#VicksFlicks Terse Twitter Reviews – Vol. 40

The latest edition of Terse Twitter Reviews includes Brandon's quick reviews on First Cow, Greyhound, and much more!

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FIRST COW

2.5 out of 5 stars

Similar to her other films, writer-director Reichardt goes at her own practiced pace as she shapes a story that’s borderline brutal, boring, & brilliant. Taking place in the wild frontier & centering around a cow, a crime, & two travelers whom become fast friends & business partners, this tale of thievery isn’t the most thrilling by any stretch of the imagination. We don’t get to the good stuff until the last 45 minutes or so, & even that is said w/ caution. Still, the performances from Magaro & Lee are instrumental in displaying, front-and-center, the beauty & merit of friendship as they set out to milk it rich in an opportunistic time that has more in common w/ today than one may think. Some things never change.

SHE DIES TOMORROW

1.5 out of 5 stars

In the first half hour of writer-director Seimetz’s contagion horror, there’s a unique sort of curiosity & creepiness that gets your hopes up. However, sitting through the next hour while the theme of passing on the belief of being dead the next day gets more & more tedious is exhausting. While undeniably timely, feeding on the fear & uncertainty of what the future may hold, the all-around implementation is a flawed one that fails to invoke scares, intrigue, or incitement. There’s no connecting w/ the characters, no thrills to keep the audience on edge, & no real direction in what could’ve been a worthy, thought-provoking story that actually terrifies.

RELIC

3.5 out of 5 stars

‪In her feature film debut, writer-director James cleverly & confidently pushes the boundaries of the horror genre to craft a tale of an unstoppable deterioration from the inside out. A trio of terrific performances come from Mortimer, Heathcote & Nevin as they represent three generations of mothers & daughters desperately trying to peel back the layers of a dark presence inside this haunted house thriller where humanity’s suffering traverses through its windows & walls. The final moments on-screen are indescribable. You’ll have to see it for yourself. All I can say is this is a crazy, creepy exploration of mental disease that’s never been so venturously shown until now.

HAMILTON

4.5 out of 5 stars

If you aren’t one of the lucky ones to have seen it in person yet, then this stupendous live-performance film featuring the original Broadway cast truly is the next best thing. This incredibly innovative musical from Miranda places the audience on stage to be excitingly immersed in the telling of one of our Founding Fathers w/ great diversity & awesome hip-hop. The performances are phenomenal, & as the director of the Broadway version & this one, Kail presents a stunning production w/ stirring emotion that gives an unreal experience on stage & onscreen.

JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE

3 out of 5 stars

Lewis is a legendary Civil Rights activist turned Congressman who talks the talk & walks the walk, devoting his life to fighting the good fight to leave America better than he found it. Director Porter’s portrait of him is rather conventional, but inspiring all the same. Lewis’ own thoughts & feelings, along w/ good use of historical footage & images, makes this well worth telling – especially now. It’s a tribute that preserves his profound presence in protests & politics, while clearly displaying his determination in pushing this country forward. His days of getting into necessary trouble ain’t over yet.

GREYHOUND

3.5 out of 5 stars

There’s no rest for this tense WWII naval thriller helmed by a rousing Hanks portrayal of a courageous captain battling on dangerous waters & w/ his own self-doubt. It’s rare to watch a taut 90 minute war film, yet director Schneider is full speed ahead, skipping over the human factor & going right for rip-roaring action sequences. While the passage is undeniably old-fashioned & straightforward, the solid technical handling & the suitable stress & suspense you’re submerged in makes it well worth it. You’re in safe hands w/ Hanks!

THE RENTAL

1.5 out of 5 stars

For first-time director Franco, his version of a horror movie is very different from mine & probably yours, too. The plot revolves around two couples going on a weekend retreat to celebrate, but from the moment they get to their fancy Airbnb & meet the man in charge – it’s all downhill from there. Shivers & scares aren’t staying here w/ a cast, including Stevens & Franco’s wife Brie, playing people you don’t want to hang out w/, much less care if they make it out alive or not. Out of all of the genres, this is the perfect one where infidelity & a mystery peeper can furnish some twisted fun, but not w/ James’ younger bro at the helm. ‪He stumbles getting to his stodgy slasher finale that doesnt even come close to sending chills.‬

REBUILDING PARADISE

4 out of 5 stars

The Camp Fire, the deadliest wildfire in California history, burned through the historic city of Paradise within a day, leaving its residents to pick up the pieces of their lives from the ashes. From director Howard, this riveting & heart wrenching doc starts off by using actual footage of a perfect storm. Seeing the flames & dark skies from those who were there while hearing the fear in their voices is indisputably dumbfounding. And once the smoke settles, the devastation left behind is unfathomable.

Still, for most who called it home, they can’t imagine living anywhere else. Their generosity, commitment, & grit to heal themselves & Paradise from the ground up is absolutely amazing when considering the magnitude of what they have lost & the tragic realization things will never go back to the way they were before November 8, 2018. Howard uses the last few moments to show this kind of destruction happening all over the world, connecting w/ a climate change gut punch that needed to be thrown.

SUMMERLAND

3 out of 5 stars

Portraying a reclusive, bitter writer dwelling in heartbreak, Arterton is splendid in a sweet yet cliched story of lost love & comradery during wartime. The path writer-director Swale takes has breathtaking views, yet it’s apparent early on where it’s headed. At the same time, you don’t really mind because her inclusion of a lesbian love story, the wonder of Fata Morgana, & the fondness formed between Arterton & young Bond is too charming to dismiss. It’s a lighthearted & tender British period piece that paints a pleasing portrait of two people in need of rescuing.

BLESSED CHILD

3.5 out of 5 stars

An insightful, if not totally all-in, doc of growing up in Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church & finding freedom outside of it. Director Jones tells an absorbing personal tale of the powerful hold religion has, & the overwhelming fear of leaving everything she’s ever known – including her parents who are diehard “Moonies.” Throughout, the preconceptions of what we may have in regards to cults, the believers that follow, & the families raising their children in one are openly disputed.

There’s a sense of Jones holding back on indulging more on why others (mainly her bros) ditched Moon & his message, then there’s the touchy topic of homosexuality. Regardless, it’s still a baffling yet fascinating watch following Jones’ emotional journey from being a consecrated child & being matched to marry a stranger to her divorce & understanding her parent’s decisions & unwavering devotion to the church & their daughter.

THE FIGHT

4 out of 5 stars

Going through the losses, setbacks, & victories right along w/ them, this exceptionally engaging & compassionate doc provides an inside look at the ACLU & the undeviating lawyers who are duking it out in court w/ the Trump administration. Directors Steinberg, Despres, & Kriegman choose wisely by picking 4 pivotal cases dealing w/ the rights of voting, abortion, immigration, & LGBTQ – each one threatening the very democracy we hold so near & dear. This is a legal thriller that’ll get you fired up & feeling emboldened while watching these custodians of the Constitution in action. They dedicate more time in seeking equality for others than they do for their own families, working tirelessly in a politically hostile environment I dare say we’ve grown unusually accustomed to. This is an essential viewing of a job that’s 24/7, but monumental in fighting the good fight for those who can’t.

RADIOACTIVE

2.5 out of 5 stars

A stylish yet sluggish biopic that can’t match the energy brought by Pike’s superb portrayal as Curie, a two-time Nobel Prize-winning scientist whose work (along w/ her husband Pierre) would go on to distinctly help & hurt the world. Curie’s brilliant mind & rebellious spirit is present, but director Satrapi lessens it by highlighting more of her personal life dramatics & guilt of the dangers of her discovery. Besides a few well-crafted creative choices that enlightens, this remains a bit too basic for such a glowing genius.

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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