9

Mini Oogie Boogie accidentally restarts sentinel and instigates a second Matrix, which is never a good thing. Even the best visual look poorly rendered and the story drifts from interesting to ludicrous as it attempts to make a point. Culminates in silly soul saving scene that dooms Earth and film.

Push

McGuigan’s lucky hand parks this somewhat silly psychic film, not at all based on anything by Sapphire, in the realm of creative cinematic realization. Visually stunning and tightly cut, with solid performances from under appreciated cast. Too bad a Stitcher couldn’t have healed the third act and attracted more watchers.

The Soloist

Sherlock is Blind Sided by homeless Rayn Man. Robert is a let-Downey Jr., falling somewhere between Catherine’s keener performance and hollow Hollander, but wily Foxx steals show. As a character study, it’s all Wright, but nothing stands out and it fizzles at the end. Odd, no staplers in the office.

The Box

Richard Kelly delivers another tale from outside the box… of human comprehension. Like the inane questions in Netflix radio commercials, Kelly confidently plops out senseless plot-point. Marsden and Diaz manage to maintain some legitimacy amidst the madness, while a well two-faced Langella shows Nolan how it’s done. Boxes the brain.

Clash of the Titans (2010)

Perseus ‘3-D’ Jackson rides a digital horse into an ocean of mangled mythology. He fights with force of great typhoon as he struggles to be a man and sort out differences between Voldemort and Aslan, neither of whom are Titans. Decent effects and action sequences clash with titanic story flaws.

The Kids are All Right

Too long since someone cast A-nette and reeled in a great bunch of performances. Alice holds her own with Moore and Ruffalo as she adventures through 'family torn asunder-land.' Ruffalo’s feathers are ruffled by the film's failure to address his storyline adequately, but otherwise far better than just all right.

Cop Out

Smith does as he goes from porn film to dick flick. Funnier than the Porno, but still lacks original Smith depth and sentimentality. Morgan tries to learn what Willis is talking about, and chemistry is excellent. Even Scott manages to deliver in funny but not great buddy cop send up.

I Love You, Man

Apatow’s troupe goes off on their own and finally showcase the bro-mance. Rudd assumes the awkward man role beautifully, though Segel plays over the top. Clever for it’s simple adherence to rom-com formula, and hilarious thanks to Huebel and Samberg’s supporting roles, though both are under-used. I like it, man.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Jay cuts hair to signify Smith going Rogen in Apatow attempt. Plenty of clever gags come easy from ample risqué situations, but lack the overall lovable Clerks quirks. The nudity aside, an otherwise fairly conventional recent rom-com. Brandon and Long steal show and take more from each other than names.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Columbus discovers American world for Harry Potter in Polite Dispute of the Titans. Abandons senseless book plot in favor of alternative irrational national traipse, and adds healthy dose of Star Wars dialogue with lightning-saber battle to match. Only two performances shine from thunder; Alpa Chino’s furry bootysweat, and Coogan’s Pacino.