Lucy.  A far-out concept featured in a disjoint and confusing plot, but a kick-ass Johansson make this sci-fi thriller entertaining to watch.  The only character who’s really developed is Morgan Freeman’s, though.  He has an unfair advantage, of course—he develops any character he’s portraying by his mere presence on the screen.  Gotta love the guy.  Sci-fi addicts will want to see this one.  Others with broader tastes might want to wait for Interstellar.  Or, just read a good sci-fi trilogy (like mine).

Magic in the Moonlight.  Woody reads Pygmalion; Woody writes screenplay.  After The Railway Man, this is a come-down for Colin Firth.  Of course, his filmography is a wee bit up-and-down, albeit prolific.  After high points like The King’s Speech, The Railway Man, and Tinker, Tailor, and low points like Mamma Mia and Fourplay, this is about average, I guess.  However, it’s Woody at his most boring.  Great old cars, though, and I loved the aunt.  Filmed with an annoying light filter (made me want to clean my glasses) to add ambiance to the 1920s setting.  Not recommended, unless you’re a die-hard Colin or Woody fan.

Frozen. This isn’t a review.  It’s a request: turn that damn song off!  Just for the record (no pun intended), I have another vision of hell: sitting in a bar that only serves Shirley Temples, shaken not stirred, and continuously listening to that song playing on an old jukebox.  And, just for those parents who want to continue bludgeoning the creativity out of their kids, Disney is supporting a venture where some Big Five publisher will release two children’s books based on the movie.  Commercial ventures tied to kids’ movie cartoons are capitalistic exploitation at its finest.  Today’s parents—GenXers and Millenials—will do anything to pamper their kids.

Just Visiting.  Let me say I’m not a Christina Applegate fan, but I was scanning through my 999 TV channels the other night looking for something fluffy and funny to watch (something preferably without a laugh track and without many commercials), and saw this on Encore Whatever.  It’s a 2001 movie.  Jean Reno as the knight projected forward in time and Christiain Clavier as his man-servant are hilarious if you’re into physical humor from time to time (pun intended).  Applegate is weak as the nerdy museum consultant from the 20^th century, but much better as the 12^th century wench, object of the knight’s affections.  It was good on Encore.  I recommend it for streaming video enthusiasts.  Excellent for a belly laugh, and it made my night.  (Now you know what I do when I’m not reading a good book or going out on a date with my wife.)

An MJM diary entry from Feb, 2011: Things looking up.  Headaches still with me from the steel plate in my skull, but have new apt and new job starting soon.

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