Movie Reviews: First Man, Bad Times at the El Royale, Goosebumps 2 | Buzz Blog

Friday, October 12, 2018

Movie Reviews: First Man, Bad Times at the El Royale, Goosebumps 2

Jane and Emma, Colette, The Old Man & the Gun, The Sisters Brothers, Gosnell

Posted By on October 12, 2018, 9:15 AM

  • Pin It
    Favorite
click to enlarge 20TH CENTURY FOX
  • 20th Century Fox
Local theaters get a full slate of new releases, from kid-friendly scares to faith-based drama, to the (perhaps) acting farewell of a legend.

Bad Times at the El Royale (pictured) revives the twisty-jokey thriller conceit of mid-'90s Tarantino clones, but without a moral compass.  Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween offers moderately diverting matinee fodder that's much more Hollywood than it is R.L. Stine. The Sisters Brothers' tale of sibling assassins  in 1850s Oregon becomes a fascinating study of the pros and cons of emerging modernity. Jane and Emma tells a Mormon pioneer story that's willing to dig into thorny issues. Gosnell: The Trial of America's Biggest Serial Killer tries for a while to pretend that it's not anti-abortion propaganda, but fails. The profile of an intriguing historical figure bogs down in biopic cliches and an unconvincing character arc in Colette.

Eric D. Snider appreciates the folksy charm and the history behind Robert Redford's performance in The Old Man & the Gun.

In this week's feature review, Eric D. Snider finds First Man celebrating a landmark human achievement through the life of one very private man.

About The Author

Scott Renshaw

Scott Renshaw

Bio:
Scott Renshaw has been a City Weekly staff member since 1999, including assuming the role of primary film critic in 2001 and Arts & Entertainment Editor in 2003. Scott has covered the Sundance Film Festival for 25 years, and provided coverage of local arts including theater, pop-culture conventions, comedy,... more

On Topic...

More by Scott Renshaw

Latest in Buzz Blog

© 2025 Salt Lake City Weekly

Website powered by Foundation