The Flash

Hey, that was actually...fun. Who’d have thunk it? Unlike other entries in the DC paradigm, this one doesn’t take itself too seriously, delivers some actual laughs along with the requisite mayhem, and interjects just enough but not too much pathos to give the proceedings a sense of being meaningful without going overboard—this being a comic book movie, after all. Ezra Miller, he of the interesting off-hours amusements, keeps himself in check here just enough pull off playing the titular lead without letting his generation AA persona get overly annoying in the process. It’s close in certain moments, but the kid never entirely goes over the cliff. And he gets just enough help from his co-stars—particularly Michael Keaton, crusading once more—to deliver a story that is lively, enjoyable, and—for a franchise pic—surprisingly self-contained. The film is hardly flawless; the denouement seems to wrap up a bit too quickly and cleanly, and the absence of certain characters/actors looks like a case of special pleading. On the other hand, the story does deliver a rather clever doorway out of the franchise for certain other actors. Maybe, if these DC guys keep hammering away at it, they just might figure out the formula (especially since that other studio seems to be spinning its wheels at the moment). This entry appears to be a quick step in that direction; it remains to be seen if it can truly provide the crucial spark, the—dare we say it—key flash of ingenuity that will finally lift this cinematic project up into truly competitive heights. Either way, there’s enough here to make this one entry worth a look. Give it a bit of your time—and be quick about it.

Tully

So if I have this right, the premise of this movie is that having kids drives you out of your mind. Thanks for that news flash, but I'm way ahead of you. Beyond non-revelatory revelations, this film's core seems to be about female problems, which are not only baffling and mysterious, but also of questionable entertainment value. Which is not to say it's awful, just that it has a focus that pretty much guarantees that it will not be a general crowd-pleaser. There are good moments; you get a very believable performance from Charlize Theron; and the soundtrack includes a dose of good and interesting music. So we're talking about a movie that's about halfway there. That may be enough for you, if any of the proceeding is your thing. One word of warning: some scenes in this flick, particularly some early scenes, will have you rethinking your stance on smacking kids around--and not in the currently socially acceptable direction.

Dinner for Schmucks

Yet another of those comedies that just keeps hurling joke after joke at you, hoping enough of them hit the funny bone to make the whole experience worthwhile. By my count there are enough belly laughs in this flick to make the cut, though it must get downgraded slightly for descending into schmaltz towards the end. If it had stayed true to its nasty self to the bitter end, this would have been a better movie.

The Cooler

William H. Macy is the loser, lovable to one woman, in a story immersed in the old-fashioned world of "traditional" Las Vegas. It is interesting, on occasion, to watch people who are quite comfortable in their sleaze, and the performances--notably Alec Baldwin's ruthless casino manager--are first rate. The deus ex machina at the end is a little too pat, but you'll walk away at least break-even if you gamble on this game. Posted .

Office Space

An uneven piece from Beavis & Butt-Head and King of the Hill creator Mike Judge. It offers an occasionally hilarious satire of corporate life that turns dark one or two times too many. But mostly, it's funny and worth it.