Her

Reborn Phoenix proves he can still play an empathetic everyman.  Jonze delivers another soft sci-fi with cinematic brilliance and deep philosophical conjecture.  Adams, Wilde and Rooney are brilliantly quirky/real, but the added sound of Scarlett gives the movie color, leaving Joaquin and us wondering what Her would be without her.

Adaptation.

Writing fifty words about Adaptation.  Could be difficult.  Would have to be introspective and witty.  Cleverly self-referential perhaps.  Can’t employ Kaufman’s witty plot-structure.  Must handle subjective abstract concept in concrete form.  But that would be a boring review indeed.  No.  Brilliant editing! Ingeniously crafted!  Streep, Cooper, Cage and especially Cage!

The Escapist

Interestingly 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.

Trick 'r Treat

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.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

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.

Red

Intentionally quirky performances by venerated actors create necessary defining kitsch. Story is as vapid as Parker’s character and the otherwise well-shot fight scenes often degenerate into infinite ammo machine-gun fire. Basically an action party for Oscar winners and a film well worth watching when it reappears ad infinitum on TNT.