Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is opening this weekend in 4,242 theaters. It’s everywhere online and as of the late Thursday shows, everywhere in the country. And by now, you’re likely already in one of two camps: (a) those who are seeing it regardless of what critics say and (b) those who are avoiding it because the overwhelming response has been negative. It’s that kind of divisive.
Let’s say you’re in a third category: the group of people who don’t care about Batman, Superman, their dawning justice or superhero movies in general. There are plenty of you out there. I know because I’ve met you, asked you probing questions about your taste in movies, offered to study you. Is that weird?
If you’re looking for an alternative to Batman v Superman, the cinematic universe of everyone else has a few things to offer. The big question: are any of the options any good? Let’s explore this week’s counterprogramming, from most to least accessible.
Get a Job (On-Demand)
Here’s a movie that stars a former superhero (Miles Teller) and a real-life super woman (Anna Kendrick). It tells the story of a couple of millennials struggling to find their way post-college. But as MTV’s Amy Nicholson points out, it’s a movie that starts with interesting intentions, then marrs its point with a bunch of sexist garbage: “Get a Job thinks it deserves a gold star for highlighting the post-college unemployment crisis. But it’s more interested in bro slapstick than in reality.”
The Verdict: This might be your cheapest option of the weekend, as it’s $7 to rent on iTunes, but it sounds like a good way to get yourself frustrated with an Anna Kendrick movie. No one wants that.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (3,132 Theaters)
Nia Vardalos waited 14 years to return to the cinematic universe that became her breakout hit: one that is the authority on all things big, fat, greek and marital. The only problem, as our own Jacob Oller points out in his review at Vague Visages, it’s also an authority on cliches: “Clichés are not inherently bad. Easy, yes, but they became clichés for a reason. Easy drama keep things moving. Kirk Jones’ My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 pushes this theory to its limit, jamming so much dramatic fodder down the garbage disposal that the pipes clog and backed up, year-old gyros regurgitate into our cinematic sinks.”
The Verdict: Unless you’re a Big Fat Greek superfan, this doesn’t sound like fun. John Corbett’s beautiful hair be damned.
April and the Extraordinary World (Very Limited)
This delightfully original film is one that we reviewed at Fantastic Fest last year. It’s finally making its way into very limited release, so check your local listings. In his review, our own Adam Charles walked us through what sounds like a fun trip: “It’s full of fun surprises in its acknowledgment of both a world deprived of progressive science, but with an underbelly of vast scientific advancements – like walking houses, and everlasting life – and all with tongue-in-cheek. It may not give you many characters to commit to memory, but it will provide ample imagination and lighthearted adventure – and an appreciation for science, greenery, and maybe even cats.”
The Verdict: If you need to see a good movie this weekend — or a post-BvS palate cleanser — this is probably your best option. If it’s showing near you, that is.
I Saw The Light (5 Theaters)
Tom Hiddleston starring as legendary musician Hank Williams should be a top-shelf prestige drama, right? So why is it coming out in limited release, overshadowed by a superhero movie, in late-March? According to our good friend Jack Giroux’s review on Bullz-Eye.com, because it’s not very good: “Watching the young Hank Williams waste away his life, family and talent should be dramatic. However, because the movie is just going through the motions, much of the drama comes across as routine. The third act, especially, could’ve been potentially excruciating, but instead, Williams’ death just sort of happens.”
The Verdict: Spoiler alert, I guess: Hank Williams isn’t alive anymore. And this movie about him never really had a chance to live, despite having a wonderful cast.
So what will you watch, if the Caped Crusader and Man of Steel aren’t your cup of tea?
Netflix, perhaps.
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