SCOOB!
3 out of 5 stars
Nostalgia & a nifty voice cast, especially Forte as Shaggy, does wonders in this animated reboot that starts as a short-lived origin story – & then cue the old school intro as a new Mystery Inc. adventure gets under way. Swapping a supernatural tale for a superhero one dampens the classic Scooby-Doo spirit, but director Cervone doesn’t do a disservice to these treasured iconic characters. The zoinks, jinkies, & the jaw-dropping unmasking are a must, but this is clearly for a new generation – which, in some ways, is getting cheated out of what made SD & the gang famous. With expectations in the right place, it’s a silly & fun distraction, while putting the importance of friendship at the forefront for all ages to appreciate.
BAD EDUCATION
4 out of 5 stars
This juicy true crime story of the largest school embezzlement in American history is razor-sharp & darkly comedic. Passing w/ flying colors – it has style & brilliance to go right along w/ a fabulous feeling of an investigative thriller. Nothing is as it seems while director Finley teaches us a few things about those who educate feeling under appreciated & when good people w/ the best of intentions make bad choices. The immeasurable misconduct & the lies found within are nothing shocking; yet, it’s still just as gripping when the shit hits the fan. Janney is superb, & Jackman is like you’ve never seen him before. His topflight performance alone will blow you away.
DISNEYNATURE: ELEPHANT
3 out of 5 stars
One of the world’s most majestic creatures gets an emotional & educational doc showing a thousand mile migration that’s always taken & never forgotten. Narrated by Megan, Duchess of Sussex, we see these gigantic beauties roam free in their natural habitat, no matter the dangers, & it’s nothing short of spectacular. But, keep in mind, the storytelling side of things doesn’t compare to what directors Linfield & Berlowitz physically capture through the dusts of the Kalahari Desert to the H2O paradise that awaits. It’s seeing the intelligence, wisdom, & tectonic togetherness these colossal creatures carry in stunning imagery that’ll leave you breathless.
SPACESHIP EARTH
2 out of 5 stars
Biosphere 2 was a flawed science experiment seen by most as a complete and utter failure. But in director Wolf’s doc, he uses interviews & irreplaceable footage of not only the brilliant visionaries behind this replication of our planet’s ecosystem, but the details of what went right & wrong to clear the air on what is now seen as an early attempt to make people take notice of climate change. Knowing what we know now, this was a game-changer back in 1991, yet the bland way in which this outlandish story is presented assuredly doesn’t make it feel that way. It’s a fascinating science subject w/ a boring professor teaching it.
THE WHISTLERS
3 out of 5 stars
Elevated by two fine performances from Ivanov & Marlon, this heist thriller dwells in deadpan, scattershot storytelling, keeping viewers guessing while watching cops & mobsters clash for cash. The sensational style director Porumboiu brings doesn’t go unnoticed, but neither do the plot twists & backstabbing that prove to be not so exhilarating or effective. And its special weapon – the whacky whistling language – is hardly used. Still, there’s enough on screen to appreciate if you can keep up & not get lost in the disarray & absurdity of it all.
NEVER RARELY SOMETIMES ALWAYS
3.5 out of 5 stars
It’s a bleak, truthful drama that has an ever growing sense of sorrow & sympathy as two teenage girls go to the Big Apple to procure an abortion. Their infrangible friendship is what keeps them strong & steady in this life-altering trip through the ugly side of society where women feel alone & are scared to speak out. In her acting debut, Flanigan is a revelation, displaying great restraint while her character walks w/ a massive burden & bravery to match. The small, quiet moments given to us from writer/director Hittman are heavy-duty w/ signs of healing & hope we can hold on to.
TROLLS WORLD TOUR
2.5 out of 5 stars
Like attending a bright, colorful karaoke concert instead of an actual movie, this sparkly sequel doesn’t have the same kind of moves as the original. But it knows it can be cute & get away w/ it because kids can sing & dance their little hearts out as it’s nothing more than a family friendly distraction. Celebrating & accepting differences, creating harmony w/ all types of tunes – the seminal message is music to our ears; however, for this fantastical, felt looking animation, that sunshine in its pocket & good soul in its feet gets lost in all the noise.
SELAH AND THE SPADES
2 out of 5 stars
Five factions run the yard at a fancy boarding school w/ The Spades being the fiercest of the bunch. Portraying their sassy leader Selah, Simone has no issue getting gangster in a standout performance where power can’t hide her insecurities, jealousy, & loss of control. But in no way, shape, or form is this the high school mob drama it thinks it is. There’s a good amount of appeal, yet writer-director Poe’s story doesn’t dare go as far as it could nor should to be exciting & gutsy. It doesn’t really go anywhere at all.
DISNEYNATURE: DOLPHIN REEF
3.5 out of 5 stars
Directors Scholey & Fothergill dive into the big blue sea to explore the wild, mysterious inhabitants of a gorgeous coral reef. The fascination begins w/ a dolphin named Echo who must learn to fend for himself, but it extends well beyond him as we are shown other astonishing creatures such as the peacock mantis shrimp & the broadclub cuttlefish. Disney, please feel free to make a sequel featuring those two. This nature doc is playful & diverting, & Portman’s narration compliments it wonderfully. While enraptured by the colorful abyssal, let the importance of watching how this ecosystem operates within a thriving reef & the families that call it home wash over you.
THE WRETCHED
3 out of 5 stars
A savory scary movie where a witch from the woods is coming to town w/ a big appetite for children. It has some Hitchcock in its veins, & is one of the more recently fresher entries of the genre where the thrills & chills have a bite. The look of the horrifying hex as well as the sounds of the snapping & crunching of bones is unsettling – which is part of the fun we crave. Unfortunately, directors Brett & Drew Pierce let those fear factors fade towards the end, but don’t give up on them. These bros know horror & know how to end it on a high note.
HOW TO BUILD A GIRL
2.5 out of 5 stars
Inspired by a true story, director Giedroyc’s coming-of-age comedy is predictable & has some difficulty turning its mean-spiritedness into a positive reinforcement by the end. But Feldstein’s irresistible charm, energy, & talent still shines playing an ambitious teenage girl who wants to be something more – even if that means abandoning who she is altogether.
As she revamps her personality in the form of a catty rock music critic to achieve popularity, she soon comes to understand it’s not all what it’s cracked up to be. Growing up is inevitable & getting there is frequently a work in progress. For a movie that’s very much aware of that, there’s nothing special in its assembling of self-fulfillment.
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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