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Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week.

Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar (VOD)
Starring: Kristin Wiig, Annie Mumolo, Jamie Dornan, and Damon Wayans Jr.
Synopsis: Just in time for the holiday weekend, we finally got the release of Barb and Star, the new comedy from Wiig and Mumolo, who were the writers behind Bridesmaids. This one was originally going to be a summer 2020 release, but like so many things during COVID it was delayed. It was finally released on Friday on VOD, allowing audiences to get a glimpse of the fun comedy which is also an Oscar contender for its original music. Wiig and Mumolo play single friends and roommates of a certain age in Nebraska that are dealt a rough hand when the store where they work closes. IN response, they head to Vista Del Mar, a swanky retreat in Florida, for a bit of an escape and adventure. They meet a handsome and mysterious man (Dornan) who pulls them into a much larger plot, but also offers some fun adventures along the way. This is a brightly colored, joyful movie-going experience. Wiig and Mumolo are a lot of fun, and Dornan gives one of the best performances of his career. The visuals are fun, the story is engaging and fun, and the original musical numbers are incredible. This isn't a high concept or deep film, but it's an engaging and fun ride, just the kind of thing we need sometimes when we want to escape into the world of make believe at the movies.
Rating: PG-13 for crude sexual content, drug use and some strong language.
Verdict: Three stars out of four

Framing Britney Spears (Hulu)
Synopsis: This latest documentary feature from the New York Times, part of an ongoing series available on Hulu, tracks the career and personal life of Britney Spears. Spears has long been a controversial figure, but how much of that is the truth? That's what this piece, which runs about 75 minutes, sought to explore. I remember first seeing Britney come onto the scene when I was in high school. I've watched her career over the years, and even saw her live during her residency in Las Vegas a few years back. I've also long seen the spectacle made of her life in the media. I thought this documentary did a good job of fleshing that out and exploring what happened to her and her battle to gain some freedom over her own life and career. I enjoyed this exploration and think it's well worth checking out.
Rating: N/A
Verdict: Three stars out of four

The Hero (Hulu)
Starring: Sam Elliott, Laura Prepon, Nick Offerman, and Krysten Ritter
Synopsis: This film stars Elliott as an aging movie star known for his cowboy roles whose star has faded. He's in his 70s and recently diagnosed with cancer, estranged from his daughter (Ritter) and looking to jump start his career. He meets a young woman (Prepon) and wins an award that gives him some new clarity. I was drawn to this because of Elliott, who is a tremendous performer. This one is a little bit of a slow burn, and awkward at times. Elliott is good in the film, but it doesn't do much with a solid supporting cast. Offerman, in particular, is given little to do in the film. This one is interesting and OK at times, but squanders a decent cast and premise.
Rating: R for drug use, language and some sexual content.
Verdict: Two stars out of four

The Map of Tiny Pretty Things (Amazon Prime)
Starring: Kyle Allen and Kathryn Newton
Synopsis: It's been nearly 30 years since Bill Murray starred in Groundhog Day, but in the time since we've seen the formula of reliving a day time and again used many times. Happy Death Day applied it to a horror premise, and last year's excellent comedy Palm Springs used the plot device in a fun and unique way. Now, The Map of Tiny Pretty Things treads over that well-worn cinematic ground. This one is more of a teen meet cute, and is pretty tame in comparison to those other films. But ultimately it's about two people (Allen and Newton) who are trapped in a time loop and trying to find the way out. Allen and Newton are fine performers, and the movie has some cute moments but it's overall not entirely compelling. Coming so soon after Palm Springs, it also feels a little too familiar in some of its beats, albeit more tame. It comes from writer Lev Grossman, based on his short story, and there's some charm, but it doesn't feel like it substantially adds to the genre. It's OK but mostly made me want to seek out some of the more creative takes on the genre.
Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language, some teen drinking and sexual references.
Verdict: Two stars out of four

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