Zodiac

When I first saw this, I liked it, but was put off by the excessive length, the time spent on a dead end (the film projectionist), and the untidy resolution. Seeing it again I have a much higher opinion of it, and I think these perceived weaknesses are the film's strengths. Dead ends are a natural part of problem solving and thinking through a problem, and it's refreshing to see a procedural film realistically depict that. And the film truly does subvert our expectations: there's no real climax, the minimal violence is at the beginning, and the plot doesn't bother to go unproductive places. It's an absorbing experience for all of its nearly 160 minutes.