X-Men First Class

V: We actually saw this in the theater and I enjoyed it. I really liked James McAvoy already, so I thought he was a good pick. His (Xavier's) dominance was just kind of assumed though, and not really developed. So that could have used a little help. The Magnito character was interesting - a pretty big swing between likeable and super-evil though. You might not want to be seeing how many degrees away from Kevin Bacon you are after seeing this - just stay away. So, it's a comic book movie, and was entertaining as such. It's interesting thinking about the difference between X and Magnito, their backgrounds, their philosophies and their choices. We were excited to see our "About a Boy" boy all grown up. It was fun. 3 stars.

M: A rare full cost, in the theater experience (for my friends b-day). It probably helped to see this in the theater, since the special effects give it a boost. I thought there were a lot of characters with very little depth, and a lot of cheesy lines. Xavier, Magnito, and the blue girl were the only really compelling characters. But it was pretty good. 3 stars

Penelope

M: Heart-warming, funny, well acted and well written. I really liked this movie. Penelope is born with a pig-nose. Her family hides her in shame, waiting for the day when her love will accept her as she is and marry her and break the curse. However, the curse is not as simple as they think, and before the end of the movie, the characters will all learn some good lessons. Such funny lines. Cathrine O'Hara plays Penelope's mother and nearly steals the show. James McAvoy plays the same character he played in Becoming Jane (one trick pony? I guess we will see). The movie is hilarious and definitely worth seeing. 3 1/2 stars

V: A really charming little movie! This is a darling story about loving yourself, and looking for the beauty in people. Great cast. Great color. Liked the characters a lot and the quirky little world they lived in. It shows that everyone has their freakiness and their lovliness, just depends on where they wear it. I loved that the investigative photographer, who is trying to discover Penelope, is a little person. Christina Ricci is great, and James McAvoy charming. Penelope's parents, hilarious. Very sweet show. 3 1/2 stars

Becoming Jane

Movie about Jane Austen's life. Starring that one girl from Ella Enchanted and Devil Wears Prada. Can't remember name right now. I liked her in this. And James McAvoy. Where have I seen him before? (Mr. Tumnus in Narnia - and in Atonement, though I haven't seen that.) Rated PG.

V: I thought it was pretty good. At first, we were both saying, OK, OK, we get it, she wrote from her experiences. But then the story began to form better, and it became a good, sad story. There was a bit of tear dabbing on my part, and some "Argh!"ing. Tough time and place to live in. I give it 3 stars.

M: For the first three-quarters, this felt like a strange redo of pride and prejudice. At the end, the show came into its own and had a nice, but sad, ending. However, not enough to raise it beyond 2 1/2 stars.