Popcorn Perspectives
September 12, 2017
It
Rated R for violence/horror, bloody images and for language
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
The horror phenomenon from Stephen King finally gets its big screen debut, 31 years after its initial book release, and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. It seems that the scary clown, most likely popularized by his original book, is scarier than ever, and in this case a group of young friends, looking for one of their members’ missing brothers, come face to face with Pennywise the clown, a monster determined to wreak havoc on the town of Derry, Maine. While the first few minutes are absolutely terrifying, the rest of the film is merely effectively creepy, which plays in its favor. Because of the great screenplay and even better casting of complete unknowns, the film has a feel much more like “Stand By Me” or “Stranger Things” than the nightmare-ridden story most of us are familiar with. In this case it works phenomenally well, leaving you thoroughly engaged rather than shaking in your boots. B+
Beatriz at Dinner
Rated R for language and a scene of violence
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78%
Salma Hayek is a masseuse whose car breaks down at her client’s home, where she is invited to a big dinner with the very Trump-like John Lithgow, a greedy real estate developer with a very differing political, ethical and moral point of view from her own. With a quiet confidence, she attempts to take down and change the group until their darkness overwhelms her. Mike White’s screenplay doesn’t immediately let on to its dark undertones, but I mention them here as it was kind of an unwelcome surprise. Or maybe that was the intent. Either way, the dialog is riveting and the performances by Hayek and Lithgow are terrific. The arch of the story isn’t a letdown but it is unsettling, so I will be honest that my thoughts might change over time on this one. B+
It Comes at Night
Rated R for violence, disturbing images, and language
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
Texas filmmaker Trey Edward Shults (Krisha) follows up his huge 2015 SXSW winner with this pseudo horror film about a post-apocalyptic world where husband and father Joel Egerton and family live safely in their well-protected home, hiding from whatever it is out there, until he allows a young family to seek refuge in their hiding spot. While not exactly terrifying, it turns out to be a nice little psychological drama, focusing on the interpersonal relationships rather than the boogeyman, whatever that might be. B-
The Mummy
Rated PG-13 for violence, action and scary images, and for some suggestive content and partial nudity
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 16%
Universal Studios really wants to get this monster movie thing going again and in this case they throw a huge budget at The Mummy by bringing on Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe (as Dr. Henry Jeckyll). Unfortunately, the script is a mess and not worthy of the money backing it, leaving the audience with a confusing and less-than-entertaining tentpole. They rely on huge set pieces, when what they needed was a more convincing villain and a better sense of humor. This week “It” proved that audiences want monster movies. The failure of The Mummy proves that they want good ones. C-
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 4K Ultra HD Edition
Rated PG for language and mild thematic elements
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
Now that the studios are re-releasing our favorite films on Ultra-HD, I’m sure they fully hope that we go back and re-purchase our library in the latest and greatest format. I’ll admit that I have bitten for a few titles, but none so much as E.T., the film that is most responsible for my love of cinema. This is the same E.T. we have always loved, following the adventures of a young boy and his alien discovery. But this new version, as expected, looks and sounds more amazing than ever. So while I have promised my wife that I won’t start over on a brand-new movie collection, especially now that everything is going to streaming, this is a title I can’t resist. A+