12 Years A Slave (2013) - Steve McQueen

There are some fine actors in this film, Chiwetel Ejiofor carrying the movie along brilliantly. I don't think it's as good as most critics are reviewing it, but it is worth seeing nonetheless. It really hits on a few nerves and that alone is worth the ticket price. Brad Pitt producing plays the only nice white man. Well done him.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

SPOILERS American Hustle (2013) - David O. Russell SPOILERS

This was a lovely film. On first look, it has everything in it any film fan could want: a great cast, a tap-along soundtrack, and an auteur director.
The only problem I had with it, was the completely irrelevant and random kiss between Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence, justified to me by friends as just a moment of complete madness and passion. Also, I felt a tad bad for Bradley Cooper's character, because he seemed to get chastised the most at the end, when he'd only been doing his duty and was in the right the whole time.
Also, nice cameo by Robert De Niro. De Niro seems to want to be in as many films as possible these days, maybe due in part to his age, and knowing he hasn't got long left. He's an actor, who truly loves the craft.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Last Vegas (2013) - Jon Turteltaub

First trip to the cinema of 2014, and off to a cracking start. I do love a bit of Robert DeNiro as does everyone, and this film was a doozie. It wasn't like all the other bachelor party Las Vegas combo films that one finds. It was a film that shows no matter your age, with good friends, you can have a good film. Kevin Kline shined the brightest with the best lines, but his cohorts were not left behind. Excellent acting from the care home's finest, and timing was perfect for every joke.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆