Lion

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
"Lion" is the engaging, heart tugging story (based on true events) of Saroo (excellent performance by Dev Patel), who after being separated from his family at the age of five and adopted by an Australian couple...is compelled to find his mother and brother in his home county of India.
-
The story slows mid-movie, but picks-up the pace toward the end.

Rated PG-13
2 hr.

Visit the movie website and watch the trailer.

La La Land

☆☆☆☆☆

+
"La La Land" is not only one of the best movies of the year...it is a movie that will stay with you forever. It is a story...told through music, dance, laughs, and tears...of two young people trying to make it work while chasing their hopes and dreams in Los Angles.

Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling give performances worthy of Academy Award nominations.
-
From a movie making perspective...the ending will please, but...

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 8 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Office Christmas Party

☆☆☆1/2

+
"Office Christmas Party" brings together some of the best comedic actors and comedians in the wildest Christmas party story ever told.

Jason Bateman does comedy so well!
-
The story gets a little convoluted and goes "over the top."

Rated R
1 hr. 45 min.


Visit the website and see the trailer.

Loving

☆☆☆☆

+
Based on a true story..."Loving" (directed by Jeff Nichols) is the touching story of the love of an interracial couple fighting (all the way to the Supreme Court) for the right to live as husband and wife in their hometown in Virginia.

The strength and love of this couple is inspiring.
-
The story lacked the emotional impact it could have had.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 3 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

Moonlight

☆☆☆☆☆

+
"Moonlight" is the award winning film directed by Barry Jenkins that tells a three part moving story of a man coming to terms with his sexuality (as a boy, a teen, and an adult).

Look for Academy Award nominations.
-
The teen character may have been miscast.

Rated R
1 hr. 50 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

The Edge of Seventeen

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Hailee Steinfeld steals the show in an award winning performance as Nadine, a struggling 17 year old high school junior who loses her father and her only friend...all of which adds to her downward spiral.

"Edge..." strikes a great balance of comedy and drama.
-
See this movie before it leaves theaters!

Rated R
1 hr. 38 min.

Visit the movie website and watch the trailer.

Manchester by the Sea

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
In one of the best films of the year to date, Casey Affleck gives an award worthy performance as Lee Chandler, a Boston janitor whose brother passes and leaves him as guardian of his nephew Patrick.

Well developed characters, good mix of drama and a little humor, and strong performances by Michelle Williams and Affleck (one of the most natural actors in front of the camera) add up to an excellent film.
-
Looking for a little more emotion.

Rated R
2 hr. 15 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

Nocturnal Animals

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Writer/Director Tom Ford creates a spellbinding, moody, sleek, sexy thriller staring Amy Adams as an art gallery owner who is captivated by a novel written by her ex-husband (played out on the screen)...a novel that makes her take a difficult look at her current life.

Outstanding performances (and possibly a few nominations) by Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Michael Shannon.
-
Ignore any negative reviews and see this movie.

Rated R
1 hr. 55 min.

Visit the movie website and watch the trailer.

Rules Don't Apply

☆☆☆

+
In this entertaining old Hollywood film, Oscar winner Warren Beatty stars (directs, and co-produces) as billionaire Howard Hughes who employees
and ends-up becoming very involved in the lives of young actress (Lily Collins) her driver (Alden Ehrenreich).
-
Difficult to take on the character of Howard Hughes after the image of Leonardo DiCaprio's award winning performance a few years back.
Unfortunately, the story is somewhat forgettable.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 38 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

☆☆☆

+
J.K. Rowling brings a little magic back in the story of Newt Scamander (great performance by Eddie Redmayne) a young brit who comes to America with a case full of creatures that end-up causing some problems for the wizarding community and the city of New York.
-
The story just does not development into anything exciting or even all that interesting.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 12 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Arrival

✩✩✩1/2

+
In this engaging sci-fi film...Amy Adams stars as Louise Banks, a linguist called on to investigate the alien language, and in turn help save the world.
-
Expectations could have been too high.

The reactions to the arrival of the spacecrafts was underplayed, and it was hard to get a sense of the impact of such an event.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 56 min.

Doctor Strange

☆☆☆☆

+
In this fun and entertaining Marvel film, Benedict Cumberbatch gives a strong performance as Stephen Strange...a surgeon forced to give-up his career...only to become a powerful sorcerer.

Outstanding special effects.

Great mix of fantasy and reality.
-
Do not miss the post credit scenes by leaving too early.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 10 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Bridget Jones's Baby

☆☆☆☆

+
Oscar winner Renée Zellweger is back as the endearing Bridget Jones. In this funny third installment of the franchise, Bridget finds herself pregnant...but uncertain which of her two love interests (Patrick Dempsey or Colin Firth) is the father.
-
It may be tough to find in theaters, but worth the rental.

Rated R
2 hr. 2 min.


Visit the movie website and see the trailer.

The Accountant

☆☆☆1/2

+
In this tense and engaging drama...Ben Affleck delivers an excellent performance as Christian Wolff, an accountant who is so talented that criminal organizations seek out his services.
-
Way too many "bad guys" and way too much violence.

Rated R
2 hr. 8 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

The Girl on the Train

☆☆☆☆

+
In this suspenseful drama...Emily Blunt gives an award winning performance as Rachel Watson...a recently divorced alcoholic who has a difficult time dealing with her ex and his new wife's life.
-
This one will keep you guessing.

Rated R
1 hr. 52 min.

Visit the official movie website and watch the trailer.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

☆☆☆

+
With just a hint of X-Men...Miss Peregrine and her children all have special powers...and meeting them is engaging and fun.

You can always count on Tim Burton to add a special unique quality (maybe odd) to any film he directs.
-
Maybe expectations were too high, but "Miss Peregrine's..." just missed the mark.
The time warps add a little unnecessary confusion, and we do not really to get to know most of the children.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 7 min.

Visit the movie website and see the trailer.

Bad Moms

☆☆☆☆

+
"Bad Moms" is the laugh out loud funny comedy starring Mila Kunis as the mom who seems to have it all...until she finally gives-up on trying to be perfect...and just starts to relax and have a little fun with two other Moms played by Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn.

Written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore ("The Hangover").
-
Ignore any negative reviews, and just have fun!

Rated R
1 hr. 41 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Star Trek Beyond

☆☆☆

+
If you are a fan...you will enjoy this installment of the Star Trek franchise. In this action packed sequel, Captain Kirk (Chris Pine gives another solid performance as Kirk) and his crew come face-to-face with an alien warrior on a strange planet after their spaceship is destroyed.
-
Just too much of the same.

Rated PG-13
2 hr.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Cafè Society

☆☆☆1/2

+
Directed by Woody Allen, "Cafè Society" is an engaging romantic comedy that takes viewers back to old Hollywood where Bobby (Jesse Eisenberg) moves from New York to L.A. to find work in the entertainment business with Uncle Phil (Steve Carell).
_
Less comedy...and more tragic romance.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 25 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie

☆☆☆1/2

+
Finally Ab Fab has made it to the big screen with the entertaining story of Edina (Jennifer Saunders) and Patsy (Joanna Lumley) on the run to the French Riviera.

Starring Kate Moss (as herself) and Chris Colfer ("Glee") as Edina's hair and make-up person.
_
Fans of the T.V. show will appreciate this film MUCH more than people meeting these two characters for the first time.

Rated R
1 hr. 26 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Ghostbusters

☆☆☆☆

+
Thirty years after the original, "Ghostbusters" returns with some of today's best comedic actresses including Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live), and Leslie Jones (Saturday Night Live).

Better special affects, funnier cast, and scarier ghosts.
_
Entertaining...but a so-so script holds it back.

The hilarious Kate McKinnon missed her chance to shine because her character was so poorly written.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 45 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

The Lobster

☆☆

+
In a film tied with "Swiss Army Man" for most original...Colin Farrell stars as David, a man who finds himself single in a world where single people have 45 days to find love or else be turned into an animal of their choice.
_
Starts as an interesting idea, and then makes a dive into just plain bizarre.

Rated R
1 hr. 58 min.

Visit the movie website and see the trailer.

Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates

☆☆☆☆

+
"Mike and Dave..." is the laugh out loud funny story of two out of control brothers who are required by their parents to bring wedding dates to their sister's wedding...to help keep them in line.

Adam Devine ("Pitch Perfect" and "Modern Family") and Aubrey Plaza ("The Office") really deliver the comedy.
_
This film comes very close to crossing the line into "silly," but good performances keep that from happening.

Rated R
1 hr. 38 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

The BFG

☆☆☆☆

+
Directed by Steven Spielberg, "The BFG" (Big Friendly Giant) is the charming story of a young girl who is captured by a friendly giant with an endearing smile.
The two (with the help of the Queen of England) take-on the unfriendly (man eating) giants.

Extra ☆ for some of the best (and most seamless) animation to date.
-
Could use a little more magic.

Rated PG
1 hr. 55 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Swiss Army Man

☆☆☆

+
In this off-beat, wacky drama (some say comedy) Hank (Paul Dano) appears to be stranded on a desert island when Manny (corpse played by Daniel Radcliffe) washes up on shore...and becomes Hank's "friend."

The most original movie in years...with two actors that completely "commit" to their performances.
_
Most critics refer to Hank's "journey" with Manny as imagination.
This critic sees Hank as a troubled young man dealing with serious mental illness.

Way too much focus on the gas in Manny's body.

Rated R
1 hr. 35 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

The Shallows

☆☆☆☆

+
In this tense thriller, Blake Lively (well-cast) gives a strong ("tough") performance as a med student who takes time off to surf a secluded Mexican beach where a great white shark is defending his feeding ground.
-
The ending is questionable.

Rated: PG-13
1 hr. 27 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Finding Dory

☆☆☆☆

+
Ellen DeGeneres gives an excellent performance as everyone's favorite short term memory challenged fish...Dory...in this entertaining sequel to "Finding Nemo."

With the help of Nemo, Marlin, Bailey (Ty Burrell), and Hank (great voice performance by Ed O'Neill), Dory searches for her parents.

-
It's hard to beat the original, but this is a strong effort.

Rated PG
1 hr. 40 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Now You See Me 2

☆☆☆☆

+
Even better than the first...more magic...more mystery...more intrigue.
The 4 Horsemen (Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Lizzy Caplan: new to the team) return to take-down a technology magnate who is out to steal private information from millions of citizens.

Great performance by Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter).
_
Once again...StarMovieReviews disagrees with the majority of the critics. This movie is worth seeing!

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 55 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

Love and Friendship

☆☆☆1/2

+
"Love and Friendship" is the smart and humorous story of Lady Susan Vernon (wonderful performance by Kate Beckinsale)...a widow dodging "society rumors" of romances.
_
This review is the opposite of most.
This film can be difficult to follow at times because of the heavy British accent and dialogue.
Some also consider "Love..." too "dry."

Rated PG
1 hr. 34 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

The Nice Guys

☆☆☆1/2

+
Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe make a good team as they partner-up as detectives in 70s Los Angeles.
Good mix of drama and laughs.
-
March's (Gosling) daughter, Holly March (Angourie Rice) doesn't seem to be getting any "nods" for her solid performance (with almost as much screen time as the two leads).

Rated R
1 hr. 56 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

X-Men: Apocalypse

☆☆☆1/2

+
Director Bryan Singer brings X-Men fans the action-packed story of the rise of the first mutant who is out to destroy the world with the help of a team of powerful mutants including...Magneto (Michael Fassbender).
Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) and Professor X head-up a team of young X-Men to defeat this dangerous mutant team.

Fassbender and Lawrence give solid performances.

Once again the best scene of the movie involves Quicksilver (Evan Peters).
-
X-Men fans will enjoy this movie...in spite of some pretty bad reviews.


Rated PG-13
2 hr. 16 min.



Visit the official and see the trailer.

Money Monster

☆☆☆☆

+
Jodie Foster directs this suspenseful drama starring Gorge Clooney as Lee Gates, the financial network's Wall Street TV personality. When Gates gives a bad lead...a disgruntled viewer takes the show hostage.

-
This movie is worth the price of a ticket. Give it a chance.

Rated R
1 hr. 30 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Captain America: Civil War

☆☆☆☆

+
Anyone who is a fan of Marvel's characters will enjoy "Captain America: Civil War"...the story of the division of the Avenger team due to the government threatening to step-in and to regulate their.

The battle between Team Steve Rogers and Team Tony Stark gives viewers action-packed fun.

-
Two and half hours is a little long for the amount of story. Trim some battle scenes and shorten the film.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 26 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

The Jungle Book

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Based on stories by Rudyard Kipling, director Jon Favreau brings us the entertaining story of Mowgli (human raised by a pack of wolves) and his adventures growing up in the jungle.

One of the best reviewed movies of the year.

Extra ☆ for outstanding CGI!

-
Not just a movie for kids. Fun for everyone.

Rated PG
1 hr. 51 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

The Boss

☆☆☆☆

+
Hilarious star Melissa McCarthy stars as Michelle Darnell...the 47th richest woman in the world who is sent to jailer for insider trading...and then left with nothing.

"The Boss" is laugh out loud funny...and if you like McCarthy...you will like this movie.
-
There are scenes that are over the top and outrageous...but if you know that going in...you will enjoy yourself.

Don't miss this movie because of bad reviews...and when you go...don't leave too early or you will miss the outtakes.

Rated R
1 hr. 39 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

Deadpool

☆☆☆1/2

+
Ryan Reynolds is well-cast as Marvel Comics' wackiest superhero who has an outrageous sense of humor...along with accelerated healing powers.
-
This is not your ordinary superhero movie!
Even though there were children in the theater...this one is for adults only due to extreme violence, sexual content, and nudity.

Minus 1/2 ☆ for excessive violence.

Rated R
1 hr. 40 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

☆☆☆

+
"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" is the engaging story (with a few surprises) of Superman (Henry Cavill) saving Lois Lane (Amy Adams)...but killing innocent people in the process. The citizens of Gotham (including Bruce Wayne/Batman) begin to see Superman as a threat to the people until The Man of Steel steps in to deal with Lex Luthor (excellent performance by Jesse Eisenberg).

Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill give solid performances as Batman and Superman respectfully.
-
The story has issues.

Viewers are giving this film better reviews than the critics.

Rated PG-13
2 hrs. 31 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Hello, My Name is Doris

☆☆☆☆

+
"Hello, My Name is Doris" is the enjoyable and touching story of Doris Miller (award winning performance by Sally Field)...a senior citizen who falls for her company's new and very young art director.
Max Greenfield (art director) holds his own and gives a solid performance.
-
Yes...the story (and Doris) are a little quirky...but worth the trip to the theater.

Rated R
1 hr. 35 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

Miracles from Heaven

☆☆☆☆

+
Jennifer Garner gives a solid performance as Christy Beam in this moving story (based on true events) of Christy's daughter Anna...who was diagnosed with a rare incurable disease.
_
Many say this film is strictly for religious people.
Anyone open to the possibility of miracles (and a good story) will enjoy this movie.

Rated PG
1 hr. 49 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

☆☆☆☆

+
Based on Kim Barker's memoir "The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan, "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" stars Tina Fey who gives a solid performance as Baker..who went to Afghanistan as a reporter in 2002.

The story is told with drama, action, and humor.

-
Ignore negative reviews.


Rated R
1 hr. 51 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Mad Max: Fury Road

☆☆☆☆

+
No one plays tough better than Oscar winning actress Charlize Theron...who stars in this post-apocalyptic sci-fi action adventure.

Winner of several Academy Awards...including film editing, production design, costume design, make-up/hairstyling, sound mixing, and sound editing.
-
Tough to find in theaters...but worth the effort.

Rated R
2 hr.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Oscar Winners

☆☆☆ - StarMovieReviews.com Predicted Winner



Best Picture


Spotlight




Best Director



☆☆☆Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Revenant





Best Actor



☆☆☆Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant





Best Actress



☆☆☆Brie Larson, Room





Best Supporting Actor



Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies





Best Supporting Actress



☆☆☆Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl




Best Original Screenplay



☆☆☆Spotlight





Best Adapted Screenplay



☆☆☆The Big Short





Best Animated Feature



☆☆☆Inside Out




Best Foreign Language Film


☆☆☆Son of Saul





Best Documentary Feature


☆☆☆Amy





Best Cinematography



☆☆☆The Revenant





Best Film Editing



☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road





Best Production Design



☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road





Best Costume Design



☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road





Best Original Score



☆☆☆The Hateful Eight





Best Original Song



“Writing’s on the Wall,” Spectre




Best Visual Effects



Ex Machina





Best Makeup & Hairstyling



☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road





Best Sound Mixing



☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road





Best Sound Editing


☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road





Best Documentary Short



A Girl in the River





Best Live Action Short Film



Stutterer



Best Animated Short Film


Bear Story

Oscar Predictions 2016

Best Picture

The Big Short

Bridge of Spies

Brooklyn

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

☆☆☆The Revenant

Room

Spotlight




Best Director

Adam McKay, The Big Short

George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road

☆☆☆Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Revenant

Lenny Abrahamson, Room

Tom McCarthy, Spotlight



Best Actor

Bryan Cranston, Trumbo

Matt Damon, The Martian

☆☆☆Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant

Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs

Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl



Best Actress

Cate Blanchett, Carol

☆☆☆Brie Larson, Room

Jennifer Lawrence, Joy

Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years

Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn



Best Supporting Actor

Christian Bale, The Big Short

Tom Hardy, The Revenant

Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight

Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies

☆☆☆Sylvester Stallone, Creed



Best Supporting Actress

Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight

Rooney Mara, Carol

Rachel McAdams, Spotlight

☆☆☆Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl

Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs



Best Original Screenplay

Bridge of Spies

Ex Machina

Inside Out

☆☆☆Spotlight

Straight Outta Compton



Best Adapted Screenplay

☆☆☆The Big Short

Brooklyn

Carol

The Martian

Room



Best Animated Feature

Anomalisa

Boy and the World

☆☆☆Inside Out

Shaun the Sheep Movie

When Marnie Was There



Best Foreign Language Film

Embrace of the Serpent

Mustang

☆☆☆Son of Saul

Theeb

A War



Best Documentary Feature

☆☆☆Amy

Cartel Land

The Look of Silence

What Happened, Miss Simone?

Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom



Best Cinematography

Carol

The Hateful Eight

Mad Max: Fury Road

☆☆☆The Revenant

Sicario



Best Film Editing

The Big Short

☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road

The Revenant

Spotlight

Star Wars: The Force Awakens



Best Production Design

Bridge of Spies

The Danish Girl

☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant



Best Costume Design

Carol

Cinderella

The Danish Girl

☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road

The Revenant



Best Original Score

Bridge of Spies

Carol

☆☆☆The Hateful Eight

Sicario

Star Wars: The Force Awakens



Best Original Song

“Earned It,” 50 Shades Of Grey

“Manta Ray,” Racing Extinction

“Simple Song #3,” Youth

☆☆☆“Til It Happens to You,” The Hunting Ground

“Writing’s on the Wall,” Spectre



Best Visual Effects

Ex Machina

☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Star Wars: The Force Awakens



Best Makeup & Hairstyling

☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out a Window and Disappeared

The Revenant



Best Sound Mixing

Bridge of Spies

☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Star Wars: The Force Awakens



Best Sound Editing

☆☆☆Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Sicario

Star Wars: The Force Awakens



Best Documentary Short

Body Team 12

Chau, Behind the Lines

☆☆☆Claude Lanzman: Spectres of the Shoah

A Girl in the River

Last Day of Freedom



Best Live Action Short Film

Ave Maria

Day One

Everything Will Be Okay

☆☆☆Shok

Stutterer



Best Animated Short Film

Bear Story

Prologue

Sanjay’s Super Team

We Can’t Live Without Cosmos

☆☆☆World of Tomorrow

Bridge of Spies

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Based on true events, "Bridge of Spies" (Academy Award nomination for best picture) is the suspenseful story of James Donovan (Tom Hanks)...an American attorney that negotiated the trade of a spy plane pilot being held by the Russian government for a Russian spy being held by the U.S.A.
_
May be tough to find in theaters, but worth the effort.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 15 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

Anomalisa

☆☆

+
Nominated for Best Animated Feature..."Anomalisa" is the story of an unhappy man struggling with the relationships in his life.
Jennifer Jason Leigh, David Thewils ("Harry Potter...Hallows Part 2), and Tom Noonan voice all of the characters.
_
It is hard to appreciate what is special about the movie when it just so melancholy...joyless...depressing.

Rated R
1 hr. 30 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

Youth

☆☆1/2

+
"Youth" (all star cast including Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Rachel Weisz, Paul Dano, and Jane Fonda) is the story of two old friends at the end of their careers taking a vacation in the Swiss Alps...and reflecting on their lives.
_
The film suffers from a poor screenplay that is trying too hard to be something profound.
Difficult to care about the underdeveloped characters.

Rated R
2 hr. 3 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens

☆☆☆☆

+
The seventh installment of the Star Wars saga is filled with action and adventure, and is sure to please Star Wars fans.
Great to be reacquainted with all of our favorite characters: Han Solo (Harrison Ford) , Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill).
-
It felt like watching a movie we have already seen. The film doesn't seem to be keeping-up with the times.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 16 min.

The Revenant

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Based on true events, "The Revenant" is a cinematic experience starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Hugh Glass...an explorer attacked by a bear and left for dead by a member of his own hunting team.

A top contender for the Oscar for best picture, best actor (DiCaprio), and best director (Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu).
-
Although DiCaprio gives an amazing performance...the lack of dialogue (some very difficult to understand) and the length of the film make it feel a little long.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Rated R
2 hr. 36 min.

The Big Short

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Adapted from Michael Lewis' best seller "The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine," the film manages to take a story about the housing credit bust from a few years ago and make it into an entertaining story with strong performances by Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt.
-
May be a little hard to understand and follow at times...but some fun "explanations breaks" help keep viewers on-track.

Rated R
2 hr. 10 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.

2016 Oscar Nominations

Best Picture

The Big Short

Bridge of Spies

Brooklyn

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Room

Spotlight

Best Director

Adam McKay, The Big Short

George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road

Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Revenant

Lenny Abrahamson, Room

Tom McCarthy, Spotlight



Best Actor

Bryan Cranston, Trumbo

Matt Damon, The Martian

Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant

Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs

Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl



Best Actress

Cate Blanchett, Carol

Brie Larson, Room

Jennifer Lawrence, Joy

Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years

Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn



Best Supporting Actor

Christian Bale, The Big Short

Tom Hardy, The Revenant

Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight

Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies

Sylvester Stallone, Creed



Best Supporting Actress

Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight

Rooney Mara, Carol

Rachel McAdams, Spotlight

Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl

Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs



Best Original Screenplay

Bridge of Spies

Ex Machina

Inside Out

Spotlight

Straight Outta Compton



Best Adapted Screenplay

The Big Short

Brooklyn

Carol

The Martian

Room



Best Animated Feature

Anomalisa

Boy and the World

Inside Out

Shaun the Sheep Movie

When Marnie Was There



Best Foreign Language Film

Embrace of the Serpent

Mustang

Son of Saul

Theeb

A War



Best Documentary Feature

Amy

Cartel Land

The Look of Silence

What Happened, Miss Simone?

Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom



Best Cinematography

Carol

The Hateful Eight

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Revenant

Sicario



Best Film Editing

The Big Short

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Revenant

Spotlight

Star Wars: The Force Awakens



Best Production Design

Bridge of Spies

The Danish Girl

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant



Best Costume Design

Carol

Cinderella

The Danish Girl

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Revenant



Best Original Score

Bridge of Spies

Carol

The Hateful Eight

Sicario

Star Wars: The Force Awakens



Best Original Song

“Earned It,” 50 Shades Of Grey

“Manta Ray,” Racing Extinction

“Simple Song #3,” Youth

“Til It Happens to You,” The Hunting Ground

“Writing’s on the Wall,” Spectre



Best Visual Effects

Ex Machina

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Star Wars: The Force Awakens



Best Makeup & Hairstyling

Mad Max

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out a Window and Disappeared

The Revenant



Best Sound Mixing

Bridge of Spies

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Star Wars: The Force Awakens



Best Sound Editing

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Sicario

Star Wars: The Force Awakens



Best Documentary Short

Body Team 12

Chau Behind the Lines

Claude Lanzman

A Girl in the River

Last Day of Freedom



Best Live Action Short Film

Ave Maria

Day One

Everything Will Be Okay

Shok

Stutterer



Best Animated Short Film

Bear Story

Prologue

Sanjay’s Super Team

We Can’t Live Without Cosmos

World of Tomorrow