THE REVIEW CORNER

Starring: Michael Shannon, Winona Ryder, Chris Evans, David Schwimmer, and Ray Liotta Directed by: Ariel Vromen Screenplay by: Morgan Land and Ariel Vromen      This is the true story of Richard Kuklinski (Michael Shannon).  Between 1964 and 1986 when he was finally arrested, it's believed that he killed over 100 people.  This isn't the story of a serial killer, but a good family man.  On one hand, he's a loving husband and father to two daughters.  On the other hand, he's a contract killer for the mob in New Jersey.  For 22 years, his family didn't know about his involvement with the mob.  They just thought he was a currency trader on Wall street.  This is the story of how Kuklinski led a double life for so long and how he got his nickname, the Iceman.      The story for this film plays out a little like The Godfather, except it's about a third the length of that film.  We first meet Kuklinski when he goes on his first date with Deborah (Winona Ryder), who

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton, and Carey Mulligan Directed by: Baz Luhrmann Screenplay by: Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce Based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald      Again, this is one of those movies based on a book that I'd recommend reading before you see the film.      Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) is new to the Long Island neighborhood of West Egg, where all the rich people with new money live.  He lives next door to a man named Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio).  Gatsby lives in a castle and has humongous parties every weekend.  People from all over, especially from New York City, come to his castle each weekend for these massive extravagant events.  As Nick gets to know Gatsby better, he finds out that Gatsby's life isn't just a big party and that he's not the huge legend he once was believed to be.      Director Baz Luhrmann creates a movie that seems like it's larger than life.  While the book has become an American classic and

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, and Ben Kingsley Directed by: Shane Black Screenplay by: Drew Pearce and Shane Black      Let me begin by simply stating if you haven't yet seen The Avengers : 1)  Turn off your computer and go see it NOW!!!!!!  Only then should you read further!!!! 2)  What on earth are you waiting for?  That movie came out a whole year ago!!!      Ok, now for my review:      Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is having a sleeping problem.  He's deeply troubled by something he experienced at the end of The Avengers when he went through the portal.  But this is a new story, and Tony has new problems.      There's a terrorist going around causing chaos around the world, known as The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley).  The battle begins when Tony threatens the Mandarin.  It's now up to Tony to destroy the Mandarin and protect everything he loves as old memories come back to haunt him, and old friends become ne