#VicksFlicks Terse Twitter Reviews – Vol. 53

Brandon Vick reviews No Time To Die, Malignant, The Many Saints of Newark, The Last Duel, and much more in a LOADED edition of Terse Twitter Reviews!

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NO TIME TO DIE

4 out of 5 stars

A satisfyingly shaken, not stirred swan song for Craig’s 007. Through the five movies in fifteen years, Craig has given us a grittier, more grounded, complex, & more emotional version of Bond. James Bond. So it’s nice to see him go out in style. Time flies as Bond does what he does best, but not without the stellar support from Fiennes, Harris, Lynch, & Whishaw. In addition, Malick makes for a decent villain with a backstory that at least provides more reason & purpose for Spectre. Writer/director Fukunaga composes a story of genuine heart while delivering what audiences full-on expect from this long-running, rip-roaring franchise. The thrills, beauty, fashion, & expensive cars most of us will never sit in – they’re all here for our indulgence. It’s time well spent w/ Craig & a fond farewell to the best Bond to ever grace the silver screen.

COPSHOP

3.5 out of 5 stars

In this stylish, irreverent, blisteringly violent, & outright cool throwback shoot’em up, Butler & Grillo go head-to-head & do a bang-up job. But make no mistake – the terrific Louder is in charge as a rookie cop who ain’t backing down from them nasty wrongdoers. It’s not exactly the crime thriller you may think. Don’t worry, it’s a blessing in disguise because director Carnahan enables the narrative to run wild – his characters acting crazy & cartoonish – aiming to surprise us as we move closer to seeing who’s going to get out alive.

MALIGNANT

3 out of 5 stars

The less you know, the better when it comes to this unreal horror flick that undoubtedly has the makings of a cult classic as it rejoices in its ridiculousness. Wan’s adoration for the genre he’s reinvigorated is on full blast – creating an audacious & deranged story of chills & chuckles that’s not going to be for everyone. Alongside some of that giallo goodness, it’s unpredictable, suspenseful, & gory w/ a fucked-up finale you won’t see coming. Those who dare to go on this wildly silly ride through long-ago horror will surely get a kick out of it w/ the right kind of attitude & expectations.

THE CARD COUNTER

2 out of 5 stars

As a mysterious, under the radar poker player suffering from PTSD due to a painful past of being an ex-military interrogator – Isaac is all in w/ a solid, haunting performance. He’s the only exciting component in writer/director Schrader’s tedious & underwhelming character study/redemption tale. Audiences get glimpses of brilliance, but are mostly dealt a losing hand that includes drab dialogue & atmosphere, a romance that’s DOA, & a third act that folds instead of showing its bloodstained cards. All involved are shockingly stuck, sitting at a less than thrilling table, playing an empty game.

THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE

3 out of 5 stars

This biopic of the unforgettable televangelist Tammy Faye is endearing & compassionate, while simultaneously choosing not to explore more of her spirit. Wearing the make-up of a soap opera, director Showalter goes w/ the more standard approach while telling the power that faith, greed, jealousy, corruption, & redemption have on Faye, her relationship w/ her husband Jim, & their godly empire. Garfield is fantastic, but it’s Chastain’s mesmerizing performance that’s worthy of worship. She goes beyond just looking & sounding like Faye. By embodying the role in such extraordinary fashion, Chastain is bound & determined in revealing that behind those eyes is a lonely woman w/ her fair share of demons, but who truly did believe in what she was preaching.

BERGMAN ISLAND

1.5 out of 5 stars

Writer/director Hansen-Løve has an absolute affection for Bergman, yet her intimate salutation to him doesn’t add up to much in this boring dramedy. Centering around a filmmaking couple in hopes of being inspired by traveling to the gorgeous island that was Bergman’s heaven on Earth – it’s a life imitating art scenario of a detached marriage & young love & heartbreak. Roth & Krieps are natural in their roles & the location is breathtaking. Aside from that, from the film’s primary story to its secondary one – you’re left waiting for something (anything!) to happen.

LILY TOPPLES THE WORLD

4 out of 5 stars

A joyous & motivational doc about Hevesh – an amazing domino artist & YouTube sensation – whose passion has changed her life in extraordinary ways. Being adopted from China at 1 years old, she grew up feeling different, shy, & scared of being abandoned again. But what she found & creates in the world of dominos has helped her find herself, & it’s more than evident she’s happier than ever before. Watching the master at work, doing what she loves, will put a smile on your face. Her builds are something special & entrancing. She’s literally made her own line of dominos! And the best part is she’s just getting started.

TITANE

3 out of 5 stars

Rousselle & Lindon are riveting in writer/director Ducournau’s vastly original & evocative sophomore feature. Ferocious, sexual, tender, & shocking – this demented tale of the emotionally uncomfortable & complicated connection formed between a dancer/serial killer/car “enthusiast” & a fireman who misses his lost boy goes in unexpected & fascinating directions that’s impossible to prepare yourself for. Although, as all is revealed in its final act, the film’s purpose becomes slightly murky, losing parts of its allure & morphing into something rather prevalent in the process. That’s the last thing you’d expect considering what came before from this horror fantasy & the gruesome body horror that nightmares are made of. For better or worse, it’s undoubtedly a viewing experience unlike any other. And you can best believe the distinct, dauntless vision from Ducournau won’t allow any of us to fully look away.

THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK

2.5 out of 5 stars

While never boring, if not for being a prequel to The Sopranos, this would easily be an unnecessary, run-of-the-mill mobster movie. However, it still serves as a solid showcase for Nivola. He’s terrific as Uncle Dickie, the guy who young Tony (James Gandolfini’s son, Michael) idolizes & is predominately impacted by. During a mercurial time, Dickie is facing trouble at every turn – at home & within the family business – w/ a good portion of it self-induced, of course. The bloodshed that ensues doesn’t seem to make things go away, either. For fans of the HBO series, this is their chance to see some of their favorite characters in their prime. But honestly, creator Chase’s crime tale isn’t really the “rise” of Tony Soprano as many may think. If anything, it’s the earliest of early stages of the man/boss he eventually becomes. Hearing that old theme song though is & will always be fucking cool.

THE RESCUE

3.5 out of 5 stars

The harrowing 2018 cave rescue of a Thailand soccer team & their coach is relived through this nerve-racking, gripping doc. From the directors of Free Solo, viewers get an astounding account of the against all odds trek to save thirteen lives as countries come together & those who cave dive for fun become heroes w/ no time to waste. Trust me, whatever you may know about this won’t compare to what’s shown here, which is humanity at its absolute finest. It’s illuminating, emotional, & inspiring.

CRY MACHO

1.5 out of 5 stars

Eastwood is a legend & that’ll never change. Even at 91 yrs old, he has a commanding presence in front of & behind the camera unlike anyone in his profession, regardless of age. With that said, in his latest western road trip, he miscasts himself as he’s too old for the character he portrays – & that’s not the worst of it. The hackneyed script spins laughable scenes that are clearly unintentional. Additionally, the standard & stodgy story stops & starts, eventually leaving audiences wondering what the hell is the point of all of it. It’s a poor attempt from Eastwood to break down his tough guy persona that he’ll forever be remembered for. Trust me, no one is going to remember this.

MY SON

2 out of 5 stars

If not for McAvoy’s impressively improvised & committed performance, there wouldn’t be much to this tepid abduction thriller. It’s quite clear the premise isn’t as thought out as it should be by writer/director Carion & co-writer Irrmann. It kicks off being intriguing w/ suspicion at a pretty high level. Though, the more the mystery unravels, the more routine it quickly becomes. By the end, it’s somewhat lackluster once the characters & viewers get the answers they seek.

THE LOST LEONARDO

3 out of 5 stars

The Salvator Mundi has travelled far & wide – becoming the most expensive painting ever sold for $450M! Although, its authenticity is scrutinized from square one after being bought from a New Orleans auction house. This divulging, if not completely engrossing, doc from Koefoed is a puzzle w/ a lot of moving pieces from the art world that in all likelihood will never fit just right. It’s clearly not for the appreciation of the art or the truth of what it could be: A fraud. In the end, it’s less about where the painting is & more about how the politics, greed, & power that comes from possessing the lost/last Da Vinci gets grossly out of control.

THE LAST DUEL

4 out of 5 stars

The masterful action set pieces are blistering & barbaric, yet director Scott’s magnificent medieval #MeToo epic isn’t just about a battle to the death – it’s about truth. Powerfully effective in its narrative structure, Scott divides the film into three chapters, each one supplying a different perspective from our three central characters. There’s Carrouges (Damon), his friend turned bitter rival Le Gris (Driver), & Carrouges’ wife Marguerite (Comer), who has accused Le Gris of raping her. Through the different versions, the story slowly unravels to reveal the pure hell a woman goes through when living in a man’s world. Full of prizewinning performances, Comer stands above them all. She’s nothing short of stunning as a courageous milady who will not be silent – no matter the incredible imminence that may await her. Enthralling, thought-provoking, & excruciating, this is one of Scott’s very best.

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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