KANSAS CITY, Mo. — “Get Out” worth getting out for? How about “United Kingdom” and “I Am Not Your Negro?” FOX 4’s Russ Simmons and Shawn Edwards share their thoughts in this week’s Popcorn Bag movie reviews!
1) GET OUT (R)
Universal
RUSS
Comic Jordan Peele of Key & Peele fame makes his directorial debut with a surprisingly effective, full-blooded horror film, “Get Out.” Daniel Kaluuya plays a young black photographer who goes to meet his white girlfriend’s parents in rural suburbia, where things go horribly wrong.
SHAWN
Has Jordan Peele directed he best movie of the year? Yes, he has. “Get Out” is smart, provocative and masterfully funny in a very uncomfortable way. Not really a horror movie but actually a razor-sharp satire that presents some really intellectually stimulating ideas.
RUSS
An effective social commentary as well as a potent creepfest, “Get Out” is this generation’s answer to “The Stepford Wives.”
SHAWN
“Get Out” is completely original and an extremely effective work of cinematic art. The beauty and power of this movie is mostly with the writing. But everything is exceptonal as well. Clever, horrifying and a masterful examination on race. Get out in front on this one. These types of movies don’t come around very often.
RUSS: 4 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 5 Popcorn Bags
2) A UNITED KINGDOM (PG-13)
Fox Searchlight
RUSS
David Oyelowo from “Selma” and Rosamund Pike from “Gone Girl” star in the true historical romance “A United Kingdom.” Oyelowo plays the heir to the throne of Botswana who creates international chaos in 1947 when he takes a white, British wife, played by Pike.
SHAWN
Amma Asante is one of the most underrated directors working in the biz today. Her last film “Belle” was criminally ignored. “A United Kingdom” is arguably slightly better. It’s an interesting story skillfully brought to life by Asante who delivers this beautifully shot movie with the command of a real pro.
RUSS
It’s a handsomely produced, beautifully acted and involving drama.
SHAWN
The movie’s major flaw is that it may be a little too subtle. It glides along so effortlessly it almost fails to produce any real drama.
RUSS: 4 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 4 Popcorn Bags
3) I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO (PG-13)
Magnolia Pictures/Amazon Studios
RUSS
“I Am Not Your Negro” is a compelling, penetrating Oscar-nominated documentary about the late author James Baldwin and his perspective on three men he knew well: Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, who were all assassinated. It’s a sobering, resonant and timely work.
SHAWN
“I Am Not your Negro” is an amazing documentary. Director Raul Peck masterfully utilizes James Baldwins uncompleted narrative to create an insightfully politically observant film. Timely. Important. A must-see.
RUSS: 4 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 5 Popcorn Bags
4) BITTER HARVEST (R)
RUSS
“Bitter Harvest” is a bitter disappointment. This romantic historical drama is set against the backdrop of Stalin’s suppression of Ukraine that led millions to starvation in the 1930s. It’s a ham-fisted and artificial entry that squanders its chance to bring this shocking story to a wide audience.
RUSS: 1 Popcorn Bag
5) THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS (R)
Saban Films
RUSS
“The Girl with All the Gifts” is yet another zombie apocalypse flick, but this one is particularly smart and effective. Glenn Close and Gemma Arterton lead the strong acting ensemble, but newcomer Sennia Nanua steals the show as a child zombie who retains her emotions and an extremely high level of intelligence. It’s an interesting twist on the genre.
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
Also opening this week: “Rock Dog” is an animated offering about a music-loving pooch and “Collide” is an action thriller starring Felicity Jones that’s been sitting on the shelf for a few years.
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