Drama - Reviews Of What Is In Theaters Now

THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE - Review

Posted by Clint on Monday, 04 October 2021 in Movie Reviews

THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE

Rated: PG-13

Release Date: September 24, 2021

Director: Michael Showalter

Stars: Jessica Chastain, Andrew Garfield

Plot: A narrative following the rise and fall of televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker

Trailer

Clint Says: See this in theaters as soon as you can

The best actress race is heating up and Jessica Chastain has become one of the front-runners with her makeup laden performance as the disgraced televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker. If you grew up during the time of the PTL Network with Jim and Tammy Faye this is a film you have to see. Chastain's performance is so spot on that you'll quickly forget that you aren't watching the real Tammy Faye.

Her performance is made stronger by the powerful work of Andrew Garfield playing her husband. Their on screen chemistry and tension are intense and emotional. It feels like you've got a back stage pass into their real lives.

Chastain's transition through the film is masterful. Not only in makeup, but also in her self-discovery. She brings the power to the role that was so evident when you watched Tammy Faye on TV, but then we get to see the vulnerable and broken side of her that hardly ever made it on air.

This is a fantastic biopic that is well worth your time and money. It doesn't matter if you were a huge fan of PTL or thought they were scamming millions for their own wealth, this movie will give you all sides of the story. It will make you mad, break your heart, fill you with joy, and rile up the cynic inside. It may not be the best movie you'll see this year, but it will almost certainly be in the top 10.

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NINE DAYS - Review

Posted by Clint on Friday, 13 August 2021 in Movie Reviews

NINE DAYS

Rated: R

Release Date: August 13, 2021

Director: Edson Oda

Stars: Winston Duke, Zazzie Beetz, Benedict Wong, Tony Hale

Plot: Beings are sent to a site for nine days to be evaluated to determine if they would make good humans

Trailer

Clint Says: Drop everything and go see this in theaters now

This is one of those films that has everything that it takes to be a Best Picture contender, but for whatever reason it just flies under the radar and it never gets the acclaim that it deserves.

This is a fantastic, unique, and beautiful film that may be slightly confusing at first, but once you understand what is happening, it will draw you in and keep you captivated until the end.

While the story itself is incredible, the acting is some of the best I have ever seen. Winston Duke and Zazzie Beetz should both be up for acting awards for their character portrayals, but I fear their work will also be overlooked.

If you get a chance to see this movie please watch it. It is not your typical, commercial movie fare, but more of an introspective and artistic look at what makes us who we are, and where we come from.

Whether it gets the recognition it deserves or not, it doesn't dilute the fact that this is absolutely one of the best films of 2021.

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STILLWATER - Review

Posted by Clint on Monday, 02 August 2021 in Movie Reviews

STILLWATER
Rated: R

Release Date: July 30, 2021

Director: Tom McCarthy

Stars: Matt Damon, Abigail Breslin, Camille Cottin, Lilou Siauvaud

Plot: A father travels to France to try to free his daughter after she is convicted of murder

Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the digital release

Stillwater is the perfect name for this movie. It moves so slow it feels like it is standing still. This should be a syllabus movie in film schools as a case study in how to make a depressing movie way too long.

This flick clocks in at almost 2 1/2 hours. It could have easily lost an hour and it still would have been depressing, but at least it would have had some momentum. I don't understand how the powers that be let this movie be released at it's current length.

The good news is three of the four main actors are amazing. I'm not going to single out the bad one here, but I will say it was not the little girl. She was so adorable and such a great actor that she made sitting through the rest of it at least somewhat tolerable.

I really don't know who would like this film. I'm sure some people will think that it is ok, and possibly bordering on good, but six months from now 99% of us will have forgotten we ever saw it. There is nothing about this movie that sticks with you. It just sort of rolls past you and then it's gone.

There is no way I would recommend seeing this in theaters. Even though I would love to see people return to the theaters in pre-pandemic numbers. This is not the kind of film that is going to get people back to the movies. If you are interested in it, wait until the digital release. That way you can turn it off if you get bored.

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JOE BELL - Review

Posted by Clint on Thursday, 22 July 2021 in Movie Reviews

JOE BELL

Rated: R

Release Date: July 23, 2021

Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green

Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Reid Miller, Connie Britton

Plot: A man decides to walk from Oregon to New York to teach anyone who will listen about inclusiveness and bullying after his son tells him he is gay

Trailer

Clint Says: Save some money and see a matinee

Every year there are about a dozen films that come out that have a powerful and emotional story and message, but the film itself is average at best. This movie falls into that category. It is 100% worth seeing because of the story, you'll just have to endure the way the story is being told.

This is based on a true story. If you know the story of Joe Bell and his son, don't tell anyone anything before they see this movie. If you don't know about Joe, make sure you keep it that way before you see the film. There are certain thematic elements that will not make any sense if you already know how it ends.

Aside from the story, the one thing that stand out as great is the acting. Mark Wahlberg plays a hard-nosed, very rough around the edges man who loves his family deeply, but can't quite figure out how to say it or show it where they feel it. That's what makes his walk such a powerful statement.

Reid Miller plays Bell's son who has come out as gay. His performance is incredible. He steals every scene he is in, and you can feel the pain and struggle through his expressions. This isn't the caliber of film that is going to get award looks, but if it does, Miller deserves a supporting actor nod.

This isn't good enough to be something that I would recommend spending the time and money to see it in a theater, but the message of a father's love for his bullied son is absolutely worth it. This will not be one of the best films you see this year, but it should be one that is on your list to see at some point.

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PROFILE - Review

Posted by Clint on Saturday, 15 May 2021 in Movie Reviews

PROFILE

Rated: R

Release Date: May 14, 2021

Director: Timur Bekmambetov

Stars: Valene Kane, Shazad Latif, Christine Adams, Morgan Watkins

Plot: A female journalist tries to befriend a terrorist recruiter for a story, but she gets more than she bargained for

Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the digital release

The director for this film has a very specific style. If you've seen Unfriended, Unfollowed, or Searching then you know what I mean. He loves to have almost the entire film play out on a computer screen or other technological devices.

The first time around it was unique and interesting. The second time was okay. The third time felt tired. Now it feels like a bad stunt.

The bad thing is that this story is so compelling that it could have been a fantastic "regular" movie. It loses a lot by using the technology gimmick.

I would love to see this story redone in an action/suspense style film. That would absolutely be worth seeing. For now, I would say wait for the digital release.

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FRENCH EXIT - Review

Posted by Clint on Thursday, 01 April 2021 in Movie Reviews

FRENCH EXIT

Rated: R

Release Date: April 2, 2021

Director: Azazel Jacobs

Stars: Michelle Pfeiffer, Lucas Hedges, Valerie Mahaffey, Tracy Letts

Plot: A broke socialite moves to Paris with her son

Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the digital release

I have to say, I was quite surprised by this film. The trailer did nothing to make me want to see it, but alas, it is my job to see movies that I don't always want to see.

I went into it with an open mind, but my suspicions were disappointingly confirmed about 20 minutes into the film when I found myself looking at my watch and letting my mind wander. Then, it happened. About 50 minutes into the movie there is an exchange that is so incredibly funny that I was pulled back in. And then a few minutes later, there is a scene that made all of the boring opening almost worth it.

From that moment on, I felt like I was watching a different film. It was funny, smart, and charming. The problem was that I had to sit through 50 minutes of boredom to get there.

If you can make it through the first half you will be treated to some great acting, and a dialogue that is both witty and prose-like. If you can't make it all the way to the end it is entirely understandable.

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THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY - REVIEW

Posted by Clint on Thursday, 25 February 2021 in Movie Reviews

THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY

Rated: R

Release Date: February 26, 2021

Director: Lee Daniels

Stars: Andra Day, Trevante Rhodes, Garrett Hedlund

Plot: An undercover drug agent gets too close to Billie Holiday during a sting operation

Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the streaming price to come down

(Streaming exclusively on Hulu)

If you are unaware of Billie Holiday, I highly encourage you to do some research into her life and legacy. She is nothing short of a national treasure, but she also had to deal with many demons in her life. Many of those demons were forced on her by some of the terrible people that surrounded her, some of the demons were self-inflicted.

This film centers around one of her most powerful songs and how the U.S. Government went after her to try to stop her from singing it. If you have never heard "Strange Fruit," you should give it a listen. It makes perfect sense why this was a black anthem, and why the 1940s Government wanted to get rid of it and Miss Holiday.

Based on all of this, one would think this would be a very dynamic and suspenseful film. Unfortunately, it is nearly the opposite. It is slow, drawn out, and flat. That doesn't mean the film is all bad. It has several incredible moments. But overall, it lacks intensity.

Andra Day does a nice job playing Miss Holiday, and her voice is simply stunning, but the script she has to work with doesn't lend itself to a compelling character arc. It's really too bad, because this story could have been something special.

This is a good movie, but not one worth paying premium pricing to see. Wait until it is available to stream for free. You'll be happy with your choice once you see it.

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THE FATHER - Review

Posted by Clint on Thursday, 25 February 2021 in Movie Reviews

THE FATHER

Rated: PG-13

Release Date: February 26, 2021

Director: Florian Zeller

Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Mark Gatiss, Olivia Williams

Plot: An aging man tries to keep things in order, but his mind is confusing reality with things he thinks are real

Trailer

Clint Says: See this in theaters if you can

(Limited theatrical run)

If you have ever watched a loved one struggle with dementia, you know how heartbreaking it is to see them lose their grip on reality. It is a brutal disease that takes the greatest among us and whittles them down to the equivalent of an unteachable child. Yet, you can see in their eyes that, somehow, they know there is a forgotten world in which they still live.

Portraying dementia on screen to this point has been a very difficult task. Some films have done a decent job of it, most haven't. This film nails it. And not only does it nail it, it puts you into the mind of the afflicted. You will walk out of the theater after this film thanking your lucky stars that you don't really feel the way you have felt for the last two hours.

Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman give unforgettable performances even though it must have been an extremely difficult exhausting process to film this every day. It is difficult to watch as the breakdown of one person leads to the breakdown of another, but it is also beautiful to watch as the broken learn to mend and lift each other up.

This is not a happy tale. It is not a film that ends with a tidy bow. It gets more and more messy as it progresses, and it becomes more tragic and heartbreaking as the truth is slowly revealed. Just like with dementia, there are no happy endings here.

While this isn't an entertaining film, it is one that I highly recommend. It is not easy to watch, but it will give you a better understanding of what dementia patients experience. Beyond that it is also a masterful job of storytelling and acting that is well worth seeing.

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CRISIS - Review

Posted by Clint on Thursday, 25 February 2021 in Movie Reviews

CRISIS

Rated: R

Release Date: February 26, 2021

Director: Nicholas Jarecki

Stars: Armie Hammer, Gary Oldman, Evangeline Lilly

Plot: People's lives are controlled in different ways by opioids

Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the digital release

(Limited theatrical run)

Opioids are a dangerous thing. They are highly addictive and they are highly coveted. Because of that they have become big business, both legal and illegal. Crisis tells the story of the effect that opioids have on different people in different ways. One is a scientist asked to manipulate his numbers so a new opioid can hit the legal market, one is an undercover cop trying to stop the rampant spread of illegal sales, and one is a grieving mother who had no idea her son was close enough to the drug world to die because of it.

All three stories are compelling and tragic on their own. In fact, this might have been better if it was rewritten as three different movies. The problem occurs when two of their stories intersect, but not the third. It doesn't make any sense. A lot of movies and books like to do the "crossing paths" storytelling, but if it is used, all of the paths need to cross, not just a couple of them. It is a powerful film that is almost really good. Unfortunately, the whole thing feels disjointed.

Gary Oldman is fantastic in his role, which is all for naught, because his storyline should have been completely removed from the final version of the movie. It feels odd to say he was the best actor, but the movie would have been better without him, but it is true.

Evangeline Lilly does a great job in her role moving through the stages of grief and loss. And Armie Hammer plays the gritty, undercover cop just like you would expect a gritty, undercover cop to be played. The good news with him is that his character is the only one that brings complex issues to the story, making his character much more interesting.

I would like to tell you that this is a crime/mystery movie, or a drama, or a revenge flick, but I can't, because it is all of those things and yet, nine of those things. What I can say for certain is that it is an okay flick. It's not terrible, it's not great. Just wait for it to come out on a digital platform and watch it then.

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LAND - Review

Posted by Clint on Friday, 12 February 2021 in Movie Reviews

LAND

Rated: PG-13

Release Date: February 12, 2021

Director: Robin Wright

Stars: Robin Wright, Demian Bichir

Plot: A woman isolates herself in the wild after certain events change her life

Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the digital release

Have you ever had that urge to just get away from it all? Go out to the middle of nowhere and start fresh? Well, this is a movie all about that. Too bad she picks one of the world's harshest climates to start over in.

Firsts off, congratulations to Robin Wright on her feature film directorial debut. That is a huge accomplishment and should never be overlooked. I just wish the movie had turned out a little bit better than what it is.

The story is told in a very choppy way. There are things we don't learn until the end that didn't need to be a mystery. In fact, it would have made us care for the main character so much more had we known what she was going through from the beginning. The reveal is nice, but by the point that it finally happened it didn't pull any weight. It would have made for a much better movie if it was told in a linear fashion.

As for the acting, both Robin Wright and Demian Bichir are marvelous. Their characters feel very real. It would have been nice if they had more to work with, but the story style didn't allow for their characters to grow with each other.

I wish I could recommend seeing this in theaters, but it isn't worth the time and money. Wait for the digital release. You'll be happy you did, and then you'll be okay with having seen it at home.

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NOMADLAND - Review

Posted by Clint on Thursday, 04 February 2021 in Movie Reviews

NOMADLAND

Rated: R

Release Date: February 5, 2021

Director: Chloe Zhao

Stars: Frances McDormand, David Strathairn

Plot: A woman's life revolves around her seasonal jobs while living in her van and interacting with the people she meets along the way

Trailer

Clint Says: See this in theaters if you are a fan of high-brow cinema. If not, then skip it.

If you are not familiar with the works and stylings of Director Chloe Zhao you need to know that she is a filmmaker with a style unique to her. She is infatuated with the "wild west," she tells slice-of-life stories of ordinary people, and her films feel like they are part narrative movie and part documentary.

She is a huge name in the independent film world, and rightfully so. Her films are beautiful, emotional, and moving.

Just like Taylor Swift writing a breakup song, Nomadland is right in Chloe Zhao's wheelhouse. And then she went and got Frances McDormand to play the lead. Get the Academy on the line, we've got a contender.

As with most independent films, this is not for everyone. It is a slow-paced film showing the slow-paced life of a typical nomadic person. Most of the drama and conflict is stuff we all deal with on a daily basis.

Your typical movie amplifies the exciting moments and skips over the day-to-day life events. This movie wants you to slow down and enjoy all of those little moments. There is no goal to achieve, there is no crown to be won. The victory is in living each day and being present.

This is a wonderful and beautiful film for those of you that can enjoy the slower pace and the appreciation of the little things. If you are hoping for excitement, entertainment, and escape from real life, you will want to see something else.

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MALCOLM AND MARIE - Review

Posted by Clint on Thursday, 04 February 2021 in Movie Reviews

MALCOLM AND MARIE

Rated: R

Release Date: February 5, 2021

Director: Sam Levinson

Stars: John David Washington, Zendaya

Plot: A couple argues through the night after a huge evening that will change their lives

Trailer

Clint Says: A great film if you can handle people yelling at each other for 90 minutes

Zendaya has come a long way from her time as a Disney star, and she has made the most of her climb to the up. Now, thanks to her performance in this film, she has a legitimate chance at reaching the pinnacle of any acting career by winning an Academy Award.

Her performance is incredible throughout the film, but there is one scene in particular where she shows off her acting range in a jaw-dropping manner. I would be surprised if she doesn't get a nomination for all of the big award shows this year.

As for the rest of the movie, it is intense, exhausting, compelling, and hard to watch. If that sounds like a list of contradictions, you are correct. One moment you'll be hanging on every word, the next you'll be wishing it was all over because the arguing is incessant. There are many moments where you will think this is some of the best writing ever. Then there are moments where you will want them to stop talking because their nonsensical ramblings are hurting your brain.

For those of you that can withstand the barrage of insults and verbal punches, you will be treated to some of the best acting you will see all year. If constant arguing and yelling stresses you out, this is not the film for you.

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OUR FRIEND - Review

Posted by Clint on Friday, 22 January 2021 in Movie Reviews

OUR FRIEND
Rated: R

Release Date: January 22, 2021

Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite

Stars: Dakota Johnson, Casey Affleck, Jason Segel

Plot: An old friend comes to help out with a couple dealing with a terminal cancer diagnosis

Trailer

Clint Says: See this in theaters if you can find it

Humans can find hope and joy in the darkest of times and situations. This film does a beautiful job of using a very dark moment to show the light. It is strange because there is nothing happy about this story, yet it feels good to have gone through it.

The trio of actors are all superb. Dakota Johnson gives one of her best performances of her career. Casey Affleck proves once again that he is the superior actor in his family. And Jason Segel shows that he can be so much more than just the funny, goofy guy.

This film will take you on an emotional ride. Most of which will be filled with tears. There are a few laughs as well, but most of those are laughing through the tears. But, at the end of it all it is still a story that feels good and proves that there are wonderful people in this world.

If you are looking for a girls' night out, this film might be a great part of your evening.

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THE WHITE TIGER - Review

Posted by Clint on Friday, 22 January 2021 in Movie Reviews

THE WHITE TIGER

Rated: R

Release Date: January 22, 2021

Director: Ramin Bahrani

Stars: Adarsh Gourav, Priyanka Chopra, Rajkummar Rao

Plot: A man born to be a servant, figures out a way to become a business mogul

Trailer

Clint Says: Stream this when you have a chance

Everyone loves a good underdog story. At least that is what we've always heard. Well, if it is a true statement then you have no choice but to like this movie, because it is a good underdog story.

Adarsh Gourav, who has starred in several Bollywood films, is great in the lead role. He goes from being a mousey pushover to a business mastermind, through a wild and eventful series of events. Without him this movie would be much less entertaining.

This film is a lot more serious than I expected it to be. I thought it was going to have several comedic moments, but it doesn't. It's pretty much a straight up drama.

I highly doubt this film will be on anyone's top ten list this year, but it is a good film that is worth seeing when you have the chance.

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NO MAN'S LAND - Review

Posted by Clint on Friday, 22 January 2021 in Movie Reviews

NO MAN'S LAND

Rated: PG-13

Release Date: January 22, 2021

Director: Connor Allyn

Stars: Jake Allyn, Frank Grillo, Jorge A. Jimenez, George Lopez

Plot: A young man finds himself in trouble and runs away to Mexico to escape danger and find himself

Trailer

Clint Says: Worth a digital rental

When I saw the information for this film I was nervous that it might not be very good. It is written by one brother, who is also the star of the film, and directed by the other brother. Many times that means that it is a low-budget flick without professional cinematic value. Thankfully, this movie is about 95% of what you would expect a wide-release film to look and feel like.

Yes, it has its moments of bad acting, non-dramatic chase scenes, and other amateur issues, but for the most part this is a pretty good film. The story is compelling enough to help keep the movie interesting even when the film work isn't the greatest. And the characters' journeys are deep and emotional.

This is in no way one of the best films you will see this year, but it is still one that is worth seeing if you have the time. I wouldn't suggest going out of your way to see it, but if you are scrolling through your streaming devices and can't find anything to watch, you might want to give this one a try.

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ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI - Review

Posted by Clint on Friday, 15 January 2021 in Movie Reviews

ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI
Rated: R

Release Date: January 15, 2021

Director: Regina King

Stars: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Leslie Odom, Jr., Aldis Hodge

Plot: Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, Jim Brown, and the soon-to-be Muhammed Ali spend an evening debating and discussing their part in the civil rights movement

Trailer

Clint Says: See this movie as soon as you can

This film is a tale of two halves. The first 15 minutes are incredible. Especially the introduction of Jim Brown. It is one of the more powerful and poignant scenes you will see in a movie this year. Unfortunately, the rest of the first half is really quite boring. Nothing exciting happens, the four friends are hanging out with each other, which is neat to see and contemplate, but there is no conflict, there is no action, and it feels like the story stalls out.

But then the second half of the film shows up to the party.

It is very rare for me to love a film so much that didn't thrill me for about 45 minutes of it, but the rest of the movie is so good that it nearly made my top 10 movies of the year list. There is so much happening in the second half , so many emotional moments, and such powerful dialogue that the entire film is thoroughly redeemed.

The acting is some of the best we've seen this year. Leslie Odom, Jr. deserves a supporting actor nomination for his portrayal of Sam Cooke. He also co-wrote the song "Speak Now," with Sam Ashworth. It has a very good chance of winning the Oscar for Best Song.

Perhaps the most incredible thing about this film is the performance of Kingsley Ben-Adir. He plays the role of Malcolm X perfectly. You almost feel like you are watching the real man on screen. That is incredible enough, but the truly shocking thing about it is that Ben-Adir was chosen for the role only two weeks before they started shooting the film. And because the shooting schedule was so tight, there were many times where they didn't even get to rehearse their lines on scene.

Give this one a watch this weekend. You won't be disappointed. In fact, you might discover one of your favorite movies of the year.

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PIECES OF A WOMAN - Review

Posted by Clint on Thursday, 07 January 2021 in Movie Reviews

PIECES OF A WOMAN

Rated: R

Release Date: January 8, 2021

Director: Kornel Mundruczo

Stars: Vanessa Kirby, Shia LaBeouf, Ellen Burstyn

Plot: A couple begin to fall apart after the tragic death of their newborn child.

Trailer

Clint Says: It's worth watching once

The reaction to this film has been very interesting. There are a lot of people that think this is a lock for a Best Picture nomination and a probable win for Vanessa Kirby in the Best Actress race Then there are a lot of people that think this is a pretty good film with an award-worthy performance from Vanessa Kirby. I fall into the latter category.

One thing is for sure, Vanessa Kirby is outstanding in this film. Her performance is so emotional and raw that it almost feels like she is really going through these events. The way she interacts with the other characters makes the whole film so much better.

The one thing that might put people off to this movie is Shia LeBeouf. This is not one of his better roles. In fact, if you've been following the Hollywood news over the last couple of months you know that he has found himself in a potentially career-ending situation. Without giving too much away, let's just say that there is a scene in this film that feels way too close to his alleged reality to be comfortable.

Personally, I found this movie to be too slow and depressing. 2020 was a terrible year for most, I want to escape right now. I don't want to watch some heavy, reality-based drama. Watching this felt like I had a weight around my neck.

That said, it was still worth it to see Kirby's performance. This may not be one of my favorite films of the year, but Kirby definitely deserves all of the positive attention and accolades being thrown in her direction.

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SOUND OF METAL - Review

Posted by Clint on Thursday, 31 December 2020 in Movie Reviews

SOUND OF METAL

Rated: R

Release Date: December 4, 2020

Director: Darius Marder

Stars: Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci

Plot: A drummer suddenly loses his hearing and must figure out what he is going to do with his life

Trailer

Clint Says: See this as soon as you can

What would you do if you spent your entire life pursing something and had it taken away from you in an instant? That is the struggle dealt with in this story.

Riz Ahmed is a front runner for best actor thanks to his incredible performance. He spent months learning how to play drums and how to speak using sign language. That kind of commitment combined with his emotional portrayal will surely help him collect several trophies this year.

Paul Raci has a good chance of winning more hardware for this film in the Best Supporting Actor category. He brings the heart and calm to a story that would quickly become chaotic and unmanageable without him.

The rest of the film is very good. It is emotional, raw and heartbreaking. It is definitely worth seeing.

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PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN - Review

Posted by Clint on Wednesday, 23 December 2020 in Movie Reviews

PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN

Rated: R

Release Date: December 25, 2020

Director: Emerald Fennell

Stars: Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, Alison Brie

Plot: A woman vows revenge for her friend by hurting the men that try to hurt her

Trailer

Clint Says: See this in theaters as soon as you can

Simply put, this is one of the best movies of the year. Carey Mulligan, who is typically amazing in everything she is in, gives the best performance of her career to this point. She plays a woman set on revenge, but she doesn't just charge ahead without thinking. No, she is playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers.

She also shows the complexity of her acting skills by playing a very smart, but damaged person who has the ability to make herself become the object of desire for any man. She goes from drunk to sober in a snap, from feigning ignorance to the smartest person in the room in one sentence, and from prey to predator before the guy has any clue what is happening to him.

Mulligan's acting is paired well with a fantastic script, a solid cast, and great directing from Emerald Fennell. The story moves along well, and it is filled with mystery, suspense and drama.

This film will be in the mix for several of the big awards this year, especially Mulligan for Best Actress. It is one that you should watch right away and then probably see again just because you'll want to catch all of the things you missed the first time.

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MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM - Review

Posted by Clint on Friday, 04 December 2020 in Movie Reviews

MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM

Rated: R

Release Date: December 4, 2020

Director: George C. Wolfe

Stars: Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Colman Domingo, Taylour Paige

Plot: A blues singer comes into the studio to cut a new album, but there as friction between her bandmates, the producers, and others in the room

Trailer

Clint Says: See this as soon as you can

Wow! We may have lost the man and the talent of Chadwick Boseman, but he left us one final, beautiful, gift with his performance in MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM. And while it is a gift to us, it is also a performance that will most assuredly win him many acting awards.

Add to his astounding performance the earth-shattering performance of Viola Davis and you have the beginnings of a very special film. I will be shocked if either Boseman or Davis are left out of the acting races. As of now, I consider both of them to be the front runners.

To make it even better, their skills were put to use in a great film. It is a powerful, moving story told with compelling dialogue and beautiful music. The costumes are amazing, the sets and the cinematography add just the right look, and the pacing is perfect leading up to an unexpected ending.

This is a film that you will want to see at least twice so you can catch all of the nuance, but also because it is so good. This will be a big time awards contender in several categories.

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