This movie was a total surprise for me. I had no desire to see it, only going because I wanted to see Nick Nolte’s performance. Not only was he excellent in it, the movie was one of the best movies I have seen this year. Nolte plays a former alcoholic boxer who is surprised when his youngest son shows up one day, wanting his father to train him. What Rocky did for boxing, this movie does for mixed martial arts.  We have heard the story before, but the way it unfolds is fresh and wonderful. The audience cheered, they cried and we left feeling good. Don’t miss this film.

3 3/4 stars

Such a sweet and touching movie, I really enjoyed watching this one. An elderly woman moves to a retirement hotel to be closer to her grandson. With the grandson’s lack of enthusiasm, Mrs. Palfrey meets a young man and they strike up an interesting relationship.

2 3/4 stars — DVD 

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