#VicksFlicks Terse Twitter Reviews – Vol. 33

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ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP

3 out of 5 stars

The original cast makes this a lively sequel w/ the same humor & same rules to survive the zombie apocalypse. With director Fleischer returning, it’s a raucous reunion – except it’s all for a pretty pointless plot. The evolving of the undead, the introduction of new people & places are decent distractions, but that’s all they are. Z-land of 2019 doesn’t fully come back to life from 2009’s surprise hit. This spunky zom-com’s second go-around is still fun & enjoyable while 100% knowing how unnecessary it is.

AD ASTRA

4 out of 5 stars

Pitt delivers another primo performance as a disconnected astronaut conflicted about his dedication to the job & being just like his high-regarded father who may still be alive. Finding his old man will cause him to confront what terrifies him the most in order to save the world. Writer-director Gray spins his well-crafted, cosmic story into a deeply intimate one where internal questions haunt the mind w/ no easy answers available. An action galore space journey it is not; however, it succeeds at being something much more meaningful by depicting separation & isolation, love & forgiveness while searching among the unknowns of the universe. It’s a spectacular sci-fi drama that’s visually astonishing w/ stunning scope & scale, & hits heavy on the human condition.

THE GOLDFINCH

1.5 out of 5 stars

The book can’t possibly be as boring as director Crowley’s fallow adaptation of a motherless child & a priceless painting. Minute by minute, scene-to-scene, the story shows no sign of significance when it comes to its characters & the hindrances that keep them caged. By presenting such a confusing, random narrative, it’s no shocker nothing remotely resonates w/ us. Its elegance, beauty, & gifted cast regrettably won’t make this any less hollow or bearable to watch.

LITTLE MONSTERS

3 out of 5 stars

Nyong’o is divine as a kindergarten teacher who doesn’t let the undead ruin her student’s field trip in a zom rom-com that’s more sweet than scary. It’s impressive & beneficial for director Forsythe to let the human story drive the plot, & the zombies’ existence is merely what it takes for the living to figure their shit out. Family & redemption are themes that can’t be killed. And what audiences will eat up the most is the heart & humor presented by a cast & filmmaker who understand & utilize the silliness of the sub-genre to create a tasty, gory treat.

HUSTLERS

3.5 out of 5 stars

A charged crime caper done w/ glitz, glamour, & guts from a sisterhood of strippers. In what could’ve been tacky & tasteless, director Scafaria spotlights these women’s strengths as she goes beyond their beauty & presents them as survivors who don’t need nor want sympathy. Surprisingly, this ends up being a fantastic film that struts its stuff w/ honesty, empowerment & feverish female friendship. Wu is wonderful while JLo is unforgettable in her best role in over two decades.

PARASITE

4.5 out of 5 stars

A clever, cutting film that sharpens its story on a seriously insidious level w/ timely themes – brought upon us w/ a vicious indictment of the gigantic gap between the haves & the have-nots. Director Joon ho wants to make you laugh, & then stab you right where it hurts the most. He’s masterful at equalizing genres in order to be exceptionally effective when watching a perturbing home invasion thriller. Or, at least that’s what it appears to be at first. Something much more consequential comes out of hiding in this crying commentary on class. Greed, selfishness, total disdain for others – it’s all there at its filthiest. Phenomenal performances, stirring surprises, & a fearless filmmaker provide purpose to such a spellbinding, scathing social satire.

THE AMAZING JOHNATHAN DOCUMENTARY

2 out of 5 stars

Director Berman has quite a few tricks up his sleeve – & his greatest one is making the audience believe his story focuses on a dying, drug addicted magician coming out of retirement instead of himself. But it’s soon revealed the title is a deceiving one as The Amazing Johnathan becomes less & less of the narrative as it gets more & more bizarre. Too much time is spent on Berman talking about Johnathan instead of talking to him. As one of many docs vying for the subject’s attention, this one is not the standout it desperately wants to be. It’s funny & engrossing at times, yet its entire existence is highly questionable.

JUDY

3.5 out of 5 stars

It’s assuredly a tragic tale as this biopic of an iconic performer is a stirring, emotional song & dance of what fame can do to an individual. Garland was a victim of Hollywood, & during her final performances in London, her demons never let up. At the same time, director Goold shows the terrific talent that goes unmatched when she’s on stage giving the audience a performance of a lifetime. Zellweger incredibly immerses herself in a remarkable role in which she captivates w/ every word she speaks or sings. Her phenomenal portrayal & presence is pivotal when living a legend’s final days doing what she loved: Entertaining.

RAMBO: LAST BLOOD

1.5 out of 5 stars

Hold on tightly to those fond memories you may have of the legendary action hero, & don’t go near this dated & dumb final shoddy sequel of a floundering franchise. Director Grunberg & Stallone overindulge on bloody violence & couldn’t care less about an actual story worth telling. It’s painfully plain to see Rambo should’ve retired a looooong time ago.

THE LIGHTHOUSE

4 out of 5 stars

Director Eggers has built a dark, daring, delusional film that’s sure to mess w/ your mind. His beautiful, strange trip into insanity is nerve-racking & splendidly surreal w/ maniacal humor that catches you off guard. Shot in stunning black-and-white, the intoxicating mood & atmosphere alone pushes the boundaries of storytelling. There’s much that’s unexplained, which is no surprise when this psychotic storm comes rolling in. In a pair of doozy performances, Dafoe & Pattinson are at each other’s throats, but share a drink at dinner. Being isolated on a cryptic rock with their raging masculinity, they teeter on the edge of lucidness before falling off the deep end. After that, they are unstoppable as they become unhinged. You won’t believe your eyes as you take a swig of Egger’s phantasmagoric vision.

BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON

3.5 out of 5 stars

An excellent & endearing tale about self-confidence, along w/ taking responsibility for who you are & where you’re at in life. As a young woman going through a life-changing transformation, Bell is fantastic in the leading role. She’s authentic as possible, making her character ever so relatable as she fights her flaws w/ running shoes on. And don’t fool yourself into thinking the narrative is just about losing weight either. Director Colaizzo’s approach is too sharp, funny, & involved to be that shallow. It’s inspirational, but not without warning when it comes to setting & reaching your goals while forgetting about your own personal happiness in the process.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY

2.5 out of 5 stars

The family whose hideousness is a hoot returns in a kiddie animation that can’t wholly embrace their creepiness, kookiness, spookiness, & ookiness. Featuring an all-star voice cast, directors Vernon & Tiernan may provide some haunting humor & a feel-good message of acceptance, but the delightful darkness that’s favored is doused by a spiritless story. We all know what kind of horrific household we’re dealing with, & playing it safe is the last thing they would do.

WOUNDS

1.5 out of 5 stars

What do you get when watching a creepy chronicle centering around a bartender, a cursed cell phone, & a hefty amount of cockroaches? A miserable movie that goes nowhere. Director Anvari & leading man Hammer display moral deterioration on-screen, but it’s just so boring to watch. A horror-thriller that squashes the scares is a really bad sign. Finally, right when things might be getting good – the f’n credits roll.

THE CURRENT WAR

2.5 out of 5 stars

There’s inarguably fascinating aspects to this cutthroat inventor’s tale circling around a contest to be the first to light up the future of electricity. Yet, w/ the A-list talent director Gomez-Rejon has amazingly assembled, there should be a much bigger, blinding spark in his telling of 19th century discoveries that helped shape the world we live in today. A lot of which we take for granted. As an acting showcase for Cumberbatch & Shannon – they shine as Edison & Westinghouse, respectively. Owning their big ideas come at an even bigger cost, & their ruthlessness never rests. Unfortunately, the historical drama’s wide-ranging pursuance slowly screws in a dull bulb that could’ve been oh-so bright.

THE KILL TEAM

3.5 out of 5 stars

Wolff & Skarsgård are superb in a drama dealing w/ wartime morality & the physical & emotional suffering of a soldier. Their compelling, committed performances display a nuanced view at those in uniform who serve to slay w/ no interest in protection. Separating the good guys from the bad isn’t an easy thing to do. Writer/director Krauss has already told this harrowing story in his doc of the same name; & while I’ve never seen that, this version is tightly-wound & intense b/c of being constantly unprepared for what these warriors are truly capable of. Not all orders are meant to be followed.

Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.

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