In an new video, Highbrow Magazine writer and film critic Forrest Hartman reviews director Joe Carnahan's latest thriller, COPSHOP, which stars Gerard Butler. Typical of Carnahan's films, COPSHOP delivers the usual gore and violence, but the storyline is nothing new and is reminiscent of his previous films. Hartman gives the film 2 1/2 stars.

The best of the two is “White House Down,” a picture that balances wild action sequences with a healthy sense of humor. “Olympus Has Fallen,” on the other hand, takes things deadly serious. It centers on Mike Banning (Gerard Butler), a U.S. Secret Service agent who loses favor by failing to save the first lady (Ashley Judd) in the aftermath of an automobile accident. Mike gets an opportunity to redeem himself when the White House is taken over by well-organized attackers. 

As with the previous “Twilight” films, the plotting is lightweight, the execution is melodramatic and the special effects are subpar. All these flaws are out of character for director Bill Condon (“Dreamgirls,” “Gods and Monsters”), but even great filmmakers can stumble when saddled with weak material.  It doesn’t help that Stewart’s reading of Bella hasn’t improved over the years. The supposedly beguiling heroine never comes across as more than a sulky teen who has difficulties expressing emotion.