Preston Barta // Film Critic
“Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” 136 min.
Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Stars: Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Redford, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie and Cobie Smulders
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, gunplay and action throughout.
Rating: 3.5/5
“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is by far the grittiest and best sequel in the Marvel universe. Our titular hero, played spectacularly by Chris Evans, continues to try and fit in with the modern world, while simultaneously taking down bad guys— this time around, it’s the Winter Soldier. The film includes a dash of humor, gripping action sequences with a plot spiced with conspiracy and adventure. It’s a great appetizer to hold us over until the Avengers unite once again in next year’s “Age of Ultron.”
“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” opens today.
“Rob the Mob,” 104 min.
Director: Raymond De Felitta
Stars: Michael Pitt, Nina Arianda, Andy Garcia and Ray Romano
Rated R for pervasive language, some sexual material and brief drug use.
Rating: 3/5
“Rob the Mob” sees an engaging couple (a dynamite Michael Pitt and Nina Arianda) who specialize in robbing mob owned social clubs. On top of pocketed cash and jewels, the duo stumbles upon a bigger score than they could have ever imagined, causing them to become targets by the mafia and FBI. Despite its tonal issues and melodramatic side stories, “Rob the Mob” is an excellent “Bonnie and Clyde” like story filled with genuine laughs. It’s a gangster offering you can’t refuse.
“Rob the Mob” opens today at Mesquite 30 Theatres.
“Words and Pictures,” 111 min.
Director: Fred Schepisi
Stars: Clive Owen, Juliette Binoche and Bruce Davison
Rated PG-13 for sexual material including nude sketches, language and some mature thematic material
Rating: 3/5
Opening the Dallas International Film Festival last night, “Words and Pictures” is a lighthearted romantic-comedy about two two dueling prep school teachers, played by Clive Owen and Juliette Binoche, who form a rivalry and enter a competition at their school in which students decide whether words or pictures are more significant. Beyond the consummate acting and Fred Schepise’s slick directing, the greatest strength of the film is Gerald Di Pego’s screenplay. Given its subject matter, the story could easily have veered into melodrama, but just when it is on the verge of doing so Di Pego pulls us back from the edge. “Words and Pictures” is a gentle, funny and educational film that “Philomena” and “The King’s Speech” crowds will devour.
“Words and Pictures” opens June 6.
Previously published on NTDaily.com
