One of the best movies I have seen this year. What an incredible story about a little girl who locked her baby brother into a closet, to hide him, just as the family was forced from their home in Paris. The year was 1942, during the Vel’ d’Hiv roundup. The French police, to lessen the Jewish population, began arresting Jews. A parallel story within this movie was Kristin Scott Thomas (she was incredible) as a journalist, who found her life becoming enmeshed in the story of the little girl. The movie was spoken in half French with subtitles and half English.

3 1/2 stars

One doesn’t need to know or even like baseball to enjoy this movie. The story is based on Billy Beane, who was the Oakland A’s general manager. Going against the norm, he set out to create a winning baseball team on a budget, using computer generated data–unheard of at the time. Brad Pitt’s performance is solid, though not Oscar caliber. For me, the surprise was Jonah Hill, whose role was acted out low key; something new for him.

3 stars

What a great looking movie in the film noir style. I loved the way this film was shot, with some great scenes.  Keep in mind there is graphic violence; but if you want to see a possible Oscar nominee, you have to see Ryan Gosling’s performance. He is simply outstanding here–subtle with minimum dialog, just his expressions speak for themselves. Ryan plays a Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a driver for criminals. Also, Carey Mulligan puts in a wonderful performance in this dark story.

3 1/2 stars

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