Fifty Word Films

The Escapist

2012-02-05T14:06:00.000-08:00

Interesting executed gritty non-chronological prison break thriller. Lewis and Fiennes deliver the strongest performances, though Cooper and Cox’s subtlety works as well. Solid performances make up for some questionably successful editorial flare and some subpar cinematography, but in the end it’s the story structure that makes for a masterful escape.

Paper Man

2012-02-04T14:05:00.000-08:00

Reynolds’ blue lantern is the highlight of Older Lars and the Unreal Guy. Kudrow and Daniels make a convincing Door in the Floor couple redux, and Emma Stone cements her status as the go-to indie girl. Clever cutting, heartfelt characters and a clever twist carry a sometimes overly redundant film.

Season of the Witch

2012-02-03T14:03:00.000-08:00

Nicholas escorts caged girl through mountains in this confused horror-fantasy, Kingdom of Constantine, should have been straight to DVD, movie-thing. A crusade of genre regulars like Thomsen and Perlman can’t carry this heavy load across the bridge of poor writing. Ultimately a foolish but fun looks at Cage’s career’s afterlife.

Beginners

2012-02-02T14:02:00.000-08:00

Plummer and McGregor’s noses are perfectly cast as father and son in ambling epitome of indie flicks. The movie doesn’t really go anywhere or focus on anything, but it does so in an entertaining and endearing way. Plummer locks lips and therefore awards and Laurent re-appears alongside inglorious nice people.

The Guard

2012-02-01T14:00:00.000-08:00

The other McDonagh borrows his brothers cast and expertly inserts them into The Layer Cake Aquatic. Gleeson adds a subtle depth to an unconventional character, while Cheadle proves that he can master any accent. Feels like a well-made student film experimenting with film conventions and succeeding two-thirds of the time.

My Week with Marilyn

2012-01-31T13:58:00.000-08:00

Williams masters the voice at least, while Branagh proves that he actually is Olivier. An amusing but overly mundane movie about a mediocre movie seems like a compelling snapshot rather than an independent story. Hermione and some Captain America co-stars are underused alongside an unknown hero who holds his own.

Kung Fu Panda 2

2012-01-30T18:16:00.000-08:00

Worthy sequel to a brilliant film. Lacks emotional truth of a Pixar film, but still finds clever dialogue, incredible fight scene effects, and underused voice actors of first installment. Builds on first and leaves room for a third, in fact almost begs for a tri-doosh to contain this Black-built Panda.

No Strings Attached

2012-01-29T19:15:00.000-08:00

Portman’s Black Swan follow up is… well, it’s another step on her journey to screw the That 70’s Show. Watching Kutcher try to share the screen with Portman is adorable, as is watching Reitman try to make one of his son’s movies. Many lucky accidents and Elwes instead of extras.

The Debt

2012-01-28T18:20:00.000-08:00

Maddeningly slow and brooding thriller, as if Munich met Match Point. Highlights of the film are the brilliant casting of Csokas and Wilkinson, and more notably Chastain and Mirren as young and old versions of the same people. A decent idea but it owes the audience a bit more excitement.

Lars and the Real Girl

2012-01-27T16:38:00.000-08:00

Glossy Gosling falls for an even shinier girl, played brilliantly by Megan Fox. Simple film operates on a gimmicky premise, but is sustained by the heart which the cast injects into the girl, and the film as a whole. Mortimer and Arquette breathe further life into this blow-up character study.

Howl

2012-01-26T16:36:00.000-08:00

Pseudo-documentary court hearing /Waltz with Ginsberg, this small but interesting thing does whatever it’s doing well. Strathairn’s confusion and Hamm’s appreciation are equally applicable to the film itself. Franco performs well as he sucks a last drop from Milk’s teat. Animation may better have suited Burroughs than this Clothed Brunch.

The Long Way Back

2012-01-25T16:33:00.000-08:00

Should be 'Long Way Back' as fair warning that this subdued epic will be an exhausting journey. Cast fill worn-down shoes of their characters well as they sneak out of prison in a break even less exciting and noticeable than this film’s release. Hybrid Schindler’s Limp and Lawrence of Siberia.

Green Lantern

2012-01-24T16:32:00.000-08:00

Reynolds is green with envy for all the decent superhero scripts as he fails to light a spark of enjoyability in this dim lantern. Effects unworthy of Pixar, and the dialogue makes Star Wars look like Shakespeare ensure that a film about manifesting the imagination completely fails to do so.

Margin Call

2012-01-22T12:54:00.000-08:00

Spacey recounts another contemporary political story in this economic retelling of Titanic. Superstar cast in understated but realistic roles make for the first ever economic thriller. The quintessential Quinto and a badgering Badgely perform well in a film where Moore is used less. Compellingly small telling of very big story.

Fright Night (2011)

2012-01-21T18:19:00.000-08:00

Rather than blend the two species, this campy reboot finds itself trapped in the twilight between funny and scary. Farell’s vampire in frightfully amusing, but the rest of the monsters are only shruggably intimidating. Yelchin and Collette have both been better, and Dr, who cares about the museums useless tennant?

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

2012-01-20T13:22:00.000-08:00

Hardy, Strong, Hurt, Oldman. All perform well and names describe Gary perfectly. His performance is top-notch as he rides a Titanic cast-list into a slow and methodical spy quasi-thriller. More tinkering and tailoring than soldiering or spying. One would imagine that a movie this big would be easier to follow.

Warrior

2012-01-19T16:21:00.000-08:00

A hardy Edgerton and an animalistic king Hardy are quasi-plausible as brothers, but Nolte’s brilliant portrayal of himself seals the relationship triangle together. Brutal fight scenes and unrestrained emotion create a fascinating film despite some considerable plot lapses concerning Hardy’s future and Edgerton’s fighting abilities. Never Back Down done right.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

2012-01-18T18:52:00.000-08:00

Film-makers re-prove how much smarter they are than you by solving the problem before determining what it is. Downey’s Holmes inverts Laurie’s House while strongest performance is laid down by law. McAdams subtraction filled by misplaced Rapace. Best aspects are elementary: stunningly slow effects, and a bit of Ritchie wit.

The Artist

2012-01-17T13:16:00.000-08:00

Pseudo-past prediction of Singin’ in the Rain complete with Clockwork McDowell. OSS 117 covers accent with silence, and delivers perfect Clooney meets Carrey performance. Reminder of when Goodman was good and Cromwell did well. Film tightropes between artistic concept and quirky gimmick and successfully crosses silent chasm to thunderous applause.

Moneyball

2012-01-16T13:05:00.000-08:00

Pitt delivers another expectedly good performance in least sporty sports movie ever. Jonah peaks over the comedic hill, revisiting Evan Alrighty. A quick clever movie that actually says very little, very simply and slowly. Sorkin and Zaillan’s writing again make uninteresting premises into compelling stories, and competent leads cement quality.

The Descendants

2012-01-15T12:44:00.000-08:00

Another tragicomedy about Paynefully unhappy people. Clooney’s most down to the earth performance, with only one ‘look at my eyebrows’ lapse, is a bit like Schmidt turned sideways. Supported by comedic bit player army and truly ascendant kids. Forster’s first forcible performance and Lillard proves that he’s still pretty shag-y.

Hugo

2012-01-14T16:30:00.000-08:00

Scorsese casts an actor even more baby-faced than Dicaprio in first family film. Child stars play Potter cast perfectly as Kingsley mopes his way through a quasi-historical depression. Flashbacks can’t seem to break Law free of his A.I. days, as Borat slapsticks a weird taste on an otherwise quaint film.

J. Edgar

2012-01-13T16:28:00.000-08:00

Dicaprio dons Benjamin’s buttons for this sprawling depiction of bureaucratic sneakery. Essentially an unreliable sister movie to the even more tedious Good Shepherd, with a stronger performance from the Departed lead. Watts shines light on well-handled controversial elements, essentially Leo’s resistance to getting nailed by a perpetually young sounding Hammer.

Bridesmaids

2012-01-12T16:27:00.000-08:00

Female reboot of tired Apatow formula ends up supergood thanks to remarkable ensemble cast. McCarthy steals the show and countless puppies from army of SNL vets, while well-cast brit roommates fall by the wayside. Byrne burns bridges while unknown male star builds career. Starts with a bang as Hamm porks.

The Hangover: Part II

2012-01-11T16:25:00.000-08:00

The Hangover Again, only this time it hurts. Phillips pukes this one out on its two year due date, and this underdeveloped clone struggles along the same path as its predecessor, never managing to outdo a single joke. On the bright side, the cast are still funny, if completely predictable.

The Help

2012-01-10T16:24:00.000-08:00

Stone sinks into the background and helps her darker supporting stars shine the brightest. Alarmingly long, and strangely comedic in feel, this race relations piece astonishes on several fronts. Spencer finally lands a large enough role and executes it masterfully, while Chastain and Davis keep the critics in their pockets.

Immortals

2012-01-09T16:22:00.000-08:00

Tarsem maintains long Hollywood tradition of making mediocre movies about Greek Gods. He does elevate the 300 slow-mo style to an Olympian level as he executes the most beautiful carnage ever captured on ‘film.’ Rourke and Cavill take their rolls seriously, but the screenwriter and the Gods’ costumer certainly didn’t.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

2012-01-08T18:00:00.000-08:00

Swedish film (virtually identical shots, character appearance, and pacing) plus Social Reznor score and Finchermatography equals still a great, if very familiar movie. Craig manages to separate this more bookish investigator from the bonds of his repertoire, and Rooney’s Noomi is powerful but very derivative. A difficult but excellent re-watch.

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

2012-01-07T16:20:00.000-08:00

Bird soars in live action debut and confirms suspicions that yes, Renner can save any series. Brilliantly comedic and excellently executed, this Ghost overshadows the rest of the series. Slightly contrived ending and light-speed global travel make parts of movie improbable, but expected retirement suggests upcoming merger, The Bourne Impossible.

The Blues Brothers

2011-11-10T15:12:00.000-08:00

Far too long but appropriately iconic. SNL brothers on mission from God flee Nazis, Cowboys and Princess Leia in this oddball epic. Contains two feature length car-wreck scenes, not to mention musical numbers from an army of Jazz cameos such as James Brown, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Steven Spielberg.

The Punisher

2011-11-09T15:09:00.000-08:00

Thomas Jane punishes Travolta for killing his family and aging so well. He becomes anti-Batman and delivers brilliantly cruel punishment to… well, everyone. He encounters an apartment occupied by a punk, an obese comedian, and a supermodel, but leaves to go on a killing rampage that ends with satisfying cheese.

Event Horizon

2011-11-08T14:59:00.000-08:00

Clever sci-fi thriller that borrows conceptually from Solaris and stylistically from Hellraiser. Fishburne and Isaacs make good additions to Alien crew, but Neill’s Jack Torrance is underwhelming. Brilliant set design, Stargate excluded, and effects that beg for 3-D distract from a plot that occasionally tries too hard to wax philosophic.

Independence Day

2011-11-07T14:57:00.000-08:00

Emmerich’s first and best version of Earth’s destruction. Combines horror shocks, dramatic beats, clever quips, and exhilarating action to form a film that is ultimately very satisfying. Even Pullman and Quaid manage to deliver in this seminal invasion film that marked the action movie hand off from Goldblum to Smith.

Vanishing on 7th Street

2011-11-06T14:56:00.000-08:00

Clever premise for another philosophical endeavor from machinist Anderson. Opening is brilliantly crafted, but the scares quickly become redundant flickers. Falls apart in the second act and gets darker still in the third as the subtext is stated overtly, and the universe logic changes. Ends in A&E’s walking horse shot.

Trick 'r Treat

2011-11-05T14:54:00.000-07:00

If the occasional scares aren’t distracting enough to prevent you from piecing together the jigsaw plot, then the laughable cheesiness will. A perfect slasher opening paves the onramp for a highway of scatterbrained Halloween mediocrity that breaks new ground only in its willingness to kill kids. Scariest element: Cox’s nose.

Red State

2011-11-04T14:52:00.000-07:00

Smith’s foray into horror is as unusual as one might expect. The premise is terrifying but quickly transforms into a formulaic Christian Hostel. But don’t worry, the torture porn quickly transforms into something infinitely stranger, and culminates in what could be a study on existentialism. Parks’ performance makes evil recreational.

Paul

2011-11-03T14:45:00.000-07:00

Shaun and Fuzz team up again but without Wright everything goes wrong. The jokes fall flat, the plot is convoluted, and the character’s are mostly un-sympathetic. Kristen Wiig and the animating team responsible for CGI-ET are the films only saving graces. This Pineapple Express Encounter is less super than bad.

Zoolander

2011-10-21T15:35:00.000-07:00

Stiller’s still quirky after naming himself most beautiful man alive. Ferrell finds forte as supporting man in fashion world. Film dons star-studded string of cameos and flaunts it like no other. Ultimately a hilarious movie with OK plot but lots of heart. Great quotes for those who don’t read good.

JCVD

2011-10-20T15:34:00.000-07:00

Damme, what an impressive dramatic turn. JCVD proves his acting chops are as powerful as his roundhouse kicks. Tightly shot, but still gritty and stylistic. Moral ambiguity strengthens realism of film that shows JC’s personal life and career debates. More drama or return to sugary pulp roles? The Belgian Waffles.

V for Vendetta

2011-10-19T15:32:00.000-07:00

Wachowski’s shine from behind their producer’s mask in this alternative dystopia. What’s worse than machines taking over? The British. Dramatically shifts the focus of source material but improves on plot and produces a better story. Agent Smith begins transformation into voice acting, and Portman proves that she really is Keira.

Last Night

2011-10-18T14:09:00.000-07:00

Keira learns what love actually is and Worthington proves his worth with this dramatic escape from Clash of the Avatar’s Salvation. Slow precise and beautifully edited film, which seems something of a western answer to Wong Kar Wai. In the Mood for Lust perhaps, and an ending to deserve it.

Due Date

2011-10-17T14:26:00.000-07:00

Phillips’ follow-up film feels like bad hangover after great party. Foxx is Downey’s downfall and Soloist isn’t an isolated incident. Someone skipped script revision process and just threw two great actors into wacky situation with hope that it would work out. Poorly conceived, premature comedic bastard with appropriately terrible delivery.

Limitless

2011-10-16T14:22:00.000-07:00

An unfair story about a loser who gets really lucky and has all of his problems solved. Problem with making a movie about a genius is the film makers have to keep up, and matching Fight Club’s stylistic flare just isn’t enough. Cooper’s decent but De Niro’s reached his limit.

Contagion

2011-10-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

Soderbergh Traffics in another terrifying global film. Sprawling story adequately accomplishes conveying scope of realistic doomsday scenario, but fails to see some it’s character studies through to completion. Strong performances with epidemic of Oscars are sometimes over-powered by look-at-me editing, and a pervasive score. Good Planet of the Apes tie-in.

50/50

2011-10-14T15:31:00.000-07:00

Rogen deals with another unintentional growth in the tragicomedy, Knocked Down. JGL bares his soul and his head with carefully delivered performance in this devastating and hilarious film. Does the heart come from cast’s stunning performances or the fact that it’s the writer’s autobiography? After several MRIs, looks like 50/50.

Love and Other Drugs

2011-10-13T14:16:00.000-07:00

Gyllenhaal returns to cinematic wife, who now has damaged nervous system instead of broke back. Moving and poignant film that tries too hard to go too many directions at once. The tragic romance, the business drama, and the attempt to be super-bad leave a limp structure in need of medicine.

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

2011-10-12T13:53:00.000-07:00

Gosling plays unfairly attractive mentor in The 40-Year-Old Monogamist. Basically an extended episode of an intricately plotted sitcom that lands laughs and tears with several ingeniously choreographed scenes. Drags a bit long at the end and remains morally ambiguous throughout, but holds its own through brilliant plot-twists and wicked wit.

The Ides of March

2011-10-11T13:51:00.000-07:00

Old-fashioned political drama. Witty banter of a Sorkin script without clever plotting or potent subtlety. The messages are nothing new and story seems to build to shameless punch-line but even in spite of unrelated plot-points still carries suspense to the end. If Clooney went into politics it would be unfair.

Drive

2011-10-10T13:48:00.000-07:00

Winding Refn revs up for the gold after Bronson’s disappointing bronze. Gosling proves you can’t judge a notebook by its cover in a film that’s crazy and lovely but far from stupid. Brooks and Hellboy have their careers resurrected. Unbelievably beautiful and not because of Mulligan and the frozen strippers.

Cowboys and Aliens

2011-08-16T14:56:00.000-07:00

Independence day in Arizona. James Bond’s magic bracelet helps him fight not so Super eight thousand alien gold-diggers, because they stupidly abducted Indiana Wayne’s milkshake hungry son. Ham-handed character development, ridiculously silly story, and inanely Wilde phoenix scene add up to a film that tries too hard. Camp vs. A-listers.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

2011-08-15T14:54:00.000-07:00

Amazing effects, fantastic character development and plotting, and an alarming degree of respect for source material genetically engineer one of the best prequels ever. Familiar turf for all actors involved. Henderson re-unites with Harry. Malfoy stays douchy. Green Goblin relearns the dangers of modern science, and King Kong goes ape.

Captain America

2011-08-14T14:52:00.000-07:00

Evans flames on patriotically in this exceptionally simple action flick. Marvelous performances and aesthetic make up for complete absence of plot originality. Basically a fast guy with a strong shield does exactly what he was supposed to do (fights Agent Red), without any internal conflict, plot twists, or historical relevance.

Batman Forever

2011-08-13T05:34:00.000-07:00

Schumacher’s warmup for even bigger flop features odd choice heroes but brilliant bad guys. Carrey finally finds his niche and Tommy’s two face, though worse scripted, seems a prophetic prediction of Ledger’s Joker. Comes complete with all the cheese and camp of comic books, but lacks heart of other films.

Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

2011-08-12T05:29:00.000-07:00

Disney doesn’t make a decent epic, so someone else does for them. Best yet of Narnia franchise. Still religiously infused, still kind of corny, but finally well-acted, smoothly scripted and rendered on appropriate scale. Eustace is well cast and better as a dragon, and Caspian has a major stardust flashback.

Unknown

2011-08-11T05:26:00.000-07:00

Neeson’s life gets Taken away, and no one has faith that he’s actually Aslan. Hitchcock-esque thriller that actually ends in the only rational, albeit implausible conclusion. Bit cheesy at times, but overall a fairly decent genre flick. Kruger is inglorious at best and Langella can’t get out of the box.

Sucker Punch

2011-08-10T05:25:00.000-07:00

Snyder returns from Ga’Hoole and suffuses first original story with his usual sleek cinematic style. Browning, Malone, and high school Hudgens go through series of unfortunate events and Browning Pan’s her way out by imagining I, Robot and LOTR. Alarmingly deep story for Snyder, where exciting action often seems unnecessary.

Leaves of Grass

2011-08-09T02:50:00.000-07:00

Two Eds are not better than one in this Coen Brothers wannabe complete with Tim Blake Nelson. Both Nortons characters are over the top while the plot can hardly stand up. A couple of amusing jokes can’t help but emerge from the hodge-podge of super-quirky dialogue, and equally crazy action.

The Losers

2011-08-08T02:49:00.000-07:00

Racing the only slightly better Expendable Team, this appropriately loses. Evans steals every scene, but audience wonders why he’d want them. A blisteringly bad bad-guy and the Comedian’s subpar jokes can’t even make this comic-lover’s nightmare into a winner. A couple great kabooms, but the result is far from Earth-shattering.

The Adjustment Bureau

2011-08-07T02:47:00.000-07:00

Heavy-set Damon takes to the mat and wrestles with fate and well-dressed angel-demons in pseudo-sci-fi flick which, to be Blunt, is cheesy and consequently riddled with holes. Like Narnia-wardrobe, magic doors transport hat-wearers to land of overt religious allegory… still New York. Concludes with literal Deus ex Machina. Silly book.

The A-Team

2011-08-06T02:45:00.000-07:00

More like C+Team, but still grades about the Expendables’ D-. Qui-Gon joins a hung-over Cooper and an MMA fighter to help take down a Bond-esque District 9. Biel and Wilson tag along and it becomes terribly ridiculous at points, but only out of respect for the utterly inane source material.

Whip It

2011-08-05T02:43:00.000-07:00

Barrymore directs herself, the unknown Wilson, and 30 actresses under 30 in this oddly compelling roller-derby romp. Juno plays an adorable Rocky on wheels who rockets the feisty ducks derby team to a rock-n-roll season in this fairly formulaic coming of age tale. Co-stars Juliette Clueless and Marcia Gay Hardass.

Source Code

2011-08-04T02:41:00.000-07:00

Gyllenhaal’s video game vantage point, again and again and again. Jones moon’s us again, and again he satisfies. Sure there are some plot holes to be ignored. But then, maybe if viewed 50 times they start to make sense. Regardless, it’s a fun ride, albeit not for the other passengers.

Rabbit Hole

2011-08-03T02:40:00.000-07:00

Like a similar alternate dimension, a brilliant adaptation from play into book. Kidman and Eckhart play the leads perfectly, and Wiest makes sister’s relationship plausible. This white rabbit leads away from Revolutionary darkness to much more optimistic take on grief. Functions as anti-iPhone propaganda. Hard to delete this film, though.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

2011-08-02T02:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Potter and the Octilogy ending battle. Final chapter is far-cry from blue-balled predecessor. Kill Voldemort vol. 2 leaves all the apparating behind and focuses instead on hurling digital fire back and forth. Brief stop by the Matrix weapons room precedes Aslan Potter saving the day. Then poof, aging spell.

Rango

2011-08-01T02:35:00.000-07:00

Dir-Actor duo leave Pirates Gore behind to bring new Deppth to untapped Western animation genre. Clunky plot and weak character development don’t overshadow great animation and original concept. Clever film references are great but Eastwood’s too far from this west desert. Alternatively titled, The Ga’Hoole, the Bad, and the Ugly.

The Silence of the Lambs

2011-07-31T02:33:00.000-07:00

The definitive killer flick features not one, but two of the best villains ever. Hungry-brained Hopkins versus mousy-cute recruit Foster is a match worth watching. Made innovations in the art of deceptive editing, redefined the Oscar term ‘lead actor,’ and likely provided inspiration for Face-Off. Definitely put this lotion-picture on.

Despicable Me

2011-07-30T02:31:00.000-07:00

Dreamworks’ answer to The Incredibles is slightly less so. Cute but overall predictable supervillain romp with amusing Bond gadgets an army of jaundiced Oompa-Loompas, and a decent dose of slapstick humor to keep things afloat. What’s truly despicable? Hiring famous actors then having them use severe accents. Great song though.

Heat

2011-07-29T01:43:00.000-07:00

Father and son Corleone finally meet onscreen in the godfather of all bank heist films. Incredible cast and intricately woven multi-dimensional storyline raise the temperature far above that of a cops and robbers flick. 90s high point for every actor involved. Defined by cut coffee chat and intense city firefight.

The Graduate

2011-07-28T07:37:00.000-07:00

Hoffman’s career (not in plastics) is born as the shmuck nerd star of this strange quasi-incestuous, morally ambiguous, sexually liberal story, that John Waters would have ruined completely. Inconic cinematic landmark that speaks volumes with its ambiguity, and is funny and charming to boot. Perfect final shot may seduce you.

Solaris (2002)

2011-07-27T12:36:00.000-07:00

More visually impressive and in some ways more insightful, but certainly less revolutionary than Tarkovskiy’s original adaptation, Soderbergh’s rendition has larger scope but smaller span. Clooney and co-stars perform well in the stark but beautifully designed space station. Beautiful cinematography and breathtaking effects create visually spectacular rendition of original novel.

Leaving Las Vegas

2011-07-26T07:35:00.000-07:00

Nicholas drinks himself out of his quirky Cage and into an incredible performance and perverse relationship with Elisabeth Shue gone wild at heart. Figgis’ most mainstream film and best character study is an almost impressively bleak downward spiral that somehow feels uplifting and sweet. Despite seriousness, begs for drinking game.

Edmond

2011-07-25T12:13:00.000-07:00

An even worse Mamet movie than if he had actually directed it. Macy plays his usual loser, but without the usual empathy, and his spiral through insanity and into utter senselessness is just irritating to watch. Barely viewable hodgepodge of Woody Allen sex rants and Oliver Stone pseudo-intellectual violent rampages.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

2011-07-24T12:11:00.000-07:00

Disney turns random Fantasia segment into better Percy Jackson. Cage’s quirkiness perfectly fits his magical mentor for Baruchel’s nasal nerd while ample effects make the show enjoyable. Implausible romance, completely unintimidating bad guys, and Pirates style random rule invention prevent this film from being anything other than a kid’s flick.

The Other Guys

2011-07-23T12:09:00.000-07:00

Amusing buddy cop parody that flounders on story and runs every joke into the ground. Coasts on how stupid Wahlberg thinks everyone is, and Mendez helps with appropriately out of placeness. Plummets halfway through when focus shifts to story, but unlike Mace Windu and the Rock, the crash takes forever.

TRON: Legacy

2011-07-22T12:07:00.000-07:00

Visually stunning, conceptually creative and adequately loyal sequel to genre classic. Actors lend impressively deep performances to this effects extravaganza, and only overly-used digital Bridges falls short in both regards. Logical leaps, senseless scenes of Sheen’s Bowie and various violent vignettes are all made tolerable by Daft Punk’s inceptional base.

The Joneses

2011-07-21T10:30:00.000-07:00

Extremely original plot populated with phenomenal and very pretty cast. Duchovny and Demi channel real life marital success to give life to lifestyle. Film cleverly reveals the mystery slowly but hits a standstill after that. Too many ideas and too little motivation twist the final act into an unmarketable mess.

Howl's Moving Castle

2011-07-20T10:27:00.000-07:00

Another creatively conceived world rendered in what may be Miyazaki’s most astonishing visuals yet. Interesting American casting including far too masculine Bale. But viewer spirits pull away as Castle disintegrates to a Howling mess in the third act and then rewrites the textbook on deus ex machine to save itself.

Stone

2011-07-19T10:25:00.000-07:00

American History why? Norton is a Dead Man Acting opposite De Niro’s blunderingly pathetic dislikable protagonist. Too little empathy plus too little plot equals a film that sinks like a Stone. Jovovich’s cuteness, nudity, and remarkably well-dropped accent almost justify a viewing with fast-forward button ready. Lock this one away.

There's Something About Mary

2011-07-18T10:23:00.000-07:00

Stiller and the Farrellys stir their collective quirkiness together and produce a comedy classic with enough memorable laughs to almost make up for their career mistakes. Plot meanders enjoyably, only occasionally straying too far, and a brilliant collection of quasi-cameos keep the insanity fun. Then surprise, an athlete and emotions!

Drive Angry

2011-07-17T10:21:00.000-07:00

More like, Driven Mad. Rodriguez-esque self-aware B film accidentally recreates worst parts of the genre. Cage under-overacts but Heard acts gorgeous and almost distracts from disasterous film. Fichtner’s highlight performance can’t make up for the horrible effects. No plotholes, but rather an angry plot abyss with occasional islands of solidity.

Dark City

2011-07-16T07:38:00.000-07:00

Rufus is confused by lack of daylight so naturally he turns to Jack Bauer to count the hours. Proyas applies Crow sensibility to Chinatown sci-fi and populates his crazy Brazillian city with Riff Raff, Hurt, and a dreamy Connelly. Moody, atmospheric and clever, and outside the Matrix by one year.

The Lincoln Lawyer

2011-07-15T12:24:00.000-07:00

A film of firsts. Macy plays something other than a loser. McConaughey and Philipe deliver spectacular performances. Both keep shirts on. Non-Grisham lawyer movie is riveting and suspenseful. Very nearly perfect crime thriller with a stellar supporting cast. See if McConaughey and Lucas face-to-face doesn’t look like a mirror image.

Horrible Bosses

2011-07-14T11:36:00.000-07:00

Two Jasons enjoy a sunny Day in Philadelphia alongside crazy Cruise-esque performances from three veteran talents. Arbitrary antics and quick dialogue feel like a happy Hangover, as does the meandering and somewhat senseless plot. Funny film but leaves viewer wanting a little more nymphoniac Anistons, Killer Kevins and Cokehead Colins.

Water for Elephants

2011-07-13T07:18:00.000-07:00

Pattinson exceeds expectations alongside poorly-paced Waltz and withering Reese. Holbrook lends appropriately elderly narration to an exceptionally bland story methodically enhanced by beautiful music and well-designed sets. Overall, aside from the elephant, one of the most forgettable films in recent history. Less a circus spectacule than a big bottom sideshow.

Fast Five

2011-07-12T07:11:00.000-07:00

Best of franchise, with everything bigger except title. All series players have great parts, and music cues fill holes left by talent quality. Walker drives but he can’t act, and Diesel definitely crushes Rock, but no one watches this movie for drama. Brilliant physics defying car stunts make it fast-astic.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

2011-07-11T07:01:00.000-07:00

Pirates sells smoothly on after dumping Bloom baggage. Depp continues to justify the franchise but Barbosa gets a bigger role in this scaled down sequel. Brilliantly censored mermaids, Penelope’s other cruise, and an appropriately ludicrous fountain plot round out this small seas adventure. But why are the rum references gone?

Thor

2011-07-10T06:54:00.000-07:00

Alarmingly impressive film for silly story. Divinely beautiful digital deity-ville oddly compliments cutesy clever Earth encounters. Repeated Avengers plugs seem out of place in this Norse American titan clash. Cosmic plotholes and a less than stellar ending aren’t enough to kill the immortally enjoyable quasi-shakespearean plot of Thor-oughly enjoyable film.

X-Men: First Class

2011-07-09T06:52:00.000-07:00

Kick Ass director fixes Origins with series saving reboot. McAvoy and Lawrence hold their own, but Fassbender delivers powerhouse performance followed closely by six superpowers of Kevin Bacon. Inferior to first two films on account of mediocre supporting mutants, sub sized plot holes, and too much shrieking First Class flying.

Super 8

2011-07-08T06:51:00.000-07:00

E.T. and Cloverfield copulate to produce alarmingly super film. Spielberg’s foul-mouthed kids with amazing dynamic blend almost too well into Abrams’ explosions and mystery. The result is an exciting War of the Goonies which can become unrealistic at times but ultimately satisfies. Charm of the 80s with effects of today.

Midnight in Paris

2011-07-07T06:49:00.000-07:00

Wilson plays Woody well in Allen’s best and most accessible comedy to date. Midnight in Cairo features brilliant fantasy and an impressive array of modern stars perfectly portraying classic artists in funny but truthful ways. Allen did his research, and not just on sexual angst. Dissatisfying end elements and McAdams.

The Tree of Life

2011-07-06T06:48:00.001-07:00

Malick’s thick green sphere finally features enough Discovery channel shots to feel justified and transforms into straight story intermission for a Koyanisqaatsi Adaptation. Dad Pitt merits another Oscar nod alongside stellar younger version of a barely seen Penn. Beautiful and Meditative film that drags from redundancies and overuse of screensavers.

9

2011-03-03T14:34:00.000-08:00

Mini Oogie Boogie accidentally restarts sentinel and instigates a second Matrix, which is never a good thing. Even the best visual look poorly rendered and the story drifts from interesting to ludicrous as it attempts to make a point. Culminates in silly soul saving scene that dooms Earth and film.

Push

2011-03-02T14:33:00.000-08:00

McGuigan’s lucky hand parks this somewhat silly psychic film, not at all based on anything by Sapphire, in the realm of creative cinematic realization. Visually stunning and tightly cut, with solid performances from under appreciated cast. Too bad a Stitcher couldn’t have healed the third act and attracted more watchers.

The Soloist

2011-03-01T14:31:00.000-08:00

Sherlock is Blind Sided by homeless Rayn Man. Robert is a let-Downey Jr., falling somewhere between Catherine’s keener performance and hollow Hollander, but wily Foxx steals show. As a character study, it’s all Wright, but nothing stands out and it fizzles at the end. Odd, no staplers in the office.

The Box

2011-02-28T14:30:00.000-08:00

Richard Kelly delivers another tale from outside the box… of human comprehension. Like the inane questions in Netflix radio commercials, Kelly confidently plops out senseless plot-point. Marsden and Diaz manage to maintain some legitimacy amidst the madness, while a well two-faced Langella shows Nolan how it’s done. Boxes the brain.

Clash of the Titans (2010)

2011-02-27T14:28:00.000-08:00

Perseus ‘3-D’ Jackson rides a digital horse into an ocean of mangled mythology. He fights with force of great typhoon as he struggles to be a man and sort out differences between Voldemort and Aslan, neither of whom are Titans. Decent effects and action sequences clash with titanic story flaws.

The Kids are All Right

2011-02-26T14:27:00.000-08:00

Too long since someone cast A-nette and reeled in a great bunch of performances. Alice holds her own with Moore and Ruffalo as she adventures through 'family torn asunder-land.' Ruffalo’s feathers are ruffled by the film's failure to address his storyline adequately, but otherwise far better than just all right.

Cop Out

2011-02-22T17:13:00.000-08:00

Smith does as he goes from porn film to dick flick. Funnier than the Porno, but still lacks original Smith depth and sentimentality. Morgan tries to learn what Willis is talking about, and chemistry is excellent. Even Scott manages to deliver in funny but not great buddy cop send up.

I Love You, Man

2011-02-21T17:12:00.000-08:00

Apatow’s troupe goes off on their own and finally showcase the bro-mance. Rudd assumes the awkward man role beautifully, though Segel plays over the top. Clever for it’s simple adherence to rom-com formula, and hilarious thanks to Huebel and Samberg’s supporting roles, though both are under-used. I like it, man.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno

2011-02-20T17:05:00.000-08:00

Jay cuts hair to signify Smith going Rogen in Apatow attempt. Plenty of clever gags come easy from ample risqué situations, but lack the overall lovable Clerks quirks. The nudity aside, an otherwise fairly conventional recent rom-com. Brandon and Long steal show and take more from each other than names.