Antlers (2021)

 

Crazy Heart (2009)

 

 

A faded country music musician is forced to reassess his dysfunctional life during a doomed romance that also inspires him.

 

What could have been yet another all too familiar tearjerker is fully uplifted by Jeff Bridges' convincing (and entertaining) performance - amidst a good cast and solid direction.

Maltin***: "Amiable film admirably flirts with cliches at every turn, but Bridges' true, empathetic performance...makes this film worth seeing." 

 

 

Hostiles (2017)

In 1892, a legendary Army Captain reluctantly agrees to escort a Cheyenne chief and his family through dangerous territory.

Intense Western with splendid performances and cinematography has some harrowing scenes of violence; the anti-racist message, however, is presented without much depth and is quite predictable.

Out of the Furnace (2013)

When a young man mysteriously disappears and law enforcement doesn't follow through fast enough, his older brother takes matters into his own hands to find justice.

At its core a simple revenge story is heightened by excellent location cinematography and great performances throughout; Woody Harrelson is particularly efficient as a sinister low-life crook.

Maltin**: "A story that would have been exploitation-movie fodder in the 1970s is played here with a heavy hand, straining for significance. Good performances and vivid location work can only go so far."