Support the Free Press | Facts matter. Truth matters. Journalism matters
Salt Lake City Weekly has been Utah's source of independent news and in-depth journalism since 1984. Donate today to ensure the legacy continues.
Friday, August 24, 2018
Movie Reviews: Happytime Murders, Papillon, A-X-L, Puzzle, Far from the Tree
Posted By Scott Renshaw on August 24, 2018, 7:43 AM
Horny puppets, robot dogs and prisoners of a French penal colony bring the summer multiplex movie season to a close.
The puppets-living-with-people film noir comedy The Happytime Murders (pictured) puts little effort into bringing originality to its naughty premise. A new adaptation of Papillon aims for a more conventional action-oriented approach to its prison drama. The documentary Far from the Tree strays from its source material's focus on parents dealing with kids who are very much unlike them.
Eric D. Snider finds A-X-L hitting all the necessary marks—if little more—as a wholesome boy-and-his-militarized-robot-dog adventure.
In this week's feature review, acting subtleties give a spark to the familiar plot arc of Puzzle.
Also new this week, but not screened for press: the period romance, set in 1920s segregated Hawaii, of Running for Grace; the lives of three families are intertwined after a father tries to save his family from the Rwandan genocide in Beautifully Broken.
The puppets-living-with-people film noir comedy The Happytime Murders (pictured) puts little effort into bringing originality to its naughty premise. A new adaptation of Papillon aims for a more conventional action-oriented approach to its prison drama. The documentary Far from the Tree strays from its source material's focus on parents dealing with kids who are very much unlike them.
Eric D. Snider finds A-X-L hitting all the necessary marks—if little more—as a wholesome boy-and-his-militarized-robot-dog adventure.
In this week's feature review, acting subtleties give a spark to the familiar plot arc of Puzzle.
Also new this week, but not screened for press: the period romance, set in 1920s segregated Hawaii, of Running for Grace; the lives of three families are intertwined after a father tries to save his family from the Rwandan genocide in Beautifully Broken.
On Topic...
-
Film Reviews: New Releases for April 19
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, Abigail, The Beast, Hard Miles, Sasquatch Sunset and more
- Apr 19, 2024
-
Film Reviews: New Releases for April 12
Civil War, Escape from Germany, Coup de Chance, Hundreds of Beavers, La Chimera, Sting
- Apr 11, 2024
-
Film Reviews: New Releases for April 5
Monkey Man, The First Omen, Wicked Little Letters, Girls State, Scoop, Exhuma
- Apr 4, 2024
- More Movies » More Culture »
More by Scott Renshaw
-
Film Reviews: New Releases for April 19
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, Abigail, The Beast, Hard Miles, Sasquatch Sunset and more
- Apr 19, 2024
-
Faces of Salt Lake County book and portrait reception
Images and personal stories in a new book reveal local demographic diversity
- Apr 17, 2024
-
Feature film review: THE BEAST
A filmmaker's compelling ideas get a bit tangled in references to his creative influences.
- Apr 17, 2024
- More »
Latest in Buzz Blog
