Movie Review: Warner Brothers' Collateral Beauty

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Collateral Beauty

Director: David Frankel
Writers: Allan Loeb
Starring: Will Smith, Edward Norton, Keira Knightley, Kate Winslet, Helen Mirren
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and brief strong language
Official Socials: Website | Facebook | Twitter | IMDb

When a successful New York advertising executive suffers a great tragedy, he retreats from life. While his concerned friends try desperately to reconnect with him, he seeks answers from the universe by writing letters to Love, Time and Death. But it's not until his notes bring unexpected personal responses that he begins to understand how these constants interlock in a life fully lived, and how even the deepest loss can reveal moments of meaning

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Life is full of difficulties, and sometimes it's hard for people to process them. When Howard has tragedy hit his life he becomes a recluse. Someone who wants to hide from the world rather than live in it. So when he starts to write letters to the things that affect us most; love, time and death, he starts to see things a bit differently.

Just from the cast listing you know this is going to be a great film. Will Smith is an actor in which I will see any film he does. And Edward Norton is just as good. Then you get hit with Kate Winslet, Helen Mirren and Keira Knightley and you realize this is a great ensemble of actors/actresses. And then the story line. This is a story that we can all relate to. Every one wants love, every one wants more time and every one has to live through death.

This is a movie that will make the crybabies of the world cry, and it will make others tear up. Will Smith brings so many emotions out through his character and makes you empathize with him. You hurt for him, you heal for him. You want him to beat out this rough patch in life because you know that's what we all do anyway. We survive.

#Seattle Grab Passes to #CollateralBeauty @ Regal Thornton Place 12/13

Collateral Beauty

Release Date: December 16, 2016
Genre: Drama
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
In theaters December 16, 2016

Starring: Will Smith, Edward Norton, Keira Knightley, Michael Pena, Naomie Harris, Jacob Latimore, with Kate Winslet and Helen Mirren.
Directed By: David Frankel
Written By: Allen Loeb
Produced By: Bard Dorros, Michael Sugar, Allan Loeb, Anthony Bregman, Kevin Frakes

Official Socials: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Hashtag: #CollateralBeauty

When a successful New York advertising executive suffers a great tragedy he retreats from life. While his concerned friends try desperately to reconnect with him, he seeks answers from the universe by writing letters to Love, Time and Death. But it’s not until his notes bring unexpected personal responses that he begins to understand how these constants interlock in a life fully lived, and how even the deepest loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty.

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For your chance to download passes to see COLLATERAL BEAUTY on December 13th at 7PM, click here:

These tickets are on a first-come, first-served not guaranteed basis. Arrive early to secure your seats.

#Portland Grab Passes to #CollateralBeauty @ Regal Bridgeport Village Stadium 12/13

Collateral Beauty

Release Date: December 16, 2016
Genre: Drama
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
In theaters December 16, 2016

Starring: Will Smith, Edward Norton, Keira Knightley, Michael Pena, Naomie Harris, Jacob Latimore, with Kate Winslet and Helen Mirren.
Directed By: David Frankel
Written By: Allen Loeb
Produced By: Bard Dorros, Michael Sugar, Allan Loeb, Anthony Bregman, Kevin Frakes

Official Socials: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Hashtag: #CollateralBeauty

When a successful New York advertising executive suffers a great tragedy he retreats from life. While his concerned friends try desperately to reconnect with him, he seeks answers from the universe by writing letters to Love, Time and Death. But it’s not until his notes bring unexpected personal responses that he begins to understand how these constants interlock in a life fully lived, and how even the deepest loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty.

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For your chance to download passes to see COLLATERAL BEAUTY on December 13th at 7PM, click here:

These tickets are on a first-come, first-served not guaranteed basis. Arrive early to secure your seats.

Movie Review: Universal Studios's The Dressmaker

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The Dressmaker
Director: Jocelyn Moorehouse
Writers: Rosalie Ham, P.J. Hogan, Jocelyn Moorehouse
Starring: Kate Winslet, Judy Davis, Liam Hemsworth, Hugo Weaving
MPAA Rating: Rated R for brief language and a scene of violence
Official Socials: Website | Facebook | Twitter | IMDb

Based on Rosalie Ham's best selling novel, The Dressmaker is the story of femme fatale Tilly Dunnage who returns to her small home town in the country to right the wrongs of the past. A stylish drama with comic undertones about love, revenge and haute couture.

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A story of revenge and trying to right ones past.

I literally don't want to tell anyone a thing about this movie. I want them to go and experience it for themselves. So this review will be bare minimum and hopefully it'll entice you enough to go watch this movie!

I went in - as I do most movies - completely blind. I had no idea what this movie was. And what I had expected was so far from what this was. I was laughing most of the time I was watching this. When I had thought that this was going to be a serious film.

Hugo Weaving steals the show! I'm so use to him playing this mean and evil character in most of his roles, so for him to be in such a light hearted role was basically amazing. I literally couldn't wait for him to be on the screen again.

And Kate. I love Kate Winslet so much. And she did such a great job playing Tilly. You feel for her, even when you're worried about what her story might be.

I wouldn't be surprised if this film was nominated for multiple Oscars. The writing being one of them, the cinematography was great as well. The shots, and the editing, helped to grip audiences and keep them into the story of the film.

Honestly. I'm going to be telling everyone to go and see this film.

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Movie Review: Broad Green Pictures' The Dressmaker

The Dressmaker

Directed by: Jocelyn Moorhouse

Written by: Rosalie Ham (Novel by), P.J. Hogan and Jocelyn Moorhouse (Screenplay by)

Produced by: Sue Maslin
Starring: Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth, Hugo Weaving, Sarah Snook, Judy Davis, Caroline Goodall

Official Sites: Facebook: Facebook | Twitter

A glamorous, worldly dressmaker returns to her small Australian hometown to seek the truth behind her notorious reputation. This dark and quirky comedy stars Academy Award winner Kate Winslet as Tilly Dunnage, who cares for her eccentric mother (Academy Award nominee Judy Davis), schemes with the local sergeant (Hugo Weaving) who has secrets of his own, and falls for local farmer Teddy (Liam Hemsworth). As she starts to unravel her scandalous past, she transforms the town’s women with her exquisite creations. Armed with only her sewing machine and haute couture style, Tilly shows she is a force to be reckoned with and that revenge never goes out of style.

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You know you’re off to a good start when the opening line of the movie is “I’m back, you bastards”. The Dressmaker was a wonderful story that delivers the viewer through the full gamut of emotions. The cinematography was both bold and dramatic, and the isolated of setting of the small town was picture perfect. The dead but beautiful trees around town lent much to the drama of the story which had numerous comedic moments.

Kate Winslet’s character Tilly is a woman who comes home to the tiny town of Dungatar to try to remember her past, while exacting a quiet revenge on the town that exiled her. She transforms the women of the town with fashion and manipulates them in a way they are never aware of. Tilly’s development in this movie is also strongly influenced by the relationship she is rebuilding with her mentally ill mother ‘Mad Molly’ played by Judy Davis. Hugo Weaving had a fabulous role as the cross dressing cop who lends a bit of comic relief while always very endearing. There were a few haunting moments in the movie that have stayed with me, but mostly positive memorable moments, such as Liam Hemsworth (just, in general), and the creative and whimsical fashion throughout the movie. It is hard to say too much without spoilers. If you appreciate an interesting story, talented actors, and visually pleasing cinematography then chances are good that you will enjoy this movie.

Our evening was hosted by a collection of groups including Magpies & Peacocks, Houston Vintage, Southwest Alternate Media Project, and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. The evening started with a cocktail party and ended with meeting the reigning Miss Houston Vintage, as well as two former Miss Houston Vintages (and a swag bag!). They were all gracious hostesses, not to mention fabulously dressed!

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Here are pictures of the wonderful event:

You can also read the book the inspired the film:

(click to purchase)

#Seattle Grab Passes to #TheDressmaker @ AMC Pacific Place 9/26

The Dressmaker
Director:  Jocelyn Moorhouse
Writers: Rosalie Ham (novel), P.J. Hogan
Starring: Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth, Hugo Weaving
MPAA Rating: Rated R for language, sex references and some nudity
Official Socials: Site | Facebook | Twitter | IMDb
Hashtag: #TheDressmaker

Based on Rosalie Ham's best selling novel, The Dressmaker is the story of femme fatale Tilly Dunnage who returns to her small home town in the country to right the wrongs of the past. A stylish drama with comic undertones about love, revenge and haute couture.

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Click the movie poster to grab your passes: 

These tickets are on a first-come, first-served not guaranteed basis. Arrive early to secure your seats.

#Miami Grab Passes to #TheDressmaker @ AMC Aventura 9/26

The Dressmaker
Director:  Jocelyn Moorhouse
Writers: Rosalie Ham (novel), P.J. Hogan
Starring: Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth, Hugo Weaving
MPAA Rating: Rated R for language, sex references and some nudity
Official Socials: Site | Facebook | Twitter | IMDb
Hashtag: #TheDressmaker

Based on Rosalie Ham's best selling novel, The Dressmaker is the story of femme fatale Tilly Dunnage who returns to her small home town in the country to right the wrongs of the past. A stylish drama with comic undertones about love, revenge and haute couture.

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Click the movie poster to grab your passes: 

These tickets are on a first-come, first-served not guaranteed basis. Arrive early to secure your seats.

#Boston Grab Passes to #TheDressmaker @ AMC Boston Common 9/20

The Dressmaker
Director:  Jocelyn Moorhouse
Writers: Rosalie Ham (novel), P.J. Hogan
Starring: Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth, Hugo Weaving
MPAA Rating: Rated R for language, sex references and some nudity
Official Socials: Site | Facebook | Twitter | IMDb
Hashtag: #TheDressmaker

Based on Rosalie Ham's best selling novel, The Dressmaker is the story of femme fatale Tilly Dunnage who returns to her small home town in the country to right the wrongs of the past. A stylish drama with comic undertones about love, revenge and haute couture.

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Advance screening of the Broad Green Pictures film THE DRESSMAKER Tuesday, September 20th at 7:00PM at AMC Boston Common. For the chance to receive two tickets please click the poster below:

These tickets are on a first-come, first-served not guaranteed basis. Arrive early to secure your seats.

Movie Review: Open Road's Triple 9

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TRIPLE 9
RELEASE DATE: February 26, 2016
GENRE: Thriller, Drama
MPAA RATING: R
DISTRIBUTOR: Open Road Films
CAST: Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anthony Mackie, Aaron Paul, Clifton Collins, Jr., Norman Reedus, Teresa Palmer, Michael K. Williams, Gal Gadot, Woody Harrelson, Kate Winslet
DIRECTOR: John Hillcoat
WRITER: Matt Cook
PRODUCERS: Keith Redmon, Bard Dorros, Marc Butan, Anthony Katagas, Christopher Woodrow, John Hillcoat
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Steve Golin, Paul Green, Tom Ortenberg, Peter Lawson, Molly Connors, Maria Cestone, Sarah E. Johnson, Kimberly Fox, Isabel Dos Santos
Official Facebook | Official Twitter | Official Instagram | Official Film Site

In TRIPLE 9, a crew of dirty cops is blackmailed by the Russian mob to execute a virtually impossible heist. The only way to pull it off is to manufacture a 999, police code for “officer down”. Their plan is turned upside down when the unsuspecting rookie they set up to die foils the attack, triggering a breakneck, action-packed finale filled with double-crosses, greed and revenge.

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This week, I was drawn into the promise of Triple 9 by its cast. Everyone is in it. The film has an Academy Award winner and a few nominees in it. It has a cast member from TV’s The Walking Dead. Even Wonder Woman is in it. Take a look. Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anthony Mackie, Aaron Paul, Norman Reedus, Woody Harrelson, Kate Winslet, Clifton Collins, Jr., Michael K. Williams, Teresa Palmer, and Gal Gadot are all in this movie. How could it go wrong?

It wasn’t so much that the film went wrong, it was that it was entirely middle of the road. It gave me that “meh” feel to it. Blame the cast. With a cast as impressive as the one I just listed, I expected to be wowed. I wasn’t so much wowed as I was perplexed.

Blame the script. The story almost seemed incomplete. The film spends a great deal of time setting-up the individual characters, but the audience wasn’t given enough information about how all of the players ended-up in the conundrum central to the story. Plus, the set-up of the characters took too long. Triple 9 is a heist movie. It took too long to get to the big heist. I felt that each big-name actor needed to have a certain amount of dialogue. It felt forced. There is only so much room at the top of a marquee. I wanted more about the central story that I was having trouble following.

Blame the timing. The movie ran long. Most of the scenes take place at night. There are some scenes take place in darkened bars. Other settings included abandoned (and dark) buildings. At just under a two-hour run time, it is too long to be in the dark. So, I guess, I am also blaming the setting.

That’s a lot of blame, especially for a movie that I’m not calling a bad film. I just expected more. Triple 9 is super average. I enjoy most of the cast in other films. I was looking forward to this film. The gifted cast deserved a better movie. I think Triple 9 is more worthwhile as rental than an in theater experience. But, don’t take my word for it. You can see Triple 9 for yourself playing in theaters now.

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Movie Review: Divergent

DIVERGENT

Release Date: March 21, 2014
Studio: Summit Entertainment, Red Wagon Entertainment
Director: Neil Burger
Screenwriter: Evan Daugherty, Vanessa Taylor, Veronica Roth (novel)
Main Cast: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Jai Courtney, Miles Teller, Kate Winslet, Zoë Kravitz, Ashley Judd, Tony Goldwyn, Ben Lloyd-Hughes
Genre: Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for intense violence and action, thematic elements and some sensuality

Official Sites: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Google +

Storyline: DIVERGENT is a thrilling action-adventure film set in a world where people are divided into distinct factions based on human virtues. Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) is warned she is Divergent and will never fit into any one group. When she discovers a conspiracy by a faction leader (Kate Winslet)to destroy all Divergents, Tris must learn to trust in the mysterious Four (Theo James) and together they must find out what makes being Divergent so dangerous before it’s too late. Based on the best-selling book series by Veronica Roth.

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The movie will remind you why we fell in love with the world of Divergent. Simply put into one word: Perfect!!!

Everyone behind the making and executing of this film deserves pats on their backs. There isn’t a single thing I can point out that did not work in the film. From the beginning when you see the futuristic beat up city of Chicago, that I have to admit the movie did a better job in creating what the book described as to what I pictured in my head while reading. Just in that one detail, I was blown away. The buildings and machinery that help run the city and the faction clothing were so on point. I really loved that even though it’s set in a dystopian world we were still given colors, textures and beauty throughout the whole film. The way the faction areas were divided made sense and flowed with each other during the movie. I could sit here and pick each thing or moment apart but everything would end with same result. Perfect!

Moving on to our beloved characters. If someone questions what does chemistry look like? All they have to do is watch Divergent and they will see it first hand. From the minor to major characters, I loved them all. I was extremely pleased of course with Four and Tris. If those two didn’t have it then it wouldn’t have matter how great everything else. The main protagonists have to sell it to us so the fans can gobble it up and not leave one crumb behind. Theo James (Four) and Shailene Woodley (Tris) were jaw dropping amazing together and individually too. The age difference did not affect in any way as I thought it might when they were first cast. The “kiss” was hotter than lava. I could have watched them non-stop. They were meant to be Four and Tris. No doubt about it after you watch and experience Divergent. Other characters that stood out were Eric (Jai Courtney), his intensity as the Dauntless leader was fantastic and HOT. He was scary yet you could not take your eyes off him (Theo, too of course). Kate Winslet as Jeanine, holy smokes she made evil look easy. This was no Rose on the Titanic, Winslet owned her role and shows us she can also be the villain. Then you got Peter (Miles Teller) being cocky like we know him to be from other films. The fight between Peter and Tris, OMG! I wanted to jump inside the movie and kick his ass because dayum that was one crazy fight scene. It really looked like she got her ass handed to her. But no worries, Tris shows why she is Divergent and Dauntless and kicks ass eventually. You guys that have read the book know how the story goes. Tris won’t go down without a fight!

Something else that was just WOW, the movie score & soundtrack. I did not want the movie to end or certain scenes to end, so that I could listen to the songs longer. All the song choices are amazing and where they were placed just make the movie stellar. Just wait for that “kiss” the music will add such a sensual vibe to a kiss that’s already sexy to begin with. Ladies you will be thinking, man Woodley is one lucky gal during that “kiss”.

Divergent is probably one of the best book to film adaptation I have seen in a long time, and to get it right on the first film, Summit Ent. really did their homework. Like I mentioned before, everyone behind the making of Divergent needs a standing ovation. Divergent is that AMAZING. After you experience Divergent, you will leave the theater with such a movie hangover, that you’ll be dying to see it again right away. I recommend this movie for everyone. I am excited to go see it again and take my whole family. Those that haven’t read the book, will still enjoy it immensely. So excited that the day has arrived. Happy Divergent Day!

The REEL Book Club: Labor Day by Joyce Maynard Book Discussion

Hi everyone! Welcome to The REEL Book Club Labor Day Discussion.

You might recall that we did a couple post back in November for The Book Thief but we didn't have an official name for our book club yet. And now as you can see above, we are called The REEL Book Club. Do you get it? Reel for movie reel, since we are still going to be discussing books turned into movies. 

This meet up was all about LABOR DAY by Joyce Maynard. 

Labor Day written by Joyce Maynard was originally printed back in 2009. The movie-tie edition was released December 3rd 2013 from William Morrow Paperbacks. See below each cover. 

So on Sunday, January 26th we all met at my house once again to discuss the book and what we expect in the upcoming film.

Pictured here from left to right: Yara (Me), Jessica, Jennifer, Rachel, Heather, Dustie, Stephanie, Mary Alice, Trudy and Sheila D..

Pictured here from left to right: Sheila M., Jennifer (bottom), Jessica (top), Rachel, Heather, Dustie, Stephanie, Mary Alice, Trudy and Sheila D.

DISCUSSION:

How do you think the events of that Labor Day weekend change Henry? How might his life have gone if Frank had not shown up?

• Rachel: She said that Henry would have become a recluse in her opinion.
• Dustie: says it was for Henry's best which helped tremendously with his self-esteem.
• Heather: Learning to bake the pie changed his life for the best.
• Sheila M.: She felt that he learned to get along better with men and women because of that Labor Day weekend. 

Scenes we want to see in the film.

• Yara: I would like to see the part where Frank and Henry go outside and Frank teaches him how to play baseball. It's a very happy part for me in the book I'd like to see on the screen.
• Jennifer: Wants to see the pie making scene and when Frank approaches Henry in the store when they meet for the first time.
• Shelia D.: Would like to see when Henry tells Eleanor off.
• Trudy: The 2 scenes she would like to see are the pie making and store meet up also.
• Dustie: Wants to see when Frank shows Henry how to play baseball, it's the scene she considered the happiest in the book.
• Heather: Wants to see when they first meet in the store and when they go to capture Frank.

Reaction to movie trailers.

• Everyone as a group agrees the trailer looks like it will be more interesting and "normal" than the book.
• Kate Winslet actually looks terrified when she meets Frank "Vinny" at the store as opposed to how it's described in the book. 
• We did catch that Henry narrates as a grown man in the movie trailer. When we read the book, we felt as a whole that it was a child narrating the story. Main reason was the missing quotations and just certain areas that grossed us out as moms (lol). 
• The movie trailer looks as if the film is going to be romantic since we felt the book lacked romance for us. 

HOPES.

• Believable, emotional, romantic.

Random.

• The movie trailer helped a few of us read and finish the book.
• Stephanie: Says it wasn't the most comfortable scenes to read in a book but she has read worst before.
• Sheila M.: Says she feels the author wrote this book to show the story as "fated" to the reader. 
• Group hopes that the movie is less detailed in certain scenes that in the book that were a bit uncomfortable to read. (Out of all of us, I had the hardest time getting through the book - Yara)
• It was disturbing for most of us with sons to know how interested Henry was to listen to his mother have sexual relations with Frank. 
• Sheila M: She could not handle the constant turmoil in the book. 

So that concludes are first meeting for Labor Day. Next we will go as a group and see the film then discuss our reactions after watching the movie. Labor Day was definitely a good book to have as part of a book club. There were moments of heated discussion regarding Henry and our own boys. It's definitely a book that moms of boys might be uncomfortable to read. But we do recommend that you do. 

Have you read Labor Day? What do you thins about what we mention in this post regarding the book and upcoming movie? What are you looking forward to seeing in the movie? Let us know in the comments. 

LABOR DAY - in theaters January 31st 2014.

“Labor Day” centers on 13-year-old Henry Wheeler, who struggles to be the man of his house and care for his reclusive mother Adele while confronting all the pangs of adolescence. On a back-to-school shopping trip, Henry and his mother encounter Frank Chambers, a man both intimidating and clearly in need of help, who convinces them to take him into their home and later is revealed to be an escaped convict. The events of this long Labor Day weekend will shape them for the rest of their lives.

Starring: Kate Winslet as Adele, Josh Brolin as Frank, Gattlin Griffith as young Henry and Tobey Maguire as adult Henry. 

Directed by Jason Reitman

Order your copy of Joyce Maynard's Labor Day today. 

Pens! Camera! Action!: #Divergent Behind the Scenes First Look + Interviews with Cast

Fandango shares the first look at #Divergent behind the scenes footage along with interviews from Veronica Roth, Theo James, Shailene Woodley, Jai Courtney, Kate Winslet and Ashley Judd. 

CHECK IT OUT!

THIS JUST MADE MY DAY!!!! Guys I cant tell you enough times, how I wished it was March already!!!