It was a week without a major blockbuster tent pole release, but there were still options out there! Here’s a look at the new movies I saw this week.

The Out-Laws (Netflix)
Starring: Adam Devine, Pierce Brosnan, Ellen Barkin, Nina Dobrev, and Michael Rooker
Synopsis: Weddings are stressful, especially when it comes with meeting the in-laws. In the case of this new comedy on Netflix, the in-laws turn out to have a few challenges of their own. Owen (Devine) is a successful bank manager who is cruising toward his impending nuptials with Parker (Dobrev). But he’s never met her parents, who live away and are a bit reclusive. When they shift course and show up for the wedding, Owen tries to make a good impression on his future in-laws (Brosnan and Barkin). When his bank is robbed soon after they arrive, he begins to suspect they might be infamous criminals. Mayhem and hilarity then ensue. At least that’s the blueprint for the film. Devine is fine, as are Brosnan and Barkin. Dobrev does fine in a fairly two-dimensional role. Much like her parents, you spend time wondering why Parker was drawn to Owen. Rooker, Richard Kind and Lil Rel Howery show up in supporting roles. The film moves at a decent pace, owing to its 95-minute run time. It’s fine and a decent watch if you’re looking for a little escape, but there’s not much to it. I hoped for a little bit more.
Rating: Rated R for language throughout, violence, sexual material and brief drug use.
Verdict: Two stars out of five

Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken (Theaters)
Starring: Lana Condor, Jane Fonda, Toni Collette, Colman Domingo, Sam Richardson, Annie Murphy and Will Forte
Synopsis: We have gotten a handful of animated features this summer, both on the big screen and streaming. And several of them have been impressive and moving stories. Ruby Gillman doesn’t live up to that billing. The film follows a teenage kraken, Ruby (Condor), who is trying to be a normal teenager, hiding the kraken of it all. She’s been warned to stay out of the ocean. But when she ends up in the ocean, she transforms into a giant kraken, which is a lot to hide. Turns out her mother (Collette) and father (Domingo) have been hiding a lot about their family. When her uncle (Richardson) turns up and takes her down to meet her grandmother (Fonda), Ruby learns a lot about her family history and her place in the ocean. Will she rise to the occasion when a vicious mermaid (Murphy) threatens her family and her community? That’s the question for which you likely already know the answer. This film has gotten a fair deal of flack for the lack of originality in the story. That’s somewhat fair. Turns out this is something of a Little Mermaid rip off in reverse. It’s only 91 minutes but it drags despite a decent voice cast. There isn’t enough time spent building up these characters and this world. By the time you get to the predictable third act you’re still hardly invested. It is perhaps a clever idea, but the execution just isn’t there. This is a slog.
Rating: Rated PG for some action, rude humor and thematic elements.
Verdict: One and a half stars out of five

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.