THE NEW MUTANTS
2 out of 5 stars
It’s an adventurous attempt by director Boone to present an untapped part of the X-Men universe, while also being no where near the “horror” movie it claims to be. The worst X-Men movie? No way. However, it’s not exciting enough nor dark enough to make its mark. This can only be viewed as a missed opportunity when given the quality young cast & a fear conquering plot full of possibilities. Having the central character as your weakest link & the substantial mystery surrounding super powers being less than impressive, this long delayed superhero spinoff isn’t worth the wait.
HOWARD
3.5 out of 5 stars
The masterful lyricist behind some of Disney’s most classic animation & their biggest tunes gets an introspective & intimate doc from writer/director Hahn. Seeing the behind-the-scenes on The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast, viewers bare witness to Ashman’s brilliance & the perfectionist that’s engrained in him. Also, hearing from his family, friends, & collaborators, we are shown his childhood where he created imaginary worlds for his sister, his love for theater, & pouring his soul into bringing about some Disney magic. But what hits you the hardest is his losing battle w/ AIDS while hiding it as best he could because he was scared he’d be thrown out by the House of Mouse. It’s an expressive, touching tribute of an amazing artist who had so much more music left to share w/ the world.
SPUTNIK
3 out of 5 stars
This Russian sci-fi/horror has a lot going for it when it comes to its general cogitation, mood, & atmosphere. And for fans of body horror & gore – you’re in luck as well. First-time director Abramenko slowly but surely reveals secrets that have no choice but to come out of hiding. The intrigue is there as well as a few spine-tingling scenes; yet, when the Cold War creature feature gives up on its most exciting elements to mutate into a canned action movie – it’s a frustrating watch. It doesn’t completely ruin it, though for such a strong start, it’s quite unfortunate it can’t finish the same way.
CUT THROAT CITY
2 out of 5 stars
Devastation, desperation, & despair set the tone of RZA’s crime drama that takes place in New Orleans right after Katrina. The rapper-turned director seeks to bring attention to those who are forgotten & left to fend for themselves, assembling an impressive cast that’s more than capable of getting the job done. Nevertheless, its story of a heist gone wrong & attempting to run from the ramifications is nothing new & lasts entirely too long. Gang violence, robberies, greed – one bad decision after another leads to an inevitable ending that doesn’t surprise nor send the strong & inciting message as intended.
THE BINGE
1.5 out of 5 stars
For all of the absurdity & irresponsibility this raunchy teen comedy indulges in, you would think there will be nothing but endless fun. Think again. In what could be called The Purge: Party Edition, the premise centers around drugs & alcohol being illegal, but once a year, for anyone 18 or older, anything goes. And for our three first-time Bingers, they’re getting crunk to reach legendary status while one of them aims to ask his school crush to the prom. The jokes early on will get the biggest laughs & Vaughn is the main reason for that. What follows is director Garelick & his cast stumbling over one ponderous scenario after another, each being a little less funnier than the last. The only exception is a can’t miss musical number that could’ve continued much longer. The rest comes pretty close to being a total buzzkill.
BOYS STATE
4 out of 5 stars
Co-directors McBaine & Moss present a fantastic, fascinating doc focusing on Texas teens w/ a passion for politics. Dividing into Federalists and Nationalists & running a mock government, the distinct personalities, their polar opposite campaign strategies, & the incredible intellect they display when it comes to the inner workings of a divisive political environment is astounding to watch. These kids totally get it & are up for the challenge of putting their own (or adopted) beliefs & values in the spotlight to appeal to as many as humanly possible during this weeklong tug of war between two parties for a taste of victory. Let the speeches & scheming begin! Fast-paced, suspenseful, & timely – this next generation adds hope & horror to the future of American democracy as they ask for your vote.
TESLA
1.5 out of 5 stars
You can’t fault director Almereyda for crafting such a bold & bizarre biopic of a modern genius who was anything but conventional. Unfortunately, his narrative style & structure results in an odd experiment w/ a dismal outcome. Nothing on-screen offers nearly enough to give the jolt this thing so desperately needs. It doesn’t help that Hawke’s portrayal of the enigmatic, tortured inventor, who is unable to escape the clenches of his own mind, is less electric & more of just mere curiosity. The risks taken by Almereyda & his leading man aren’t rewarding. Draining is more like it.
THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN
2 out of 5 stars
Director Sharrock offers up a heartening yet hokey adaptation of Applegate’s award-winning children’s book that’s handled too gently for its own good. Go on ahead & feel free to check off that family fun box as the little ones will obviously enjoy the talking animals, & who can blame them when you’re listening to the voices of some big time A-listers like Rockwell, Jolie, Mirren & DeVito. Yet, while wearing its emotions on its sleeve w/ messages of not all people are bad & animals not belonging in cages – it doesn’t add up to much when the story goes out of its way to be simpering & avoids going deeper into what’s underneath the superficial surface.
AN AMERICAN PICKLE
3 out of 5 stars
The delightful dual performance from Rogen is why you’ll watch, portraying a great-grandfather & his great-grandson who are the same age but 100 years apart. What follows is a generational family feud that’s started by a billboard, yet turns a lot more personal when one’s business begins booming. Being brisk & sweetly told is always a good thing, but director Trost risks the story going stale by not further expanding on the inventive premise. Overall, it’s a fun & flighty fish-out-of-water comedy about appreciating the past, welcoming the future, &, of course, pickles. Fans of Rogen will find it the most juicy.
CENTIGRADE
2 out of 5 stars
Inspired by true events, this claustrophobic, chilling thriller from director Walsh has a compelling concept that’s stuck w/ nowhere to go. There’s authenticity between Piazza & Rodriguez, portraying a couple who are soon-to-be parents frozen shut in their vehicle after a horrendous Norway blizzard. Fighting to survive, they struggle mentally & physically w/ hallucinations, hunger, & hypothermia to name a few. The problem is the terror that Walsh tries to impart is unattainable when up against an ubiquitous plot that’s uneven & practically uneventful. Overall, this is better suited for a short rather than a 90 minute feature and it doesn’t take long for it to show.
YOU CANNOT KILL DAVID ARQUETTE
3.5 out of 5 stars
This energetic, entertaining doc runs wild w/ its subject’s obsession, & for wrestling fans out there – their hatred runs deep when it comes to Arquette being crowned World Champion two decades ago. They still aren’t over it. His road to redemption is going to hurt like hell, but if it means earning the respect of the wrestling world then so be it. Directors Darg & James reveal a completely different side of Arquette, & while he may not be a fan of growing up, he’s a sincere guy who’s tired of being seen as a joke.
Wrestling means more to him than anyone could ever imagine, & that’s saying something as his initial involvement killed his acting career. Even so, his appreciation for what the wrestlers put their bodies through undeniably comes out. The determination he displays in sticking it to his doubters & defying expectations will get viewers chanting his name. There’s much more left to explore for the filmmakers when it comes to Arquette’s grappling w/ his issues outside of the ring. But it doesn’t take away from this being a funny & surprisingly affecting look at an actor-turned-wrestler who, w/ his own Miss Elisabeth by his side, is ready to rumble like never before.
THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD
4 out of 5 stars
What do you get when combining the director of The Death of Stalin & In the Loop & a Dickens classic? A praiseworthy adaptation that’s whimsical, witty, & wonderful. Director Iannucci is playful in ingenious & unexpected ways when drawing on his interpretation in chronicling the life of Copperfield w/ a cracking Patel in the title role, playing a young man embarrassed of his past to later entirely embracing it. Joining him on this charming, upbeat journey, the rest of the excellent ensemble perfectly pile on to the film’s already emphatic irresistibility & uniqueness. From the dashing & diverse casting to the fresh approach to a story written over a century ago, signs of stodginess are nowhere in sight.
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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