GET OUT
4 out of 5 stars
Peele’s darkly funny, tense, and ingenuous horror film is a daring one, but he ain’t scared. Energized by critiques of our culture, the terror comes ripping through, as does the notice of one’s skin color.
WAR ON EVERYONE
3 out of 5 stars
It’s tough to find its moral compass underneath the prickly darkness, making it all the more noteworthy for it. Pena and Skarsgard make a stellar duo of wrongdoing cops covered in corruption, and make it look damn fun. However, having no plot or point turns this into a minor joyride with no real danger.
HIDDEN FIGURES
4 out of 5 stars
An all around terrific cast shines in a true story about shooting for the stars, even when it seems impossible. Rules were made to be broken & these three women did it when the odds were stacked against them. NASA would never be the same in this sensationally crowd-pleasing film.
THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS
3 out of 5 stars
Being gory is not its thing, yet falling into the same tiring cliches shouldn’t be either. Still, this is a more thoughtful zombie flick that focuses on the evolution of the undead, the creation of a new civilization. The flesh-eating isn’t all for nothing.
GOLD
2.5 out of 5 stars
McConaughey shines with charisma and commitment as an alcoholic prospector obsessed with hitting the mother load. Meanwhile, the movie itself digs into grabbing capitalism by the balls without striking it rich.
THE FOUNDER
3.5 out of 5 stars
The rise of the Golden Arches is built on deceit, cut-throat dealmaking, and persistence. One thing is for certain: Kroc cooked up a fast food institution. Keaton is a marvel as the smooth talking, cunning salesman.
SLEEPLESS
1.5 out of 5 stars
An actioner with no thinking required. Foxx’s attempt at caring is admirable, but not believable. All is contrived with a plot that surrenders soon after the opening credits begin.
A MONSTER CALLS
5 out of 5 stars
A spectacular, visionary film about growing up in the midst of a tragedy. The story stings in a captivating, heartfelt way in which coping takes on many different forms. Thanks to director Bayona, joy blooms out of the darkness with use of stunning artwork and miraculous wonder.
COLLIDE
1.5 out of 5 stars
Crashing fancy cars and stealing money from gangsters all in the name of love sounds fun, but far from it. Expect the unexpected doesn’t apply here. A sensational cast being in a familiar, colorless actioner is the real shame.
SPLIT
3.5 out of 5 stars
M. Night’s best since The Village. He slowly turns back to form with this mind-bender that’s maniacal, providing a stellar showcase for McAvoy’s multiple roles. The real terror is never knowing what he’s fully capable of.
LIVE BY NIGHT
3 out of 5 stars
Affleck is stylin’ and keeps the bullets flyin’, even if it’s become routine in a genre that’s a dying breed. A lot of flash with a solid cast, but this gangster film fires blanks because of its inability to unload the unnecessary and distinguish itself from better, darker crime sagas.
SILENCE
4 out of 5 stars
Miraculously, Scorsese finds the beauty within the brutality, the peace hidden in the painful. A phenomenal cast share the same passion as their director. Silence is an implacable, unguarded, and fearless story about believing through the good times and the downright horrible.
(Editor’s note: Brandon has a full review of Silence here)
RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER
1.5 out of 5 stars
This post-apocalyptic franchise is finally dead. That’s really the only thing to celebrate about this loud, obnoxious final installment. Fugly creatures and the undead can finally rest easy. Their massacre became insipid long ago.
A CURE FOR WELLNESS
2.5 out of 5 stars
Verbinski concocts a slick psychological thriller, spreading crazy, suspicion, & creepiness. And then the truth about the cure sours the entire experience, wishing you never took a sip of this twisted drink. It won’t quench your thirst for great mystery & suspense.
LAND OF MINE
4 out of 5 stars
Vengeance battles forgiveness in this dark, anguished film about the aftermath of war and its lingering effects on the soul. A sharp director captures excellent performances to tell a striking story of boys becoming soldiers, carrying out unthinkable tasks & those who are guilty for allowing it.
PATRIOTS DAY
4 out of 5 stars
A recount of the Boston marathon bombings shown in an intensely gripping way, confronting this horrific event with a retaliation of heroism. While painful to endure, the courage of a city and its citizens make you a believer in Boston Strong.
THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE
3.5 out of 5 stars
Visually terrific, just like The Lego Movie, even though it doesn’t quite dazzle as much. But, it still has the zingers and its brilliance of being in on the joke enthralls us all. Our love for the Dark Knight still shines bright.
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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