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Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week.

Coma
Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, Geena Davis, James Woods, Ellen Burstyn, Lauren Ambrose, and Steven pasquale
Synopsis: This was a TV movie on A&E, and a re-make of the 1978 movie of the same name written and directed by Michael Crichton and starring Michael Douglas. This version is a four-hour TV movie/mini-series that just wasn't that good. Watching the first half (which debuted on Labor Day), I wasn't totally clear what they were trying to do. Watching the second half, I still wasn't. There was an attempt to recapture this plot and make it hip and modern, but it just doesn't work. The film was marginally run together, not that engrossing, and they made the ending a bit overly gross. It was just kind of a miss.
Rating: TVPG
Verdict: One star out of four.

The Words
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Irons, Zoe Saldana, Dennis Quaid, and Olivia Wilde
Synopsis: Writing can be a frustrating, lonely pursuit. And it would be hard to find a serious writer in any discipline that hasn’t felt the sting of rejection in one way or another. The question is how do you respond? That’s the idea at the heart of “The Words,” a fascinating new drama. The film spins layer upon layer of narrative, but the central question at the heart of the film is how far would you go to achieve your dream? In “The Words” a young writer is forced to confront that idea, and then forced to live with the consequences. This is a fascinating film that’s also a tough sell. It opened to limited Box Office acclaim last weekend, but it’s a moving and engrossing film. Co-writers and directors Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal (“Tron Legacy”) keep the film moving and keep the plot advancing through the twisting of timelines and of fact and fiction. In the end, it’s left up to the audience to decide the meaning of the events of the story. I have my own thoughts, but I won’t spoil that here. Whatever your impression of the plot, it’s an interesting exploration of what it means to be a writer, and what it means to live with the decisions you make to get to where you want to be. Cooper does a good job in the lead role. It’s something a bit different for him, but he handles the role well. So, too, does Irons, who brings a great deal of pain to the role of the old man. The interactions between the two of them are the best thing about the movie. While the story itself and the larger questions it seeks to explore are compelling, the narrative device with Quaid and Wilde doesn’t quite work. In addition, the abrupt ending, while leaving the discussion beautifully open-ended, likely won’t satisfy large portions of the audience. This isn’t meant to be a straight-forward story. It’s an exploration of larger themes, and in that sense it does its job. The film is engrossing and entertaining, and moves at a good pace. But for those seeking a sense of completion and closure in their films, this one will leave you feeling a bit uncomfortable. But, then again, that’s not always a bad thing.
Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language and smoking.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:

Friday, Sept. 14 — "Resident Evil: Retribution," "Finding Nemo 3D," "The Master," "Stolen"

Friday, Sept. 21 — "Dredd 3D," "Trouble With The Curve," "End of Watch," "The House at the End of the Street"

Friday, Sept. 28 — "Won't Back Down," "Looper," "Hotel Transylvania"