24 Words Per Film (#87)

Neat trick: equal emphasis on realish protagonists and cartoon environment. Nicely satires the pushy, manipulative side of hippies, and the awkwardness of total openness.

Wanderlust (2012); dir. David Wain; starring Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston, Ken Marino, Kathryn Hahn, Joe Lo Truglio, Alan Alda. 

24 Words Per Film (#86)

The central conceit is rather clever, but the narrative itself doesn't always betray the same consideration. Kristen Wiig is, as always, totally frickin' brilliant.

Paul (2011); dir. Greg Mottola; starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig.

24 Words Per Film (#85)

Theron has pretty much cornered the market on "brave" choices, and Diablo Cody joins her here, writing a wholly unlikeable protagonist. Go Patton Oswalt!

Young Adult (2011); dir. Jason Reitman; starring Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Patrick Wilson. 

24 Words Per Film (#84)

Perlman's incongruous performance choices incite more shock than the violence—which sometimes reaches true beauty. Drive and its excellent soundtrack have a symbiotic relationship.

Drive (2011); dir. Nicolas Winding Refn; starring Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Ron Perlman.

24 Words Per Film (#83)

A time capsule ready tour through some of today's subcultural categories: Brooklyn hipsters, high-powered yuppies, moderna-hippies. The less broad, the better the comedy here.  

Our Idiot Brother (2011); dir. Jesse Peretz; starring Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Rashida Jones, Adam Scott, Kathryn Hahn.

24 Words Per Film (#82)

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24 Words Per Film (#81)

Ben Falcone gives a break-out performance—a better film would've starred him and Elizabeth Banks, cutting Diaz and Lopez, whose stories lack comedic punch. 

What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012); dir. Kirk Jones; starring Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Ben Falcone, Dennis Quaid, Anna Kendrick. 

24 Words Per Film (#80)

A Thor sequel with the plot to Transformers? Huh. Okay. Downey and Ruffalo are great, though. And the 3-D is tastefully done, for once.

Marvel's The Avengers (2012); dir. Joss Whedon; starring everybody.

24 Words Per Film (#79)

The rare comedy (romantic or otherwise) set in the "real" world that doesn't get all heavy on you, instead staying funny throughout. Great co-stars!

The Five-Year Engagement (2012); dir. Nicholas Stoller; starring Jason Segal, Emily Blunt, Chris Pratt, Alison Brie. 

24 Words Per Film (#78)

Remarkably perceptive about the differences between today's cool kids and those of just five years ago. Works equally well as both action and comedy.

21 Jump Street (2012); dir. Phil Lord, Chris Miller; starring Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Dave Franco, Ice Cube.