Game Night

Fincheresque cinematography alludes to and elevates The Game while simultaneously sending it up and ripping it off. Plemons’ arresting performance perfectly complements his neighbors’ development while supporting cast play perfect pieces in this deliberately opaque puzzle. Constant callbacks craft a clever comedic model, nearly as perfect as the establishing shots.

Manchester By the Sea

You Can Maybe Count On Me marks Kenneth’s Longer-than necessary return to brooding slice of life dramas. Other Affleck’s emotionally choked character finds its best justification yet, and though Williams, Hedges and self-titled Chandler provide competent support, other appearances ring flat and false. Over all a well told quasi-redemption story.

The Wolf of Wall Street

Leo plays Gekko Gone Wild in the Goodfellas of the gadget age.  Epic over-long catalog of various debaucheries available to anyone good at greed.  Nails comedic beats with help from shirt clad McConaughey and Hill’s blinding teeth.  Pushes limits for runtime, T&A,and Fs while promoting the redemptive qualities of cocaine.

Argo

Affleck’s spy-thriller lacks surprises and action but still manages to be heartfelt, funny and tense as hell.  Simple but nuanced film stands above Ben’s predecessors due to real-life story and abnormally empathetic Daredevil.  Unknown hostages excel under Affleck’s on and off-screen direction, while state-side big-namers provide mission with comedic support.

Super 8

E.T. and Cloverfield copulate to produce alarmingly super film. Spielberg’s foul-mouthed kids with amazing dynamic blend almost too well into Abrams’ explosions and mystery. The result is an exciting War of the Goonies which can become unrealistic at times but ultimately satisfies. Charm of the 80s with effects of today.