Zelig 1983 - 2 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 1983 this film runs a short 79 minutes,is in B&W and you'l understand why after seeing it.The only thing worth seeing it for is that super in position of a documentary style that was  cutting edge back than and the interplay between Woody Allen and  Mia Farrow.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

Fictional documentary about the life of human chameleon Leonard Zelig, a man who becomes a celebrity in the 1920s due to his ability to look and act like whoever is around him. Clever editing places Zelig in real newsreel footage of Woodrow Wilson, Babe Ruth, and others. Written by Scott Renshaw <as.idc@forsythe.stanford.edu>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agkCEOHQVgg

Total Recall 2012 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

This 2012 release that runs 158 minutes is based on a 1990 film that I must revisit as I don't remember it well.However THIS remake CAN stand on ot own due to a B+cast and good FX for those who like that sort of stuff.The cast includes Kate Beckinsale,Colin Farrell,Jessica Biel and "Breaking Bads"nasty Bryan Cranston.Recommended on its own merits.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

In the near future Earth almost uninhabitable, only two territories remain, The United Federation of Britain or UFB, and the Colony. The UFB has been trying to make the Colony part of them but a group led by a man named Matthias and rumor is that a UFB security man, Hauser is helping them but word is that he is dead. Douglas Quaid, a man who lives in the UFB who is married to Lori, has been having nightmares of him being in some kind of battle with another woman, that ends with him getting captured. He decides to go to Rekall, a place where a person can experience something by having it implanted in his mind. When the memory he chooses is about to be implanted, it is detected that he has memories of being a spy, that's when they pull guns on him but some UFB security people show up and shoot up the place. Quaid goes home and tells Lori what happened, that's when she tries to kill him. He asks her why is she trying to kill him, she tells him that she's not his wife, she's UFB security ... Written by rcs0411@yahoo.com

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2983110425/

August Osage County (2013) - 3 stars out of 5 stars

Seen this all before.Only the acting makes it worth a view in this 2013 release that runs 121 minutes.The cast is A+ headed by Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts with many others turning in fine performances.Benedict Cumberbatch again shows why he's a up and coming actor to watch in a small but important role.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

A look at the lives of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose paths have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Oklahoma house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2288757017/

Captain Phillips 2013 - 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

This 2013 release,that runs 134 minutes, is based on a true incident you might remember.
Even if you don't,its a current events lesson as well as good drama.The acting is A+ headed up by Tom Hanks an newcomer Barkhad Abdi. I highly recommend as a primer to the nasty world we live in.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.

The true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi699050009/

12 Years a Slave (2013) - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

A graphic rehash of the old slave plantation days is shown in this 2013 release that runs 134 minutes.While the acting is great,the story is interesting,but at the end of the day nothing that hasn't been shown or said before is shown other than basingt his film on a book written by a former slave. The "N" word is also said for effect too much for me.Still the younger folks who didn't grow up seeing the old YV series"Roots"would learn some things I believe.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi302032921/

Her 2013 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Strange film that is not for everyone.I can best describe it as Woody Allen getting freaky with Siri,although its NOT a Allen film however.Still this 2013 release that runs 126 minutes,draws heavily on Allen's films without the humor. Thats all I'll say.If you like Allen,you'll love this extrapolation,otherwise,you won't.Trailer follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.Oh great cast,but its the story here that matters.

A lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with his newly purchased operating system that's designed to meet his every need.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi4112492569/

American Hustle 2013 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Reportedly  based on a FBI sting called "Abscam"back in the 70's,this 2013 release that runs 138 minutes,is little more than your standard "con man"genre film distinguished by a truly fine cast and some great acting headed by,Amy Adams,Christian Bale,Bradley Cooper,Jeremy Renner,Jennifer Lawrence and many many more with a few cameos as well.I would thus rate it higher if I didn't really care for the genre.So recommended for those who like such films and the trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

A con man, Irving Rosenfeld, along with his seductive British partner, Sydney Prosser, is forced to work for a wild FBI agent, Richie DiMaso. DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2928060441/

Gravity 2013 - 3 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2013 and running 91 minutes,this is a FX masterpiece put little else.Its a standard survivor genre flick with average acting and very poor science.Sandra Bullock's hair is always neat in wait-less situations,get the picture?? Anyway,the oscar buzz and FX make it worth something but the science,not so much.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

A medical engineer and an astronaut work together to survive after an accident leaves them adrift in space.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2340006169/

The Wolf of Wall Street 2013 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

This rather long,180 minutes,2013 release directed by   Martin Scorsese was interesting only in the over the top portrayal by  Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort .What was missing was any new insights into "the street"as a whole.Thus the tepid recommendation.Not for kids because of excessive nudity and foul language. Still ok for one adult viewing.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below,

Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2312218649/

Chasing Mavericks 2012 - 3 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2012 and running 116 minutes,this film gave me a mixed reaction.On one hand I am a sort of surf dude in spirt,on the other,the casting and acting was poor I felt.Still based on a true story and some fine shots of big wave surfing,its worth one view for me and maybe you??Maybe I'm a big fan of Gerard Butler,but I felt the rest of the cast was poor and was Elisabeth Shue ever wasted !!!! Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.  

When young Jay Moriarity discovers that the mythic Mavericks surf break, one of the biggest waves on Earth, exists just miles from his Santa Cruz home, he enlists the help of local legend Frosty Hesson to train him to survive it.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3776161561/

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) - 3 stars out of 5 stars

This 2013 release that runs 146 minutes,is the second in a 3 part trilogy and is therefore unsatisfying pot and story wise and therefore forces you to the third installment for closeure.That said it is kinda entertaining and well acted for sure.Jennifer Lawrence shines again and in a much bigger role does Donald Sutherland.After the first film there was some debate about resemblance to"Battle Royal",a film reviewed on this blog,but this time there is really a definite feel of"Rollerball",a film also reviewed on this blog,that is far more striking.So a tepit recommendation,nothing more. Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

A year after winning the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and her partner, Peeta Mellark must go on what is known as the Victor's Tour wherein they visit all the districts. But before leaving, Katniss is visited by President Snow who fears that Katniss defied him a year ago during the games when she chose to die with Peta. With both Katniss and Peeta declared the winners, it is fueling a possible uprising. He tells Katniss that while on tour she better try to make sure that she puts out the flames or else everyone she cares about will be in danger. But unfortunately she fails to do that. So Snow decides to enact what is known as the Quarter Quell, the right to make a change to the Hunger Games, which he is allowed to do every 25 years. He decides to hold an edition of the Hunger Games wherein previous winners will compete again. Their mentor Haymitch thinks their best chance to survive is form an alliance with some of the others. They decide to align themselves with Finnick and his... Written by rcs0411@yahoo.com

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi4243236889/