UNICORN STORE
Brie Larson directs and stars in a brightly-colored, glittery dramedy that wants no part of adulthood. Larson is delightful as a quirky twenty-something year-old whose artistic dreams look to be dead and gone along with her inner-child. But as she readies herself for her wildest dream to come true – the significance of becoming and staying your true self shines through. It’s a cute concept that’s not as magical as had hoped; yet, it’s a fantasy dreamworld you don’t mind playing in for 90 minutes or so.
SANTA CLARITA DIET: SEASON 3
The final season of Santa Clarita Diet doesn’t leave a mark, which makes me sad because one more season could have made all the difference. As a huge fan of the first two seasons, this one feels more cluttered with subplots dealing with Siberia Knights, a FBI investigation, and Sheila searching for purpose. None of them bring anything new or interesting to the Hammond family dynamic. Most seem to serve as filler for the overall story arc that has a hard time getting to the final few episodes. The morbid humor that delights and disgusts is also missing in more than half of them. Unfortunately, unlike the undead, this season reveals what we love about the show won’t last forever. It loses its flavor after awhile.
But what remains full of life is the chemistry between Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as their love is put to the test as Joel is pressured about immortality from Sheila as neither one wants to grow old without the other. So why not live together for eternity?! Olyphant and Skyler Gisondo are still my two favorite ones on the show. Their charming performances have been the most unexpected yet sensational part of every season. Give these two a spin-off!
SOMEONE GREAT
While periodically being far-fetched about relationships, this appealing rom-com makes an entertaining effort on grasping when people grow up and out of young love. Gina Rodriguez, Brittany Snow, and DeWanda Wise make a terrific trio, creating a genuine flow between each other that makes you believe they’re friendship is forever. They’re the reason this movie is able to keep its head up as it walks down a routine path with low expectations. Writer/director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson doesn’t have a new take on the genre, but she’s fully aware of where the heart of the story is – which is the girls’ friendship and its value through the good times and the bad.
THE LEGEND OF COCAINE ISLAND
A Florida businessman is in way over his head in this wildly luring documentary about a small town tale that becomes a real-life treasure hunt. Rodney Hyden and his family lose their luxurious lifestyle due to the 2008 financial crisis, but he sees a way to get it back by getting in to the drug trafficking business. Him and some of his “associates” are going to find some buried cocaine that’s worth millions off a Caribbean island and bring it back to the U.S. Sounds easy enough.
Director Theo Love‘s re-telling of Hyden’s quest will make you shake your head at how naive and delusional he was. The dangers never dawn on him, and you can’t help but feel sorry for the guy. Though it’s hilarious to watch him hatch this plan and equally fascinating to watch it be set in to motion. The other shady characters we’re introduced to are nothing if not suspicious. It will leave you dumbfounded at how these guys thought they were smart and trustworthy enough to get the job done. Spoiler Alert: They aren’t.
THE PERFECT DATE
The charisma, charm, and chemistry of Noah Centineo and Laura Marano simply isn’t strong enough to keep this teen rom-com from almost immediately becoming painfully plain and overly familiar. With a story of a high schooler who raises money by being bought on an app for dates so he can pay for Yale – it’s even hokier than it sounds if you can believe that. Being yourself is the message director Chris Nelson wants us to leave with; instead, you’ll just want to leave until you realize you’re still at your house.
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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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