The Equalizer 2

Sophisticated menace. That's what Denzel seems to bring so expertly to roles like this, as in the first of this duo, and Man on Fire, and Training Day (another Antoine Fuqua flick). If that's your thing--and I think a lot of movie watchers can get into that--you'll probably enjoy this outing. Certainly, there are moments of intensity that your average thriller fan will appreciate, including one or two incendiary instants largely provided by Washington's great acting skill. There are demerits: the film takes its time getting its threads to come together, and one wonders, if you pause to consider the matter, why any of this is happening at all; there seems to be little in the way of overarching theme beyond the hero's somewhat sordid past. It works, overall, but if they want to come back for a third outing, I strongly suggest they make it work better.

LBJ

Everyone is the hero of his own story. Hence, it should come as no surprise that Lyndon Johnson comes out looking good--metaphorically speaking--in a movie titled LBJ. Was the workhorse Texas politician exactly as he is portrayed in this biopic? It's hard to say. The scenes depicted seem to jibe with the historical record, so far as it's known. (Anyone with even the slightest interest in and/or knowledge of the period represented by the movie has encountered these scenes in a different context.) The titular character is aided immensely by Woody Harrelson's spot-on portrayal. Perhaps the strongest takeaway from this flick is the sense that, when an awful and chaotic moment came for the nation, the USA was lucky that a thoroughly accomplished political animal like Johnson was in place to pull things together and, as he says to Congress in the story's climax, keep things moving forward. Overall, the film is boilerplate presidential biography, but that one big takeaway maybe makes it all worthwhile.

Battle of the Sexes

A rebel and a rogue, in a different kind of star war. Given the tide of history, we all know going in not only who won the match, but whom we are supposed to root for. And, by just about any measure, that notion is correct on its face. But watching this movie, one must recognize--assuming an honest and intelligent assessment--that the victory won and the progress made necessitated both players; there could not have been the rebel without the rogue. That's something interesting to ponder. So too is the notion that this film actually seems to undermine its own point, in a way; maybe he lost simply because he didn't take it seriously enough. All in all, it's a good sign that such a movie makes you think that much about its premise and conclusions, and it definitely helps that it's wildly entertaining and expertly performed. A victory for sure.

Lost Highway

Yes, it's exactly the sort of pulpy, avant-garde noir you'd expect David Lynch to make. Which is to say, it's brilliant...or possibly retarded--sometimes it's hard to tell. The few clues we have: murky storytelling, amateur hour acting (I've seen better acting in an Ed Wood flick), a turgid pace--and all that's before the inexplicable story shift. I can be forgiving, but not that forgiving.

Zero Effect

Bill Pullman and Ben Stiller as a postmodern Holmes and Watson. Most of this movie flies below the radar; things get confused and unfocused when the narrative tries to take a drastic dramatic turn, but most of the movie sticks to providing a healthy dose of knowing smirks. Give it a chance and let it do its work.