The genius execution of 2014’s The LEGO Movie offered audiences a creative perspective on their childhood toy, and the financial success of the film practically greenlit any future spin-offs; including this month’s The LEGO Batman Movie and late-Summer’s The LEGO NINJAGO Movie. Batman’s ability to steal scenes in The LEGO Movie makes him the perfect candidate to have his own spin-off. We shall see about the latter come September.
The Babymoon is still admirable for its efforts despite its imperfections. The premise is also surprisingly layered – another element that earns our respect. When the movie slacks on convincing dialogue or it loses subtlety in the performances, writer/director Bailey Kobe isn’t afraid to send his audience into a feverous tailspin, making us wonder in amusement how our jilted characters wound up on this crazy adventure in the first place.
Terror of the stars Sweet purring from above A pat on the head Thy vengeance will scratch Death is a cat from mars
Award season is a long road. It all starts out with hubbub about a film that sparked acclaim on the festival circuit, followed by increased word-of-mouth when the movie begins an “exclusive engagement” in a modest independent theatre. The season is in full-effect when those indies start receiving showtimes in larger chains.
Kiss and Cry is a lovely Canadian companion to Josh Boone’s crowd-pleaser The Fault in Our Stars.
Often, you’ll hear a film criticized for having a premise that’s more suited for a short film rather than a feature-length movie. Filmmaker Saul Pincus, who has a background in making shorts, has surely caught wind of this comment because you can see the mechanics in his latest breakout indie Nocturne try to dodge this nitpick.
Short Stay is a barely releasable anti-movie, yet writer/director Ted Fendt – a short film storyteller – probably classifies his feature-length debut as a success.
As the weekend approaches and I search for a matinée recommendation to have in my holster, Oliver Schmitz’s courtroom drama Shepherds and Butchers comes along and fits the bill.
This past year offered plenty of bad movies, but unfunny comedies, shabby horror movies, and excruciating documentaries truly challenged the critics at Wylie Writes. Here are some of their “Worst Of” lists, and don’t forget to click highlighted titles for reviews.
