Lincoln *****

One of the very best films of 2012 and a new high point in historical movie-making, "Lincoln" focuses on the last tumultuous months of the 16th President's time in office, when he struggled to amend the Constitution to abolish slavery and bring an end to the Civil War in a manner that would restore the union. This is unvarnished history and politics, where low means are employed to bring about the very highest of ends, and men of principle may tell less than the whole truth if that half truth will help set men free.

Parallels with our own times are rife, although it would be a mistake to draw only topical references from a project so meticulously researched and in development for almost 10 years. Tony Kushner, who won the Pulitzer Prize for "Angels in America," has constructed a towering screenplay, largely based on Doris Kearns Goodwin's Lincoln biography, "Team of Rivals." Steven Spielberg has assembled the very best talent to write, produce, and portray this story, perhaps most importantly Daniel Day-Lewis to play Lincoln, whose Oscar for this performance is already conventional wisdom.                                                                              

Day-Lewis's Lincoln is not your theme-park president. His Lincoln has a high-pitched voice (which carried farther than Douglas' in their famous debates) and a combination of warmth and reserve that sometimes seems odd, but oddly right for the character. Sally Fields captures the emotional and high-strung Mary, torn in so many directions and still grieving for her lost son. Tommy Lee Jones, one of many superb supporting players, brings the firebrand Thaddeus Stevens to life in his struggle to rid the union of the stain of slavery.

"Lincoln" is rich and rewarding, and one movie I would happily see again.

Silver Linings Playbook ****

In this genre-bending drama/romantic comedy, two damaged people find in each other a person they can connect with. Just out of a mental institution, former school teacher Pat (Bradley Cooper) can't let go of his illusion of getting back with his ex-wife, while young widow Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) feels she must offer herself to anyone and everyone. Pat is released on the condition of staying with his parents (wonderfully played by Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver), while Tiffany has converted the garage behind her parents house into her own private dance studio.

Performances are uniformly outstanding, and the dialogue, I suspect lifted from Mathew Quick's novel of the same name, rings true not only for this Philadelphia neighborhood, but also for the off-kilter and surprisingly unfiltered truths that delusional and depressive people can say. It's a satisfying and plainly adult movie that makes you care about where these two will end up as they battle their demons and strive to help each other.

Skyfall *****

For my money the best Bond film yet, "Skyfall," behind the spectacular movie train fight, the fun-house mirrors of a Shanghai skyscraper elevator, and other iconic locations, is a more personal story centered on M and her past. It's clear from the incredible opening sequences that M (Judi Dench) is not infalible, and James Bond (the redoubtable Daniel Craig), is all too human. A specter from M's past, coldly play by Javier Bardem, wreaks revenge on MI6, and Bond and M each confront their past life in a, shall we say, explosive showdown. I especially enjoyed it in IMAX, which director Sam Mendes took some pains and expense to use extensively.

Pitch Perfect ***

"Pitch Perfect" is a refreshingly entertaining film centered on Beca (a smart and empathetic Anna Kendrick), a freshman with ideas of her own, who brings some much-needed life to a staid college a capella singing group. All of the girls in the cast can, and do, actually sing, and the arrangements are a fine mix of standards and mashups. Rebel Wilson, who was so funny in "Bridesmaids" and "Bachelorette," rounds out a hat trick of stellar turns with her portrayal of Fat Amy, who calls herself that before the "stick bitches" can do it behind her back. It's great toe-tapping fun, good laughs, with the requisite growing pains that even stick bitches must suffer.

Chasing Mavericks **

I had high hopes for this true story of a legendary surfer, since Gerard Butler, who plays the mentor,  and Elisabeth Shue, who plays the single mom of Jay Moriarity, can unquestionably act, and act well. The story and production, alas, are more on the level of a TV movie, and fail to deliver on both the coming of age drama side and what should have been spectacular surfing sequences. It's a shame, dude.

Cloud Atlas ****

I give this one four stars for effort, execution, and performances. Set in multiple times past, present, and future, with actors portraying several characters, sometimes of multiple genders, the theme of the movie of the interconnectedness of live and the survival of souls is well represented and embodied in this ambitious undertaking. It takes a bit of concentration from the viewer, but it is cleanly put together, surprisingly so for such a far-reaching tale. It's a case well made, but in the end, it's a point that seems too broad and simple, rather than deep and meaningful.