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Here's a look at all the new movies I saw this week. Brace yourselves, there's a lot.

Django Unchained
Starring: Jaime Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson, and Kerry Washington
Synopsis: This is a typical Quentin Tarantino film in terms of tone and style. But it's different from his other films in terms of how it flows. This is a film that is set in and around the world of slavery, and as such is not entirely politically correct. That being said, I think some of the criticism of the story is a bit over dramatic. There are parts that are uncomfortable, there are parts that are rough to watch, and there are elements of the story that are quite negative. That being said, this is still an interesting film. It isn't quite the masterpiece that "Inglorious Basterds" was, but it is a solid film. Foxx, Waltz, DiCaprio and Jackson all deliver incredible performances. It's overly violent at times — as all Tarantino films tend to be — it's funny at times and it's quite riveting. This isn't a feel good film, but for those that appreciate Tarantino as an artist, it's an entertaining film.
Rating: R for strong graphic violence throughout, a vicious fight, language and some nudity. Enter with caution.
Verdict: Four stars out of four.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, and Andy Serkis
Synopsis: The greatest adventures in life begin only after we have the courage to say yes. And those adventures change us in profound ways. Such is the message of “The Hobbit,” Peter Jackson’s prequel to “Lord of the Rings.” It’s fair to say that, for Jackson, the “Lord of the Rings” films — released from 2001 to 2003 — are similar to what the original “Star Wars” films were to George Lucas. After nearly a decade of working on other projects, it seems fitting that Jackson would return to the world of Middle Earth created by J.R.R. Tolkien to explore another aspect of the story. Indeed “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” — the first of three prequel installments — is a true prequel to the events of “Lord of the Rings.” But while those epic volumes told a story that was central to the survival of mankind and Middle Earth, the stakes aren’t as high in “The Hobbit.” In fact, the work is viewed more as a children’s story and clocks in a good deal smaller than “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. But for the film adaptation, Jackson and his writing partners — Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro and Fran Walsh — have combed through the archives of Tolkein’s work to create a more comprehensive and somber prelude to their classic trio of films, the last of which earned the honor of Best Picture. “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” really sets the stage for what’s to come, ties in to the world of “Lord of the Rings” and creates a new adventure all its own. That’s a lot to accomplish, but Jackson and his team are well versed in creating the kind of rich world needed to carry this off. I really believe “Star Wars” is a good analogy for what’s happening with “The Hobbit” films. Many of the familiar faces appear in the prequel — Gandalf, Lord Elrond (Hugo Weaving), Galadriel (Kate Blanchett), Saruman (Christopher Lee) and Gollum (Andy Serkis) — but it’s in a different context. Fans of the franchise know where the story for these characters ends up, but in this context all that is yet to come. Those who turn out to be villains are here presented as friends and key items — like the ring of power — hold different meanings. What is odd about Jackson’s approach is the tone of the films. “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” feels as serious, somber and dire as “The Lord of the Rings.” This is an odd shift away from the tone of the source material, which was more child-like. Still, this feels very much like a return to a familiar, popular world. The sets are familiar, many of the characters are familiar, the stakes are familiar and the production values are familiar. There are even similar musical beats and movements used, all of which help the viewer easily settle into the world for this journey. The construct of the films — being split in three — even feels familiar. “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” feels very much like “The Fellowship of the Ring,” from the way the journey begins to the journey itself and the end point of the first film. Doubtless for fans of Tolkien’s work and the world of Middle Earth, this will be a welcome return. Jackson has a gift for bringing these stories to life — mixing humor, drama and incredible effects work to bring this fantasy world to life. Freeman is the perfect actor to settle into the role of Bilbo and ground this story, while familiar supporting players — namely McKellen — help bring the narrative to life in a vibrant way. That being said, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” felt a bit long at 170 minutes and seemed to drag in parts. Hopefully the subsequent volumes can maintain the pace and feel of the latter part of the film. “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” isn’t as good as “Lord of the Rings,” but it feels like a fitting addition to the story.
Rating: PG-13 for extended sequences of intense fantasy action violence, and frightening images.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Jack Reacher

Starring: Tom Cruise, Robert Duvall, Werner Herzog, and Rosamund Pike

Synopsis: "Jack Reacher" is a film that is a victim of unfortunate timing, in some ways. Opening a week after the tragedy in Newtown, the film opens with a sniper picking off random targets in a crowd. That tugs at the emotional strings, but not in a way the film intends. Also unfortunate is that, despite all the talent involved, this isn't a great film. Christopher McQuarrie penned the script for "The Usual Suspects," which is a fantastic crime drama with incredible dialogue. But his script for "Jack Reacher" displays none of those elements. You can see what they're trying to do, it just doesn't work. Fans of the book will likely be disappointed by the casting of Cruise — who bears little physical resemblance to the description of the character in the Lee Childs novels. Fans of film will likely be disappointed by the overall flow of the film, the strange machinations of the plot and the way the film comes together. Especially strange is the presence of Herzog — an incredibly talented director — in a strange villainous role that is far from menacing. This film is mildly watchable but totally unmemorable.

Rating: PG-13 for violence, language and some drug material.

Verdict: Two stars out of four.

Les Miserables

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Russell Crowe, and Eddie Redmayne

Synopsis: Some movies are a reminder that the greatest oppression mankind faces is the absences of hope. “Les Miserables,” the musical based on the novel by Victor Hugo, is such a film. It’s a beautiful, moving, striking, stirring and heart-breaking story of people just trying to survive the rigors of life in the lower classes in 1800s France. As Fantine, the heroine who will do anything to provide for her daughter, opines in song, these characters “dreamed a dream,” but the horrors and challenges of life have quickly dashed those dreams. Director Tom Hopper, who wowed the Academy two years ago with “The King’s Speech,” offers another beautiful film that will likely be a strong contender at this year’s Academy Awards. Some will be disappointed with the way this film is adapted. Instead of the sweeping scope of the stage production, Hooper chooses to focus on tight, intimate shots. To me, that's taking advantage of the difference in the medium, but others might not feel the same. In addition, purists will note that some of the songs, arrangements, and flow of the plot has been altered for the film. That being said, it is still a moving production. Hathaway, Jackman and Samantha Barks deliver breath-taking performances. Hathaway and Barks have particularly moving musical numbers that provide some of the most emotional moments of the film. Others give passable performances, such as Crowe who settles decently into his role as Javert. Others felt a little forced, like the work of Seyfried. It's a solid production and an interesting film, but it may not rise quite to the heights some hoped for. Likely it will be an award contender, but it falls a bit short of the quality of some of the other films released this year.

Rating: PG-13 for suggestive and sexual material, violence and thematic elements.

Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Silver Linings Playbook

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert DeNiro

Synopsis: There have been a lot of movies and TV shows that have tackled the topic of mental illness. There have been various depictions of people dealing with maladies of the mind that have caused people to think about these struggles in new ways. But rare is the film that finds the sweet-centered comedy in such a situation. That’s part of the genius of “Silver Linings Playbook,” one of the finest films of 2012. It’s a quirky delight that’s dramatic, hilarious and romantic at times — a rare achievement for a film of any kind. With “Silver Linings,” director David O. Russell continues his streak of incredible — and incredibly diverse — films. This time his work is buoyed by a pair of incredible performances from Bradley Cooper and 2012’s hottest actress, Jennifer Lawrence. “Silver Linings Playbook” is one of the most beautifully romantic films of the year, which is probably its most shocking feature. Pat and Tiffany are two people that lack social graces and a filter. Both are prone to outbursts, losing control in their own way and saying whatever pops into their head. At first, that’s played for uncomfortable laughs. But, slowly, that turns out to be one of the strangely beautiful beats that draws these two people together. The film is also quite funny in a dry, ironic way. That has been a Russell trademark through the years, and something he does in a unique way with this film. From the scenes to the intimate shots, this is a film that feels very personal and moving. All the pieces of the journey matter, paying off beautifully in a richly rewarding final act. The film is also blessed with incredible performances. Few actors have transformed themselves in as many ways as Cooper. This isn’t a breezy comedy or romance film. Pat is a broken, complicated character, and Cooper brings all that to life beautifully. He slides into the role gracefully and brings the audience into Pat’s world in an authentic way. Lawrence is his equal on the screen. She brings life and depth to Tiffany in such away that you can’t help but root for these two to get it together. It’s a complete 180-degree turn from her role in “The Hunger Games,” but no less impressive and compelling. The film features rich supporting performances as well. DeNiro and Weaver shine as Pat’s parents, Chris Tucker adds some comic relief as one of Pat’s friends from the hospital and John Ortiz is great as Pat’s best friend. Everything comes together in an amazing way with this film, which is sure to be a contender for the year’s top prizes come awards time.

Rating: R for language and some sexual content/nudity. Enter with caution.

Verdict: Four stars out of four.

This Is 40

Starring: Leslie Mann, Paul Rudd, and Albert Brooks

Synopsis: In 2007, when Judd Apatow released his comedy "Knocked Up," you couldn't help but feel the supporting characters played by Mann and Rudd stole the show. Apparently many that watched the film felt the same way, and five years later in this sort of sequel, the couple played by Mann and Rudd take the starring role. This is similar to Apatow's other films, and works mainly thanks to the comedic talents of Rudd and Mann. The criticism of this film is the same you could offer of many of his films — it's sometimes uneven and could benefit from having about 25 minutes cut out. When a comedy ranges to the 130 minute mark, it begins to wear out its welcome. That's certainly the case with this film as well. Though it is enjoyable, and quite funny at times, the film is overly long and somewhat uneven. It's good, but not as good as it could be. It's enjoyable, but meanders too much to rise to the level of Apatow's best comedies.

Rating: R for sexual content, crude humor, pervasive language and some drug material. Enter with caution.

Verdict: Three stars out of four.