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

On the Basis of Sex
Starring: Felicity Jones, Armie Hammer, Justin Theroux, Sam Waterston, Kathy Bates, and Stephen Root
Synopsis: It's been quite a ride for Ruth Bader Ginsburg of late. The Supreme Court Justice has become something of a star with the tumult in government and thanks to the top 2018 documentary, "RBG." And now comes the biopic of the fight that defined her career, her fight for gender equality. "On the Basis of Sex" begins with Ruth (Jones) as a law school student at Harvard, fighting a male-dominated environment. Then it moves to her trying to find a job and ending up a professor at Rutgers where she could take her own cases, including fighting against laws that discriminate based on gender. That fight is the heart of "On the Basis of Sex," including her landmark case before a Federal Appeals Court in Denver, Co. There by her side all the way was her husband Marty (Hammer), and their relationship is also at the heart of the film. Jones, an Academy Award nominee, is quite good in the role and carries the film on her more than capable shoulders. The supporting cast here is good, too. I loved Hammer in his role, and Theroux brings his typical professionalism to the role of Mel Wulf. I think this is a well told story, and a story worth telling. I enjoyed the performances and the craft here, and think it's one of the better offerings early in the year.
Rating: PG-13 for some language and suggestive content.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

The Upside
Starring: Bryan Cranston, Kevin Hart, and Nicole Kidman
About: This is a high profile cast and a feel good story, which is usually something that pleases critics and draws audiences. In this case, the Box Office has been good, but the reviews and some of the buzz has been less than that. In part it's due to the controversy surrounding Hart, who withdrew from hosting the Oscars. In part it's because this is an English language Americanization of the award nominated French film "The Intouchables." There was even some controversy about Cranston playing someone who is handicapped. I get all that, and I am not going to speak to any of that here. I also didn't see "The Intouchables" when it was released, and I'd wager most American audiences don't even know the film exists. We can quibble about that, too, but it's not totally relevant to this film. "The Upside" was atop the Box Office last weekend, and actually boasts a respectable 88 percent audience score. That shows folks enjoyed the film. And I count myself among them. It's the story of an ex-con (Hart) who finds a job and forms and unlikely friendship helping a quadriplegic man (Cranston) who is trying to find the joy in life again. Kidman co-stars as the man's business adviser and provides a nice character for Hart and Cranston to play off. And the two men do well in the lead roles and work well together. This isn't an incredible or ground-breaking film, but it's well made and enjoyable. This time of year, that's often a welcome change.
Rating: PG-13 for suggestive content and drug use.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:
Friday, January 18: "Glass"
Friday, January 25: "Serenity," "The Kid Who Would Be King," "Miss Bala"