READY OR NOT
4 out of 5 stars
Directors Bettinelli-Olpin & Gillett turn the innocent game of Hide-and-Seek into a brainsick bloodbath to stick it to the rich. Gruesome & gorgeous. Demented & divine. Thrilling & funny. It runs breathlessly in its own devilish fun & is finely tuned w/ unforeseen cleverness & amazing atmosphere. Weaving is magnificent as a beautiful bride who goes from wanting to impress her in-laws to striking them down w/ great vengeance.
WILD ROSE
3 out of 5 stars
An unknown singer in search of being discovered is a song we’ve heard a thousand times over. Yet, Buckley’s electric lead performance is music to our ears when playing a troublemaking single mother who’s fresh out of prison & looking to get to Nashville for country superstardom. There’s quite a bit of authenticity & care that director Harper drums up in this Scottish drama, but letting his star’s voice be heard is the single best decision made.
LUCE
3.5 out of 5 stars
This is an intelligent, thought-provoking thriller w/ three stellar performances that presses hard on who a person is & who we want them to be. Director Onah lets the pressures of judgement, class, & race mount in all of their complexity as audiences become unsure of what to believe. There’s nothing simple in a story where truths turn into confrontations that most choose to ignore.
THE LION KING
2.5 OUT OF 5 STARS
Director Favreau doesn’t change up one single thing from Disney’s arguably greatest classic animated movie, & who can blame him? Too bad it becomes a full-blown tragedy as there’s not an ounce of emotion whatsoever. As far as the special effects go – they’re extraordinary. If you told me those were all real animals, I’d whole-heartedly believe it. And Timon & Pumbaa are a comedic gift that keeps on giving. However, this rote reboot feels like a soulless safari w/ beloved songs & an all-star voice cast as our guide. The repetitive, feeble roar that echoes through every frame serves as a hefty reminder why some things should be left untouched. Forever.
THE KITCHEN
2.5 out of 5 stars
This certainly could’ve been a better, grittier gangster movie; yet, writer & first-time director Berloff doesn’t hold back the drama & violence, & has a first-class cast that can unquestionably hold their own. But while McCarthy & Haddish bring the heat, Moss gets cheated by getting the least interesting role of the three. The frustration in what this feminist crime thriller could’ve cooked up sits heavy, but there’s fun to be found in the fearlessness of the women doing anything a man can do – including illegal shit.
MAIDEN
3.5 out of 5 stars
An enthralling & inspiring doc of the first female crew to race on the high seas in the Whitbread Round the World Race. With strength & a defiant spirit, they made waves on & off the boat. Director Holmes lets the ladies do the talking while watching the remarkable raw footage of history being made. Edwards was able to set sail on her dream – proving so many wrong & empowering even more.
ONE CHILD NATION
4 out of 5 stars
China’s heinous & barbaric One Child policy is exposed in this shocking yet sobering doc of control, corruption, & widespread misogyny. Lasting 35 years & implemented to fight a war on population, the suffering brought by this sadistic social experiment to women & their children is terribly tragic – & director Wang makes sure you’ll never forget it. As she reexamines her past, she does a tremendous job of bravely peeling back the painful personal experiences brought forth from both sides. The side that have lost so much & the side that took what can never be replaced because they felt helpless w/ no other choice.
MIKE WALLACE IS HERE
4 out of 5 stars
Using amazing archival footage, director Belkin puts Wallace & all of his fearlessness front & center – & in his own words tells us his evolution, his insecurities & the feeling of being unworthy. His hard-hitting, take no shit approach was refreshing, yet opened the flood gates to cheaper copycats that we hear today. This is an astounding doc about a legendary newsman who through his illustrious career altered broadcast journalism while probing relentlessly for the truth. He was the end of an era that’s in need of a big time comeback.
BLINDED BY THE LIGHT
3.5 out of 5 stars
Springsteen tunes do make dreams come true in director Chadha’s familiar yet funny & relatable film. Kaira is superb as a gifted writer & rockin’ rebel wanting to break free from his traditional father & the hate-mongering, economically deprived town he lives in. The Boss’s lyrics touch his soul, & the enthusiasm that follows will make you smile. It’s a dream-chasing, coming of age tale w/ a stellar soundtrack that’s playing loud & proud.
SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK
2.5 out of 5 stars
Director Øvredal & del Toro could care less about blood & gore, & that’s perfectly fine. They’re trying to freak out all ages. And when these scary stories come to life, the haunting imagery alone will give you chills. Unfortunately, they’re gone too quick as the plot that runs through it, along w/ the young performances, squander the suspense. Poor pacing & being frighteningly familiar & generic is what becomes most shocking.
TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM
3.5 out of 5 stars
An adoring doc about a literary treasure & her lasting effect on American history – the side that most authors could never tell & no one tells it quite like Morrison. Director Greenfield-Sanders stays on the straight-forward path of her career w/ hardly any detours of her personal life; nevertheless, the significance of her words & accomplishments are deservedly recognized & celebrated. While beaming in her warmth & wisdom, Morrison has your full attention as she’s crystal clear w/ each societal critique that’s personal & profound.
WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE
2.5 out of 5 stars
A jumbled dramedy w/ an unsure tone centering around a mother/wife losing her mind due to her creative juices being clogged for far too long. Besides the mother/daughter relationship, the rest feel fake & underdeveloped. The emotional reward that director Linklater has in store for us is hardly earned & barely enjoyed. But Blanchett never fails & puts in another superb performance. She’s the sole reason this isn’t a total lost cause.
DAVID CROSBY: REMEMBER MY NAME
3.5 out of 5 stars
From producer Crowe & first-time director Eaton, this music biodoc about two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer is revealing, reflective & regretful. Music is all Cosby has left to offer & shows no sign of slowing down – touring & performing to prove to himself he’s still worth a shit. His candidness is compelling & doesn’t pull any punches as he takes a troubling trip down memory lane, recounting his legendary career & everything he lost along the way.
THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON
4 out of 5 stars
A hilarious & heartfelt story that feels ripped from the pages of a Mark Twain adventure. Directors Nilson & Schwartz get down & dirty, w/ a mason jar full of Southern charm, to take us on a journey of pain, acceptance, & friendship. Newcomer Gottsagen is terrific, portraying unconditional strength, while LaBeouf’s performance is nothing short of sensational. They’re two guys on the run dragging each other through the muck & come out with a new lease on life & one cool buddy handshake.
COLD CASE HAMMARSKJÖLD
2.5 out of 5 stars
An oddly unique doc where director Brügger & private investigator Bjorkdahl try to crack the case of conspiracy theories circling around the mysterious death of a former UN Secretary. There are quite a few shocking discoveries along the way, yet they always come across as pure fiction – or at least we hope so. Lies, secrets, murders, biologically engineered viruses, & the ace of spades playing card. What could’ve easily been a top-notch, true-life thriller tends to spin in many different directions & can’t be taken serious when it undoubtedly should.
“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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