Mini-Review: Critical catnip (flawed people doing their best in morally gray areas w/ the central takeway being people r complicated) minus any post-modern arthouse scribble pretentiously posing as "Meaning" makes for a very good, albeit, somewhat overrated, film. Its most outstanding attribute is the way it wastes no time lingering on peripheral exposition or dulling every1 into a stupor by establishing "languid rhythms". If only the likes of Malick were this eager 2 dig in2 the actual meat of their stories

Mini-Review: The movie Soderbergh's built around MMA fighter Carano - who doesn't have more 2 do than b the ultimate bada-s but still holds her own acting-wise & has got sexy screen presence 2 burn - plays like a throwback 2 the more dour espionage thrillers of the 70's. Which means some of the pacing's slow but the web of who's double crossing whom & why is still plenty engrossing. The fight scenes - which is really y we're here - r also refereshingly shot w/ an eye towards clarity & no cheating jump cuts.

Mini-Review: The basic narrative is B-movie: Lady Dracula Vs. Lady Chatterley, but the way the story's told (in style & content) is so deliberate & well thought out, it's strangely original. Not only is the cinematography stunning, but the film pulls the material away from schlock by hinting that the "victims" may b more dangerous than the "monster"; doubling as feminist commentary on gender roles; & never distinguishing between supernatural hunger 4 flesh & its equally taboo biologically-driven equivalent.

Mini-Review: Unusual 4 a H'wood film 2 feature a protagonist who spends most of the film actively insulting the average, decent folk around her & by proxy insulting the life choices made by most audience members themselves. If Theron's character weren't also made so pitiable, it's hard 2 imagine many people sitting through this. Her delusions make her compelling, but leaves the movie nowhere 2 go, except 2 march 2wards an ending whose only accomplishment is stubbornly refusing 2 give the audience an inch.

Mini-Review: Script-wise, it's standard issue James Bond "Whatever-just-get-2-the-action" plotting. But Cruise & Co. assiduously wring every last drop of intensity & tension out of every cleverly-staged action scene. It's impossible 2 overstate the visceral punch packed by the skyscraper scene. It demonstrates that when it comes 2 action it’s far better2 strive 4 verisimilitude& have the characters take high stakes seriously. Except 4 Pegg's tired comic relief, the characters r not quippy, nor stoic bada--es