The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is a mess, albeit entertaining in spots. Wes Anderson plays fast and loose with linguistics (Filipino is not a language!), biology, and the policing of international territories. Just what would "unprotected waters" be, after all? The faint whiff of Contempt—life as a documentary film project—doesn't raise the tone of this movie.

Kevin Bacon gives a well-played, understated, sympathetic portrayal in The Woodsman, the film with the season's most controversial subject matter. Bacon plays Walter, an ex-con who has served his time for sex offenses and is trying in his own way to achieve "normality." Mos Def plays interesting levels as Sgt. Lucas, Walter's nemesis. The film perhaps accomplishes a too-tidy resolution, but Walter's future is in no way secure.

posted: 9:24:48 PM