Vice

Bale’s Dick and Rockwell’s Bush don’t rock well enough to bail out Mckay’s Big concept which falls Short as present day politics Anchor down one Man’s character study. Stylistically opposed of its titular character, Vice’s vice is its reliance on heavy-handed set-pieces to set up its inherently obvious unitary message.

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Cafe Society

Eisenberg’s Allen is predictably on point in a bland revisionist autobiography augmented by woody narration of its author. Amusing characters and quasi-Shakespearian setup fray and unwind instead of tying up neatly. Perhaps Allen is a Coen father, as this feels like a subpar Serious Man meets a bored Barton Fink.

The Big Short

This economics lesson is kind of boring so here’s a half-dozen Oscar winners to explain it to you.  Interesting editing and solid performances anchor Crazy, Stupid Banks and mask the virtual absence of plot or character developments.  Shorting The Sheep of Wall Street’s awards chances would be a solid bet.

Foxcatcher

Carrell carefully keeps his criminal from becoming caricature, while Tatum broods in the shadows.  A slow burn character study with an odd but not unsuccessful protagonist swap midway.  Miller cranks out another powerful true story, and though he doesn’t quite pin down the pacing, he certainly lasts out the match.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

Little Miss Melancholia struggles to find steady pace or comfortable tone.  Populated by underwhelming appearances from anyone who missed Franco’s apocalypse.  Carrel and Knightley cling to tiny strands of character arc as they are tossed violently from one vignette to the next in an unedited brainstorm one year too late.

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Gosling plays unfairly attractive mentor in The 40-Year-Old Monogamist. Basically an extended episode of an intricately plotted sitcom that lands laughs and tears with several ingeniously choreographed scenes. Drags a bit long at the end and remains morally ambiguous throughout, but holds its own through brilliant plot-twists and wicked wit.

Despicable Me

Dreamworks’ answer to The Incredibles is slightly less so. Cute but overall predictable supervillain romp with amusing Bond gadgets an army of jaundiced Oompa-Loompas, and a decent dose of slapstick humor to keep things afloat. What’s truly despicable? Hiring famous actors then having them use severe accents. Great song though.