The Lobster

☆☆

+
In a film tied with "Swiss Army Man" for most original...Colin Farrell stars as David, a man who finds himself single in a world where single people have 45 days to find love or else be turned into an animal of their choice.
_
Starts as an interesting idea, and then makes a dive into just plain bizarre.

Rated R
1 hr. 58 min.

Visit the movie website and see the trailer.

Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates

☆☆☆☆

+
"Mike and Dave..." is the laugh out loud funny story of two out of control brothers who are required by their parents to bring wedding dates to their sister's wedding...to help keep them in line.

Adam Devine ("Pitch Perfect" and "Modern Family") and Aubrey Plaza ("The Office") really deliver the comedy.
_
This film comes very close to crossing the line into "silly," but good performances keep that from happening.

Rated R
1 hr. 38 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

The BFG

☆☆☆☆

+
Directed by Steven Spielberg, "The BFG" (Big Friendly Giant) is the charming story of a young girl who is captured by a friendly giant with an endearing smile.
The two (with the help of the Queen of England) take-on the unfriendly (man eating) giants.

Extra ☆ for some of the best (and most seamless) animation to date.
-
Could use a little more magic.

Rated PG
1 hr. 55 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Swiss Army Man

☆☆☆

+
In this off-beat, wacky drama (some say comedy) Hank (Paul Dano) appears to be stranded on a desert island when Manny (corpse played by Daniel Radcliffe) washes up on shore...and becomes Hank's "friend."

The most original movie in years...with two actors that completely "commit" to their performances.
_
Most critics refer to Hank's "journey" with Manny as imagination.
This critic sees Hank as a troubled young man dealing with serious mental illness.

Way too much focus on the gas in Manny's body.

Rated R
1 hr. 35 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

The Shallows

☆☆☆☆

+
In this tense thriller, Blake Lively (well-cast) gives a strong ("tough") performance as a med student who takes time off to surf a secluded Mexican beach where a great white shark is defending his feeding ground.
-
The ending is questionable.

Rated: PG-13
1 hr. 27 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Finding Dory

☆☆☆☆

+
Ellen DeGeneres gives an excellent performance as everyone's favorite short term memory challenged fish...Dory...in this entertaining sequel to "Finding Nemo."

With the help of Nemo, Marlin, Bailey (Ty Burrell), and Hank (great voice performance by Ed O'Neill), Dory searches for her parents.

-
It's hard to beat the original, but this is a strong effort.

Rated PG
1 hr. 40 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Now You See Me 2

☆☆☆☆

+
Even better than the first...more magic...more mystery...more intrigue.
The 4 Horsemen (Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Lizzy Caplan: new to the team) return to take-down a technology magnate who is out to steal private information from millions of citizens.

Great performance by Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter).
_
Once again...StarMovieReviews disagrees with the majority of the critics. This movie is worth seeing!

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 55 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

Love and Friendship

☆☆☆1/2

+
"Love and Friendship" is the smart and humorous story of Lady Susan Vernon (wonderful performance by Kate Beckinsale)...a widow dodging "society rumors" of romances.
_
This review is the opposite of most.
This film can be difficult to follow at times because of the heavy British accent and dialogue.
Some also consider "Love..." too "dry."

Rated PG
1 hr. 34 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

The Nice Guys

☆☆☆1/2

+
Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe make a good team as they partner-up as detectives in 70s Los Angeles.
Good mix of drama and laughs.
-
March's (Gosling) daughter, Holly March (Angourie Rice) doesn't seem to be getting any "nods" for her solid performance (with almost as much screen time as the two leads).

Rated R
1 hr. 56 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

X-Men: Apocalypse

☆☆☆1/2

+
Director Bryan Singer brings X-Men fans the action-packed story of the rise of the first mutant who is out to destroy the world with the help of a team of powerful mutants including...Magneto (Michael Fassbender).
Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) and Professor X head-up a team of young X-Men to defeat this dangerous mutant team.

Fassbender and Lawrence give solid performances.

Once again the best scene of the movie involves Quicksilver (Evan Peters).
-
X-Men fans will enjoy this movie...in spite of some pretty bad reviews.


Rated PG-13
2 hr. 16 min.



Visit the official and see the trailer.

Money Monster

☆☆☆☆

+
Jodie Foster directs this suspenseful drama starring Gorge Clooney as Lee Gates, the financial network's Wall Street TV personality. When Gates gives a bad lead...a disgruntled viewer takes the show hostage.

-
This movie is worth the price of a ticket. Give it a chance.

Rated R
1 hr. 30 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Captain America: Civil War

☆☆☆☆

+
Anyone who is a fan of Marvel's characters will enjoy "Captain America: Civil War"...the story of the division of the Avenger team due to the government threatening to step-in and to regulate their.

The battle between Team Steve Rogers and Team Tony Stark gives viewers action-packed fun.

-
Two and half hours is a little long for the amount of story. Trim some battle scenes and shorten the film.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 26 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

The Jungle Book

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Based on stories by Rudyard Kipling, director Jon Favreau brings us the entertaining story of Mowgli (human raised by a pack of wolves) and his adventures growing up in the jungle.

One of the best reviewed movies of the year.

Extra ☆ for outstanding CGI!

-
Not just a movie for kids. Fun for everyone.

Rated PG
1 hr. 51 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

The Boss

☆☆☆☆

+
Hilarious star Melissa McCarthy stars as Michelle Darnell...the 47th richest woman in the world who is sent to jailer for insider trading...and then left with nothing.

"The Boss" is laugh out loud funny...and if you like McCarthy...you will like this movie.
-
There are scenes that are over the top and outrageous...but if you know that going in...you will enjoy yourself.

Don't miss this movie because of bad reviews...and when you go...don't leave too early or you will miss the outtakes.

Rated R
1 hr. 39 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

Deadpool

☆☆☆1/2

+
Ryan Reynolds is well-cast as Marvel Comics' wackiest superhero who has an outrageous sense of humor...along with accelerated healing powers.
-
This is not your ordinary superhero movie!
Even though there were children in the theater...this one is for adults only due to extreme violence, sexual content, and nudity.

Minus 1/2 ☆ for excessive violence.

Rated R
1 hr. 40 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

☆☆☆

+
"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" is the engaging story (with a few surprises) of Superman (Henry Cavill) saving Lois Lane (Amy Adams)...but killing innocent people in the process. The citizens of Gotham (including Bruce Wayne/Batman) begin to see Superman as a threat to the people until The Man of Steel steps in to deal with Lex Luthor (excellent performance by Jesse Eisenberg).

Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill give solid performances as Batman and Superman respectfully.
-
The story has issues.

Viewers are giving this film better reviews than the critics.

Rated PG-13
2 hrs. 31 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Hello, My Name is Doris

☆☆☆☆

+
"Hello, My Name is Doris" is the enjoyable and touching story of Doris Miller (award winning performance by Sally Field)...a senior citizen who falls for her company's new and very young art director.
Max Greenfield (art director) holds his own and gives a solid performance.
-
Yes...the story (and Doris) are a little quirky...but worth the trip to the theater.

Rated R
1 hr. 35 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

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

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"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.
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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

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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.
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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

☆☆☆

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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.
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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

☆☆☆

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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.
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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.