All is Lost

The Sting III casts away film tropes like dialogue and story arc.  The deep Red ford alternates between extreme ingenuity and lack of foresight, so the gravity of the situation only becomes apparent when no imaginary animals leap aboard to keep things interesting.  Meanwhile pirates distract Philips from noticing flares.

The Conspirator

Redford’s post-Lincoln pic drowns its talent in the overly theatrical lighting, stagy direction, and tedious dialogue of a historical reenactment, and thus assassinates chances at cinematic success.  McAvoy’s underwhelming lead strives valiantly to accomplish nothing resulting in the most frustrating courtroom scenes ever filmed.  Plenty of potential seems suspiciously unrealized.

The Sting

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Con. Brilliant crime flick revisits amazing Newman-Redford chemistry. Twists beautifully and demands attention to detail though there’s no illusion that all will come together (or apart) as planned. Could have cut a bit better, perhaps by excluding Redford’s creepy girl. What really stings: the sequel.