Epoch Watchlist: : What to Watch for May 6–12

Epoch Watchlist: : What to Watch for May 6–12
Ian Kane
Updated:
This week, we look at a couple of war dramas: one about a World War II operation and the other about Americans in the Franco–Mexican War.

New Release

‘Operation Mincemeat’

Ewen Montagu (Colin Firth) and Charles Cholmondeley (Matthew Macfadyen) are intelligence officers tasked with a highly unusual disinformation campaign against the Nazi army, just before the World War II Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943. Will their high-stakes gamble pay off?

This British film is well produced and has brilliant acting and direction. However, after an interesting setup, things become too overloaded with unnecessary subplots—especially a hollow romance. Overall, the film is good, but could have been much better.

Drama | War Release Date: May 11, 2022 Director: John Madden Starring: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfadyen, Kelly Macdonald Running time: 2 hours, 8 minutes MPAA Rating: PG-13 Where to Watch: Theaters Rated: 3 stars out of 5

Pick From the ’80s

‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’

High schooler Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) has a knack for shirking his classroom responsibilities and is an expert at cutting classes. As graduation looms on the horizon, he concocts an elaborate plan to skip a day of school, much to the ire of Principal Ed Rooney (Jeffrey Jones), who intends to foil the youth.

One of the quintessential films of the ’80s that captures teenage angst without trivializing it. It moves along at a brisk pace and delivers quick-witted humor while eschewing the tropes associated with the genre.

Comedy Release Date: June 11, 1986 Director: John Hughes Starring: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara Running Time: 1 hour, 43 minutes MPAA Rating: PG-13 Where to Watch: DirecTV, Redbox, Showtime Rated: 4 stars out of 5

Deeper Comedic Actioner

‘Thunderbolt and Lightfoot’ 

A few daring criminals pull off an audacious bank robbery but misplace their ill-gotten gains. Years later, their de facto leader, Thunderbolt (Clint Eastwood), reassembles the gang along with a young hotshot named Lightfoot (Jeff Bridges) to repeat the heist.

The directorial debut of Michael Cimino, this film is a deft mixture of buddy comedy, road movie, and heist planning. The element of its masculine comradery, however, goes deeper than usual, revealing a character study of the American drifter.

Comedy | Crime | Drama Release Date: May 24, 1974 Director: Michael Cimino Starring: Clint Eastwood, Jeff Bridges, George Kennedy Running Time: 1 hour, 55 minutes MPAA Rating: R Where to Watch: Redbox, Tubi, Pluto TV Rated: 3 stars out of 5

A Western Adventure With an Unusual Partnership

‘Vera Cruz’ 

A reluctant partnership forms between gentlemanly Benjamin Trane (Gary Cooper) and bushwhacker Joe Erin (Burt Lancaster) after the two are hired by the emperor of Mexico for a daring mission.

An outstanding film that captures the adventurous spirit of the post-Civil War era, this highly entertaining joy ride is packed with a lot of action, humor, double-crosses, and romance.

Adventure | Western Release Date: Dec. 25, 1954 Directors: Robert Aldrich Starring: Gary Cooper, Burt Lancaster, Denise Darcel Running Time: 1 hour, 34 minutes Not Rated Where to Watch: Tubi, Roku, DirecTV Rated: 4 stars out of 5
Ian Kane
Ian Kane
Author
Ian Kane is an U.S. Army veteran, author, filmmaker, and actor. He is dedicated to the development and production of innovative, thought-provoking, character-driven films and books of the highest quality.
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