John Powers

The new thriller "Crime 101" stars Chris Hemsworth as an LA jewel thief who gets involved with a police detective and a high-end insurance agent. The movie also stars Halle Berry and Mark Ruffalo. Our critic-at-large John Powers says the movie is a deliberate throwback, and he had a swell time watching it.

In the new film "Islands" out this week, a washed-up tennis pro gives lessons at a fancy hotel in the Canary Islands. But when he meets an elegant woman with an unlikable husband, things take a noir-ish turn. Our critic at large, John Powers, says the plot may sound familiar, but "Islands" takes you places you don't expect.

Critic-at-large John Powers gives his due to the movies, TV and books he wasn't able to cover earlier in the year, including La Grazia, Andor, Mississippi Blue 42 and the documentary Mr. Scorsese.