SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, July 26, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — Three new releases make their way to home video this week.
“The Boss,” starring Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Bell, opened April 8 to a $23.5 million weekend. The comedy stayed 11 weeks in theaters and earned a worldwide total of $78.6 million.
“Hardcore Henry,” which also opened on April 8, was in theaters for just five weeks, earning a worldwide box office of $14.3 million in its run.
“Sing Street,” which garnered a lot of favorable reviews from its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, was released in a tiered format over its 17-week run, brought home just $8.3 million globally despite a 97 percent favorable score at Rotten Tomatoes with a 95 percent audience score.
The Reviews:
The Boss
Starring: Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Bell
Rated R
The film is a testament to McCarthy’s gifts as an actress as she once again demonstrates her expert comic delivery and gift for physical humor. But the film lacks substance with paper-thin writing and over-the-top graphic humor, which was funny at the top of the film but by 40 minutes in becomes old and tiresome.
I agree with some reviews that there are several laugh-out-loud moments, but any good this film has is completely overshadowed by the multiple pointless, insipid jokes and gags the film abundantly offers up.
In the end “The Boss” is just average low-brow humor and deserves a C. The film is rated R.
Hardcore Harry
Starring: Sharito Copley and Haley Bennett
Rated R
“Hardcore Henry,” like many of today’s shoot-’em-up video games, is an action film shot from the hero’s perspective.
The film is about a guy named Harry who was recently brought back from the dead by his wife, played by Haley Bennett. His wife explains he was dead and his name is Henry. Minutes later, he’s being shot at, his wife is kidnapped, he’s on the run to find out who did it.
Although well-directed by Ilya Naishuller, “Hardcore Harry,” doesn’t offer much more than unrelenting action, horribly graphic violence and tastelessness.
This film was mind-numbing from beginning to end with very little redeeming value to it.
“Hardcore Harry” gets a D and is rated R.
Sing Street
Starring: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo and Aidan Gillen
Rated PG-13
A boy growing up in Dublin during the 1980s escapes his strained family life by starting a band to impress the mysterious girl he likes.
“Sing Street” is a brilliantly written love story about music and teen angst.The film has its roots in movies like “The Commitments,” “The Full Monty” and “Billy Elliott,” with a tip of the hat to filmmakers such as John Hughes and Cameron Crowe.
The film moves well and offers something very fresh for the audience, an intelligent and charming story that will stay with you long after the DVD is shut off, despite some problems with the script and pacing, but it isn’t enough to ruin the cinematic melody of this movie.
“Sing Street” gets a B and is rated PG-13.
