Capsule reviews for Feb. 7

The Attorney

It might have a generic title, but this Korean import combines its laughs and thrills into a powerful package. Based on a true story, the film follows the transformation of Song (Song Kang-ho) from an ambitious yet carefree tax attorney into a crusader for human rights when he takes the case of a teenager who was falsely accused of a crime, then abused by the criminal justice system. The film is able to transition seamlessly from comedy to drama, and although it threatens to become a heavy-handed message movie in the final act, a sharp performance by Song helps smooth out the rough patches. (Not rated, 127 minutes).

A Fantastic Fear of Everything

The noteworthy presence of Simon Pegg can’t rescue this bizarre and ultimately aimless mix of comedy and horror that’s neither funny nor frightening. Pegg plays a writer whose latest book about Victorian serial killers has left him paralyzed by paranoia and confined to his London apartment. For example, he fears laundromats, which causes a problem when he needs a clean outfit for an important meeting. Pegg’s energy yields some scattered big laughs, yet the wildly unfocused nature of the script (which seems almost to be made up as it goes along) and its lack of any realistic grounding makes any enjoyment fleeting at best. (Rated R, 96 minutes).

7 Boxes

Hollywood influences abound in this taut low-budget crime thriller from Paraguay, which follows Victor (Celso Franco), a wheelbarrow delivery boy whose latest job seems easy – to deliver the titular packages without knowing what’s inside, in exchange for some quick cash. Naturally, the plan goes almost immediately awry, and as Victor’s desperation grows, so does the predicament of others with ties to the contents of the boxes. The film encounters some genre cliches, but there are some nifty twists along the way, thanks in part to an expressive performance by newcomer Franco. Plus, the crowded urban setting and gritty visuals add to the level of tension. (Not rated, 105 minutes).