Kev's Reviews

When a present-day journalist (Dougray Scott) investigates Opus Dei founder Josemaria Escriva (Charlie Cox), he discovers a deep, dark secret that links his own father, Manolo (Wes Bentley), to Escriva. Manolo and Escriva were once close friends until the pair took two entirely different paths when war showed its ugly face. Manolo fought alongside the rebels, while Escriva pursued his faith and became a priest for the Roman Catholic church. Based on the incredible true story, this drama reveals the core values that killed a long-lived friendship. *** (three stars). The acting could have been better.

Based on the critically-acclaimed novel written by Best-selling author Stieg Larsson, David Fincher directs this gripping thriller that follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) and pugnacious computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara) who team up to investigate the mysterious disappearances of wealthy-man Henrik Vanger's (Christopher Plummer) niece. The pair are bound on a a gut-wrenching journey paved by the young girl's snatcher that will lead to an end nobody can foresee! **** (four stars). This is not a film for the weak of stomachs, but the acting was phenomenal! This flick will definitely receive Oscar-nominations.

Former baseball all-star Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) joins the Oakland A's, a baseball organization that simply cannot hold their own in the big leagues. The team faces financial issues  that lead to numerous devastating, but necessary, cut-backs  on players and managers. With controversial methods, Billy Beane leads this revamped Oakland team to the playoffs, but will they make it to the ultimate summer event every baseball player dreams about...The World Series? I give this film full of all-star actors **** (four stars). Co-staring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jonah Hill and Robin Wright.

After being tormented by nightmares about The Poet, FBI agent Rachael Walling receives a notice informing her of the resurfacing of the Poet. The serial killer who threaded poetry of Edgar Allen Poe into his heinous crimes is back- and has not forgotten about his relentless pursuer. Meanwhile, retired LAPD detective Harry Bosch is phoned by an old friend's widow, wanting to consult with Bosch about her husband's death. Seemingly natural, her husband's death was blown off by the police, but it was the perfect killing for the Poet, the very man he was hunting. Bosch crosses paths with Walling in a California desert where corpses are being dug up by the feds. The two, wanting the same accomplishment, team up. Facing all odds with the Poet and the FBI, Bosch and Walling will chase the Poet down a wicked ride full of suspense! They venture into his own darkness. .. Michael Connelly, yet again, delivers in this intense thriller! **** (four stars).

When an unidentified space craft lands in Johannesburg, South Africa , a group called the Multi-National Unit pushes the extra-terrestrial passengers into containment zones where they work constantly, even with the MNU commandeering the parts the aliens need to revive their vessel. Tensions between the humans and the aliens boil, until a rogue MNU worker aids the aliens in repairing the space craft, and leads a resistance movement against MNU and the organization's leader. I give this Golden Globe-winner and Academy nominee for Best Picture **** (four stars). This is the type of flick that some people like and others don't.

When a life-taking, infectious disease spreads throughout the globe, a team of doctors attempt to cure this seriously contagious sickness. Amidst this debacle, a hungry British journalist, Alan Krumwiede (Jude Law), attacks the government, criticizing it of its inability to contain the virus, and American Mitch Emhoff (Matt Damon) grieves about the death of his wife while defending his family against the dreaded disease. This intense sci-fi co-stars Lawrence Fishburne, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet and Marion Cotillard. I give this smartly produced film **** (four stars).