The Shape of Water

Del Toro advances from Pans to buckets in this super saturated surrealist romance. His foreign perspective only enriches this alarmingly deep dive into American culture of the early 60s, and Hawkins’ emotionally loud performance patches plot-holes to ensure that ludicrous elements still hold water and Abe Piscine can swim spectacularly.

Kong: Skull Island

Sam Jurassic says hold onto your buts. So… Fascinating fights between King Kurtz and apocalizards BUT vfx get crushed by videogame aesthetic. Stellar cast are assembled BUT their running faces are their best contributions to two-dimensional characters. Reilly’s Hopping mad loon is outstanding BUT emotional final scene doesn’t fit in.

Killing Them Softly

The Assassination of Great Performances by the Complete Lack of Structure.  Dominik’s attempt at Drive is less well shot, less intriguing, and horribly paced.  Excellent actors play arc-less character’s whose conversations feel longer than the film.  Hyperviolent moments and newsreel soundtrack feel equally meaningless in a crock that doesn’t work.

The Rum Diary

Depp’s return to’ Thompson and I’ lacks Withnail’s wit or Fearful Loathing pacing.  Eckhart, Jenkins, and Ribisi’s characters are enjoyable distractions from unsatisfactory island vacation, but even they can’t fill Captain Jack’s empty bottle/diary of rum.  Disenchanting story, dissatisfying dialogue, and an ultimately disappointing story fail like a drunken newspaper.