Quick Reviews: The Founder, A Cure for Wellness, Get Out, Logan

With a busy last couple of weeks, I haven't had time to write full reviews for some of the movies that have come out, but I still wanted to get my thoughts out there. It seems like blockbuster season starts earlier and earlier every year. But I don't think that's too much of a bad thing.

The Founder

The Founder is directed by John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side) and stars Michael Keaton (Birdman), Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) and John Carroll Lynch (Zodiac). It tells the story of Ray Kroc, the man who turned McDonald's from a small family owned restaurant into the fast food king that it is today.

Pros

- Fascinating story

- Solid performances

- The good come with the bad

Cons

- Uneven storytelling

- Underutilized side characters

- Confusing message

Verdict: Dollar Theater

A Cure for Wellness

A Cure for Wellness is directed by Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean) and stars Dane DeHaan (The Amazing Spiderman), Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter franchise), and Mia Goth (Everest). It tells the story of a young executive from New York who travels to a “wellness center” in the Swiss Alps in order to bring back the CEO of his company. But from the moment he steps on the property, he can tell that something is not quite right.

Pros

- Wacky premise

- Creepy visuals

- Strong lead performance

Cons

- Unclear character motivations

- Over the top, tonally inconsistent ending

- Weak supporting characters

Verdict: Redbox

Get Out

Get Out is directed by Jordan Peele (Keanu) and stars Daniel Kaluuya (Sicario), Allison Williams, and Lil Rel Howery. This horror mystery tells the story of an African-American man who goes to meet his Caucasian girlfriend’s parents for the first time. But while there he notices that something not quite right is going on and begins to look for answers to what is really going on.

Pros

- Creepy atmosphere

- Smart character choices

- Twists that work

- Satire at it's finest

Cons

- Slightly confusing message

- One supporting character unrealistic

Verdict: Opening Night

Logan

Logan is directed by James Mangold (The Wolverine) and stars Hugh Jackman (The Prestige), Patrick Stewart (Green Room) and Dafne Keen. It tells the story of an aged Wolverine, tasked with transporting Laura from Texas to Canada, while also caring for the ailing Charles Xavier. Continuity is thrown out the window from previous X-Men films in favor of story telling.

Pros

- Fantastic lead performances

- Gory and exciting action

- Fitting closure

Cons

- Slow second act

- Action hard to see

- Emotional punch missing at key moment

Verdict: Wait a Week