The Accountant could have been helped by some pals, specifically The Architect and The Plumber. The former to design a better story around this idea and the latter to help flush away the fluff and minutia of the current tale. Unless you really enjoy dramatic scroll and click scenes, that is.

As the first prominent actor portrayal of autism since Leo in 1993, we had a clean canvas for originality in content and direction. Unfortunately, the abilities and struggles of this young man are adrift in an odd and reaching accountant slash assassin motif.

As the film settles, there are some redeeming facets such as the interaction between Wolff (Affleck) and Cummings (Kendrick) which thoughtfully, albeit slightly, reminds us of a potential Clark Kent and Lois Lane bond. Wolff’s Airstream brilliantly provides unspoken insight into the scope of his sketchy book cooking for international organizations. A lesson lost on the rest of the film as we were overstuffed with explanation through extended flashbacks.

Clearly, the dueling plot twists were insulting to plot twists. Yet, Film Clas respects Ben Affleck and we hope he can piece together an entire congruent movie soon. The Accountant accrues 2.8 napkins out of 5 in assets.

A rebellion is compelling because it generates introspective queries. Is this something I can believe in? Can I make a difference? It doesn’t have to be violent and is most often the opposite, actually. In Birth of a Nation, Nate Parker takes us through a rousing and shockingly important uprising in our history with full commitment and energy.

And, unfortunately, Nat Turner (Parker) is the only character we truly get to know. Parker produced, directed, starred in and wrote this historical piece which left himself to bear all of the burden, and criticism. I think he could have used a little help, both in front of and behind the lens.

The story is chronologically swift but the pace was extremely slow. In order to portray Turner’s literacy, the film started in his childhood and then accelerated to fatherhood, which was rather abrupt. I know this works under other circumstance but it was slightly off for this portrayal.

The script was dominated by scripture which defaulted away from dialogue and there was a growing amount of conflict that was never developed but culminated in extreme violence. Birth of a Nation can only swaddle itself in 2.8 napkins out of 5.