Rush
Stars: Daniel Bruhl, Chris Hemsworth, Olivia Wilde, Alexandra Maria Lara
In the 1970s, Formula One racers James Hunt and Niki Lauda had an epic rivalry in a sport that was inarguably dangerous. Back then, safety was not the top concern for the sport or the drivers. Winning and making money — as it is in most sports — were everything. Director Ron Howard brings a bit of F1 racing history to the big screen with his trademark kid-glove approach, so the audience gets to tiptoe right up to the line of danger, but not to worry, they won’t be dragged over the edge. Still, the leads (Daniel Bruhl as Lauda, and Chris Hemsworth as Hunt) make it an enjoyable adventure nonetheless. –p.d. lee