ALADDIN
1 out of 5 stars
Director Ritchie nails the look of this flying carpet, lamp rubbing world, but nothing else enlivens nor captures the magic of the original Aladdin. The songs are spiritless, & no matter how much charisma & charm Smith may have – none of it is strong enough to burst through his hideous blue genie. The Fresh Prince is in way over his head as his version is distinguishable, just in the worst way imaginable. As for the rest of the cast, they may look the part, but playing it is a much more difficult task altogether. Scott as Jasmyn is the exception & Kenzari’s Jafar is the worst. When it comes to these live-action remakes of their classic animated movies, this is a downright Disney disaster.
TOLKIEN
2.5 out of 5 stars
Hoult’s credible portrayal of the young Middle-earth author is the life this literary biopic needs, but can’t capitalize on. Love of language, fellowship, long-lasting romance, war – they all are an important piece in telling this thoughtful tale. Sadly, director Karukoski’s shoal vision keeps the thrills & fascination of a brilliant mind at bay. The film’s exploration in the significance of who & what shaped Tolkien serves as a disservice when the beauty of his imagination is astonishingly absent.
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM
4 out of 5 stars
This latest hard-hitting installment is relentless from the moment first contact is made. As usual, Reeves is stellar as our sharp-dressed Baba Yaga – a man whose injurious actions do all the talking & won’t shut-up. The stylish John Wick world is exceptionally expanded by director Stahelski, but rules are rules. And as each are made to be broken, the consequences are undoubtedly deadly. Huston & Berry are awesome additions, playing two fierce females from Wick’s past w/ more stories to tell. No matter how big or bonkers this Wick stuff gets – its brutality of violence dancing cheek-to-cheek w/ the beauty of its charged choreography continues to wow. After three magnificent, mayhem-filled chapters, this action-packed franchise is firmly placed in a league of its own.
BOOKSMART
4.5 out of 5 stars
In her feature directing debut, Wilde excels by beautifully rendering a story of girl support, acceptance, first-time experiences & misconceptions – all set under the microscope of the hostile terrain of high school. It’s hilarious & heartfelt, progressive & diverse. In phenomenal fashion, she transfigures the raunchy teen comedy formula into something much more adoring & translucent. A coming-of-age comedy w/ all the smarts in the world plus a killer soundtrack equals one of the best movies of the year.
MA
2.5 out of 5 stars
It’s creepy & campy, but a horror flick it is not. Actually, there are a few parts that would be classified as a comedy. Spencer is fun to watch as she lets loose on dumb teens who want to get trashed in her basement. However, director Taylor has too much of a trifling, diluted script & story to cut in to the real villain – bullying & the mental mutilation that is caused by it.
POMS
1.5 out of 5 stars
The last thing you wanna cheer about is a lame movie about not acting your age. Keaton & Weaver do everything possible to make this senior cheer-leading comedy funny & enjoyable, but it will never be enough. Through the torpid & predictable plot, it’s difficult for the cast to keep you spirited about anything they have to say. Director Hayes takes all of these pivotal topics – getting older, confronting death, enjoying whatever time you have left – & can’t utilize a single one without embarrassing the demographic she so desperately wants to shake her pom-poms for.
ROCKETMAN
4 out of 5 stars
A miraculous musical biopic that uses Elton’s biggest hits to soar between a surreal state & a brokenhearted reality. Egerton is extraordinary, pulling out all the stops to live out this rock god’s personal demons & professional achievements from one outlandish outfit to the next. Director Fletcher can’t change the sex-craved, drug-fueled rock ‘n roll lifestyle; but spinning it in to a flashy fantasy that’s rambunctious & boundless feels just right for such an occasion. It’s the only way imaginable to fasten on to this iconic artist’s atypical flair amidst lift off.
BRIGHTBURN
2.5 out of 5 stars
The dark side of a superhero is incredibly intriguing – & w/ an evil Superman flying high – several scenes stack up on suspense. Yet, director Yarovesky doesn’t come close to changing the genre when hardly probing into such a compelling concept. Banks is left pouring her heart out in something that rapidly reveals itself to be just a gory slasher movie that comes up way short of being special. Complexity is swapped out for a pointless plot & stupid shock value.
THE SOUVENIR
2 out of 5 stars
Director Hogg’s beautifully shot film about a young woman finding her talents as she’s being dragged down by a destructive relationship is a tedious ticking time bomb w/ a whimper of an explosion. The stellar performance from Swinton Byrne is hypnotic, yet it’s immoderately consumed by a frustrating narrative unable to give us the same emotional experience as the characters we’re watching. This dreary drama looks like a glamorous painting, but what it exhibits about coming of age, truths, & love doesn’t stand out in the slightest.
POKÉMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU
3 out of 5 stars
It’s a world unlike any other, but the same can’t be said for the movie that tries to catch it all. The buddy-cop story has its fun w/ kids & adults alike, yet the premise is too ordinary for such a marvelously bizarre setting brought to picturesque life by director Letterman. Long-time fans will find plenty to enjoy & will gladly come back for more. However, for us non-fans out there – Reynolds voicing Pikachu is what keeps us in the game. He may tone down his wit, but it’s still very effective, especially when it’s coming from an adorable little yellow critter. That right there is practically irresistible.
THE HUSTLE
1 out of 5 stars
In this gender-flipped Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Wilson & Hathaway make a defective duo where the typecasting of one stomps out her endless energy & the other – along w/ her fake accent – feels outrageously out of place. This crappy comedy dupes us into thinking there are loads of laughs; yet, its two leading ladies are clumsy & boring w/ the tiniest of comical chemistry. And when director Addison reveals the final con, it’s a finale that fully fails the movie’s feminine spin.
ASK DR. RUTH
4 out of 5 stars
This enlightening & sensational doc about the legendary sex therapist is charming & funny just like the woman herself. Leading up to her 90th birthday, director White tries to keep up w/ Dr. Ruth as retirement isn’t allowed to get in between her & her life’s work. Likewise, it’s a revealing look at her childhood, the loves of her life, motherhood, & the key advice that has saved so many. Of course, we know she ain’t shy & her candor is incomparable; but when her terrible tragedies are said out loud – it’s her past that packs the real punch. As a survivor w/ an infectious laugh & lovable spirit, Dr. Ruth continues to bring intellect to the most intimate parts of people’s lives.
SHADOW
2.5 out of 5 stars
A visually dazzling & inventive wuxia w/ a few tricks up its sleeve when it comes to its storytelling of control & conspiracy. Though, this isn’t nearly the epic director Zhang is clearly trying to paint. The lavishness & beauty that’s spread in each scene is assuredly an attention-getter, but recycling creative choices such as fighting in the rain w/ weaponized umbrellas causes this martial arts spectacle to lose some of its shine. The interest for these characters & their bloodshed is there, but it’s all style & no substance.
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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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