Wizard of Lies (2017)

There are two cool scenes of note in the latest HBO movie. The first is a dream sequence, or rather a nightmare sequence. It features some really slick editing, cutting in faces of Madoff's many victims. The other is a drumming sequence--drums remind me of Whiplash or Birdman. Drums give you a sense of urgency, of continuity, of panic, and of style. Madoff is at a dinner party, panicking as his clients are asking to pull their money out of the fund. In another instance of cool editing, the drums drive the action in this scene, not the dialogue. Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer are both quite good. The acting keeps the movie afloat during some admittedly boring scenes.

Smurfs 2 (2013)

Katy Perry's singing voice isn't the best, but her speaking voice as Smurfette is just unbearably annoying.  There were lots of recognizable voices behind the little blue creatures.  The only one that really made me laugh was George Lopez as Grouchy Smurf.  Jayma Mays has a funny bit disguised as Audrey Hepburn.  Hank Azaria's awkward gargantuan villain did not make me laugh either, but he gave a valiant effort as he always does. Usually, Neil Patrick Harris makes things better, but he really isn't given much to work with.  For the record, I have never really been a fan of the Smurfs cartoon.  They were creepy and they still are.