THE LOST CITY
3.5 out of 5 stars
Bullock & Tatum are having fantastic fun & so will you w/ this laugh-out-loud, zany romantic action comedy that brings treasure hunting & romance novel fantasies to life. Sure, it’s predictable & a replicate of many movies that have come before it, but no matter because it’s a hoot throughout. With a supporting cast that includes Radcliffe, Randolph, & a supercool, scene-stealing Pitt – there’s literally something for everyone. The action has its moments, the laughs are incessant, & of course there’s romance in the air. Though, without question, the two leads’ topflight comedic performances & their off the charts chemistry is what easily & instantly drives this ridiculous romp to emerge as an enthusiastic, entertaining ride through the jungle.
DEEP WATER
3 out of 5 stars
While inconsequent at times & unable to nail its ending – this wickedly erotic thriller from the director of Fatal Attraction & Unfaithful continues to be altogether absorbing, reeling us in to relish a loveless, deadly messed up marriage. Most of the credit goes to Affleck w/ his devious & menacing portrayal of a husband/father who has become numb watching his wife (de Armas) make a mockery of their marriage by flaunting her numerous lovers around town. It’s a dicey deal they have made to avoid the headaches of divorce, yet funny how her flings always wind up disappearing. Misery loves company, as they say. Equally sensual & strange, you can’t look away from the abnormal affection, jealousy, & deceit that are running amok.
NO EXIT
1.5 out of 5 stars
This tiresome thriller, based on Adams’ novel, should thank its lucky stars for Liu’s compelling performance. If not for her, this would be a useless watch. The whole scenario is largely predictable, & the sole surprising twist doesn’t make a real difference. The screen is filled w/ unconvincing, typical characters in which you’re never given enough to care what their fate may be. Live or die, just get to the end already.
AFTER YANG
2.5 out of 5 stars
Beautifully crafted by writer/director Kogonada, this contemplative sci-fi drama requires patience while experiencing its peculiar viewpoint on loss, grief, AI, memories & one’s own existence. Farrell delivers a wonderfully haunting performance, but the film itself is a little too subtle & slowish to really feel its emotional effect. The last 20 minutes or so are the most fascinating & the opening sequence is fantastic.
FRESH
3 out of 5 stars
The less you know going in to this dark, disgusting, & demented comedy horror the better. It’s a devilishly delicious exploration of today’s agonies of dating as well as the manipulation of women that feeds appalling men’s appetites. Stylish & grisly, director Cave & writer Kahn have set the table for an original tale that’s for an audience w/ a strong stomach. A cool soundtrack & the two cracking performances from Stan & Edgar-Jones thankfully help wash it down. It’s just a shame it’s not entirely satisfying by the time we get to the third act. As soon as the shocking part is unveiled, Cave spends the remainder of the movie turning it into a standard feminist survivor thriller that’s heartily violent yet only consuming by the skin of its teeth.
CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN (2022)
2 out of 5 stars
This good-hearted remake presents thoughtful, timely themes & shares some love while doing so. However, nothing is fully explored, providing very little depth to what director Lerner is wanting to say about what makes a family a family. The Baker’s tomfoolery is no fun when so much surrounding it is predictable & superficial.
THE OUTFIT
4 out of 5 stars
This is inarguably my favorite Rylance performance thus far. It’s tough to imagine anyone else leading this stylish, clever mob thriller that offers more than a few surprises in between the bullets & bloodshed. From writer Moore, the way in which he pushes the plot from point to point in his directorial debut, soaking in the stellar performances on the way to another wonderful reveal, is ever so magnetic. He shows exquisite taste in talent & lets them do the heavy lifting amid delivering dialogue that occasionally echoes a bigger bang than the pulling of the trigger. The biggest joy is watching Rylance play cinematic chess, every move being so ingenious and well calculated. It’s a terrifically tense, small-scale slow burner that’s a cut above the rest. (Full Review)
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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