Killer Joe

McConaughey delivers a killer performance, finding new uses for household items, spending some time in the Temple, and challenging the doctrine to chew your food before you swallow.  Meanwhile T-Hayden-C and Gina G deliver the most intelligently stupid performances of their careers.  The only dissatisfying part is Emile… that baby.

Savages

Stone relies heavily on voiceover reading clever book he adapts in attempt to reclaim the violent crime throne stolen by Tarantino in the 90s.  Johnson proves versatility while Kitsch laments loss of business and career.  Hayek and Benicio are both two insincere to be truly savage.  Fun, but nothing new.

Into the Wild

Penn graduates acting and disappears into directing his Milky boyfriend. Hurt softens Hurt and Harden as Hirsch races speedily through a cast of comedians and meets vampiric new girl next door. Beautifully executed piece has perfect mix of romance and realism to make anyone almost want to be Supertramp. Almost.

Alpha Dog

From the director of The Notebook comes this unusual approach to a true crime story. Young stars Yelchin and Hirsch easily outshine Willis and Stone. Perhaps one of the only films to leave audience feeling sorry for every character. Not great, but not terrible, earning it the title, Beta Dog.