Mission: Impossible - Fallout

The team reunites to do battle with predictably unpredictable superman, engaging in nuclear stunts, cleverly woven together into a cohesive and compelling story. Alarmingly plausible finale intercuts beautifully with emotional references to prior chapters, though action set piece antics cruise far above anything that this impossible franchise has done yet.

BlackKklansman

Malcolm Y’s performance provides an interestingly stiff backboard against which to bounce this insane true story while Driver rides shotgun, Ren-dering an uncharacteristically complex character. Meanwhile I, Topher revisits 70s with almost amusingly amorality. Lee spikes the story with his typical stylization and political commentary, but both hit their marksSspectacularly.

A Star is Born

Cooper starts by showing off simultaneous directing, acting, guitar-playing, and singing then miraculously maintains the momentum, with incredible support from a Lady who disappears beautifully into her role. Bizarre non-comedic roles for Dice and Dave don’t detract either and Elliot’s emotional energy establishes the environment for film’s final sorrowful supernova.

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation

Cruise takes flight in most aptly acronymed Mission yet. Features all the staples of the series but successfully tweaks them slightly so that the only thing which doesn’t feel fresh is our his face. Cleverly constructs an ending where the stakes are meaningful but plausible so any outcome seems possible.

Still Alice

Moore provides the only memorable part of a film whose title is better suited to paralysis than dementia.  Baldwin serves as Alice’s steady (30) rock, while Stewart provides additional support, helping her mother weather her twilight years.  Unfortunately this touching Alzheimer’s PSA is unable to overcome its degenerative story deficit.

Blue Jasmine

Jasmine and her Sister marks Woody’s return to quasi-comedic female-lead character studies.  Loosely plotted, chronologically fractured character study is held aloft by characteristically brilliant Blanchett and soaring support from Hawkins.  Brits' ‘American’ are backed by bleak modern perspective.  Allen even rolls Dice on Clay for result that’s anything but crap.

The Departed

Scorsese directs incredible cast in brilliantly scripted adaptation of Korean crime caper. Nicholson and Wahlberg’s quirky caricatures provide an excellent contrast for Damon and Dicaprio’s impressively nuanced lead roles. A few moments of stylized editing feel out of place but don’t even come close to killing this nearly perfect picture.