Double Features: 'Sicario: Day of the Soldado' (2018)

No motion picture exists in a vacuum. Every week on Double Features, film critics William Bibbiani and Witney Seibold watch a new release and offer their individual picks for the perfect film to watch right afterwards, illuminating the themes, the artistry and the history of each movie.

This week's new release: "Sicario: Day of the Soldado," starring Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin and Isabela Moner ("Transformers: The Last Knight"). In this sequel to the critically acclaimed "Sicario," American agents are sent into Mexico to start a cartel war, which will give the U.S.A. the excuse they need to start a war. But when the teenaged daughter of a drug kingpin sees too much, it leads to a moral quandary for these government-sanctioned murderers.

Here's what the critics picked...!

William Bibbiani Reviews 'Ant-Man and the Wasp'

After the doom-and-gloom devastation of “Avengers: Infinity War” it was believed that “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” a lighthearted comic caper about wisecracking shrinking superheroes, would be just the palate cleanser Marvel fans needed. And maybe, just maybe, it really is part of some brilliant ploy to make ease our collective pain by lowering the franchise’s stakes. But it’s probably just a normal action-comedy with modest ambitions, because people make those all the time without ulterior motives.

William Bibbiani Ranks Every John Grisham Movie

This week marks the 25th anniversary of the "The Firm," Sydney Pollack's ripping legal thriller, which starred Tom Cruise, earned two Oscar nominations, made big bucks and helped make author John Grisham into a household name. The film set off a wave of high-profile Grisham adaptations - including "The Client," "A Time to Kill" and (sigh) "Christmas with the Kranks" - which represent some of the best, and some of the worst films of the era.

In his latest article for The Wrap, William Bibbiani looks at every single John Grisham movie - including the Little League Baseball drama and the 1950s farmhouse film that nobody ever talks about - and ranks them, from the very worst to the very best.

Read: Every John Grisham Movie, Ranked Worst to Best

Top Photo: Paramount Pictures

William Bibbiani Climbs 'Dante's Peak' and 'Volcano'

The year was 1997, and audiences had two blockbuster volcano movies to choose from: "Dante's Peak," which was basically "Jaws" if the shark was an exploding mountain, and "Volcano," in which a giant volcano spewed forth lava in the heart of Los Angeles. Both films have their charms, but over two decades later people still argue over which disaster movie was, well, more explosive.

In his latest article for IGN, William Bibbiani takes another look at "Dante's Peak" and "Volcano" to determine which film works better, and which film is more fun. The answers might not be the same!

Read: "Volcano vs. Dante's Peak: Which Disaster Movie Was More Explosive?"

Top Photos: Universal Pictures /  20th Century Fox

Canceled Too Soon #102: 'Hey Vern, It's Ernest!' (1988)

His name was Ernest P. Worrell, and he was everyone's favorite comedy character in the late 1980s, thanks to a series of popular television commercials and hit movies like "Ernest Goes to Camp" and "Ernest Saves Christmas." So it only made sense to give Ernest his own television series, and it's not surprising that it won multiple Emmy Awards.

So why did "Hey Vern, It's Ernest!" only last one season? What made Jim Varney's character so popular, and what kept his TV show from hitting the big time? William Bibbiani and Witney Seibold examine this strange sketch comedy series, marvel at its bizarre construction, and try to come up with their very own episode.

Give it a listen!

Critically Acclaimed #33: 'Cool As Ice' and 'The Wild One'

You may be cool, but nobody is as cool as Ice! This week on Critically Acclaimed, by listener request, we're reviewing the notorious 1991 pop culture rebel romance "Cool As Ice," starring Vanilla Ice back during that brief time when he was cool. And we're pairing it with one of the most culturally influential motion pictures of the 1950s, "The Wild One," starring Marlon Brando at his sexiest!

Plus, reviews of the new releases "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom," "Damsel," "Brain on Fire" and "The Catcher Was a Spy"!

Give it a listen!

Double Features: Set It Up (2018)

No motion picture exists in a vacuum. Every week on Double Features, film critics William Bibbiani and Witney Seibold watch a new release and offer their individual picks for the perfect film to watch right afterwards, illuminating the themes, the artistry and the history of each movie.

This week's new release: "Set It Up," starring Zoey Deutch ("Vampire Academy") and Glen Powell ("Everybody Wants Some!!") as executive assistants who trick their overbearing bosses, Lucy Liu ("Elementary") and Taye Diggs ("Empire") into dating each other. It's one of the most talked about romantic comedies in years, and everybody seems to be watching it on Netflix.

Here's what the critics picked...!

The Movie Trivia Schmoedown: Critically Acclaimed vs. MODOK

It's an all-new episode of the coolest movie trivia gameshow in the world! William Bibbiani and Witney Seibold represent Critically Acclaimed in a duel to the death with MODOK, comprised of Matt Atchity (What the Flick?!) and Grae Drake (Rotten Tomatoes). The winners will reign supreme! The losers will feel kinda bad about it! And they will ALL dress like weirdos!

Who will win in the latest Movie Trivia Schmoedown, and what bizarre choice will make William Bibbiani tell his co-host, partner and best friend Witney Seibold, "I'm never trusting you again?"

Watch the episode now to find out!

William Bibbiani Reviews the 'Sense8' Series Finale

The Netflix original series "Sense8" is, according to William Bibbiani, one of the best and most important television shows of the decade. It's a science-fiction story about eight completely different people, from all over the world, who suddenly discover they have a psychic connection. Now, they share each other's passions, their problems, their skills and their lives, and learn just how big - and just how small - the world really is.

The series finale of "Sense8" is now available on Netflix, and in his latest video appearance on What The Flick?!, William Bibbiani and Alonso Duralde talk about what the show accomplished, the difficult job the showrunners had in finishing this series in just 2 1/2 hours, and why we need a show like "Sense8" now more than ever.

Watch it now!

William Bibbiani Reviews "The Catcher Was a Spy"

Paul Rudd stars in "The Catcher Was a Spy" as Moe Berg, a Major League Baseball player and an espionage agent during World War II. Directed by Ben Lewin ("The Sessions"), the film details an assassination attempt against Werner Heisenberg (Mark Strong), who may have been developing nuclear weapons for the Nazis. 

William Bibbiani argues that "The Catcher Was a Spy" is "dramatically inert," and "undersells every major moment," but argues that "if you don't know anything about Berg it might be mildly interesting."

Read: William Bibbiani Reviews "The Catcher Was a Spy" for The Wrap

Top Photo: IFC Films

Witney Seibold Reviews 'Sicario: Day of the Soldado'

Benicio Del Toro and Josh Brolin star in "Sicario: Day of the Soldado," the sequel to the Oscar-nominated thriller "Sicario," directed by Denis Villeneuve ("Blade Runner 2049"). In the film, the American government conspires to start a war between drug cartels in Mexico, to justify starting a war. Matt Graver (Brolin) and Alejandro Villick (Del Toro) kidnap the daughter of a cartel boss, Isabela (Isabela Moner) but when she witnesses too much, their loyalty to one another is tested.

Witney Seibold says that "Sicario: Day of the Soldado" feels "instantly dated" from a political perspective, but praises the film's "assured and energetic direction," and "gritty, intense action."

Read: Witney Seibold Reviews "Sicario: Day of the Soldado" at IGN

Top Photo: Sony Pictures

William Bibbiani Reviews 'Damsel'

Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska star in "Damsel," an eccentric western about a young eccentric man trying to rescue his kidnapped lady love, and the unexpected revelations that await him and the alcoholic parson he's hired to perform the wedding ritual. As the film progresses, Wasikowska takes over the center stage, and the film turns the whole western genre completely on its head.

William Bibbiani praises "Damsel" for being "the best kind of revisionist western, with a fresh perspective, and a vital, relevant point to make," although he critiques the film's comedy for "hitting the same note over and over."

Read: William Bibbiani Reviews "Damsel" at The Wrap

Top Photo: Magnolia Pictures

William Bibbiani Reviews 'Sicario: Day of the Soldado'

Benicio Del Toro and Josh Brolin star in "Sicario: Day of the Soldado," the sequel to the Oscar-nominated thriller "Sicario," directed by Denis Villeneuve ("Blade Runner 2049"). In the film, the American government conspires to start a war between drug cartels in Mexico, to justify starting a war. Matt Graver (Brolin) and Alejandro Villick (Del Toro) kidnap the daughter of a cartel boss, Isabela (Isabela Moner) but when she witnesses too much, their loyalty to one another is tested.

William Bibbiani describes "Sicario: Day of the Soldado" as "uniquely dissatisfying," and says this sequel "strips away the meaning and the hypnotic visual style from the original."

Read: William Bibbiani Reviews "Sicario: Day of the Soldado" for The Wrap 

Top Photo: Sony Pictures

The 14 'Star Wars' Movies, Ranked from Worst to Best

[The following article was sponsored and assigned by our Patreon subscriber Charles Testrake. To learn how to sponsor and assign articles to William Bibbiani and Witney Seibold for publication at Critically Acclaimed, visit our Patreon page.]

You will be disappointed.

Modern internet film discourse has – as I'm sure you've noticed – come to dictate that pundits and critics write extended retrospectives of long-running film series every time a new installment of said series is released in theaters. Every new Marvel, every new James Bond film, every new “Star Wars” film warrants a revisitation and a re-ranking of all the films in the series. A curious pattern you may notice: The newest installments typically rank high on these lists. Only the passage of time will see them slip.

Although I have worked in film journalism for years - going back long before Disney's acquisition of “Star Wars” - it may surprise the reader to learn that this will be my first ranking of all 14 of the “Star Wars” features. I am fine having avoided this, as (and this may have me pilloried and ostracized from certain corners of the internet) I have never been much of a “Star Wars” person. I wasn't weaned on the films like many of my peers, having seen my first “Star Wars” film in 1996 at the age of 18.

I have, however, seen all 14 of the films that have been released to date, and I do have a good idea as to their relative standing. And, yes, to erase any ambiguity, I do consider the TV specials and the animated released to count among the canonical chapters of the “Star Wars” saga; many pundits tend to conveniently “forget” them in such rankings.

Here, then, is my ranking, with each film ranked on the Critically Acclaimed scale of C- to C+.

Let's Get Physical Media: Pacific Rim, Night of the Lepus and More (6/19/18)

Physical media is alive and we’re trying to keep it that way! Every week on Let’s Get Physical Media, we highlight a handful of the most interesting new releases on Blu-ray - including cult films, classics and recent hits - to make sure you know what’s worth your hard-earned money.

June 19, 2018 brings us giant robots, giant rabbits, a harsh indictment of the gun industry and a harsh indictment of the health care industry. So there’s something for everyone as long as you want something super goofy or super serious, with nothing in between.

Let’s take a look!

Critically Acclaimed #32: Eragon and Conan the Barbarian

Swords and sorcerers and dragons, oh my! This week on Critically Acclaimed, by listener request, we're reviewing the epic fantasy that completely failed to spawn a franchise, "Eragon," and pairing it with one of the most incredible pulp adventures ever captured on camera, the original "Conan the Barbarian!" 

Plus, reviews of the new releases "Incredibles 2," "Tag," "Superfly" and "Set It Up!"

Give it a listen!

William Bibbiani Reviews 'Tag'

Ed Helms, Jeremy Renner, Jon Hamm, Hannibal Buress and Jake Johnson star in "Tag," a new comedy about a group of middle-aged friends who have been played the same game over tag for decades. They wear disguises, infiltrate each other's businesses, and perform feats of acrobatic insanity just to declare each other "it." And when the game's undefeated champion announces his retirement, his friends will stop at nothing to tag him once and for all.

William Bibbiani says that "Tag" treats its childlike game like "an action-packed extravaganza, replete with elaborate fight choreography, acrobatic stunts, and twists and turns that would make serial killer Jigsaw nod in approval," but criticizes the film's inconsistent tone and genre, arguing that "it feels as though three or four different films are fighting for dominance."

Read: William Bibbiani Reviews "Tag" for The Wrap

Top Photo: Warner Bros.

Canceled Too Soon #101: "Barbie and the Rockers" (1987)

In the 1980s, every TV series had its own toy line. But one of the most popular toys in history didn't have a hit series. That almost changed with "Barbie and the Rockers," Mattel's answer to Hasbro's hit "Jem and the Holograms" toy and cartoon series. 

It's a two-part pilot for a Barbie TV series, with lots of music, dancing and time travel. So why didn't it last more than two episodes? William Bibbiani and Witney Seibold review the shows that got made, and explain why Barbie couldn't compete with Jem on television, and what happened to all the unused ideas for the series!

William Bibbiani Argues "The Incredible Hulk is the Most Underrated MCU Movie"

It's the ten-year anniversary of "The Incredible Hulk," the second film in the immensely popular Marvel Cinematic Universe, but also the most overlooked film in the franchise. Critics and fans frequently dismiss the film, directed by Louis Leterrier ("Transporter 2") as a straightforward action movie, featured that would later be explored more satisfactorily in "The Avengers," and that Mark Ruffalo would ultimately give a superior performance to "The Incredible Hulk's" Edward Norton.

But in his latest article at IGN, William Bibbiani says "The Incredible Hulk" achieves many dramatic goals that frequently elude many of the more popular MCU movies, telling a complete narrative, embracing the darkness inherent to the character, exploring a rich love story, and organically integrating the character into a larger universe.

Read: William Bibbiani Argues "The Incredible Hulk is the Most Underrated MCU Movie" 

Top Photo: Universal Pictures / Marvel Studios

Witney Seibold Reviews 'Superfly'

Trevor Jackson stars in "Superfly," a remake of the iconic blaxploitation classic, originally directed by Gordon Parks Jr., with one of the most celebrated movie soundtracks in history. The remake, from music video filmmaker Director X, tells the story of an Atlanta criminal trying to extricate himself from the drug trade.

In his review, Witney Seibold says the remake "ups the style game considerably," compared to the original, and "loses a lot of the original's scrappy charms and forthright righteous indignation."

Read: Witney Seibold Reviews "Superfly" for IGN

Top Photo: Sony Pictures

Let’s Get Physical Media: Tomb Raider, More American Graffiti and More (6/12/18)

Physical media is alive and we intend to keep it that way. Every week on Let’s Get Physical Media, we highlight a handful of the most interesting new releases on Blu-ray - including cult films, classics and recent hits - to make sure you know what’s worth your hard-earned money.

June 12, 2018 brings us one of the most underrated sequels in movie history, one of the best yeti movies nobody’s ever seen, a sublimely bizarre aerobics/ninja/exorcism hybrid, and a spectacular 2018 adventure film that deserved a bigger audience.

Let’s take a look!

Critically Acclaimed #31: The Lawnmower Man and eXistenZ

Game on! This week on Critically Acclaimed, by listener request, we're reviewing the virtual reality video game thriller "The Lawnmower Man," and we're pairing this notoriously silly cyber-thriller with the fiercely intelligent, incredibly squishy, and incredibly underrated biological cyber-thriller

"eXistenz!"

Plus, reviews of the new releases "Ocean's 8," "Hereditary," "Hotel Artemis" and "Bernard and Huey!"

Give it a listen!

Double Features: Hereditary (2018)

No motion picture exists in a vacuum. Every week on Double Features, film critics William Bibbiani and Witney Seibold watch a new release and offer their individual picks for the perfect film to watch right afterwards, illuminating the themes, the artistry and the history of each movie.

This week's new release: "Hereditary," starring Toni Collette, Gabriel Byrne and Alex Wolff as a family torn apart by shared tragedy, trauma and a history of mental illness. It's one of the most acclaimed horror movies in years, and has already earned a rave review from William Bibbiani.

Here's what the critics picked...!

William Bibbiani Reviews 'Bernard and Huey'

Jim Rash and David Koechner star in "Bernard and Huey," a new comedy from director Dan Mirvish ("Between Us"), based on the comic strip by Jules Feiffer. Rash and Koechner play the title characters, college friends whose power dynamic has shifted now that they are middle-aged, and which shifts back when they suddenly move back in together.

In his review, William Bibbiani argues that the film "seems to be under the misapprehension that acknowledging the shallowness of the characters and storyline is, in itself, clever."

Read: William Bibbiani Reviews "Bernard and Huey" for The Wrap

Top Photo: Freestyle Digital Media

William Bibbiani Reviews 'Hereditary'

Toni Collette stars in "Hereditary," a new horror thriller from writer/director Ari Aster, about a family recovering from tragic death, and the ramifications of their incredibly dark history. Gabriel Byrne, Alex Wolff and Ann Dowd co-star in a film that blurs the lines between the supernatural and insanity.

William Bibbiani says that "Hereditary" is "a terrifically frightening motion picture on almost every level" and praises Toni Collette's "virtuoso performance," but argues that the film "overplays its hand" in the finale.

Read: William Bibbiani Reviews "Hereditary" at IGN

Top Photo: A24

William Bibbiani Interviews Dean DeBlois About 'How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World'

Dean DeBlois has directed or co-directed some of the best animated features of the century, including Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" and the "How to Train Your Dragon" trilogy at Dreamworks Animation. That fantasy series is finally coming to a conclusion next year, in "How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World," which will finally explain why dragons disappeared from the face of the Earth.

In this new interview, William Bibbiani interviews Dean DeBlois about the upcoming movie, the importance of ending the franchise, the emotional impact of the series, and why the next installment has a subtitle instead of a number.

Read: William Bibbiani Interviews Dean DeBlois About Why the "How to Train Your Dragon" Series Has to End at IGN

Top Photo: Dreamworks Animation / Universal Pictures

Witney Seibold Reviews 'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom'

The original “Jurassic Park,” now 25 years old, is still remembered fondly and enthusiastically. It is often discussed in effusive terms and frequently considered one of the best Hollywood blockbusters of its decade. It spawned two warmly-received sequels in the ensuing years – in 1997 and in 2001 – neither of which recaptured the magic or the fervor of the original. After 2001, audiences had to content themselves with pleasant re-visitations of the 1993 classic and simply enjoy the wonderment that Steven Spielberg delivered so effectively.

The blindingly powerful success of Colin Trevorrow's “Jurassic World” in 2015 may have revealed that audiences, while adoring the original, perhaps always clamored for something, well, a little different. “Jurassic World” jettisoned the wonderment of “Jurassic Park,” sped up the pace, featured broader characters, and replaced them with more dinosaur mayhem, and more high-concept silliness. Audiences, it seemed, were weary of a thriller about a dozen hapless humans evading dinosaurs through an incomplete theme park. They now wanted the full-scale slaughter of theme park guests and greedy corporate suits at the talons of the monsters. At some point in the last 25 years, the dinosaurs became the good guys.

William Bibbiani Reviews 'Hotel Artemis'

Jodie Foster stars in "Hotel Artemis," a new crime thriller written and directed by Drew Pearce ("Iron Man 3"), about a secret, high-tech emergency room for criminals. Jodie Foster runs the hotel, Dave Bautista plays her orderly, and Sterling K. Brown, Sofia Boutella, Charlie Day and Jeff Goldblum play the larger than life bad guys who stumble, bloody, through their doors.

In his review, William Bibbiani says that "Hotel Artemis" is "very fun" but "hollow," and he critiques the film for its "broad-stroked characters populating an otherwise ultra-detailed fictional criminal underworld." 

Read: William Bibbiani Reviews "Hotel Artemis" at IGN

Top Photo: Global Road Entertainment

William Bibbiani Reviews 'Ocean's 8'

Sandra Bullock leads an all-star cast in "Ocean's 8," a spin-off of Steven Soderbergh's "Ocean's 11" reboot franchise, in which an ex-con assembles a team of women with special skills to an astoundingly valuable necklace from the Met Gala in New York City. Gary Ross ("The Hunger Games") directs, and Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Rihanna, Awkwafina, Mindy Kaling and Sarah Paulson co-star.

In his review, William Bibbiani says that "Ocean's 8" is "the most satisfying installment in the franchise," and that the film also "delivers sharp commentary on celebrity culture."

Read: William Bibbiani Reviews "Ocean's 8" at IGN

Top Photo: Warner Bros.

Canceled Too Soon #100: Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)

It's the 100th episode of Canceled Too Soon, and we're celebrating with our most requested show ever! It's "Freaks and Geeks," the celebrated comedy that jumpstarted the careers of Judd Apatow, Paul Feig, Linda Cardellini, James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, Busy Philipps, John Francis Daley, Martin Starr and this week's special guest, Samm Levine!

William Bibbiani and Witney Seibold look back on what made "Freaks and Geeks" so special, and interview Samm Levine for behind the scenes stories about his favorite episodes, in this epic 100th episode spectacular!

Critically Acclaimed #30: 'The Haunted Mansion' and '13 Ghosts'

We're your best nightmare! This week on Critically Acclaimed, by listener request, we're reviewing the family horror comedy "The Haunted Mansion," based on the Disney amusement part ride, starring Eddie Murphy. And we're pairing this expensive CGI would-be blockbuster with William Castle's ultra-cheap, but infinitely more effective all-ages haunted house classic "13 Ghosts!"

Plus, reviews of the new releases "Adrift," "Upgrade," "Action Point," "The Misandrists" and "American Animals," and we also respond to more of your emails!

Give it a listen!

Witney Seibold Reviews 'Action Point'

Tim Kirkby's "Action Point" is based on the real-life story of a notoriously unsafe amusement park, and stars Johnny Knoxville (of "Jackass" fame) as the owner of the establishment. Johnny Knoxville's particular brand of death-defying physical humor takes center stage as usual.

In his review, Witney Seibold says "Action Point" is "as shabby as its rides" and that Knoxville's performance as an old man looking back with fondness on the film's dangerous gags "may be his subtle way of acknowledging his own ebbing cultural significance."

Read: Witney Seibold Reviews 'Action Point' at IGN

Top Photo: Paramount Pictures

Witney Seibold Reviews 'American Animals'

Bart Layton's "American Animals," starring Barry Keoghan from "The Killing of a Sacred Deer" and a believably manic Evan Peters, tells the true story of a quartet of bored college kids who, inspired distantly by heist movies, decide to rob their campus library of several valuable Darwin and Audubon volumes. Their story is told using both traditional fictionalized storytelling and actual interviews with the real men who committed the crime. 

In his review, Witney points out that the meta-textual elements are somewhat engaging, but the pacing is too slow and sleepy for the film to be wholly successful. 

Read: Witney Seibold Reviews "American Animals" on IGN

Top Photo: The Orchard / MoviePass Ventures

The Beginner’s Guide to Movies: Where Do I Start?

One of the questions film critics get asked a lot is where a young movie fan should get started, and frankly, I sympathize. Every year we get further and further away from the dawn of cinema, and the amount of material a film fan needs to “catch up on” only gets larger, and more daunting.

The simple answer to that question is… you just have to start somewhere. Pick a filmmaker, or pick a genre, and start watching movies! But as with most journeys, it’s easier - and frequently, more fun - to have a guide to help you along.

That’s where The Beginner’s Guide comes in. Every week, the critics here at Critically Acclaimed will help you on your path to film fandom, with starter courses on filmmakers, subgenres, terminology, and even how to read film criticism in a way that expands your view of the medium.

And since we just have to start somewhere, let’s start at the very beginning, and make sure you have the tools you’ll need to explore film history and become an expert!

Here’s what you’ll need…

Double Features: Adrift (2018)

No motion picture exists in a vacuum. Every week on Double Features, film critics William Bibbiani and Witney Seibold watch a new release and offer their individual picks for the perfect film to watch right afterwards, illuminating the themes, the artistry and the history of each movie.

This week's new release: "Adrift," based on the true story of Tami Oldham, a young woman who sailed across the ocean with her boyfriend, ran into a devastating storm, and had to survive the elements for over a month.

Here's what the critics picked...!