With theaters still not operating fully, for the most part, many of us have turned to streaming services to watch movies, whether they're new or not so new. "Great Films of the 21st Century" explores the films I have seen in my career as a film critic and consider to be the best thus far. Be sure to check them out on whatever streaming service you subscribe to. Up in the Air  Director: Jason Reitman  Stars: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman Rated: R (for language and some sexual content) You could make a case that novelist Walter Kirn and director Jason Reitman deserve a place right alongside literary naturalists Theodore Dreiser and Frank Norris.  Kirn’s novel, which is the inspiration for this screen adaptation, isn’t naturalism in its purest sense. But it does take elements of this philosophy and makes it more accessible.  Take lead character Ryan Bingham (George Clooney). He is most comfortable keeping everyone at an arm’s distance...

  With theaters still not operating fully, for the most part, many of us look to streaming services to watch movies, whether they're new or not so new. "Great Films of the 21st Century" explores the films I have seen in my career as a film critic and consider to be the best thus far. Be sure to check them out on whichever streaming service you subscribe to.  The Hurt Locker  Director: Kathryn Bigelow  Stars: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Guy Pearce, David Morse, Ralph Fiennes.  Rated: R (for war violence and language).  In an early scene of “The Hurt Locker,” Army Sgt. Will James (Jeremy Renner) takes off a massive protective suit before trying to defuse a bomb in Iraq . The suit is meant to take the brunt of a blast should his attempts fail. Mind you the suit makes him look like the Michelin Man and he’s having to wear this in 100+ degree temperatures.  His reason for doing away with protocol? If he’s going to die, he may as well die ...

  This film is part of a group of films I will call “Worth Checking Out” --   films that may not have garnered widespread critical acclaim, but I found them to be worthwhile despite their flaws. The pandemic hasn’t quite subsided enough that we can flock to theaters en masse. So if you’re still staying in and can find one of these films in your streaming service, give these a look. Ghost in the Shell (2017) Three stars Director: Rupert Sanders Stars: Scarlett Johansson, Pilou Asb æk, Michael Pitt, Juliette Binoche, Chin Han, Takeshi Kitano I haven’t often been impressed by films that center around cyborgs. You’re familiar with the term cyborg: cybernetic organisms. Part human, part robot. But “Ghost in the Shell” sets itself apart. It not only benefits from better computer generated graphics than previous films in the same genre, but the enhanced visual technology affords the filmmakers an opportunity to tell a different story – one that allows us to picture the possib...