Star Trek: Into Darkness

Movie:  Star Trek:  Into Darkness
Major Actors: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, Benedict Cumberbatch
Rating: PG 13
Best Audience: Older children, teenagers, adults

Review:
I will preface this review by saying this:  I am not a Star Trek fan.  My brother and father are, but I am not.  However, I was a huge fan of the 2009 Star Trek (this film's predecessor).  I am a big fan of most things JJ Abrams does.  He directed the 2009 film as well as this one.

As the "Dark Knight" is to "Batman Begins," so is "Star Trek: Into Darkness" to "Star Trek."  That is to say...this movie owns.  Everything about it was excellent.  It was unpredictable, well written, action-packed, and character driven.  Benedict Cumberbatch was a superb villain.  In my opinion, Cumberbatch made this movie.

You do not have to be a fan of Star Trek to enjoy "Star Trek:  Into Darkness."

People Like Us

Movie: People Like Us
Major Actors: Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Olivia Wilde, Michelle Pfeiffer
Rating: PG-13
Best Audience:  Adults would enjoy this, and maybe some emotionally mature teenagers.

Review:

This is a heart-warming movie reminiscent of movies like Elizabethtown, Rain Man, Garden State, and Jerry Maguire.  Like those movies, this one features a career-focused, socially-detached main character who meets someone that makes him value personal relationships and family.

In this case, the main character (Chris Pine) discovers after his father's death that he has a sister he never knew about and that sister has a son.  He embarks on a journey of getting to know them, but does not tell them who he is (which inevitable leads to confusing emotions).  He also discovers the reasons behind their separation and the dark family secrets. 

Even though I feel like I've seen this movie before (since it is a frequently used plot), I really did enjoy it.  I would recommend it, especially for a wonderful performance by Elizabeth Banks, who steps out of her usual comedic role to play a damaged single mother.  However, I felt the movie left a big plot-hole and unanswered questions involving the main character's career.  If you liked Elizabethtown or Garden State, you will most likely enjoy this movie.