A quick look at all the new movies out today. Including Spotlight, Youth, The 33, Dirty Grandpa and 13 Hours.
13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
Of course when considering matters of historical fact we turn to the esteemed director Michael Bay, a man renowned for his sensitive and unbiased touch. As we all know, Pearl Harbour is being shown in classrooms around the world as teachers burn history books in the background. This time round, Professor Bay has turned his gaze to the events of the 2012 Benghazi attack on an American diplomatic compound by Islamic militants resulting in the murder of the US Ambassador to Libya. Jim Halpert John Krasinski plays Jack Da Silva, a security contractor drafted in to protect the American Office security compound. This honestly looks like a bunch of men whose beards get bigger the angrier they get. ‘When Everything Went Wrong’ *mimics sound of machine gun* ‘Six Men Had The Courage To Do What’s Right’ *screams AMERICA at the top of his lungs*. One to watch if you got tired of concentrating during a game of Call of Duty, but want to keep playing Call of Duty.
Spotlight
The combination Michael Keaton, Stanley Tucci and Mark Ruffalo is so good, I’m surprised no one has thought to do it earlier. You could see these names appear on any kind of film. A rom-com about three divorcées at different stages in their lives going on a journey of discovery or three brothers coming home for Christmukkah after the death of their beloved father. Returning to the real film they are actually in, Spotlight covers the team of journalists at The Boston Globe who were first to break the story on the abuse allegations in the Catholic Church – discovering that it was so much more than just a citywide problem. With Oscar nods for Best Picture, both Best Supporting Actor and Actress and Best Original Screenplay it’s one to see this weekend if you’re in an investigative or righteous mood.
The 33
Just over five years on from the 2010 mining disaster in which 33 miners were trapped 700 metres underground for 69 days we finally get the biopic. Antonio Banderas plays Mario Sepúlveda, the miner who documented the plight of the trapped. Also starring are Bob Gunton as the President of Chile (what an odd choice) and Gabriel Byrne as the engineer who came up with the rescue plan. One to watch if you’re in the mood for an against-all-odds story of survival.
Youth
Michael Caine plays a retired composer, who with his friend, Harvey Keitel’s Director Mick, are on holiday in a luxury resort in the Swiss Alps. Being septuagenarians enjoying their bucolic surroundings the two friends reflect on their lives. With an eclectic cast including Rachel Weisz, Paul Dano and Jane Fonda, the film explores themes of love, death, age and…youth. Given the star quality and what looks to be Michael Caine’s return to top billing and complex roles, it’s a surprise that the film was only Oscar nominated in one category, Best Original Song. One to watch if you’re feeling wistful.
Dirty Grandpa
It’s De Niro back to his best! Oh how I wish that were so. Bob plays the titular dirty Grandpa, a recent widower who drags his grandson Zac Efron who is about to get married, to Spring Break. ‘Hilarity’ and pensioner jokes ensue. Unsurprisingly, this has been panned almost universally and currently holds a glorious 6% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One to watch if you have a burning desire to go to the cinema but don’t want to see anything too complex… or if you’re a massive fan of De Niro’s recent work. Sadist.
