Young Adult (2011)

Jason Reitman directs another script by Diablo Cody (“Juno”), a dark comedy about high school — 20 years later. Charlize Theron is an understated force, a desperate, alcoholic who wants her old boyfriend back, while Patton Oswalt adds truth and humanity.

d: Jason Reitman | imdb.com | trailer | Do I know you? | Adorable
Checking in | Looking for a dress | Wedding photo

The Descendants (2011)

George Clooney, looking as weathered as he can, mourns the loss of his comatose wife through ponderous voice-over and discovers her recent affair in a soapy comedy set in Hawaii. Clooney and teenager Shailene Woodley are excellent, but the film is cold.

d: Alexander Payne | imdb.com | trailer | Charlie Rose
Mom was cheating on you. | Stalking. | We’ll surprise your sister.

Tower Heist (2011)

Eddie Murphy’s anticipated return to actual entertainment is mostly unfulfilled promise. Murphy isn’t nearly funny enough, and neither is Ben Stiller, thanks to a lackluster script. The best part is the heist, a farcical version of the “Ocean’s” movies.

d: Brett Ratner | imdb.com | trailer | Slide trains the crew.
We’re undefeatable. | Never give your wallet ... | Lunch is on me.

Margin Call (2011)

Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Simon Baker and Demi Moore negotiate the end of a fictional investment bank (Lehman Brothers) during the 2008 financial crisis, and writer-director J.C. Chandor uses taunt dialogue and few sets to make a thriller.

d: J.C. Chandor | imdb.com | trailer

Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)

In her first feature film, Elizabeth Olsen brilliantly portrays her desperate mental state after escaping from a cult in rural New York. John Hawkes (“Winter’s Bone”) is just as excellent as the cult leader. But the movie has no third act.

d: Sean Durkin | imdb.com | trailer | Elizabeth Olsen | the story

The Ides of March (2011)

George Clooney directs an elementary story of an idealized presidential candidate (played by Clooney) who turns out to be just as human as any politician, and aid Ryan Gosling realizes what everyone already knows — that politics is a cynical business.

d: George Clooney | imdb.com | trailer | Charlie Rose
the State of the Union | Make it mandatory. | My name is Molly.