Director Jodie Foster ("House of Cards") has trotted out an extremely timely topic for us to relate to: financial shenanigans on Wall Street which can affect us all. We see the host of "Money Monster," an entertaining TV show, as he suddenly is taken hostage by one of the victims of his financial advice.

Foster has become a top-flight director and she has assembled a top-flight cast which is guaranteed to sell tickets and win our hearts to boot. This movie is shot almost in "real time." In other words, it takes about as long for the drama to run its course as the movie is long (98 minutes). I LIKE that!

Here they are:

• * George Clooney ("Hail, Caesar!") Television's Lee Gates thinks he's ten feet tall and bulletproof. But wait until he is confronted by a real gun! And is forced to learn some real facts. Do people really like him?
• * Julia Roberts ("The Secret in Their Eyes") Patty Fern is his technical director. Does she save lives or broadcast an incredible show? This time, she tries to do both!
• * Jack O'Connell ("Unbroken") Kyle Budwell lost everything in this latest financial "glitch." Now he wants justice or at least something that looks like it.
• * Dominic West ("Genius") Walt Camby is nowhere to be found. The more we learn, the more we realize he probably doesn't WANT to be found.
• * Caitriona Balfe ("Outlander") Diane Lester is spokeswoman for Walt's company. She thought she was telling the truth....
• * Christopher Denham ("Manhattan") Ron Sprecher has found a new product that might generate sales on the show (it's an erectile cream). His boss tells him to test it and let him know if they want to pitch the stock to their viewers.
• * Lenny Venito (Lots of TV) Lenny the cameraman has a Steady-cam that comes in handy when they have to leave the building.
• * Giancarlo Esposito ("The Jungle Book") Captain Powell almost has the situation under control, if only his snipers could get a clear shot!

There isn't a dull moment. Foster keeps the clock ticking, the jokes flying, the tension building and our loyalties sliding to and fro. 

This is rated "R" because of the language and some sexual situations. I didn't find it offensive because the language was from people under a LOT of stress. The sexual situation was actually one of the funniest scenes in the movie.

Our screening audience had a great time!