Glass

Lacks both shine and clarity of origin’s origins. Fractured characters are grafted together but rather than lending each other narrative strength, they take turns bashing holes in panefully fragile premise. Shyamalan’s characters fuse while he cracks open his neglected tank of tired twists and dramatically drowns his franchise in frivolity.

Gladiator

Archetypal epic and honeymoon of Crowe-Scott marriage. Beautiful cinematography, impressive action, genuine performances, and brilliant script lend to creation of an excellent film. Moments of Baby Scott style editing detract mildly but not enough to mar this masterpiece. So inherently good, for once even Scott’s director’s cut couldn’t improve it.

Mystic River

Eastwood proves that he’s a better director than he ever was an actor. Perfect performances from everyone in an enormous cast, all in service of expertly crafted story, create absolutely incredible drama. With possible exception of one fade-to-white gunshot, every frame of the film adds to the suspense and emotion.