Weekend viewing: Jessica, Clint amp up the star power
The fall movie season means more choices, from action, a Western and a musical.
Football’s back, the leaves are getting ready to fall, and with autumn movies (and a coming awards season) upon us, there are plenty of places to see them with theaters open and new films still streaming at home.
This weekend, Jessica Chastain dives into the Oscar race as a televangelist in a new biopic, Clint Eastwood heads south of the border for his latest Western, a West End musical about a gay British teen gets an Amazon Prime adaptation, and action hero Gerard Butler plays a hired killer in a cop thriller.
Here’s a guide to new movies that’ll satisfy every cinematic taste:
‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye’
After years of being a 1970s and ’80s TV holy woman, Tammy Faye Bakker became a pop-culture laughingstock, but Chastain gives her a redemption story – and vaults into best actress contention. Director Michael Showalter’s insightful film charts the rise and fall of Jim Bakker (Andrew Garfield) and wife Tammy Faye’s religious broadcasting network while sticking a sly finger in the eye of modern fundamentalism.
Where to watch: In theaters
‘Cry Macho’
The Hollywood legend’s latest directing/starring vehicle is a familiar one: A grizzled former rodeo star (Eastwood) is hired by his ex-boss (Dwight Yoakam) to travel from Texas to Mexico to bring back his son (Eduardo Minett). The old man and the wild-child kid’s bonding journey is predictable but often touching, involving criminal goons, a rural town full of helpful locals, and a feisty rooster named Macho.
Where to watch: In theaters and on HBO Max
‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’
Based on the West End show (which is inspired by a true story), the uplifting coming-of-age musical centers on an English teen (Max Harwood) with drag queen dreams who deals with homophobia, bullies and a teacher (Sharon Horgan) wanting him to find a “real” career.
The songs are catchy, Harwood’s a joy to watch and Richard E. Grant’s great as a former drag performer and mentor.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
‘Copshop’
Director Joe Carnahan goes old school with his ’70s-styled, darkly comic action thriller set in a bullet-riddled Nevada police headquarters.
Frank Grillo stars as a criminal “fixer” who’s ticked off the wrong people and gets arrested for his own protection and Butler plays the hitman out to get him, though Alexis Louder is the real star here, playing a rookie cop tougher than all the dudes around her combined.
Where to watch: In theaters
‘Prisoners of the Ghostland’
After a brief foray into reserved performance (see: “Pig”), Nicolas Cage rages again in this joyfully weird action film that mashes up “Mad Max” dystopia, spaghetti Westerns and samurai flicks.
A jailed bank robber (Cage) is released and tasked by a local warlord to venture into a dangerous wasteland and find the guy’s granddaughter (Sofia Boutella) in five days. The one caveat: Cage’s criminal has to wear a suit with explosive charges on his neck, arms and, yes, testicles that will detonate if tries to escape, doesn’t meet the deadline, or has sexual urges.
Where to watch: In theaters and on Apple TV, Vudu, Google Play