Captain Phillips

Another heart stopper suspense story.  This exciting adventure  story is based on true events that made international headlines.  Ton Hanks portrays Captain Richard Phillips who is taken hostage by Somali pirates after they hijack his cargo ship.  The U.S. Navy's efforts to rescue him will keep you on the edge of your seat.  It is hard to take a breath  the entire movie because of the suspense.  I give it a solid 9.  Don't miss it unless you have a heart condition.  Stars Tom Hanks, Catherine Keener, John Margo, Max Martini.

Gravity

As a medical engineer on her first shuttle mission embarks on a space walk with a seasoned astronaut, debris strikes their craft and destroys it leaving the two to float through space tethered together with no connection to Earth.  This is an awesome technological day dream of a movie.  It is a must to see it in 3D since it is the best 3D movie that I have ever seen.  You will feel like you are floating in space.  The movie keeps you on the edge of your seat. I was exhausted by the end.  I give it a 10 and think it will win the Academy.  Stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney.

Don Jon

Jon Martello's romantic exploits are legendary among his friends, but his obsession with online porn is starting to sap his enthusiasm for real sex.  As he tries to regain his hunger for intimacy, Jon meets two women with vital lessons to teach him.  No doubt that this is a 20/30 something movie.  So it is hard to rate since I could not relate.  Go if you are in that age group or wait for the DVD.  I give it a seven.  Stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson,; Julianne Moore.

Enough Said

A charming comedy about a divorced woman venturing into a relationship with a sweet man.  But things get tricky  when she discovers the man she is dating is the hated ex-husband of her new best friend.  It is funny and very entertaining with some great lines. I give an eight.  Stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus, James Gandolfini, Catherine Keener , Toni Collette

Wadjda

Persistent 10-year-old Wadjda would like nothing more than a new bicycle so she can beat her friend (a boy) in a race.  But it is going to take some ingenuity to get one--especially in her culture, which sees bikes as a threat to a girl's virtue.  Hard to sit through a movie when all you want to do is smack some male faces (and some females too) for their archaic view of females to include children and the impression that females are of no value.  While Wadjda schemes for her bicycle, mom has problems of her own with a disrespectful and absent husband.  It is amazing how many ways there are to treat women and girls badly.  I give it a 10 and think it should be required viewing in all political science and American History classes.  You leave the theater knowing and thankful you are an American and can walk or drive freely down a street.  Stars Reem Abdullah, Waad Mohammed, Sulton Al Assaf.

Thanks For Sharing

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.