The Invisible Woman

Set in the 1800's, the movie is about the affair Charles Dickens began with a teenage actress while at the height of his career.  Felicity Jones plays the young thespian who catches Dickens's eye, and Kristin Scott Thomas plays her mom.  I do not recommend taking your significant other (male) to this if you want to remain on speaking terms.  Very slow and 88% relationship drama. No real action not even a good verbal abuse fight.  So very British and proper even if mom is pimping the daughters.  I guess that was done back then.  I give it a very generous 6.  Stars Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Fairley, Felicity Jones, Kristin Scott Thomas.

Gloria

A middle-aged divorcee looking to fill the void in her life sees an opportunity for a permanent relationship when she meets a charming former naval officer.  But baggage from the past may derail their romance.  Don't even think this is a comedy because the previews are wrong.  It is a sad drama with some light moments.  A fifty something divorced woman who makes all the wrong choices.  On the positive side, the star Paulina Garcia gives a great performance.  I give it a five or maybe a six if I am being generous.  Save for a DVD.  Stars Paulina Garcia; Sergio Hernandez; Diego Fontecilla.

The Past

When Iranian Ahmad returns to France after a four-year separation from his French wife, Marie, he discovers that she now has a boyfriend and that behind her difficult relationship with their daughter lies a secret from the past.  This is a typical "French" movie so expect an ending that leaves you hanging.  The movie itself moves right along with many twists and turns.  The acting is superb especially the kids.  Boyfriend's young son is a star.  I give it an 8.  Stars Berenice Bejo, Tahar Rahim, Ali Mosaffa, Pauline Burlet.

August: Osage County

When their father disappears, three strong-willed women return to their childhood home and to their equally strong-willed mother. As they search for their patriarch, the dysfunctional family members wind up facing difficult truths about themselves.  This movie will make you appreciate your family because no family can be this dysfunctional.  Meryl Streep gives an exceptional performance as the mother.  The entire cast gives an 8 performance.  Stars Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Chris Cooper, Ewan McGregor.

Labor Day

What begins as a short ride turns into a life-changing event for a divorced single mother, Adele Wheeler and her 13 year old son, Henry, when they give a lift to a bloodied man on a fateful Labor Day Weekend.  Of course, the man is an escaped convict with many talents.  The prisoner and Adele soon find themselves falling in love.  Sounds corny but is very well done and believable.  You will be rooting for the prisoner.  I give it a 7.  Stars Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin and Tobey Maguire.

Wolf of Wall Street

This is a high-rolling drama based on the memoirs of stockbroker Jordon Belfort, whose giddy career--involving audacious scams and  confrontations with the FBI and other agencies--ended in Federal Prison.  Very rough and raw film with guys that dress nice but do some dirty things literally.  The nudity hedges on porno and everyone earns an award for potty mouth.  If you can get over all this, the three hours of the movie fly by.  DiCaprio does an outstanding job of being an immoral ass.  I give it an 8.  Stars Martin Scoresse, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey.

Inside Llewyn Davis

This is a chronicle of struggling musician Llewyn Davis, set during the height of the folk era in the early 1960's.  The drama follows Davis through a week of creative highs and lows amid a bleak New York winter.  First of all, this is a fictional character with no music career.  Odd movie with odd folk songs.  I was a child of that era and would recognize the music.  A real downer movie so I give it a 6.  Although Justin Timberlake's song is good and I remember it.  Stars Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Garrett Hedlund, Justine Timberlake.