you know what your problem is, it's that you haven't seen enough movies; all of life's riddles are answered in the movies

This last week's workout movies. Two big hits, three not bad, and one...meh.

The Town: bank robbery, manhunt, romance, and deception in a tough Boston neighborhood. The film was directed by Affleck, of whom I've been (memorably) critical in the past. This redeems him completely. His acting is top-notch, and all over the movie are the hallmarks of skilled and delicate direction. Jeremy Renner was nominated for an Oscar for his supporting role. Affleck also co-wrote the screenplay.
story: 4/5
acting: 5/5--standouts: Ben Affleck (Doug) & Rebecca Hall (Claire)
visuals: 5/5
intangibles: 4/5--complexity of story, moral conundrum, action
overall: 4.5/5

Losing in Love: depression, grief, romance, and metamorphosis--indie style. This is not a movie for everyone. It's weird, uncomfortable, melancholy, and very sentimental. At the same time, it is refreshingly honest and unsparingly affectionate, so if you're into truth in the characters that you're watching, you may like it as much as I did.
story: 4/5
acting: 3/5--standout: Ronnie Blevins (Teddy)
visuals: 3/5
intangibles: 5/5--fanciful & different, gorgeous setting, some beautiful lines
overall: 3.75/5 [viewed on Amazon Prime]

Fast Times at Ridgemont High: uhm...gnarly? Dude? This was the epitome of cool when I was a kid. Sean Penn's Spicoli is still a high (or low) water mark for slackers. If you haven't seen this movie, you really ought to see this movie.
story: 2/5
acting: 4/5--standout: Robert Romanus (Mike Damone)
visuals: 3/5
intangibles: 5/5--a classic of the genre, lots of well-known actors in early roles, some clever humor
overall: 3.5/5

Tae Guk Gi [The Brotherhood of War]: the best Korean War film, from the perspective of Korean brothers drafted into service. It came recommended to me by someone who was born in Seoul. I've seen it three times so far, and will definitely watch again. It is sad, challenging, and an unforgettable story.
story: 4/5
acting: 4/5--standout: Dong-Gun Jang (Lee Jin-Tae)
visuals: 5/5
intangibles: 5/5--cinematography, gritty realism, pathos
overall: 4.5/5

No Strings Attached: the same year that Justin Timberlake & Mila Kunis starred in Friends with Benefits, Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman released this lookalike. JT and Mila wore it better. I think that the title probably describes it well enough.
story: 2/5
acting: 3/5--standout: Jake Johnson (Eli)
visuals: 3/5
intangibles: 3/5--the side-stories are pretty good, some good acting here and there, and lots of pretty people
overall: 2.75/5

Money Monster: who stands accountable for the wild claims made by "financial analysts" on cable "news"? George Clooney & Julia Roberts gorgeously address the question.
story: 4/5
acting: 5/5--standouts: Jack O'Connell (Kyle)
visuals: 3/5
intangibles: 4/5--intense, thought-provoking, and difficult
overall: 4/5

[the title quotation is by Steve Martin]