John Wick: Chapter 2

John acquires less cute but more durable dog and sets out to Wick some more ass. Though the plot is far from bullet-proof, the action has enough adrenaline for three matrices combined and an entertaining array of unCommon opponents including ironically deaf Sheiber make for a compelling two-hour stunt reel.

Snow White and the Huntsman

Theron is so wickedly good in the first act that she yells for the entire rest of the film to distract the audience from everything else.  Hemsworth continues to be Thor and Stewart continues to not act as they both continue to look for Tim Burton in another failed epic.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Pirates sells smoothly on after dumping Bloom baggage. Depp continues to justify the franchise but Barbosa gets a bigger role in this scaled down sequel. Brilliantly censored mermaids, Penelope’s other cruise, and an appropriately ludicrous fountain plot round out this small seas adventure. But why are the rum references gone?

Coraline

Interesting clay-mation/digital hybrid takes full advantage of 3-D technology. Story transforms irritatingly from simple fairytale to intensely convoluted horror story far removed from logic. Suffers from complicated book adaptation syndrome. Excellent film for simultaneously scaring girls and producing fetishes in boys. Features the creepiest porcelain spider woman since Toy Story.

Death Race

Remake filled with so much testosterone that just watching it builds muscle mass. Only similarities to original 1975 film are character names and intense feeling of guilty pleasure. Features relatively solid story and fantastically executed stunts and effects. Action sometimes becomes too ridiculous, but then, the title is Death Race.