Rating: 5 of 5 Pacinos
A very well crafted and acted story about a hitman who’s loosing his memory, but has loose ends to wrap up while he’s still able to function. Michael Keaton turns in another great performance, and Al Pacino shows up as Keaton’s mentor, amazing as always. It’s a bit of a thriller, and keeps you guessing about how it’s going to wrap up to the end.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
A creepy film, hard to categorize. Drama? Thriller? Basic premise is simple, the main character (Nicholas Cage) starts appearing in peoples dreams. He doesn’t know why, nor does anyone else. It gets creepier since the dreams aren’t nice, and people’s reactions start to effect his real life. It’s a bit nightmareish as you watch the fallout. The last 20 minutes is kindof a “4th act” which is both plausable, and even more of a nightmare.

Rating: 3 of 5 Totoros
A visually stunning story about a Japanese boy during WWII. The boy looses his mother, his father moves them out of Tokyo, and he has fantasy adventures. That’s about it, without giving any of the adventures away. As seems typical of these stories, it’s sad and scary, but beautiful. I got lost as to what was going on, but just went for the ride. And then it abruptly was over.

Rating: 4 of 5 fake passports
A fun action spy thriller, in the vein of Mr and Mrs Smith. Although the basic plot has been done several times, both Kaley Cuoco and David Oyelowo give excellent believable performances. Slightly dramatic, slightly humorous, action isn’t relentless or over the top.

Rating: 4 of 5 Batons
An interesting look into the life and career of Leonard Bernstein. New very little of him, he was obviously brilliant and did not fit into the mold of expected social norms. Although his choral music isn’t my jam, I appreciated his passion and energy. Also, Bradley Cooper did a fantastic job portraying him, I’d often forget who he was. Worth a watch, if you enjoy learning about interesting and unusual people.

Rating: 5 of 5 degrees of Kevin Bacon
An intense flick where what’s going on is slowly revealed as things progress, so no plot hints. Basically a couple take their two kids for a vacation that is just outside NYC, but in the woods, so quiet and isolated. Stuff starts going wrong, and although the reveals aren’t a total surprise, the series of things happening continue to surprise, and keep you on the edge of your BarcaLounger. In a rare surprise, I really liked how they handled the end, as they reveal the last bits of the puzzle.

Rating: 5 of 5 Sea Shanty's
Mostly a true story, a group of fisherman and rescue workers who sang Sea Shanty’s for fun, then got a record deal. Filmed where it happened in a small village in Ireland, with music from the actors and band members, with cameos of all the group. Mostly happy, a bunch of funny, and tiny bit of drama/sad, but overall a feel-good film, made better because it’s mostly true! Absolutely loved it.

Rating: 5 of 5 floating yogis
A short story written by Roald Dahl in 1976. Wonderfully performed by Benedict Cumberbatch, Ralph Fiennes, and Dev Patel, along with some others. Directed by Wes Anderson, and has both his and Dahl’s wonderful visionary magic all over it. The sets are also wonderful, feels like a play with the moving scenery. Rapidly spoken, it’s a short but very intense 40 minute experience.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 greys
Geesh, saying just about anything would be a spoiler that I’m glad I didn’t have. Knew nothing about this going in, other than Steven King saying it was really good, and the poster looking like some light beam was levitating someone up. Spoiler free review, it’s scary, and reveals the story slowly, but with plenty of good frights in between. Once you get the various bits of the story, you understand pretty much everything that’s gone on.

Rating: 4 of 5 pizzas
Not a movie to watch if you’re looking for a light comedy. Well written and very well acted drama about a man who had become morbidly obese, reflecting on his life. it’s poignant and moving and often hard to watch, but it’s also interesting and looks at complex interactions between complex people. It got a lot of criticism and bad press, I think because of the “fat suit”, but I’m just writing that off to some group having a vocal issues with just about anything now, and somehow getting press about it.

Rating: 5 of 5 neighbors
Tom Hanks plays a grumpy man who was just forced into retirement, and had recently lost his wife. Not a very uplifting setup, but the movie is realistic, poignant, funny, sad, and heartwarming. Hanks is again perfect in his role, and the supporting cast are all excellent. Highly recommended.

Rating: 2 of 5 straightjackets
Visualy unusual, starts off creepy and disturbing. Stays disturbing, but not all that creepy. The close-in photography wears a bit thin, and the music is definately a character in itself. The plot is pretty light. It’s more of a slice of life, following people through a couple weird days, but for people on the fringe. Not really horror or sci-fi, more offbeat drama-thriller.

Rating: 4 of 5 warriors
Well acted and beautifully filmed, including massive action sequences. with Viola Davis doing an incredible job as the primary protagonist. Very loosely based on historical events, it’s a facinating story of the woman army of an African King. And the dramatic license is used to explore interpersonal relationships, good vs evil, politics, slavery. All in all, a really well done film.

Rating: 4 of 5 overnight parking spots
A pseuo-documentary about present day Nomads, people who travel around, generally living in RV’s, or small outfitted Van RV’s, some doing seasonal work across the country as it comes up. Some by necessity, some by choice. Aside from a few actors, primarily Frances McDormand in the lead role, the cast are actual Nomads. Surprisingly little dramatic license, without traditional acts. I spent much of the film waiting for the big tragedy or dramatic event to happen, but it never arrived.