Even though there are 10 releases this week, it’s not a great week for big movies. There are 3 Oscar nominees in the mix with a Best Animated Feature nominee The Red Turtle joined by Best Documentary nominee I Am Not Your Negro and Best Foreign Language Film winner The Salesman. We’re still suffering the residual effect of January as the movies released during dump month are now finding their way into the home video market. Here’s what to buy, rent, stream and skip for the week of May 2:
Buy It!
The Red Turtle –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: An artsy animated French film about a man shipwrecked on an uninhabited island.
Why Buy?
The Red Turtle was no match for Zootopia which took home Disney’s 9th Best Animated Feature win in 10 years. This week The Red Turtle is your best option and beautifully animated even if the titular character doesn’t appear for 30 minutes.
Rent It!
Gold —MOVIE HOT TAKE REVIEW—
Super Simple Synopsis: A prospector strikes it rich but finds out it might be harder to stay on top now that he’s there.
Why Rent?
Inspired by a true story, this box office bomb starring Matthew McConaughey also whiffed at the Oscars. If you like McConaughey, his performance carries the film.
I Am Not Your Negro –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: An up-to-the-minute examination of race based on the unfinished work of James Baldwin who was examining the lives of three powerful leaders and personal friends — Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Why Rent?
Of the 10 releases this week, I Am Not Your Negro is the most important. If you’re looking for a film that will make you think, I Am Not Your Negro is the film to choose this week.
The Salesman –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: Forced to move, a young couple living in Tehran have their lives dramatically changed by an incident linked to the previous tenant of their new apartment.
Why Rent?
The winner of the Best Foreign Language film is worth a look, right?
Stream It!
MindGamers –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: What if your mind could be hacked?
Why Stream?
Initially screened in late 2015, the film was quietly released in the U.S. in late March 2017. Sam Neill is the bad guy. It might be bad enough to be entertaining.
The Resurrection of Gavin Stone –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: A washed-up former child star is forced to do community service at a local megachurch and pretends to be a Christian to play Jesus in the church’s annual play.
Why Stream?
It’s from Blumhouse Tilt and they’ve had such an amazing year, you almost owe it to them.
Saving Banksy –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: A documentary about the world’s most infamous street artist.
Why Stream?
100% Tomatometer. 91% Audience Score. It would be more appropriate if you illegally streamed it but I’m not condoning such behavior.
Skip It!
The Comedian –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: An aging comic legend can’t seem to get the laughs he once did until he meets a girl who provides him inspiration.
Why Skip?
Sometimes it is hard to watch our movie star favorites make bad movies. This one features Robert DeNiro, Leslie Mann, Danny DeVito, Harvey Keitel and Edie Falco. Look the other way!
A Dog’s Purpose —MOVIE HOT TAKE REVIEW—
Super Simple Synopsis: A dog lives many lives, apparently.
Why Skip?
Cats have 9 lives. Dogs are Buddhists? Go to a dog park and play fetch with a dog instead.
Rings —MOVIE HOT TAKE REVIEW—
Super Simple Synopsis: She won’t stay in that damn well, will she?
Why Skip?
You didn’t even like the second one. Why are you thinking about watching the third installment of this tired trilogy?
Anyone who has been enchanted by islands is sure to leave the theatre with a fresh appreciation of their beauties and the mysteries they contain.