George Clooney made a great looking political candidate, with Ryan Gosling as the whiz kid staffer. Solid acting from most of the actors and some great shot scenes. However, parts dragged for me and I did not believe the Evan Rachel Wood character. If I wasn’t already sick of politics, I got to see another dirty side of them.

2 3/4 stars

Though parts of this movie were predictable, it kept my attention and I cried at the end.  A 12 year old boy escapes a Communist concentration camp in Bulgaria, where he has lived most of his life. Venturing out into a world he knows little about, he struggles as he makes his way to Denmark.

2 2/3 stars — DVD

Brilliant acting from Michael Shannon as he portrays a father/husband who has visions of impending doom. He struggles whether he should save his family or save his family from himself. At the moment I think the Oscar race is between him and Ryan Gosling in Drive. Playing his wife, Jessica Chastain was wonderful.

3 1/2 stars