Gnomeo & Juliet 5*

Lady Gaga sings with Elton John in my favorite scene the night flower meeting Preview Animated garden gnomes are in a split duplex: Capulet red magnificently courageously vital Juliet, and Montague blue, her equal, Romeo. (James McAvoy). (Means more in British accents - The Manchester United "Reds" and Chelsea "Blues" have near a century of competition in English Premier League soccer football.)

The motherless maiden, and fatherless garden rulers' only children are lucky daredevils. Elton John (he modified himself) songs both pump up emotion for important events, such as race between houses, and midnight raids, our couple disguised in black, and hint truth in the background, "How wonderful life is when you're in the world". I'm not a fan of musicals where people burst into song and dance unreasonably; this hits the spot. Spotted tracker doggy "Shroom" and Cuban plastic flamingo Featherstone (Jim Cummings - TV Tigger, Pooh) add more humor. Spoonerisms at the start, sweetness throughout.

The casting is impeccable. Delightful to recognize red cantakerous curmudgeon Richard Wilson from One Foot in the Grave's similar Victor Meldrew, again over the fence (also Doctor Who's Dr Constantine, Merlin's mentor Gaius). Lead roles are voiced by James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, parents Lady Bluebury Maggie Smith and Lord Redbrick, oh well, Michael Caine. Juliet's frog nurse Nanette Ashley Jensen I didn't remember from Phlegma the Fierce (added to the wonderful animated film, not in Book 1, How to Train Your Dragon). Who could do a better Terrafirminator than a real wrestler, like Hulk Hogan? Jason Statham, known for fierce fictional race-car driving, fills the same role in red Tybalt. Patrick Stewart is Shakespeare statue. Parton is the one and only Dolly in the world.

Spoiler: At the chorus finale, I couldn't help mourn the death. Thankfully, in the Disney world, clay bodies can be glued.

Extras:

Features show setting is Stratford-on-Avon. Opening, endings, deleted scenes were unused for good reasons. Worst part is repeated "see what you think" by director. GSI investigators, ruse wedding, quarrelling weathervanes just hohum in storyboard versions. I expected to see London in the credits, but Toronto? Nelly Furtado?

Did you know Don Featherstone invented the pink plastic flamingo in 1957, produced in pairs, signed on the backsides, and much other garden kitsch sculpture? Hunh.

The Adjustment Bureau 2*

2* for original twist. Preview. Plot builds slow, boring till first fast chase. Clever honorable Dave Norris (Matt Damon) meets entrancing British accent Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt). Imprisoned by big bad guys in black, they run. NY lawyer congressman, frontrunner senatorial candidate headed toward presidency after speech is inspired by chance few minutes and kiss from likewise- promising modern dancer-choreographer. First date sex? The action propels us past doubts, disbelief, trust, six and thirty-six month skips, instant commitment.

Can they attain their ambitious goals together? Suspense pulls us along. Who are the supervising guardians, revealing increasingly greater powers, their Chairman? What do they want? What is their Plan?

Based on short story "Adjustment Team" by Philip K. Dick, expert in twisty scary scifi premises and endings, could be big question destiny v free will, becomes romance trumps resistance. I was more lost in their "normal" than when perceptions shift. American rah-rah genuine politickers (eg TV interviewer Jon Stewart). Boy banter with pal Charlie (Kelly). Giggly first date flirting.

Director Commentary:
Director idolizes NY - I don't. Public Library looks like a public library to me, not a supernatural HQ. Unlike The Tourist featuring Venic,e with side of Paris, this film became less the more I re-watched.

I missed subtleties when finger gesture spills coffee, lines move in book, hard tumble no effect, picture frame adjusted off. Sunbeams are glances from/ of Chairman - who knew? Connections I did not see. British accents coincide Emily Blunt heroine and Terence Stamp as Thompson, heavy villain. Actress had never danced, trained hours; body looked professional, yet still had double.