Jackie (opens December 16th at the Cedar Lee Theatre)

[JACKIE opens in Cleveland on Friday December 16th exclusively at the Cedar Lee Theatre.]

Review by Pamela Zoslov

I was two years old when President Kennedy was shot. Even though I have no memory of it, the assassination occupies a large part of my consciousness. I first encountered the images — the smiling president's motorcade, the defiant Lee Harvey Oswald, the grieving Jackie, little Caroline and and brave toddler John Jr. saluting his father's casket, Jack Ruby leaning in to shoot Oswald — in Four Days, a white-covered commemorative book sold in our city by the Cleveland Press. As a curly-haired tot, I scribbled with a crayon on its pages. As an adult, I amassed an impressive collection of books on the assassination. Of course, I am not alone in having that permanent mental photo album, and thinking still, more than fifty years later, about the assassination and its mysteries.

Thor: The Dark World

Review by Bob Ignizio

The latest Marvel film to roll off the assembly line is THOR: THE DARK WORLD, and once again it delivers a smart, funny, action-packed piece of superhero cinema. Taking place in the aftermath of 2012's superhero team-up THE AVENGERS, that film's villain Loki (Tom Hiddleston), who also happens to be the adoptive brother of Thor (Chris Hemsworth), about to receive his punishment back home in the other dimensional realm of Asgard. Only the love of stepmother Frigga (Rene Russo) saves the power hungry trickster from the death penalty, his step father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) instead sentencing him to life in prison. But when a menace from Asgard's distant past is unearthed by scientist (and Thor's girlfriend) Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), Loki is the only one who can help Thor combat it.

Thor

Review by Bob Ignizio

Thor makes for an interesting departure from the usual super hero formula. He has no secret identity, and no need for an origin story or any pseudo-scientific explanation for how he got his powers. He's purely and simply Thor, the God of Thunder we know from Norse mythology. Or to be more precise, the immortal alien being the Vikings once worshiped as such, dodging any possible theological issues the character might otherwise raise.

As played by Chris Hemsworth, Thor is something of an arrested adolescent who isn't happy unless he's fighting or partying, He's arrogant, rash, and certain he knows better than his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins), who Thor will one day succeed as ruler of the Asgardians. Thor mistakes his father's caution and thoughtfulness for cowardice. With a little subtle nudging from his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), he openly defies Odin by breaking a truce with another race of immortals known as frost giants. Odin contains the mess as best he can, but realizes his progeny needs to be taught a lesson in humility. To that end, he strips Thor of his powers and sends him to earth.

Your Highness

Review by Pete Roche

The title of the new David Gordon Green comedy YOUR HIGHNESS may refer to either of King Tallious’ two sons simply because they’re princes—or because half the time they really are high on drink or drugs. Like John C. Reilly, potty joke-purveyor Danny McBride has played second fiddle to other frat-boy funnymen (Will Ferrell and Seth Rogen).  He’s also played with James Franco before (PINEAPPLE EXPRESS).  So if you crave crudity and crassness in your medieval adventures, McBride’s first shot at headlining is shamelessly successful.

McBride is Thaddious, slacker son of a king in an alternate-Camelot where two moons decorate the night sky. Thaddious likes to drink and make merry with dwarf women, but is pressed into service when the bride (Zooey Deschanel) of his handsome, heroic older brother Fabious (James Franco) is kidnapped by salacious warlock Leezar (Justin Theroux).  Unenthused, Thaddious hires an attendant with a bowl haircut to keep him entertained (and inebriated) on the quest.  He wants no part of a campaign whereon Fabious will once again outshine him with unerring poise, overcoming obstacles and felling foes en route to his quarry.