“The Pirates Of Somalia” (*1/2 out of four) was a heavy-handed adaptation of Jay Bahadur’s novel showing him (Evan Peters) as a journalist who in 2008 ventured over to Somalia to immerse himself with various pirates and tell their story from their points of view. Opening scenes are wry and sardonic and have a good sense of humor but film soon sputters and goes downhill; Peters is annoying in the lead, both Al Pacino and Melanie Griffith are wasted in token roles, and Barkhad Abdi plays a gun-toting pirate for the umpteenth time. Film even shows various scenes from his breakthrough film “Captain Phillips” which was a movie with a lot more tension and style.

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“9/11” (*** out of four) was a poignant melodrama set on the fateful day of 9/11/01 in which five people (Charlie Sheen, Luis Guzman, Gina Gershon, Wood Harris, and Olga Fonda) find themselves trapped in an elevator as they struggle to escape and survive and at the same time- come to terms with their lives and what is going on around them. A heartfelt tribute to those who gave all and those who lost everything on one of the most devastating days in American history. Sheen is unusually strong in a powerful performance. An interesting companion piece to OIiver Stone’s “World Trade Center.”

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“Bullet Head” (*1/2 out of four) was a jarringly empty crime melodrama about three career criminals (Adrien Brody, Kieran Culkin, and John Malkovich) who are stuck inside an abandoned warehouse with law enforcement closing in, a vicious dog they have to hide from, and one treacherous cop (Antonio Banderas) in particular with a score to settle. Impressive cast is wasted on a tired story which offers no irony and no surprises and worse, no thrills and no inventive twists or dialogue either. Inevitable comparisons to “Reservoir Dogs” are apt but this fires blanks in contrast.

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“Cops And Robbers” (*1/2 out of four) was an utterly by-the-numbers thriller about as unimaginative as its title about a tough hostage negotiator (Michael Jai White) who is forced to play a dangerous game of cat and mouse in a violent bank robbery that he soon finds out is being led by his estranged brother (Quintin “Rampage” Jackson). Jai White is cool and charismatic as usual but he’s handcuffed by a routine story and direction. Big twist in the final third is both obvious and ridiculous. Tom Berenger picks up a couple of extra bucks and sleepwalks his way through a supporting role as one of White’s superiors.

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“I Love You Daddy” (** out of four) was an affectionate but uneven throwback to Hollywood’s Golden Age about a television producer (Louis CK who also wrote and directed) whose precocious daughter (Chloe Grace-Moretz) falls in love with a much older power player (John Malkovich) with a concerning past involving young girls. Queasy subject matter is played for sincere laughs and done in the style of a 1950’s screwball comedy. Good cast carries this as far as it can go but result is scattershot and tiresome. Gorgeously shot in b & w by Paul Koestner

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“Darkest Hour” (*** out of four) was a powerfully done historical melodrama set in the early days of World War II in which the fate of Western Europe rested upon the newly appointed Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman unrecognizable under mounds of latex and padding) who had to decide whether to negotiate with Hitler or fight on against incredible odds at risk of losing the war and the gradual fate of the whole world. Not a great film but Oldman’s commanding and compelling performance takes center stage and a strong history lesson for those unfamiliar with this time in world history. Brian Cox did a similarly impressive job in the same role in “Churchill” earlier on this year.

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“Wonder” (** out of four) was a trite adaptation of R.J. Palacio’s best-selling novel about a child (Jacob Tremblay) born with facial abnormalities from Treacher Collins syndrome who has been nurtured and home-schooled by his loving parents (Owen Wilson and Julia Roberts) and goes to middle-school for the first time. Never all that moving or involving, despite the best efforts of a good cast and earnest subject matter. Film is overshadowed by “Mask” which it often resembles. Many people loved this film so obviously it’s a matter of taste. Wilson is more tolerable than usual in a change-of-pace role.

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“Roman J. Israel, Esquire” (*** out of four) was an imperfect but engrossing story about an idealistic lawyer (Denzel Washington) whose principles and ethics are tested to the breaking point when he goes to work for a large law firm (headed by Colin Farrell) and becomes embroiled in a murder case. Washington’s usual superb performance and effortless charisma help keep this legal drama on track even as the story wanders and never really shifts into high gear. Farrell is also terrific as his cunning and tough-minded boss and they play off each other well.

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“The Christmas Train” (*** out of four) was a sweetly engaging story about a cynical journalist (Dermot Mulroney) who boards a holiday train to Los Angeles and starts to become friends with many of the passengers (Danny Glover, Joan Cusack, Kimberly Williams-Paisley) which gradually makes him realize the changes he needs to make to his life to open him up to more happiness. Not much plot per se but the upbeat spirit of its first-rate cast and holiday surroundings and settings make it entertaining. Mulroney is terrific in the lead.

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