Arts & Entertainment
Weekend Movie Review: 'Sonic The Hedgehog' And 'The Photograph'
Ben Schwartz and James Marsden voice characters in "Sonic the Hedgehog," while Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield star in "The Photograph."
Heading to theaters this weekend? Get excited for action-adventure comedies and romance movies.
In "Sonic the Hedgehog," Ben Schwartz lends his voice to the titular blue space alien who can travel at lightning speed. The movie also stars James Marsden as a local sheriff, as well as Jim Carrey as a mad scientist.
And just in time for Valentine's Day weekend, romance film, "The Photograph," comes to life, starring Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield as a couple of love birds trying to discover a famed photographer's past.
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Here's what to see and what to skip this weekend:
Movies Out This Weekend
Find out what's happening in Hollywoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Sonic the Hedgehog” — Ben Schwartz, James Marsden; directed by Jeff Fowler
Based on the classic Sega video game franchise, Jeff Fowler’s live action/animation hybrid centers around an alien with superpowers.
Meet Sonic the Hedgehog (voiced by Ben Schwartz), a blue alien who can travel between alternating universes at lightning speed. And with this superhero ability, he can stay mostly invisible. Over time, Sonic has made Green Hills, Montana, his home — that is, until the menacing Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) discovers Sonic’s whereabouts.
With time running out, the blue creature must get to a safer place to escape this abominable scientist who wants to control the entire world. But where exactly can Sonic go?
Sonic must now travel to San Francisco, the location of another space portal that he can use to flee to another world. To get there, he enlists the help of local sheriff Tom Wachowski (James Marsden).
Will Sonic be able to escape the wrath of Dr. Robotnik?
See it. While the movie is worthwhile for the whole family to enjoy, the narrative feels rushed at times, delivering an uneven pace and tone.
“The Photograph” — Issa Rae, Lakeith Stanfield; directed by Stella Meghie
Stella Meghie’s romance movie follows the story of a woman trying to cope with the death of her estranged mother.
In the movie, Issa Rae plays Mae, the surviving daughter of famed photographer Christina Eames (Chante Adams), who, while packing up her late mother’s apartment, discovers a photograph and a letter providing clues into her mother’s early life.
The mementos piqued Mae’s interest to learn more about the mother she hardly knew. Soon, she crosses paths with Michael (Lakeith Stanfield), a rising journalist assigned to write a story about Mae’s mom. In the process, their candid rapport ignites a romantic spark between the two.
As the love story of Mae and Michael unfolds, so does the revelation about Christina’s love life and budding career in 1984 Louisiana.
See it. While Rae and Stanfield have an electrifying chemistry, the 106-minute movie overall feels a bit meditative.
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