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

Black Mass
Starring: Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Kevin Bacon, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dakota Johnson, and Corey Stoll
Synopsis: For a long time gangster films have been a staple of American cinema. More than 40 years after its release, “The Godfather” continues to be among the most popular movies of all time. “Goodfellas,” the Martin Scorsese classic, is in its 25th year and still going strong. So it makes sense that these type of films continue to roll out each year. The latest in a long line of gangster stories is “Black Mass,” which opened on Friday. The film follows the real story and events of the life of James “Whitey” Bulger and his Winter Hill Gang. With the help of a deal made with the FBI, Whitey Bulger was able to build an empire and remain on the run for years. The film closely follows the events of his story, including his deal with the FBI and the years spent building his empire. Depp has played a lot of iconic parts. He began with Edward Scissorhands and more recently as Capt. Jack Sparrow. He’s also played famous criminals before — having taken on the role of John Dillinger in “Public Enemies.” But as Whitey Bulger, Depp gives a different kind of performance. Depp sinks into the role and offers a unique and powerful performance. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen from him before. He disappears into the role — thanks in part to the look he’s given — and is the best thing in the film. That isn’t to say the rest of the film is bad, it’s just not as engrossing or compelling as you might hope. There is a good supporting cast — including Dakota Johnson, Kevin Bacon, Peter Sarsgaard, Adam Scott, Julianne Nicholson, David Harbour, Rory Cochrane, and Jesse Plemmons, in addition to Cumberbatch, Edgerton and Stoll. All do a fine job in their roles, helping to bring this true life story to the screen. Director Scott Cooper (“Crazy Heart,” “Out of the Furnace”) works to get the most out of his performers. But the problem is the film feels a little dull and oddly constructed. The original cut of this film was purportedly three hours, while the final cut comes in at just 122 minutes. That means nearly an hour was cut out, and you have to wonder if some of that was key to developing the story, which feels sprawling and disjointed in the final cut. I loved Depp’s performance, but I just thought the movie was OK. In order to make your mark in the genre you have to create something original and compelling. That doesn’t happen with “Black Mass.”
Rating: R for brutal violence, language throughout, some sexual references and brief drug use. Enter with caution.
Verdict: Two stars out of four.

Captive

Starring: Kate Mara and David Oyelowo

Synopsis: "Captive" is based on a true story and purports to be a story of faith overcoming long odds. I guess, in some ways, it is. The film is based on the memoir by Ashley Smith and chronicles the night she spent as a hostage for escaped prisoner Brian Nichols. Mara and Oyelowo are great actors that give their all to these parts, but I felt like the movie was thin. It's advertised as this story of faith that heals two broken people — Ashley a drug addict trying to get her daughter back and Brian a murderer trying to come to grips with the choices he's made and the son he'll never get to know. I was moved by those aspects of the trailer. But the film doesn't really get much into that. Sure, Smith is able to find the strength to say no to drugs, and Nichols ends up surrendering without blood shed. But there's scant little time devoted to the idea of God or the book, "The Purpose Driven Life," which features prominently in the trailer. In the end this is a film that wants to tell a Christian story made by a larger studio starring recognizable names, but it's no better than most other Christian films. It was fine, but hardly the compelling story I thought I would see.

Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic elements involving violence and substance abuse.

Verdict: Two stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:

Friday, September 25 — "Everest," "The Intern," "Hotel Transylvania 2," "The Green Inferno"

Wednesday, September 30 — "The Walk"