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Hit Man is a fairly standard script. It doesn’t waste your time. It gets straight to the point. And it is a hell of a lot of fun.

Release Date: 05/24/2024 Runtime: 115 minutes Director: Richard Linklater Rotten Tomatoes: 97% iMBD: 7.1/10 Where to Watch: Netflix

Mild-mannered professor of psychology and philosophy Gary Johnson (Glen Powell) lives at home with his plants, his birdfeeders, and his two cats Id and Ego

This sets up his character right away and tells the audience everything they need to know. He works part-time doing tech support for the local police, assisting on undercover ops to bust criminals trying to hire hitmen. But one day, the assigned agent is put on suspension at the last minute and Gary is chosen to take his place. Nervous, intellectual, science-obsessed Gary… their best option.

Whether he succeeds or fails will depend on if his anxiety gets the better of him. Walking into a diner to confront the criminal, everyone is on edge. But by the end, it’s clear that Gary is a natural.

The police department starts assigning him more jobs. As he gets into the act of convincing the targets that he is a lifelong criminal, he starts to take a liking to it—his psychology background and solo lifestyle affording him the flexibility to become anyone he needs to be to get them to let their guard down and make incriminating statements.

Then, one day, he meets a woman (Adria Arjona) attempting to escape from a dangerous husband

The lines between his real self and his undercover persona blur as he develops genuine feelings for her while also playing into her desires. This leads to a web of lies, confused identities, and criminal actions that stand apart from the usual tropes of the romantic comedy genre.

As expected, the truth does eventually come out, and in this one it does comes out in perhaps the most hilarious way possible. Discussing the specifics would spoil the story, but needless to say, the pressure builds over the course of the movie until an eventual release that circumvents the standards of the trope in a way that is absolutely delightful.

Despite its dark themes, this movie approaches its subject matter in a light-hearted way that will leave the most morally-upright audience member smiling by the end

Ultimately, it’s a story about identity, the flexible nature of reality, and who we are when personality can be constructed. “Seize the identity you want for yourself” is the quote the movie ends on, and it couldn’t have found a better, more absurd narrative to build that statement on.

About our Admit One Author

Isaac Frankel is a freelance writer and content creator specializing in reviews and analysis of cinema, interactive media, and mythological storytelling. He was raised in Prescott, AZ, wrote his first non-fiction book in 2013 after graduating from Tribeca Flashpoint College with a degree in Game & Interactive Media Design, and currently produces content for the YouTube channel: Off Screen.

More of his work and current projects can be found at www.isaacafrankel.com.

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Hollywood’s summer movie anxieties gave way to joy this weekend with the massive debut of Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2.” The animated sequel earned $155 million in ticket sales from 4,440 theaters in the U.S. and Canada, according to studio estimates Sunday.

It’s the second-highest opening weekend in Pixar’s nearly 29 years of making films and the second-biggest animated opening ever (behind only the $182.7 million launch of “Incredibles 2” in 2018). It’s also the biggest of 2024, which had not had any films debut over $100 million. With an estimated $140 million from international showings, “Inside Out 2” had a staggering, and record-breaking, $295 million global debut.

The success is significant for Pixar, marking a much-needed return to form for a studio that has had a string of underwhelming launches including “Elemental,” which did eventually become a success, and “ Lightyear,” which didn’t. It’s also important for the greater Hollywood ecosystem and the health of theatrical exhibition, which had been running at a 26% deficit before this weekend. “Inside Out 2” marks the biggest opening since “Barbie” launched to $162 million last July.

“This is a monumental weekend for movie theaters,” said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore.

Kelsey Mann directed “Inside Out 2,” which picks up with Riley as she turns 13. That means the arrival of new emotions like Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos), Envy ( Ayo Edebiri ) and Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser) to the mix. Amy Poehler once again lent her voice to Joy in a cast that includes Tony Hale, Lewis Black and Phyllis Smith as Fear, Anger and Sadness, respectively. It got glowing reviews from both critics (92% on Rotten Tomatoes) and audiences who gave it an A CinemaScore, suggesting that this won’t be a first-weekend wonder either. With kids out of school and an open market until “Despicable Me 4” enters the ring over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, “Inside Out 2” is just getting started.

The film is estimated to have cost $200 million to produce, which does not account for the millions spent on marketing. Going into the weekend, it was tracking for a debut in the $90 million range, which would have been in line with “Inside Out’s” first weekend in June 2019. Even that would have been considered a terrific achievement, and enough to claim the biggest opening of the year — finally unseating March releases like “ Dune: Part Two ” and “ Godzilla x Kong.”

It got off to a huge start with $13 million from Thursday preview showings, which started at 3 p.m. As the only major release of the weekend, its theatrical footprint was equally impressive — playing on 400 IMAX screens, more than 900 “premium large format” screens and over 2,500 3D screens.

“The family audience still loves going to the movies,” Dergarabedian said. “As an outside of the home experience, it’s still a relative bargain.”

This re-commitment to theatrical comes after Disney sent several Pixar films straight to its streaming service, Disney+, during the pandemic including “Soul,” “Luca” and “Turning Red.” Last month, the New York Times reported that Pixar had decided to return its focus to feature films (and not producing shows for Disney+) and that it had laid off 14% of its workforce (about 175 employees).

“As important as this weekend is for the industry at large, for Pixar this is huge. They’ve been trying to get their groove back since the pandemic,” Dergarabedian said. “Pixar had for decades one of the most impressive box office track records ever. They’ve really come back big.”

Second place went to Sony’s “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” now in its second weekend with $33 million, down only 42% from its opening. In just 12 days, it’s already earned more than $112 million domestically and $214 million globally. As of Friday, the four-film franchise had crossed the $1 billion mark.

“Bad Boys’” success last weekend was the start of a higher-earning turnaround for the lagging summer movie season. For Hollywood, the summer season, which runs from the first weekend in May through Labor Day, usually represents about 40% of the yearly box office. The deficit is still significant, with ticket sales down 28% for the summer and 24% for the year (and this is still before “Barbenheimer”), but it’s progress in a more promising direction nonetheless.

“We’re not going to get there overnight,” Dergarabedian said. “But it’s good news for theaters. And we have some big movies on the way.”

Bahr writes for the Associated Press.

A staff report

June 16, 2024 – Happy Father’s Day! What better way to celebrate than by sitting down with your dad and enjoying some quality films together? Whether you’re looking for heartwarming classics or thought-provoking dramas, here are five movies that are sure to make this Father’s Day special:

1. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Gregory Peck delivers an unforgettable performance as Atticus Finch, a principled lawyer in the American South who teaches his children valuable lessons about morality and justice. Based on Harper Lee’s novel, this timeless film is a poignant exploration of fatherhood and standing up for what is right.

Watch it: To Kill a Mockingbird on Prime Video

2. Moneyball (2011)  

For the baseball-loving dads out there, “Moneyball” offers a fresh take on the sport with Brad Pitt portraying Billy Beane, the innovative general manager of the Oakland A’s. This David-vs.-Goliath story, based on a true story and Michael Lewis’ book, showcases how unconventional thinking can lead to unexpected victories.

Watch it: Moneyball on Netflix, Prime Video

3. National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)

Chevy Chase stars as the well-intentioned but hapless Clark Griswold, who embarks on a disastrous cross-country road trip with his family to the elusive Walley World. Full of humor and iconic moments, this comedy is a perfect choice for a lighthearted Father’s Day movie marathon.

Watch it: National Lampoon’s Vacation on Prime Video

4. Minari (2020)

“Minari” tells the heartfelt story of a Korean American family striving for a better life in rural Arkansas. Steven Yeun’s portrayal of the father, Jacob, navigating the challenges of farming and family dynamics, is both tender and powerful. This critically acclaimed film offers a touching exploration of immigrant experiences and familial bonds.

Watch it: Minari on Max, Prime Video

5. Sr. (2022)

In this moving documentary, Robert Downey Jr. pays tribute to his father, Robert Downey Sr., a pioneering filmmaker known for his avant-garde works. Through personal interviews and archival footage, the film celebrates their unique relationship and explores themes of legacy and artistic influence.

Watch it: Sr. on Netflix

This Father’s Day, honor your dad with a cinematic journey through these diverse and enriching stories that celebrate the complexities of fatherhood, family, and the human experience. Whether you prefer classic tales of courage, inspiring underdog stories, or intimate documentaries, these films are sure to create lasting memories and meaningful conversations with your dad.

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