Weekend Movie Review: 'Just Mercy' And '1917'

This weekend, a couple of stirring movies are coming to theaters near you. First up is "Just Mercy," a courtroom drama based on a true story. The film stars Michael B. Jordan as Bryan Stevenson, a social justice lawyer who defends the case of death row inmate Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx).

Those looking for a war movie should check out "1917," in which Dean-Charles Chapman and George MacKay portray two young men, barely out of boyhood, who must make sacrifices to save the lives of their fellow British soldiers during World War I.

Here's what to see and what to skip this weekend:

Movies Out This Weekend

“Just Mercy” — Jamie Foxx, Michael B. Jordan, Brie Larson; directed by Destin Daniel Cretton

Writer-director Destin Daniel Cretton delivers a fact-based courtroom drama about racial divide and tensions fueled by systemic racism and corruption within the confines of law enforcement and the judicial process.

Set in 1980s Alabama, the real-life tale focuses on the wrongful conviction of Walter McMillian, a black woodworker (Jamie Foxx) languishing on death row for the 1987 murder of an 18-year-old white woman. His case, which has a preponderance of evidence proving his innocence, will resonate with Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan), a newly minted Harvard law graduate who heads out to the racially fraught state where justice is not known to be colorblind regardless of race and income.

Joining forces with a local advocate Eva Ansley (Brie Larson), Stevenson sets out to probe McMillian’s case history and attempts to gather enough evidence for a new trial.

It will just be a matter of time before the social justice lawyer finds the missing link in Ralph Myers (Tim Blake Nelson), a convicted felon whose sworn testimony against McMillian is highly questionable.

See it. The leads’ dramatic gravitas certainly fuels the passion of the argument. However, the screenplay sometimes feels languid in its approach, losing its momentum in the process.

Watch the trailer:

"1917" — Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay; directed by Sam Mendes

Sam Mendes' epic war drama captures the horrors of World War I as told through the eyes of two young British soldiers, Lance Cpl. Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) and Lance Cpl. Schofield (George MacKay).

The two innocent men, barely out of boyhood, are given the orders to cross the enemy lines before dawn. On foot, by hook or by crook, they will have to reach the British troops at the front lines and deliver a message from their commanding officers to call off a planned attack on the Germans. Otherwise, all 1,600 British men, including Blake's brother, will walk straight into an ambush.

Will Blake and Schofield's spirit and determination triumph over the stark realities of war? Will they be able to save the lives of their fellow soldiers?

See it. Mendes' "1917" captures the haunting, harrowing landscape of war with extremely long takes that are truly visceral and poignant to the core, allowing viewers to feel every strand of chaos and every ounce of the cross the two heroes must bear.

Watch the trailer:

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