Z/Web

Director: Steven Spielberg

Somewhat disappointing. The plot about a foreigner trapped in JFK International because a coup in his country has caused both his visa and his passport to be revoked, meaning he can’t return home and yet can’t enter the U.S., is too forced. It’s amusing and overall well-done, but too predictable, with too much sentimentality for us to genuinely be moved. Tom Hanks gives an excellent performance, but the material’s just not enough. The ending is awkward, and I didn’t buy the lead character’s absurd motivation to go to New York. It was meant to be heart-tugging but was laughably stupid. It didn’t make sense. For such a simple task, why not have someone else go in his place? The whole film is filled with a number of awkward moments like that that just don’t quite work. Still, it’s not a bad film, just not a great one. With Hanks and Spielberg, one expects a little more. Above average, but not extraordinary.

Director: Alfonso Cuaron

I have no idea what the title means; this is the controversial Mexican film from the director of the most recent Less Than Zero (a film about rich kids throwing away their lives for drugs). Daring and interesting, but distasteful at times and overall empty of morality or any kind of profound thought.