Drive
Moody, stylized remake of a 70s film about a guy who drives for the movies and criminals. He gets involved with a beautiful neighbor and, of course, everything falls apart from there. Thought the soundtrack was pretty weird. Liked the juxtaposition of the slow, reflective, scenes against the quick brutality of the violence. Not too bad, even though I generally eschew remakes, but I’m interested in Refn’s work. **

Deadwood
By far the best thing that’s ever been on television. Language, acting, writing, and characters all are reminiscent of Shakespeare. An insightful history of the United States. In Al Swearengen, David Milch and Ian McShane have created one of the great characters of all American drama. Really, really loved this. Glad I was finally able to get through all three seasons, and wished it hadn’t ever ended. *****

Safe House
Brutal, fast-paced thriller about a rogue CIA agent and the safe house caretaker who gets caught up in the attempts to assassinate him. Great action, and even though there’s an unjustified softening of the main character and a bit of a soft ending, it’s mostly well done. Enjoyed it. Ryan Reynolds didn’t even irritate me. Not bad. **

Another Earth
Original, interesting movie about a woman trying to deal with the consequences of having killed people in a drunk driving accident and the discovery of a mirror planet to Earth. Written by the starring actress. Some difficult scenes emotionally, and a great ending. Glad I saw it. **

The Ides of March
Well made political movie about the gamesmanship between two primary candidates’ teams. Excellent acting from a superior cast. Bleak, cynical, troubling, and undoubtedly an accurate portrayal. Even though it seemed a little too much like a play, glad I saw it. **

Killer Elite
Ok, but predictable movie about professional assassins battling SAS killers in 1980. Clumsy dialogue wasted on some good actors, only adequate fights and action sequences, and mediocre directing. Could have done without it. Good thing it was only $1. *

Contagion
Very well made and acted movie about a new, bird-flu like virus that sweeps around the world. Excellent acting from an outstanding cast and directing, as usual, by Soderbergh. Very interesting and pretty realistic, though kind of upbeat at the end. Glad I finally saw it. **

Anonymous
Interesting, well-done dramatization of the theory that the plays attributed to Shakespeare were actually written by Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford. I have found that theory very plausible for some time, so I enjoyed it, overwrought though it may have been. Glad I saw it. **

Underworld: Awakening 
Really lousy sequel. Dialogue and directing so bad I found myself laughing in places that weren’t supposed to be funny. Everything seemed artificially staged, the art direction was incoherent, and a good cast was embarrassingly wasted. Glad I didn’t pay for it. Still very bad. *