Black Mass

Johnny Depp got his acting grove back. Yet, with all his wealth he does not choose more deep roles with top directors preferring stock roles, which he plays excellently but which will not be remembered. Supporting cast is terrific, especially enigmatic Benedict Cumberbatch, playing his university president brother but the movie is just another well-made crime thriller.

Ricky and the Flash

It is easy to dismiss this movie just as a vehicle for Meryl Streep and her daughter.

The movie is subtly subversive with its overthrowing of the stereotypes and could not be made 20 years ago. That is, an indie rocker from California is a Tea Party-style conservative. She is shunned by her gay son. Her former husband, a corporate shill from Indiana masterfully played by Kevin Kline is a liberal and lives in a multiracial family. 

Ricki's lover, a much younger Latino man, is a sensitive and supportive guy. On the contrary, her son's future bride comes from visibly upper middle class, culturally conservative Hispanics disapproving of their future mother-in-law and rock in general. 

Too bad, that the rest is just a vehicle to showcase Meryl's fantastic capabilities.