We’re into June and we’re getting an interesting mix of new releases. This week saw the wide release of a film that got buzz near the end of 2023. Below is my take on that and others I saw this week.

The Bikeriders (Theaters)
Starring: Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, and Jodie Comer
Synopsis: This film, from writer/director Jeff Nichols, is based on the book of the same name and made the rounds at festivals late in 2023. It seemed like a potential contender in last year’s awards until it got pushed to this summer. The film takes place between 1965 and 1973 and follows the Vandals Motorcycle Club in Chicago. We get a view into the club via Kathy (Comer), who provides some interviews with Danny (Mike Faist), a young photographer who is following and documenting the club for a book. Kathy is an outsider at first, but when she meets Benny (Butler), it’s love at first sight. Benny is a member of the Vandals and practically the right-hand man to its leader, Johnny (Hardy). Soon, Kathy is pulled into Benny’s orbit, and the club. She meets the guys and gets drawn into their activities. But she wants to hold on to Benny, and she’s worried the pull of the club—specifically Johnny—will mean his end. Can she hold on to Benny, or will he be consumed by the Vandals? That’s the basic element of the story here, thought this is almost as much about Benny and Johnny. The film boasts a good cast—with Michael Shannon, Norman Reedus, and Boyd Holbrook—and a good look and production. The subject matter is interesting, too—or at least it should be. But this feels like a film story in search of a compelling plot at times. The elements are in place, but it doesn’t all come together. Not enough is done to create stakes in the relationship between Benny and Kathy, or Benny and Johnny. It’s not even truly clear—via the film—why they are so close. We also don’t learn enough about the club, its structure, or what its real purpose even is. Perhaps it’s the lens of the interviews that doesn’t work, because those segments are often jarring. If it was more of a straightforward story of these three people, perhaps it would work better. The three leads are strong, and all give good performances, including some emotional moments at times. But ultimately, there doesn’t feel like enough stakes or gravity to really hook me and drive the story home. It’s fine, but it doesn’t rise to the level of great or memorable.
Rating: Rated R for language throughout, violence, some drug use and brief sexuality.

Black Barbie (Netflix)
Synopsis: We’ve all seen Barbie. The eponymous doll is one of the most popular toys in the world and was the focus of an exceptional film last summer. But, while Barbie is now seen as a toy that’s meant to reflect everyone, it was a fight to get to that point. This documentary from Lagureia Davis seeks to explore how our idea of Barbie, and what Barbie is, has changed and expanded. That includes interviews with two different women of color—Beulah Mae Mitchell and Kitty Black Perkins—who were early pioneers at Matel. The film includes interviews with different generations of black women sharing their stories of Barbie and how the legendary toy has intersected with their lives and culture. I was moved by the stories and the story of Barbie. The best documentaries entertain and ignite something in you, emotionally. I felt that with this delightful gem, and I think it’s worth checking out on Netflix.
Rating: TV-MA

Trigger Warning (Netflix)
Starring: Jessica Alba, Michael Webber, Anthony Michael Hall, Tone Bell, and Gabriel Basso
Synopsis: Netflix has a lot of content. It offers a number of new original films each month and some are incredible. Some are not. This film falls decidedly into the latter category. The film finds Alba as some kind of covert government operative drawn to her hometown when she finds out her father has died. The local sheriff (Webber), a former flame, suggests it might have been suicide. But her father’s right-hand man (Basso) doesn’t believe it, and neither does Parker (Alba). As she investigates, she finds a nefarious plot involving the sheriff, his degenerate brother, and his senator father (Hall). The there is plenty of action. But, while this is called Trigger Warning, Parker mostly specializes in knife fighting. But it’s easy enough to set that contradiction aside since there are so many other questions that might be swirling in your thoughts. At the end of the day, I’m fine with a solid action film that isn’t trying to be anything special. But this film merely aspires to that end. This is less than solid, with middling action, middling performances, and a plot that often makes no sense. But, hey, it’s mercifully short! This film isn’t one you need to prioritize when deciding what to watch. It can be safely skipped.
Rating: TV-MA

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.