July 2014 115 www.bahrainthismonth.com movies MOVIE OF THE MONTH Joe DIRECTED BY: David Gordon Green STARRING: Nicolas Cage, Tye Sheridan The Plot: Cage plays Joe, a short-tempered ex-con, notorious for drink driving and confrontations with the police. He runs an illegal tree-poisoning crew for a lumber company. Joe sees something in Gary, a local 15-year-old, and becomes his role model. He protects him from his abusive, alcoholic father and helps him get on his feet. Though his kind heart is plain to see, Joe has a troubled life and this frequently catches up with him during the film, putting Gary in danger. Worth Watching? The film may start a little bleak, but there are many twists in the story throughout the film. The balance of good and bad within Joe’s character makes for a compelling watch as well as giving Nicolas Cage a character that suits his acting style down to a tee. Gary Poulter — a real-life, homeless alcoholic — plays Gary’s father and delivers some brilliant scenes that were shot in one take. Cold Comes the Night Struggling to provide for her daughter, Chloe, a young widow, runs a motel. She faces losing her daughter to social services if she cannot relocate. After a Polish criminal takes her and her daughter hostage, Chloe fears for their lives as a chain of violent crimes take place. Need for Speed Car-modifier and street-racer Tobey Marshall is wrongly accused of manslaughter. Upon his release, Marshall sets about getting revenge. He has to drive across America in less than 48 hours, in the Mustang he tuned. VERDICT: The storyline is impressive; the villain — not so much so.
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