Popcorn Perspectives – Week of January 22, 2018

Popcorn Perspectives with Danny Minton

Week of January 22, 2018

Thank You For Your Service
Rated R for strong violent content, language throughout, some sexuality, drug material and brief nudity
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 77%
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Miles Teller leads a relatively unknown but talented cast in this drama based on a true story about U.S. soldiers returning from Iraq only to struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder as they attempt to integrate back into civilian life. Like other movies of its kind, this one is extremely challenging to keep your eyes on. It is certainly well-acted and there is an air of authenticity abounding that makes the film feel almost too real, which is great for those who want that, but tough for those who aren’t wishing for such reality programming. That being said – it’s an important film about an important subject that serves as a reminder of the very real sacrifices our veterans make and what many go through when they return home from war. B+

The Killing of a Sacred Deer
Rated R for disturbing violent and sexual content, some graphic nudity and language
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78%
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Yorgos Lanthimos, who brought us the very strange movie The Lobster, has teamed up once again with Colin Farrell in this equally wild creation, that upon a little online research, appears to be a remake of an ancient Greek tragedy set in modern times. The tale follows the life of a heart surgeon (Farrell) who introduces his wife (Nicole Kidman) and children to a teenage boy with which he is developing a mentor-like relationship with. But when this boy haunts his family in deplorable ways, he is forced to make decisions with disturbing results. Some will like this movie, just like some liked Darren Aronofsky’s Mother! earlier this year. But most will hate the fact that this film is not on the level and is instead symbolic of a different story that requires behind-the-scenes work to reveal the true intent. Just like The Lobster and Mother!, I couldn’t take my eyes off the film as I couldn’t wait to see where the heck the thing was going. But I am also fully aware that this is not a movie for the masses, in spite of its A-list stars and horror-skewing trailer. C+