“Everything I learned I learned from the movies.”
― Audrey Hepburn
The fact this movie exists is pretty confusing -- there simply are not enough plot points in "Mockingjay - Part 1" or compelling set-up for the grand finale to justify this underwhelming penultimate sequel.
There's virtually no important plot -- at best, it's a slightly warmed-over version of the original "Dumb and Dumber" plot (road trip to find girl, return item to her).
"Interstellar" is a masterfully crafted film rooted in exciting scientific ideas and based in essentially a love story - but it suffers a number of structural weaknesses.
The dramatic-comedy swipe at rudderless "gen-xers" has is propped up by a sympathetic director and strong key performances - but dragged down questionable plot points and thin supporting characters.
The latest from director Alejandro González Iñárritu ("21 Grams" and "Amores Perros") is arguably the most complete and complex cinematic experience of 2014, driven by incredible performances, a compelling character study, sharply-written dialogue and beautiful/daring cinematography.
Bill Murray brings to life one of the best film characters of 2014 in an uneven film that starts strong, but disappoints with an underwhelming second half.
This tank-centric action-drama might not go down as the greatest World War II ever made, but "Fury" is an exceptionally well-acted and executed thriller.
This unfocused, meandering and condescending bit of melodramatic anti-Internet propaganda is every bit as subtle and nuanced as the "Reefer Madness" stance on marijuana.
Anyone interested in watching a great lead actor performance will be satisfied -- but anyone looking for any insight into the life of legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix will be sorely disappointed.
Despite a premise on con men and murder, this misnomer of a noir-ish "thriller" sleepwalks its way across Greece from beginning to end.
First and foremost, find a theater where this film is playing and see it immediately. This is not merely a suggestion - seeing "The Guest" is an imperative.
Denzel Washington stars as a charming, if incredibly lethal, man who kills, executes and beats up anyone who stands in his way -- but this time the movie is called "The Equalizer."
This indie gem should be a case study in the critical importance of casting and sharp writing. "SNL" alum Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader are perfectly cast in this funny, moving and dark tale of depression, discontentment and suicide.
Not even this ensemble cast of comedy heavy weights manages to extract many laughs or drama in yet another tired dysfunctional family 'dramedy.'
This young adult drama could have made an interesting existential exploration of what makes life worth fighting for -- instead, this shallow flick opts for safe and uninspired story choices that literally determine a character's life or death.
This off-beat and endearing comedy proves - if nothing else - the Oscar-nominated and blockbuster popcorn movie actor has definitely not sold out.
This unusual romantic comedy/relationship drama/indie sci-fi hybrid is one of the most innovative and surprising film gems of summer 2014.
This follow-up is a lesser version of the original "Sin City" on almost every level and fails to flesh out the corrupted sprawling city in any meaningful way, making this one of the least necessary sequels of 2014 so far.
This nuanced and multi-layered film makes profound statements about the Catholic church's relevance today, the sex abuse scandal's aftermath and the continued need for good men to perform good works in an unrepentantly sinful world.
Although very reminiscent of its predecessor, "The Trip to Italy" remains every bit as fun, charming and engaging as the 2011 original.
