The Avengers

The task of writing a film with eight main characters, all of whom deserve their own films, and somehow keeping them all centrally involved is almost as difficult as describing any film that succeeds at this in only fifty words.  Funny, emotional, exciting, witty, Downey, Hulk, shwarma, wow.  Joss Whedon.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

Swedish film (virtually identical shots, character appearance, and pacing) plus Social Reznor score and Finchermatography equals still a great, if very familiar movie. Craig manages to separate this more bookish investigator from the bonds of his repertoire, and Rooney’s Noomi is powerful but very derivative. A difficult but excellent re-watch.

Thor

Alarmingly impressive film for silly story. Divinely beautiful digital deity-ville oddly compliments cutesy clever Earth encounters. Repeated Avengers plugs seem out of place in this Norse American titan clash. Cosmic plotholes and a less than stellar ending aren’t enough to kill the immortally enjoyable quasi-shakespearean plot of Thor-oughly enjoyable film.

Deep Blue Sea

They trapped some sharks, made them smart, and harpooned them with giant hypodermics. What could go wrong? Turns out the sharks are about an even match for Mace Windu, the Punisher, Bootstrap Bill, and LL Cool J. Mediocre plot and dialogue made tolerable by great surprises and hilariously bad FX.