This is a peculiar film. It feels assembled from found parts and spur-of-the-moment ideas. At times it is electrifying; at other points, lethargic and overly sentimental; at other points still, simply bizarre. It is at once a crime drama, a family melodrama, a road film, and a futuristic science-fiction story. It includes a gypsy crime syndicate headed by a scenery-devouring James Franco, a stripper with a heart of gold, an oversized alien gun, handsomely composed shots of decaying Detroit, a slightly malfunctioning moral compass, and many (too many) soul-searching conversations in diners and motels. And then it ends with an unexpected cameo from one of 2018's highest-profile actors (who also serves as an executive producer) and an uncomfortable gesture toward Hunger Games- or Divergent-style franchise ambitions. The overall product is rather haphazard and a bit unsatisfying, but there are moments of undeniable excitement and creativity, too.

Kin is the best movie I've seen this year so far. Dumping a film with such a great, non-simplistic story in the worst box office week of the year is indicative of all that is wrong with the movie industry nowadays. Solid acting by the leads and an extra creepy turn by James Franco as the villain. Great score by Mogwai. I look forward to the next feature film directed by Jonathan and Josh Baker. This is b-movie sci-fi done right. *A+*

tree and a half with a vengeance

Been long tree. Hope you can come back and start reposting again here.