The World's End

Hot World of the Dead delivers outstandingly funny and deeply poignant first act before abruptly transitioning into brilliantly choreographed string of slightly self-indulgent robot fights.  Clever in-jokes and addiction parallels propel Pegg’s performance until giant barcode scanner signals the end is Nighy and blasts the world into an incongruous epilogue.

Wrath of the Titans

The deities re-team and un-intelligently design an even worse creation.  This clash evokes wrath of fans while failing to create sufficiently epic journey into Hades or into characters.  Even Zeus and Hades can’t maintain pleasant animosity they had in Clash and Schindler’s List.  But at least it had a titan.

Rango

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.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I

A half-satisfying half-movie featuring veritable cameos from the costars of its predecessors. Accurate collection of scene re-enactments strung together by semblance of plot and endless apparations. Hermione’s hotness completely skews the book’s character and Ron Weasley goes Sam Gamgee. Nearly naked aging teens with lack of Hogwarts distinguish this half-film.

Love Actually

Sprawling romantic comedy set on the corner of Magnolia and Notting Hill. Basically a fictionalized account of every single person in England on and around Christmas. Beautiful editing and writing create sublime mix of sincere sadness and hilarity. Easier to name British actors excluded rather than included. Uh… John Cleese?

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

Effects genius Tatopoulos directs third Romeo & Vampire film. Backslides both chronologically and qualitatively but maintains tradition of destroying Bill Nighy’s head. Fans of Star Wars III will enjoy the mediocre dialogue and predetermined ending. Culminates in battle of Helm’s Deep and brief voiceover designed to justify casting Fake Beckinsale.