Zero Dark Thirty - a capsule review by Camilo Arenivar

This movie begins with the haunting and chilling voices of people on 9/11, some who were on the phone with 911 operators while in the building. We are then propelled two years later, where the search for Bin Laden is on via coercion and yes even "advanced interrogation" of various detainees in the "war on terror". It's an image many have given the film criticism for, but as the credits say at the beginning of the film, this movie is "based on first-hand accounts of actual events". And that is how director Kathryn Bigelow delivers this movie, very matter of factly, not trying to overly convey a moral stance, but just events, as they are perceived to have happened.  The controversy alleges that the film  portrays the lead to Bin Laden being from torture.  I don't feel that is exactly the case if you pay attention to the details.

Anyhow, the main person at the lead for the search for Osama is Maya, played by Jessica Chastain in what very well may win her the Best Actress Oscar. She will certainly be nominated, as will the movie.  The movie has some slower parts at the very beginning, and some difficult to watch torture scenes, but as the years move on and we get closer to what we know the conclusion will be, it builds tension  and leads to a thrilling conclusion. Is it's 2 hours and 37 minutes running time a little too long? Probably.  But without the detail given to some of the relationships developed and the things experienced during the years, you might not be able to empathize with the feelings Maya has had on her long term search for Bin Laden. This movie may not appeal to all, particularly  the popcorn movie going type. However for those who appreciate the art of great film making, whether it be Hollywood formula or the intensity of history,  it is likely to be enjoyed.

Silver Linings Playbook - a capsule review by Camilo Arenivar

More than just another romantic comedy, it is the complex seriously emotionally damaged characters played by fantastic precision that has this movie being mentioned in the breath of the word, OSCAR.

Not since Homeland has a mainstream media filmed art brought to light the chaos that can be the un-medicated bipolar person's life. Add romance, the typically dysfunctional family, and the positivity and hope of the silver linings amongst the clouds life sends us,  the movie is resilient with hope in a place that is potentially chaotic and without hope.

Jennifer Lawrence steals every scene she is in, Bradley Cooper (The Hangover) establishes himself as an actual actor, and Robert DeNiro, for the first time in years,  shows us he in an Oscar worthy actor.

What's the movie about? One review I read said this: "...this story is a frenetic, emotional roller coaster ride that provides a glimmer of hope for the two damaged lead characters, while reminding that each of us may be a bit off-center in some way. Now add in the best young actress working today (Jennifer Lawrence just turned 22), a rare performance from Robert DeNiro where he seems fully engaged, a pulling back the curtain on Bradley Cooper as much more than a pretty face, and one of the best and most precise soundtracks in recent history ... now you have one of the best films of the year."

Yep. What more is there to say?