American Hustle

O’Hustle rallies Silver Fightings Castlist as a batch of unlikely and unlikeable grifters in the poorly-paced Decentfellas.  Impressive performances are weighed down by a structure more cumbersome than any pot-belly, voiceover worse than any comb-over, and an unsatisfying B-Sting climax.  Neither crime-caper clever nor comedy funny, but perhaps it’s con-artistic.   

The Fighter

That Bale, Wahlberg, and Russell didn’t kill each other is almost as miraculous as the performances they crafted. Of course Aronofsky had his hands in ring-fight where punches outside the match hurt more than those within it. Ends lighter than Wrestler cousin, and throws knock-out blow with vindicating documentary clip.

Three Kings

Brilliantly comedic serious film beginning with disclaimer that stylistic decisions were intentional. Shifts tone perfectly as Clooney, Wahlberg, and random supporting cast realize gravity of their situation. Sends great message amidst laughs galore. All around excellence helped by Jamie Kennedy, Adaptation’s director, Ice Cube, and two hidden Arrested Development stars.

I Heart Huckabees

Either an excellent satire or a laughable exploration of alternative mode of thought. Watts and Wahlberg take comedic turns while Schwartzman plays himself and Hoffman inhabits role that’s stranger than fiction. Contrived plot and quirky humor establish tone perfectly. Surely did for exercise balls what E.T. did for Reese’s Pieces.