Now Playing

 

The second week in May featured a deluge of new releases. Below are my thoughts on a big group of films that are now playing in limited release or available online.

BlackBerry (Theaters)
Starring: Glenn Howerton, Jay Baruchel, and Matt Johnson
Synopsis: It’s hard to remember it in our modern world, but there was a time when phones—even cell phones—were just a means of making voice calls. But a few pioneers saw the possibility for it to do more, much more. The new film BlackBerry takes us back to that time, chronicling the efforts of a group of people who had a vision for what the cellular market could be. As the film notes, at one point, BlackBerry controlled 45 percent of the market. Now, it’s a relic that only some seem to remember fondly. But how did it come into being, and how did it get into so many hands? That’s what this new film, which opens in limited release Friday, seeks to tell. The film is based on Sean Silcoff’s book Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry. It chronicles the efforts of partners Mike Lazaridis (Baruchel) and Doug Fregin (Johnson) to bring their revolutionary device to market. The problem is they didn’t have a good pitch or even a good name. Enter Jim Ballsillie (Howerton), who had the business savvy to bring the device to market. After putting up capital—even mortgaging his house—Jim bet it all on BlackBerry and worked with Mike to make it a hit. It was the device that changed the market; a piece of technology everyone wanted to get their hands on. After some incredible success, the fall was just as rapid and dramatic. Shady business dealings, a failure to adapt to the market and the crumbling of friendships soon led to the company’s demise. All of it is captured in this film. Johnson not only serves as one of the stars, but he also directs the film. He brings a good energy and sense of pace to the project. He also leans into the stars. Baruchel, who’s used to playing different supporting roles, is empathetic at times as Mike. He carries the role and the character forward well. But the real star here is Howerton, who brings a fierce energy to the role of Jim. Some of his scenes got the narrative humming, especially when playing off the more reserved energy of Baruchel. This is an engaging story that delivers as a piece of entertainment. It’s worth checking out if only to learn more about the true story of the device that changed cellular phones forever.
Rating: Rated R for language throughout.
Verdict: Three and a half stars out of five

Carmen (Theaters)
Starring: Melissa Barrera and Paul Mescal
Synopsis: This film probably isn’t what you’re expecting. It wasn’t what I expected, either. But what we get is something passionate, beautifully crafted and haunting. On paper, it’s a simple story. Carmen (Barrera) is making her way out of Mexico following the death of her mother. Aidan (Mescal), a former soldier, is now volunteering with border patrol. Their paths cross during Carmen’s border crossing, where Aidan’s partner turns violent. Aidan acts to protect Carmen, forcing them to go on the run together. And, soon enough, sparks fly. This film, directed by Benjamin Millepied, tells the story above, but not in the straight-forward manner you’d expect. It's beautifully shot and crafted, mixing music and dance into the narrative to bring the story to life in unexpected ways. It was one of the most strikingly visual films I’ve seen this year. Additionally, it features beautiful performances from the leads, who are at time stretched out of their comfort zones. This film might not be styled for everyone’s tastes, but you can’t help but be moved by the artistry of the craft. It’s one that stuck with me after the credits rolled.
Rating: Rated R for language, some violence and nudity.
Verdict: Three and a half stars out of five

Crater (Disney+)
Starring: Isaiah Russell-Bailey, Billy Barratt, Orson Hong, Thomas Boyce, and McKenna Grace
Synopsis: It can be hard to say goodbye, especially when you’re young. The bonds of friendship you make can feel like some of the most important in your life. Crater, a new film set in the future on the surface of the moon, is essentially about that feeling and about the difficulty of saying goodbye. Caleb (Russell-Bailey) has just lost his father, a miner on the moon. He’d already lost his mother and part of the benefit left by his father, who died in an accident on the job, is a trip to another distant colony. It’s a great opportunity, but it means Caleb will not only leave his friends behind—he’ll never see them again. The journey takes 75 years, during which time he’ll be in a deep sleep. Before he goes, Caleb wants to honor his father’s request and make a trek to a crater on the moon. The problem is their facility is on lock down with an impending meteor shower. Nevertheless, Caleb sneaks off with his friends Borney (Hong), Marcus (Boyce) and his best friend, Dylan (Barratt). To help them get what they need, they employ the daughter of a new boss, Addison (Grace), who is originally from Earth. They strike out on a journey that will change all their lives. But will Caleb be able to move on knowing those he left behind. This is a different kind of coming-of-age film. It brings these kids together with an uncertain future. And it had a long process to get from the page to the screen. The finished product is something sweet and engaging, at times. While the film is set in the future during a time when we’ve colonized the Moon, and other far-off locations, the themes are universal. This is about friendship and the bonds that come from the family we choose. But the adventure together is only part of the journey. I was moved by the ending, which was emotional and satisfying in a way I hadn’t expected based on what came before. This is a piece of family-friendly entertainment offers an interesting journey, some solid visuals and a solid story.
Rating: Rated PG for thematic material, action/peril and language.
Verdict: Three Stars out of five

The Mother (Netflix)
Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Joseph Fiennes, Gael Garcia Bernal, and Omari Hardwick
Synopsis: Just in time for Mother’s Day weekend we get a tale of a mother seeking to protect her child, but it’s not the kind of story you’re expecting. In it, Lopez is a weapons dealer who, after realizing she’s pregnant, turns state’s witness. Things don’t go as planned. Once the child is born, she gives it up for adoption and goes into hiding, making her FBI Agent handler (Hardwick) promise to contact her if her daughter is ever in danger. When that message comes, she springs into action. This action film, from director Niki Caro, has a strong cast and some promise. Lopez is solid in the lead role as The Mother, but the narrative drags. Some of the action sequences are interesting but overall, the narrative is just OK. For those looking for a passable action film, this works. But it offers little more than that.
Rating: Rated R for violence, some language and brief drug use.
Verdict: Two and a half stars out of five