This week at the movies Denzel Washington and Boxtrolls fight very different bad guys.
The Equalizer
A reformed bad guy played by Denzel Washington is working the straight and narrow at a big box store, when a couple of guys rob them. Then, he meets a young girl, played by Chloe Moretz, who is under the control of the Russian Mob. When they beat her senseless, he decides to avenge her; hence the name, “The Equalizer.” Cue: Denzel looking very serious.
Perfect For: Fans of movies like the Professional, Taken, and Denzel Washington. Not for the children.
What the Critics Say: A waste of a great talent in a paint-by-numbers movie. Writes the Seattle Times: “The line separating the bad guys from the good is almost nonexistent.” And, says The Village Voice: “It's great if that's what you're into, but is this the best use our culture has for a talent like Denzel Washington?”
Our Take: It might not be a terrible thing to watch on a dark, rainy Sunday afternoon when you’ve got nothing else to do. Besides… Denzel.
Watch the Trailer:
The Boxtrolls
Created by the team behind Coraline, this animated kid’s flick is about a bunch of Boxtrolls (trolls who can hide in boxes) who’ve hidden beneath the streets for years out of fear of being hurt. As a result, nearly everyone thinks they are evil, scary trolls. But one boy (Eggs) who has been living underground with them and was raised by them knows differently. He ventures up to the real world and everyone discovers the Boxtrolls—and some want to destroy them. Voiced by Elle Fanning, Ben Kingsley and Simon Pegg.
Perfect For: Fans of Pixar movies; the children (and you might actually like it, too).
What the Critics Say: Mostly positive! Writes The Onion’s A.V. Club: “In an age when most cartoon companies have traded pens for pixels, the magicians at Laika continue to create fantastically elaborate universes out of pure elbow grease.” Writes the LA Weekly: “The Boxtrolls is a kiddie charmer that makes you laugh, cower and think of Hitler. That's an unusual trifecta, but then again, this is an unusual film.”
Our Take: Looks weirdly adorable. Also: Ben Kingsley!
Watch the Trailer:
