12 STRONG
3 out of 5 stars
This action war movie rides in on horseback, hyped up on heroism. The bullets & bombs are tense, & charismatic machismo is turned all the way up by a bulletproof Hemsworth. The courage of these men is unfathomable & deserves to be told, but its narrative’s scope is small & shallow on a war that started here & now feels endless.
I, TONYA
4 out of 5 stars
Stuns w/ shock, stupidity & serious sentiment, this bat shit crazy biopic lands a triple axel on your ass. Janney leaves a lasting sting by spewing her venom, & Robbie is phenomenal in her peevish, unflinching portrayal as Harding. It’s hilarious yet heartbreaking as the story troubleshoots the truth while we witness her triumph & feel her tragedy.
MAZE RUNNER: THE DEATH CURE
3 out of 5 stars
This dystopia series got buried in the sand in Scorch Trials, but it does an exciting rebound w/ its final installment. It entertains the best way it knows how. Sure, it’s a bit bloated for such a shallow story, yet the action & thrills are almost non-stop. And the bromance between O’Brien & Brodie-Sangster hits you right in the sweet spot.
BEFORE I WAKE
2.5 out of 5 stars
A kid’s nightmares capable of eating you alive is a scary thought. While it’s a tiny bit thoughtful, the creepy creature looks cheap. The performances is what keeps this supernatural, horror movie moving & keeps you engaged enough.
THE POST
4 out of 5 stars
Streep, Hanks & the rest of the ensemble are outstanding in this tense, compelling drama about journalism & the pursuit of the truth. Its timely themes are thought-provoking, & Spielberg reminds us of the significance & purpose of a free press & the power of their riveting reporting.
PADDINGTON 2
3.5 out of 5 stars
This fantastic family sequel is a welcome of warmth & wonder. Its good-natured storytelling is enjoyable for all & incredibly infectious. More so, as the villain, Hugh Grant has never had this much fun in a movie, & it’s clear to see why.
A FUTILE AND STUPID GESTURE
3 out of 5 stars
Less about National Lampoon & more about the guy who ran it. Even so, this playful dramedy has the right spirit, yet only interested in the highlights of Kenney’s unsung comedy brilliance. Forte is great at conveying Kenney’s wacky work, humor & sadness, providing inspiration for so many comedies & comedians out there today. But the narrative undercuts all of the barriers that were broken & the rules the NL rebels changed in their heyday. Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead doc may be what you need instead.
THE POLKA KING
3 out of 5 stars
The scheming doesn’t surprise nor impress in this absurd true crime tale; yet, it carries an eccentric, energetic spirit w/ a heart of gold thanks to Black. Not since Bernie has he put in such a primo performance of pleasure & deception.
CALL ME BY YOUR NAME
3 out of 5 stars
Thanks to director Guadagnino, there’s great empathy in this romance’s telling of discovering your first love. The story is a sensual one, made up of passion, intellect, & sexual enticement, but definitely drags on a little too long. Perhaps something is occurring internally on-screen that can’t be seen, but forming a connection to the characters is a challenge at first. Still, Chalamet & Hammer are amazing, giving two of the boldest yet most vulnerable performances in quite some time. And Stuhlbarg coming in w/ such a profound speech in the last few moments undeniably makes it all worthwhile.
THE COMMUTER
2.5 out of 5 stars
We already know there’s no place for plausibility in Liam Neeson actioners, & this one falls right in line. Its concept is intriguing & the first half satisfies by containing rare mental toughness. But this train ride gets lame as it goes off the rails w/ twists & turns that won’t trick a soul. Neeson is still our hero & that never seems to get old even when he does.
MARY AND THE WITCH’S FLOWER
2.5 out of 5 stars
A simplistic story livens up once there’s magic in the air in this animated adventure that can’t live up to the standards of Studio Ghibli. It’s not for lack of effort, but for lack of discovery, instead; the wonderment simply doesn’t hold up.
DEN OF THIEVES
3 out of 5 stars
A cops-and-robbers heist thriller that has a ton of brawn & surprisingly a brain as well. It pisses on plausibility, but there’s good fun in witnessing the setup & fall of a plan. The energy never lets up & the action is placed just right to feed our need. Butler going gritty is great, & Jackson, Jr. stands out by turning what could’ve been a gray character into a gripping one.
“Nature Boy” Brandon Vick is the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and star of Brandon’s Box Office In Your Mouth. Follow him on Twitter@SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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