Well it has been a very poor couple of weeks for movies but we have a few gems for you in this round of Mini Reviews. The Movie Maniac Craig brings you reviews for Don Jon starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson and Julianne Moore. Also Craig reviews Rush starring Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Bruhl and Olivia Wild. One of these movies is an Oscar contender, which one? You’ll have to listen in and find out. If you would like to send us your movie reviews you can send them to moviemadnesspodcast@gmail.com or you can call the voicemail number 260-573-0015 we would love to hear your movie reviews

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Rush is a pulse pounding thrill fest, determined to keep you both glued to your seat and wanting to get to the nearest race car. Ron Howard’s latest masterpiece is the riveting story of Formula 1’s most incredible competition: Nicki Lauda versus James Hunt, the consummate technician against the pure race car driver.

Niki Lauda showed up in the 1970s like a whirlwind, redesigning cars and changing the face of Formula 1. James Hunt showed up shortly thereafter with a style and charisma that charmed not only the public but the drivers. Their rivalry is the stuff of legends and the source for Howard’s best film in years.

The film traces the parallel careers and nearly opposite personalities like a supercharged McLaren Formula 1 running a fast track. What Howard does brilliantly is take those two personalities and make them real and approachable. I felt by the end of the film I not only knew Lauda and Hunt but really liked them.

The movie stars Daniel Brühl as Niki Lauda, Chris Hemsworth as James Hunt and Olivia Wilde as Hunt’s wife. Brühl’s performance is exceptional, Hemsworth’s up to his usual high standard, but Wilde, in her short time on the screen, was great. Most important, the characters manage to recreate not only the seventies look but the feel.

What amazes me most about Rush is, seemingly, without the use of massive amounts of CGI trickery I felt fully engaged. There is a gritty 1970s feel to the film and, more importantly, each race. The movie is not only raw, but intense and exciting. Rush is a brilliant film, with great presentation and great performances…one of the best of the year!