“Zero Dark Thirty” is fascinatingly single-minded, wonderfully acted and directed with passion and intelligence, all of it making for a film that’s unambiguously essential viewing.
Surrealism is usually a cinematic touch that rubs me the wrong way; something about the level of self-indulgence and intentional audience disconnect is simply grating.
“Life of Pi” may be too empty in the long run to fully satisfy, but it is still commendable for making something compelling out of a sparse premise and setting.
