Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

A look into the haunting truth about the capture, and ultimately death, of Osama bin Laden, Zero Dark Thirty is a thrilling and captivating film about a 10 year man hunt. But more importantly, it's a film about staying grounded, and taking necessary risks in order to do what you set out to do.

Maya (Jessica Chastain) is a CIA officer who has spent her entire career searching for Osama bin Laden. At the beginning of her assignment, she works with her colleague Dan (Jason Clarke) who tortures and humilates a prisoner for more information about bin Laden's whereabouts. The film continues and shows events over the next 8 years that impact her life, which include surviving a bombing and losing one of her friends.

Jessica Chastain as CIA officer Maya. Source: EW

Lawless (2012)

Alcohol really does make people do crazy things.

Set in 1941 Virginia, Lawless is loosely based on the novel "The Wettest Country in the World" by Matt Bondurant. Centred around the trio of Bondurant brothers, Shia Labeouf, Tom Hardy, and Jason Clarke who play Jack, Forrest, and Howard, respectively. During the Prohibition, the brothers run an illegal moonshine business, but when a competitor finds out, all hell breaks loose.

After being threatened by Rakes (Guy Pearce), the brothers are forced to move towns all while attempting to keep ties with old friends. When Rakes finds out that the brothers have not shut down their operations, he sends his men after the brothers, brutally beating up Jack. When Howard misses an important appointment a client, they slit Forrest's throat and rape his girlfriend, Maggie (Jessica Chastain).

Tom Hardy and Jessica Chastain. Source: Firstshowing.net

Basically anyone associate with these brothers are either attacked, beat, raped, or killed. I could continue summarizing the plot, but all you really need to know is that eventually the Bondurant brothers are able to defeat Rakes and start anew. And that is essentially the entire plot line. Needless to say, this movie was one note and had very little to maintain my interest.