Zero Dark Thirty

It’s Zero Dark Thirty; do you know where the terrorists are?  I’m being sarcastic, but then again, how do you find someone, who has changed the course of history so radically, who definitely doesn’t want to be found and has the means and support to do so effectively?  As with the Hurt Locker, Kathryn Bigelow has bit off a big chunk of what we all wondered about, but had no clue that it would take someone with “fresh” eyes to figure out where Usama Bin Laden was holed up.  We go from 9-11 to his demise and follow the path that “Maya”, a CIA operative, who began her career two years out of high school, takes to logically and systematically successfully conclude her mission.  The film is definitely based in truth, however, there are disclaimers as to some of the events and the actual identities of the agents are obviously protected.  Jessica Chastain is totally one with her character and has, without a doubt, earned her Best Actress nomination.  Unfortunately, once you see the film, you may not want to view it again.  During the screening that I attended, there was a gentleman sitting in the back, commenting throughout the film during key scenes.  It is a very emotionally charged film, however, for the same reason that they ask you to silence your cell phones, don’t text, etc…it would have been nice if this person had respected the others in the theater who had come to draw their own opinions of the film.  That being said, this writer gives it 3.86 stars and stripes.

Silver Linings Playbook

As my good friend would probably say---life in Pennsyltucky is a whole lot different experience.  Different from what?  In this case, sanity and living a happy go lucky life.  Our hero, if you want to call him that, Pat, is bipolar, obsessed with getting his wife, job, and life back after an extremely violent outburst eight months earlier.  This resulted in a restraining order and a stint in a mental hospital in Baltimore.  Obsession seems to be an underlying stream of consciousness in this quirky love story, whether it’s a football team, a failed or failing marriage, a perfect home, and dealing with grief in inappropriate ways.  This is not exactly your run of the mill rom-com.  Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper play off of all the “nut jobs” around them as if they’re perfectly normal and everyone else has the problem.  It’s brilliant and their performances are outstanding.  The soundtrack is great, the dancing, won't win any DWTS episodes, but better than I thought and there's a very funny bit you don't want to miss.  If I have to predict a winner, though, this would definitely be in the middle half of my choices…I give it a four out of the nine choices for best picture and a rating of 3.7 stars.  Excelsior!