Bohemian Rhapsody

Rami rises royally to render Rhapsodic Mercy, raising the temperature of otherwise lukewarm Bohemian band-flick. Self-absorbed cinematic stylistic decisions clash with Freddie’s eccentric ease, as the film queerly contorts the timeline to find formulaic narrative while straightening out star’s personal life to satisfy censors he’d have scorned. Then Live Aid.

Bird Box

Bullock grasps Gravity of sightless situation as she struggles to accept children in The Even Blinder Side. Exceptionally eclectic cast gather in not so Quiet Place, instead filling it with clunky backstories while working out what’s Happening. Though the premise is outside the box, the payoff is for the birds.

In the Heart of the Sea

Thor and Poseidon wage war after curious cross-continental casting and bookish bookends preemptively waterlog white whale’s tale. Spiderman and scarecrow silently spectate the feud between master and commander while generally beautiful cinematography is periodically dragged under by excessive artificiality. A clever turn of phrase twists emotional ending away from expectations.

The Soloist

Sherlock is Blind Sided by homeless Rayn Man. Robert is a let-Downey Jr., falling somewhere between Catherine’s keener performance and hollow Hollander, but wily Foxx steals show. As a character study, it’s all Wright, but nothing stands out and it fizzles at the end. Odd, no staplers in the office.