Downton Abbey

I liked the PBS series, but didn't have huge expectations for the film. I mean really, it is basically another episode (or maybe 1.5). What could they really do? But the film was exactly what it needed to be for this franchise. The plot of the Royal visit to Downton was self contained and complete, doing a pretty good job of introducing each character without lots of boring preamble. And each character got to be the best version of themself. We get high quality cranky, in charge but not confident, regal, principled and snooty, smooth, innocent yet fierce, etc. Every character was able to contribute exactly their stereotypical/trademark personality with purpose and effect and it all flowed into the story naturally. Well done to the writers. Really enjoyed this.
4 stars (out of 5) 

Reign of Assassins

A group of kung fu warriors has finally tracked down the remains of an ancient master, said to grant the one holder dominion of the kung fu world. But of the members sneaks off with it in the confusion of fight, alters her face, and settles into a 'normal' life. When she exposes her talents during a bank robbery to save her 'normal' husband, her hiding place is revealed and the warriors assemble to take back the masters remains and punish her traitorous action. But of course not everything is quite as it seems. The story is engaging and the fighting felt both novel and appropriate in scale, which is unusual in kung fu action films. Nice.
4 stars (out of 5)

Project Gutenberg

Set in Hong Kong, we follow the development of the career of "The Painter" indirectly. He is a notorious criminal who the police are hunting as a master counterfeiter, but they don't really know what he looks like or who he is. This story unfolds the complex weavings around this mastermind and the people who work with/for him as the police work to stop his organization. Really well done, while a bit over the top (maybe not for Hong Kong action) in the firepower/revenge scenes. And we (like the police) don't have the full picture until the end, which is always fun...
3 star (out of 5)

Find Me

A small film with big impact. A couple of colleagues in an accounting office become friends. One is the stereotypical accountant who is good at his job, but not really passionate about it (or anything). He senses that he is in a life rut, but isn't aware that he is sensing this. The other is a young accountant who jokes around with him during break and becomes maybe his only friend. She is adventurous in her travels and in her enthusiasm for life. When she disappears and is found to have embezzled some money from the firm, he is really confused. And then he gets a note that says 'Find Me' with some geo-coordinates. He follows and gets taken on a life changing tour of some of her favorite spots in National Parks in the west. Throughout the journey, the friendship thrives as her voiceover continues to challenge him and tell more of her story, simultaneous with his self discovery. And while I began to get a sense of the endgame, it continued to be effective and emotional, caring about both characters to the end.
4 stars (out of 5)