Bryan Cranston is cooking again. No, it is not that crystal blue persuasion but a scheme to bring down Pablo Escobar, the Walter White of cocaine. Although on the opposing side of the drug trade, Cranston attacks this covert role with similar vigor and posture.

Throughout the film, Cranston’s Mazur tempers the emotion as the story teeters toward looming chaos. This allows for a slower pace and the real story to be sifted out between sharp violent moments. In this manner, The Infiltrator mirrors the excellence of Traffic. The inherent plodding that accompanies investigating the money trail forces us to experience a tension born from the idea of consequence. That is, as he forges a familial relationship with a top Escobar Lieutenant in Alcaino (Bratt) with a fake fiance (Kruger), the penny seemingly has to drop, right? And that lands us in suspense.

Leguizamo adds his incognito moxie and street acumen as Emir Abreu and counters Mazur’s novelty. He is just as ace as Cranston and deserved of high praise.

This is a genre du jour of Film Clas. We love period cop dramas. The Infiltrator goes undercover to discover elite status, laundering 4.51 napkins out 5.

The essential idea in The Secret Life of Pets is to bring to life Gary Larson’s Far Side genius. This exercise is like trying to chase your cat while she is chasing a squirrel up a tree. Larson’s humanization of animals is one-of-kind. But, by all means, give it a go. The effort might be futile but it will probably be funny.

In Pets, our hunches about our furry friends are cleverly given confirmation. Buddy, the dachshund, and his a hilarious take on the ChuckIt! toy and the group’s impression of their hipster dog-walker were particularly memorable. Unfortunately, quirky pet antics do not make a movie and an underground of discarded pets was flushed, and somewhat forced, out. To compound matters, the post-production team for Pets had to gulp when Shaun the Sheep was released with an animal control narrative containing more thought, humor and originality.

This film is a good try. Kevin Hart as the bunny leader of the discarded pets was hilarious. To enter this realm, however, perfection is the password. I’ll flip on Tom & Jerry and be very happy. Pets chases its tail a bit but catches up to a respectable 3.1 napkins out of 5.

What if? It is the ubiquitous inquiry of every storyteller allowing for imagination to flourish through pages and screen. In Swiss Army Man, Daniels (directors, Kwan and Scheinart) elevates this premise. They essentially recall a childish conversation from the playground and flip it into a timeless story of acceptance, loneliness, friendship and love.

The novelty in the open is genius. Hopeless Hank (Dano) wraps a noose around his neck then discovers the corpse of Manny (Radcliffe). Soon enough, Hank is riding Manny across the ocean with his farts as fuel. Daniels doesn’t ask for your acceptance. They are way too smart and creative to worry about that.

Dano is the foremost awkward actor, intelligently depicting outcasts of all kinds, and Radcliffe is completely fearless. Each scene is purposeful and guided brilliantly by the Manchester Orchestra score. Manny, glassy-eyed and dead, is unable to comprehend the world that Hank explains to him until a simulated bus ride changes everything so magically.

This film is perfectly original and engaging, thought-provoking, suspenseful, light-hearted and intelligent. Not to mention the amazing Jurassic Park references. The ending is worth everything. This excellence in flatulence soars into the Film Clas elite with 4.75 napkins out of 5.