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What is surprising about "A Most Violent Year" is that is absent from the seven nominees for Best Picture at this year's Academy Awards. It is a shocker because whomever wins the award for best film at The National Board of Review usually wins best picture at the Academy Awards or at least scores a nomination. This film failed to do so on both accounts. The question is why? Is it boring? Did the Academy think that the themes of corruption, crime, and business, all set in the dangerous times of New York City in the 80's, wouldn't resonate with today's public? It would be interesting to hear why they didn't grant it an nomination because it is truly a magnificent picture.

Oscar Issac stars as Abel Morales, a business man who owns a oil company, who has finally reaches the big time. His wife, Anna Morales, played by the ever so beautiful and reliable Jessica Chastain, is right by his side to celebrate everything that he has earned. Since the film takes place in New York City, during the 1980's, which was far from the safe and beautiful place it is today, crime is rampant. One of his trucks, which is carrying 6,000 gallons of fuel is stolen. At first, it seems like a one time thing but as the movie progresses, more and more bad circumstances start to happen to Abel's company and personal life. All the awhile Lawrence, who works for the police department, is investigating all his numbers since half the businesses around the city have ripped people off. Abel tries to deal with this like a gentleman, but Anna will do anything to stay afloat and constantly criticizes his manhood for not taking charge and going full force on those who are threatening both his business and family. Can good old fashioned decency even exist in business, especially during this time?

Oscar Issac carries this film effortlessly. Abel struggles with doing what is right and what has to be done throughout the entire film. Issac shows this struggle through every grimace, frown, and wrinkled eyebrow. It is a quiet performance but shouldn't be overlooked like it unfairly has been. J.C. Candor, who wrote and directed the film, gives so many poignant and suave lines to Abel. This is a man who you can tell has truly worked for what he has earned, he wasn't given it. Many of the scenes are him conversing and cutting deals with the people around him. Many movie goers love the gun shots and violence of crime dramas, which this film does have, but that life isn't all about those choices. Characters like Abel are smarter and above those choices. His motto is that the best way to stay unnoticed is not to make noise. That motto is not shared by his wife who is played by Chastain. This is an actress who is becoming more and more better with each role she plays. I like to keep the word "I" out of my reviews but I think she really is the next Meryl Streep. Every role she takes on she knocks out of the park. Here, she is cunning, sly, and fierce. Yes, she did have the fierceness in 2012's "Zero Dark Thirty", but here she seems more frightening. Chastain plays Anna like a lioness protecting her cubs. She is incredibly believable as a east coast mafia girl. The accent, the temper, the guilt, the sex appeal..she has it all here. It is an amazing performance that adds even more to the level that Issac reaches. Both of these actors attended the famous acting school Julliard together and, it has been said, that they dreamed of working together one day. Well, they got their wish and the results are out of this world. Let's hope they do this again with the level of skill they achieve here. The performances are worth the price of admission.

J.C. Chandor's last feature, "All is Lost", was about a man, played by Robert Redford stranded at sea. The film was Redford all by himself for the entire length of the film fighting to survive. The film divided the people. Some thought it was boring, while others thought it was brilliant. Chandor likes to to tell his time with his storytelling so those of you who are allergic to a slow building story should stay clear of this film. For those who don't mind these kind of films know that films like these usually reward patience. A car chase in the film is thrilling and well shot. Another scene shows a truck driver running for his life from the police and those who are trying to harm him. The foot chase is beautiful staged and perfectly photographed. The cinematography is simple, but adds so much to the straightforwardness of the story. The colors are very basic which adds to the the vintage style it achieves in capturing. In moments where the thrills come through the dialogue driven scenes, Alex Ebert's haunting score heightens the intensity of those scenes even more. It is an all around masterpiece in film making that is captained by Chandor. There is so much morality in this film that Chandor brings out through his direction and masterfully written script.

"A Most Violent Year" has been unfairly forgotten by the most award circuit. Many people who go to the movies always defend their unnoticed films by saying, "who cares about critics, what do they know"? Well, people who love film also feel like that sometimes. This is a beautiful film that is wise, cool, and intense in its own subtle way. It is a damn shame it has been unappreciated. It is one of the best films of the year.

Seth MacFarlene is unapologetic about his brand of humor. Where Judd Apatow tries to hide his filth through witty dialogue, MacFarlene is in your face with his childish but often very funny humor. He knows deep down inside all of us, behind the maturity of being an adult, lies the ten year old snickering at fart, dick, and sex jokes. In his first feature film,"Ted", he had that humor channeled through a talking teddy bear. Here, he takes a the live action approach with parodying old school Western films.

MacFarlene, in the lead role, plays Albert, who is a wimp that is terrible at his job at being a farmer. His stock is sheep. The humor derived from his occupation of choice is smirk worthy at first, but quickly wears thin as the film moves along. The love of his life, who doesn't share the same feelings back, Louise, played by Amanda Seyfried, dumps him with in minutes of the film opening. The only friend MacFarlene has is a lovable loser like him. Edward, played by Giovanni Ribisi, is in love and about to get married to Ruth. Ruth, who is played by perfectly played by Sarah Silverman, is a prostitute that, on average, sleeps with fifteen guys a day. Edward doesn't mind it because he finds her job and life exciting, compared to his mundane one. The relationship is sweet and laughable. Silverman gives Ruth that dirty side that so many actresses would fail to put forward in a role like this. Ribisi, who played a creep in 2012's "Ted", once again embraces his creep side to play Edward. This time though he is a less scary creep and more of a lovable one. Albert's life is then given a kick when a beautiful outlaw named Anna comes to town. Charlize Theron, who seems to be having a great time, is a nice fit into the universe that MacFarlene has created. Her and MacFarlene have great on screen chemistry.

On top of his immature comedy style, MacFarlene has an obvious fondness for musicals. Anyone who has watched "Family Guy" sees knows that he can put together a good tune. He is a showman. The film, which is a very good parody of the west, is very light on its feet even when things do get dark or serious. Liam Neeson, who plays Anna's criminal out-law husband, Clinch, never really cracks a joke, but is the butt of many. While the film is a parody, it is very convincing recreation of the west. MacFarlene has created a living and breathing representation of what many would feel what it would be like to live in. While other films, especially comedies, romanticize the view of the wild west, his interpretation, while played for comedy, seems dangerous and wild. In one great bit, Albert rattles off everything that could kill you. One of the things we are informed about is doctors don't know what the hell they are doing and have silly and twisted methods on how to cure a simple cut or sickness. MacFarlene shows that when he isn't catering to the idiotic masses, he actually has a sharp eye for observational humor.

While those things do work, there are things that bog down the film. MacFarlene's immature side does get the best of him for the greater part of the film. His trademark fart and dick jokes contribute to many of the misfires in the comedy department. He also has a habit over going on too long with a gag or practically spoon feeding the audience punchlines. There are so many things to parody in this genre and he tries to fit everything into this picture. The film drags out too long and could have cut about twenty minutes out of useless material. A drug trip comes off as forced and too weird. Even though there is a great joke at Seyfried's expense in there. His need to cover every aspect of the genre does become a bit over abundant at times.

The one thing he did get right was the cast. While Neeson does cover the enemy role quite well, everyone else is ace with the comedy. Theron never stumbles with the comedy at all. Theron really does these kind of films but she definitely has a knack for them. Ribisi and Silverman are a great duo together. She uses his vulgar card full out in this film. It fits nicely with the character. Neil Patrick Harris is basically playing Barney here with a mustache. MacFarlene is okay as an actor; though he is no where near as strong as the costars he has surrounded himself.

"A Million Ways to Die in the West" is a cartoon come to life. Seth could have easily animated this film instead of doing live action. It embraces how ridiculous it is and does not pretend to be something smart or witty. You have to admire the truth in that decision. He is just there is have fun. The cartoon feel though does backfire at points because what works in one medium may not work in another.

One of the positive things about the new "Godzilla" is that it respects the lore of the great big guy. It shows you how off the 1998 version was, even if you liked it. Though this new version is fun to watch and gets a lot right, there still are some bumpy times to be had.

Behind the camera calling the shots this time is Gareth Edwards. Four years ago he was responsible for the the small, but very effecting monster film, "Monsters". His skills made that film impressive in the sense that he did it with a very small budget. It was a no brainer to have him make the reboot of Godzilla. Here, his monster is more of a supporting character that gets stuck behind some of the most interesting actors in film today. While some of the story works, other parts fall flat to mediocre story telling and overly dramatic parts. In 1999, an event rocked Tokyo causing a fall out at the Nuclear power plant. One of the victims was the wife of Joe Brody, played by Bryan Cranston. Any qualms about the other actors are put to rest when Cranston is on screen. Even though he has limited screen time he makes the most of it. His character's motivations are crazy but Cranston makes them sincere and real. While the public was convinced by the government that an earthquake was responsible for the fall out, Joe knows something bigger was at play. One of his escapades lands him in jail. In America, specifically San Francisco, Joe's younger and estranged military son, Ford, played by Aaron Taylor Johnson, is home with his own son and beautiful wife, Elle, played by Elizabeth Olsen. He is called to get his father out of jail. After he gets him out he is then whisked away on another one of his father's crazy missions to uncover the conspiracy that began in 1999. We find out that all the radiation from the nuclear tests have created a pair of monster like creatures named, "MUTO" (Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organism). The more radiation that is present, the more they will grow.

While these MUTOS have been given a scientific reason for existing, Godzilla is given a more mythological one, even though he has been created the same way. According to two scientists, played by Ken Watanbe and Sally Hawkins, Godzilla is nature's way of fighting back against the forces of mankind. "The ignorance of man is thinking that we are in control of nature and not the other way around", remarks Watanbe's character. It is a nice set up for why Godzilla exists in this world. It gives the character a bit of mystery. Edwards decisions on the big green guy are ace. The size and weight of him are perfectly captured. You will believe that Godzilla exists and is walking amongst the frightened citizens. The animation of the beast is absolutely breathtaking. Whenever he is on screen he demands your attention and you will give it to him. Edwards teases battles by cutting away from every one outside the final one at the end of the movie. It is a decision that may irritate some but fascinate others. When the final battle does come, it is worth the price of admission.

Of course, the movie can't rely on the title character to do everything. There has to be some human element to the story. While the story, outside of Godzilla isn't as bad as some might say, it is where the movie does feel a bit wobbly. When Cranston leaves, he actually takes some of the energy with him. All the actors are good, but they are given very little to work with. Scientific evidence comes off as mumble jumble at points. Olsen's character is given nothing more than being the concerned wife who cries a lot. This isn't going to be Shakespearean and she does give it her all. This isn't a knock against Olsen because a lesser actress probably would've destroyed the role and brought the movie down. The ending to the film is very overly dramatic and reminded me of something that should have been stuck in the 90's version of the story. What is a nice touch with the film is that before that ending the movie establishes the fact that Godzilla is just doing his own thing. The movie nicely separated the events of the humans and Godzilla. They were just in his way and he was in theirs. You can't fault the film for this extra cheese final minutes though because outside of that it does do pretty okay. Some of the shots Edwards conceives are a joy to watch, especially in a big theater, because of the epic scope of it all. He films some of the action using the first person technique that adds so much to scene that contributes the danger the characters are in during the monster scenes. One breath taking shot, from the trailer, has one of the paratroopers passing Godzilla on the way down to the ground. The dark clouds quickly fade away and we immediately see Godzilla and a MUTO battling, all in the first person perspective. It really brings home the point of how big and powerful both the MUTOS and Godzilla are and how minuscule the humans are against these things. Edwards establishes the atmosphere quite well through the film. These things are scary and powerful, unlike the walking lizard in the '98 version.

The action movie has evolved with films like "The Dark Knight" where the story and acting are as good as the effects. Though sometimes it is nice just to sit back and watch a well made movie that wants to have fun doing its thing. This is what "Godzilla" does. It never reaches the lows of some of the brainless movies that crowd our theaters. Edwards stages action with such an amazing eye that makes it both epic and suspenseful.