Anna Karenina

Anna Karenina is the titular 19th-century Russian aristocrat who enters into a passionate and forbidden love affair with the well-heeled Count Vronsky.  It stars Keira Knightley; Jude Law; Matthew Macfadyen; Emily Watson.  The movie is totally disjointed and staged as if in the theater.  So don't expect any great Russian scenery.  This was not Kiera Knightley's best performance  but she has a chance at the Academy for "best pained facial expressions".  She is much better at comedy and 21st century roles.  I would give the movie a mediocre B.

Late Quartet

Tempers flare, old jealousies reignite and new passions are sparked when the members of a world-renowned string quartet are preparing to celebrate their 25th anniversary and they learn that their leader must step down due to a grim medical diagnosis.  The movie is playing in theaters now.  It stars Philip Seymour Hoffman; Christopher Walken; Catherine Keener; and Wallace Shawn.  While entertaining, it does not compete with other movies currently playing in area theaters.  It is a little too melodramatic and touchy feely.  In retrospect I would move it to my DVD list.

Flight

Playing currently in area theaters, this movie will shake your flying attitude.  After his amazing safe landing of a damaged passenger plane, an airline pilot is praised for the feat, but has private questions about what happened.  Further, the government's inquiry into the causes soon puts the new hero's reputation at risk.  Having many times flown the east coast corridor from Orlando to Atlanta to DC, I was familiar with the violent thunderstorms that can occur.  After the first fifteen minutes of the flight, I was ready to check AM TRACK schedules for the rest of my life.  However, the movie is less about fear of flying and more about addictions.  Denzel Washington (the pilot) gives a superb performance as does John Goodman (his drug dealer).  The movie also stars Kelley Reilly and Don Cheadle.  As we get closer to Academy Award nomination time, this one will be on the list for at least special effects.

Skyfall

Now playing in theaters everywhere.  When a serious menace threatens M16, James Bond is on the case--putting aside his own life and personal issues to hunt and obliterate the perpetrators.  Meanwhile, secrets arise from M's past that strain Bond's loyalty to his long time boss.  Movie stars Daniel Craig, Javier Barden, Ralph Fiennes, Judi Dench, and Naomie Harris.  Ladies, if you want to be a hero, take your man to this one.  The action and special effects are unbelievable.  It is just plain fun to see.  The movie is Bond at its best.

The Sessions

Currently playing in area theaters, this movie focuses on a man who has spent years in an iron lung.   He decides he wants to explore his sexuality for the first time and hires a surrogate to aid him in reaching this goal.  Through the intensifying relationship, this drama illustrates the many forms love can take.  It is touching and handles the subject of sexuality in a format that is tasteful.  Acting is superb especially the character play by Helen Hunt.  Also stars John Hawkes, Moon Bloodgood, and Adam Arkin.

ARGO

Playing in theaters everywhere and it should be.  In 1979 when Iranian militants seized the American embassy, six Americans slipped into the Canadian embassy for protection, prompting the CIA to concoct an elaborate plot to rescue them.  They were to pretend that they were film makers rather than diplomats in Iran to scope out a move location for the film ARGO.    The movie stars Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin, Taylor Schilling, Bryan Cranston and many more superb actors.  I was kept on the edge of my seat with this story which is true.  The best thriller I have seen this year.  No doubt about the Academy nomination for the film and at the minimum Ben Affleck.  Do Not Miss This Movie because it is one of the best this year.

The Other Son

Joseph, an 18 year-old musician preparing to join the Israeli Army for his military service, lives at home in a comfortable suburb of Tel Aviv with his parents, French-born physician and Israeli-born Army commander.  A blood test revealed a mix-up at the hospital.  This revelation turns lives upside down as parents and sons are informed.  Stars no-one you have heard of but should.  The characters will pull at your heart strings.  The mothers of both boys are the real heroines.  Playing at one theater in our area.  Since it has sub-titles, don't expect it to last long.  Something about our culture and having to read your script.  More the pity since many of the great films have sub-titles.