Alien: Covenant

Mediocre mixture of space horror clichés and heavy-handed throwback fumbles is impregnated with shockingly deep continuation of promethean questions of ultimate origin story. Unfortunately, this philosophical beast waits ages to burst forth, and is promptly crushed by ridleyculous action, subpar special effects, and cheats alien to the franchise thus far.  

Assassin's Creed

Mechanical story ensnares Fassbender and repeatedly thrusts him through a plot-hole where he must endure rigorous resistance training juggling nonsensical exposition and gratuitous action. Despite the best efforts of both backlight and backstory, it never elevates to art, and even Irons and Cotillard can’t imbue the story with Shakespearean gravitas.

12 Years a Slave

McQueen incorporates themes and realities of Hunger and Shame into masterful epic that chains his cinematic genius to a more conventionally narrative true story.  Ejiofor’s nuanced lead is perfectly served by empowered innocence of newcomer Nyong’o and impressively humanized inhumanity of Fassbender and Paulson, while producer Pitt plays weakest link.