Joe

When ex-con Joe hires 15-year-old Gary to help clear trees for a lumber company, he doesn't expect to become a father figure for the abused boy.  When Gary runs away from home, Joe becomes his protector, a role overshadowed by his own troubled past.  I swear that my next post is going to be a comedy.  This is a dark movie with an alcoholic and abusive father who is the devil's spawn.  But of course this is the deep back country South.   The movie gets your anger up, but I saw some realities in it.  The only smart and good characters are the black ones.  An unusual but good role for Nicholas Cage who lives up to it.  Save  the movie for DVD--too emotional.  I give it a 6.  Stars Nicholas Cage and Tye Sheridan.

Railway Man

Decades after his brutal captivity under the Japanese during World War II, Eric Lomax still has nightmares about the ordeal.  But when he unexpectedly meets and falls for Patti,  a bizarre coincidence brings his past back into focus.  Fascinating and well-acted by all.  But would you expected any less from Colin Firth?  Brutal but a part of our past that can't be ignored.  I give it an 8.  Stars Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman, Jeremy Irvine and Stellan Skarsgard.

Dom Hemingway

After finishing a 12-year prison sentence, safe cracker Dom Hemingway sets out to collect the money he is owed by his former partners in crime.  When that mission tanks, Dom returns to London to try and gain forgiveness from his estranged daughter.    The story itself is not Academy Award material and the language is totally Potty Mouth.   However, Dom (played by Jude Law) gives an Academy Award performance.  His performance reminded me of Kate Blanchard's in Blue Jasmine.  He carries the movie and his talking role is over 80% of the film.  I give the movie a 6 but he gets an 8.  Stars Jude Law and Richard E. Grant.

Noah

Hollywood 's version of the Bible makes you wonder who could think this was entertaining.  The adaptation of the story of Noah depicts visions that let him to voice dire prophesies of apocalypse and build an ark to survive.  As he labors to save his family, Noah asks for help from a band of angels called the watchers (animated rocks that will scare small children).  This is one of the dumbest films that I have seen.  Noah wants to save the family but kill them off later.  You will be running to your Bible to see what actually happened.  I give it a generous 2.  Stars Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, a weepy Emma Watson who you will want to smack and Anthony Hopkins.

Le Week-End

Returning to Paris 20+ years after their honeymoon, a British couple hopes to rediscover the magical feelings after their early years.  Of course the wife is not as enthusiastic and is considering a separation.  They meet an old friend who's perspectives on love and marriage helps them recover what was lost.  If you are under 45, not the movie for you.  For a 50/60 audience it hits home.  There are lots of funny moments.  I give it a seven.  Stars Jim Broadbent, Lindsay Duncan, Jeff Goldblum.

Divergent

Born into a civilization in the distant future, Beatrice is a teenager who learns that her unique cognitive skills make her a Divergent.  Over time she discovers that Divergents are slated for elimination by the government.  The race is on to escape from those wishing to kill her.  Of course, there is a super stud of a guy who gets on her side.  The new crop of under forty movies such as this one and the Hunger Games are the new Westerns.  No more cowboys and Indians fighting to take the fort,  the new fort is the future.  The scenario is much the same--bad guys vs good guys and the fight to take over.   Like the Hunger Games Trilogy this too has two more sequels slated.  It is well done and I found myself rooting for the good guys.  I give it an 8.   You will learn to hate Kate Winslet in her bad guy role.   Stars Shailene Woodley, Kate Winslet, Theo James and Ashley Judd.

Bad Words

Blessed with a photographic memory but no high school education, Guy Trilby discovers that he is eligible to enter spelling bees intended for children.  As Guy steamrolls his pre-teen competition, a journalist tries to find out what motivates him.  Not a people person, he tends to insult everyone including a small boy of Indian decent that gets to him and makes the movie.  Very entertaining and fast moving, try to get to the theater but as least see the DVD.  I give it a 7.  Stars Jason Bateman, Rohan Chand, Kathryn Hahn, Anjul Nigam.