Mary and Max (2009)

A tale of friendship between two unlikely pen pals: Mary, a lonely, eight-year-old girl living in the suburbs of Melbourne, and Max, a forty-four-year old, severely obese man living in New York.

Quirky and heartfelt tale about true friendship also has some sparks of black humor, but in the end it is quite endearing.

Lone Survivor (2013)

A Navy SEALS team is set out on a mission to capture or kill a notorious Taliban leader, but are left to fight for their lives in one of the most valiant efforts of modern warfare.

Warfare drama very successfully tries to recreate the actual feelings an reactions the team are confronted with in a hopeless ambush with emphasis on the personal interactions and omitting any political depth.

Maltin***: "...film manages to convey not only the brutality but the intense loyalty and feeling of brotherhood that exists among the SEALs."

Closed Circuit (2013)

A high-profile terrorism case unexpectedly binds together two ex-lovers on the defense team - testing the limits of their loyalties and placing their lives in jeopardy.

Well-produced thriller offers good lead performances, atmosphere and some suspense, but the legal case itself is a bit dubious and the conspiracy unconvincing.

Maltin**: "Unusual premise might have lent itself to a more compelling film but the logistics and complications of the plot keep getting in the way. Film can't decide whether it wants to be an intelligent procedural or a character-driven drama. In the end it doesn't work as either."

Deadfall (2012)

 

 

Two siblings decide to fend for themselves in the wake of a botched casino heist. 

 

Well-cast and suspenseful thriller marred by a quite unlikely plot. 

Maltin**: "Unpleasant characters propel this well-plotted but extremely violent crime thriller."