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.
_
Ignore any negative reviews!

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 50 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Insurgent

☆☆☆1/2

+
"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).
-
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

☆☆☆☆

+
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")
-
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

☆☆☆

+
"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.
_
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.

2015 Oscar® Winners

* starmoviereviews.com PREDICTION


Best Picture

*Birdman

Best Actor

*Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything)


Best Actress

*Julianne Moore (Still Alice)


Best Supporting Actress

*Patricia Arquette (Boyhood)


Best Supporting Actor

*J.K. Simmons (Whiplash)


Best Director

*Alejandro González Inárritu (Birdman)


Best Animated Feature Film

Big Hero 6


Best Adapted Screenplay

*The Imitation Game


Best Original Screenplay

Birdman

Best Cinematography

*Birdman


Best Visual Effects

*Interstellar


Best Documentary Feature

*Citizenfour


Best Documentary Short Subject

*Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1


Best Film Editing

Whiplash


Best Original Song

*Glory (Selma)


Best Production Design

*The Grand Budapest Hotel


Best Live Action Short Film

*The Phone Call


Best Animated Short Film

*Feast


Best Sound Editing

*American Sniper


Best Sound Mixing

*Whiplash


Best Costume Design

*The Grand Budapest Hotel



Best Foreign Language Film

*Ida


Best Makeup and Hairstyling

*The Grand Budapest Hotel



Best Original Score

The Grand Budapest Hotel

2015 Oscar Predicitions

Best Picture
"American Sniper"

"Birdman"

"Boyhood"
"The Grand Budapest Hotel"
"The Imitation Game"
"Selma"
"The Theory of Everything"
"Whiplash"



Best Actor
Steve Carell, "Foxcatcher"
Bradley Cooper, "American Sniper"
Benedict Cumberbatch, "The Imitation Game"
Michael Keaton, "Birdman"

Eddie Redmayne, "The Theory of Everything"

Best Actress
Marion Cotillard, "Two Days, One Night"
Felicity Jones, "The Theory of Everything"

Julianne Moore, "Still Alice"

Rosamund Pike, "Gone Girl"
Reese Witherspoon, "Wild"

Best Supporting Actress
Patricia Arquette, "Boyhood"

Laura Dern, "Wild"
Keira Knightley, "The Imitation Game"
Emma Stone, "Birdman"
Meryl Streep, "Into the Woods"


Best Supporting Actor
Robert Duvall, "The Judge"
Ethan Hawke, "Boyhood"
Edward Norton, "Birdman"
Mark Ruffalo, "Foxcatcher"

J.K. Simmons, "Whiplash"

Best Director
Alejandro González Inárritu, "Birdman"

Richard Linklater, "Boyhood"
Bennett Miller, "Foxcatcher"
Wes Anderson, "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
Morten Tyldum, "The Imitation Game"

Best Animated Feature Film
"Big Hero 6"
"The Boxtrolls"

"How to Train Your Dragon 2"

"Song of the Sea"
"The Tale of Princess Kaguya"

Best Adapted Screenplay
"American Sniper"

"The Imitation Game"

"Inherent Vice"
"The Theory of Everything"
"Whiplash"

Best Original Screenplay
"Birdman"
"Boyhood"
"Foxcatcher"

"The Grand Budapest Hotel"

"Nightcrawler"

Best Cinematography
"Birdman"

"The Grand Budapest Hotel"
"Ida"
"Mr. Turner"
"Unbroken"

Best Visual Effects
"Captain America: The Winter Soldier"
"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes"
"Guardians of the Galaxy"

"Interstellar"

"X-Men: Days of Future Past"

Best Documentary Feature
"Citizenfour"

"Finding Vivian Maier"
"Last Days in Vietnam"
"The Salt of the Earth"
"Virunga"

Best Documentary Short Subject
"Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1"

"Joanna"
"Our Curse"
"The Reaper"
"White Earth"

Best Film Editing
"American Sniper"

"Boyhood"

"The Grand Budapest Hotel"
"The Imitation Game"
"Whiplash"

Best Original Song
"Everything Is Awesome," from "The Lego Movie"

"Glory," from "Selma"

"Grateful," from "Beyond the Lights"
"I'm Not Gonna Miss You," from "Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me"
"Lost Stars," from "Begin Again"

Best Production Design
"The Grand Budapest Hotel"

"The Imitation Game"
"Interstellar"
"Into the Woods"
"Mr. Turner"

Best Live Action Short Film
"Aya"
"Boogaloo and Graham"
"Butter Lamp (La Lampe au Beurre de Yak)"
"Parvaneh"

"The Phone Call"

Best Animated Short Film
"The Bigger Picture"
"The Dam Keeper"

"Feast"

"Me and my Moulton"
"A Single Life"

Best Sound Editing
"American Sniper"

"Birdman"
"The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies"
"Interstellar"
"Unbroken"


Best Sound Mixing
"American Sniper"
"Birdman"
"Interstellar"
"Unbroken"

"Whiplash"

Best Costume Design
"The Grand Budapest Hotel"

"Inherent Vice"
"Into the Woods"
"Maleficent"
"Mr. Turner"

Best Foreign Language Film
"Ida"

"Leviathan"
"Tangerines"
"Timbuktu"
"Wild Tales"

Best Makeup and Hairstyling
"Foxcatcher"

"The Grand Budapest Hotel"

"Guardians of the Galaxy"


Best Original Score
"The Grand Budapest Hotel"
"The Imitation Game"
"Interstellar"
"Mr. Turner"

"The Theory of Everything"

Still Alice

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
"Still Alice" tells the chilling and emotional story of Alice Howland (outstanding performance by Julianne Moore) a professor who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's Disease.

There is an excellent chance that this is Moore's Oscar WINNING performance.
-
Extra ☆1/2 for Moore's performance...without that...this movie would not be nearly as good.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 39 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

Fifty Shades of Grey

☆☆☆☆

+
Based on the best seller of the same name..."Fifty Shades..." is the intriguing story of a young woman (Anastasia played by Dakota Johnson) who meets meets and falls for Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan)...a complex man who admits to being "fifty shades of ------ up."
Looking at this film from a psychological viewpoint...the possible reasons for Grey's "interests" are fascinating.

Excellent soundtrack!
_
The fact that Anastasia had the wherewithal to challenge Cristian...stand-up for herself and not give in to all of his requests saved this film.

Rated R
1 hr. 50 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer!

American Sniper

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Bradley Cooper gives the best performance of his career in the true story of Chris Kyle...a sniper for the U.S. military...who because of his commitment to the U.S. and his fellow soldiers...serves four tours of duty in Iraq.
_
Some scenes in Iraq are difficult to watch.

There were a few toddlers in the theater. This is NOT a film for young children.

Rated R
2 hr. 14 min.

Visit the official site and watch the trailer.

Whiplash

☆☆☆1/2

+
"Whiplash" is the intense story of Andrew Neyman (excellent performance by Miles Teller), a young drummer fighting to be the best at his east coast music school. Neyman's instructor, Terence Fletcher (award winning...and Oscar nominated performance by J.K. Simmons), is musically gifted...but incredibly abusive to the members of his classroom band.
-
Simmons' performance is outstanding, but the character is so abusive to the college students in his band that it is not only hard to watch...but hard to believe that he could hold the position for more than a few days.

Rated R
1 hr. 46 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Selma

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
"Selma" (Oscar nominated for best picture)is the moving story of the 1965 march led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (excellent performance by David Oyelowo) from Selma to Montgomery to establish equal voting rights.
-
Oyelowo's performance is Oscar worthy...but no nomination.


Rated PG-13
2 hr. 7 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

2015 Oscar Nominations

Best Picture
"American Sniper"
"Birdman"
"Boyhood"
"The Grand Budapest Hotel"
"The Imitation Game"
"Selma"
"The Theory of Everything"
"Whiplash"



Best Actor
Steve Carell, "Foxcatcher"
Bradley Cooper, "American Sniper"
Benedict Cumberbatch, "The Imitation Game"
Michael Keaton, "Birdman"
Eddie Redmayne, "The Theory of Everything"

Best Actress
Marion Cotillard, "Two Days, One Night"
Felicity Jones, "The Theory of Everything"
Julianne Moore, "Still Alice"
Rosamund Pike, "Gone Girl"
Reese Witherspoon, "Wild"

Best Supporting Actress
Patricia Arquette, "Boyhood"
Laura Dern, "Wild"
Keira Knightley, "The Imitation Game"
Emma Stone, "Birdman"
Meryl Streep, "Into the Woods"


Best Supporting Actor
Robert Duvall, "The Judge"
Ethan Hawke, "Boyhood"
Edward Norton, "Birdman"
Mark Ruffalo, "Foxcatcher"
J.K. Simmons, "Whiplash"

Best Director
Alejandro González Inárritu, "Birdman"
Richard Linklater, "Boyhood"
Bennett Miller, "Foxcatcher"
Wes Anderson, "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
Morten Tyldum, "The Imitation Game"

Best Animated Feature Film
"Big Hero 6"
"The Boxtrolls"
"How to Train Your Dragon 2"
"Song of the Sea"
"The Tale of Princess Kaguya"

Best Adapted Screenplay
"American Sniper"
"The Imitation Game"
"Inherent Vice"
"The Theory of Everything"
"Whiplash"

Best Original Screenplay
"Birdman"
"Boyhood"
"Foxcatcher"
"The Grand Budapest Hotel"
"Nightcrawler"

Best Cinematography
"Birdman"
"The Grand Budapest Hotel"
"Ida"
"Mr. Turner"
"Unbroken"

Best Visual Effects
"Captain America: The Winter Soldier"
"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes"
"Guardians of the Galaxy"
"Interstellar"
"X-Men: Days of Future Past"

Best Documentary Feature
"Citizenfour"
"Finding Vivian Maier"
"Last Days in Vietnam"
"The Salt of the Earth"
"Virunga"

Best Documentary Short Subject
"Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1"
"Joanna"
"Our Curse"
"The Reaper"
"White Earth"

Best Film Editing
"American Sniper"
"Boyhood"
"The Grand Budapest Hotel"
"The Imitation Game"
"Whiplash"

Best Original Song
"Everything Is Awesome," from "The Lego Movie"
"Glory," from "Selma"
"Grateful," from "Beyond the Lights"
"I'm Not Gonna Miss You," from "Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me"
"Lost Stars," from "Begin Again"

Best Production Design
"The Grand Budapest Hotel"
"The Imitation Game"
"Interstellar"
"Into the Woods"
"Mr. Turner"

Best Live Action Short Film
"Aya"
"Boogaloo and Graham"
"Butter Lamp (La Lampe au Beurre de Yak)"
"Parvaneh"
"The Phone Call"

Best Animated Short Film
"The Bigger Picture"
"The Dam Keeper"
"Feast"
"Me and my Moulton"
"A Single Life"

Best Sound Editing
"American Sniper"
"Birdman"
"The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies"
"Interstellar"
"Unbroken"


Best Sound Mixing
"American Sniper"
"Birdman"
"Interstellar"
"Unbroken"
"Whiplash"

Best Costume Design
"The Grand Budapest Hotel"
"Inherent Vice"
"Into the Woods"
"Maleficent"
"Mr. Turner"

Best Foreign Language Film
"Ida"
"Leviathan"
"Tangerines"
"Timbuktu"
"Wild Tales"

Best Makeup and Hairstyling
"Foxcatcher"
"The Grand Budapest Hotel"
"Guardians of the Galaxy"


Best Original Score
"The Grand Budapest Hotel"
"The Imitation Game"
"Interstellar"
"Mr. Turner"
"The Theory of Everything"

Into the Woods

☆☆☆☆

+
Based on James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim's Tony Award-winning Broadway musical of the same name, director Rob Marshall delivers a happier, kid-friendly film with an all-star cast including Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Tracey Ullman, Christine Baranski, and Johnny Depp.

3 Academy Award Nominations: Best Supporting Actress (Meryl Streep), Best Costume Design, Best Production Design
-
Not nearly as dark as the musical!


Rated PG
2 hr. 5 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer!

The Imitation Game

☆☆☆☆☆

+
"The Imitation Game" is the gripping story of the brilliant Alan Turing (best performance of Benedict Cumberbatch's career), the man credited with breaking the German's World War II Enigma machine code...saving millions of innocent people.
In spite of this great accomplishment...Turning later faces charges for being true to who he is.

Five Golden Globe nominations and three Screen Actors Guild nominations.
_
It is unimaginable that people faced criminal charges for being gay.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 54 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer!

Wild

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Reese Witherspoon gives one of the best performances of her career as Cheryl Strayed, a woman who...after losing her mother, a marriage break-up, and self-destructive behavior...embarks on a thousand mile hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. Her journey (based on a true story) is a fascinating story of determination and self-discovery.
_
Some fans of the book may be disappointed, but director Jean-Marc Vallee has managed to take this woman's solitary trek and make it into an engaging movie.

Rated R
1 hr. 55 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer!

The Theory of Everything

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Eddie Redmayne gives an award winning performance as world renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking in this incredible, moving story of this fascinating man's challenges and victories.

Golden Globe nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor (Redmayne), and Best Actress (Felicity Jones)
_
Some believe this film is too light on Hawking's scientific accomplishments.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 3 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

Foxcatcher

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Based on actual events, "Foxcatcher" (Golden Globe nominee for best drama) stars Steve Carell (Golden Globe nominee for best actor) as multi-millionaire John du Pont whose obsession with wrestling leads him to invite Olympic Gold Medal wrestler Mark Schultz (one of Channing Tatum's best performances to date) to live and train on his property. Du Pont's enigmatic personality and behavior create a high level of tension throughout the movie.
-
It's hard to know if Carell is doing a spot-on performance of a very unusual man or just a poor performance. Likely it's the former.

Why was Tatum overlooked in the Golden Globe noms?

Rated R
2 hr. 10 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Birdman

☆☆☆1/2

+
Filled with excellent performances, "Birdman" is the award-winning story of a once-famous actor (who starred as a superhero known as Birdman) trying to make a comeback in a Broadway play...while dealing with the disturbing voices in his head.

-
It is a challenge to find the humor in this black comedy.

The important component of making a viewer care about characters is sorely missing in this movie.

The three and a half stars are for the performances...not the story.

Rated R
1 hr. 59 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Interstellar

☆☆☆☆

+
In this thought-provoking science fiction epic, Matthew McConaughey stars as a father of two who is recruited to go on a space mission that may help save all humanity.
All star cast: Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, John Lithgow, Ellen Burstyn, Matt Damon, and Michael Caine
-
Be prepared for a long movie that explores the space-time continuum...which can be confusing.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 49 min.

Visit the official site and watch the trailer!

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1

☆☆☆☆

+
"...Mockingjay - Part 1"...the exciting build-up to the what is sure to be an excellent conclusion...Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) leads the Districts in a fight for freedom against the Capital.
-
It may not be as satisfying if you missed the first two installments.
Keep in mind this is part 1 of a two part conclusion...it will leave you hanging.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 5 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer!

Pride

☆☆☆☆☆

+
One of the year's best films that tells the emotional (true) story of the National Union of Mineworkers' strike (1984) and the unlikely support they received from gay and lesbian activists in London. The two unlikely groups gradually come together in a heartwarming story of acceptance.
-
Too sentimental for some? Bring the tissues this one is a tearjerker!

Rated R
2 hr.

Visit the official website and see the trailer!

St. Vincent

☆☆☆1/2

+
A surprisingly touching story about Vincent (Bill Murray), a cranky old man who becomes a babysitter for his new young neighbor Oliver (great performance by Jaeden Lieberher). In spite of bad baby sitting decisions, Oliver learns valuable lessons from Vincent...and manages to see that he is a good-hearted old man.
-
Some may take issue with this man who drinks and gambles being celebrated as a saint.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 43 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

The Judge

☆☆☆☆

+
Robert Downey Jr. turns in a great performance as Hank Palmer...a big city lawyer who returns home for his mother's funeral, but ends-up representing his estranged father (Robert Duvall)in the most important trial of his life.
-
The screenplay leans toward sentimentality.

Rated R
2 hr. 22 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Gone Girl

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Based on the best selling novel by Gillian Flynn, "Gone Girl," starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike ("An Education"), is one of 2014's best movies (to date) telling the twisted and suspenseful story of a wife gone missing and a husband who is the prime suspect.
You will be talking about this one for days!
-
As always...people who loved the novel...may have issues with the movie.

Rated R
2 hr. 25 min.

Visit the movie website and see the trailer!

This is Where I Leave You

☆☆☆☆

+
Based on the best-selling novel by Jonathan Tropper, "This...Leave You" tells the story of four siblings who end-up together to sit shiva when their father dies.
Director, Shawn Levy (along with a well written screenplay) managers to to give a perfect mix of humor and drama...which is perfect if you love movies that move you to laughter and tears.

Excellent performances by an all-star cast (Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, and Jane Fonda).
-
Don't listen to any negative reviews. Some reviewers just love to hate everything.

Rated R
1 hr. 43 min.

Visit the movie website and watch the trailer.

If I Stay

☆☆☆1/2

+
Chloë Grace Moretz gives a noteworthy performance as Mia in this moving story of a young woman who is struggling with the decision to study music at Juilliard or stay with the love of her life. When faced with a life or death tragedy...Mia faces an even bigger decision.
-
This movie is worth seeing...in spite of other reviews.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 46 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

The Hundred-Foot Journey

☆☆☆☆

+
"The Hundred-Foot Journey" is the entertaining and heartwarming story of an owner of an upscale French restaurant (Helen Mirren), who opposes the opening of her new neighbor's Indian restaurant across the street. The battle begins...sparks fly...and two worlds collide.
_
Lacks character development for many key players.
What's wrong with a "feel good" movie?

Rated PG
2 hr. 2 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

The Giver

☆☆☆☆

+
Based on Lois Lowry's popular young adult novel of the same name, "The Giver" is the engaging (and somewhat haunting) story of Jonas...a high school graduate assigned to be the Receiver of Memories. As he is introduced to these memories he realizes he must take drastic steps to save himself and everyone he loves.
_
Other recent films seem to have borrowed from this popular novel.

Sometimes films based on popular novels fall short.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 40 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Guardians of the Galaxy

☆☆☆

+
Fans of this Marvel series will enjoy this entertaining story of a quirky team of heroes that join forces to destroy Ronan...a villain who is out to destroy the universe.

Chris Pratt (Star-Lord) delivered the right mix of fun and action to make his character work.

Other critics LOVE this film!
_
It's easy to get lost in the battle sequences (like so many other films).

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

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 1 min.

Click here to see the trailer.

Boyhood

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Director, Richard Linklater gives us a groundbreaking coming of age film that was shot over a 12 year period allowing viewers to truly see the growth, the changes, and the ups and downs of Mason (Ellar Coltrane) and his family.

This is just a story about life, but it's so engaging that the almost 3 hour film goes by too quickly.
_
Are we more in love with the story or the uniqueness of this "project?"

Rated R
2 hr. 45 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

Begin Again

☆☆☆☆

+
We all know Keira Knightley can act, but most of us didn't know she could sing. Knightley (Gretta) and Adam Levin (Dave) star as a songwriting couple who move to New York when Dave's singing career takes off. Tempted by his new found fame, Dave strays...leaving Gretta on her own in the big city.

Adam Levin turns-in a great first time performance.

Wonderful music!
_
Don't go expecting to see an American version of "Once"...just because it is directed by John Carney.

Rated R
1 hr. 41 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer!

Tammy

☆☆☆1/2

+
Co-writer (with husband Ben Falcone) Melissa McCarthy stars as Tammy and delivers plenty of laughs as a woman who goes on a road trip after she loses her job and finds her husband cheating. Grandma (Susan Sarandon) joins Tammy on this crazy ride.

All star cast includes: Allison Janney, Gary Cole, Mark Duplass, Toni Collette, Nat Faxon, Dan Aykroyd Sandra Oh, and Kathy Bates
_
The story is a little uneven (and has a few holes), but if you are fan of McCarthy...you'll have fun.

Rated R
1 hr. 36 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Chef

☆☆☆1/2

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"Chef" is the enjoyable and satisfying story of Carl Casper (strong performance by Jon Favreau)...a creative chef who struggles with a controlling boss and finding a balance of career and family.

Great supporting cast: Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr., Dustin Hoffman, Bobby Cannavale, John Leguizamo, Sofia Vergara, and Emjay Anthony (Casper's son Percy).
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In the middle of CGI battle scene season, this film is a welcome departure...but it may be too low-key for many.

Rated R
1 hr. 55 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

Jersey Boys

☆☆☆1/2

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Once the music of The Four Seasons starts...the story begins to come together.
Anyone who remembers the fantastic hits of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons will enjoy this film...
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at least the music of this film.

I have heard people say the target audience is people in their 60s and 70s...do not let that keep you from going.

One thing that can ruin a movie or television show is an over emphasis on the details. Even though that would seem like a good thing...the audience understands these guys are from Jersey. No need to over do the accents, the clothes, and the stereotypes.

Rated R
2 hr. 14 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer!

22 Jump Street

☆☆☆☆1/2

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In this hilarious sequel to "21 Jump Street," Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum recreate their wonderful chemistry as they team-up as undercover cops (Schmidt and Jenko) sent to pose as college students to make a drug bust.
"22 Jump Street" is a well-written story that knows just how far to go with the humor and where to take the humor (not silly...not potty humor) in a script that remains somewhat believable...without excessive violence.

This film works on several levels. See it and enjoy the fun!
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Stay for the closing credits for more laughs!
Also...one more laugh after the credits.

Rated R
1 hr. 50 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Maleficent

☆☆☆☆

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In this visual treat of a film, Angelina Jolie gives an enchanting performance as Maleficent (the woman scorned by the soon to be king) who seeks revenge by placing a spell on the king's daughter...only to later regret her actions.

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The story is different...some may enjoy the changes...others may not.

Rated PG
1 hr. 37 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

Neighbors

☆☆☆

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Seth Rogen, one of the most natural funny guys in front of the camera, joins forces with Zac Efron to offer a few laughs in the crazy story of a fraternity moving in and creating havoc in Mac Radner's (Rogen) neighborhood.
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The battle to get the Deltas off the normally quite street gets silly and just plain ridiculous.

Rated R
1 hr. 36 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

X-Men: Days of Future Past

☆☆☆☆

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In this action-packed Sci-Fi Adventure (one of the best in the franchise), Wolverine (Hugh Jackman gives another great performance) travels back to the early 70s to save the mutants.

Director, Bryan Singer, delivers one of the best scenes (involving Quicksilver) in a very long time.
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The plot could be better...but this movie is worth seeing!

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 11 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

☆☆☆1/2

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Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) returns as Captain American in this action-packed adventure. He teams-up with Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) to take down the enemy.

Scarlett Johansson gives another great performance as Black Widow...sexy and tough.
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Hard to beat the first installment...but Marvel fans will love it.

Don't leave too early...two extra scenes.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 16 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer!

The Other Woman

☆☆☆1/2

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"The Other Woman" is the fun and entertaining story of Carly (Cameron Diaz) and Kate (the hilarious Leslie Mann) who join forces with Amber (Kate Upton) to get back at Mark (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) who is married to Kate, but dating Carly and Amber on the side.

Diaz and Mann always deliver real comedy.
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If you want to just have fun...ignore any negative reviews, and go have a few laughs.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 49 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

Heaven is for Real

☆☆☆1/2

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Based on the New York Times best seller, "Heaven is for Real" is the astounding (and heart warming) true story of a boy who visited heaven while on the operating table.
Greg Kinnear's performance elevates the film.
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This seems like mediocre film making...maybe low budget?
It may have worked better to have had Colton just describe heaven...and not try to recreate what he saw for the big screen.

Rated PG
1 hr. 40 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.