World War Z

Pitt channels Billy Ray Cyrus as he lures zombies into every remaining safe location on Earth.  Solid twists, CG moshpits, and strange cameos help and hurt the first two acts, but then Pitt crashes the pilot of Lost and finds his way far too quickly into a genre cliché finale.

Drive Angry

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.

The Hurt Locker

Simultaneously brooding and breath-taking, recreates the harshness and excitement of war without accidentally killing the audience. Made more incredible by Renner’s phenomenally nuanced performance. Employs Reitman’s frequent celeb cameos technique to great effect. Somewhat forced scene at end kept in despite change from equally ambiguous original title, ‘The Cereal Aisle.’