THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA
★★★☆☆
Disappointing fairy tale from Studio Ghibli; doubly so from Takahata (FIREFLIES/YAMADAS/POKO).
BREATHE ★★★☆☆
Mélanie Laurent directs, with occasional panache, a wearying coming of age drama. Ending doesn't satisfy.
THE DEAD LANDS ★★☆☆☆
Should've been a badass Maori ATANARJUAT, but inept direction and clunky, expository dialogue derailed.
THE JUDGE ★★☆☆☆
Why did Downey Jr, Duvall and Thornton sign up for this syrupy, TV movie of the week courtroom melodrama?