SONIC THE HEDGEHOG

3 out of 5 stars

Not as fun as the video game that inspires it, the speedy blue devil still has the right kind of energy in a good-natured movie about friendship. Keeping expectations to a minimum, director Fowler impresses by maximizing all he has to keep things zippy & entertaining. This includes a cut loose Carrey performance from right out of the 90’s. And what about those expensive visual effects? Worth every penny.

LIKE A BOSS

1.5 out of 5 stars

Byrne & Haddish have fabulous comedic chemistry, but no amount of beauty products is going to make this forgettable female friendship movie glow. Just because director Arteta applies female empowerment & progressive women to the plot, doesn’t mean that covers up how formulaic it is while sorely slacking on making us laugh.

JUST MERCY

3.5 out of 5 stars

A terribly tainted judicial system that punishes those who it should protect. Sending the accused to prison for no reason besides the color of their skin. These are timely themes that have been told many times, mainly b/c it’s the rotten reality that’s happening every day. So while predictable, director Cretton still makes this true story legal drama sobering & emotionally effective. Stories such as these are infuriating when it comes to the shockingly blatant injustices; though, the amazing activism we see inspires & spreads hope in lieu of hatred. Jordan is solid as Stevenson, a young lawyer fighting to give death-row inmates their lives back. And as one of those inmates ready to give up, Foxx gives one of his finest performances to date.

CALL OF THE WILD

3 out of 5 stars

Ford’s heartfelt performance adds a good chunk of dignity & respect that only a man of his stature can. Even if his big digital dog proves to be a definite distraction in this retelling of Jack London’s classic novel about finding your home. Thankfully, director Sanders gives us enough family entertainment & open-air adventure that you’re willing to take a journey of great grit where the Call is worth answering.

UNDERWATER

2 out of 5 stars

A derivative creature feature whose impressive style is outmatched by its incoherency & utter lack of suspense. Director Eubank’s mad monsters & greedy humans are lifeless, ditching a wasted cast gasping for air as they drown in a sea of lost potential.

THE GENTLEMEN

3 out of 5 stars

Director Ritchie’s crime-comedy romp takes it easy on us as it doesn’t hit as hard as his previous ones. It gets its kicks trying to trick you at every turn, but the plot needs more meat on its bones. Still, the sophistication & style goes down smooth, & w/ a first-class cast ready to rumble – you won’t not be enthused or entertained. Grant is the MVP of the gents!

THE RHYTHM SECTION

1.5 out of 5 stars

Predictable plot. Meaningless characters. Disillusioned outcome. Director Morano found the right leading lady in Lively – she delivers a strong performance – but she’s stuck in a weak action movie where there’s hardly any action. And what it’s being replaced by is absurdity & boredom.

THE PHOTOGRAPH

2 out of 5 stars

Lea & Stanfield have crackling chemistry in a rom-com unable to capitalize on it. There’s realism to the romances we’re watching, but director Meghie’s two running love stories struggle to be as emotionally effective as they should be. The overall disconnect from everything onscreen leads to straight up boredom.

GRETEL & HANSEL

2.5 out of 5 stars

In this dark, twisted fairytale, director Perkins’ drop-dead visual style is devilishly delicious. But be warned – scary it is not; though excitedly eerie at times. It’s best to let the alarming atmosphere swallow you up, & not focus too much on the half-baked plot that’ll ruin your appetite.

TIMMY FAILURE: MISTAKES WERE MADE

3 out of 5 stars

It’s not free of mistakes & feels a bit incomplete as it sets its sights too soon on a sequel. Though, director McCarthy doesn’t come close to failing w/ this fun-filled family movie about how being weird is way better than being normal. As the titular imaginative detective, Fegley knocks it out of the park w/ heart & an abundance of dry humor. Plus, he has a polar bear as his partner in crime. And while abandonment & the fear of growing up are tough cases to crack, these thoughtful themes tie all of the enjoyable hijinks together.

THE LODGE

1.5 out of 5 stars

This psychological/religious horror film about a woman & her boyfriend’s two kids getting along in a snow-covered cabin is overly sluggish & repetitive. Directors Franz & Fiala build a creepy atmosphere while tearing down the walls of thrills. It won’t make you scared, but sleepy instead. By the final act – no matter who lives or dies – the numbing narrative will force you to unwillingly repent. Only Keough’s gripping performance delivers a taste of the chills we’re left craving for most of its runtime.

TROOP ZERO

2 out of 5 stars

A sweet & kindhearted yarn about a band of Birdie Scouts misfits that has the best of intentions; but it all feels forced & frivolous, having its message of acceptance & embracing being different feel hollow from the inside out. The charming cast lead by Davis also do little to help as we’ve seen this all before, & what directors Bert & Bertie have here is far less memorable.

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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