American Sniper, The Gambler

American Sniper

The Gambler

War movies are not, as Daniel would say, my very favorite genre.

Unbroken, Big Eyes

Big Eyes

Unbroken

 

Lest I be accused of too many Santa Claus star ratings, let’s get to the bad stuff.

Selma

Airless, flat and squirmy, Ava DuVernay’s “Selma” is the epitome of what I call the “broccoli movie”: you’re supposed to see it because it’s good for you.

Into the Woods

Rob Marshall, who directed the Oscar-winning adaptation of “Chicago” (2002), again gives moviegoers a Christmas gift with the disproportionately enjoyable “Into the Woods,” with book by James Lapine and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Mr. Turner, The Captive, The Circle

Mr. Turner

The Circle

The Captive

Capsule reviews on the week's other releases:

Annie

If you want to know what’s wrong with Hollywood, look no further than the Golden Globe nomination for young Quvenzhane Wallis for “Annie.”

She's Beautiful When She's Angry, Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles

She's Beautiful When She's Angry




Quick capsules on two of the week’s new documentaries:

Inherent Vice, Maps to the Stars, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks

Inherent Vice

Maps to the Stars



Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks

Capsule reviews on the rest of the week's new features:

Top Five

Chris Rock's aggressively unfunny "Top Five" proves that he can make a picture as unenjoyable as Woody Allen's "Stardust Memories." Now all he needs to give us are thirty or forty classic films and he'll be right up there. 

Wild, Comet, Still Alice, Elsa & Fred, Voice of the King

Wild

Comet



Still Alice

Elsa & Fred

Voice of the King

Reese Witherspoon gives an appealingly relatable and unfussy performance - one worthy of an Oscar nom - as Cheryl Strayed in Jean-Marc Vallée's "Wild," which overcomes an occasionally on-the-nose script by Nick Hornby to provide a moving and highly sensory experience.

Antarctica: A Year on Ice, The Imitation Game, Viva La Liberta, Flamenco Flamenco, Once Upon a Time Veronica

Antarctica: A Year on Ice

The Imitation Game



Viva La Liberta

Flamenco Flamenco

Once Upon a Time Veronica




Quick capsules on the week's new releases: