kabloom

Just what a mindless summer movie should be. Lots of great stunts, a story that's just interesting enough to keep you going between the blowups and bullets. There's no depth, don't get me wrong, but it's a nice way to spend a few hours in the air conditioning while shoving down the popcorn.

A surprisingly good non-Pixar animated film. No crude jokes, many levels working at the same time, and heart also in a real way not in a Shrek calculated way. It earns its emotions. The film owes a lot to Bond and The Incredibles but it's fun in its own right. A very pleasant surprise.

Lots of Acting, Acting Acting. All all for naught. There's a mystery that we're teased with but when it's finally revealed the audience feels a "we sat through all that for that lame reveal!" Also, there's little pacing, the tempo of the film is completely flatlined. Well shot, well acted but adding up to a big waste of everyone's talents.

Here's a film that is brilliant in examining the trees but misses the boat completely when it comes to the forest. The entire cast is excellent with Annette Benning giving a brilliant performance. There's lots to love in the little moments but the ending is completely ridiculous and unfair to one of the major characters. That ending lost the movie most of its points.

Yes, the snow sequence goes on too long and is too faux-Bond but the film is tightly plotted and exciting in the extreme. Not to mention the brilliant effects that though show-offy are integral to the story. Seeing this a second time made me appreciate it even more so.

Nonstop glum performance by George Clooney without any lightness or humor. Riddled with cliches like the **** with the heart of gold and remarkably heavy-handed symbolism. The audience I was with was ahead of the film, unfortunately. Just a drag from the five minute mark onward.