“Les Misérables” (PG-13) ***** What a surprise this film is! It takes an epic story and focuses on the intimacies in it. As a result, it is still epic, though not as overwhelmingly as you might expect. At times it…
Mike at the Movies
Mike at the Movies
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“Anna Karenina” (R) **** It’s not fair. Nobody should be able to look so fabulous from so many angles as Keira Knightley does in this film. Okay, so the director, Joe Wright, gave her plenty of opportunities to look fabulous,…
Mike at the Movies
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“Lincoln” (PG-13) ***** Never before have I seen a better portrayal of American history, American politics or a better delineation of character in a film of any sort. I say “any sort” because this film is so good that it…
Mike at the Movies
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“The Sessions” (R) ***** The story of poet and writer Mark O’Brien is so singular that it is hard to draw generalized lessons from it. Paralyzed by polio at the age of 6, he was put into a nursing home…
Mike at the Movies
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“Argo” (R) ***** Watching this film is like watching a classic opera: You know how it’s going to end, yet every measure is enjoyable. Ben Affleck directs and stars as Tony Mendez, the legendary CIA “exfil” (exfiltration) expert who is…
Mike at the Movies
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“End of Watch” (R) ***** Wow! What a fine film! Honest, gritty, involved, plotted beautifully, incredibly acted and totally disgusting in language and subject matter; nevertheless, this is one of the best films of the year. Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael…
Mike at the Movies
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“Finding Nemo – 3D” (G) **** Let us be clear: This is not “Finding Nemo – 2.” That will be released in 2016 with a new story and most of the same voices. This is a re-release of the 2003…
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“Hit and Run” (R) *** This is a goofy film that some may find too potty-mouthed but which possesses a rough charm, if for no better reason than that it’s goofy. Yul Perkins, aka Charlie Bronson (Dax Shepard, who wrote,…
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“Hope Springs” (PG-13) **** Never have a single fried egg and slice of bacon held such symbolic power. That is the breakfast that Kay (Meryl Streep) serves Arnold (Tommy Lee Jones) every morning as he galumphs to the breakfast table…
Mike at the Movies
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“Moonrise Kingdom” (PG-13) ★★★★★ What a wonderful quirky, idiosyncratic, tender, funny love story this is! A combination of two young actors making their film debuts and an all-star class of veterans combine with the darkly comic Wes Anderson, who wrote…