This week brought a handful of screenings including the better than expected Non-Stop and Russian 3D epic Stalingrad, which likely won’t be seen by many Americans. I also caught an early press screening of The Raid 2 (holy hell is it good) but won’t be able to offer my full thoughts on that until I review for SXSW (where I might also have an opportunity to interview director Gareth Evans and star Iko Uwais so keep your eyes peeled for that). Chris saw Son of God and if you haven’t already, you’ll want to read his scathing review. Thank God, I did not attend that one. At home, I popped on a few comedies, re-watching This is the End (which didn’t hold up quite as well as I’d hope but was still enjoyable) and the always classic Borat. But rather than discuss those, let’s get into my thoughts on some first time watches.

THE DEAD ZONE (1983)

David Cronenberg tried his hand at this Steven King adaptation and proved he was no Kubrick. Paint by numbers and dull, this is more a showcase of when Christopher Walken‘s signature cadence goes wrong than anything else. Lacking in tension and anything defining of Cronenberg, this is filmed with the generic scope of a director for hire. When Emilio Estevez‘s character arrives on the scene, the affairs get a touch mire interesting but it’s too little, too late. More a chore than anything, this lame duck of a horror flick belongs back on the 80s shelf where it came from.

D

THE BROKEN CIRCLE BREAKDOWN (2013)

Powerfully acted love story gone wrong, The Broken Circle Breakdown is too glad to be the mayor of bummersville and for it is a bit of a burden to behold. Johan Heldenbergh and Veerle Baetens are both excellent in their leading roles and have to navigate some really harrowing waters. Watching them swirl around in love, conflict, grief and misunderstanding gives buckets of dramatic gravitas to the film and makes it a thematic cousin to the truly excellent Blue Valentine. But however difficult Valentine is, The Broken Circle Breakdown is twice as rough. Personally, I just can’t bear to watch a child wane at the hands of terminal cancer but that’s just me I guess. While I can’t discount the great performances, sensitive direction, and dollops of great folk music, I can only recommend this if you’re up for a certified downer.

C+

CAPE FEAR (1991)

It’s certainly not Martin Scorsese‘s best but Cape Fear is as delightfully genre as Scorsese gets. Though it doesn’t have the wild twists and turns (or the madcap performances) of Shutter Island, it’s an incredibly watchable thriller worth seeing if just to catch Robert De Niro sporting a southern accent and casting maniacal glares and to witness Nick Nolte playing a straight man. Juliette Lewis earned an Academy Award nomination for her work here and it’s a great breakout role for an actress who never disappoints.