‘The Messenger’ is unerring on its own dramatic terms but misses an opportunity by offering character over punishing war-death notifications
Lars von Trier’s Antichrist in 560 characters over four Tweets: descriptive, positive, a turning point, and ultimately (in both the “finally” and “fundamentally” senses of the word) negative.
‘Timecrimes’ is compact and skillful, but it’s all plot and no character. ‘Primer’ is similar but far superior
The awaited Jacob/MIB episode of ‘Lost’ was penned by series bigwigs but merely underlined already-obvious moral relativism. Gallingly dull.
‘(500) Days of Summer’ has a good hook and nails relationship details, but it’s too cute and frustratingly undisciplined and self-satisfied.
Based on a memoir, the facile, impatient ‘An Education’ is incredible, and glosses over its most compelling element: the facilitating family
‘Sugar’ too broadly sketches Iowa and cuts corners with baseball, but its subversion of sports-movie expectations is refreshingly authentic.
Saddled with too much emotional baggage, the great-looking ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ is nearly joyless but in its goodbyes finds resonance
Blocked in the U.S., Miike’s ‘Masters of Horror’ episode is primal and fascinatingly transgressive, but the acting might be most horrifying.
Retro horror ‘House of the Devil’ is so patient and sublimely creepy that it’s easy to forgive its ultimate silliness. An assured throwback.
