In theaters this week
Published 8:13 am Friday, February 1, 2019
Can’t decide what to see this weekend?
Bowling Green Daily News film critic Micheal Compton is here to tell you the best – and worst – now playing at your local cineplex.
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Aquaman (B)
The latest entry to the D.C. Comics Universe is as easy and laid back as its very likable lead (Jason Momoa) – a bit clunky at times but ultimately a lot of fun. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas)
Bumblebee (B)
The Transformers franchise gets a nice overhaul in this dialed down tale that feels more like a John Hughes film than one of Michael Bay’s loud, special effects driven spectacles. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10)
A Dog’s Way Home (D)
Another annoying family movie narrated from the point of view of the dog. The dialogue is silly, the story not that interesting, and the effects (which include a CGI cougar) are amateur at best. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Highland Cinemas)
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Escape Room (C)
This thriller is kind of clever for a while until the final act, when it completely comes crashing down with a series of twists that get more implausible and convoluted. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Highland Cinemas)
The Favourite (A)
The new film from director Yorgos Lanthimos, may look all prim and proper – with its “Downton Abbey” appearance on the surface.
But this is anything but another stuffy period piece. Working from a script by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara, Lanthimos crafted a deliciously dark comedic gold mine that’s anchored by three of the best performances of 2018 from Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz. (Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10)
Glass (F)
The spin-off from “Split” and “Unbreakable” proves to be the very worst of writer/director M. Night Shyamalan – an arrogant piece of filmmaking that is nothing more than a contrived mess of comic book psychobabble that wears thin very quickly. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas)
Green Book (B)
Sometimes it’s the films that seem the most effortless that are the most fun.
That is the case with this highly entertaining film from Peter Farrelly that features strong work from leads Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12)
The Kid Who Would Be King (B)
The latest incarnation of the King Arthur story is an amiable enough family affair, just clever enough to be appreciated by all ages. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas)
The Least of These: The Graham Staines Story (not reviewed at this time)
(Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12)
Mary Poppins Returns (B-)
The lovable British nanny is back in the follow-up to the beloved 1964 children’s classic with Emily Blunt stepping into the iconic role first created by Julie Andrews.
Blunt tackles the role with great gusto, the high point of a film that is ultimately a bit uneven around its charming lead. (Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10)
Miss Bala (D)
A ludicrous action film about a young woman (Gina Rodriquez) who becomes the unwilling accomplice of a drug cartel. It’s a script that feels like it’s been sitting on the shelf for decades, with archaic plot devices and uninteresting characters (Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10)
The Mule (B)
Clint Eastwood stars and directs this solid tale of an elderly man who became one of the most trusted drug mules for a Mexican cartel. (Highland Cinemas)
Ralph Breaks the Internet (B+)
A delightful sequel to “Wreck It Ralph” with some wonderful animation and a smart script that plays well for adults as well as children. (Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10)
Second Act (C-)
Jennifer Lopez plays a working class woman who gets a shot at a better career in a film that starts in an unbelievable place and then just veers in a completely different direction about midway through. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10)
Serenity (C-)
A film with a decent premise and a talented cast – including Academy Award winners Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway – that all comes crashing down, with a mid-film plot twist so absurd you start to wonder if this is some elaborate ruse the cast and crew are playing on the audience. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Highland Cinemas)
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (A-)
After six live action films since 2002, the Spider-Man franchise gets animated with “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” – a delightful excursion that is 2018’s best animated film.
Here is a movie that takes its comic book roots and embraces them with such glee the result is perhaps the quintessential Spider-Man film. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas)
The Upside (B-)
The remake of the French film “The Intouchables” is a formulaic film that really doesn’t take many chances. Sometimes the pacing feels off and the story never really has any surprises.
Even with all of that “The Upside” manages to work thanks to an ace, make that two aces, up its sleeve – Bryan Cranston and Kevin Hart. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas)