The Book Thief

What I liked:

• Sophie Nelisse is beautiful and talented.  I can't wait to see what she does next.
• Nico Liersch is adorable as Rudy.
• Emily Watson and Geoffrey Rush are fantastic as Liesel's parents.
• It also stars Heike Makatsch, Roger Allam, and Ben Schnetzer.
• The story is beautiful told.
• Hair, makeup, costume design, and the sets are all great.

Philomena

What I liked:

• It is based on a true story.
• Judy Dench is wonderful as always.
• Steven Coogan is great.
• It also stars Sophie Kennedy Clark, Mare Winningham, Peter Hermann, Sean Mahon, and Michelle Fairley.
• It makes you think and can spark some debate on the merits of forgiveness.

All Is Lost

What I liked:

• If you have to watch one guy on screen for a few hours, he needs to keep your interest.  Robert Redford is one of the few guys that can do that.
• The cinematography is wonderful.
• The story is interesting.

Ender's Game

What I liked:

• Asa Butterfield is a wonderful actor for his age.  He can express emotions so well for the camera.
• Outstanding supporting cast: Harrison Ford, Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin, Ben Kingsley, Viola Davis, Nonso Anozie, Aramis Knight, Suraj Partha, and Moises Arias.
• The special effects are top notch.  It never looks like a green screen.
• The animation is fantastic.
• The story is very interesting.  It's almost like a Hunger Games but for boys.
• The score is very good.  It reminds me of something that would be in Game of Thrones.

Thor: The Dark World

What I liked:

• Chris Hemsworth is still lovely eye candy.
• Natalie Portman never looked better.
• The best part of Thor is Loki.  Tom Hiddleston is incredible and the real reason to see this movie.
• The supporting cast is unbelieveable and should be featured more in the promotions: Anthony Hopkins, Christopher Eccleston, Jamie Alexander, Zachary Levi, Ray Stevenson, Tadanobu Asano, Idris Elba, Rene Ruuso, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Stellan Skarsgard, Alice Krige, and Chris O'Dowd.
• There are two good cameos.
• It's entertaining and funny.
• Lots of great action scenes.
• Make sure to stay in the theater until the light come on.  There are two extra scenes in the credits.  One with Thor and one without.

Nebraska

What I liked:

• It is delightful, charming, and heartwarming.
• There are many layers to the story.
• Bruce Dern is fantastic.  He can do so much without saying a word.
• Will Forte!  Who knew he could be a good serious actor?!  I hope he gets more roles like this.
• June Squibb is highly entertaining.  I hope she gets a Best Supporting nomination for this performance.
• Great supporting cast: Bob Odenkirk, Stacy Keach, Peg Nagy, Kevin Kunkel and Devin Ratray.
• It feels real and authentic to the American way - the good and the bad.
• It has a beautiful score.

12 Years a Slave

What I liked:

• It's crazy to me that this is based on a book written 160 years ago.  Why wasn't this story told sooner on the big screen?
• The story is intense and director Steve McQueen doesn't cut away from uncomfortable moments.  If anything he stays on them too long so that you really start to feel for what Solomon went through.
• Chiwetel Ejifor is fantastic as Solomon Northup.  He has a great shot at an Oscar nomination.
• Lupita Nyong'o is wonderful as Patsey.  The character almost flies under the radar for most of her screen time but then has a scene of a lifetime.
• A lot of people are talking about an Oscar nomination for Nyong'o (and it would be well deserved) but I think she has some competition from Sarah Paulson who plays heartless like no other.
• Michael Fassbender plays evil so well.
• The rest of the cast is a knockout as well: Dwight Henry, Bryan Batt, Kelsey Scorr, Quvenzhané Wallis, Scoot McNairy, Taran Killam, Adepero Oduye, Michael K. Williams, Paul Giamatti, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Alfre Woodward, and Brad Pitt.
• Pitt looked like his character from Legends of the Falls...just 20 years older.

• Great cinematography and camera work.
• Fantastic makeup and special effects.

Happy Birthday YHG!

The Young Hollywood Guide is three years old today!
Thanks to everyone for your support!  Please continue to comment, share and send me your suggestions!