Fist Fight

How weird that somebody actually thought this was a good idea. Hell, maybe it would have been with a different cast of comedians--people who bring some of the funny with them wherever they go. Only Tracy Morgan qualifies as that here, and even his contribution is somewhat hampered and muted. The biggest problem seems to be lead Charlie Day, who just doesn't have the funny chops to serve as the Everyman who is imposed upon and make it work--all of this is just wearying. Plus, the overarching idea--that American high schools are out-of-control jungles where anything can happen, including insanity and violence--just isn't funny in and of itself. Either satirize--which requires some subtlety--or make it slapstick--which requires something violent, but paradoxically gentle and innocent. None of that lives here. The few laughs mostly show up towards the end; otherwise, watching this one is a chore. Everybody gets detention.

Three Kings

Morbidly funny, except when it's gut-wrenchingly intense, and it doesn't shy away from asking the tough questions about one of the defining events of our times (the 1991 Gulf War). Special props must go to George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube and Spike Jonze for their remarkable performances as American soldiers caught between their own avarice and the palpable need to use their positions and power to do what's right. Very highly recommended. (Note: this would be a "Best Of All" inductee, except the standard criterion for BOA--a movie you want to watch again and again--can't apply here; Three Kings is great, but just too intense to want to watch again and again. Otherwise, it's in.)