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While making his way through a support group for sex addicts, Adam dips his toe in the dating pool to embrace a meaningful relationship.  But the woman he is attracted to has sworn off addicts altogether.  Hard to review and rate this one because of the subject matter.  Very graphic sex scenes and disturbing.  I was glad to leave the theater.  I give it a 5.  Stars Mark Ruffalo, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tim Robbins.

The Patience Stone

Atiq  Rahimis's novel about the trials of a modern-day Muslim woman living in an unspecified Middle Eastern nation whose very existence is awash in conflict. A young wife with two small children is caring for her warrior husband who has been wounded and is comatose.  His family  has fled and left her behind to care for hubby. Only her aunt (who is a prostitute) gives her some aid. An hour and a half of treating women badly.  I left the theater grateful to be an American.  Well acted although hard to take at times.  I give it a 7.  Stars Golshifteh Farahani and Massi Mrowut.

Instructions Not Included

When Acapulco playboy Valentin  has the baby of the girl he broke up with dumped on his doorstep, he hightails it across the border to locate the infant's  mother.  But, when she proves elusive, Valentin unexpectedly begins to develop feelings for the tot.  This is a sleeper.  I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was.  The movie moves at a fast clip and is funny  and best of all the subtitles are legible.  It goes between English and Spanish.  I give it a 7.5 or an 8.  Stars Eugeniao Derbez, Jessica Lindsey, Loreto Peraltoa, Daniel Raymont.

The Family

The Mazonis, an infamous mob family, are relocated to Normandy, France, by the Witness Protection Program, where they have some difficulty fitting into the culture. When local problems arise, they respond the only way they know how:  Mafia Style.  It really is a comedy although lots of gunfire and beating the other guy up.  Robert De Niro is good but Michelle Pfeiffer is outstanding in her role.  I give it a 7 and a try to get to theater to see it.  Stars Robert DeNiro, Tommy Lee Jones,  Michelle Pfeiffer, Dianna Agron, Ricardo Cordero.

Therese

In southwestern France in the 1920's, two wealthy families are joined by an arranged marriage between the dull Bernard and the restless Therese.  Desperately bored and longing for meaning in her life, Therese concocts a drastic solution to her problems.  It is a well acted and entertaining movie that has very few slow moments.  The plot is unusual enough to keep you guessing.  I give it a 7.  It stars Audrey Tautou, Gilles Lellouche, Anais Demoustien, Catherine Ardit.

Closed Circuit

Martin and Claudia, top-flight lawyers who happen to be former lovers, become targets when they're teamed up to defend a notorious terrorist.  As the trial unfolds, the danger causes the air to reevaluate their allegiance to justice.  Entertaining but not so overwhelming that you spend the entire movie on the edge of your seat.  It can be saved for DVD.  I give it a 6.  Stars Eric Bana, Rebecca Hall, Ciaran Hinds and Julia Stiles.

The World's End

Twenty years after attempting a marathon pub crawl, a group of friends reunites to give it another shot.  Their ultimate destination is The World's End pub, whose name turns out to be rather literal.  The last of a trilogy (Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz), the movie is typical British humor.  With that being said, it will haunt you in a good way.  It is not scary but funny.  Some of the lines are classic.  It is one that I am leaving on my DVD list to see again and catch those elusive funny lines.  I give it an 8.  See it and keep up with the 20/30's generation.  Stars Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Paddy Considine, and Martin Freeman.

Short Term 12

Grace, a compassionate young supervisor at a foster care facility, works with her boyfriend and colleague, Mason, to help at-risk teens.  But when a new charge dredges up memories of her own troubled past, Grace's tough exterior begins eroding.  Very realistic with outstanding acting by the young cast.  I never even looked at my watch, it was so entertaining.  I give it a nine and encourage you not to miss it.   Stars Brie Larson, John Gallagher, Jr., Kaitlyn Dever, Rami Malek, Keven Hernandez.

Kick-Ass 2

In this sequel, high school super hero Kick-Ass has to find a new crime-fighting partner after Hit Girl is suddenly taken out of action.  He joins another superhero team and is soon locked in battle with a super villain bent on vengeance.  Okay, it is not anywhere near a contender for an Academy Award.  But, it is just plain  fun and totally unrealistic.  I give it a 5 or 6 and chalk it up to appeasing my inner child.  Stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson; Chloe Grace Moretz, Christophe Mintz-Plasse and Jim Carey.