Movie Reviews 11/19

Hey guys.

Finishing up on the reviews for the movies coming out this week, after Fantastic Beasts and Edge of Seventeen in my previous post, we now have Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk and Bleed For This.

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk is another film that is directed by one of the best visual directors around Ang Lee, from Life of Pi and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon fame. Again, like all of his movies, this film is shot beautifully. However, the visuals alone are not enough to make up for the utter lack of story and the seemingly uneven tone jumping from one scene to the next with completely different feelings. The film is about a 19 year old Iraq War Veteran who comes back and is hailed as a hero, but through multiple flashbacks we see, what this director's take is on, what actually happened. These stories I agree need to be told and we should honor our veteran's but I honestly believe the film depicts our country's soldiers in a very specific way and it could easily turn off many viewers of the film as well as the the editing that is a constant jarring effect throughout. Visuals were well done but not a movie I would recommend spending money to go out and see at the theater. 5/10

Bleed For This is actually based on a true story which I had never really heard about and couldn't believe when I had viewed the trailers. The story follows Vinny Pazienza, played by Miles Teller, a local Providence boxer who shot to stardom after winning two world title fights. After a near-fatal car accident leaves Vinny with a broken neck, he is told he may never walk again. Against all odds and doctor's orders, Vinny returns to the ring just a year after the accident for what could be the last fight of his life. While the movie follows the cliche of most other true-to-life boxing movies we have had, seemingly more than usual, over the last few years, the acting in this makes it worth watching. Miles Teller is strong as well as Aaron Eckhart playing the trainer that helps him to get back into the ring. Enjoyed the movie, but again not really a movie you absolutely need to get out to the theater to see. Film is rated R and is really not for audiences under 15-16. 6.5/10

Luckily this weekend had two other movies that came out worth seeing in the theater as I just can't recommend going to spend your money on either of these films. Coming up next weekend we have Manchester By The Sea *Oscar Film*, Nocturnal Animals, Allied *Oscar Film*, Bad Santa 2, and Moana. Talk to you then.