Black Mass

Hollywood’s obligatory annual crime movie is too broad to feel personal but too small to feel important, much like FBI’s investigation.  Underwhelming structure or lack thereof produces a mediocre mess despite great performances.  Depp’s first actual acting in years. Maybe if the Mass were #white he would’ve gotten the Oscar.

The Woodsman

Bacon’s performance is gutsy and nuanced and perfectly delivered.  The result is a character so conflicted and conflicting that much of the film, though beautiful, is horribly stressful to watch.  It’s as if The Wrestler were about Sandusky.  Mos Definitely under-appreciated, underrated, and hopefully unrelated to Sedgwick’s love of Bacon.

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Gosling plays unfairly attractive mentor in The 40-Year-Old Monogamist. Basically an extended episode of an intricately plotted sitcom that lands laughs and tears with several ingeniously choreographed scenes. Drags a bit long at the end and remains morally ambiguous throughout, but holds its own through brilliant plot-twists and wicked wit.

X-Men: First Class

Kick Ass director fixes Origins with series saving reboot. McAvoy and Lawrence hold their own, but Fassbender delivers powerhouse performance followed closely by six superpowers of Kevin Bacon. Inferior to first two films on account of mediocre supporting mutants, sub sized plot holes, and too much shrieking First Class flying.

Mystic River

Eastwood proves that he’s a better director than he ever was an actor. Perfect performances from everyone in an enormous cast, all in service of expertly crafted story, create absolutely incredible drama. With possible exception of one fade-to-white gunshot, every frame of the film adds to the suspense and emotion.