BETWEEN TWO FERNS: THE MOVIE
Zach Galifianakis having the most unprofessional, absurd interviews with celebrities is hilarious. It’s his unique brand of humor that makes Between Two Ferns one of a kind. And that aforementioned humor is in the movie, but the struggle is real when director Scott Aukerman stretches short, silly segments into almost an hour and a half. Famous people getting picked on is what we came for, but before you can enjoy that, you have to sit through a wearisome mockumentary that’s used to fill in the time. Ultimately, it’s a hit-or-miss comedy where you’re either all-in on its oddness or you’re not. But fans of the Funny or Die skit will at least laugh their asses off at the outtakes shown over the credits. So you have that to look forward to.
OTHERHOOD
Appreciating your mother is a must, but this lazy dramedy isn’t what you want to serve as a reminder incase you’ve forgotten. Director Cindy Chupack not only has a hard time placing humor within these unsound and stereotypical friendships and relationships on-screen – but she leaves three top-notch actresses (Angela Bassett, Patricia Arquette, and Felicity Huffman) dragging through dismissive dialogue and dim-witted situations. For women of a certain age, these stories and their perspectives are atypical, which is why it’s a shame when it’s told in such a stagy way with no serious attempt at providing maternal insight.
THE RED SEA DIVING RESORT
As amazing as the true rescue mission sounds, director Gideon Raff gives us the oversimplified and dull version in his lifeless spy movie. The Ethiopian refugees are pushed aside for Captain America himself, Chris Evans, and the rest of his team’s perspective – which is hardly a thrilling view to say the least. There’s a more significant story to be told. Too bad all involved here are uninterested in telling that one.
EVELYN
Oscar winning filmmaker Orlando van Einsiedel turns the camera on himself and his family as they begin to open up about their brother who took his own life in 2005. It’s about buried pain and grief that’s difficult to talk about, yet the journey that takes place is a healing one where simply speaking their brother’s name brings about memories of sadness, love, and laughter. This is a moving, mournful documentary that’s not only about the effects of mental illness, but the regrets and fear of doing nothing and the long suffering that follows after losing a sibling while running from what ultimately must be dealt with.
AMERICAN FACTORY
A fascinating and absolutely absorbing documentary of two worlds colliding in Dayton, OH that finds itself in a modern global economic experiment. From directors Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar, an auto glass factory represented a bright future for American and Chinese workers, but cracks soon show as it’s a culture shock for both sides. And the mutual understanding needed doesn’t reach far enough once the endless possibilities appear restricted.
Underneath the language barriers and work ethic, there’s the ongoing tug-of-war between employee and employer, safety and profit. At the same time, it’s a remarkably revealing look at people doing the best they can at a job they can’t live without. All that we witness is compelling and complex, while the filmmakers never pick a side. That’s left up to us. Still, no matter which one we choose, this is the world we live in.
IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON
Boyd Holbrook plays a detective who loses just about everything as he hunts a serial killer who only comes around every nine years. It’s anyone’s guess as to what genre this may be, but for all of its ambition and early intrigue – this mysterious time-traveling thriller fizzles fast. What we witness is a compelling concept from director Jim Mickle that caves in under the weight of his storytelling being too convoluted and wearisome. Case closed.
ROCKO’S MODERN LIFE: STATIC CLING
The classic 90’s nicktoon is back, and while the stellar and strange animation remains the same, Static Cling is about change and the fear of what’s to come after. It’s in on the joke as it pokes fun at reboots, callous corporate greed, and tech obsession all in a short 45 minute span. Also, kudos for a cartoon to be this bold on topics some wouldn’t even touch. Rocko has always been edgier, but for us all who grew up watching – it just doesn’t have the same affect as it once did.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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