Justice League

Grouchy Avengers assemble to battle every Thor villain fused into one. They stage super-disappointing resurrection as a cheat-code against the infinity boxes that threaten to plunge the whole cinematic universe into a tonally mismatched mess irredeemable even by the combined work of every action composer or occasional Flashes of humor.

Silence

Brilliantly shot, deeply religious ode to Kurosawa follows padawan learners on quest to find Qui Gone. Incredible emotional performances almost compensate for linguistic inconsistencies, especially Neepadre’s, which is beyond Por. Impressive lack of preachiness in picture about preaching and palpable passion sustain picture despite plodding pacing. Scorsese scores, albeit silently.

The Woman in Black

Harry Poltergeist plays a terrifyingly unconvincing widow who inadvertently murders an elementary school by ignoring everyone’s (including brother Dumbledore’s) advice and then gets himself trapped in the skyfall mansion with Cher, who mistakes him for a child and tries to eat his soul Jim Jones style.  Oh, and a twist…

Stop-Loss

What could have been a tragic tale is undermined by Phillippe’s inability to master Texan accent.  Ryan’s Elvis Wayne is an unsympathetic lead as he maneuvers through a relevant and morally debatable issue.  BFFs Gordon-Levitt and plays-himself Tatum provide most compelling story, but suffer from LSD, Lack of Screen-time Disorder.

The Debt

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.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

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.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

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.

In Bruges

Esteemed playwright McDonagh brings his wit to this screen by populating a beautiful Belgian sh*thole with rich cast suffused with simultaneous comedy and melancholy. Deeply philosophic dark comedy that follows the cast of Harry Potter through a Boschian nightmare. Highlights include brilliant political incorrectness and award-worthy performance by Bullseye’s eyebrows.