TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE
Leatherface (Mark Burnham) is swinging his chainsaw afresh in this “spiritual sequel” to the 1974 original. I will warn you now that the plot is rather stupid from the start. Melody (Sarah Yarkin), her little sister Lila (Elsie Fisher), Dante (Jacob Latimore), and his girlfriend Ruth (Nell Hudson) head to a Texas ghost town for a new business gamble they’re hoping will pay off by flipping it into a booming spot for the youth to escape the city limits. But when you dare disrupt the home of Leatherface – you’re fucked! He may be old, but he doesn’t need no rocking chair. He’s still the sadistic, flesh mask wearing monster, and guess who returns to join him? Sally Hardesty (Olwen Fouéré)!
She’s back for vengeance after being the sole survivor of the notorious massacre that introduced the world to Leatherface. Though, don’t get too excited because their showdown that’s been almost fifty years in the making is a big ole disappointment. Honestly, what’s the point of resurrecting this legendary horror property if it’s going to be half-assed? Director David Blue Garcia is unable to make any of this feel remotely momentous or scary. I mean it’s a bloodbath for sure; however, it’s just so pointless, and if Garcia is only going for shock value – he never stood a chance. Horror fans have seen it all. If Leatherface was hoping for a comeback like his pal Michael Myers, he’s going to be more depressed than he already is. If that’s even humanly possible.
THE TINDER SWINDLER
Swiping right is always risky when searching for love, but matching with ‘Simon Leviev’ is a sickening nightmare. He’s a cunning con man who woos women across the globe, and shortly thereafter drains them of all they have (and don’t have) to continue living his lavish lifestyle that’ll no doubt fool his next victim. Felicity Morris’ perplexing yet thrilling true-crime documentary highlights three of them who thought they were with a diamond billionaire, but he’s only playing pretend.
As the scam unravels, audiences will sit in disbelief with what this guy gets away with – while simultaneously hearing first-hand the hurt he’s caused these women. And things get even more exciting once they set out for revenge, revealing to the world what a piece of shit he truly is. You’ll be transfixed from the very beginning by this compelling cautionary tale that, with its twists and turns, sends a message about internet dating, trust, and the insane things we do in the name of love.
DOWNFALL: The Case Against Boeing
For plane manufacturer Boeing, beating the competition and serving Wall Street takes top priority over reputation and safety. This way of business sadly leads to tragedy as two of their brand new 737 Max planes crash within 6 months of each other, killing 346 people. The fact that this could’ve all been avoided if not for corporate greed is utterly repulsive. This indicting and infuriating documentary from Academy Award nominee Rory Kennedy analyzes how this could have happened. All the while, caught up in the aftermath – we sympathize with the mourning families as they demand for some damn accountability. Kennedy’s approach is very conventional and a little repetitive; regardless, it’s consequential viewing and will have travelers running the opposite way if Boeing is taking them to their next destination.
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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