This is not the first time we have seen this technique, of course, as the Unfriended franchise relies on the same method. The difference here is that it never feels like a gimmick.
Nothing There - Slender Man
There is no story here. There are no scares here. There is nothing but the slender outline of a wasted 93 minutes.
The Same, But Different - Crazy Rich Asians
So while it's not quite 'crazy' as suggested by the title, it is rich and it is Asian. So much so that you really do start to wonder where these stories have been all this time.
Hate and a Half - BlacKkKlansman
Misguided musical interludes, lengthy speeches and over-stylized elements have all cropped up in various forms throughout Spike Lee’s career, so any time he is back with a new film, there's always the question of whether we will get the 'Good Spike' or the 'Bad Spike.' It doesn’t take long to realize, this is the former through and through.
It Ain't Easy - Eighth Grade
It's a movie about the hardest of years in the easiest of lives.
For Good Reason - Unfriended: Dark Web
At one point, the software program DaisyDisk is highlighted as the solution to a problem. Right there next to the software's logo is "Best of 2015," which perfectly describes so much of the feel of this movie.
In The Eyes of the Beholder - Blindspotting
Daveed Diggs, of Hamilton fame, goes all-in with the entertainment capital he’s earned thus far to make this passion project that he and his longtime friend, Rafael Casal, started working on almost a decade ago. It is at once timely and timeless, as it tackles issues that have bubbled under the surface for years and are now staples in the nightly news.
It's Not - Sorry To Bother You
The funny thing about Sorry to Bother You is that it's not. It is happy to bother you. Its off-kilter vibe pops like nothing else you'll see this year and if that's not for you, there's nothing that suggests they care.
Stranger Than Fiction - Three Identical Strangers
There strangest part isn’t even the strangest part.
Fizz, With No Juice - Superfly
Choices made along the way leave us with a pretty unremarkable addition to this canon--unlikely to be remembered long after the Future-laden soundtrack is no longer in rotation.
More Than Decent - Won't You Be My Neighbor?
Telling a story about a man who seemingly had no inner demons or notable conflicts leaves you with very little tension, unless you manage to introduce an outside element he fought against. In this case, it was us.
Not Quite - Incredibles 2
While Incredibles 2 manages to be fairly entertaining, it is mid-grade Pixar at best. It is still very good, but a number of confounding decisions left it feeling incomplete even as its runtime approached 2 hours.
The Darkness We Inherit - Hereditary
Hereditary is a brooding horror showcase that is equal parts manic and stoic. For every bout of frenzy, there is an equal measure of deliberation. The end result is one that will ultimately stick with you much longer than you may want.
As Unlikely As Can Be - The Gospel According to André
The ways he sticks out in the fashion world are obvious, but the ways in which he has endeared himself to that same community are equally obvious--his unending charm and unbridled passion.
More Than A Game - Truth Or Dare
The movie seems uninterested in saying anything about our world. Instead, it focuses on the interpersonal melodrama between these characters who are only mildly interesting.
Aimed At Us - Tyler Perry's Acrimony
the film definitely isn't good. But it does offer insights into Tyler Perry's worldview. It is hard not to walk away asking 'why does Tyler Perry hate Black women?'
Where We Live Too - A Quiet Place
While the film does interesting things with its premise, what I find most compelling is the ways our protagonists have responded to the world they have been given.
Review: Ready Player One
Though two and a half hours is too long for the movie to run, it’s not hard to see why he wanted to stay in this world. It’s internal rules and gratifying structure has just as much to say about our world as theirs.
Just Crazy Enough To Work - Unsane
It is exceedingly rare to see anything like a nuanced picture of mental health, so when one shows up, it is almost cause for celebration. And while I'm not sure Unsane is that, it is at least a fresh take.
Not Deep Enough - A Wrinkle In Time
In six months, we will never mention it again, which is a shame.