OLDBOY (C-)

Bottom Line: Nothing hammers home the message of holiday thanks like a grim and grisly tale of confinement, conspiracy and revenge.  A remake of the 2003 Korean film of same name, director Spike Lee makes a few lapses in directorial judgment making some of the proceedings a little unfocused, a tad rushed…  And the overall vibe is one of style over substance.  Josh Brolin delivers the rough-and-tumble, out-for-blood goods – but I always kept thinking the outside world would be a bit freakier had I just been released after 20 years of imprisonment.  The rest however, makes for an intriguing and downright twisted time at the movies that rivaled (for me at least) that need-to-take-a-shower feeling I had after first seeing Brad Pitt’s SE7EN.  This is a bleakly deranged flick of this highest order – great fun for some, repulsive to most.  So shocking at times you’ll feel like you were sprayed by a cinematic skunk.  Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Starring: Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, Sharlto Copley and Samuel L. Jackson

Directed by: Spike Lee (INSIDE MAN, 25^th HOUR, MALCOLM X and DO THE RIGHT THING)

Rated: R

Running time: 120 minutes

Story: OLDBOY is a provocative, visceral thriller that follows the story of Joe Doucette, a man who is abruptly kidnapped and held hostage for 20 years in solitary confinement, for no apparent reason. When he is suddenly released without explanation, he begins an obsessive mission to find out who imprisoned him, only to discover that the real mystery is why he was set free. (c) FilmDistrict

 

Trailer: www.oldboyfilm.tumblr.com