A new armored truck guard is talked into stealing a truck by his coworkers that contains $42 million in the new action flick Armored. This is the kind of movie that gives action films a good name – a heist story with driving momentum.

After her husband goes missing in Afghanistan, a woman is comforted by her husband’s brother. Of course they hook up and the husband returns from the war to discover the truth about his family in Brothers. A sappy, overwrought tale with a heaping dose of predictability. Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal and Tobey Maguire star.

Up in the Air stars George Clooney as Ryan Bingham, a corporate downsizing expert who travels the country firing people for a living. Who would want that job? Well, he does and he’s about to be grounded thanks to new hire Natalie (Anna Kendrick) who develops a system of unloading employees through video conferencing instead of having to meet face to face. To save his gig, Bingham takes her on his latest road trip to convince her that the idea is flawed.  They both learn what is lacking in their lives. Perfect timing for a flick about downsizing the work staff and Director Jason Reitman brings out the best in his stars.

The original version of Everybody’s Fine was a great picture filled with beautiful imagery by Director Giuseppe Tornatore and although the American remake is different visually it’s still a good story. A widower , who realizes his only connection to his family is because of his wife, sets off to rebond with his grown children. This is a film that could have easily become a soap opera, but in the hands of Director Kirk Jones and the subtle performances from the actors (Robert DeNiro, Drew Barrymore, Sam Rockwell and Kate Beckinsale), Everybody’s Fine is, instead, a sweet family drama timed well for the holiday viewing audience.