Pawn Shop Chronicles

After crossing over from his cooler films, Kramer runs scarily amok with this schoolboy attempt to emulate Coens and Tarantino within Sin City’s plot structure.  Walker stands out, but Fraser and Dillon can’t even carry a third.  Senseless scripting qualifies this one for nothing but bargain bins and pawn shops.

Now You See Me

Leterrier tries transporting again with Ocean’s Prestige, an occasionally slick, mildly entertaining festival of irrational effects and grandiose camera moves.  Unfortunately, the plot points are too predictable and explanations too contrived for the arsenal of amusing performances to trick the audience with the illusion of intelligent scripting.  Now you won’t.

Oblivion

Tom takes his shiny space sperm on a cruise through a series of sci-fi clichés and a tour of geographically incorrect historical landmarks.  Remarkable effects and solid cinematography are enough to entertain, but the story would have been stronger if its elements weren’t all clones of other science fiction greats.

World War Z

Pitt channels Billy Ray Cyrus as he lures zombies into every remaining safe location on Earth.  Solid twists, CG moshpits, and strange cameos help and hurt the first two acts, but then Pitt crashes the pilot of Lost and finds his way far too quickly into a genre cliché finale.

Iron Man 3

Freaky scientist becomes bad Guy after upgrading from explosive plants to explosive people.  The one-size-fits-all super-suit gets passed around while Stark struggles with feelings of Ironic inadequacy following up Avengers.  Concludes with surprise Love Guru, a presidential piñata, an asbestos bra, and a Guy’s Flamer’s vs. Tony’s Toys Quidditch match.