appearance in the film (but I don't know what they look like.) I loved the filming location - I want to go there. Pierce Brosnan, I think, sounds better if you don't look at him. His face seemed awkwardly strained when singing. The rest of the cast was very likeable, as well. I really laughed hard and out loud at the very end when the stars are dancing in full sparkly bellbottoms and platforms. Seeing Fitzwilliam Darcy wiggle like that was priceless. 3 1/2 stars

M: To start, V and I went and saw Mamma Mia in Las Vegas and absolutely loved it. The woman who played Donna in the play put together what I think is the greatest performance I have seen by an individual in a play. Meryl Streep and this movie rendition of the play had big shoes to fill. And they did a pretty darn good job. Meryl Streep was fantastic, likable, believable, and a great singer. Amanda Seyfried, who played Sophie, had the best voice of the bunch, while Collin Firth (Pride & Prejudice) and Pierce Brosnan made me squirm with embarrassment at times when they broke into song, but even they were lovable and enjoyable. All and all, a very good show. The play is better, especially at a big venue, but $6.50 for a ticket beats the $120.00 (each!) V and I paid in Vegas any day. 3 1/2 stars