MY SPY
1.5 out of 5 stars
It’s not that Bautista & Coleman don’t have adorable moments together, but it’s that their freak friendship is set up for failure almost from the get-go in this childish, thick-witted family action comedy. We’ve seen this sort of muscle bound tough guy – cute & clever kid mashup in movies before, & director Segal clearly didn’t learn a thing from any of them. He instead takes the easy way out, & in doing so, we get to sit through lazy slapstick/jokes & blah action. Where’s the fun in that?!
JUDY & PUNCH
3.5 out of 5 stars
An original & offbeat yarn about a famous puppeteer couple who live up to their performed smash-y & punchy shows. In a splendidly sinister performance, Herriman dishes it out as a boozer & abuser, & after a terrible tragedy occurs of his own making – he can leave no strings attached. Wasikowska is fantastic as our vengeful heroine who will not allow her husband to win any longer. The ending leaves you wanting a bit more, but this remains a daring debut from writer-director Foulkes. She isn’t afraid to take her violent & dark dramedy from the 16th century & change it up to speak of empowerment in the here & now that’s wild & wicked.
THE VAST OF NIGHT
4 out of 5 stars
Set in the 1950s, this indelible invasion thriller beams w/ brilliance & ingeniousness that captivates from its opening scene to its final one. The artful storytelling from first time director Patterson provides mystery, eeriness, & unease through the night as two kids hear a strange sound through calls & signals that may be coming from the sky. Horowitz & McCormick have an infectious energy the moment you’re introduced to them. Giving stellar performances, they make for a dynamic duo as a DJ & switchboard operator, respectively, hot on the trail of what’s disrupting their small town. Without question, less is much more in this small scaled yet stupendous sci-fi movie where you find yourself hanging on every word.
7500
2.5 out of 5 stars
No need to buckle up for such an average airborne thriller that’s luckily elevated by a topflight performance by Gordon-Levitt as a pilot fending off terrorists from high jacking his plane. Taking place entirely in the cockpit, director Vollrath is our captain who wastes no time in implementing sky-high suspense. Unfortunately, it doesn’t last the entire flight. More so, the third act overreaches for a certain kind of empathy that is nowhere near earned. Though far from a crash landing, there’s turbulence along the way as the B movie falls short of soaring.
IRRESISTIBLE
3 out of 5 stars
In this satirical political comedy focusing on a mayoral campaign in a small Wisconsin town, writer-director Stewart primarily proves his point on the slimy political process & the media swapping out facts for speculation. Howbeit, it’s a little disappointing as the narrative is on the lighter side & missing some serious slamming. We know firsthand how much Stewart is up for a fight on the subject matter, but it’s only at the end w/ an election game-changer do we get a punch that really connects. As far as the cast – Carell & Byrne’s tiffing is fun to watch, though Cooper is the most compelling. His character is refreshing as someone who’s sensible within the shitshow of spinning anything & everything. He has my vote.
THE PAINTER AND THE THIEF
3.5 out of 5 stars
An artist & her art stealer meet in court & what happens next is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in this tremendously touching doc. The unlikely friendship & love that grows between Kysilkova & Bertil-Nordland is remarkable – one surviving abuse while the other looks to conquer addiction. They’re open hearted about themselves & one another, which gives director Ree the essential canvas to paint such a profound picture of compassion, understanding, & forgiveness.
THE TRUTH
2.5 out of 5 stars
The latest from director Kore-eda primarily exists for Deneuve & Binoche to strut their stuff. Their two bravura performances keep this coltish yet dragging drama about a diva actress, her screenwriting daughter, & the revealing of their unresolved issues from being a borderline borefest. The wistful, subtle path this family portrait travels on refrains from sobbing & shouting, & even adds some wry humor in the mix. It’s a nice change of pace, but when it comes to being involving & impressive, this mother/daughter reunion of memory-chasing & relationship restoration is hanging on by a thread.
SHIRLEY
3.5 out of 5 stars
Stuhlbarg & Young are sensational, yet no one is more magnetic than Moss as the famed horror author who is angry, enigmatic, trapped, & terrifying. Living out a story she could’ve written herself, this psychodrama is maniacal, taking total pleasure in the mind games being played on us & the young couple who move in w/ her & her professor husband. Intricate & intense, director Decker exceedingly explores Jackson’s toxic marriage, her grueling writing process, & her defiance to the role she’s expected to play as a woman. Emotions run high & stay there in this bonkers biopic that feels fitting for its titled character w/ its fair share of style & suspicion.
ARTEMIS FOWL
1 out of 5 stars
Disney’s appalling YA adaptation of Colfer’s popular book series is the farthest thing from a magical watch. Ideas are thrown all over the place, yet director Branagh visually can’t turn them into something of substance. It’s supposedly about a young criminal mastermind, but you could’ve fooled me w/ the titled character barely showing any resemblance of what’s been written on the page. There are a variety of reasons this wearying knockoff of other fantastical worlds fails to entertain. Poor performances. Mediocre SFX. Unimaginative storytelling. Take your pick.
BABYTEETH
3 out of 5 stars
In her feature film debut, director Murphy crafts a strong yet delicate coming of age story that’s slow to find its rhythm, but by the end – the emotional payoff is worth the wait. Mendelsohn & Davis are superb as pain-stricken parents of a terminally ill daughter who aren’t too pleased about the drug-addicted older guy she’s taken a liking to. The pacing stalls the story at times, yet the focus mainly stays on Milla & Moses & their unconventional relationship that most would give up on. Wallace plays Moses w/ fervor & humor. In her portrayal of Milla – who won’t let cancer stop her from experiencing anything & everything – Scanlen is electric. To hell w/ over-indulging sentiment, self-pity & hospital beds, Murphy wants to get a little wild by flipping a sickness drama into a volatile dark comedy.
MISS JUNETEENTH
3.5 out of 5 stars
Built around an all-important pageant that’s viewed by many as a way out and a chance to go on to do great things, it’s quickly realized that it’s not all it’s cracked up to be when a dream can’t be passed on to someone who doesn’t want it. Beharie & Chikaeze are sensational as a strong-willed mother & daughter duo, both wanting to be free in different ways. The story is predictable as can be, yet the stellar dynamic between them is what makes this memorable.
With her feature film debut, writer-director Peoples beautifully exhibits the struggle, the tenacity, & the love that goes into living for each day & wanting better for your kids. She equally makes the audience cognizant of what that entails based on the color of one’s skin. This is a thoughtful & touching drama that proudly praises young black women doing things their own way.
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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