MISS AMERICANA
A candid and consuming documentary that shifts from Taylor Swift’s musical creations to her transformation into a woman who learns how to use her voice for change. Director Lana Wilson gives us more than the usual backstage access to pop stars – it’s more insightful and meaningful than expected.
While possibly brand-managed, Swift herself appears more translucent than ever before as she shows the double standards endured in the spotlight, along with the unbelievable pressure of having to pretend you have no opinion on issues you care about. But things are a changing. A fan of hers or not, her personal and professional growth is surprising yet praiseworthy – and a worthwhile watch.
6 UNDERGROUND
The smell of action trash is in the air, so that can only mean one thing: Michael Bay has a new movie out! Recruiting a cast that includes Ryan Reynolds, Mélanie Laurent, and Corey Hawkins – he tosses them into absurd and senseless violence and has them repeat it over and over and over. It becomes less exciting and more of just being loud, chaotic, and obnoxious, which tends to be how Bay likes to roll. Some won’t be able to get enough of this team of “ghosts” who are free and want their actions of killing off evildoers to be remembered even if they aren’t. But for the rest of us, lets forget it all and hope this shitshow really is a one and done.
HORSE GIRL
As a woman slowly losing her mind, Alison Brie is superb, staying emotionally committed through a nutty narrative that frustrates more than fascinates. This unusual dramedy that explores mental illness is bracing but spins itself into a drudging viewing experience the more the insanity increases. There’s no depth to the themes co-writer/director Jeff Baena wants to tackle. The path he chooses is one that loses its grip on what the film could’ve been and what it actually is. And the reality is it becomes too far gone to care about the outcome.
THE TWO POPES
Behold two veteran acting behemoths – Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce – as they take on the power and pressure of religion with sensitivity, humor and enlightenment. This fictionalized version from director Fernando Meirelles of Pope Francis and Pope Benedict forging an unlikely friendship to pave a new path for the Catholic Church is intelligent and riveting. Within defending their distinguished beliefs and ideology, they both share an understanding of the burdens carried – and the confessions that can cleanse them. To the credit of spirited storytelling and the two miraculous performances from Hopkins and Pryce, it’s a blessed bromance where we listen to every word – whether friendly or fervent. We see no matter how holy they are, these faithful men are just like us – sinning and in search of repentance.
ATLANTICS
An unpredictable migrant love story that’s inventive and intriguing up to a certain point – especially the supernatural surprises. But with her first feature film, director Mati Diop loses momentum as the connection to her distinct vision continues to be interrupted by some less than extraordinary scenes that fail to piece this grounded, haunting journey into something positively hypnotizing.
DRACULA: SEASON 1
Over the span of three 90 minute episodes, the legendary bloodsucker feeds on the flesh of the fearful as he finds youth in Transylvania and travels to London with an untamable appetite. Claes Bang plays Count Dracula with sophistication, intelligence, and charm – leaving his own mark on Bram Stoker’s classic tale. Also, Dolly Wells is wonderful as Agatha Van Helsing – a perfect match for the seductive vampire to sink his fangs into. But the show’s bite gets weaker and weaker as it goes along.
It gets off to a spooky, satisfying start; yet, by the time Dracula arrives to modern day, the horror, humor, and atmosphere have bled out. The lore of Count Dracula can have a fresh perspective, but creators Mark Gattis and Steven Moffat are so desperate to be different that the plot instantly implodes by the third part. Their version of such a classic character and his immortality is an experiment gone wrong. Lets leave him in the damn box next time, shall we?
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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