Capsule reviews for Aug. 27

American Sausage Standoff

Any way you slice it, this oddball comedy isn’t amusing enough as either a meaty political satire or as the biting culture-clash lampoon its title suggests. Taking place in a fictional American small town out of the stereotypical redneck playbook, it follows a German entrepreneur (Ewen Bremner) and an ex-con (Antony Starr) who want to open a sausage restaurant. Naturally, that doesn’t sit well with the local enforcer (W. Earl Brown) who specializes in running foreigners out of town. Taking an outsider’s perspective on xenophobia, the screenplay by Danish director Ulrich Thomsen parades around quirky characters with no command of tone. Worst, it’s not consistently funny. (Not rated, 107 minutes).

The Colony

Visually stylish but dramatically muddled, this bleak dystopian thriller squanders an intriguing science-fiction concept while struggling to build suspense. It’s set in a future where the “elites” have fled to a distant planet, where they face procreational challenges. So a perilous mission to explore the viability of re-colonizing Earth leaves a young astronaut (Nora Arnezeder) stranded when she realizes that the desolate world they left behind isn’t as abandoned as they thought. As secrets are revealed about Blake’s connections to life on Earth, a mildly provocative cautionary tale finds its emotional impact compromised by contrivances and manufactured human drama. The result is more familiar than fresh. (Rated R, 104 minutes).

No Man of God

Captivating performances boost this tightly focused exploration of serial killer Ted Bundy’s psyche, which avoids tawdry exploitation or cheap compassion. The true-life story follows Bill (Elijah Wood), an FBI rookie specializing in criminal profiling. In the 1980s, he’s assigned to interview Bundy (Luke Kirby), who’s on Death Row in a Florida prison. Somehow, the inquisitive Bill gets the tight-lipped inmate to open up, becoming a confidant of sorts in the years leading to his execution. As the tension in their banter ratchets up after a slow start, so does the film’s level of suspense. There’s not much fresh insight or context, but some genuinely chilling exchanges. (Rated R, 100 minutes).

Rushed

The outrage is justifiable and the injustice is believable in this character-driven thriller about a mother seeking revenge against the fraternity that killed her son. However, it ultimately feels too familiar to resonate more deeply. Barbara (Siobhan Fallon Hogan) is a devout Catholic who is devastated after Jimmy’s (Jay Jay Warren) tragic hazing incident while pledging the same fraternity as his father (Robert Patrick). Barbara’s anguish prompts a desperate search for answers from other grieving families and from lawmakers who act indifferent. Hogan, who also wrote the script, generates sympathy for Barbara’s plight, although the film doesn’t provide much fresh insight into systemic fraternity danger. (Not rated, 101 minutes).

Together

Someday there might be a great film made about mental health challenges stemming from COVID-19 pandemic, but this bittersweet British two-hander from director Stephen Daldry (The Hours) feels simplistic and emotionally calculated. It’s set almost entirely inside the London home of an unmarried couple (James McAvoy and Sharon Horgan) whose relationship already is rocky when they’re forced to start quarantining in March 2020. The film captures their bickering about health, politics, and each other during the ensuing months, along with their vague optimism about the future. Using a direct-address gimmick to accentuate the intimacy, the film’s rambling monologues are hit-and-miss, and generally don’t offer meaningful insight. (Rated R, 91 minutes).

Vacation Friends

What was conceived on spring break probably should have stayed on spring break in the case of this low-brow comedy that’s more obnoxious than endearing. Marcus (Lil Rel Howery) is having a nightmare getaway at a Mexican resort with his fiancée-to-be (Yvonne Orji) when a couple of daredevil partiers (John Cena and Meredith Hagner) come to the rescue. But unbeknownst to Marcus, the end of the foursome’s stay together is just the beginning of their relationship. The film squanders the amusing odd-couple pairing of Cena and Howery, who seem to enjoy the exotic locales. However, moviegoers are left with labored gags and no rooting interest. (Rated R, 103 minutes).