Title: X-Men: Apocalypse | Rated: PG-13 | Runtime: 144 min | Theaters nationwide

It’s not as embarrassing as Warner Bros.’ management of the DCEU (DC Extended Universe) thus far, but Fox’s handling of the X-Men franchise can generally be described as wasteful. With the exception of X2 and First Class, I’ve generally found the X-Men movies drab, forgettable, and emotionally distant, which says a lot considering that they constitute what will essentially be three trilogies and then some by the time 2017 (when the Wolverine sequel arrives) rolls around. That trend continues with X-Men: Apocalypse, a bloated and hollow film which takes several steps back for each step forward that it takes, making it easily one of the worst entries in the franchise.

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Title: The Nice Guys | Rated: R | Runtime: 116 min | Theaters nationwide

Take a gander at the Hollywood filmscape, and pick out a genre that’s in need of fresh blood and rejuvenation. Surely there are several to choose from, and the buddy film genre has to be one of them. That’s not to say that there aren’t a few gems on this side of the millennium (the first Rush Hour and 21 Jump Street being examples), but can we say that they can measure up to the likes of Lethal Weapon from the ’80s and Thelma and Louise from the ’90s? Nowadays, it seems like the genre has become flat, as it rehashes tropes and plays for cheap laughs without making its characters memorable. That said, who better than Shane Black (Lethal Weapon, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Iron Man 3) to once again return to the genre that he revitalized several times? With The Nice Guys, Black confidently has crafted a delightful, snappy feature flick that allows an incredibly charismatic cast to work its magic.

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Title: Green Room | Rated: R | Runtime: 95 min | Theaters limited (reducing)

Sometimes, at the core of a great movie lies a simple plot. Such a movie, however, requires an assured director who elevates the material with his or her style and vision, making the movie much more than it originally was. Think of Nicolas Winding Refn with Drive, or George Miller with Mad Max: Fury Road. With Green Room, filmmaker Jeremy Saulnier is at the helm, and he makes this a bloody and memorable affair.

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Title: Sing Street | Rated: PG-13 | Runtime: 106 min | Theaters limited (reducing)

Quirk and whimsy can be difficult to master. They can undermine dramatic material or overwhelm it. By themselves, they can become annoying or even aggravating. Thus, they require a smart head who knows how to wield them. Sing Street has that in filmmaker John Carney, and in his hands, the film proves to be absolutely irresistible.

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Title: Captain America: Civil War | Rated: PG-13 | Runtime: 147 min | Theaters nationwide

Captain America: Civil War has so much ground to cover since it’s so many things. It’s a follow-up to Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the best film in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) at the time, and I’m certain that fans expect it to be as amazing as its predecessor. Though it doesn’t reflect in the title, it’s also an Avengers movie since so many major superheroes – both returning and new – play an active role here. Then there’s the fact that it’s an adaptation of the Civil War storyline, which is perhaps the most well-known one from Marvel in the past decade. Therein lies an incredible amount of material to tackle, but the film confidently steps up to the task and triumphs spectacularly because every action it takes revolves around what makes superhero movies memorable and special: the characters.

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Title: Everybody Wants Some!! | Rated: R | Runtime: 117 min | Theaters wide

Simply put, Richard Linklater is one of the best American filmmakers working today. He may not direct blockbusters, and his films (as of late) may be more suited for the art/festival-friendly audience, but it’s not who watches them that makes him compelling. What makes him such a spellbinding artist is how he naturally uses the medium of cinema to create engaging, humanist pieces of art like no other, and his latest endeavor, Everybody Wants Some!!, is further evidence of his skill and vision.

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Title: The Jungle Book | Rated: PG | Runtime: 105 min | Theaters nationwide

The fact that Disney is developing live-action adaptations of their animated features may smack of desperation and a lack of originality, but honestly, if said films turn out to be like The Jungle Book, there just may be some worthwhile merit in that plan.

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Title: 10 Cloverfield Lane | Rated: PG-13 | Runtime: 103 min | Theaters nationwide (reducing)

While the film’s title will likely be what intrigues casual moviegoers, it’s certainly not what will make them hold their breaths and grip the edge of their seats.

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Title: Midnight Special | Rated: PG-13 | Runtime: 111 min | Theaters wide

There’s a great mystery bubbling in writer/director Jeff Nichol’s sci-fi drama, but it ultimately doesn’t matter as much as the characters’ compelling emotional arcs.

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Title: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice | Rated: PG-13 | Runtime: 151 min | Theaters nationwide

Hello, readers! It’s been awhile since this site has seen an Email Throwdown, so it has returned to mark the occasion of the highly anticipated Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Surely you’ve already heard and read the many reactions to this movie, but why not see what Andrew, Jun, and Morgan thought of it? Read on and find out! WARNING: Major spoilers ahead.

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