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Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Woody Harelson, Elizabeth Banks, and Natalie Dormer
Synopsis: “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1” ends when it’s really starting to get good. Or rather, it ends just when you want it to hit the climax. That’s not to say the preceding two hours are bad, just incomplete. But could it really have ended any other way. The fact that it’s part one of a story that was contained in a single book means you won’t have closure. And that’s what happens here — there is no closure, just a set up for that closure sometime next November. Blame “Harry Potter.” Ever since the producers of that franchise realized they could dominate the headlines, extend their run and increase their Box Office haul by splitting the final book into two films, everyone has followed suit. So this “Hunger Games” movie has more filler than the other two, and in a lot of ways the ending is much less satisfying. That’s not to say it’s a bad film, just not a whole story. It’s still “The Hunger Games,” and it’s still beautifully put together. Because of the nature of splitting this film, there is little in the way of showdown or resolution. In a lot of ways, “Part 1” feels like a chessboard where all the pieces are being moved into place. The stakes are high, the key players are set and just when you’re ready for the big action, the film ends. Which isn’t to say nothing happens. Quite a bit happens, actually, but this film lacks the dramatic action of the arena or an epic battle, which is what served the third act of the previous two films. Still, it has plenty to say in terms of exploring this world and these ideas. The initial film established a brutal world that, if we’re honest, forced us to consider where we’re headed as a society. There is a lot of subtext in these books and in these films. Katniss is the heroine and the central figure, but she’s also a teenage girl who’s been forced to fight and kill, and someone who is struggling with survivor’s guilt and a healthy dose of PTSD. This film, like “Catching Fire,” doesn’t shy away from exploring Katniss’ fragile mental state. She suffers nightmares and struggles to be the brave public face of this resistance while crumbling on the inside. That is a fascinating dichotomy, and one of the aspects that adds true emotional depth to these films. The performances here remain strong. “The Hunger Games” have been blessed with a talented cast — which includes Hoffman, to whom the film is dedicated, Moore, Stanley Tucci, Sutherland, Woody Harelson, Elizabeth Banks and Jeffrey Wright. All play their parts well here. But this is Lawrence’ franchise, and most of the narrative flows through her. As we’ve seen in a myriad of films the past few years, she’s an incredibly talented and versatile actress, and she doesn’t shy away from any aspect of Katniss. She plays the darker emotional moments just as fiercely as her action scenes. She is not just the face of the resistance, she’s the face of this franchise and she does it well. Director Francis Lawrence, who took over the series with “Catching Fire,” continues to do a nice job bringing this story to life. “Part 1” sets the stage for the epic conclusion while advancing all the pieces and the narratives. It’s a compelling, interesting and sometimes beautiful film, even if it doesn’t have a satisfying resolution to offer. I love this film franchise, and I can’t see how it ends. “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1” does a great job of setting the stage for the final chapter and whetting our appetites to see how it all comes to an end.
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images and thematic material.
Verdict: Four stars out of four.

Rosewater

Starring: Gael Garcia Bernal, Claire Foy, and Shohreh Aghdashloo

Synopsis: Jon Stewart isn't known for drama. He's a comedian who's the host of "The Daily Show." But for his directorial debut, he took on a passion project that feels miles away from the light-hearted political satire of his day job. And that's because the story of "Rosewater" — which tells about Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari (Bernal), who was detained in Iran for more than 100 days following the Presidential election in 2009 — was personal. Part of the "evidence" used against Bahari by the Iranian government was an interview he gave with Jason Jones, a "Daily Show" correspondent. Stewart does a good job of bringing the story alive, and Bernal shines in a difficult leading role. This tells the story of an election and a country that many won't be familiar with. It's a well crafted film that is quite compelling. This is a well made film, and one that you can tell Stewart poured his heart and soul into making. For an initial offering and a very personal film, he does a beautiful job of telling this story.

Rating: R for language including some crude references, and violent content.

Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:

Wednesday, November 26 — "Horrible Bosses 2," "Penguins of Madagascar"