After graduating from a Russian spy university known as Sparrow School, ex ballerina Dominika Egorova鈥檚 (Jennifer Lawrence) first mission is to collect intel on her C.I.A counterpart Nate Nash (Joel Edgerton) in Red Sparrow.

Dr. Paul Kersey (Bruce Willis) goes on a cold-blooded vigilante murder spree after his family is taken from him in Death Wish.

We say, 鈥淐apital crimes are the movies of the week.鈥�

HOWE: With its standout assemble of talent, the skill of director Francis Lawrence (Hunger Games, I Am Legend) and the beautiful backdrop of Russia, what could possible go wrong with Red Sparrow? I was surprised to discover, quite a lot.

TAYLOR: That鈥檚 too bad, Death Wish was embarrassingly satisfying. I can鈥檛 recall if I ever saw the original 1974 Charles Bronson movie, but I鈥檓 sure that this remake is every bit as primal and exploitative. Directed by gory movie maker Eli Roth (Hostel, Cabin in the Woods) our vengeful Doctor is used to seeing blood, so too are we by the conclusion of this film.

HOWE: Lets start with my favorite thing to critique, the spoken accents. This is so bad from all the actors involved, the Russian from Lawrence is awful and her expressions do not change the entire movie. She is such a talented actress but this has to be the worst film she has made. Don鈥檛 get me started on Edgerton鈥檚 and Jeremy Irons鈥� performances.

TAYLOR: All that was required for Death Wish to succeed was an introduction to likable characters, so that we might be able to appreciate the loss when they are taken from us and the street justice when it is served. It works, but only if you鈥檙e prepared to forgive yourself what begins to feel like blood lust. I was, but it is probably a bit over the top for most. I heard more laughter than sounds of disgust from the mixed ages of the audience on a Sunday afternoon.

HOWE: Red Sparrow is disappointing right from the beginning. I didn鈥檛 believe anything that anyone said. It鈥檚 also an uncomfortable film to watch as Sparrow School is basically 鈥渓earn to be abused school.鈥� It鈥檚 not sexy, it鈥檚 not clever, it鈥檚 depressing.

Taylor gives Death Wish 2.5 car jacks out of 5.

Howe gives Red Sparrow 1.5 emotionless stares out of 5.

鈥� Brian Taylor and Peter Howe are film reviewers based in Vernon.