Mad Max: Fury Road

A high-speed vehicle chase across a broken, dystopian landscape sets the backdrop for this fourth film in the Mad Max franchise. Years after a nuclear holocaust wiped out most of civilization, the remnants of humanity cling to life where they can. When Max (Hardy) is captured by the minions of tyrannical leader Immortan Joe (Keays-Byrne), it looks like his days of freedom are over. As a universal blood donor, he's too valuable to kill, so he's kept as a prisoner. When the trusted Imperator Furiosa (Theron) is sent to lead a convoy to collect gasoline from a nearby settlement, Max is taken along to keep the sickly Nux (Hoult) alive with his blood. Shortly after their departure, though, Immortan Joe discovers that Furiosa has smuggled out his five wives and intends to take them somewhere they'll be safe and free from his tyranny. A high-stakes vehicle chase across the shattered desert wasteland ensues, with Max and Furiosa ultimately setting aside their distrust and differences to do everything in their power to keep ahead of Immortan Joe's mad army, and to keep the young women in their care safe.

Director: George Miller. Stars: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne. 2015. 120 min. Action.

I'll See You in My Dreams

Themes of aging and the changes that it brings to life are at the forefront of this dramedy. Carol Petersen (Danner) is a retired songstress and widow who feels like her life is falling apart after the death of her beloved dog. The daily activities that used to bring her joy, such as playing bridge with her friends or gardening, now seem empty and hollow. Luckily, her friends are supportive, and at their urging she strikes up a friendship with her pool boy (Starr), reconnects with her estranged daughter (Akerman) and even begins pursuing an exciting new love interest (Elliott).

Director: Brett Haley. Stars: Blythe Danner, Martin Starr, Malin Akerman, Sam Elliott, Rhea Perlman, June Squibb. 2015. 92 min. Comedy.