Reviews for James Franco's latest movie 'Child of God' are almost diametrically opposed, however I get the feeling the bad ones are from people who couldn't like a movie this raw, shot in this style, with this kind of subject, no matter what, so I'm inclined to give the positive write-ups more weight.

Most agree Scott Haze (the psycho killer, Lester Ballard) gives a must-see performance. That's certainly what I get watching this trailer. He delivers one of the most un-actorly, non-techique-y portrayals I've seen. It creeps me out, and not in the polite way Javier Bardem's Anton Chigurh did in 'No Country For Old Men'. Whereas Chigurh acted according to a program, in line with a strict set of motives, Haze's Ballard is a unthinking viper, and that makes him more dangerous -- as if such a thing could be possible.

Well, I haven't read Cormac McCarthy's novel, but that's the impression I get of this backwoods predator.

Reviews aside, this looks can't-miss.

Looking Better, More Dense, Heavier

Usually, movies get weaker looking as their campaigns roll on and we lose interest, but 'The Counselor' is becoming more fully realized with each new trailer. There's a density in this footage that was lacking before. We knew Ridley Scott would deliver a glossy product and Cormac McCarthy would delineate a gritty plot but you can do those things and still have a superficial story.

This, really, is the first time I've thought 'The Counselor' had a shot at delivering the gravitas, nuance of character, and insight into what makes people tick that made 'No Country For Old Men' so enjoyable. 

Slick 'Counselor' Clip -- or -- "What's Hand?" -- or -- "Those Look Like Pantyhose To Me"

So effing confident. Effortless, crafted, polished, smart, fresh, with a very nice button.

Michael Fassbender is really smooth here. Don't know her name, but the store chick is very good.

It's like Cormac McCarthy and Ridley Scott are in AI cruise control with style-mode set to high. This is in-your-face but not so you'd be aware of it. Nice.

I Like These Guys. The Counselor, The Other Guy Too

Yeah, they're bad. They've done bad stuff. I still like them. Good acting/direction -- when you care about the bad guys.

Good writing as well -- Cormac McCarthy wrote the screenplay. But, dialogue comes off busy. Is that just these characters, here, in this scene, nervous and too talky or is the whole script like that? I wonder.

I like the camera here, too. Dariusz Wolski gets that 'you are there' feel without going all jittery. Looks like some on sticks, some on shoulder -- nice mix, doesn't work well much of the time.

This movie is put together.