Captain Phillips

Tom Hanks turns in his greatest performance on screen since the days of Cast Away and Apollo 13. Truly a cinematic masterpiece that was done with such detail and thought. Even though the actual Captain Phillips was not as much of a hero as we all think he was, Tom Hanks sure did a hell of a job; one worthy of an Academy Award nomination. 4 out of 4 stars.

Parkland

The Kennedy assassination docudrama gives the viewer nothing new to ponder, but gives us an inside look on what it was like in the operating room when doctors were desperately trying to revive the ailing President. Nothing groundbreaking or memorable but nevertheless an entertaining ride. 2 and a half out of 4 stars.

Gravity 3D

Sandra Bullock delivered an Oscar worthy performance in his portrayal of a woman trapped in space, struggling for her life. The CGI effects were spectacular and the story was simple, yet captivating. 3 out of 4 stars.

Enough Said

The light, heartwarming comedy starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and the late James Gandolfini really knew how to hit the spot. Granted, I was not in the target audience for this film. The movie is aimed at the 41+  crowd but I was able to appreciate the quality of the work and the quick, witty comedic moments. Gandolfini and Dreyfus are a strange combination for an on-screen dating couple but amazingly enough it worked like a charm. 3 out of 4 stars.

Don Jon

Joseph Gordon Levitt's new film is edgy, funny, smart and charming all at the same time. Jon is a character that is looking for something in his life that will change him. He finds everything he needs in two women, Scarlett Johansson and Julianne Moore. Johansson's character is something I always envisioned her playing. She teaches Jon about himself more than he already knew. 3 out of 4 stars.

Prisoners

Prisoners was a film that was incredibly scary, and not in the horror sense. The film makes you think about how you would go about living life if your child disappeared. The acting work of Jackman and Gyllenhaal was nothing short of brilliant, as their every move made your heart race out of your chest. 3 out of 4 stars.

Instructions not Included

The melodramatic Hispanic film works ultimately because of the actors. The father-daughter combination is as believable as can be, and the film's tragic moments are felt with sincerity. One flaw is that the transitions from comedy to drama are abrupt and the ending seemed rush in what was already a long movie. 2 and a half out of 4 stars.

The Spectacular Now

One of the best coming of age films I have seen. The film explores hard choices, lost love and love found. It shows more than two teenagers in a relationship. The film also encompasses what happens when life's problems arise. 3 and a half out of 4 stars. 

The Family

The mob-comedy was nothing to be taken seriously. The film was meant to be a laugher and the acting of DeNiro and Pfieffer was immaculate as always. In addition, the children also played key roles in the development of the movie. If you're looking for something serious and bold, this isn't the film for you. If you want some action, violence and a nice laugh you will enjoy The Family. 2 out of 4 stars.

The Butler

The historical drama serves its purpose. The performances by the two main cast members were nothing short of remarkable and Oscar worthy. The story didn't contain many flaws and even though it was a longer movie I was able to watch it all as if time didn't matter. Quite the contrary to the film's main theme. 3 and a half out of 4 stars.