Miracles from Heaven

☆☆☆☆

+
Jennifer Garner gives a solid performance as Christy Beam in this moving story (based on true events) of Christy's daughter Anna...who was diagnosed with a rare incurable disease.
_
Many say this film is strictly for religious people.
Anyone open to the possibility of miracles (and a good story) will enjoy this movie.

Rated PG
1 hr. 49 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

☆☆☆☆

+
Based on Kim Barker's memoir "The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan, "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" stars Tina Fey who gives a solid performance as Baker..who went to Afghanistan as a reporter in 2002.

The story is told with drama, action, and humor.

-
Ignore negative reviews.


Rated R
1 hr. 51 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Mad Max: Fury Road

☆☆☆☆

+
No one plays tough better than Oscar winning actress Charlize Theron...who stars in this post-apocalyptic sci-fi action adventure.

Winner of several Academy Awards...including film editing, production design, costume design, make-up/hairstyling, sound mixing, and sound editing.
-
Tough to find in theaters...but worth the effort.

Rated R
2 hr.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Oscar Winners

☆☆☆ - StarMovieReviews.com Predicted Winner



Best Picture


Spotlight




Best Director



☆☆☆Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Revenant





Best Actor



☆☆☆Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant





Best Actress



☆☆☆Brie Larson, Room





Best Supporting Actor



Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies





Best Supporting Actress



☆☆☆Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl




Best Original Screenplay



☆☆☆Spotlight





Best Adapted Screenplay



☆☆☆The Big Short





Best Animated Feature



☆☆☆Inside Out




Best Foreign Language Film


☆☆☆Son of Saul





Best Documentary Feature


☆☆☆Amy





Best Cinematography



☆☆☆The Revenant





Best Film Editing



☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road





Best Production Design



☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road





Best Costume Design



☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road





Best Original Score



☆☆☆The Hateful Eight





Best Original Song



“Writing’s on the Wall,” Spectre




Best Visual Effects



Ex Machina





Best Makeup & Hairstyling



☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road





Best Sound Mixing



☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road





Best Sound Editing


☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road





Best Documentary Short



A Girl in the River





Best Live Action Short Film



Stutterer



Best Animated Short Film


Bear Story

Oscar Predictions 2016

Best Picture

The Big Short

Bridge of Spies

Brooklyn

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

☆☆☆The Revenant

Room

Spotlight




Best Director

Adam McKay, The Big Short

George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road

☆☆☆Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Revenant

Lenny Abrahamson, Room

Tom McCarthy, Spotlight



Best Actor

Bryan Cranston, Trumbo

Matt Damon, The Martian

☆☆☆Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant

Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs

Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl



Best Actress

Cate Blanchett, Carol

☆☆☆Brie Larson, Room

Jennifer Lawrence, Joy

Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years

Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn



Best Supporting Actor

Christian Bale, The Big Short

Tom Hardy, The Revenant

Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight

Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies

☆☆☆Sylvester Stallone, Creed



Best Supporting Actress

Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight

Rooney Mara, Carol

Rachel McAdams, Spotlight

☆☆☆Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl

Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs



Best Original Screenplay

Bridge of Spies

Ex Machina

Inside Out

☆☆☆Spotlight

Straight Outta Compton



Best Adapted Screenplay

☆☆☆The Big Short

Brooklyn

Carol

The Martian

Room



Best Animated Feature

Anomalisa

Boy and the World

☆☆☆Inside Out

Shaun the Sheep Movie

When Marnie Was There



Best Foreign Language Film

Embrace of the Serpent

Mustang

☆☆☆Son of Saul

Theeb

A War



Best Documentary Feature

☆☆☆Amy

Cartel Land

The Look of Silence

What Happened, Miss Simone?

Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom



Best Cinematography

Carol

The Hateful Eight

Mad Max: Fury Road

☆☆☆The Revenant

Sicario



Best Film Editing

The Big Short

☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road

The Revenant

Spotlight

Star Wars: The Force Awakens



Best Production Design

Bridge of Spies

The Danish Girl

☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant



Best Costume Design

Carol

Cinderella

The Danish Girl

☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road

The Revenant



Best Original Score

Bridge of Spies

Carol

☆☆☆The Hateful Eight

Sicario

Star Wars: The Force Awakens



Best Original Song

“Earned It,” 50 Shades Of Grey

“Manta Ray,” Racing Extinction

“Simple Song #3,” Youth

☆☆☆“Til It Happens to You,” The Hunting Ground

“Writing’s on the Wall,” Spectre



Best Visual Effects

Ex Machina

☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Star Wars: The Force Awakens



Best Makeup & Hairstyling

☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out a Window and Disappeared

The Revenant



Best Sound Mixing

Bridge of Spies

☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Star Wars: The Force Awakens



Best Sound Editing

☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Sicario

Star Wars: The Force Awakens



Best Documentary Short

Body Team 12

Chau, Behind the Lines

☆☆☆Claude Lanzman: Spectres of the Shoah

A Girl in the River

Last Day of Freedom



Best Live Action Short Film

Ave Maria

Day One

Everything Will Be Okay

☆☆☆Shok

Stutterer



Best Animated Short Film

Bear Story

Prologue

Sanjay’s Super Team

We Can’t Live Without Cosmos

☆☆☆World of Tomorrow

Bridge of Spies

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Based on true events, "Bridge of Spies" (Academy Award nomination for best picture) is the suspenseful story of James Donovan (Tom Hanks)...an American attorney that negotiated the trade of a spy plane pilot being held by the Russian government for a Russian spy being held by the U.S.A.
_
May be tough to find in theaters, but worth the effort.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 15 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

Anomalisa

☆☆

+
Nominated for Best Animated Feature..."Anomalisa" is the story of an unhappy man struggling with the relationships in his life.
Jennifer Jason Leigh, David Thewils ("Harry Potter...Hallows Part 2), and Tom Noonan voice all of the characters.
_
It is hard to appreciate what is special about the movie when it just so melancholy...joyless...depressing.

Rated R
1 hr. 30 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

Youth

☆☆1/2

+
"Youth" (all star cast including Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Rachel Weisz, Paul Dano, and Jane Fonda) is the story of two old friends at the end of their careers taking a vacation in the Swiss Alps...and reflecting on their lives.
_
The film suffers from a poor screenplay that is trying too hard to be something profound.
Difficult to care about the underdeveloped characters.

Rated R
2 hr. 3 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens

☆☆☆☆

+
The seventh installment of the Star Wars saga is filled with action and adventure, and is sure to please Star Wars fans.
Great to be reacquainted with all of our favorite characters: Han Solo (Harrison Ford) , Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill).
-
It felt like watching a movie we have already seen. The film doesn't seem to be keeping-up with the times.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 16 min.

The Revenant

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Based on true events, "The Revenant" is a cinematic experience starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Hugh Glass...an explorer attacked by a bear and left for dead by a member of his own hunting team.

A top contender for the Oscar for best picture, best actor (DiCaprio), and best director (Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu).
-
Although DiCaprio gives an amazing performance...the lack of dialogue (some very difficult to understand) and the length of the film make it feel a little long.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Rated R
2 hr. 36 min.

The Big Short

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Adapted from Michael Lewis' best seller "The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine," the film manages to take a story about the housing credit bust from a few years ago and make it into an entertaining story with strong performances by Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt.
-
May be a little hard to understand and follow at times...but some fun "explanations breaks" help keep viewers on-track.

Rated R
2 hr. 10 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

2016 Oscar Nominations

Best Picture

The Big Short

Bridge of Spies

Brooklyn

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Room

Spotlight

Best Director

Adam McKay, The Big Short

George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road

Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Revenant

Lenny Abrahamson, Room

Tom McCarthy, Spotlight



Best Actor

Bryan Cranston, Trumbo

Matt Damon, The Martian

Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant

Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs

Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl



Best Actress

Cate Blanchett, Carol

Brie Larson, Room

Jennifer Lawrence, Joy

Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years

Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn



Best Supporting Actor

Christian Bale, The Big Short

Tom Hardy, The Revenant

Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight

Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies

Sylvester Stallone, Creed



Best Supporting Actress

Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight

Rooney Mara, Carol

Rachel McAdams, Spotlight

Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl

Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs



Best Original Screenplay

Bridge of Spies

Ex Machina

Inside Out

Spotlight

Straight Outta Compton



Best Adapted Screenplay

The Big Short

Brooklyn

Carol

The Martian

Room



Best Animated Feature

Anomalisa

Boy and the World

Inside Out

Shaun the Sheep Movie

When Marnie Was There



Best Foreign Language Film

Embrace of the Serpent

Mustang

Son of Saul

Theeb

A War



Best Documentary Feature

Amy

Cartel Land

The Look of Silence

What Happened, Miss Simone?

Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom



Best Cinematography

Carol

The Hateful Eight

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Revenant

Sicario



Best Film Editing

The Big Short

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Revenant

Spotlight

Star Wars: The Force Awakens



Best Production Design

Bridge of Spies

The Danish Girl

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant



Best Costume Design

Carol

Cinderella

The Danish Girl

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Revenant



Best Original Score

Bridge of Spies

Carol

The Hateful Eight

Sicario

Star Wars: The Force Awakens



Best Original Song

“Earned It,” 50 Shades Of Grey

“Manta Ray,” Racing Extinction

“Simple Song #3,” Youth

“Til It Happens to You,” The Hunting Ground

“Writing’s on the Wall,” Spectre



Best Visual Effects

Ex Machina

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Star Wars: The Force Awakens



Best Makeup & Hairstyling

Mad Max

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out a Window and Disappeared

The Revenant



Best Sound Mixing

Bridge of Spies

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Star Wars: The Force Awakens



Best Sound Editing

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Sicario

Star Wars: The Force Awakens



Best Documentary Short

Body Team 12

Chau Behind the Lines

Claude Lanzman

A Girl in the River

Last Day of Freedom



Best Live Action Short Film

Ave Maria

Day One

Everything Will Be Okay

Shok

Stutterer



Best Animated Short Film

Bear Story

Prologue

Sanjay’s Super Team

We Can’t Live Without Cosmos

World of Tomorrow

Carol

☆☆☆☆☆

+
Based on the novel "The Price of Salt," "Carol" is a beautiful story of a woman who falls in love with another woman.
The performances are strong and subtle (Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara), and the film creates a mood that captivates the viewer.

Look for more award nominations for this film (best actress, best supporting actress, best picture).
-
Some may want more emotional impact.

Rated R
1 hr. 58 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

Joy

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Yes...this story of the woman who invents a mop is not only engaging...but it also offers great performances, laughs, inspiration, and a few tears of joy.
Jennifer Lawrence gives a Golden Globe nominated performance as Joy.
-
Isabella Rossellini is miscast as Trudy (love interest of Joy's grandfather...Robert De Niro).

Rated PG-13
2 hr.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

The Danish Girl

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander give award winning performances as artists Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener (respectively) in this moving love story (based on true events) of a couple loving each other in spite of the husband coming to terms with being transgendered.
-
This is what some might call a tragic love story...and (aside from the ending) it lacks emotional impact.

Rated R
2 hr.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

Sisters

☆☆☆1/2

+
The comedy team of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler produce and star in this fun (and at times laugh out loud) holiday season comedy about two sisters who decide to throw one last house party before their parents sell the family home.
-
The screenplay (the party) gets a little out of control.

Rated R
1 hr. 58 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Trumbo

☆☆☆☆

+
Based on a true story, "Trumbo" is the engaging story of Dalton Trumbo (strong performance by Bryan Cranston)...one on Hollywood's best screenwriters until he was added to the Hollywood blacklist.
-
The screenplay is engaging...but slow moving.

Rated R
2 hr. 4 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

The Good Dinosaur

☆☆☆☆

+
Pixar's "The Good Dinosaur" is the heartwarming story of Arlo, a dinosaur who makes an unlikely friend.
This film delivers some of the best animation to date...along with an all-star cast including Frances McDormand, John Lithgow, Neil Patrick Harris, Bill Hader, and Judy Greer
-
The story could have been stronger.

Rated PG
1 hr. 40 min.

Visit the movie website and see the trailer.

Spotlight

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
"Spotlight" is the compelling story of the Boston Globe's investigation and ultimate story regarding allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church.
All star cast includes Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, Billy Crudup, Stanley Tucci, and John Slattery.
-
The actors don't all get to show the depth of their talent.
Some say the story is several years too late.

Rated R
2 hr. 7 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Brooklyn

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Once in a great while...a movie comes along that is so satisfying. "Brooklyn" is one of these movies. Saoirse Ronan gives a wonderful performance as Eilis Lacey, a young woman who leaves Ireland for opportunities in America. Once she is settled in Brooklyn, she must go back home...and then decide if she will ever return to the man she met in America.
_
This story may be a little "quiet" for many movie goers.

PG-13
1 hr. 51 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2

☆☆☆☆

+
The final chapter of the "Hunger Games" series offers excitement and non-stop action as Katniss Everdeen (perfectly cast Jennifer Lawrence) leaves District 13 to kill President Snow and save the citizens of war-torn Panem.
_
Tough to live-up to the first few installments in this franchise.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 16 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Room

✩✩✩✩1/2

+
"Room" tells the story of a women who gives birth to a son after a few years of captivity. "Ma" and her son "Jack" live in the one room shed for five years before they manage to come-up with a plan to escape. Brie Larson (Ma) and Jacob Tremblay (Jack) give award winning performances in this powerful and emotional story.
_
The second half doesn't offer the same "power."
Too often child actors do not get the recognition they deserve...and Jacob Tremblay deserves recognition.

Rated R
1 hr. 53 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

Miss You Already

✩✩✩

Written Review Coming Soon

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 52 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Burnt

☆☆☆1/2

+
"Burnt" is the engaging story of Chef Adam Jones (well-played by Bradley Cooper) who returns to the restaurant world looking to redeem himself (by earning 3 Michelin stars) after losing everything due to drugs and alcohol.
-
Foodies may appreciate the focus on preparing food. Sometimes it seems it is more about that than the actual story.

Rated R
1 hr. 40 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

The Martian

☆☆☆☆

+
In this powerful story...Matt Damon gives an excellent performance as Astronaut Mark Watney, who was left behind for dead on a special Mars mission.
_
It's predictable...but the ending still manages to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

PG-13
2 hr. 14 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Steve Jobs

☆☆☆1/2

+
An interesting slice of Steve Jobs' (strong performance by Michael Fassbender) life through behind the scenes product launches. The story helps to reveal not only Jobs' genius, but also his struggle with fatherhood.

All star cast includes Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, and Jeff Daniels.
_
The story is "thin," and Jobs' character is an unlikeable bully.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Rated R
2 hr. 2 min.

The Intern

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
"The Intern" is the well-written and truly funny story of Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro) a retired businessman who applies and becomes an intern for an online fashion website headed-up by Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway). An unlikely, but heart warming, connection develops between Ostin and Whittaker.
-
Hathaway's husband may have been miscast.
Ignore any negative reviews, and go see this feel-good movie.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 1 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

Grandma

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Lily Tomlin gives one of her best performances to date in this entertaining and touching story of Grandma and Granddaughter (Sage played by Julia Garner) coming together for a day that changes their family forever.

The audience laughed and cried in this truly satisfying movie.
-
Don't pay attention to any negative reviews. This one is worth seeing!

Rated R
1 hr. 22 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

Drown

☆☆1/2

+
"Drown" is the award-winning film starring Matt Levett as Len Smithy, a championship lifeguard in Australia, who is struggling with his feelings for Phil, a new lifeguard at the club.
-
The character of Len is over-written. He is a homophobic gay man who has such self-hatred that his out of control anger and bullying do not seem to ever let-up.

Unrated
1 hr. 33 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

The Gift

☆☆☆1/2

+
In this psychological mystery drama, Jason Bateman (Simon) and Rebecca Hall (Robyn) star as a young married couple who have a chance meeting with a man from Simon's past, who takes their lives in an unexpected direction.
-
Other critics are much more impressed with the what they call "twists and turns."
The twists were not really twists.

Maybe it's best if you do NOT watch the trailer (link below) first. Way too much is revealed.

Rated R
1 hr. 48 min.

Visit the movie website and see the trailer.

Ricki and the Flash

☆☆☆

+
Once again Meryl Streep proves she can do anything!
Ricki (Streep) is an aging rocker, who after choosing career over family, comes back after several years to support her daughter through a devastating break-up.
-
The screenplay, written by Diablo Cody, is poorly written. The story has underdeveloped situations and characters, and the adult daughter was seriously "over directed."
Streep elevates any movie she is in...thus the third ☆.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 42 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

Ant-Man

☆☆☆

+
The talented Paul Rudd stars in this enjoyable Marvel movie as Scott Lang (Ant-Man), an ex-con father trying to live a crime free life.

If you want a light and fun superhero movie. This one is for you and the kids.
_
Less exciting than most Marvel superhero movies.

It is tough to see how Ant-Man will fit-in with the Avengers on film.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 55 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

Trainwreck

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
"It Girl" Amy Schumer gives a hilarious performance as a commitment phobic woman who meets a man that might change everything.

The audience laughed out loud throughout this truly funny rom-com.
_
Some may be disappointed that this movie ends-up taking the "traditional" rom-com path, but do not let that stop you from seeing this film.

Rated R
2 hr. 2 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Amy

☆☆☆☆

+
A fascinating look into the tragic life of one of the most talented singers of our time. Director Asif Kapadia weaves together footage of Amy Winehouse's talent and struggles that will make you smile and bring a tear to your eye.

Amy's music was highlighted by showing her lyrics on the screen as she sang.
_
Felt somewhat incomplete.

It's hard to watch her downward spiral...so very sad.

If you do not know her music...do yourself a favor and check out "Back to Black."

Rated R
1 hr. 30 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

Magic Mike XXL

☆☆☆

+
It's fun to see these guys back together (minus a few) doing what they do best.
_
The story is weak, not as much dancing as you would expect, and an odd storyline regarding Jada Pinkett Smith.

Rated R
1 hr. 55 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

Inside Out

☆☆☆☆

+
"Inside Out" is the enjoyable story that goes inside pre-teen Riley's mind showing that her emotional control center is guided by a clumsy cast of characters including Amy Poehler (Joy), Bill Hader (Fear), Phyllis Smith (Sadness), Lewis Black (Anger), and Mindy Kaling (Disgust) who occasionally mix things up a bit.

Amy Poehler and Phyllis Smith give excellent performances.
_
A little more emotional connection would help.

Rated PG
1 hr. 34 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Ted 2

☆☆☆1/2

+
Seth MacFarlane brings the teddy bear (Ted) back to life once again in this comical story of Ted and his best friend John (Mark Wahlberg) trying to prove that even though he is a bear...he is a real person.

Seth MacFarlane and Mark Wahlberg have great chemistry.
_
Some of the jokes are silly and over the top.

Not quite as funny as the first...but worth seeing!

Rated R
1 hr. 55 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

I'll See You in My Dreams

☆☆1/2

+
"I'll See You..." is the story of Carol (strong performance by Blythe Danner)...a widow who is trying to begin a new life after years of being alone.

Outstanding All-Star Cast (June Squibb, Sam Elliott, Mary Kay Place, Malin Akerman, Rhea Perlman, and Martin Starr)
_
The story just doesn't take off. It is somewhat grim...and doesn't elicit any emotion.

Such a talented cast...but too little in the screenplay to allow them to shine.

PG-13
1 hr. 35 min.

Visit the movie website and watch the trailer.

Jurassic World

☆☆☆1/2

+
Chris Pratt ("The Office") and Bryce Dallas Howard star in "Jurassic World" the next installment of of the "Jurassic Park" series. This films offers plenty of action, good special effects, and fun.
_
It's hard to beat the original.

The product placement is a little "heavy handed." At times it felt like a Mercedes-Benz commercial.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 3 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Spy

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Melissa McCarthy brings laughs, action, and some kick-butt fight scenes as CIA analyst Susan Cooper...who volunteers to go undercover to catch an arms dealer and save the world from a potential disaster.

"Spy" gets an extra half star for creating a character for McCarthy that goes well beyond her "Tammy" and "Identity Thief" characters.
-
A little silliness...but really not an issue.

Don't leave too early. There is a short scene after the credits.

Rated R
1 hr. 57 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Pitch Perfect 2

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
The national champion Barden Bellas are back, and they deliver the music and the laughs.
After a performance disaster at Lincoln Center, the Bellas have to fight their way back to the top.

If you want to have fun...see this movie.
-
The writers made one big mistake...all but one Bella graduated from college at the end of this sequel.

Don't pay attention to any bad reviews.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 54 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer!

Avengers: Age of Ultron

☆☆☆1/2

+
Fans of the Avengers franchise will enjoy this action packed film that brings together all of our comic-book favorites: Iron Man, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow, Captain American, and Hawkeye.
-
Maybe the expectations were too high, but this one just didn't deliver.

Also...the love story seems forced.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 21 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Monkey Kingdom

☆☆☆☆

+
Filmed in Southern Asia, "Monkey Kingdom" is an entertaining mix of documentary and family dramedy. Tina Fey narrates the story of a young mother who struggles in the monkey caste system to raise her family.

Truly amazing that a film crew can capture all this incredible footage to put together a real story.
_
How could anyone really fault Disneynature's documentaries series? Proceeds from the films have planted millions of trees in Brazil, established thousands of acres of marine protected area in the Bahamas, and more.

Rated G
1 hr. 25 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Home

☆☆☆☆

+
"Home" is one of the best animated films in a long time thanks to an outstanding lead performance. If the Academy awarded actors for voicing animated characters, Jim Parsons would walk away with it for bringing to life the character "Oh."
_
Ignore negative reviews.

Rated PG
1 hr. 33 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer!

Danny Collins

☆☆☆

+
"Danny Collins" is the enjoyable story of an aging rocker (Al Pacino) who tries to connect with the son he never knew.

All star cast including Annette Bening, Bobby Cannavale, Jennifer Garner, and Michael Caine.
_
Screen play suffers from predictable situations and an overwritten lead character.

Rated R
1 hr. 46 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

Woman in Gold

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
"Woman in Gold" tells the amazing true story of Maria Altmann (excellent performance by Helen Mirren) who, with the help of a young attorney (Ryan Reynolds holds his own with Mirren), fights to reclaim precious family art stolen by the Nazis 60 years earlier.

Well worth the price of the ticket...this film is one of those rare satisfying movies that will make you laugh...and bring you to tears.
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Ignore any negative reviews!

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 50 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Insurgent

☆☆☆1/2

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"Insurgent" is the engaging story of "divergent" Tris Prior (strong and convincing performance by Shailene Woodley), who is on the run from Erudite leader Jeanine (Kate Winslet).
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Another story about another dystopian society that feels like a vehicle for the next installment.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 59 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

☆☆☆☆

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In this entertaining story...we find our favorite residents still living at The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup, and Diana Hardcastle). Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel), co-manager of the hotel, decides to expand his empire...but he loses focus of some of the most important things in his life as he fights to make his dream come true.

All-Star cast includes: Richard Gere and Tamsin Greig ("Episodes")
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This sequel is just a little too "lite" on story.

Rated PG
2 hr. 2 min.

Visit the movie website and watch the trailer.

Chappie

☆☆☆

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"Chappie" is the intriguing story of Deon Wilson (Dev Patel - "Slumdog Millionaire")...a man who creates the first robot that is able to think and feel (Chappie), but the robot is soon seen as a treat to society.

Also starring Hugh Jackman and Sigourney Weaver.
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Even though the story is intriguing...it suffers from an uneven feel. At times it is charming...and at other times extremely violent.

Rated R
1 hr. 54 min.


Visit the website and see the trailer.