Lawless

Labaeiouf finally lets real actors take center stage, and the result is an excellent film.  Hardy’s invincibility is easier to accept than his relation to siblings.  Chastain’s anything but chaste, and Pearce steals show from underused Oldman.  Selective use of brutal violence make it all the more powerful and shocking.

The Road

Bleak post-apocalyptic future peppered Hurt Locker style with big stars in small roles. Aragorn’s performance can’t match his previous roles despite enormous amount of screen-time devoted to emotional suicide discussions. Like No Country, exceptionally loyal adaptation of a McCarthy book. Should be titled The Day After the Day After Tomorrow.