Popcorn Bag Reviews: “Lucy,” “And So it Goes” and more

1. LUCY (R)

Universal Pictures

RUSS: It may be loony, over-the-top and downright daffy, but Luc Besson’s sci-fi action thriller “Lucy” is also a wildly entertaining opus. Scarlett Johansson stars as a woman who, through chemical inducement, is able to use nearly all of her dormant brain capacity, making her superhuman.

SHAWN: Finally. And I mean finally. Scarlett Johansson finds a role tailor made for her and delivers. About time. “Lucy” wins because it’s stylistic and imaginative. Highly fictitious but mostly entertaining. It gets weird, often veers off-track but Scarlett Johansson’s screen presence alone saves this very fun movie.

RUSS: While it is gratuitously violent and becomes more implausible with each passing scene, Besson’s creative direction and Johansson’s sharp performance make “Lucy” a lively adrenaline rush for action junkies.

SHAWN: “Lucy” is super quick and energetic. It may not be as smarts as it pretends to be but so what. Did I mention that Scarlett Johansson kills it? Director Luc Besson also has a nifty eye for action.

RUSS: 4 Popcorn Bags

SHAWN: 3 Popcorn Bags

2. AND SO IT GOES (PG-13)

Clarius Entertainment

RUSS: When Oscar winners Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton join forces with acclaimed director Rob Reiner and the screenwriter of “As Good As It Gets,” expectation levels are high. Sadly, the geriatric rom-com “And So It Goes” doesn’t live up to them.

Douglas plays an obnoxious real estate agent whose grumpy demeanor begins to melt away when the granddaughter he never knew existed comes to stay with him. There’s not a single believable moment in this labored effort that tries desperately to tug at our heartstrings. The underserved demographic for “And So It Goes” deserves better.

RUSS: 2 Popcorn Bags

SHAWN: DID NOT SCREEN

3) GORE VIDAL: THE UNITED STATES OF AMNESIA (Unrated)

IFC Films

RUSS: “Gore Vidal:The United States of Amnesia” is a well made and intriguing documentary about the late novelist and last lion of liberalism. It’s mostly talking heads…and mostly Vidal talking about himself. His ego was as big as his intellect, so this reverential portrait may be off-putting to some.

RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags

4) HERCULES (PG-13)

Paramount/MGM

RUSS: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is perfectly cast in the Radical Comics version of “Hercules.” This time out, the Greek hero may or may not be the son of Zeus. He might just be a mercenary who uses his reputation as a demigod to inspire people, or to intimidate them. This opus probably should have received an “R” rating for its bloody violence, but it’s a handsome production with a zippy pace and a solid supporting cast that includes British veterans like Ian McShane, John Hurt, Rufus Sewell and Joseph Fiennes.

RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags

Also opening this week: “A Most Wanted Man” is a suspense drama starring the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. “I Origins” is a sci-fi offering from the director of “Another Earth.” “Chinese Puzzle” is a French comedy starring Audrey Tautou. “Hellion” is a dirt biking drama starring Aaron Paul. Zach Braff used Kickstarter to fund his comedy, “I Wish I Was Here.” And, finally, “The Fluffy Movie” features footage from standup comic Gabriel Iglesias’ worldwide tour.

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