HOMEFRONT Trailer

Release Date - Thanksgiving

http://openroadfilms.com/#homefront

Studio:  Open Road Films

Director: Gary Fleder 

Writer:  Sylvester Stallone 

Source Material:  Chuck Logan 

Cast:  James Franco, Jason Statham, Winona Ryder 

Logline:   A former DEA agent moves his family to a quiet town, where he soon tangles with a local meth druglord.  

FROZEN Trailer

Release Date - 11/27/13

http://movies.disney.com/frozen

Studio:  Disney

Director: Chris Buck (TARZAN) 

Writer: Jennifer Lee, Shane Morris 

Source Material (fairy tale):  Hans Christian Anderson 

Cast:  Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Alan Tudyk

Logline:  (animated) Optimistic Anna must save the kingdom from perpetual winter by taking down her sister, The Snow Queen.  

DELIVERY MAN Trailer

Release Date - 11/22/13

http://www.dreamworksstudios.com/films/delivery-man

Studio:  DreamWorks

Writer/ Director: Ken Scott 

Cast:  Vince Vaughn, Chris Pratt, Britt Robertson 

Logline:  Comedy about a slacker who finds purpose after learning that due to a mistake at a fertility clinic he has 533 kids.  

NEBRASKA Trailer

Release Date - 11/15/13 (limited); 11/22/13 wide

http://www.nebraskamovie.com/

Studio:  Paramount 

Director:  Alexander Payne (SIDEWAYS) 

Writer:  Bob Nelson  

Cast: Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb

Logline:  An aging, booze-addled father makes the trip from Montana to Nebraska with his estranged son in order to claim a million dollar Mega Sweepstakes Marketing prize. 

THOR: THE DARK WORLD Trailer

Release Date - 11/8/13

http://marvel.com/thor

Studio:  Disney / Marvel

Director:  Alan Taylor (tv director) 

Writer:  Christopher Yost (tv writer); +4 feature film writers

Source Material (comic book):  Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby  

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba

Logline:  The good brother - Thor and the evil brother - Loki, must team up to save the world.  

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB Trailer

Release Date - 11/1/13

http://www.focusfeatures.com/dallas_buyers_club

Studio:  Focus Features 

Director:  Jean-Marc Vallee (THE YOUNG VICTORIA) 

Writer:  Melisa Wallack (MIRROR MIRROR) +1

Cast:  Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto, Steve Zahn 

Logline:  Inspired by true events in the life of electrician Ron Woodroof, who was diagnosed with HIV in 1986, and took on pharmaceutical companies in search of treatment.  

THE BOOK THIEF Trailer

Release Date - 11/8/13

http://www.thebookthief.com/

Studio:  Fox 2000
Director:  Brian Percival (DOWNTON ABBEY episodes)
Writer: Michael Petroni (CHRONICLES OF NARNIA)
Source Material:  Markus Zusak (novel)
Cast:  Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Sophie Nelisse
Logline:  Set in WWII Germany, an older couple adopts a young girl and takes in a Jewish refugee, who then form a bond over their love of books.

THE BEST MAN HOLIDAY Trailer

Release Date - 11/15/13 

http://www.best-man.com/social/

Studio:  Universal 

Writer / Director:  Malcolm D. Lee (ROLL BOUNCE) 

Cast: Terrence Howard, Nia Long, Taye Diggs, Sanaa Lathan 

Logline:  Sequel to THE BEST MAN, college friends reunite after 15 years over the Christmas holidays and discover just how easy it is for long-forgotten rivalries and romances to be ignited.

ENDER'S GAME Trailer

Release Date - 11/1/13

 http://endersgamemovie.com/#an

Studio:  Summit

Writer / Director:  Gavin Hood (X-MEN ORIGINS:  WOLVERINE)

Source Material (book):  Orson Scott Card 

Cast:  Ben Kingsley, Viola Davis, Abigail Breslin, Hailee Steinfeld, Asa Butterfield

Logline:  The International Military seeks out a leader who can save the human race from an alien attack and instead of Captain Kirk, they find a gifted adolescent (Butterfield).  d

ABOUT TIME Trailer

Release Date - 11/1/13 (limited); 11/8/13 (worldwide)

http://www.abouttimemovie.com/

Studio:  Universal

Writer / Director:  Richard Curtis (LOVE ACTUALLY, WAR HORSE) 

Cast:  Rachel McAdams, Domhnall Gleeson, Bill Nighy

Logline:  Rom/Com set in the world of time travel.  

LAST VEGAS Trailer

Release Date - 11/1/13

http://www.lastvegasmovie.com/

Studio:  CBS Films 

Director:  Jon Turtletaub (THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE) 

Writer:  Dan Fogelman (CRAZY STUPID LOVE)

Cast:  Douglas, De Niro, Freeman, Kline 

Logline: Three sixty-something friends take a break from their day-to-day lives to throw a bachelor party in Las Vegas for their last remaining single pal.

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE Trailer

Release Date - 11/22/13

http://www.lionsgate.com/movies/catchingfire/

Studio:  Lionsgate 

Director:  Francis Lawrence (I AM LEGEND)

Writer:  Simon Beaufoy (127 HOURS), Michael Arndt (OBLIVION) 

Source Material:  Suzanne Collins

Cast:  Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth 

Logline:  Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion in the Districts of Panem.

THE COUNSELOR Review - FOR MCCARTHY FANS ONLY

Studio:  Fox

D:  Ridley Scott (PROMETHEUS)

W:  Cormac McCarthy (playwright, also author of novel NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN)

Cast:  Michael Fassbender, Cameron Diaz, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Brad Pitt

Logline:  A lawyer finds himself in over his head after investing in a drug deal that goes left. 

FASSBENDER plays “The Counselor”, a cocky lawyer whose first time involvement in “Reiner” (BARDEM), his friend / client’s drug trafficking business quickly turns into a path paved with destruction. The hitch in the drug deal puts everyone in the line of fire including:  The Counselor’s fiancé, CRUZ and middle-man, “Westray” (PITT).  Man-eater, "Malkina" (DIAZ) proves to be self-reliant.  Even though she is Reiner’s girlfriend, she lets him know that at the first sign of trouble, she’s out.  And she means it.  The intriguing aspect of the story SHOULD be figuring out who is Judas and will s/he pay?  Though, the rat is identified for the audience, the characters are never made aware.  So, as an audience member, you are sitting there, knowing the truth and waiting for the characters to catch up and instead, they philosophize about love and death.  The movie is violent, but there are actually some comedic moments as well, like any scene with Reiner's pet cheetahs and Malkina having sex with a car (no, really).  SCOTT handles these moments as evenly as he does the violent ones. 

If you are a fan of McCarthy’s, then I would suggest you see this or read the book, which is actually the screenplay.  If you are a fan of the actors, see it – solid performances all around.   

AUSTENLAND Review: For Lovers Only...

Studio:  Sony Pictures Classics

Writer / Director:  Jerusha Hess (NAPOLEON DYNAMITE)

Source Material:  Shannon Hale (novel)

Cast:  Keri Russell, Jennifer Coolidge, Jane Seymour, JJ Feild, Bret McKenzie, Georgia King

Logline:  A Jane Austen aficionado books a vaca to “Austenland” (a la Disneyland) to live out her fantasy. 

Trailer:  http://www.sonyclassics.com/austenland/ 

AUSTENLAND is about Jane (RUSSELL), who wholeheartedly believes Prince Charming aka “Darcy” exists, even if only in the BBC production of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice at Austenland.  Jane spends her life’s savings to experience Austenland, a resort in which actors led by Mrs.  Wattlesbrook (SEYMOUR) play various characters inspired by the aforementioned novel and cast their guests in a tailored romance.  But, Jane’s immersion in the fantasy leads her to question the validity of her romantic notions.  Fellow guests at Austenland, included COOLIDGE, who delivered hilarious one-liners as “Miss Elizabeth Charming” and KING, who served physical comedic perfection as “Lady Amelia Heartwright”.  Additionally, FEILD and MCKENZIE are dashing as love interests for Russell. 

I did not read the book and therefore cannot speak to the film’s fidelity to the novel .  I can say that HESS gave the far-fetched premise levity by ensuring  the audience that the Austenland cast in Austenland is in on the joke, which enables one to give in to the suspension of belief and invest in the story. 

This movie is for lovers only.  If you are the LEAST bit cynical, this will likely not be your cup of tea.  However, if you are a hopeless romantic, who can submit to the premise, you will enjoy this one.  For the latter I would recommend seeing this in theaters if you are a Jane Austen fan; if not – stream it.    

THE BUTLER Review - See It

Studio:  The Weinstein Company
Director:  Lee Daniels (PRECIOUS)
Writer:  Danny Strong (GAME CHANGE), Wil Haygood (The Washington Post article)
Cast: Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo
Logline:   Based on the true story of "Cecil Gaines", an African-American butler, who served eight Presidents in The White House.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/posttv/video/onbackground/the-butler-aut/2013/08/15/9d933d58-0121-11e3-9a3e-916de805f65d_video.html

THE BUTLER is a father-son story based on true events in the life of "Cecil  Gaines" (WHITAKER), who worked as a butler in The White House during the Civil Rights Movement, while his son, "Louis" (OYELOWO) dropped out of college to become a Freedom Rider.  American history provides the back-drop for Cecil and Louis' ideology conflict throughout the story.  DANIELS creates the most poignant illustration of the father-son conflict by juxtaposing The White House service staff preparing for dinner, while the Freedom Riders prepare for sit-ins.  By the time Obama is elected in 2008, father and son are on the same page.  Solid performances all around from an all-star cast including Winfrey (as "Gloria Gaines"), Cuba Gooding Jr, whose character injected some much-needed comic relief in the story and Lenny Kravitz, who held his own with Oscar winners Whitaker and Gooding Jr.   Although Daniels takes creative license with the article, as well as the screenplay, the result is a broader view of the African-American perspective regarding historical American events.

If you're one of those people who would rather see the movie than read the book(s), see this movie.  (Also see the documentary:  EYES ON THE PRIZE).  If you ever wondered what the movie, FORREST GUMP, would be like if it was written from an African-American perspective - see this movie.  Otherwise - read the books.

ELYSIUM Review: Visuals > Story

Studio:  Sony 

Writer / Director: Neill Blomkamp (DISTRICT 9) 

Cast:  Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Diego Luna, Alice Braga  

Logline:  Sci-fi, futuristic drama about one ordinary man's extraordinary quest to bring equality to a dystopic society.  

http://reeltalkreviews.blogspot.com/2013/07/elysium-trailer.html

ELYSIUM features a Spanglish speaking DAMON as "Max DaCosta", an ex-con trying to stay on the straight-and-narrow when he's exposed to a lethal dose of radiation at work and given a whopping five days to live.  Max then reconnects with characters from his shady past to get an illegal ticket to the elitist society Elysium, in which all diseases are curable.  Hi-jinks ensue.  FOSTER plays the Nazi-esque Security of Defense, while COPLEY is her right-hand man.  They make for solid villains.  As for Damon - it's hard to take him seriously as a reformed gangster, with or without tattoos, especially when he's speaking broken Spanish.   Also, Damon's character spends most of the movie trying to save his own life, but because he leads a life of privation, one wonders why he doesn't just go find a beach to spend his last 5 days on. That is a shame too because Blomkamp draws a very clear parallel in the story with present-day immigration issues, which may have landed harder for me if I could have empathized more with the hero.

On the other hand - visually - the movie is spectacular:  there are robots; fight sequences, things that blow up AND watching the advanced technology work on Elysium is pretty cool.  

Recommendation - see it in the theater for the visuals OR stream it later for the story.  

WE'RE THE MILLERS Review - SEE IT!!

Studio:  Warner Bros / New Line

Director:  Rawson Marshall Thurber (DODGEBALL)

Writers:  Anders & Morris (SHE’S OUT OF MY LEAGUE), Faber & Fisher (WEDDING CRASHERS )

Cast:  Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts, Will Poulter

Logline:  A veteran drug dealer creates a fake family as part of his plan to move a huge shipment of weed into the U.S. from Mexico. 
Trailer: http://werethemillers.warnerbros.com/#video

MILLERS is a road-trip comedy about a drug-dealer (SUDEIKIS), a stripper (ANISTON), a virgin (POULTER) and a runaway (ROBERTS), who disguise int’l drug smuggling by posing as a family on vacation in Mexico.  Nobody is trying to reinvent the comedy genre with this movie.  Yes it’s formulaic.  Yes there will be a couple of monologues or points in the movie that you will see coming.  And yes, you will predict the ending.  BUT, if you like raunchy but witty comedy, you will laugh your a** off all the way through it.  THURBER’S pacing is off a couple times in the movie, making some of the jokes run a bit long, but overall, it evens out.  As for the players, my only complaint is that I wish Aniston would have had more fun being a stripper and played it a little more over the top than straight.  Apart from that, all the actors’ were completely believable and their comedic timing was spot on.     

If you have had a long-week and just want to laugh, go see this movie in theaters.  Also, if you are a fan of the reality show VANDERPUMP RULES, Jax’ ex, Laura-Leigh, makes an appearance as, wait for it..."Boner Garage".  It's a must-see!!  

THE SPECTACULAR NOW Review - See it w/considerations

Studio:  A24

Director:  James Ponsoldt (SMASHED)

Writer:  Scott Neustadter & Michael Weber (500 DAYS OF SUMMER)

Source Material:  Tim Tharp (novel)

Cast:  Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kyle Chandler

Logline:  A hard-partying high school senior's philosophy on life changes when he meets the not-so-typical "nice girl."

Trailer:  http://spectacularnowmovie.com/

THE SPECTACULAR NOW is a coming of age story about Sutter (TELLER), a life of the party type poised to peak in high school, until he meets the girl next door, Aimee (WOODLEY).  The story follows Sutter and Aimee’s courtship, but also delves into deeper issues like alcoholism, prescription drug abuse and absentee-fathers.  Teller does a great job balancing all three by making this would be douchebag character likeable and sympathetic.  Similarly, you want to root for Woodley, as her only flaw is that she is not assertive.  And though she seems to jump that hurdle mid-way through the movie, she reverts back to being a pushover by the end.  Under-baked leading lady aside, the film does deliver some honest moments and great comedic beats.  It is also worth noting that I did not read Tharp’s novel, but I am told that at the end, it takes a more nihilistic perspective than the film.

The movie is worth seeing in theaters if your high school experience at all reflected this story, as it will make you nostalgic for simpler times.  If not, I would stream it or wait for it to come on cable.  

FRUITVALE STATION Review - See It

Studio:  The Weinstein Company 

Writer / Director:  Ryan Coogler 

Cast:  Michael B. Jordan, Octavia Spencer, Melonie Diaz 

Logline:  The true story of Oscar, a 22 y/o Bay Area resident, who crosses path with friends, enemies, family and strangers on the last day of 2008.  

Trailer:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceVVVils8z4

Based on a true story, the movie is a snapshot of a day in the life of Oscar Grant (JORDAN), as he interacts with family and friends before being shot and killed by a transit cop.  Admittedly, there are a few heavy-handed moments, in which first-time writer / director, COOGLER attempts to evoke sympathy for Grant.  Luckily, Jordan as Grant is more charismatic than saccharine, so these scenes play…for the most part.  At the climax of the movie, Coogler infuses the cell phone video footage used to capture Oscar’s death, giving the film a visceral intensity that stays with you after the title cards roll.   There are a few upbeat moments throughout the film, namely watching Oscar, his friends and his girl Sophina (DIAZ) bring in NYE on a train. But, overall this is an emotionally charged character piece that asks you to look at the actual footage of Oscar’s death and decide for yourself if a crime occurred.   

I would highly recommend seeing this movie in the theaters if you like docu-dramas / inner-city youth interest stories / character-driven movies or if you just want to support an independent film.    

PRINCE AVALANCHE Trailer

http://www.magpictures.com/princeavalanche/

Release Date (on demand + theaters) - 8/9/13  

Studio:  Magnolia Pictures 

Writer / Director:  David Gordon Green

Cast:  Paul Rudd, Emile Hirsch 

Logline:  Indie remake of the Icelandic film, EITHER WAY, about the misadventures of two highway workers.  

SNOWPIERCER Trailer

https://www.facebook.com/SnowpiercerOfficial

Release Date - This Summer

Studio:  The Weinstein Company
Director:  Bong Joon Ho
Writer:  Bong Joon Ho, Kelly Masterson (BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD)
Cast:  Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, Octavia Spencer, Ed Harris
Logline: Sci-fier, based on the French graphic novel, Le Transperceneige by Jacques Lob and Jean-Marc Rochette, about the class system that exists on a train called the SNOWPIERCER.  

jOBS Trailer

http://jobsthefilm.com/

Studio:  Open Road Films
Director:  Joshua Michael Stern (SWING VOTE)
Writer:  Matt Whiteley  
Cast: Ashton Kutcher, Dermot Mulroney, James Woods
Logline:  Biopic about Steve Jobs.

PLANES Trailer

http://movies.disney.com/planes/video/

Studio:  Disney 

Director:  Klay Hall 

Writer:  Jeffrey M.  Howard 

Cast:  Val Kilmer, Teri Hatcher, Dane Cook, Cedric the Entertainer 

Logline:  Animated movie that is CARS with airplanes, featuring an underdog plane, instead of an egotistical car.

ELYSIUM Trailer

http://www.elysium-movie.net/site/

Studio:  Sony 

Writer / Director: Neill Blomkamp (DISTRICT 9) 

Cast:  Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley 

Logline:  Sci-fi, futuristic drama about one ordinary man's extraordinary quest to bring equality to a dystopic society.  

PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS Trailer

http://www.percyjacksonthemovie.com/us/

Release Date:  8/7/13

Studio:  Fox 

Director:  Thor Freudenthal (DIARY OF A WIMPY KID) 

Writer:  Marc Guggenheim (GREEN LANTERN); Rick Riordan (novel)  

Cast: Logan Lerman, Nathan Fillion

Logline:  Based on the novel, about the adventures of Poseidon's son.  

RED 2 Trailer

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1821694/?ref_=sr_1

Release Date:  8/2/13

Studio:  Summit for Lionsgate
Director:  Dean Parisot
Writer:  Jon & Erich Hoeber
Cast: Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren
Logline: Action-comedy sequel of RED, about a team of retired elite operatives who are called back to action.

2 GUNS Trailer

http://www.2guns.net/

Studio:  Universal
Director:  Baltasar Kormakur (CONTRABAND)
Writer:  Blake Masters
Source Material:  Steven Grant (graphic novel)
Cast:  Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, Paula Patton
Logline:  Two undercover agents form an unlikely alliance after botching a covert mission to infiltrate a drug cartel.

WHITE HOUSE DOWN Review - If emotion > action = See it

Credits:

Director:  Roland Emmerich (2012)
Writer:  James Vanderbilt (THE AMAZING SPIDER MAN)
Cast:  Jamie Foxx, Channing Tatum, Maggie Gyllenhaal, James Woods
Studio:  Sony Columbia

WHITE HOUSE DOWN is an action-thriller about an army vet turned Capitol police officer (TATUM), who tries to save The President (FOXX), after The White House is invaded by domestic terrorists led by (intentionally left blank, as it would be a spoiler alert).  However, a straight-forward, shoot-em up film, this is not.  It is brimming with emotion and not in the form of an active love interest for Tatum, which I'm sure his die-hard fans missed immensely.  Instead, the heart of the film is Tatum's precocious pre-teen daughter, Emily (JOEY KING).  Some of the most pivotal moments in the story are driven by Emily's actions and King is just as dazzling playing this little girl as she was in OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL as "China Girl".  (http://reeltalkreviews.blogspot.com/2013/03/oz-great-and-powerful.html).  Foxx and Tatum have a solid bromance throughout the story, but it is not enough to overcome the slow-pacing of the film.  Thus, I came away from the movie feeling like the drama outweighed the action and I would have preferred them to have been at least equal...especially since I really just signed up for the action.  Additionally, having seen OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2302755/?ref_=sr_1) in March, it was tough not to make comparisons.  For example, OLYMPUS cost less than half of what DOWN cost and somehow, in the former, they managed to blow more stuff up.  

I would see this movie if you want to get in touch with your passionate inner-patriotic self.  If you want to see things blow up in The White House for two hours, go stream OLYMPUS.

SMURFS 2 Trailer

U.S. Release Date - 7/31/13

http://www.smurfhappens.com/site/

Studio:  Columbia, Sony Pictures Animation
Director:  Raja Gosnell (BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA)
Writers:  J.David Stem & David N. Weiss (ARE WE THERE YET?) + 3; Peyo (source material) 
Cast:  Neil Patrick Harris, Sofia Vergara, Hank Azaria, Katy Perry
Logline:  Smurf happens when Gargamel and his minions try to turn Smurfette into a good girl gone bad.

KILLING SEASON Trailer

U.S. Release Date - 7/12/13

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BBXWxS_i7A

Studio:  Millennium Films
Director:  Mark Steven Johnson (GHOST RIDER)
Writer:  Evan Daugherty (SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN)
Cast:  DeNiro, Travolta
Logline:  Two veterans of the Bosnian War, one Serbian (Travolta) and one American (DeNiro), go to war with each other.

GIRL MOST LIKELY Trailer

Release Date 7/19/13

http://girlmostlikelymovie.com/

Studio:  Lionsgate 

Director:  Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini (THE NANNY DIARIES) 

Writer:  Michelle Morgan (MIDDLE OF NOWHERE) 

Cast:  Kristen Wiig, Matt Dillon, Annette Bening 

Logline:  A failed NY Playwright awkwardly navigates the transition from it-girl to has-been. 

THE WOLVERINE Trailer

U.S. Release Date - 7/26/13

http://www.thewolverinemovie.com/

Studio:  Fox, Marvel 

Director:  James Mangold (KNIGHT AND DAY, WALK THE LINE) 

Writers:  Mark Bomback (TOTAL RECALL), Scott Frank (THE INTERPRETER), Len Wein (source material) 

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Famke Janssen 

Logline:  Logan does Japan.

PACIFIC RIM Trailer

http://www.pacificrimmovie.com/#videos/trailer2

Studio:  Warner Bros

Director:  Guillermo del Toro (PAN'S LABYRINTH) 

Writer:  Travis Beacham (CLASH OF THE TITANS) 

Cast:  Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba

Logline: IRON MAN:  the army versus Aliens.  

THE LONE RANGER Trailer

http://disney.go.com/the-lone-ranger/

Studio:  Disney
Director:  Gore Verbinski (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN) 
Writers:  Justin Haythe +3 
Cast: Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer, Helena Bonham Carter 
Logline:  Native American warrior Tonto recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid, a man of the law, into a legend of justice.

WORLD WAR Z Trailer

http://www.worldwarzmovie.com/

Studio:  Paramount 
Director:  Marc Forster (QUANTUM OF SOLACE, MONSTER'S BALL) 
Writers:  Matthew Michael Carnahan + 3, Max Brooks (source material) 
Cast:  Brad Pitt.
Logline:  United Nations employee Gerry Lane traverses the world in a race against time to stop the Zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments, and threatening to destroy humanity itself.

THE BLING RING Review

http://theblingring.com/ 

Studio: A24 

Writer / Director:  Sofia Coppola (LOST IN TRANSLATION) 

Cast:  Emma Watson, Katie Chang, Leslie Mann 

Coming to a theatre near you:  6/21/13

If you are like me, you have seen the posters for THE BLING RING, but do not have the slightest idea of the movie’s premise.  (If not, skip to the next paragraph.)  THE BLING RING is based on real events reported by Nancy Jo Sales in a Vanity Fair article, about a group of high schoolers, who rob celebrities’ houses by tracking their out-of-town dates through celebrity blogs.

Writer / director, Sofia Coppola is not too interested in character development or criminalizing the culprits.  Instead, she draws parallels between the lives of these n’er do gooders and the lives of the reality stars and B-list celebrities who were victims in the robberies.  Coppola points to some uncanny similarities and threads them throughout the film.    

Therein lies the most interesting part of the story.  Stars put a face to aspirational living and would have us believe it comes with golden-handcuffs because they trade their privacy in for it.  Critics would say:   “Don’t complain about your loss of privacy because you signed up for that when you decided to become a star.”

But don’t we Average Joe’s and Jane’s do the same?  We create Facebook profiles and use “friend request” and “delete” like velvet ropes.  We tweet the most menial thoughts we have to the most profound and Instagram our dinner.  Then we demand that these sites, which we have volunteered our information to, respect our privacy. 

Thus the lines between the celebrity and the layman have become blurred because the barrier of entry to super-stardom is at an all-time low.  We are all one sex-tape, heckle of a public figure or Youtube-clip away from TMZ following us to our cars.   Naturally in the end, that’s exactly what happens to the kids in this film.  Success? 

MONSTER UNIVERSITY Trailer

http://disney.go.com/monsters-university/#/video

Studio:  Disney / Pixar
Director:  Dan Scanlon
Writer:  Robert L. Baird, Daniel Gerson (MONSTER, INC)
Cast:  Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi
Logline:  A look at the relationship between Mike and Sulley during their days at Monsters University -- when they weren't necessarily the best of friends.

ONLY GOD FORGIVES Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqAeVosG4zI
Coming to a theatre near you - 7/19/13

Studio:  Radius / TWC
Writer / Director:  Nicolas Winding Refn (DRIVE)
Cast:  Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas
Logline:  Julian, a drug-smuggler thriving in Bangkok's criminal underworld, sees his life get even more complicated when his mother compels him to find and kill whoever is responsible for his brother's recent death.

THE WAY WAY BACK Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qoaVUdbWMs

Writer / Director:  Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
Cast:  Sam Rockwell, Steve Carell, Toni Collette
Studio:  Fox Searchlight
Logline:  Over the course of his summer break, a teenager comes into his own thanks in part to the friendship he strikes up with one of the park's managers.

GROWN UPS 2 Trailer

http://www.grownups2-movie.com/

D:  Dennis Dugan
W:  Fred Wolf, Adam Sandler, Tim Herlihy
Cast:  Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade
Studio: Sony
Logline:  After moving his family back to his hometown to be with his friends and their kids, Lenny (Adam Sandler), finds out that between old bullies, new bullies, schizo bus drivers, drunk cops on skis, and 400 costumed party crashers sometimes crazy follows you.

THE EAST Trailer

Director:  Zal Batmanglij - first time director
Writer:  Zal Batmanglij, Brit Marling
Cast:  Brit Marling, Alexander Skarsgard, Ellen Page
Studio:  Fox Searchlight

Logline:  Thriller about a spy (Marling) who goes undercover in an anarchist terrorist group, but loses her footing when she falls for the leader.

Trailer:  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1869716/?ref_=sr_1

THE PURGE Trailer

Writer / Director:  James DeMonaco (THE NEGOTIATOR)
Cast:  Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey
Studio:  Universal
Logline:  Thriller about a family that comes under attack when a target gets into their home during The Purge, an annual 12-hr period when all crime is legal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=K0LLaybEuzA

REDEMPTION (fka HUMMINGBIRD)

Writer / Director: Steven Knight (EASTERN PROMISES) 

Cast:  Jason StathamStudio:  Lionsgate



Logline:  Homeless and on the run from a military court martial, a damaged ex-special forces soldier navigating London's criminal underworld seizes an opportunity to assume another man's identity -- transforming into an avenging angel in the process.

Trailer - http://hummingbirdmovie.co.uk/

Must See Trailers - MAN OF STEEL

Director: Zack Snyder (300)
Writer:  David S. Goyer (BATMAN BEGINS)
Cast:  Henry Cavill, Russell Crowe, Amy Adams
Studio:  Warner Bros
MAN OF STEEL Trailer

OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN: See it w/considerations

Credits:

Director:  Antoine Fuqua
Writer:  Creighton Rothenberger, Katrin Benedikt
Cast:  Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Rick Yune
Studio:  Film District

OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN is an action-packed thriller about a former secret-service agent (GERARD BUTLER) who tries to save the president (AARON ECKHART) from a hostile takeover of The White House orchestrated by a North Korean terrorist leader (RICK YUNE).  Being from D.C., and knowing the proximity of all the federal buildings and military forts near The White House, the premise was tough to suspend belief.  However, once you accept the hyper-reality for what it is, you can enjoy Butler's one-liners and Freeman's verbal smack-downs.  Fuqua (BROOKLYN'S FINEST, TRAINING DAY) executed the action-sequences expertly.  There are shoot outs and blow-ups to spare, but through it all Fuqua keeps the pacing and suspense continuous.  The players could have had more to do, but nobody signed onto this movie expecting an Oscar nomination.  It was great to see Ashley Judd / an age-appropriate leading lady for Eckhart, though she was in it for 5 minutes.  Likewise, I loved seeing Angela Bassett, Cole Hauser and Dylan McDermott supporting.  It is also worth noting that Rick Yune (aka Johnny Tran from THE FAST AND FURIOUS) was a solid villain.  It will be interesting to see Sony's version of the premise this summer with Channing Tatum in Butler's role and Jamie Foxx in Eckhart's:  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2334879/

Until then, I would recommend seeing this if you live for the actors and love heavy action-sequences because the movie is entertaining.   If you're just into action and not this cast specifically, I would say stream this and  I would also remind you that G.I. JOE:  RETALIATION is out this weekend.

ADMISSION: See it

Credits:

Director:  Paul Weitz
Writer:  Karen Croner
Source Material:  novel by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Studio:  Focus Features

ADMISSION is about an uptight Princeton admissions officer (TINA FEY), who becomes unhinged when alternative high school teacher (PAUL RUDD) introduces her to a prospective Princeton applicant (NAT WOLFF), who could also be the son she gave up for adoption.  If Tracy Flick grew up to be an admissions officer at Princeton, she would be Tina Fey's character here.  The movie is funny, but not a straight comedy, as there are dramatic moments, TEARS even and Weitz (ABOUT A BOY) does a great job showing us Fey in rare form - dramatic.  Rudd and Fey's love story is exactly what you would expect from these two- hilarious and adorable.  Lily Tomlin plays Fey's mother, wielding feminism as a weapon, as well as for laughs throughout the pic.  Young actors, Wolff and newcomer Travaris Spears held their own against their more accomplished colleagues - another nod to the director.  If you are going to see this movie as a fan of the book, then be warned that Croner (ONE TRUE THING) took radical creative license with the material.  If you are going to see this movie as a fan of Fey and Rudd, you will not be disappointed.  The story is solid, albeit formulaic and earnest at times, it is solid nonetheless.  

See this movie in theaters if:  you have a date OR have had a long week and want to laugh at more than fart jokes OR if you want to see Tina Fey do drama OR if you just enjoy smart dialogue and Paul Rudd's comedic timing and handsome face as much as I do :)  If only car chases and things that blow up get you to the theater, you should rent / stream this one.    

DEAD MAN DOWN

Credits:
Director:  Niels Arden Oplev
Writer:  J.H. Wyman
Cast:  Colin Farrell, Noomi Rapace, Terrence Howard, Dominic Cooper
Studio:  Film District

DEAD MAN DOWN is a mystery thriller about Victor (Farrell), whose relentless pursuit of retribution  leads him to infiltrate a crime syndicate through a crew headed up by Alphonse (Howard), only to be sidetracked by his mysterious neighbor Beatrice (Rapace), who has a score of her own to settle.  The solid casting, coupled with the fact that Niels Arden Oplev is the Danish director who also brought us the original GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, put expectations for DEAD MAN DOWN up.  Unfortunately, if it ain't on the page, it ain't on the stage.  The mystery was so overt, the audience is ahead of the movie waiting for the characters to catch up, only to be blindsided with far-fetched twists and turns from the top of Act II through the end of the movie.  The film does have one redeeming quality in the love story between Victor and Beatrice.  However, because the writer chose to draw a parallel of revenge stories for both characters to relate, it literally feels like another movie every time Victor and Beatrice are together.  You are dropped head first into the mob world and then yanked out to Victor's personal life and anguish (which is great to give context to his character), but then you are dragged off into a whole new movie with Beatrice and her back-story.  

Bottom line and it pains me to say it because I am a huge fan of the auspices of this movie, but save your money on this one.  If you too are a fan of the talent involved, I would recommend putting this in your queue.  Otherwise, keep your fingers crossed that the next projects these guys make is better than this one.

OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL

Credits: 

Director:  Sam Raimi
Writer:  Mitchell Kapner, David Lindsay-Abaire
Source Material:  The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (novels) by L. Frank Baum
Cast:  James Franco, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz
Studio:  Disney

OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL is a prequel to THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ, which describes how a magician / con-man / playboy from Kansas (Franco) became the great and powerful Oz.  The story begins in the 1900's with black-and-white imagery of a Circus and then becomes a vibrant and colorful world as it shifts to Oz.  The main characters from the black-and-white story become fantastical characters in Oz, including small-town good girl Annie, who later becomes Glinda the Good Witch (Williams).  My favorite was the paralyzed girl from the black-and-white, who becomes an animated girl made of china in Oz, the lone survivor of Chinatown, in which the houses were shaped like teacups and made of china.  Child actress, Joey King lent her voice for the role and was brilliant, as was Zach Braff as the faithful assistant turned animated winged monkey, Finley in Oz.  Between the two of them, they delivered some of the best lines in the movie - both the jokes and the tearjerkers.  The rest of the performances were just ok...which leads me to wonder if this would've been a better acted movie had it all been animated.  I really wanted to love Kunis, but her wicked witch was just too campy and formulaic to not have been let in on the joke.  A wink wink nod nod never hurt any bad girl I've seen on the silver screen!!

But where Raimi faltered commandeering performances, he excelled in 3D visuals.  The film was all spectacle - vivid and astoundingly whimsical.  A true fantastical adventure.  It's the kid friendly ARGO, in which an army of merry-men forbidden to kill, overcome evil forces with smoke and mirrors.  

If you have kids or know how to suspend your belief and get in touch with your childish side - see this movie in 3D.  If you are just interested to see what Disney did to freshen up this classic, put it in your queue.

STOKER

Credits: 
Director - Chan-wook Park
Writer - Wentworth Miller
Cast:  Mia Wasikowska, Matthew Goode, Nicole Kidman, Dermot Mulroney
Studio:  Fox Searchlight

When I heard Wentworth Miller (PRISON BREAK's leading man) was trying his hand at writing I was skeptical, but read the script with an open mind.  I'm glad I did...although it definitely made me wonder about Miller's childhood.  The story is a thriller about a teenager (Wasikowska) who is finding it difficult to deal with  her offbeat mother (Kidman) and the loss of her father (Mulroney) until her mysterious uncle (Goode) moves into her family's house.  Chan-wook Park (S. Korean director of OLD BOY, which Spike Lee is re-making) took the gritty action in the story and juxtaposed it with beautiful imagery, which made the thriller elements that much more eerie.  Even Matthew Goode, who is less frightening than a ladybug, did a great job of selling himself as a psycho.  That being said, I would've liked to have seen a more cunning guy in the role (like say Jonathan Rhys Meyers), but Goode was definitely solid.  As was the rest of the cast.  I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what Mia Wasikowska does next.  But I digress.  Overall the story was solid.  Miller did a great job on the script and Park did a great job translating it to the silver screen.

I give this one a recommend w/conditions.  If you are a film geek like me and you love to see beautiful cinematography on the big screen, then you should go to your local indie theater and check this one out.  If not, then put it in your queue.