“Silver Linings Playbook”
A former high school teacher (Bradley Cooper) gets help getting his life in order from a mysterious woman (Jennifer Lawrence).
The film from writer/director David O. Russell seems a little staged in the early moments as Cooper’s character moves back home after a stint in a mental institution.
“Silver Linings Playbook” steps up once Lawrence joins the mix. It’s a brilliant performance, good enough to earn her an Oscar.
Grade: B
“The Guilt Trip”
A mother and son learn a lot about each other during a trip across the country. This is basically a two-person play with Barbra Streisand as the star and Seth Rogen as a supporting player.
The script by Dan Fogelman gives Streisand all of the best lines and even some broad comedy to play. Streisand seems to have found an acting Fountain of Youth as she embraces every moment with great energy and pizazz.
Grade: B
Also new
“Strictly Ballroom”: The 1992 dance hit is out on Blu-ray.
“Broken City”: Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe and Catherine Zeta-Jones star in the story of an ex-cop trailing the wife of New York City’s mayor.
“Friends: The Complete First Season”: Seasons one and two are available on Blu-ray.
“Not Fade Away”: Coming-of-age story of three friends growing up in the New Jersey suburbs during the ’60s.
“Night of the Living Dead: Resurrection”: The film — based on the original “Night of the Living Dead” — follows a family trying to escape the dead in West Wales.
Rick Bentley, The Fresno Bee (Fresno, Calif.)
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