'Brothers' Divides Critics

         On October 10, 2024, with a streaming release on October 17, 2024, Amazon MGM Studios released 'Brothers', which has earned a mixed reception from critics, currently holding at 46% on Rotten Tomatoes. In the film, "the story of a reformed criminal (Josh Brolin) whose attempt at going straight is derailed when he reunites with his sanity-testing twin brother (Peter Dinklage) on a cross-country road trip for the score of a lifetime. Dodging bullets, the law, and an overbearing mother along the way, they must heal their severed family bond before they end up killing each other." Read the full review round-up below.

       Peter Debruge of Variety says, "With Palm Springs, Barbakow... found fresh wisdom in the overplayed Groundhog Day formula. Brothers also resembles countless films that have come before but lacks the original spin or improv-ready leads that might have set it apart." Adding, "While the entire ensemble comes across fully committed to roles that are well beneath them, it’s not at all clear what the point was in presenting the Moke and Jady characters as twins. Two weeks ago, a different Prime original — that one a tepid thriller called “Killer Heat” — featured identical twins who use their matching looks to switch places. That may be the oldest trick in the book, but it makes more sense than “Brothers,” which does nothing especially unique with the premise." 

Photo by Sebastian Enrique on Unsplash

       Justin Lowe of Hollywood Reporter notes, "Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage play mismatched siblings with heavy jaws in Max Barbakow’s second feature, which finds him trading the subtler comic shadings of Palm Springs for ham-fisted humor, to disappointingly diminishing effect." Continuing, "If their appearances never before suggested a family resemblance, Brothers will now inevitably link Brolin and Dinklage, who find fertile terrain for their less-appreciated comedic talents in the slippery sibling dynamic between the estranged brothers. Close proves to be inspired casting as the underhanded and unrepentant Cath, who shows barely any indication of maternal concern for her sons in a quest to get her hands on the emeralds."

       Leigh Paatsch of Herald Sun writes, "Brolin takes a little longer than usual to hit his stride here – largely as a result of playing so radically against his usual type – but soon rises to the occasion." Concluding, "Without giving too much away, it won’t be too hard to identify where Brothers might have benefited from a leaner, meaner approach. Just take a closer look at any scene involving Brendan Fraser as the corrupt prison officer who wants a cut of Jady and Moke’s next job. Fraser’s continual mugging and shouty line readings undercut the movie time and time again. (It’s almost hard to believe now the same guy won a Best Actor Oscar less than two years ago.) However, when the focus is purely on Dinklage and Brolin, Brothers swiftly snaps back to the shape it should have held all along. Dinklage remains a fascinating actor, always able to establish the essence of a character in a matter of seconds."

'Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story' Wows the Critics

         On September 21, 2024, 'Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story' releases by Fathom Events, garnering rave reviews and a score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. In the documentary, "The story of Christopher Reeve is an astonishing rise from unknown actor to iconic movie star, and his definitive portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman set the benchmark for the superhero cinematic universes that dominate cinema today. Reeve portrayed the Man of Steel in four Superman films and played dozens of other roles that displayed his talent and range as an actor, before being injured in a near-fatal horse-riding accident in 1995 that left him paralyzed from the neck down. After becoming a quadriplegic, he became a charismatic leader and activist in the quest to find a cure for spinal cord injuries, as well as a passionate advocate for disability rights and care -- all while continuing his career in cinema in front of and behind the camera and dedicating himself to his beloved family." Famous faces featured in the documentary include Glenn Close, Whoopi Goldberg, Jeff Daniels, and Susan Sarandon. But what did the critics say?

        Rachel Leishman of The Mary Sue notes, "Yes, this will be educational for many who didn’t know exactly who Reeve was, but for me, it was a reminder that one of my heroes was human like the rest of us, but he still did something extraordinary." 

Photo by Austris Augusts on Unsplash

        Monica Castillo of RogerEbert.com praises the film, stating, "Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui’s “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” was easily my big festival cry, something that moves you so deeply that the combination of sleep deprivation, altitude, and the movie’s subject makes it almost impossible not to get emotional. Anyone who remembers Reeve as Superman will likely learn something new about the actor, how funny he was on talk shows, laugh at the charming home movies of Reeve with his three kids or as he clowned around with his best friend and former roommate Robin Williams. These moments of reprieve puncture the more somber sides of his story, including an ever-disapproving father, divorces, and, later, the accident that changed his life forever." Continuing, "The documentary begins with the year Reeve was injured in a horse-riding accident, which at first glance made me wince—why define a person’s life with such a devastating incident? But as the movie goes on, his survival after the accident draws parallels to his rising career as Superman, as both were physically daunting challenges and met with many setbacks. As he recovered, Reeve blossomed into a tireless advocate for spinal cord injury survivors, ushering a new stage of his career. Many of his speeches from that time had the audience in my screening muffling sniffles and sobs many times over."

          Mark Johnson of Awards Daily says, "The film grapples with the question: what defines a hero? For Reeve, it was someone who found strength to persevere despite overwhelming obstacles. To me, it was simply Christopher Reeve." Continuing, "Directors Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui chronicle Reeve’s meteoric rise in the ’70s and the profound impact he had, both before and after the accident, in Super/Man. At its core, though, the film is a poignant love story between Reeve and his wife, Dana, and the enduring legacy they crafted together."

       Ed Gibbs of Time Out writes, "What the film does exceptionally well, above all else, is to portray the Man of Steel as a fallible family guy – an immensely gifted and passionate actor, activist, father and husband, who wanted to do the right thing, and ultimately did."

'The Deliverance' Reviews: "the cast is merely a Trojan horse, fooling viewers into watching a schlocky, unoriginal thriller"

   

Photo by Erica Marsland Huynh on Unsplash

         On August 16, 2024, Netflix released 'The Deliverance', with a scheduled streaming release on August 20, 2024, garnering a mixed reception from critics. With a score of 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and a Audience Score of 93%, the receptions could not have been more different. In the film, which is directed by Lee Daniels, a single mother fighting her own demons is faced with an impossible situation when a haunting enters her family's life. Based upon the true story of the Ammons haunting case, the ensemble cast includes Andra Day, Omar Epps, Glenn Close, Anthony B. Jenkins, Caleb McLaughlin, Demi Singleton, Mo'Nique, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor. Read the full review round-up below.

       Cody Dericks of Next Best Picture writes, "If there’s one thing director Lee Daniels is going to do, it’s wrangle up an impressive cast list. And it’s no wonder that stars flock to him – he’s led several performers to Oscar nominations, including a win for Mo’Nique’s acclaimed turn in “Precious” (not to mention how close Nicole Kidman and Oprah Winfrey came to nominations for their work in Daniels’ films “The Paperboy” and “The Butler,” respectively). His latest film, “The Deliverance” – produced for Netflix – features performances from such lauded actresses as Andra Day, Glenn Close, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, not to mention a long-awaited reunion with Mo’Nique. It’s the type of ensemble that would lead to one assuming that the material must be stellar to attract such marquee names. However, the cast is merely a Trojan horse, fooling viewers into watching a schlocky, unoriginal thriller. Just because it features the leading actress from “Dangerous Liaisons” doesn’t mean it’s any different or better than the litany of tiresome horror movies that tumble onto streaming services on a weekly basis."

        Cassondra Feltus of Black Girl Nerds was less impressed, saying, "Despite its stellar cast and intriguing take on the possession subgenre, the film tries to do too many things at once and doesn’t maintain a captivating story."

       Mark Hanson of Slant Magazine praises the film, stating, "Lee Daniels does such a good job investing us in the human drama of The Deliverance that it almost feels unnecessary when the supernatural elements inevitably take over in the final act." Continuing, "Close puts on a master class in camp, at times recalling Nicole Kidman’s Alabamian vamp from Daniels’s bonkers The Paperboy. Strutting through the film in an array of revealing outfits and fabulous wigs, Close makes a meal out of every diva-ready moment as the newly devout and happily promiscuous Alberta, whether she’s shamelessly attempting to seduce the hunky nurse, Melvin (Omar Epps), at the chemo clinic or making snide comments to her grandchildren at the dinner table about Ebony’s parenting skills. Yet when Alberta periodically reflects on her own failures as a mother, Close’s talent for quietly evoking raw and unpleasant emotional states ensures that the character isn’t just a one-note caricature."

       Matt Donato of Collider notes, "Daniels lays household drama thick as possession hauntings leak into frame without urgency, which works to establish stakes yet relies heavily on third-act payoffs." Adding, "The Deliverance is a grab-bag of possession staples tossed into the air at once, and they all come crashing down in the conclusion. Ebony's contortions stick their landing, along with other hellish glimpses, while other parts are more aesthetic than functional. It's never an outright fumble of the finale's payoffs, more a chaotic montage of rotten-toothed devils and bleeding wounds banged into place with a wooden cross."

       Christopher Lloyd of The Film Yap says, "I think it’s supposed to be a fun, wry walk-on part for Mo’Nique, who as you may know has had a rather contentious relationship with Hollywood since winning an Oscar for “Precious.” Honestly, as written it feels an unnecessary role, like Daniels throwing a bone to his old colleague. Better is Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor — another Oscar nominee for “King Richard” — as Bernice, a mysterious figure who seems to show up around the same times Cynthia does, also driving a Mercedes. I’ll leave you to discover on your own the part Bernice has to play, but she gets some meaty scenes during the fire-and-brimstone portions of the movie. Also turning up is Omar Epps as a love interest for Alberta, and I’ll confess I did not even recognize a guy who was once one of the hottest young actors in movies."