Hollywoodland

Rated R

You gotta see this if: You’re always trying to convince your friends that Ben Affleck can act.

final analysis: *** Ben Affleck has finally chosen a role that showcases his talent. He’s perfectly cast as TV’s original Superman, George Reeves, with his clean cut, strong jawed looks. “Hollywoodland” chronicles the events leading up to Reeves’ death in 1959. His death was determined to be a suicide, but there have been many theories disputing the official report. In film noir style, the movie follows his affair with Toni Mannix, wife of an MGM mogul who was quietly supportive of his wife’s extramarital relationship. Reeves ended his relationship with Mannix shortly before his death and whether or not she had a hand in his demise is the premise of this film. Diane Lane plays Mannix with a passion. Her range from charm through desperation to heartwrenching loss is portrayed exquisitely. The movie itself unwinds like a ‘50s gumshoe flick with great suspense and hard-boiled dialogue. The main flaw in “Hollywoodland” is making private eye, Louis Simo, the main character, as he delves into the mystery surrounding Reeves’ case. As the film mires in Simo’s life and failing marriage, it slows the movie like kryptonite strapped to the man of steel.

The Wicker Man

Rated PG-13

You gotta see this if: Your favorite “The Simpsons” character is Bumblebee Man.

final analysis: * I saw 1973’s original “The Wicker Man,” and while I felt the pace was a little slow and the songs a bit out of place, I enjoyed the movie. It featured a conservative Christian detective who travels to a remote island off the coast of Scotland to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. What he finds on the island is a commune of pagans whose lives of nature worship and sexuality are in sharp contrast to his own. He slowly begins to suspect that the missing girl is to be sacrificed at the annual May Day celebration and the ending is dark and satisfying. Everything good about the original has been butchered in this remake. This time a police officer, Nicholas Cage, has been summoned by his ex-fianceé to find her missing daughter. The island has been moved to the Washington coast and the island is run by a cult of women who eschew everything masculine and appear to worship bees. Every bit of subtlety or philosophical controversy the original offered has been replaced by a series of bulletins from the department of the obvious. There is nothing plausible about these women and the dialogue is unintentionally comedic. The only thing retained from the original is its ending, but even that has been washed to a faded pale.

Sherrybaby

Not rated

You gotta see this if: You’ve watched “Secretary” more than three times.

final analysis: *** I am crazy about Maggie Gyllenhaal. She is angular, somewhat awkward in the way she moves, and not a classic beauty, yet she is a beguiling, sizzling screen presence. “Sherrybaby” wouldn’t work without her in the lead role. It’s the story of a damaged young woman just out of prison and battling with recovery from drug addiction. Before she was arrested for drug related charges, she gave birth to a daughter. Now, Sherry is struggling to reclaim her daughter from the care of her brother and his wife, and live a sober, law abiding life. Despite Sherry’s best intentions, however, rehabilitation doesn’t come easy when thrust back into her old environment, Sherry begins to slip down into well-worn habits. It’s often difficult to watch and Gyllenhaal infuses Sherry with heart-breaking humanity. She excels at playing damaged characters and her performance can’t fail to touch anyone who has fought to redeem themselves. “Sherrybaby” reminds me of “Leaving Las Vegas.” Both movies are dark, troubled portraits of how severe emotional damage leads to self-destruction. This level of depth can be tough to take, but if you can withstand the fall, you’ll be awed by its results.