#VicksFlicks Terse Twitter Reviews – Vol. 34

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FROZEN II

3 out of 5 stars

A sequel of this magnitude has a lot to do, & through its breathtaking animation & showy songs, it does enough to not disappoint. Directors Buck & Lee build upon the original by taking the beloved characters into the unknown to discover a past that will forever transform them. But don’t expect the same sort of dashing adventure as before. Its matured, which is not a bad thing, but apparently it does mean fewer laughs. Along w/ that, w/ such a predictable plot, the emotion we should feel never takes hold. That’s not to say you won’t be entertained – but that glowing enchantment first felt in 2013 doesn’t happen twice. A minimal amount of its magic melts away.

FORD V. FARRARI

4 out of 5 stars

Damon & Bale are a dream team in director Mangold’s rip-roaring ride of two men building the GT40 to put the brakes on Ferrari’s dominance at the Le Mans race. As Shelby, Damon is sensational, portraying a racer who can’t race anymore. But that won’t slow him down as Ford needs him to design a car that can go the distance. Bale is a blast as Miles, a British driver, fueled w/ wit & a temper, who knows how to get fast to go even faster. Their need for speed is exhilarating, yet for this true story racing drama, it knows how vital the human side is – and these two prizewinning performances are the driving force behind that. Mangold doesn’t disappoint when the rubber hits the road though. The auto action is awesome, leaving your heart racing & your seat shaking. Without question, the film revs w/ unsurpassable horsepower that’s felt on & off the track.

HARRIET

2.5 out of 5 stars

In director Lemmon’s historical drama/adventure of a pivotal American hero, her shoal storytelling doesn’t come close to being as courageous as Tubman herself. The life she lived & the fight she brought is placed in a by-the-numbers biopic w/ inspired moments, yet doesn’t pack that significant punch we’re prepared to take. However, the same can’t be said for the sensational performance by Erivo. Her fearlessness & defiance burns bright within, her emotion pouring out as she rises from a slave to a savior for those who want to live free or die trying.

DARK WATERS

3.5 out of 5 stars

Ruffalo’s portrayal of a corporate attorney w/ a conscience is first-rate. The real-life person he plays personifies the moral madness of big business’s complete disregard for human life just to make the rich richer. He sacrificed everything that’s important to him to be certain those who have been harmed receive the retribution they deserve. Director Hayne’s stirring legal thriller puts blame where it rightfully belongs – letting the world know the insidious wreckage caused by corrupt companies w/ very deep pockets. It’s a horror story we’re living in whether you’re aware of it or not. And as scary as it may be, it’s one that’s eye-opening & undeniably worth telling.

DOCTOR SLEEP

3 out of 5 stars

Director Flanagan intertwines a promising horror film w/ Kubrick’s prominent predecessor from almost four decades ago. And while it leans on The Shining a tad too much towards the end – The Haunting of Hill House creator’s fingerprints are all over this strong sequel. There’s no question he has his own wicked ways to haunt as forgiveness & sacrifice shine through the thrills & chills. Artistically & visually, Flanagan strives to give us the best & most memorable of King’s terrifying world. And admittedly, we get more than we bargained for. What’s more, the terrific, twisted performances from McGregor, Ferguson, & Curran hold us spellbound – which is precisely why you’d follow them anywhere fearsome. Even back to the Overlook Hotel.

NOELLE

1 out of 5 stars

If you’re wanting to sustain your holiday cheer, then don’t unwrap this dreadful gift about Santa’s daughter cheering up her brother who wants out of the family business. For a story wanting to be so cutesy & sweet, & priding itself for appearing progressive – it’s told in the laziest way imaginable. Director Lawrence has a stocking full of cheap jokes w/ no joy inside. And that’s really saying something when he has the always charming Kendrick ringing in the Yuletide. Deserving the biggest lump of coal, it’s the furthest thing from a Christmas classic.

A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

4 out of 5 stars

Imitation is the highest form of flattery, but Hanks’ mesmerizing portrayal of Mr. Rogers goes beyond that & much deeper. He warmly captures the kindness, the acceptance, & the forgiveness our sweater-wearing, incredibly imaginative hero lived his life by. Just like his TV show, director Heller’s film is enchanting & merciful. She gives us everything we adore about Rogers, while conveying the tremendous talent that most should’ve taken more seriously. This isn’t a biopic, & it doesn’t have to be b/c Heller, Hanks, & Rhys tell a beautiful story that embodies Rogers’ much-needed nurturing spirit. Together, we understand for those who met him, their lives were immensely enriched. Our big screen neighborhood visit is as close as we’re going to get. You won’t want to leave.

LADY & THE TRAMP (2019)

2 out of 5 stars

There’s no wagging of the tail when it comes to Disney’s latest live-action remake of its classic 1955 toon. The fetching cast helps, yet a lot that should be appealing isn’t – the companionship, the songs, the romantic spaghetti dinner. Once you get past the initial cuteness of the dogs, director Bean’s ho-hum storytelling won’t get kids excited, & the adults will care even less. Only the title will bring a fondness to what you’re sniffing for in another Disney disappointment that’s only doing the bare minimum to entertain.

JOJO RABBIT

3 out of 5 stars

Writer/director Waititi occasionally slips up in his new dramedy dealing w/ WWII Nazi Germany that carries an imbalanced tone where silly & scary don’t dance well together. It’s especially difficult when dealing w/ this kind of subject matter & seemingly expected to not take it seriously until you’re immediately suppose to. Yet, it does possess great qualities, & is audacious as anything you may ever see. Johansson & McKenzie are fantastic as the two ladies in Jojo’s life that open his eyes to a world his nationalism blinds him from.

And as the titled character, young Davis is superior as a boy who has Hitler as his imaginary friend, but wants to be best buds w/ the real Führer. Hatred spews lies & this kid believes them all. Waititi & his excellent cast poke fun & mock the evil that exists, & does so w/ love in their hearts while reminding us of how history can repeat itself. At the same time, this quirky filmmaker’s ineffectual anti-hate satire should be more scathing, unafraid to totally fuck w/ fascism.

CUNNINGHAM

2.5 out of 5 stars

Director Kovgan orchestrates a stylistic dancing doc about one of the world’s greatest modern dancers/choreographers by re-enacting many of his visionary dances. There’s also archival footage of Cunningham, which I found to be the most fascinating, yet the focus isn’t on that aspect hardly at all. You’d have to be blind not to see & appreciate the art of the performances, the physicality & expression shown in every movement. With that said, the dances are dragged out longer than necessary. Watching the creations w/o diving into the creator doesn’t do much for the casual viewer. Cunningham had a spectacular 70 yr career & the feeling of not knowing much about it still remains.

WAVES

3.5 out of 5 stars

This hard-hitting family drama poignantly tells an emotionally wrecking story of what it means to be human. It’s about parental pressure & masculinity, communication & candidness, love & understanding. As a household is torn apart, writer/director Shults fills up the screen w/ beauty & pain. His scenes switching from intensity to tenderness as life shatters & is tried to be pieced back together again. The entire cast is sensational, but the two powerhouse performances from Harrison Jr. & Russell are magnetic. As brother & sister, they represent two paths that will change everything they ever knew. One is a dead end of detrimental damage while the other has bumps along the way to forgiveness in order to find what was lost.

TERMINATOR: DARK FATE

3 out of 5 stars

This failing franchise of mechanical mayhem was in dire need of an upgrade, & director Miller & the returning Cameron have done it without quite returning it to its former glory of the 80’s & 90’s. Erasing its previous predecessors & being a direct sequel to T2 – there’s definite deja vu, but it coincides with some nifty nostalgia that any fan will think is cool. As this marks the sixth installment, the awesome visual effects are there, yet they don’t impress like they use to. There’s nothing really left that would be considered mind-blowing to an audience that’s seen it all before.

The reasons you’ll remember the most relevant Terminator in years is because of the solid action sequences & Schwarzenegger & Hamilton. It’s a sight to see as the OG killing machine has aged & become domesticated, while the one decked in black & bringing the pain with shades on is Hamilton. She’s a natural necessity that the other movies didn’t think they needed. They thought wrong. You’ll be glad she’s back.

QUEEN & SLIM

4 out of 5 stars

Kaluuya & Turner-Smith are nothing short of remarkable as two people forced together by murder but fall in love as outlaws. Their romance feels honest & human, which easily makes those of us watching care deeply about who they are & what they’re going through. Running from the police & not knowing who to trust in a racially charged America – there’s tension inside every mile traveled. In a carload full of anger, hope, trepidation, & sympathy – it’s a gripping ride that ends only one way. With her first feature film, director Matsoukas displays confidence in what she wants to say & how she’s going to say it. Her vision serves as a salient societal statement on cultural combat that shows no signs of stopping – therefore giving birth to immortals among the carnage.

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.