SHAZAM!
3 out of 5 stars
This superhero movie’s childlike wonder & kind soul is undeniably contagious. Levi & his young co-stars are irresistible as they make you a firm believer of the awesomeness they proudly boast while bringing some good laughs w/ it. Director Sandberg’s story of family & finding the worth of having one flies smoothly, but pulling it down is the generics of the genre it plays in & the goofiness that at times doesn’t fit & dampens the stakes. Look, there’s nothing wrong w/ being lighthearted – that’s part of its charm in the first place. But, this origin tale is nowhere near as electric as the DC Comics character’s fingertips.
APOLLO 11
3.5 out of 5 stars
Using awestruck archival footage, this wondrous doc doesn’t tell you about the moon landing – it makes you experience it. This remarkable re-creation of such a crucial period in American history leaves you nothing short of invigorated as you witness first-hand what this spectacular crew accomplished. It’s a refreshing reminder of when we dreamed big, the impossible becoming possible for the whole world to behold. Director Miller takes “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” to new heights.
WONDER PARK
2 out of 5 stars
Only for the youngest of viewers, this bright & colorful animation has more than enough energy when it comes to the power of imagination & its importance during the darkest of times. However, the enjoyment slowly goes downhill as it scrabbles to be nothing more than a cute but forgettable ride that you wouldn’t miss out on if you just skipped it completely.
BIRDS OF PASSAGE
3.5 out of 5 stars
A foreign gangster film that’s beautiful to look at, but showcases the ugliness of war when capitalism crushes centuries-old traditions. Directors Gallego & Guerra do a tremendous job allowing the audience to breathe in the Wayúu tribe’s way of life in Northern Columbia & how their beliefs, rituals, & superstitions can’t save them from getting blood on their hands. This is a crime family saga that ends the same way they all do; though, it’s never not absorbing, vivid & lively as each drug deal & compensation becomes one more sacrifice that brings everyone closer to their inevitable demise.
DRAGGED ACROSS CONCRETE
3 out of 5 stars
A gritty cop-crime drama that’s in no hurry to get to the good stuff. Even so, it’s never boring as director/writer Zahler presents dark themes & moral decay of the cold-hearted in a barbaric, unpredictable story. Gibson & Vaughn are fantastic as crooked cops who play just as nasty as the bad guys they’re trying to steal from.
GLORIA BELL
2 out of 5 stars
Director Lelio’s own English remake of his original 2013 film is tough to sit through. The overall narrative is repetitive, ponderous, & simply hard to find anything truly fascinating about the characters. The only heavenly highlight is in Moore’s honest, groovy performance as the titled character who’s in self-discovery mode as she sustains the strength to fight through love & loneliness to avoid a complete mid-life meltdown. Dancing is what keeps her going, & she keeps us from totally wasting our time.
HOTEL MUMBAI
3.5 out of 5 stars
An unnerving yet vital viewing experience of a real-life terrorist attack that exhibits unimaginable bravery from the hotel guests & the staff whom never left them behind. The excellent ensemble cast vigorously carry the difficult task of sharing the scariness & survival of those they portray w/ Patel & Boniadi hitting the hardest. Director Maras has crafted a severely tense, stirring docudrama that takes the time to understand who these people are & the heroes they were forced to become.
TRANSIT
2 out of 5 stars
Director Petzold has a poignant perspective of those who are forced to flee their homes, communities, & countries to escape violence & hope for a better life somewhere else. And through the hell & tragedy of that – relationships are formed & torn apart within seconds. But, this film is sluggish & too demanding w/ no reward at the end for enduring it all. From the synopsis, you’d believe it to be a mystery thriller of some sort, yet this is the furthest thing from that. Disappearances, death, & chasing ghosts ain’t what it’s all cracked up to be.
DUMBO
2.5 out of 5 stars
Burton’s latest Disney classic remake has gorgeous imagery & one adorable flying baby elephant. It has a very endearing story about family & a stellar ensemble cast w/ DeVito being my personal favorite. However, you’re left with an empty feeling as this fairytale’s spirit is missing some magic & not as wondrous as we all know it can be.
US
4 out of 5 stars
Just a horror movie? Never. With his second feature, director Peele twists & turns & reconfigures his invasion thriller into something much more f’d up, thought-provoking, & unexpected. The entire cast is superb, but Nyong’o is a powerhouse w/ not just one but two astonishing performances. More than one viewing is necessary as Peele takes an undervalued genre, supplied w/ suspense, & uses it to push us to the mirror to see who or what stares back. To stop thinking about what you’ve seen after leaving the theater is damn near impossible as are the movie’s terrible truths we choose not to confront.
GRETA
2.5 out of 5 stars
Huppert makes creepy look classy & is fearless at being bonkers in this B-movie stalker thriller w/ clever aspects, yet generic to a fault. Director Jordan uses cheap tactics to build suspense & not all of them pay off. Whatever mind games he’s wanting to play – they aren’t worth the effort.
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“Nature Boy” Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the 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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