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I watched this movie for the first time just today, after learning that Brendan Fraser and Joe Pesci were in it. And I've gotta say, it's a nice enough movie, but it is flawed.

The movie centers on Harvard senior Montgomery "Monty" Kessler (played by Brendan Fraser), who is struggling to finish his program to graduate with honors, but an unexpected power glitch screws up his computer's hard drive, and as if just to make matters worse, his only paper copy of his in-progress thesis quickly falls into the hands of a homeless man named Simon Wilder (Joe Pesci). Though the two get off on the wrong foot, they quickly become unlikely friends, and Simon offers Monty some valuable lessons on life. Despite initial hostility toward Simon, Monty's roommates, Courtney Blumenthal (Moira Kelly), Everett Calloway (Patrick Dempsey) and Jeffrey Hawkes (Josh Hamilton), warm up to him as well.

Now, let me just say, the acting is pretty good. Brendan Fraser, especially, who at the time was known for playing rather cocky school students, delivers as Monty. Although, I personally feel that Joe Pesci was somewhat miscast as Simon. At the time, he was best known for playing gangsters, mafiosos, crooks and tough guys, especially in the first two Home Alone movies and Easy Money, so it's very odd to see him playing a super-wise (if somewhat crass) homeless guy who's ultimately a catalyst in changing the life of a Harvard student. His routine just doesn't translate here. Everybody else, though, is good in their roles, especially Moira Kelly, Patrick Dempsey and Josh Hamilton as Courtney, Everett and Jeff, respectively.

But the writing is where the movie's flaws lie. Despite an interesting story, there are some story turns that just feel forced and contrived, and don't make sense. Why would Simon take a bunch of papers that clearly look important and burn them page by page? Why would he then immediately attack Monty when he comes to try and claim them? It's never explained. Still though, there is some good drama in this movie, especially when Monty learns about Simon's health condition, and past, and never treats any of it as a joke. Still, the movie also has some pretty good comedy, especially Jeff barging in on Simon while he's using the bathroom, and bits involving Everett's pet rooster.

In addition, With Honors is well-filmed, and gives us a pretty good look at how lovely Harvard's campus looks, as does rural Maine. It also allows the actors to tell the story where necessary.

And lastly, the music. Patrick Leonard, though he rarely scores movies, scored this movie remarkably well. His score sounds very beautiful and haunting, and fits the tone of every scene it appears in. In addition, the song he co-wrote for the end credits, "I'll Remember" by Madonna, is powerful and lovely. Speaking of which, this movie makes really good use of other songs as well.

Everything considered, With Honors is a nice movie with a relatable story and good acting, especially from Brendan Fraser. However, it has a rather flawed script, and Joe Pesci feels somewhat out of place in the role he's in. Still, there is a lot this movie has to offer.

Just yesterday, for the first time, I watched the movie Singles for free on YouTube. And I've gotta say, it's a really great movie!

The movie is set in Seattle in the early 1990's, during the era of grunge music, and focuses on the fluctuating lives and relationships of a group of young people, all living in the same apartment building. Among the people explored are waitress and aspiring architect Janet Livermore (played by Bridget Fonda), who finds herself in an uncontrollable obsession with rebel musician Cliff Poncier (Matt Dillon); emotionally fragile environmentalist Linda Powell (Kyra Sedgwick), who's constantly on the look-out for love; and affable Steve Dunne (Campbell Scott), who's fascinated with traffic patterns.

Now, let me just say, the acting in this movie is stellar. Bridget Fonda is quite zesty as Janet. Matt Dillon is the quintessential "bad boy" as Cliff. Kyra Sedgwick is humble and soft-spoken as Linda. Campbell Scott is warm and friendly as Steve. The movie's cast also features Sheila Kelley, Jim True and Bill Pullman among several others, and they all do terrifically with their roles as well.

But what really makes this movie is the writing. The movie has a scruffy feel to it, and is packed with clever and fun humor, through the sharp dialogue, and through some well-timed physical gags. In addition, the characters are all thoroughly developed, endearing and likeable, and you sympathize with all of them as the movie goes on. We also get a lot of worldbuilding that helps us better understand the story and characters. The movie is even pretty tense in all the right places.

Also, Singles is terrifically filmed and edited. We get some really good looks at downtown Seattle, especially in the opening and closing scenes. I can't remember if I've seen any other movies set in Seattle, but this movie really managed to make it look impressive.

And of course, there's the music. Of course, being a movie about the 1990's grunge movement in Seattle, this movie substitutes a score for a varied and memorable selection of grunge-rock songs. Of course, several of them are original, including two excellent songs by Paul Westerberg; "Dyslexic Heart" and the main theme, "Waiting for Somebody".

Everything considered, Singles is a fun, smart and scruffy movie about the era of grunge, and benefits greatly from its music, performances and characters. If you're a fan of grunge music, this is a movie you should see!!!!!

I've never said this until now, but ever since preschool, I've been a huge fan of Nick Park's Wallace and Gromit, and so have my parents and older brother. And my brother and I had, for a long time, figured that following the retirement and tragic death of the great Peter Sallis, the legendary voice of Wallace, Aardman had retired the franchise. Apparently not! And this cracking new installment, Vengeance Most Fowl, is nothing short of delightful.

In this charming new adventure, Gromit grows concerned that Wallace (now voiced by Ben Whitehead) has become far too dependent on his crazy, new inventions for everyday tasks. His concerns are justified when Wallace invents a smart gnome named Norbot (Reece Shearsmith). Things go sideways when Feathers McGraw, the fiendish penguin whose criminal plans were thwarted by the dynamic duo back in the easy highlight of the franchise, The Wrong Trousers, learns about Norbot, and cooks up a malevolent scheme involving him to exact some most fowl (hehe...) vengeance against them.

Of course, as per usual, the animation is stellar. It's smooth, fluid, crisp and perfectly matches the animation of every W&G installment before this one. Of course, there's a smidgen of CGI assistance in some scenes, but it's blended in terrifically. In addition, the designs for the newly introduced characters are terrific.

And also, the characters are really excellent. Wallace and Gromit are the same loveable duo they always are. And Feathers is an even more threatening and calculating villain than he was back in The Wrong Trousers. In regards to the other characters; Police Constable-promoted Chief Inspector Albert Mackintosh (Peter Kay) is every bit as funny as he was in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. His protege, PC Mukherjee (Lauren Patel) is loveably plucky.

Also, the writing is terrific. This movie has a very thrilling and intriguing tone to it, just like the previous W&G installments. In addition, the movie is riddled with clever humor throughout that always manages to make me laugh... "Someone's pinched your big butt", anyone? Also, be on the lookout for a very brief, but tough-to-miss cameo by the dimwitted farmer from Shaun the Sheep! The movie is even heartwarming in places.

Also, the voice-acting is phenomenal. Ben Whitehead proved to be the perfect successor for Peter Sallis as Wallace! Not only does he FLAWLESSLY imitate Sallis, he even manages to turn in a very heartfelt performance in his own right. There's something to be said about someone who can craft a great performance themselves while also perfectly creating someone else's voice, and Whitehead does both together at the same time! Peter Kay, meanwhile, reprises his role as Mackintosh from The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, and once again, he does a very great job. Lauren Patel is charming and authentic as Mukherjee.

And then, of course, the music. Julian Nott, the genius behind the iconic music for W&G, returned to score this movie, only this time, he's joined by Lorne Balfe. And the resulting score from their collaboration is quite remarkable. The delightful W&G theme returns, and the rest of the incidental music is also incredibly lovely.

Everything considered, Vengeance Most Fowl is a stellar return for Wallace and Gromit. It may not be the best in the franchise (that would be The Wrong Trousers, of course), but nonetheless, it's a very enjoyable and charming addition to such a beloved franchise. If you've got Netflix, this is a must-see!!!!!