Bright

After attempting career Suicide, Smith keeps gasping for Ayer, this time as the Neo-cop protagonist of Fantastic Bigots and How to Bind Them. Joel’s Edgy orc is impressively empathetic in his inability to keep up with the convoluted plot, and like most spells, the Rapacist is miscast. Not too bright.

It Comes at Night

It comes as no surprise that It Follows’ follow up is brooding, dark and beautifully shot. It solves predecessor’s third-act plot crisis by existing in a world where plot (and civilization) has mysteriously disappeared. Once the endless foreboding fades, film seems to last all day and never quite reach night.

Black Mass

Hollywood’s obligatory annual crime movie is too broad to feel personal but too small to feel important, much like FBI’s investigation.  Underwhelming structure or lack thereof produces a mediocre mess despite great performances.  Depp’s first actual acting in years. Maybe if the Mass were #white he would’ve gotten the Oscar.

Midnight Special

Presumably based on the babblings of an abnormal child, this Muddy mind-bender feels like a discarded draft of a stillborn Stephen King concept. An exceptional cast do their best to navigate this underwhelming world, only to be reminded that there’s a better one elsewhere. Bright-eyed expectations run and take shelter.