Dragged Across Concrete

Though the pace periodically drags and the style is rough as concrete, the film isn’t nearly as painful as its title implies. Impressively self-indulgent dialog blends beautifully with a plot structure that delights in bucking its viewers. Less meat than Bone or Brawl, but Gibson’s self-aware performance delivers 100 percent.

Brawl in Cell Block 99

Static wides give Vaughn a playground to portray a larger than life performance. Though his character may be shackled by circumstance and setting, the comedic titan breaks free of his typecast and embodies a brutal and believable brawler. Simple but unpredictable plot and perfect pacing keep this contained film compelling.

Hacksaw Ridge

Gibson christifies Spielberg formula to deliver a movie that is part saccharin romance, part gritty gore-fest, and 1/3 metal jacket. Garfield revisits familiar territory with wall-scaling, web-slinging prowess and aversion to murder. Meanwhile inVincible Vaughn leaves comedic convictions stateside and sets of to crash Japan with a Band of Aussies.

The Watch

Attack Jump Street, an occasionally funny but heavy-handed farce about the dangers of illegal aliens.  Big Quirky and Little Quirky reunite, this time co-handling a silver dodgeball which blasts their impotent attempts at emotional beats.  Hill isn’t over his 21 performance, while Ayoade’s intelligent comedy is from another world entirely.

Zoolander

Stiller’s still quirky after naming himself most beautiful man alive. Ferrell finds forte as supporting man in fashion world. Film dons star-studded string of cameos and flaunts it like no other. Ultimately a hilarious movie with OK plot but lots of heart. Great quotes for those who don’t read good.

Into the Wild

Penn graduates acting and disappears into directing his Milky boyfriend. Hurt softens Hurt and Harden as Hirsch races speedily through a cast of comedians and meets vampiric new girl next door. Beautifully executed piece has perfect mix of romance and realism to make anyone almost want to be Supertramp. Almost.