Anomalisa

How do you present weirdness for the general public’s consumption? Well, it turns out a puppet show doesn’t turn the trick. This film is relentlessly strange, even down to the terribly-sung song over the closing credits—an act of aggressive refusal to conform to any standard of expectation that an audience might have for a movie. Under certain circumstances, that might be a description of brilliance; here, it seems to be Charlie Kaufman being a more outsized version of his usual, cryptic self. This flick's animation ultimately represents an awful lot of effort in the service of presenting a story that shifts away from mundanity only in so far as its characters are crazy—which is not exactly most viewers' idea of a good time. Whatever profundity others may have found in this outing, I personally could not get into. A major disappointment.

Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind

More mind-bending fun from the word processor of writer Charlie Kaufman. This one is not as heavy on the goofy humor as, say, Being John Malkovich; Eternal Sunshine is moodier, more contemplative, more interested in delving into the feelings of the leads (expertly played by Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet). You laugh, but you get to experience other emotions as well. If you enjoyed Kaufman's other trips inside various heads, you'll like this one too.

Adaptation

That is a very purring Bad Cat over there; this film could have been knocked down a grade. It will not be everyone's cup of tea, and that's putting it mildly. The blurring of reality and fantasy is bound to be confusing for some, as well as off-putting. But there are redeeming features here: good performances, a script that's offbeat, intelligent and very aware, and a willingness to take risks. Try it if you're in the adventurous mood.