THE BOYS IN THE BAND
Along with his returning cast, director Joe Mantello switches his Tony award winning revival from stage to screen to tell a story of living as a gay man in 1968 and having to hide who you are. All is revealed at a birthday party where drinks, a party crasher, and a cruel telephone game bring out the pain of lost love and the suffering of self-hate. Jim Parsons and Zachary Quinto are the best of the bunch. Parsons spewing venom while wearing a cashmere sweater and with Quinto’s pure presence, it changes the mood of the entire room and film. Their antipathetic relationship only makes their scenes spicier.
Unfortunately, being trapped in an apartment for two hours feels wearisome, especially when it takes awhile to get to the good stuff of who these characters are and what they have to get off their chest. There’s a lot of chitter chatter, though none of it comes across as revelatory or poignant until they pick up the phone and start dialing. The modern relevance and the transformation of the gay community isn’t altogether lost; however, considering all involved, it should incontestably pack more of a punch.
THE BABYSITTER: KILLER QUEEN
A sequel that’s messier than the blood splatter it showers the screen with. There’s honestly not one single thing director McG brings that makes this teens vs. satanic cult Round 2 a cool, fun watch like the original. The acting, the story, the humor, the gore – they collectively point straight to a second-rate, horrible horror/comedy.
ENOLA HOLMES
A debonair and charming shakeup to the Holmes family as Sherlock’s little sister sets out on her own fantabulous adventure. Surrounded by a splendid cast, Millie Bobby Brown shines as Enola – playing a pivotal part in the movie’s enjoyable energy and deftness that’s accompanied by female empowerment. She’s witty, forthcoming, and buoyant. This dynamite detective story starts out as a search for Holmes’ mother (Helena Bonham Carter), and while it diverts off that path, director Harry Bradbeer doesn’t get lost in getting Enola where she needs to go. The only thing you need to know is this is a swell start to what could easily be a fun franchise with a pitch-perfect Brown who’s just getting started in searching for her next clue.
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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