Stanley Tucci

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As the truth comes out about the circumstances surrounding Billy Pettigrew’s death, more information about the effects of the mysterious disease reveal themselves, while Yuri and Max make their own play for the mammoth graveyard in a compelling episode.

fter staying in the background for weeks, in “Episode Five” Stanley Tucci’s DCI Morton takes over the investigation of Stoddard’s death, stepping in for Richard Dormer’s Sheriff Anderssen after his outburst of violence at the end of “Episode Four”. The series has been coy with Morton’s motives thus far and that continues here, with Morton playing things close to the vest, but with Morton leading the interrogation, at least one thing becomes clear: Morton’s not in town to solve Stoddard’s murder. Discovering Liam Sutter’s instigation of, and perhaps sole responsibility in, the death of Stoddard does little to slow Morton down. He’s determined to unravel the mystery of Billy Pettigrew’s death and mere details like Anderssen’s confession to the crime, as an act of mercy to a polar bear victim, aren’t going to stop him.

The splitting of the conclusions of recent fantasy or sci-fi franchises into two parts (or more – looking at you, Peter Jackson) has been financially successful for Hollywood studios, but less so creatively. Only arguable trendsetter Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I proved a satisfying film in its own right by being so rich in character interplay and having an actual sense of progression. Mockingjay – Part I is heavy on character beats, but they are repetitive ones due to its limited scope through withholding all the big stuff until Part 2.

Some Velvet Morning Written and directed by Neil LaBute USA, 2013 The new film Some Velvet Morning, writer-director Neil LaBute’s return to a cinematic appraisal of men and women in the modern age after nearly a decade away from the topic, is built on a deliberately slippery foundation. It is, in essence, a trick in …

With I Am Legend and Constantine in his filmography, two not entirely successful features but both ones with impressive sequences here and there, director Francis Lawrence would seem an adequate fit for a populist sci-fi or fantasy franchise instalment.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters Directed by Thor Freudenthal Written by Marc Guggenheim USA, 2013 The footprint that J.K. Rowling left in the world of pop culture is ever-expanding, even as those who are influenced by her work often produce something that feels less like an homage to the world of Hogwarts, Muggles, and wizards, …

Like much of Neil LaBute’s work, Some Velvet Morning takes on a highly discomforting situation and pushes it to extremes. It is a frustrating film in ways both good and bad. LaBute’s execution of a two-person drama is a painstaking exercise in building anxiety, but as the tension slows ramps up, some minds are bound to wander.

Gambit Written by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen Directed by Michael Hoffman USA, 2012 This loose remake of a 1966 film of the same name – that starred Shirley MacLaine, Michael Caine and Herbert Lom – has had a curiously long journey to the screen for a comedy, spending fourteen years stranded in numerous stages …

Jack the Giant Slayer Directed by Bryan Singer Written by Darren Lemke, Christopher McQuarrie, and Dan Studney USA, 2013 Perhaps it’s fitting that a literal tug of war is pivotal in Jack the Giant Slayer, a large-scale blockbuster retelling of the famous fairy tale about Jack and the magical beanstalk. The film itself appears to …

The Hunger Games Written for the screen by Suzanne Collins, Gary Ross and Billy Ray Directed by Gary Ross USA, 2012 In the dystopian, totalitarian nation of Panem, a wealthy capital city rules over an impoverished nation of districts. As penance for a previous rebellion, every year sees each district forced to enter two adolescents …

“Margin Call will illuminate questions about a precarious economy and is sure to intrigue and entertain moviegoers everywhere.” Margin Call Directed by J.C. Chandor Written by J.C. Chandor USA, 2011 As the stock market looms on the precipice of collapse, a prestigious investment firm, whose practices are partly responsible for the imminent crisis, fires the …