OPENING WIDE IN THEATERS
UNHINGED
Rated: R
Release Date: August 21, 2020
Director: Derrick Borte
Stars: Russell Crowe, Caren Pistorius, Gabriel Bateman
Plot: After a seemingly insignificant event, an already angry man loses control and goes after a woman with everything he’s got
Clint Says: Save some money and see a matinee
 |
This may be the perfect movie to celebrate the return to theaters after we’ve all been stuck in our houses for months. At this point, most us us can understand why someone could completely lose their mind over some small thing, even if we don’t agree with their actions.
This is also a good “return to the theater” film, because it doesn’t bother with any of the fringe stuff. It gets right to the point and hammers it home. It’s only 81 minutes long, and about 65 of those minutes are action-packed.
The first five minutes are so intense you’ll barely breathe. Unfortunately, the next 17 minutes are devoted to trying to get you to feel sympathetic for the eventual victims. In fact, the incident that kicks off a series of unfortunate events doesn’t happen until 23 minutes into a movie that is only 81 minutes long!
The good news is that once we get to that point, it is 58 minutes of crazy until the end credits roll.
_________________________________________________________________
WORDS ON BATHROOM WALLS
Rated: PG-13
Release Date: August 21, 2020
Director: Thor Freudenthal
Stars: Charlie Plummer, Taylor Russell, Walton Goggins, Molly Parker
Plot: A teen boy suffering from schizophrenia tries to cope with high school with the help of the schools smartest person
Clint Says: A must-see film, one of the year’s best
 |
I know it’s been a weird year and there haven’t been nearly as many movies released as there are in a typical year, but this is one of my favorite films of the year. And I think it would still be one of my favorites if this were a normal year.
This film will have you doubled over in laughter one minute and ugly crying the next. It is wonderfully told, beautifully shot, and filled with deep characters.
This film deals with mental illness in an interesting way. Personally, I loved it, but I know people that hated it. It is obviously just a matter of taste as to how you feel about it. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I won’t say any more about it. You’ll just have to judge it for yourself.
The best aspect of this movie is how it perfectly shows the effects of mental illness on the person, but it also shows the effects on their loved ones as well. If you or someone you love is dealing with mental illness this film may help you understand how the people around you are feeling. For that reason alone this is a movie worth seeing.
I’m also a sucker for first love stories and underdog stories. This movie combines both of those, so I have no choice but to love it. This isn’t the kind of film that will be winning awards, but it is one that can touch your heart and move you. And, to me, that is even more important than winning a trophy.
_________________________________________________________________
CUT THROAT CITY
Rated: R
Release Date: August 21, 2020
Director: RZA
Stars: Shameik Moore, Eiza Gonzalez, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes
Plot: Three friends from New Orleans try to find a way to make money after hurricane Katrina wipes out the 9th Ward
Clint Says: Save some money and see a matinee
 |
This is one of those movies that could have been something really special. It has all of the ingredients to be a film that stands the test of time and rise above the others in its genre. Unfortunately, those ingredients weren’t mixed together in the best way.
First, it is way too long. It clocks in at over two hours, but there is so much filler and down time that, if edited out, could have made this a much better 90-minute movie. Second, while most of the acting is amazing, there are a couple of characters that are either so over the top, or so one-dimensional that their mere presence detracts from the story.
Perhaps the thing that takes this movie from what it should be to one that is average at best is the directing. There are several scenes that make the story so confusing that even if you are paying very close attention to every detail you will still miss what is happening. I know I am far from the smartest guy in the room, but I do know film, and this one took three of us to talk through it after we saw it in order to figure out what actually happened.
This is not the first time RZA has directed a feature film, so he should know better. Nearly everyone that sees this is going to walk out of the theater confused. So, if you are in that group, don’t feel bad. Even the experts couldn’t figure this one out.
Aside from these issues the rest of the film is very compelling. I would love to see this story reworked the right way. It would be an incredible film that would probably win a lot of awards.
_________________________________________________________________
STREAMING TODAY
THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN
Rated: PG
Release Date: August 21, 2020
Director: Thea Sharrock
Stars: Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, Angelina Jolie, Ariana Greenblatt
Plot: A world-famous gorilla with artistic capabilities finds a way to escape the circus
Clint Says: Great acting, and great idea, but too slow for the young kids, and too dull for the older kids
 |
Streaming exclusively on Disney+.
I would watch paint dry if it starred Bryan Cranston, Sam Rockwell, and Angelina Jolie. How do I know? Because I just did it.
This is loosely based on the true story of a gorilla that loved to paint.
I wish I could say that this is a really exciting, funny, and fun film, but the reality is, both my 8 and 10 year old daughters (who love animals), walked out while we were watching this because they got bored.
I don’t blame them.
While the acting is amazing, and there are several funny moments, overall this is a slow-moving, not-very-exciting film. Most of the story takes place via animals talking to each other from cage to cage. That can only go on so long before it gets old.
If you already have Disney+ and your kids are asking to see it, you might as well stream it. But I wouldn’t start a subscription just to see this film.
