Testament of Youth (2014)

A British woman recalls coming of age during World War I - a story of young love, the futility of war, and how to make sense of the darkest times.

Based on writer, feminist, and pacifist Vera Brittain's autobiography, this well-produced and well-cast movie is more melodrama than an illustration of the development of Brittain's convictions. 

Pompeii (2014)

A slave-turned-gladiator finds himself in a race against time to save his true love, who has been betrothed to a corrupt Roman Senator, and, as Mount Vesuvius erupts, he must fight to save his beloved as Pompeii crumbles around him.

Below-average historical catastrophe drama full of age-old cliches; one is relieved when the volcano finally erupts.

Maltin**1/2: "Special effects are the star attraction in the kind of sword-and-sandal epic that was once a staple in Hollywood. This is pure, hokey fun for the nondiscerning, even if Sutherland's bad-guy performance is a bit monotonous."