The Raid 2

Follow-up to the original which was pretty decent. This kung-foo, shootem up, take no prisoners is awful. Police officer goes undercover to gain exceptence into a Japanese gang who is a war with a Chinesse gang; can't tell the difference between the two. However this brave warrior either mains or kills  hundreds of bad guys, did I say you can't tell the difference. Have two beers, forget this movie!!

Draft Day

The last 12 hours leading up to the 2014 NFL draft extravanza is portrayed by Cleveland Browns GM played by Kevin Costner. Wheeling and dealing draft picks for the number 1 football player player keeps Costner busy fighting not only his own family but team coach as to who is the right person. Jennifer Garner co-stars as  team financial guru. Some what long but beautiful views of many NFL stadiums . Scene stealer is the nerdy intern assigned to Costner. 3 bananas

Grand Budapest Hotel

Wild, wacky, wonderful comedy crime caper set in the 1800's with an all-star cast to big to mention or recognize. Story is retold of the conceirge in the  Grand Budapest Hotel who becomes involved in just about everything; seducing older women, murder, mayhem, prison break, stealing and much more. His character is so rich that you laugh even something isn't funny. This is a must see movie if only to try to identify all the stars who are wildly made up.  Fun, fun,fun!!  4 bananas

Non-Stop

Engaging high drama over the ocean. Liam Neesom, a down and out air marshall, flying an International route starts receiving death messages on his secure phone. After the 1st death, things kick into high gear as the hunt for the killer takes many false turns. Good cast makes this a fun movie. Keeps you in suspense till the very ending. 3 bananas

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

Jack Ryan, Tom Clancy's hero in his series of books, returns to show how he began his climb to the top. As a CIA financial analyst recruit he discovers very large sums of money tied to a Russian plot to destabilize the US dollar. He is sent to Russia to seek out the mysterious movement of money and becomes involved in mayhem and intrigue. Fast paced and enjoyable. 3 bananas

Lone Survivor

Drama based on actual events. Navy Seals are inserted into mountainous area of Afganistan to take out Afgan leader. Mission goes awry when team captures and releases goat herders who in turn report whereabouts of the Seals. Story is one of brotherhood and courage as the team undergoes brutal fighting conditions on the rocky slopes of a mountain. First movie I've seen where there is a standing ovation at the end. Not to be missed. 3 1/2 bananas

The Wolf of Wall street

Leonardo DiCaprio is highly entertaining as a novice stockbroker who figures out very early in his career that there is tons of money to made from the gullible public. As he rises from grunt to Broker owner drugs, booze and prositution become an everyday affair. Money starts pouring in from mostly illegal transactions the problem becomes what to do with it  as well as setting the FBI onto his trail. 3 hours of mostly light hearted comedy with just one last scene that makes the audience gasp. 3 1/2 bananas

American Hustle

Somewhat based on the 70's Abscam affair, this drama/comedy is one of those  movies that you've got to be paying attention to. Low level FBI officer recruits two scam artists to set up 4 minor sting operations. Things get a bit dicey when an operation all of a sudden involves both major politicans and the Mob. Who's scamming who turns this into a really fun movie to see. Great cast makes this a winner. Multiple awards possible! 3 1/2 bananas

Hobbit:Desolation of Smaug

2nd in the trilogy of the hobbit films. The dwarfs and Bilbo are still trying to get to the mountain filled with gold guarded by a dragon. Along the way many unexpected battles with creatures take place making this a fun but long in tooth movie. Much like the first it's filmed with the beautiful New Zealand backdrops but the 2 1/2 hours feels like 5. The first movie left you wanting more, this one wants the plot to be over with. 2 1/2 bananas

Philomena

May be the best movie of the year. Judy Dench gives a super performance as the Irish lass who 50 years ago had a boy out of wedlock and now wants to find her son. Dench teams up with a journalist who has been recently fired from the BBC to find the son and to publish a human interest book of their travails. Many twists and turns in this true story of how the Catholic church  imprisoned young unwed mothers and sold their children. Don't miss this.  4 bananas