By Tony Beal

IN THEATERS
Mickey 17
An expendable that comes back after dying and finds himself having to fight for a new cause.

It’s always wonderful when Bong Joon-ho comes out with a new movie, and Mickey 17 is no exception. Joon-ho brings his usual balance of intriguing commentary through over the top humor but the film does stumble a bit with a tough of bloat and pacing that causes it not to flow as well as previous films. What is presented is wildly entertaining, Joon-ho finds a way to create a world that feels big but also has the contained feeling of the setting, allowing the viewer to feel all the more present. The cast is, in a word, magnificent. Creating different layers of over the top that match the world created by the film while avoiding redundancy. Pattinson is a true stand out in his role. Finding the aimless feel of the two Mickeys while still giving them distinct personalities. Ruffalo delivers a character that’s as dumb as he is scary. Far from his best, but still proves a weaker Joon-ho film is better than most filmmakers’ best.

Death of a Unicorn
A father and daughter accidentally hit a unicorn while meeting with the former’s employers and a deadly hunt begins when the creature’s parents come looking for revenge.
It’s hard to really get mad at a movie with a title like that, but I must say, I feel a bit upset after seeing it. The snarky, self-referential tone of the film makes the story seem oddly dull for such an outlandish concept. What portrayed as a balance between comedy and horror, the latter rarely ever comes into play. Our director, Alex Sharfman, doesn’t even do much with the fantastical creatures and common folklore surrounding them. The cast don’t even seem to step out of the shoebox roles they are commonly associated with. The one stand out is Will Poulter, doing a terrific job of nailing every line and finding the scummy nature to his character. It’s a film that feels like it was made from a title alone. Produced into the safest version possible without really exploring its genre.

Black Bag
A British Intelligence spy has his loyalties tested when he investigates several suspects of a treasonous act – one of whom is his own wife.

Steven Soderbergh continues to prove his versatility in a film that is thrilling even in what would be the most mundane of scenes. Something as simple as the polygraph scene is taken to levels of anxiety I did not imaging possible with a question and answer session. That degree of subtlety continues throughout the film, from its performances to the pacing, never too quick or too slow. The most audacious it gets is its lighting, a heightened look to its simple story. Overall this film is a perfect balance, one of the best of the year so far.

The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie
Daffy and Porky are back finding themselves having to save the Earth after uncovering a nefarious chewing gum conspiracy.

Despite some odd attempts at modern humor, the new Looney Tunes movie proves just how much these characters continue to thrive as time goes on. Daffy and Porky’s story moves quickly and fluently, with constant jokes that hit both verbally and visually. Of course I have to give praise to the wonderful animation, using different styles throughout the movie. It’s a plot that can be shocking at points and even manages to keep one on edge of their seat. It’s the type of film that finds a way to appeal to longtime fans while still serving a great introductory for a new generation.

NEW RELEASES
April 4
A Minecraft Movie
Freaky Tales
Hell Of A Summer
The Luckiest Man In America

April 10
G20 (Amazon Prime Video)

April 11
The Amateur
Warfare
Drop

April 18
Sinners
The Ritual
Sneaks
The Wedding Banquet (Limited)

April 25
The Accountant 2
The Legend Of Ochi
Until Dawn
On Swift Horses (Limited)
Havoc (Netflix)