Molly's Game

Sorkin had the nuts with Network, but his buy back isn’t such a hot hand. Chastised Chastain is exiled to Elba, and proceeds to read source material aloud, resulting in a lukewarm flop, a less than revolutionary turn, and a stagnant river. Entertaining but overlong, could have cashed out quicker.

Crimson Peak

Peak marks Del Toro’s all time low, sinking even deeper than its Pacific predecessor.  Hiddleston steals the show as he struggles between the chaste and the Chastain.  Meanwhile Mia navigates fifty shades of red with guidance by visually spectacular specters who do nothing for the narrative. A big bloody mess.

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!!!

A Most Violent Year

Chandor drapes gravity of All over Margin’s complexity and masterfully molds the gripping moodiness of Call is Lost.  It’s Wall Street meets Drive, if James Grey had directed it, and further cements Isaac and Chastain as two of the most serious actors working today.  Still, definitely a most deceptive title.