Merry Christmas! There's no way you got through all the movies that opened over the weekend. But Hollywood is the gift that keeps on giving, so here are four more! The first three open Christmas Eve night. "Holmes & Watson" opens on Christmas Day.
VICE
The first thing you'll ask yourself when you see 'Vice' is: 'is that really Christian Bale as the former Vice President?' The next thing you'll ask yourself is 'what am I watching here?' "Vice" is a super satirical look at the life of the Cheney. It comes from Adam McKay, the guy behind the "Funny or Die" video website. (As you can imagine, he also makes light of George W. Bush, played by Sam Rockwell.) In my opinion, though, McKay takes it too far. Yes, Bale is a dead-ringer, so's Rockwell. But that's even more reason to dial it back a notch and let the drama and humor speak for itself. Instead we're bombarded with graphics and narration. That's not to mention the heavy, one-sided slant the movie takes. McKay won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for the smarter film, "The Big Short" about the financial crisis. He should have taken notes from himself.
Annapurna Pictures - Rated R
ON THE BASIS OF SEX
"On the Basis of Sex" is a far more traditional biopic, this one about future Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The movie starts with her struggles to establish herself in a man's world both at Harvard Law School and trying to get a job. It all leads up to the landmark gender discrimination case she argued. It also deals with her devotion to husband Marty and her attempt to connect with her daughter, a budding feminist. For such a remarkable woman, this is a pretty unremarkable film. Felicity Jones plays Ginsburg with the requisite hutzpah. Armie Hammer is impossibly handsome as her husband, but he's not given much else. If you really want to appreciate the dynamics of Ginsburg, seek out the documentary "RBG," which came out earlier this year. The feature, written by her nephew, doesn't do her justice.
Focus Features - Rated PG-13
IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK
"If Beale Street Could Talk" is from the director of the Oscar-winning film "Moonlight." Two young lovers planning their lives together are torn apart when the guy is a wrongfully accused of a crime. The girl, meantime, is carrying his child. If there's one thing Barry Jenkins does like none other is allow us to look directly into a character's eyes, and see right through to their souls. As for the stars, we've seen Stephan James before as Jesse Owens in "Race" and John Lewis in "Selma." But KiKi Layne makes her feature film debut, and they play off each other beautifully. Also great is Regina King as the girl's supportive mother. Is this as good as "Moonlight?" No, but it's poetic in its own way, shining a light on a different and unfortunate part of the Black experience in America. It will warm your heart and break it at the same time.
Annapurna Pictures - Rated R
HOLMES & WATSON
And you remember them co-starring in "Step Brothers" and "Talladega Nights." Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly are back together, this time as "Holmes & Watson. " The British super sleuth and his partner are charged with solving who's behind a threat at Buckingham Palace. They did not screen this in advance for reviewers. That's always a bad sign. The film was originally scheduled to open in August, then pushed back to Christmas. From the trailer, it looks like we can expect a great deal of silliness between two friends who know how to make a funny film together, and should know better if it isn't working. I'm not expecting the third time to be a charm.
Columbia Pictures - Rated PG-13
