Hostiles

Bale gets predictably Forgiven throughout this expansive episodic Eastward road-trip. Heartfelt performances and sweeping cinematography see the film safely through a plodding plotscape of genre clichés and redundant conceptual explorations. Small subplots carry more weight than overall arcs, but supporting players draw less emotional fire than the principal party members.

Gone Girl

Spoiler… Despite beautiful and brooding cinematography and sound Fincher’s film falls Prisoner to lack of suspense and failure to supply source’s surplus of suspects.  Spooky Howser and Madea-at-Law arrive too late to save either story from narrative arrogance and improper pacing, or brilliant Ben from bending over for Rosamund’s Pike.

The World's End

Hot World of the Dead delivers outstandingly funny and deeply poignant first act before abruptly transitioning into brilliantly choreographed string of slightly self-indulgent robot fights.  Clever in-jokes and addiction parallels propel Pegg’s performance until giant barcode scanner signals the end is Nighy and blasts the world into an incongruous epilogue.

Wrath of the Titans

The deities re-team and un-intelligently design an even worse creation.  This clash evokes wrath of fans while failing to create sufficiently epic journey into Hades or into characters.  Even Zeus and Hades can’t maintain pleasant animosity they had in Clash and Schindler’s List.  But at least it had a titan.

Pride and Prejudice

So bland it makes book look interesting by comparison, almost interesting enough to justify non-BBC non-Firth version. Beautiful cinematography distracts from dialogue that makes other actors speak as awkwardly as Knightley. Sutherland must’ve enjoyed working with all of Britain’s soon-to be leading ladies. To make this right, Wright must atone.

An Education

Sarsgaard resumes his frequent creepy guy role, this time enhanced by being convincingly British and in pursuit of impressively talented Carey Mulligan. A peppering of bigger stars in smaller roles support the story excellently, and beautifully written, witty dialogue prevents an otherwise endearing script from becoming too clichéd or preachy.

Surrogates

In a world of wrinkle-free Joan Rivers robots, Bruce Willis’ rugged good-looks go totally unappreciated. Brilliant dystopic premise tanked by horribly convoluted plot. Beats the viewer over the head with the message that real people are really really really ugly. Mediocre dialogue and neck-pouch-free world will appeal to George Lucas.