The Martian

Saving Astronaut Damon is Scott’s first humans-only space epic and the cast, setting and result are stellar. Necessarily jettisons several of source’s set-pieces but remains loyal to the physics, the feel, and the fun.  Iron-ically cheesy finale and spaced out Glover are only detractors.  But Boromir explains Elrond to council!!!

Looper

Pseudo-intellectual time travel flick writes off logic with dismissive dialogue, but can’t talk itself out of pacing problems.  Levitt’s Willis and Johnson’s clever cinematic tricks shine through a story that borrows notes from a bad Frequency, then travels from coincidental and emotionally dissatisfying to physically and psychicly unbelievable and unacceptable.

Paper Man

Reynolds’ blue lantern is the highlight of Older Lars and the Unreal Guy. Kudrow and Daniels make a convincing Door in the Floor couple redux, and Emma Stone cements her status as the go-to indie girl. Clever cutting, heartfelt characters and a clever twist carry a sometimes overly redundant film.

Howl

Pseudo-documentary court hearing /Waltz with Ginsberg, this small but interesting thing does whatever it’s doing well. Strathairn’s confusion and Hamm’s appreciation are equally applicable to the film itself. Franco performs well as he sucks a last drop from Milk’s teat. Animation may better have suited Burroughs than this Clothed Brunch.

Away We Go

Mendes’ attempt at indie feels like Wes Anderson turned Sideways. Krasinski and Rudolph evolve beyond TV comedy roots but drown in a sea of scrambled Eggers supporting characters. Overall an amusing but dissatisfying quasi-comedy that chokes itself with too much quirk. Gyllenhaal, Janney, and Gaffigan are uncharacteristically unimpressive. Indie music!

State of Play

Unsatisfactory remake of BBC miniseries. Added subplot features Crowe trying to protect college buddy, Affleck, from his own bad acting. Plot-based conspiracy film with passable but unremarkable performances from A-list cast and Affleck. Further marred by mediocre cinematography, likely caused by constant struggle to fit Crowe’s lion mane into frame.