Suicide Squad

DC Dozen’s editing, writing, music and tone are more schizophrenic than its ‘characters’ allegedly are. Redundant flashbacks, irrelevant exposition and illogical plotting send silly ‘story’ swan-diving into vat of tapioca puddin’. Smith wills his way through by reverting to fresh quips while others struggle to escape from completely contrived characterization.

Prisoners

Gyllenhaal rechecks his zodiac and flinches at the result while Jackman and his co-stars deliver soulful, vulnerable performances as they navigate this mystic labyrinthine river of mystery (with s whistle of predictability).  Painted shades of gray by the moral ambiguity of characters and brilliant (or anti-brilliant) eye of DP Deakins.

The Help

Stone sinks into the background and helps her darker supporting stars shine the brightest. Alarmingly long, and strangely comedic in feel, this race relations piece astonishes on several fronts. Spencer finally lands a large enough role and executes it masterfully, while Chastain and Davis keep the critics in their pockets.

Solaris (2002)

More visually impressive and in some ways more insightful, but certainly less revolutionary than Tarkovskiy’s original adaptation, Soderbergh’s rendition has larger scope but smaller span. Clooney and co-stars perform well in the stark but beautifully designed space station. Beautiful cinematography and breathtaking effects create visually spectacular rendition of original novel.

Law Abiding Citizen

Film seems to argue in favor of whatever morally reprehensible and deluded message Leonidas is attempting to teach Jamie Foxx. Tonally similar to reworking Saw to glorify Jigsaw into Batman. Plot feels clever for a while, but the ‘witty twist’ completely undermines the cleverness of everything else. Can’t fight fate.

State of Play

Unsatisfactory remake of BBC miniseries. Added subplot features Crowe trying to protect college buddy, Affleck, from his own bad acting. Plot-based conspiracy film with passable but unremarkable performances from A-list cast and Affleck. Further marred by mediocre cinematography, likely caused by constant struggle to fit Crowe’s lion mane into frame.

Doubt

Julie and Julia try to figure out Capote’s habits without dirtying their own. Excellent performances from lead players steer film to emotional excellence. Suffers from ‘clearly still a play’ syndrome despite addition of single exterior scene featuring award nominated performance from Viola Davis’ mucus. Certain to cause countless unwinnable debates.