Red Lights

How did filmmakers get this incredible cast for this so-so 2012 movie? The scientific debunking of mentalists and hucksters is sharp and intriguing. Cillian Murphy captivates as the paranormal debunker with a hidden agenda. The rest of the cast is stellar. But things about this are wacky. Askew. Cattywampus. Off. Well-known actors are sidelined, unnecessary scenes go on way too long, and the conclusion must be explained through voiceover. It aspires to be a modern-day, big budget Scanners meets X-Files. But the pacing feels scattered and directionless. The plot feels unrealized and unmotivated. This is supposed to be my expertise. I’ve put in my 10,000 hours. But I can’t explain it. Something is just… off.