Man of Steel

MAN OF STEEL
An initially promising sci-fi reboot of the quintessential superhero gets bogged down in more destruction than fifty Michael Bay films. The dark, humorless tone is partially mitigated by some great performances and visuals, while a boneheaded climactic twist needs to be further qualified in the sequel to avoid character damage.
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Mad Men Season 6

MAD MEN Season 6 (AMC)
As “Dreamy” Don Draper, with a glistening whiskey sheen, continues his slide into irredeemable douchebaggery (both at work and home), all’s the better for the drama, with SD&P struggling to adjust to an ever-changing dynamic amidst constant pissing contests. But who’d have guessed Sally would have the best story arc?

Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer

PUSSY RIOT: A PUNK PRAYER
The fact that the Russian feminist collective’s message seems to change depending on the audience doesn’t lessen their importance as a force for freedom in Putin’s sadly repressive Russia. One can’t help but feel a chill at the similarities between closed-mindedness in their culture and our own.

Behind the Candelabra

BEHIND THE CANDELABRA
Steven Soderbergh’s tale of the “complicated” relationship between Liberace (somewhat UNDERplayed by Michael Douglas) and dimbulb companion Scott Thorson (Matt Damon, fantastic) is a ridiculously entertaining glimpse inside the insular life of the furried key-tinkler (but Rob Lowe steals the shows as a hilariously taut, unscrupulous plastic surgeon).

Game of Thrones, Season 3

GAME OF THRONES Season 3 (HBO)
Three seasons in, and while I’ve faithfully watched every episode (some more than once), I still have just the faintest glimmer of what’s going on (there’s a throne, dragons, and boobies). But one thing I do continue to suspect is that George R.R. Martin is one twisted, bitter little man.

The Revolution Was Televised

THE REVOLUTION WAS TELEVISED: THE COPS CROOKS, SLINGERS AND SLAYERS WHO CHANGED TV DRAMA FOREVER by Alan Sepinwall (Touchstone)
NJ Star-Ledger TV critic, Sepinwall revisits modern classics that set the tone and pace for a TV renaissance, including THE SOPRANOS, BUFFY, and MAD MEN. Mixing history and insightful criticism, the book makes a strong, highly entertaining case for the argument that television has eclipsed film as a storytelling medium.

Petra Haden, Petra Goes to the Movies

Petra Haden, PETRA GOES TO THE MOVIES (Anti-)
Decemberists (et al) alumnus’ second a capella collection tackles 16 movie themes, including REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE, SUPERMAN, 8½, GOLDFINGER, TOOTSIE, and more. The eerily perfect PSYCHO main title and A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS work best, while some 80s cheese remains, well, cheesy. A mixed bag worth digging into.

Superman Unbound

SUPERMAN UNBOUND
This loose adaptation of Geoff Johns’ SUPERMAN: BRAINIAC storyline suffers from some weird character designs (Supes has a skinny head), the weight-sapping elimination of Pa Kent’s death, and a shoehorned marriage proposal. Supergirl’s characterization is nice, though, and whoever thought we’d get to see a cartoon Lois flip the bird?

Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic

RICHARD PRYOR: OMIT THE LOGIC
Creative trailblazers have frequently led lives defined by pain, both suffering and inflicting it, perhaps none moreso than Richard Pryor. This too-short documentary offers a tantalizing glimpse into a life and career dotted by extreme highs and lows, but ultimately fails to capture the genius that trumped the drama.

Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter

ABRAHAM LINCOLN, VAMPIRE HUNTER
I have nothing against stupid B-movie concepts. That is, unless they cloak themselves in A-level aspirations, production values, and actors who take it all seriously. What should’ve been a goofy lark instead feels like a slog through the the most pretentious slab of muenster ever put to film.