Popcorn Perspectives – Week of December 11, 2017

Popcorn Perspectives by Danny Minton

Week of December 11, 2017

The Disaster Artist
Rated R for language throughout and some sexuality/nudity
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
In Theaters
In 2003, an unknown filmmaker and actor with seemingly endless financial resources named Tommy Wiseau created a film called “The Room” which has recently garnered a cult following as the worst movie ever made. More than a decade later, James Franco directs and stars in this movie which chronicles the making of that infamously odd film. I’ll admit that I have no desire to see The Room, but watching what could be considered a believable making-of documentary, is a really great experience. Franco is spot on as the eclectic filmmaker of unknown origin and his normal cohort of actors and friends, including his brother Dave Franco, Seth Rogan, Judd Apatow and Zac Efron, bring a credibility to both this film and its creation as you start to see what happens when talent is not a prerequisite for those in charge of the purse strings. But not only is the movie interesting – it is incredibly funny, providing some of the biggest laughs of the year. Overall this film, taken from the unlikeliest of inspirations, ends up being one of the most likable pics of the year. A-

American Assassin
Rated R for strong violence throughout, some torture, language and brief nudity
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 34%
On DVD and Blu-ray
When a young man (Dylan O’Brien) loses the love of his life during a terrorist attack on a foreign beach, he trains himself to be a viable candidate for that same terrorist organization in order to infiltrate and destroy it. This brings him to the attention of the CIA which recruits him and sends him to one of their veterans (Michael Keaton) in order to complete his training and turn him into an even deadlier killing machine. The production is adequate but the script is laughable as it meanders through its weak plot points. And to make matters worse, an actor like Keaton can phone it in okay, but some of the other actors deliver their lines like it is their first independent movie. There probably is some potential here, but it ends up a silly and forgettable gun film with far more testosterone than brains. C-

Game of Thrones: The Complete Seventh Season
Rated MA
On DVD and Blu-ray
This short but powerful season of HBO’s mega hit gave fans exactly what they wanted as the many kingdoms prepare for their final showdown in season eight. Now that the show has had to go where the book has yet to take them (HBO couldn’t wait for George R.R. Martins final novel in the series), the creators went a little more predictable than I would have thought to be Martin’s direction for the series, but it all turned out well and good with some wonderful movement into very troubling waters. Honestly, I’m just blown away by the vision on display here and can’t wait to see how they close things out. That being said, I had best be patient as the last season is apparently a long time off in the distance. A