#VicksFlicks Terse Twitter Reviews – Vol. 27

Share This Post

THE LEGO MOVIE 2:THE SECOND PART

3.5 out of 5 stars

All of the brick laying, mesmerizing animation, & pop culture jokes are back & built w/ infectious fun while never ceasing to being the cleverest at being childish. But as the sequel grows up, it’s noticeable that a few pieces of its awesomeness are gone. Still, this doesn’t slow down director Mitchell & the bouncy, everlasting energy this movie thrives off of. The voice talent is top-notch & fits just right w/ a nice message about friendship & playing nice w/ others that we could all learn a thing or two from.

THE MAN WHO KILLED HITLER AND THEN THE BIGFOOT

3 out of 5 stars

Director Krzykowski shapes a wild character study that doesn’t deliver on all of its promises as far as the fun that could’ve been had. However, Elliott is stellar as the lonesome titled character, & the only man capable of doing what this zany movie suggests. Between his god-given ruggedness & his character’s regretfulness, Elliott somberly shows a man who has done the unimaginable, yet the only thing that matters was lost long ago.

THE UPSIDE

2.5 out of 5 stars

Cranston is top-notch, which is to be expected even in an unremarkable American remake that’s familiar to a fault & carries on far too long. His chemistry is surprising w/ Hart – who gives it a real shot at being dramatic. Yet, director Burger can’t capitalize on his star-studded cast, & that’s just one of several downsides to this forgettable dramedy.

EVERYBODY KNOWS

3.5 out of 5 stars

As a mother whose daughter is abducted during her sister’s wedding reception, Cruz delivers a phenomenal performance where her dogged devotion & desperation pours out. And while Bardem’s role isn’t a flashy one, he continues to be in top form as a friend & former lover of Cruz’s character who is left sacrificing the most. Director Farhadi drags out his compelling psychological drama longer than necessary; still, it’s mostly well-executed, creating cracking tension between a fallible family w/ secrets to spill. The revelations revealed aren’t startling, but under their intricate truths is something much uglier we don’t get to see but everybody knows exists.

REPLICAS

1 out of 5 stars

This sucky sci-fi movie about human cloning is extremely emotionless even for a Reeves movie. Director Nachmanoff creates a numbing viewing experience in which the plot rapidly becomes more & more wearisome. Without a doubt, this has the look & feel of an experiment that’s gone horribly wrong. It’s batshit crazy, in desperate need of intentional humor, & every action scene is pitiful. Long before it’s over, you’ll be wishing John Wick shows up to put you out of your misery.

THE HOLE IN THE GROUND

2 out of 5 stars

An Irish child-possessed horror that only has one creepy scene to count as being “scary.” The rest is a stylish yet standard telling of parental paranoia & the bond between mother & son. Kerslake is about the only one who seems to be trying to make this into something more w/ an emotionally electric performance. But director Cronin can’t dig himself out of a hole filled w/ cliches.

STAN & OLLIE

3.5 out of 5 stars

Coogan & Reilly bring the legendary comedy team Laurel & Hardy to life by not only recapturing the silliness & slapstick, but the preciousness of their partnership that they couldn’t comprehend during their hey day in the 1930’s. Along w/ the two dynamic leads, director Baird shows great care & consideration for two guys who understood the power of a laugh & knew exactly how to get it. Focusing on their last tour together long after their golden era is over, this sweet, understated movie shows the serious side of past regrets & the toll that relentless showbiz can take. Nevertheless, their cleverness, chemistry, & ultimate friendship created a match made in heaven that’s unquestionably meant to be.

ARCTIC

3.5 out of 5 stars

In director Penna’s unflinching story of survival, the ending is to be expected – but the treacherous trek through the stark, snowy wilderness is unquestionably a compelling one. Mikkelsen is extraordinary in his most physically-demanding role of his career. With little dialogue as possible, his searching & suffering is obviously seen & most definitely felt w/ every shivering step he takes. It’s a man vs. nature that’s honest about humanity’s perseverance when lives are on the verge of being lost & buried beneath unconquered, unforgiving territory.

ISN’T IT ROMANTIC

3 out of 5 stars

This attractive revolt against the rom-com strikes up plenty of laughs w/ a pitch-perfect Wilson giving us that sassy energy that you can’t get from anyone else. And while putting typical tropes to the test, it could’ve gone much further. By becoming the movie it so heartily mocks, director Strauss-Schulson makes finding true love less interesting & repetitive. We know how this ends as a satirical spoof tries to play it cool to only join the in-crowd it pretends it wouldn’t be caught dead with. No matter how self-aware – it ain’t fooling no one.

COLD WAR

2.5 out of 5 stars

In stunning black-and-white, director Pawlikowski shapes a romance that doesn’t stand a chance against history. Spanning decades, Kulig & Kot play passionate musicians/lovers torn apart by politics as they each ache for integral freedom. Pawlikowski hits the highlights w/ music as the changing of time is thrust upon us; but there’s a feeling of being held at a distance while watching his two disillusioned leads take their detours through life. While the beauty of the framework & Kulig captivate on-screen, there’s nothing else that garners your attention. What’s personal & painful for them has a tough time transferring to those of us on the outside looking in – & its ending definitely doesn’t help w/ that.

“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.

Check out the SoBros Shop. Subscribe to our Patreon. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Listen on SoundCloud. Watch on YouTube.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get updates and learn from the best

More To Explore