On Nov. 27 FilmDistrict will release Spike Lee's "Oldboy" nationwide.
The film, which stars Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, Sharlto Copley and Samuel L. Jackson, tells the story of a man obsessed with vengeance, who sets out to find out why he was kidnapped and locked into solitary confinement for 20 years without reason.
The movie is a remake of the 2003 Chan-Wook Park film of the same title. The new film premiered in New York to mixed reviews with most critics questioning why the film was made.
Todd Gilchrist from The Wrap enjoyed the film and wrote, "Lee's failure to choose between movie-ness and deeper meaning leaves the concept under-explored, which is why his version of 'Oldboy,' in part and as a whole, is momentarily gobsmacking but never quite as resonant as it should be."
Owen Gleiberman from Entertainment Weekly gave the movie an A- and wrote, "Josh Brolin, with his loping physique and handsome, hangdog scowliness, is like Nick Nolte's volatile younger brother, and in Spike Lee's rivetingly intense 'Oldboy,' he gives a terrific and harrowing performance as a slimeball out for justice."
Meanwhile, Charlie Schmidlin from The Playlist gave the film a C- and wrote, "One of the most frustratingly accomplished disappointments this year."
Michael Phillips from the Chicago Tribune also disliked the film and stated, "What, exactly, drew Lee to an 'Oldboy' remake? You can't really tell from watching the film."
"Oldboy" is rated R for strong brutal violence, disturbing images, some graphic sexuality and nudity, and language. It will be distributed in 583 theaters.
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