Original post can be found at GoodTrash Media

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In this week’s Back to the Movies, we’re taking on the double feature you’d absolutely never consider if it wasn’t January in our head to head reviews of the 2017 Best Picture nominee Lion followed by our spoiler filled talk on M. Night Shyamalan’s recent box office hit, Split.

We start the show off by tackling the critically acclaimed Australian drama, Lion. The film stars Dev Patel as Saroo Breirley, a man who was separated from his family in India as a boy and was eventually adopted by Australian parents. 25 years after being separated, Saroo sets out to find his hometown in hopes that he can reunite with his mother and brother. The film spends a great deal of time reflecting on Saroo’s struggle to find synthesis between his heritage and more privileged upbringing in a well-to-do Australian family. With so much at stake, it’s hard to believe the whole film revolves around a guy surfing through google maps. It’s a Best Picture nominated film, but the question remains–can the film deliver a compelling character piece?

In the second half of today’s show, we take a look at the number one movie at the U.S. box office, Split. Ever since his critical and box office flops The Happening and Avatar: The Last Airbender, Shyamalan has struggled to get out of career jail. After the warmer reception to last year’s The Visit and the success of Split, it looks like he just might have the momentum he needs to return to acclaim. Does he pull it off? Our review is very spoiler heavy and we highly recommend seeing the movie before listening to the second half of today’s show.

LION / SPLIT TIMESTAMPS

4:50 – Lion Review

20:17 – Lion Spoilers

45:12 – Split Review

51:21 – Split Spoilers

1:21:45 – Tease for next week