'BILLY LYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK': Three Stars (Out of Five)
Director Ang Lee's new Iraqi war drama, based on the book (of the same name) by Ben Fountain. The movie was scripted by first time screenwriter Jean-Christophe Castelli, who also served as an associate producer on Lee's 2012 hit 'LIFE OF PIE'. It stars Joe Alwyn, Kristen Stewart, Garrett Hedlund, Chris Tucker, Vin Diesel, Makenzie Leigh and Steve Martin. The film tells the story of a 19- year-old Army specialist, and his unit, who become National celebrities after a heroic act is caught on camera. They do a publicity tour, which ends in a Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving halftime show. The movie was shot at a projection frame rate of 120 frames per second, in 3D at 4K HD resolution (which had never been done before). It's received mixed (to negative) reviews from critics, and it also bombed at the Box Office. For an Ang Lee movie, I found it to be severely disappointing (but not without it's moments).
Billy Lynn is a 19-year-old from Texas, who was forced to join the army after an act of violence defending his sister, Kathryn (Stewart). Kathryn feels guilty about this, and she desperately wants to get him honorably discharged from service (on grounds of PTSD). Billy is now a National hero, after he was caught on camera heroically trying to rescue his late Sergeant (Diesel). Now his entire squad is famous, and they're in talks for a movie deal, as well as doing a major publicity tour (which ends at the Dallas Cowboys halftime show).
The film has some good scenes in it; and some great insight into the Iraqi war, and the effects it had on the soldiers involved (as well as their loved ones at home). There's some controversial politics in it too, representing both sides of the issues. Stewart and Diesel also both give decent performances in the movie. With all that said, it's still poorly written at times (and shockingly poorly directed). I really didn't care for the experimental frame rate either, it's more distracting than anything else. At times the movie does feel kind of cheesy as well, because of these issues, but at other times it does also have some important things to say. It's not a bad film, but it's not a good one either; and it's especially disappointing coming from Ang Lee.
Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' review at: https://youtu.be/RO7ghqXHCCY
Director Ang Lee's new Iraqi war drama, based on the book (of the same name) by Ben Fountain. The movie was scripted by first time screenwriter Jean-Christophe Castelli, who also served as an associate producer on Lee's 2012 hit 'LIFE OF PIE'. It stars Joe Alwyn, Kristen Stewart, Garrett Hedlund, Chris Tucker, Vin Diesel, Makenzie Leigh and Steve Martin. The film tells the story of a 19- year-old Army specialist, and his unit, who become National celebrities after a heroic act is caught on camera. They do a publicity tour, which ends in a Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving halftime show. The movie was shot at a projection frame rate of 120 frames per second, in 3D at 4K HD resolution (which had never been done before). It's received mixed (to negative) reviews from critics, and it also bombed at the Box Office. For an Ang Lee movie, I found it to be severely disappointing (but not without it's moments).
Billy Lynn is a 19-year-old from Texas, who was forced to join the army after an act of violence defending his sister, Kathryn (Stewart). Kathryn feels guilty about this, and she desperately wants to get him honorably discharged from service (on grounds of PTSD). Billy is now a National hero, after he was caught on camera heroically trying to rescue his late Sergeant (Diesel). Now his entire squad is famous, and they're in talks for a movie deal, as well as doing a major publicity tour (which ends at the Dallas Cowboys halftime show).
The film has some good scenes in it; and some great insight into the Iraqi war, and the effects it had on the soldiers involved (as well as their loved ones at home). There's some controversial politics in it too, representing both sides of the issues. Stewart and Diesel also both give decent performances in the movie. With all that said, it's still poorly written at times (and shockingly poorly directed). I really didn't care for the experimental frame rate either, it's more distracting than anything else. At times the movie does feel kind of cheesy as well, because of these issues, but at other times it does also have some important things to say. It's not a bad film, but it's not a good one either; and it's especially disappointing coming from Ang Lee.
Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' review at: https://youtu.be/RO7ghqXHCCY