The Counselor

An awfully confusing film, and as one critic put it, The Counselor was uniquely awful. I'm surprised that such high-end actors would go for a script this shallow and uninteresting. Ridley Scott must have paid them a fortune. 1 out of 4 stars.

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa

Johnny Knoxville did a great job getting into character, but this was more along the lines of something that should have gone straight to MTV as opposed to charging audiences $10 to see. The film was a self-indulging shallow "comedy" where Knoxville and a preteen go around and cause havoc in various communities. 2 out of 4 stars.

Inequality for All

A documentary about the middle class and all of the injustices that go along with living in the middle. Robert Reich does a great job outlining the underlining issues in America with regard to financial inequality without sounding too preachy. 3 out of 4 stars.

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.