The Place Beyond the Pines

Schenectady is Mohawk for the place beyond the pines plains. This is where the tragic and sad stories of two families unfold and collide. Two star-crossed youths from very different backgrounds have fathers (Ryan Gosling & Bradley Cooper) that are trying to do the right thing. The dark temptations of human nature are explored in this morality tale where people make bad choices. This intriguing film is well-made and well-acted, but drags in places and barely has a likable character to root for.

Alien gives it 2 ½ "if you ride like lightning, you're gonna crash like thunder" stars out of 4.