Despicable Me

M: I went to see this on a date with my 6 year old Daughter. It was good. Pretty enjoyable. Had a good message. At times it felt a bit predictable and heavy handed. But, all in all, a good show to see with the kids. 2 1/2 stars

Wives and Daughters

M: Another great mini-series by the BBC. Same author and director as North and South. The characters are likable, and I thought that the leading lady, played by Justine Waddell, was great. But the leading man was not so great. Not the best romance, but a very good and enjoyable show. 3 stars.

V: We both liked this. Some very good actors. Some annoying (because they were supposed to be) characters. Really good. 3 stars

Proof

M: As good as a movie about math can be perhaps. But, not great. 2 1/2 stars.

V: I actually liked this quite a bit. It is not light, fun entertainment, be warned. But I thought it was a really interesting psychological drama and well-acted. Yeah, I really liked it. 3 1/2 stars.

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.

Diaries of a Wimpy Kid

M: This is a pretty fun movie about a kid making his way through middle school. I liked it. The boy and his friend were both very likable. The parents were funny. The brother was a bit over the top but funny. The "cheese touch" was a funny touch. I didn't really care for the overly mean bullies and the overly wise newspaper girl. Otherwise, it is a fun show. 3 stars

V: This had a lot of originality. The main kid was an anti-hero, which is perfect for a kid this age - (weren't we all unacceptable human beings in middle school?) He's insecure and trying to succeed by being anyone but himself. His best friend, a chubby, cheesy boy who professes his admiration for his mother openly is great. He ends up being liked because he's himself. I thought they mixed in the graphic novel sketches well. It was cute. And I'm glad not to be in junior high anymore. 3 stars

Take a Chance

M: This is another in the series of Mormon movies. But, although it has all the same actors as the other Mormon movies, and although it is clearly filmed in Provo, Utah, the characters in the movie aren't Mormon. Or, at least, it is pretty vague. I guess they hoped to expand the viewer base. Whatever. It made it a bit weird. So, two guys from Texas meet a guy from Idaho who looks like a missionary. Texas guy falls in love with Idaho guy's sister after looking at a picture of her. So he goes to Idaho and pretends to be an exchange student to meet her. Pretty funny. Not great, but good. I liked the main guy and the main girl. The story was tough to buy, and I didn't care for some of the secondary characters. 2 1/2 stars

V: It was pretty cute. Both the main guy actors were fun. One problem was that a girl who tells this guy that she'll help coach him so he can successfully woo her roommate gets mad at him because, and I quote, "You were just using me to get to her!" Uh, yeah, that was your plan. So a tighter script there would have been good. But, it was still pretty enjoyable. 2 1/2 stars

Whip It

V: So, I kinda liked this movie about a high school girl who wants to join the roller-derby. It had a lot of actors that I like. The dad and the coach were always funny. The mom, just really good - Marcia Gay Hardin - she's just such a great actress. Kristin Wiig is great - one of our favorite SNL staples. Ellen Page is very natural. You kind of know how it's all going to turn out, but it wasn't one-sided. Ellen's character, Bliss, comes to see her parents' point of view, just as they come to see hers. So she grows up a bit. The movie's got that mellow indie feel. Directed by Drew Barrymore, who plays Smashley Simpson. I enjoyed it. 3 stars

M. Great cast, Drew Barrymore, Ellen Page, Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development), Jimmy Fallon, and Kristin Wiig (whose Penelope Character is change-your-life-funny). Unfortunate, not a great movie. In fact, I give Whip It this years Worst Use of Talent Award. V and I really differ on this one. For the most part, I found it predictable, cliche, and annoying. It was a bizarre mixture of inspiring sports movie, slapstick comedy, and family drama. For me, it was really disappointing. 2 stars.