Movie Reviews: 'Nobody' And 'Six Minutes to Midnight'

This weekend, secrets about one's true identity and past life abound in two new releases headed to theaters and streaming services.

In the action satire "Nobody," Bob Odenkirk plays the titular role of a middle-aged family man living a mundane, humdrum existence until one fated night when two robbers invade his family's house, unleashing the beast in our hero.

"Six Minutes to Midnight" unfolds with a mystery surrounding the disappearance of an English teacher in a seaside resort town in South East England 17 days before World War II. The thriller film stars Eddie Izzard as the replacement teacher along with Judi Dench as the school's headmistress.

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

“Nobody” — Bob Odenkirk, Aleksey Serebryakov, Connie Nielsen; directed by Ilya Naishuller

Odenkirk stars as Hutch Mansell, the titular “nobody” in Ilya Naishuller’s action satire about a middle-aged family man, who is totally complacent about his mundane, humdrum existence.

Dreadfully, Hutch’s life works like clockwork. Every morning, he starts his day running a few miles and drinking his fresh brewed coffee. Soon, he takes the bus from his suburban residence to his father-in-law’s company where he works as an accountant. At the end of the day, he comes home to his unhappy wife (Connie Nielsen) and their disrespectful children.

However, one fated night, our hero’s run-of-the-mill existence suddenly changes when two robbers invade the Mansell family’s home, ultimately awakening the beast lying dormant for so long in Hutch’s veins.

In the end, is Hutch really a nobody? His dark past has all the answers.

See it. Odenkirk is magnificent in his role, elevated by Naishuller’s deft direction along with Derek Kolstad’s fascinating script.

Watch the trailer:

“Six Minutes to Midnight” — James D'Arcy, Judi Dench, Eddie Izzard; directed by Andy Goddard

“Downton Abbey” drama-series director Andy Goddard’s espionage thriller dials up the intrigue and suspense around the unique Augusta-Victoria College (AVC) in 1939. Located in the English seaside resort town of Bexhill-on-Sea, the all-female boarding school, named in honor of the last German Empress, was a haven for the daughters and goddaughters of well-known Nazi officials.

Precisely 17 days before WWII, faculty member Mr. Wheatley (Nigel Lindsay) vanishes. Shortly thereafter, Thomas Miller (Eddie Izzard) arrives and interviews with Miss Rocholl (Judi Dench) for a replacement position. Despite her hesitation, the headmistress eventually decides to hire the applicant.

Then, the plot thickens as Miller’s hidden agenda comes to light, revealing his true identity with secret ties to British intelligence and his mission to investigate the mystery surrounding the previous teacher’s disappearance.

As the winds of war become palpable, the crux of the question further deepens when Wheatley’s dead body washes up onshore.

Skip it. “Six Minutes to Midnight” devolves into a disappointing whodunnit finale, notwithstanding the leads’ electrifying gravitas.

Watch the trailer: