2014-The Best (and Worst) of the Rest

Justice League:  War- Animated feature from Warner Bros. featuring DC Comics' most famous heroes (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Cyborg, and Shazam) and their formation into the Justice League.  The catalyst that brings them together is the invasion of Earth by the universal conqueror, Darkseid.  This is another triumphant effort by Warner's animated studio.  They know how to place DC characters in the greatest light possible.  It's non-stop action and mayhem.  And don't think the depiction of any of these characters has a "goody two shoes" motif.  The League gets down and dirty here including one character who is normally not a killer taking that drastic step.  Parts of this one aren't for the kiddies.
**** stars

The Hungover Games- In this latest send-up of Hollywood pop-culture, an amalgam of The Hangover, Hunger Games, Ted, Thor, and other fan-favorite movies are parodied.  Four friends celebrating one's impending wedding with a bachelor party are transported to an alternate universe where Hollywood icons battle to the death in brutal combat.  These types of movies often troll way too hard for laughs and this one is no different.  A couple of mildly amusing moments is about all you'll get here.
**1/2 stars

Ride Along- The buddy cop genre is given a twirl by rapper, Ice Cube, and comedian, Kevin Hart.  Painfully predictable.  As South Park's Officer Barbrady would say "Nothing to see here!"  Ice Cube acts as ornery as a horse that's just been gelded, and Hart acts like a buffoon.  Has some value if you're a fan of Hart's comedy.
**1/2 stars

Bad Words- This black comedy features the directorial debut of actor, Jason Bateman.  Bateman stars as a 40-year old man who enters a national children's spelling bee for his own subversive reasons.  Very funny, very twisted.  It has some heart when Bateman's character befriends one of the contestants, albeit a sick heart.  Kathryn Hahn and Allison Janney co-star.
***1/2 stars

Paranormal Activity:  The Marked Ones- Why does anyone bother with this series?  It's been the same scenario every time.  It's about 80 minutes of things that go bump in the night only to wake up and give you something to chew on for the final 10 minutes or less.  This time a coven of witches is stirring up trouble for unsuspecting young men who have been marked for possession since birth.  With these movies, less is not more.  It's downright boring.
*1/2 stars

The Legend of Hercules- Director, Renny Harlin, takes on the Greek hero/legend starring Kellan Lutz as the titular character.  Some of the CGI is a bit comical (think '80s Clash of the Titans).  It's not a horrible film, but there's no wow factor on an action or dramatic level to write home about.  The term "meh" will come to mind when you think about it.  That is, if you think about it at all.
**1/2 stars

Oculus-  This fright fest from director, Mike Flanagan, is more an exercise in psychological terror than about creepy things trying to scare the Hell out of you (although there is a fair amount of that, too).  An antique mirror housing a malevolent presence becomes the subject of a young woman's (Karen Gillan) obsession when she comes to believe it was responsible for the deaths of her parents and subsequent psychiatric incarceration of her younger brother several years before. The lines between reality and flashback become blurred and very often happen simultaneously as the siblings remember and relive that fateful night.  The film does a good job creating a mood that's chilling, while also providing a small sense of redemption for some characters.  But, sometimes that redemption comes with consequences of its own.  It's not as blood-curdlingly scary as some horror movies, but it does create a sense of uneasiness.
***1/2 stars

Noah- Director, Darren Aronofsky's, biblically inspired epic is likely to offend some (or many) staunch followers of Bible lore.  In fact, it's only resemblance sometimes is that it's about a man who builds a large boat and transports a lot of animals during a flood. But, if you can get past rock angels, a vicious army led by a descendant of Cain, Noah's grandfather having magical healing powers, and Noah himself being a touch callous (evil some might say), it's an interesting fantasy/adventure that happens to have some religious overtones.  Don't take it too seriously and you'll be fine.  Expect a blow-by-blow retelling, and your head will explode.  Environmentalists and PETA will love it. Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, and Emma Watson star.
*** stars

I, Frankenstein- A modern take on the classic monster with Aaron Eckhart entering the large boots and electrodes of Dr. Frankenstein's labor of love.  With the exception of a few ugly scars, Eckhart looks like the only monster who could pass for a GQ model.  That's not the issue.  The nonsensical plot involving an order of gargoyles, a demon prince, and Dr. Frankenstein's journal is the issue.  Watching I, Frankenstein reminded me of watching Van Helsing a few years ago.  I expected something beautiful and kick-ass and got camp and idiocy.  There's a few nice moments featuring exploding demons, but there's not much to truly enjoy here.  Bill Nighy as the big bad is laughable.  He was much scarier in the Underworld series.  Yvonne Strahovski co-stars. 
**1/4 stars

Reasonable Doubt- Dominic Cooper and Samuel L. Jackson star in this mediocre thriller about an up-and-coming D.A. who commits a fatal hit-and-run and the man actually blamed for it who may be a serial killer himself.  Sounds like the makings of a taut cat-and-mouse game between the two main characters, but there are way too many leaps in logic that make no sense at all.  And while there are legitimate reasons for the killer's murderous psychology, the movie takes the easy way out at the end and completely vilifies him by making him act in a way that doesn't follow his motivations.  Very lazy writing and lackluster performances make this one a skip unless you're just looking for something to do for 90 minutes.
*1/2 stars

Draft Day- Kevin Costner stars in yet another sports-related movie that has been his forte over the years.  This time he is the embattled General Manager of the NFL's Cleveland Browns on, what else?  NFL Draft Day.  Even with its contrived happy ending, Draft Day is an enjoyable enough day-in-the- life viewing of a pressure-cooker of a job.  Whether the sports-related events in the "War Room" are accurate is anyone's guess unless you have intimate knowledge of a sports executive's life.  But, I was sucked in regardless.  Jennifer Garner, Frank Langella, and Denis Leary co-star. 
***1/4 stars

A Haunted House 2- I had no idea that last year's horror spoof from Marlon Wayans warranted a sequel, but here it is.  This time the arguably goofiest member of the Wayans family does a comic send up of recent horror offerings Sinister, The Conjuring, and The Possession.  Like the first film, some of it is actually pretty funny (especially the Sinister spoofs).  Other parts are just plain Marlon on overkill moments (the man knows he likes to show his naked rear end).  It just doesn't always feel like a feature film.  Most of it feels like comic segments you might see on a show like SNL spliced together with no real coherence.
**3/4 stars

Sabotage- Arnold Schwarzenegger leads an elite squad of DEA agents who get in over their heads when $10 million is lost in their most recent bust.  One by one the team is hunted down by an unknown assailant(s).  But is it the cartel taking them out, or, is it one of their own?  Are different agendas at work here?  Sabotage is a darker and more hard-hitting action thriller than we're used to from Schwarzenegger.  His team is mostly a gang of cutthroats and scuzz balls.  Even Arnold's motives are questionable.  I can't remember one eye-rolling one-liner here.  And, despite the typical action movie shootout and somewhat hokey showdown ending, this worked for me.
***1/4 stars

Godzilla- As with The Transformers series, the humans in the movie are more than a bit immaterial.  Oh, there's nothing inherently wrong with the human characters or their storylines.  They at least aren't annoying.  But, you find yourself wanting to blaze through all of their minutiae and fast forward to the monster beatdown.  I give points to the film's trailers.  The story itself is a complete curveball from what you might think it is.  Godzilla himself looks amazing.  He alone is worth the price of admission when he's finally seen and his high-pitched roar is heard.  Bryan Cranston stars.
***1/2 stars

That Awkward Moment- Zac Efron, Miles Teller, and Michael B. Jordan, star as three best friends navigating the complicated and, sometimes, murky waters of relationships.  It has some funny "bro" moments, but it's a trite film that has the "been there, done that" feel of so many other romantic comedies.  It's not bad per se, but there are better ways to spend your time.
**3/4 stars

Bad Country- Most straight-to-video offerings are straight-to-video for a reason.  Tom Berenger's bad Cajun accent notwithstanding, Bad Country really wasn't a bad crime thriller.  This story of a maverick Louisiana detective (Willem Dafoe) recruiting a known felon (Matt Dillon) to infiltrate a Dixie mob isn't great by any means, but it has suspense, good pacing, revenge, and nice shootouts.  It's an entertaining watch.
*** stars

A Million Ways to Die in the West- Seth MacFarlane's second directorial adventure lampoons the Wild West in this story of a hapless sheep farmer who unknowingly becomes involved with a notorious gunslinger's wife.  While not as funny as his first offering, Ted, I can say there is more than enough hilarity here to avoid a sophomore jinx.  And, of course, since this is Seth MacFarlane, there is a fair amount of bad taste included.  I'll say this again as I said in my review of Ted.  Why can't MacFarlane be this funny with Family Guy?  MacFarlane stars as the leading man.  Charlize Theron, Liam Neeson, Giovanni Ribisi, and Sarah Silverman co-star.
***1/2 stars

Maleficent- Angelina Jolie stars as the titular villain in this live action reimagining of Sleeping Beauty.  But, is Maleficent the true villain of this story?  There is some spectacular photography and special effects at play, particularly when Maleficent crashes through a palace window in slow motion. But, I wasn't terribly excited by the story itself.  Not that there is anything wrong with the film mind you, but I was never a big fan of Sleeping Beauty growing up.
***stars

The Monuments Men- George Clooney directs and stars in this biographical depiction of a military commissioned team of art historians attempting to recover stolen art and artifacts from the Nazis during World War II.  It's a feel good homage to a little-known operation if you can call any retelling of a war as "feel good."  The film does have its comic and tragic moments and it's a story that has merit, but I would have been good with a 10-minute blurb.  Matt Damon, John Goodman, Bill Murray, and Cate Blanchett co-star. 
*** stars

Pompeii- Love and gladiatorial combat are set against the backdrop of the famous volcano eruption of Mount Vesuvius in ancient Rome.  Celtic slave, Milo (Kit Harrington), seeks vengeance on the evil Roman Senator, Corvus (Kiefer Sutherland), who murdered his tribe several years earlier.  Along the way, he becomes involved with the daughter of Pompeii's city ruler all while trying to stay alive in the arena and avoiding the lava and ash of the volcano's eruption.  Gladiator this is not.  It doesn't carry that film's emotional weight or have its overall acting chops.  But, this film isn't half bad.  It gives you some spectacular shots of the volcanic eruption and the damage it leaves in its wake.  While the sword battles aren't particularly bloody, they are well choreographed.  There are worse ways to spend 100 minutes.
***stars

3 Days to Kill- What does a terminally ill CIA field agent do in his final days?  He tries to reconnect with his estranged wife and daughter.  Kevin Costner is Agent Ethan Renner who awkwardly attempts to be a father/husband when he discovers he has brain cancer.  Promising his family he's done with the life, he's sucked back in by CIA assassin, Vivi Delay (Amber Heard), who is on the hunt for an international arms dealer and requires the retired agent's unique skills and expertise.  Part comedy, part action thriller, 3 Days to Kill is passable entertainment. It won't have you on the edge of your seat, but it won't bore you to tears either.
*** stars

Devil's Due- Here we have yet another horror movie shot in the what I find increasingly annoying "found footage" format.  That is to say that the camera work is choppy and doesn't tell a full story.  Devil's Due tells the story of a young couple unknowingly kidnapped for an arcane ritual on their honeymoon.  And then, before you can say Antichrist, the wife is pregnant with a demon child.  All manner of strange shenanigans follow.  I will say this one was slightly more enthralling than any of the Paranormal Activity films I've seen.
**1/2 stars

Veronica Mars- Kristen Bell returns as the former teen, now adult, private eye in this film that takes place approximately ten years after the TV series ended.  Veronica has tried to leave her former life behind moving from California to New York.  She's traded in her private eye credentials for law school.  But when a former love is accused of murder, the super sleuth goes back into action.  Bell plays Veronica at her smart aleck-y best. It's an entertaining film if you were a fan of the series. If you weren't, it's nothing you haven't seen before.
***1/4 stars

Non-Stop- Liam Neeson stars as a Federal Air Marshal who finds himself entangled in a twisted plot on a transatlantic flight.  It's a much more intriguing, intricate plot than I would have ever given it credit for.  Neeson, as always, is a more than credible action star.  Julianne Moore co-stars.
***1/4 stars

The Grand Budapest Hotel- Director Wes Anderson helms this quirky, comic tale of a 1930s concierge who teams up with the hotel's lobby boy to clear his name after he is framed for murder.  There aren't many laugh out loud moments here, but plenty of small chuckles.  It runs a little long for my tastes without having outrageous, rip-roaring humor, but it's an entertaining watch nonetheless.  Ralph Fiennes heads an all-star cast.
***1/4 stars

Jack Ryan:  Shadow Recruit- Like Star Trek and James Bond of recent memory, Tom Clancy's covert agent gets a shiny, glossy reboot with Chris Pine as the titular character.  This time, Ryan attempts to foil a terrorist plot that could cause the financial ruin of the U.S. orchestrated by a Russian tycoon.  There's nothing inherently wrong with this film.  There's also nothing particularly new and exciting either.  It's watchable, but instantly forgettable.  Kevin Costner, Keira Knightley, and Kenneth Branagh (who also directs) co-star.
**3/4 stars

The Lego Movie- Who woulda' thunk it?  A cute and funny movie devoted to Legos!  Yes, those little interlocking kids blocks!  But that's what we have here.  Emmet (Chris Pratt) is an unimpressive Lego construction worker who unthinkably might be the prophesied "Special" capable of stopping the oppressive Lego doomsday weapon "Kragle" that's controlled by the oppressive ruler, Lord Business (Will Ferrell).  Yes, it's as silly as it sounds.  And, it works.  The CG effects are incredible. It's a children's movie that also has enough content for the over 10 audience to enjoy.
***1/2 stars

Neighbors- Wow.  OK.  Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne star as new parents living in a quiet neighborhood until a fraternity moves in to the house next door.  At first wanting to be one of the "cool kids", the couple tries to make friends with their new neighbors until the inevitable misunderstanding leads to all-out war between them.  Making very little sense and largely unfunny, this film was praised by critics and has made its fair share at the box office.  Meanwhile, A Million Ways to Die in the West (an infinitely funnier movie) has been universally panned.  Go figure.  Zac Efron co-stars. 
*1/2 stars

Edge of Tomorrow- Tom Cruise stars in this sci-fi tale of a soldier who repeats the same day countless times after  dying in battle against alien forces.  The jumping back in time segments do take a few leaps in logic, but it does have its thrills for the action junkies out there and it's comedic moments as Cruise's only ally in this adventure is sometimes all too happy to kill him to make him repeat the day until he gets it right.  Emily Blunt co-stars.
*** stars

Tammy- Melissa McCarthy co-wrote and stars in this road comedy about a middle-aged woman-child who loses her car, husband, and job all within a few hours.  Needing a change of scenery, she hits the road with her eccentric, alcoholic grandmother (Susan Sarandon) on an adventure-filled trip to Niagara Falls.  What could go wrong?  Well, everything of course!  It's a cute movie, but not hilariously funny.  While it would take a lot for McCarthy not to be funny, my fear is that she might be typecasting herself as she's played a variation of her Bridesmaids character a few times now and I think she has a broader range than this. 
*** stars

Joe- Nicolas Cage stars as an ex-con who becomes a father figure and eventual protector to an abused 15-year old boy.  I have no idea where in America this film takes place, but it's poverty-stricken, washed out, and dirty wherever it is.  It's a tight, suspense-filled thriller...for the last 10 minutes!  Prior to this, it's an incongruous look into the title character's life of debauchery.
**1/2 stars

Deliver Us From Evil- Scott Derrickson, the director of Sinister, offers this disturbing account of true events starring Eric Bana as a present-day NYPD detective caught in the middle of a ring of demonic possession.  Derrickson still knows how to give the audience the creeps in a big way.  It's nothing you haven't seen before as far as scares go (well, that scene with the cat is pretty sick), but it gets high marks for atmosphere.
***1/4 stars

Think Like a Man, Too- The gang's back together.  This time, the couples (and one semi-single) are in Vegas for the wedding of two of their own.  And, you can imagine the respective bachelor and bachelorette parties don't go quite according to plan.  I enjoyed the sequel a little more than the original as it doesn't drift into as much melodrama.  However, unless you're a fan of Kevin Hart's manic riffing, there's not a lot to sink your teeth into.
*** stars

Adult World- Emma Roberts stars as a "professional" college student and would-be poet who takes a job at an adult video store after her parents cut off her funding.  Working among the strange and unusual staff and patrons, she learns how to live on her own, finds love, and meets (stalks) her literary idol (John Cusack).  It's a cute and moderately amusing film.
*** stars

About Last Night- This remake of the 1986 film is surprisingly sharp and funny.  The venue has changed from Chicago to Los Angeles, but the premise is the same.  A man and woman formerly unlucky at love unexpectedly fall hard for each other after a one night stand.  The trials and tribulations of that relationship are explored in the aftermath through their infatuation to their painful break-up and eventual realization they can't live without each other.  Michael Ealy and Joy Bryant replace Rob Lowe and Demi Moore in this version.  Several scenes are stolen by Kevin Hart and Regina Hall as the couple's two psychotic friends who have a love/hate (mostly hate) relationship that parallels the main storyline. 
*** stars

The Purge:  Anarchy- This sequel to last year's surprise hit offers more of an examination of the social consequences surrounding a night of lawlessness.  For those not aware of the premise, in the near future, the new "Founding Fathers" of the U.S. have mandated an annual 12-hour period called the Purge where almost all crime (including murder) is legal.  While the first film follows one family's gut-wrenching night during the Purge, the sequel follows five people whose lives become entwined during this intense night of survival.  Like the first film, this one is overflowing with social commentary and moral dilemmas.  I found it a fascinating look into the evil side of human nature.
***3/4 stars

Lucy- Scarlett Johansson stars as an unwilling drug mule internally transporting an experimental drug in this latest Luc Besson action slugfest.  When the drug accidentally leaks into her system, Lucy discovers that she is able to unlock the full potential of the human brain while at the same time losing everything that makes her human.  Lucy is a fun movie as she learns her full capabilities which are vast to say the least.  The action sequences are great, but it lost a little bit for me as the film attempts to be a pseudo-intellectual glimpse into the human spirit.  Overall, it has enough thrills to recommend.  Morgan Freeman co-stars. 
*** stars

Hercules- Dwayne Johnson stars in the year's second big studio release featuring the son of Zeus.  This sword and sandals romp takes itself far less seriously as the Legend of Hercules does.  Johnson does what is expected as the legendary strongman.  Based on a graphic novel, the film has some fun with the Hercules legend and his fantastic exploits indicating that some of the hero's adventures are a little exaggerated.  It's a fun, summer popcorn movie with nice action and CGI sequences and nothing more.  But, that's enough.
*** stars

Under the Skin- Scarlett Johannson is an alien who assumes human form.  She has an accomplice who rides at breakneck speed on a motorcycle through the highlands of Scotland for reasons unknown.  She seduces the men she encounters in her serial killer van and takes them back to her place where they both undress and the man inexplicably disappears into a pool of black infinity.  Then, Scarlett dresses and repeats the cycle for absolutely no reason at all.  Did I mention Scarlett Johannson does explicit nude scenes here?  Yeah, even that's not enough to save this abomination.
1/2 star

The Raid 2- The sequel to the 2011 action hit, The Raid 2 follows shortly after the original film and finds one of the surviving heroes, Rama, recruited to go deep undercover to infiltrate an Indonesian crime syndicate.  There's a lot of fast-paced martial arts action that harkens back to old school films.  It's a little silly and comical at times, especially watching it with the dubbed English vocals.  I would have liked this better if not for one thing.  At 2 1/2 hours, this movie is way too long for its own good.  Thirty minutes could have easily been sent to the cutting room floor.
*** stars

Divergent- In this first installment of the film adaptation of Veronica Roth's young-adult novel trilogy, conformity is the rule of the day in a future dystopian Chicago.  All citizens are divided into five distinct groups based on their character traits.  But what happens when someone exhibits traits from more than one faction threatening to turn this world of strict rules upside down?  Civil War is the answer.  The premise of this series, in all honesty, struck me as extremely silly.  However, the execution by director, Neil Burger, made for an entertaining and unsettling look at how humanity tries to exert control over its environment.  Shailene Woodley stars as "Tris" Prior, the primary protagonist of the series. 
***1/4 stars

Blood Ties- Clive Owen and Billy Crudup star as brothers in 1970's New York on different sides of the law.  Older brother, Chris, is released from prison and attempts to lead a normal life which becomes increasingly difficult.  Younger  brother, Frank, an NYPD detective wants to believe in his older sibling, but becomes increasingly disenchanted with Chris' behavior.  Blood Ties isn't particularly gripping or intense, but there is some emotional significance as the strength of familial bonds are explored. 
*** stars

Frank Miller's Sin City:  A Dame to Kill For- Director, Robert Rodriguez, returns to the town without pity in a sequel of sorts to the 2005 anthology film.  Shot in the same film noir style as the original, A Dame to Kill For once again ties together several of comic creator, Frank Miller's, stories from the Sin City series.  Miller himself wrote two new stories exclusively for the film.  Sadly, this second visit to Sin City doesn't have the same spark as the previous film.  Everything seems very...rushed, and, at times, not well thought out.  A Dame to Kill For isn't bad by any means, but, it definitely isn't as much fun.  Josh Brolin, Jessica Alba, Powers Booth, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rosario Dawson, Bruce Willis, Eva Green, and Mickey Rourke star.
**3/4 stars

Rage- Nicolas Cage is a former criminal who has worked hard to forge a legitimate life for himself and his family.  When his teenage daughter is murdered, he believes his former life has come back to haunt him, and those old instincts return as he conducts his own "investigation" into the crime with former cohorts.  This could have been an interesting look into how unchecked anger can lead to ruin, but Rage is made in such a slapdash and dull manner that it loses much of its bite.  And, how many speeches are given to Cage's character about the road he has chosen that really don't apply to his particular situation?  Danny Glover co-stars.
**1/2 stars

As Above, So Below- In yet another horror film shot in the "found footage" format (why are these so popular), brilliant young student, Scarlett, has inherited her late father's curiosity for uncovering historical myths.  One such myth leads her to the catacombs underneath Paris, France, in search of the fabled Philosopher's Stone.  She leads a team, including an old love interest, into these dark, claustrophobic tunnels where they inevitably encounter strange phenomena.  It becomes a fight for each to confront his/her greatest fear and get out of the maze alive.  Aside from some truly uncomfortable scenes of people making their way through tight spaces, this is a hackneyed snooze of a horror film that ends abruptly and offers no real reason why these strange occurrences happen in the first place.  I wondered why this movie happened to be made.
** stars

Blended- Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore star in their third collaboration.  Two mismatched people, a divorcee and a widower, are set up on a horrible blind date.  It ends with each hoping to never see the other again.  Strange (and contrived) circumstances connect them again when they are  both booked on the same vacation in South Africa with their respective families.  As you would expect, anger turns into a much different emotion over the week they are forced to interact.  The laughs are steady, if not sidesplitting.  Sandler tones down his usual obnoxious self.  Here, he's a poor, clueless schlub, particularly where his daughters are concerned.  Barrymore is an uptight control freak.  It's a clichéd movie, no doubt, but, it's cute.  The two leads play well off each other.  The biggest laughs come from Terry Crews as the leader of the vacation resort's resident singing group. 
***1/4 stars

Transcendence- Johnny Depp stars as scientist whose curiosity with the universe is taken to new heights when his consciousness is uploaded to a sentient computer after an attack from a technological terrorist group takes his life.  Plugged into all technology on Earth, he begins to change life on the planet for the better, or, does he?  Some believe he is the most dangerous thing that exists and will stop at nothing to put an end to his "tyranny."  For me, this is a most welcome return of Depp to actual acting.  He's weird, of course, but Johnny Depp is always going to be weird.  But he's weird without being a kooky dingbat, an act that has started to grow tiresome in his recent films.  Transcendence is a beautifully shot movie that takes a few leaps in logic, but, it entertained me overall.  Morgan Freeman and Paul Bettany co-star.
***1/4 stars

A Walk Among the Tombstones- An ex-cop (Liam Neeson) in self-imposed exile working as an unlicensed private investigator takes on a case assisting a known drug trafficker find the men who kidnapped and murdered his wife.  It's an intense if not overly exciting thriller.  Neeson's quiet, tough-guy performance is what carries the film.
*** stars

The Equalizer- Denzel Washington and director, Antoine Fuqua, team up once again in this big screen adaptation of the '80s television series.  Washington is Robert McCall, an unassuming all-around good guy who works at a home improvement store.  He's friendly, helpful, and quiet, if  somewhat mysterious to his colleagues.  When a young prostitute he befriends is severely injured by her handlers, the truth finally emerges.  McCall is a former black ops  operative who can "equal" the odds for people in need of his type of assistance.  Washington is excellent as McCall.  He flips the switch between modest everyman to ruthless killer with ease and believability.  The Equalizer is a film with a very simple premise and it delivers on that premise eloquently.
**** stars

Dracula Untold- How many times has the story of Dracula been told?  You don't know either do you?  Too many to count?  Oh, yes!  So, what could actor, Luke Evans, possibly have to offer in this rendition that was even remotely of note in the role of the vampire supreme?  It turns out, quite a bit.  Dracula Untold tells the story of how the legendary Vlad the Impaler became the bloodsucking Count we all know and love.  With nice special effects sequences, some human angst, and an impressive body count, Dracula Untold delivers a different take on the legend.  The one thing that could have made it better is more bloodletting.  It is Dracula, after all.  But, it has a PG-13 rating, so there is only so much red stuff you're going to see.
***1/4 stars

Ouija- In this uninspired, paint-by-the-numbers horror fiasco, a group of friends become targets of a mysterious Ouija board when a dark spirit within the board is accidentally awakened.  This is the kind of horror movie that irritates me.  Everyone here is just going through the motions of what they think a horror movie should be.  You have your typical jump scares that aren't particularly frightening.  A few ghastly prosthetics does not create the sense of squirm-worthy uneasiness that is the stuff of good horror movies.  Ouija board horror was handled much better by the cheesy 80's film, Witchboard.  That should tell you something.
* 1/2 stars

John Wick- Keanu Reeves stars as the titular character in this stylized, gun-fu action thriller.  Wick is an ex-hitman who is forced back into his former life when a group of thugs takes all that is important to him after his wife's death.  What John Wick lacks in plot, it makes up for in adrenalized "bang-bang" action.  It's a simple movie of a badass man doing a lot of badass...you get the idea.  And, it works. 
***1/4 stars

St. Vincent- Bill Murray stars as an acerbic old curmudgeon who becomes the reluctant babysitter for his new neighbor's (Melissa McCarthy's) young son.  You might think given Murray's and McCarthy's comic chops, this would be a riotous farce.  But, St. Vincent has some very dark undertones that delve into surprising sentimentality.  There are a few laughs along the way, but it's no where near as madcap as you think. McCarthy plays this one much straighter than she has in her recent films.  Strong performances from Murray, McCarthy, Naomi Watts, and newcomer, Jaeden Lieberher, as the young boy who bizarrely bonds with Murray, drive the movie.
*** stars

Nightcrawler- Jake Gyllenhaal channels his inner creep as a quietly brilliant sociopath, Lou Bloom, who latches on to the art of nightcrawling.  That is, following murder and mayhem on his police scanner and filming the carnage to sell to local news stations. Lou has no remorse about what he does or how he does it.  He's a social climber of the highest order who will use anyone to reach his goals.  This is a bizarre, macabre thriller driven by Gyllenhaal's great performance.  I would go as far as saying it's an Oscar-worthy performance.  Renee Russo co-stars as the evening news director at the local station who buys Lou's footage.
***3/4 stars

Big Hero 6- Marvel and Disney team-up for computer-animated hijinks to bring the this Marvel series to life.  It's the story of five unlikely heroes and a lovable robot forming a super team (of sorts).  It's cute with beautiful animation as you would expect from Disney.  It also has its fair share of loss and sadness. And, for those who love super hero action, there's plenty for you to chew on, as well.  Is it The Incredibles?  No.  But it's pretty good.
***3/4 stars

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day- You might think this Disney family comedy is a cutesy, sugar-soaked movie.  Well, it is.  It's also surprisingly very funny.  Alexander is the second youngest child in his busy, happy family.  However, most days he isn't very happy himself.  When he makes a wish on his birthday that his family could experience one really bad day to see what it is like, they experience what it's like to be Alexander.  Times five.  Although the film has the typical happy ending with lessons learned that you would expect, it's a lot of fun getting there.  Steve Carrell and Jennifer Garner star as Alexander's supportive, but frazzled parents.
***1/2 stars

The Hunger Games:  Mockingjay Part 1- Jennifer Lawrence is back as Katniss Everdeen, the reluctant face of a revolution.  Mockingjay Part 1 is pretty much a set up movie much in the same way as The Deathly Hallows Part 1 was to the final chapter of the Harry Potter series.  Everything comes to a slow boil before the inevitable monster mash that is sure to come in part 2.  Here, Katniss deals with the revelation of her home in District 12 being destroyed and becoming the official face of the revolution against the evil Capitol of Pan-Am.  The story moves along with a couple of nice action sequences and a twist revelation at the end.  It's good, if not totally spectacular.  But, as I said, it's a set up to something bigger that's sure to come.
***1/2 stars

Road to Paloma- Jason Mamoa stars as a man on the run from the FBI for murdering his mother's rapist and killer.  He's heads out on the road with his biker/musician/bad boy brother-in-law to scatter his mother's ashes encountering a few adventures along the way.  The concept is good, but, utterly this is a road to futility that was almost a good movie, but, not quite.  Produced by WWE Films.
**1/2 stars

The Penguins of Madagascar- Those adventurous commando penguins (Skipper, Kowalski, Rico, and Private) from the Madagascar franchise step away into their own big screen adventure to save animal kind from a maniacal menace from their past.  This is an exercise in pure silliness that has its laughs and some cute, heartfelt moments.  But, I think the penguins work better as co-stars than as leading characters.
*** stars

Muppets Most Wanted- Is there nothing from my childhood that Disney doesn't own now?  Marvel Comics, Star Wars, the Muppets.  Anyway, those silly puppets return in a fun, rollicking adventure involving a criminal Kermit the Frog lookalike wreaking havoc on the Muppets' lives.  The treat in any Muppet movie is the multiple celebrity guest appearances.  P. Diddy, Usher, Celine Dion, Ray Liota, Danny Trejo, and Lady Gaga are among the notable cameos.  Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell, and Tina Fey have major co-starring roles.
***1/4 stars

22 Jump Street- I mentioned in another review that comedy generally doesn't lend itself to sequels very well.  Well, here's one exception.  Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum reprise their roles from the first film.  This time the hapless cop duo goes deep undercover on a college campus to smoke out a drug ring.  More sophomoric hijinks ensue, but these two have an unusual chemistry that still keeps the material fresh and funny.
***1/2 stars

Life After Beth- What do you do when your beloved girlfriend dies and inexplicably comes back to "life" as a people eating zombie?  That's the premise of this silly indie movie that takes a little while to get its legs under it, but actually becomes mildly amusing halfway through.  It's not necessarily good, but it provides a few sight gags that are entertaining.  Aubrey Plaza, Dane Dehaan, Molly Shannon, and John C. Reilly star.
**3/4 stars

Exodus:  Gods and Kings- Ridley Scott's "Gladiator-styled" take on the Old Testament, Exodus, features Christian Bale as Moses.  So, we have the embodiment of God as a petulant 10-year old child who speaks only to Moses, Moses himself as one of the first recorded terrorists, and the Ten Commandments written by Moses himself while 10-year old God serves him tea.  In other words, there are some liberties taken and not always in an entertaining way. 
**3/4 stars

Only Lovers Left Alive- So, here's what the world was waiting for, an artsy vampire movie.  Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton star as centuries-old vampire lovers.  He's an underground musician in Detroit who seems to be in a constant state of depression.  She's a thrill-seeker who loves to read and dance.  Badly.  When they come together again after an undisclosed length of time, their world is turned upside down by her self-centered sister (also a vamp).  These two slog through two hours in a perpetual daze.  Yes, I said TWO hours.  Unlike our "heroes", that's two hours that just ticked away on my limited life span.  And, what's with Tilda's hair?
* star

Batman:  Assault on Arkham- This latest animated trek into the DC Comics Universe pits Batman against the Suicide Squad on the grounds of the famous Gotham City asylum.  Both sides have different agendas for wanting inside of Arkham that inevitably run headlong into each other.  Warner Brothers animation churns out good stuff time and again and this one is no different.  Although I will say that I didn't like it quite as much as some of their other more recent offerings.  This is definitely not made for the little ones as it has its fair share of swearing, obscene gestures, and almost-nudity. 
***1/4 stars

Chef- Jon Favreau stars in and directs this indie comedy about a once "next big thing" chef who rediscovers himself after a meltdown with a food critic.  Out of a job and publicly embarrassed, Chef Carl (Favreau) buys a food truck and reconnects with his son and ex-wife in the process.  It's cute and fun, if not hysterical.  It has solid performances throughout.   And, it provides proof that Sofia Vergara is not always annoying.  John Leguizamo, Dustin Hoffman, and Scarlett Johansson co-star.
***1/4 stars

Mr. Peabody and Sherman- DreamWorks animation brings the genius dog and his adopted son to life in a rollicking time jumping adventure.  History gets turned on its head when the title characters visit important times in the past through their Way Back Machine.  Of course things don't go as planned and a hole is ripped in the space/time continuum.  It gets a little heady for a child's movie, but it's silly enough to still bring laughs.  Ty Burrell is the voice of Mr. Peabody.
***1/4 stars

The Quiet Ones- This British horror film loosely based on true events in the 1970s is an extremely slow burn.  It's almost a no burn as it slowly builds suspense.  A college professor, his two assistants, and a camera man embark on a quest to prove the supernatural does not exist within a haunted young woman.  Through their questionable experimentation, they discover how wrong they are.  The Quiet Ones has a few twists that are eye-opening, but it really doesn't keep you on the edge of your seat.
**3/4 stars

Million Dollar Arm- This feel good Disney movie based on real life events follows a down-on-his-luck sports agent whose one last shot at saving his failing business is creating a reality show to find the best cricket players in India with the goal of turning them into professional baseball players.  It has the typical comical and heartfelt moments as he finds two young men with Major League potential and brings them to the U.S. to train.  It makes you smile and gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling particularly as the film provides a synopsis of what happens to the real life people it is based upon before the end credits.  Alan Arkin has the part of crotchety old geezer down to a science now.  John Hamm, Lake Bell, and Bill Paxton star. 
***1/4 stars

Annie- I'll be the first to admit that I am not the best person to critique musicals.  With very few exceptions, I don't like them much.  This latest rendition of Broadway classic, Annie, is no different.  The actors are fine with the possible exception of Cameron Diaz who is over-the-top as Annie's mean foster mother in a less than entertaining way.  The film's cloying sweetness was enough to give me a toothache.  Not my cup of tea.  Jamie Foxx, Rose Byrne, and Quvenzhane Wallis (as Annie) star.
**1/2 stars

The Maze Runner- In yet another big-screen adaptation of a young adult book series, The Maze Runner follows a group of teenage boys who live a peaceful existence on a grassy knoll called the Glade surrounded by a mysterious stone maze.  When the newest entrant, Thomas (Dylan O'Brien), is deposited into the Glade with no memories of how or why he came to be there, life for the inhabitants begins to escalate to dangerous levels as truths about the maze begin to reveal themselves.  Apparently young adults like reading about apocalyptic futures because it seems that's what every book series is geared toward for this group.  The Maze Runner should have two sequels if the studio follows suit with the book series.  This was an entertaining, if not completely clear, introduction to this world-gone-to-Hell. 
*** stars

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles- What else do you need to know?  Four hard-shelled reptiles jacked up on an experimental compound learn ninja skills from their genetically-enhanced  foster father and sensei (a rat) to protect New York from the evil criminal organization, the Foot Clan, and their leader, the Shredder.  This reboot of the franchise is slightly edgier than previous film adaptations, but it still packs enough cheese for fans of the previous series to appreciate. 
*** stars

The Giver- Decades into the future, after a war, humanity has rejected all forms of emotion to live in a bland, but safe utopian society.  The only person who still remembers everything from the past is the Receiver of Memory (Jeff Bridges).  The elders, who decide the fates (and jobs) of the entire community, decide the future fate of 16-year old, Jonas.  He is to succeed the current Receiver and is tasked to train with him until he is ready to take over.  But what happens when Jonas experiences emotion for the first time?  Can he go back to his old way of unquestioning obedience, or will he become the most dangerous man in this fake perfection?  Based on another young adult novel, The Giver is a fascinating look into the feelings that make us all human.  That is, until you see the metaphorical ending that leaves you scratching your head.  Meryl Streep co-stars as the Chief Elder.
**3/4 stars

Let's Be Cops- Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans, Jr. star as two likable losers, one an ex-college football star and the other a low-level video game designer, who masquerade as police officers for kicks and get in way over their heads taking down an organized crime syndicate.  You have to "think stupid" to get through the glaring plot holes in this film, but, it's fun and has more laughs than I expected.
*** stars

The Expendables 3- If you have seen either of the other two offerings, you know the drill.  The all-star mercenary team composed of action stars from each of the last four decades is tasked with taking down a psychotic arms dealer linked to the team's past.  There's tons of shootings, explosions, bone breakings, and self-aware gags throughout.  There's nothing thought provoking here, but, it's fun if you take it for what it is.  Stallone, Statham, Crews, Couture, Lundgren, Schwarzenegger, and Li are joined by Antonio Banderas, Wesley Snipes, Mel Gibson, and Harrison Ford among others this time around.
*** stars

Into the Woods- Disney's adaptation of the Broadway play is an amalgam of several fairy tales including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack and the Beanstalk among others.  A hideous witch has cursed a lowly baker and his wife with childlessness for a past misdeed of the baker's father.  In order to lift the curse, the baker and his wife must retrieve four unusual items for the witch that will restore her youth and beauty within three days.  Thus the race is on for the couple to obtain the objects from their unusual owners.  But even if everyone gets what they want, is there ever truly a "happily ever after."  I have to admit that I didn't know much about the Broadway play going in and wasn't aware the film was a full musical.  For a musical, I actually didn't mind Into the Woods.  It's fun for the most part with hints of edgy darkness.  It's hysterical at times.  And who knew most of the all-star cast actually had singing chops?  Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, Emily Blunt, and Chris Pine star.
*** stars

Tusk- A departure from his usual fare, Kevin Smith wrote and directed this tale of a podcaster who disappears in the backwoods of Manitoba while interviewing an old seafaring recluse for his internet show.  Unknown to the hapless podcaster is the recluse's profound fascination with a certain sea mammal and the designs he has to merge human with animal.  The film states it is based on true events although I'm not quite sure how.  It's horrifying and ludacris at the same time.  I will give it a slight recommendation as you have to see this to believe it.  Think a slightly kinder version of The Human Centipede. 
*** stars

Stonehearst Asylum- Based on an Edgar Allen Poe short story, the film answers the question of what does really happen when inmates run an asylum.  As you may expect, chaos.  But, given the movie takes place in the early 20th century, modern medical practices were quite harsh in general and downright barbaric for the insane.  So, the so-called sane doctors and staff who originally ran the asylum weren't conducive to good mental health either.  Some characters aren't who they appear to be here.  And to that a twisty plot and you have a pretty solid thriller.  Kate Beckinsale, Ben Kingsley, and Michael Cain star.
***1/4 stars

Good People- A struggling young couple stumbles across some very good fortune after they find a stash of money in their dead boarder's room.  Good fortune, that is, until the boarder's former associates come looking for it themselves.  Here's another fairly solid, little-known crime thriller that's fairly standard in plot, but has an exciting, climactic showdown at the end that makes good offensive use of a nail gun.  Kate Hudson, James Franco, and Tom Wilkinson star.
***1/4 stars

Snowpiercer- Leave it to human beings to turn on each other even in the middle of a post-apocalyptic future.  In 2031, the survivors of a frozen Earth continuously circle the globe on a speeding bullet train.  But as in regular society, a class system has developed within the train with humanity on the brink of extinction.  The privileged control the comfortable head cars while the downtrodden occupy the cold, dirty tail cars.  The orchestrator of the latest "tail-car" revolution, Curtis Everett, is determined to make his way to the all-powerful engine and confront the leader, Wilford, to make him atone for the misery of the class system.  But, when all is revealed, everything may not be as black and white as Curtis believes.  Snowpiercer takes some funky leaps in logic.  It keeps you enthralled just enough to keep your attention through the end, but, ultimately you feel exhausted and unfulfilled.  Chris Evans stars.
**3/4 stars

Blue Ruin- In this revenge-driven thriller, vagabond, Dwight Evans, looks to even the score for his family after his parents' killer is released from prison.  Yet another movie that starts with a great premise, but, poorly executes said premise.  You try getting through the 90 minute running time and see if you don't want a bullet to your brain.  Mind-numbing boredom at its best.
* star

No Good Deed- Idris Elba is a deadly criminal psychopath who escapes from prison and terrorizes a suburban housewife (Taraji P. Henson) while leaving a trail of bodies in his delusional wake. There is a bit of a twist as criminal and victim do have a link that's revealed near the end of the film.  There's nothing original and it's all very derivative.  Henson's character is stupid beyond belief.  But, I still found it strangely entertaining.  It's a no frills type of thriller that feels..."comfortable" if that makes any sense.
*** stars

Horns- Part love story, part murder mystery, part supernatural horror, part comedy, Horns is usually the type of movie jumble that doesn't work for me.  Adapted from a novel by Joe Hill, Horns follows the story of a young man (Daniel Radcliffe) accused of his girlfriend's rape and murder.  After a night of hard drinking, he discovers he has developed demon horns on his head.  Even more amazing, the horns force people to reveal their deepest, darkest secrets and compel them to do the bearer's will.  This film was not critically acclaimed and I'm not sure why.  It's one of the best I saw in 2014.  Daniel Radcliffe gives a performance far removed from Harry Potter that will impress.
***3/4 stars

The Skeleton Twins- A movie starring comic heavyweights such as Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig should be a recipe for a raucous laugher of a film right?  Well, you would be wrong in this instance.  This is a somewhat meandering story of two estranged, perpetually depressed and suicidal siblings who both lead train wrecks of a life.  Yes, there are instances where Hader's and Wiig's usual lunacy is on display, but, ultimately, you're left wondering if this trip was really necessary.  Ty Burrell and Luke Wilson co-star.
**3/4 stars

Annabelle- This prequel to The Conjuring follows the unholy, possessed demon doll as it wreaks havoc on a nice suburban family in the 1970s.  Borrowing material from much better movies, Annabelle commits the cardinal sin of being a horror film that is not scary.  Tacky, obvious jump scares permeate the a film.  I wasn't the hugest fan of The Conjuring, but, at least it was solid.  Annabelle is a cheap cash-in attempt.
*1/2 stars

Sex Tape- I will be the first to admit that I didn't see much to this movie in the previews.  I love ridiculous comedies, but, this one didn't seem all that amusing.  I am happy and surprised to say that I was very wrong.  Sex Tape has laughs throughout.  Both Cameron Diaz and Jason Segel are actually very funny in the lead roles (Segel is no surprise, Diaz, just a bit).  The premise?  A married couple looking to re-capture some of the lost sexual magic in their relationship make a sex recording that is accidentally uploaded on the internet for all to see.  Queue the silly hijinks of recovering said recording.  You know humor doesn't always need to be high brow and sophisticated.  Sometimes you're just in the mood for a movie that aims at the lowest common denominator.  And, Sex Tape adheres to the first rule of comedy.  It's funny.  Rob Lowe shines as the CEO of a family-oriented company with strange proclivities. 
***1/4 stars

The Interview- The controversial movie pulled from multiplexes across America is both vulgar and juvenile.  But that's part of its charm, too.  James Franco and Seth Rogen star as a popular, but, dimwitted tabloid journalist and his sensible producer who look to legitimize their craft  by interviewing the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, who, apparently, is a fan of their show.  The duo is enlisted by the CIA to "take him out" due to their close proximity to the maniacal despot.  The Interview takes some huge liberties with current history, but, it is an amusing satire that's worth a look. 
*** stars

Dear White People- In this modern-day satire of race relations on an Ivy League college campus, a "black-themed" frat house party organized by Caucasian students gets terribly out of hand and brings unwanted press to the University.  The film is sly and amusing at times as it depicts the events leading up to the party, but, ultimately, it feels like there's a whole generation of young people with identity crises.  It's still entertaining enough to recommend.
*** stars

Men, Women, and Children- The film follows a group of Texas high school students and their parents as they navigate the many ways  the internet has changed their lives.  Subjects of anorexia, infidelity, pornography addiction, and fame hunting are explored along with their unfortunate pitfalls.  It's movie I found both sad and provocative.  If nothing else, it did make me feel something.  Jennifer Garner and Adam Sandler star.
***1/4 stars

Life of Crime- This Elmore Leonard adaptation is a quirky tale of two fumbling criminals who concoct the ingenious plan of kidnapping a wealthy real estate developer's wife for ransom.  There's one problem.  The developer doesn't want his wife back as he was planning to divorce her and replace her with his younger mistress.  The many plot twists and double crosses start to become a little lackluster and confusing.  There are some good performances, but, this should have been better than it was.  It's not bad, but, not particularly memorable either.  Jennifer Aniston, Tim Robbins, Isla Fisher, and Yaslin Bey (Mos Def) star.
**3/4 stars

Get on Up- Chadwick Boseman is the highlight of this biopic on the career of music legend, James Brown.  Boseman and the music are the stars and... there wasn't much else for me.  The direction of the film ranged from confusing, nonsensical flashbacks to Brown inexplicably breaking the fourth wall for no reason at all.  Boseman should be lauded as he has the artist's voice inflections and movements down to a science.  But, after seeing it, I'm glad I waited for a rental.
**1/2 stars

Whiplash- Miles Teller is a student in a prestigious music school whose goal is to become a premier jazz drummer.  The obstacle?  A tyrannical professor (J.K. Simmons) who seems to take an ominous delight in berating his pupils.  It's a good performance by Teller as a young man who becomes obsessed with his craft and pushed beyond his limits.  It's an exceptional performance by Simmons who really has never received enough credit for being the great character actor he is.
***1/4 stars

The Remaining- A group of friends examine their lives and faith as the Rapture strikes Earth in this apocalyptic horror film.  Neither thought-provoking nor particularly ominous, the movie just sort of lays there on the screen.  You had more poignant commentary on this type of apocalypse from a silly movie like This is the End than you do from this.  And it's shot in that annoying found footage format.
**1/2 stars

Foxcatcher- Based on a true story, Foxcatcher tells the tale of two Olympic-medal brothers (Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo) who become sponsored by wealthy and odd wrestling enthusiast, John Du Pont (Steve Carrell), to both train and instruct at his newly opened Olympic training camp on his estate.  Du Pont forms an unhealthy bond with one of the brothers that eventually ends under unfortunate circumstances.  It's a slow-moving film, but the three principal actors all turn in more than credible performances, particularly Carrell.  You've never seen him quite like this before.  He's almost unrecognizable.
***1/4 stars

If I Stay- Chloe Moretz stars as a 17-year old music prodigy who is gravely injured in a horrific car accident with her family.  Having to choose whether to live or succumb to her injuries, she takes the audience on a harrowing journey.  And harrowing is the word for it.  Between the film's frequent flashbacks/forwards, it's very hard to really care about anything that's going on here.  And Moretz's spirit self running through the hospital every few minutes started to become a little tedious.  Chloe Moretz is a very good young actress.  I don't fault her for this one.  She just had a dull script to work with. 
**1/2 stars

Birdman (or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)- Michael Keaton stars as washed up movie star, Riggan Thomson,  who writes, directs, and stars in the Broadway adaptation of a 1960s short story in an attempt to validate his career.  Thomson played the super hero, Birdman, in a trilogy of highly successful movies in the 90's.  He has a few idiosyncrasies like speaking to and holding conversations with himself in his Birdman persona and believing he can move objects through telekinesis.  His completion of his dream will not be easy as he's dealing with a volatile method actor and recovering addict daughter along with his own issues.  This is supposed to be a pseudo-comedy I think, but, it's a little too artsy to really determine what it is.  The best movie of 2014?  I think not!  And, it disappoints me to say that because I so wanted to like Birdman given the cast.  I like films that make you say, "What the Hell?", not "What the Hell was that?!!"  There's a difference.  Emma Stone, Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, and Zach Galifianakis co-star.
**3/4 stars

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb- Ben Stiller returns as the night security guard of the coolest museum on Earth in the third installment of the popular series.  This time, the magic tablet that makes all the exhibits come to life when the sun goes down is mysteriously dying.  So, it's up to their protector, Larry (Stiller), to unravel the riddle in Great Britain to save his waxy friends.  This third installment is cute and harmless.  It has some laughs, but, it's nothing you haven't seen from this series before.  I give it a slight recommendation, but, it's the dietary equivalent of empty calories.  Robin Williams, Steve Coogan, Owen Wilson, Rebel Wilson, and Ricky Gervais co-star.
*** stars

Jersey Boys- Clint Eastwood directs this adaptation of the Broadway play depicting the rise of the musical quartet, the Four Seasons.  Biographies for me usually fall on either side of the pendulum.  There isn't much room in the middle.  I found Jersey Boys to be competently acted, if not, greatly acted, and competently directed by Eastwood.  It handles 4th wall narrative much better than a previous biography, Get On Up,  I reviewed on this list.  The real treat in a film like this is the music itself.  I think the actors sang most of the songs themselves, which is impressive, if the actor who portrayed Frankie Valli could actually come close to the notes Valli himself could hit.
*** stars

American Sniper- Clint Eastwood directs another biographical story in 2014, this time depicting the life of Navy SEAL and sniper, Chris Kyle, who fought in the Iraq War on four separate tours of duty.  Known as the deadliest sniper in U.S. history, Kyle had a distinguished military career, but, found it hard to adapt to civilian life.  Eastwood doesn't pull any punches in his depiction of the general ugliness of war.  Unlike with many films of this nature, I didn't find the battle sequences over-sensationalized.  But it's still a grim look into the mind of a soldier bound by duty who had an extreme difficulty "turning it off" so to speak.
***1/2 stars

The Theory of Everything- Eddie Redmayne's Oscar-winning performance is very much deserved in this story depicting the life of physicist, Steven Hawking.  The film is mostly a vehicle for the Redmayne and co-star Felicity Jones in the role of Hawking's first wife, Jane.  It's a bit of a slow watch, but, it's a heartbreaking one as well given Hawking's circumstances battling ALS.
***1/4 stars

Fury- In this World War II action-drama, a lone U.S. tank crew deep behind German lines must hold a stretch of road alone after the rest of their unit perishes.  Fury is pretty much what you would expect from a film of this sort.  Intense action, bodies horribly blown apart, and a tragic ending greet you for the 135 minute run.  I don't think I'm really giving anything away there.  Don't all of these movies end tragically?  It's well done, but, I've had my fill of war movies.  Brad Pitt, Michael Pena, and Shia Labeouf star.
***1/4 stars

The Judge- Robert Downey, Jr and Robert Duvall star as a hardnosed judge in a small Indiana community accused of murder and his estranged hotshot lawyer son who defends him.  This one has usual family melodrama between father and son that you would expect.  It's the strength of the two leads that makes this an entertaining enough journey.  Billy Bob Thornton, Vera Farmiga, and Vincent D'Onofrio co-star.
*** stars

Before I Go to Sleep- This twisty thriller follows a woman who survives a brutal attack.  The catch?  Every night she goes to sleep, she forgets her former life.  To add to her confusion, the two men in her life, her husband and her doctor, seem to have competing agendas in jogging her fractured memory.  The ending devolves into the usual fight-for-your-life battle, but there are enough forks in the road to keep you entertained for its 90-minute runtime.  Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth, and Mark Strong star.
***1/4 stars

Dumb and Dumber To- The Farrelly Brothers collaborate once again with Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels in this sequel to the 1994 film.  So, is this second romp through idiocy successful?  Partially.  I'll admit I laughed loudly a few times.  But this film has the same "been there, done that" feel of most comedy sequels.  Do you really need to know the plot?  It's Carrey and Daniels acting as dementedly stupid as they possibly can.  If you're a fan of moronic nonsense, this movie is your Holy Land.  Personally, I think there's a place for inspired lunacy, or, at least an attempt at it, so I'll give it a mild (very mild) recommendation.
*** stars

V/H/S Viral- The horror anthology returns for its third installment.  While I admire that unknown indie filmmakers are taking a stab at a genre that many consider low rent, I have to say the sequels haven't been as inspired or as disturbingly weird as the original.  Once again shot in the found footage format that I "love", (that's the shtick of this series), the vignettes cover a wild car chase, an out of control magician, a parallel world, and a Mexican Demon Cult vs. skateboarders. 
**1/2 stars

The Imitation Game- This seems to be the year for biopics as this is yet another.  The film follows the life of Alan Turing, the British mathematician responsible for cracking the code to the Nazi Enigma Machine during World War II and the father of the computer age.  Yes, it doesn't sound very exciting, but, I was drawn in despite a somewhat haphazard time switches between past, present, and future.  Turing's story is a sad one as, by necessity, he can't be recognized for his work.  It's absolutely tragic that he is unable to lead a normal life period.  The movie is driven by a strong performance from Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role.  Keira Knightley co-stars.
***1/4 stars

The Fault in Our Stars- Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort  star as terminally ill teenagers who find love in this film adaptation of John Green's novel of the same name.  It's a bittersweet, if overwrought at times, romance that is made palatable by the likeability of the two leads.  I give much credit to Woodley and Elgort.  They have great and believable chemistry onscreen. 
*** stars

Ratings Legend
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Worth a look.  Better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. I'm doing my happy dance!
5 *= Pure eye candy. I have seen the top of the mountain, and it is good.