The Amazing Spider-Man

In many ways this film reflects the state of the art of superhero movies. Gone are the days of the genre's cheesy, low-rent flicks; the template is now well-established, and every entry in the field is competent (at least), entertaining, a little bit funny, action-packed, and a certain crowd-pleaser. But once we've gone through that ride a certain number of times, it's bound to grow a little old. So it is here--you can like this movie, but you also can see the template getting stale, too. I certainly won't say this film isn't worth watching, but I'm not sure you're missing anything if you skip it either.

Final

It's not that I don't believe Denis Leary as a traumatized man trying to cope with his mental problems. But the story here stays too shallow to make the struggle engaging. A film like this--a set piece with very little in the way of story progression--must be chock full of insight/wit/energy to keep the viewer tuned in. The pace here is too slow, and when the WTF moment comes, it's too unbelievable and its impact too muted to make a difference. Not worth it.

The Secret Lives Of Dentists

A married couple is having problems. Why do we care? Well, mostly, we don't. There's little about the focal family that's particularly engaging. The film only perks up--and earns the "MEOW" grade--when Denis Leary is on the screen, playing the voice in the jealous husband's head. Without him, it drags.

The Matchmaker

This should have put to rest once and for all any ideas about Janeane Garafolo's supposed unattractiveness. That's a cute girl, no matter what she might say. Unfortunately, that's not really enough to carry this movie. It isn't bad, just not particularly memorable. There are a few funny moments, but not enough. The romance is all standard issue. And the subplot, about bringing some integrity to an otherwise dissolute politician, never really develops. Not terrible, but you're not missing anything, either.

The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)

A good time is had by most. Pierce Brosnan practically ODs on suavity, Rene Russo gets a little too wild, and Denis Leary provides the stable base. It's not particularly meaningful, but it's well done and entertaining.