Mudbound

This moralistic mosaic doesn’t shy away from getting dirty and, despite sprawling story-telling and poetic imagery, never feels watered down. Resourcefully makes the most of every frame, lending further empathy to remarkably genuine performances of entire cast. Ultimately, despite intense tragedy and brutal social commentary, positivity cannot be bound down.

Unbroken

It’s hard to break the back of a spineless story. Though Zamporini’s tale is heroic and incredible, the cinematic rendition is disjointed and poorly paced with several compelling cast-members going MIA midway.  Decent cinematography and sincere acting fail to rescue this heartfelt effort from the endless shelling of war-film clichés.

Pan

Joe gets it Wrong again as neither Oz Luhrman spectacle, Peter’s les miserable backstory, or even Captain Jackman Sparrow can lift this cumbersome shipwreck into the Neverland of enjoyable storytelling.  John Wayne Hook and White Tiger Lily further encumber this fairly tall fairy tale that just can’t seem to fly.