REEL CRITICS:

Al Pacino has built a career playing gritty characters in troubled circumstances on both sides of the law. From “The Godfather” to “Scarface” to “Sea of Love” to “Carlito’s Way” and “Heat,” his acting pedigree is impeccable. In all these crime thriller films, he captures the essence of the savvy heavy hitter in the middle of life-threatening circumstances.

In “88 Minutes” he takes on the persona of a famous forensic psychologist profiling serial killers for the FBI. His work on one major case is the focus of the plot. As the convicted killer nears 88 minutes of execution, Pacino’s character gets a phone call telling him he will die at the same time as the killer.

He desperately tries to figure out who is stalking him from a cast of many suspects. Several “tick tock” countdown phone calls ensue. This is an interesting premise that is well presented for the first hour.

But as the story unfolds, logic gives way to the improbable and finally the preposterous. There is tension and excitement, but in the end this thriller is hard to believe.

Romcom intersperses frat-boy humor, hope

A nice guy gets dumped (while in the nude) by his actress girlfriend in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” another raunchy but sweet comedy from producer Judd Apatow.

Jason Segel, who wrote the screenplay, stars as dumpee Peter Bretter. He writes the music for a popular crime show of which his girlfriend, Sarah (Kristin Bell), is the star.

Devastated, Peter dates indiscriminately when he’s not downing caldron-size bowls of Fruit Loops and crying in front of the TV.

To get over his heartbreak, he goes to a lovely vacation spot in Hawaii, only to run into Sarah and her new rock star boyfriend (the hilarious Russell Brand).

Peter does meet a lovely lady (Mila Kunis) at the hotel, but if you think you know where this story is going, you’re going to be surprised.

“Forgetting’s” tender and romantic moments are wildly cross-cut with a lot of frat-boy humor.

Segel, with his big puppy-dog face, is perfect as straight man to the lunacy around him.

Apatow regulars Paul Rudd and Jonah Hill will make you howl as a stoned surfing instructor and a hotel worker with a serious man-crush.

Finally, there’s a brilliantly inspired musical number — to say any more would spoil the fun.

“Forgetting” begins and ends with Segel looking particularly vulnerable, physically and emotionally. He should inspire schluby guys that they, too, can hook a hottie.

JOHN DEPKO is a Costa Mesa resident and a senior investigator for the Orange County public defender’s office. SUSANNE PEREZ lives in Costa Mesa and is an executive assistant for a financial services company.