LIFE OF CRIME Trailer

Release Date - August 29, 2014 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M29yK7WWeKY

Studio:  Lionsgate 

Writer / Director: Daniel Schechter Source Material (book):  Bill Granger Cast:  Jennifer Aniston, Tim Robbins, Mos Def, Isla Fisher Logline:  An extortion plot goes left when the kidnappers realize the husband they're asking for ransom filed for divorce from his kidnapped wife.   

THE NOVEMBER MAN Trailer

Release Date - August 27, 2014 

http://www.thenovemberman.com/ 

Studio:  Relativity 

Director: Roger Donaldson

Writers:  Michael Finch, Karl Gajdusek

Source Material (book):  Bill Granger 

Cast:  Pierce Brosnan, Luke Bracey, Olga Kurylenko

Logline:   It's Batman versus Robin - spy versus spy - Pierce versus Luke in this action thriller where the prize is to save the girl or kill the girl.  

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.