Oblivion
It starts very nicely, like a classic SF of old, welcoming viewers into its own interesting setting. Plus, I love all kinds of "I am Legend", last sentinel/lonely guardian type of stories and Tom Cruise's intensity comes into its own in those kind of roles. So when the movie began with shots of Cruise putting on a hat, holstering his pistol, slinging his rifle over his shoulder and going out into the field to work, I was 100% in. In fact, that's what the whole movie should have been about - two hours of Cruise riding on his white motorcycle around a SF, post-apocalyptic desolation, slowly uncovering some higher intrigue/plot. Unfortunetely as soon as Olga Kurylenko character is introduced, the whole movie turns into run of the mill, cookie cutter ****. Filled with stupidities, plot holes galore, cringe worthy dialogue and scenes, and just general shoddines. Plus the ending becomes a ridiculous mess of all kinds of SF tropes crudely mashed togheter. Overally though, I enjoyed it not only becouse of the good first half hour, but mainly becouse of fantastic, evocative visuals and music. Say what You will about Kosinski's writing skills, but he does know how to make a stunningly beautiful and visually evocative movies.
7/10
The Counselor
This movie is like an inbreed, retarted cousin of "No Country for Old Men", trying more or less to do the same things, but failing miserably in comparison. Its not as tragic as critics are saying, since I think most people didn't gave it a fighting chance becouse of its unwelcoming, nihilistic tone that doesn't vie for viewers sympathy (it can be quite emotionally moving becouse of its depressing ending), but overally its more miss than hit. And I am not sure if its the fault of McCarthy who might have lost his mojo here while switching from novels to screenplays, or is Ridley Scott to blame for taking Cormac's theatrical, pseudo-philosophical script and showing it as 100% literall, classical thriller (which doesn't suit it).
6/10