Movie Reviews in 50 Words: (K)
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
Uma Thurman is the Bride, a heartbroken assassin committed to killing the colleagues who betrayed her. The flick is typical Tarantino, with smart banter, inspired visuals, and buckets of gore reverberating at the exact frequencies dictated by the RZA, who may not do vowels, but sure pushes a mean soundtrack.
Buy it
Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
The Bride concludes her tour de revenge against her assassin cohorts in a sequel that maintains the high production values of its predecessor. Violence still flows freely, but the gore is traded for more sharp dialogue and a satisfying glimpse of the origin story. The deadliest bookend in the world.
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The King of Kong (2007)
Documentary about nerds vying for professional video game high scores achieves unenviable feat of seemingly doubling its 90-minute runtime and making viewers feel just as awkward as the specimens filmed. Revealing footage is shoehorned into familiar underdog arc, but fails to prevent the revelation that all the winners are losers.
Borrow it
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
Darkly funny murder mystery that’s light on punctuation, but generous with everything else. Downgrade to “borrow” if excessive dialogue–razor-sharp, of course–and breaking the fourth wall annoy. Otherwise, let’s hope the glow from Iron Man gives this flick a second chance as Downey Jr. and Kilmer ham it up.
Buy it