Not even one month into spring and it looks like the summer blockbuster season already has the jump on us: the latest big budget, big explosion, big sound, big picture Tom Cruise vehicle, as the only major release this weekend, should have no trouble rolling the big profits right in. Particularly as its companions are the usual indie fare — strong, certainly, but also full of niche appeal — with witchy horror, sports drama, sci-fi thriller, and a magical documentary rounding out the slate. On the plus side, the advanced season start date means that warmer weather and longer days are just around the corner. Summer is coming!
“Oblivion.” Directed by Joseph Kosinski. Starring Tom Cruise, Andrea Riseborough, Olga Kurylenko,
Melissa Leo, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, and Morgan Freeman. Our review: “There are a few gaping plot holes that grate as time goes on (it’s the
kind of film where people don’t tell the whole truth for the sole reason
that it’ll drive the plot along). It is overlong, and familiar, and
never quite hits top gear — it’s never especially bad, but neither is
it especially excellent, beyond the visual wow factor. But there’s still
a lot to admire in the film, not least that it’s engaging from the
first moment to the last.” Metacritic: 53 Rotten Tomatoes: 58% The Playlist: B-
so it’s okay that it also features several of his worse indulgences,
too.” MC: 60 RT: 43% PL: B+
wonderfully constructed and the pace so brilliantly maintained that a
similarly brilliant final act seems almost inevitable, yet it fails to
materialize. That doesn’t render the film’s numerous strengths up to
then pointless, in fact far from it. It’s still a compelling watch from
the very first scene to the last…It says more about the
film’s strengths than its weaknesses that such a sense of disappointment
lingers, yet it lingers nonetheless.” MC: 74 RT: 85% PL: B-
founding members as he creates a new studio album, this doc proves
itself thorough, absorbing, and unsentimental. MC: 79 RT: 100%
A story that is both familiar and familiarly trite is occasionally
saved by a strong performance from Rodriguez. MC: 51 RT: no
score yet
“Oconomowoc” opened Thursday. Directed by and starring Andy Gillies. Also starring Brendan Marshall-Rashid, Cindy Pinzon, and Andrew Rozanski. Our review: ” ‘Oconomowoc’ leans on
the tried-and-true formula of squeezed forced-perspective frames, flannel
sweaters, bad mustaches and awful public access cable to provoke dismissive
laughs. The final credit for the film assures us it was filmed on location,
described as ‘a city we love very much’…If they wanted to pay tribute to
this small town, maybe next time just donate some money.” MC: 10 RT: 20% PL: D-
“Deceptive Practices: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay” opened Wednesday. Directed by Molly Bernstein.
This portrait of the famous magician probes deep into his professional
evolution, but hesitates in its unfolding of the more personal layers.
Nevertheless, the fascinating subject, overflowing with panache, keeps
the documentary hugely entertaining. MC: 77 RT: 85%
Trance!