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.

German 'The Counselor' Character Poster for Javier Bardem -- More Funny Hair

The guy plays characters with funny hair. Really, though, this is the best. I'm going to pick up some hair gel.