MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU
3 out of 5 stars
This being the fifth installment of the Despicable Me franchise, kids surely know what they’re in for by now while adults will have no choice but to tolerate the usual all-out nonsense that ensues. While movin’ & groovin’ in the 70s, the directors put a little more of an effort into making this Minions prequel smarter & funnier than its lousy precursor. It’s ultimately an upgrade & the big difference is the presence of Gru. His endearing friendship w/ his yellow, goggle-donning chums is where it’s at. The amusing mix of zany minion antics & their mini boss’s evilness is why this even exists in the first place. A fabulous cast, handsome animation, ceaseless energy, & a short runtime is plenty to satisfy families looking for a breezy, bubbleheaded diversion.
CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH
4 out of 5 stars
An eminently charming, funny, & honest coming-of-age story about the passages we go through in life & the search for love never going according to plan. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Shithouse, but writer-director-star Raiff has upped his game immensely w/ his sophomore feature, & his chemistry w/ the phenomenal Johnson is electric. Also, in her acting debut, Burghardt is a revelation. In every scene, the film irrefutably shows how deeply Raiff cares for his well-disposed characters. And in doing so, we so easily relate to them on a more personal level, cuddling their kindness while forgiving their faults. With unexpected yet irresistible optimism & empathy, this sweet little gem will capture your whole heart.
JERRY & MARGE GO LARGE
2.5 out of 5 stars
Inspired by a true story, this very clichéd comedy still has its fair share of winning moments when a married Michigan couple, along w/ their small town, strike it rich after coming across a loophole in the Massachusetts lottery. Cranston & Bening are a lovely on-screen pair worth rooting for, even if there’s no getting around the movie’s dullness. But director Frankel & writer Copeland’s feel-good, gentle approach makes this impossible to dislike. It’s heart is consistently in the right place, focusing on the importance of family, friends, community, camaraderie, &, needless to say, math.
BRIAN AND CHARLES
3 out of 5 stars
Writers/stars Earl & Hayward are downright delightful in this bizarre & benevolent British mockumentary of a lonely & unavailing inventor’s friendship w/ his robot. The quirky story could use some fine-tuning, but director Archer decently showcases an oddball couple who are too sweet & harmless to not take pleasure in. Their warm & funny connection is this outrageous comedy’s second best creation. Charles is of course the first.
CRIMES OF THE FUTURE
2 out of 5 stars
While Cronenberg’s return to body horror has no shortage of intriguing ideas – he has difficulty in displaying them on screen in gripping fashion. Performances are strange but strong; however, the film is surprisingly not all that shocking & feels frustratingly unfinished in its exploration of our bodies’ evolution. The final shot is a beauty though.
MAD GOD
2.5 out of 5 stars
This phantasmagorical horror from the twisted mind of Tippett is an astonishing though dreadfully deranged & disgusting visual journey three decades in the making. The stop-motion animation is beyond impressive, which could very well be the biggest (& perhaps only) reason why to watch. With a nonexistent plot & frightening sounds replacing the use of dialogue – it’s a surreal & monstrous plunge into the darkest depths of hell that many won’t be brave enough to endure. And that’s okay because this ain’t for everyone. Not by a long shot. For me, the effort is creatively commendable but not really all that enjoyable.
LIGHTYEAR
4 out of 5 stars
A splendid sci-fi action adventure that belongs up on the big screen. Colored in Pixar’s typical top-shelf animation, Evans excellently personifies our favorite Space Ranger. He’s a perfect fit, exceeding in every way imaginable. Palmer, Soules, & Waititi voice Buzz’s team that he may not have wanted but absolutely needed. They each take their respective characters & give them fantabulous personalities & purpose. But the true scene-stealer is Sox (Sohn), a precious robotic cat that’s full of surprises, delivering big laughs in the process.
A total blast to watch, this space saga is equally exhilarating & emotional. Themes of the value of time, living up to your family’s name, admitting when you need help, & how we define what home is are exquisitely explored by director MacLane. He’s constructed a vastly imaginative, immersive, & transportive world without leaning heavily into Toy Story nostalgia. Howbeit, there’s plenty here to reminisce about as to the Buzz we met in Andy’s room all those years ago. Families will love going on our hero’s out of this world, heartfelt journey that without a doubt soars to infinity & beyond.
OFFICIAL COMPETITION
2.5 out of 5 stars
This Argentinian satirical comedy is having a grand time relentlessly ridiculing the movie industry – throwing sharp, amusing darts at the fame, pompousness, ego, & overall absurdity that comes w/ it. The trio of performances from Cruz, Banderas, & Martínez getting in on the act are marvelous & multifaceted. Though, directors Cohn & Duprat tend not to recognize when the tomfoolery their cast is joyfully partaking in has run its course. It becomes a tad repetitive & monotonous, & those final few minutes are hardly gratifying.
THE BLACK PHONE
3.5 out of 5 stars
The latest from the team behind Sinister is a claustrophobic, murderous child abduction thriller w/ a fair share of tricks up its sleeve, twisting a simple concept into something sadistic yet sublime. It’s intense without being all out scary, but beware of the few solid jump scares that’ll have your heart racing. McGraw is extraordinary & has the best, sharp-witted lines that anyone at her age (or any age) would love to say out loud. Likewise, what a discovery Themes is. His first acting role & he hits it out of the park. Hiding behind creepy masks designed by Savini & Baker, Hawke is as evil as it gets, though carries a kind of complexity to the role that only he is capable of. Selfishly, I would have liked to have seen more of him in this, but every time he appears, so do the chills. (Full Review)
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPEN
4 out of 5 stars
With his scampish yet full-hearted performance, Rylance tees off w/ great persistency in this underdog golf tale about never being too old to chase your dreams. For the ‘world’s worst golfer’, winning isn’t everything; however, if you never even try…you’re cheating yourself out of unlimited possibilities. After all, the world’s your oyster! Inspired by a bonkers true story, director Roberts & writer Farnaby fill the screen w/ cheer, charm, & laughter – accompanied by a wonderful supporting cast w/ Hawkins leading the pack. It’s an uplifting crowd-pleaser about never giving up that’ll have audiences in a feel-good mood from the first swing to the final putt.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association and the Southeastern 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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