Produced By: Juan De Deios Larraín, Sebastián Lelio, Pablo Larraín
Starring: Julianne Moore, John Turturro, Michael Cera, Caren Pistoruys, Brad Garrett, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Rita Wilson, with Sean Astin and Holland Taylor
Release Date: March 22, 2019
Running Time: 101 Minutes
Rating: R
Website: https://a24films.com/films/gloria-bell
Gloria (Julianne Moore) is a free-spirited, middle-aged divorcee who spends her days at a straight-laced office job and her nights on the dance floor, joyfully letting loose at high-end dance clubs around Los Angeles. After meeting Arnold (John Turturro) on a night out, she suddenly finds herself thrust into an unexpected new romance, filled with both the joys of budding love and the complications of mature dating. From Academy Award-winning director Sebastián Lelio (A Fantastic Woman, Disobedience) comes a sophisticated romantic comedy that shows love can strike at any time, relationships are never simple, and nothing can get you down as long as you keep dancing.
Capernaum
Release Date: 2/01
Director: Nadine Labaki
Writers: Nadine Labaki (screenplay), Jihad Hojeily (screenwriter), Michelle Keserwany (screenwriter)
Stars: Zain Al Rafeea, Yordanos Shiferaw, Boluwatife Treasure Bankole
MPAA Rating: Rated R for language and some drug material
Runtime: 119 mins
While serving a five-year sentence for a violent crime, a 12-year-old boy sues his parents for neglect.
Capernaum is Lebanon’s entry in Oscar’s Best Foreign Language Film category this year. The film is in Arabic, with English subtitles. Set throughout Lebanon, with many scenes taking place in Beirut, Capernaum may be the most haunting film you see all year. Ghosts and goblins are nothing compared to witnessing man’s indifference to the suffering of man, depicted in Capernaum. Worse still, that the victims of that indifference are children, makes it so that viewers will be thinking about this story long after the house lights come up in the theater.
Don’t be discouraged from seeing Capernaum by anything written above. Yes, it is gripping and the despair of the landscape, literally and figuratively, is bleak, but Capernaum is ultimately a story of hope. Further, that story of hope is brilliantly told by Director Nadine Labaki using a cast of non-actors, and actual refugees. Zain Al Rafeea (as Zain), Yordanos Shiferaw (as Rahil) and, even, little Boluwatife Bankole (as Yonas) are entirely captivating in roles that reflect the trials and tribulations of their own lives. The performances feel effortless and sincere.
The camera work added a dimension of connectivity to the story. The cameras conveyed parts of the story that the first-time actors did not convey. Tight shots highlighted the dirt on the faces of the children, as well as every helpless expression. Overhead drone cameras captured he vastness of the landscape in which Zain was endeavoring to thrive. The alternating too close or too far shots of the scenes gave the audience necessary perspective. Capernaum is a story of three “throw-away” souls, but why are there throw-away souls? There are many more similarly situated and the film seeks to have the audience understand the severity of the issues presented.
The themes of Capernaum are very timely. Touching on issues such as narcotics trafficking, parenting, immigration, degradation of women, Capernaum weaves a tapestry of realism from which its hard to look away. Parts of it felt heavy-handed, but any optimism would have felt fake. Best of all, Capernaum skips political rhetoric.
Go see Capernaum. Travel, through the screen, to a place you’ve never been to and a reality much different than your own. See the world through the eyes of the children in the film. It will give any viewer something to think about. Capernaum is playing everywhere now.
THE WIFE
CAST: Glenn Close, Jonathan Pryce, Christian Slater, Max Irons, Harry Lloyd, Annie Starke, and Elizabeth McGovern
DIRECTED BY: Bjorn Runge
PRODUCED BY: Rosalie Swedlin, Meta Louise Foldager Sorensen
RUN TIME: 100 Minutes
RATED: R
RELEASE DATE: September 14, 2018 (Houston)
After nearly forty years of marriage, JOAN and JOE CASTLEMAN (Glenn Close and Jonathan Pryce) are complements. Where Joe is casual, Joan is elegant. Where Joe is vain, Joan is self-effacing. And where Joe enjoys his very public role as Great American Novelist, Joan pours her considerable intellect, grace, charm, and diplomacy into the private role of Great Man’s Wife. Joe is about to be awarded the Nobel Prize for his acclaimed and prolific body of work. Joe’s literary star has blazed since he and Joan first met in the late 1950’s. THE WIFE interweaves the story of the couple’s youthful passion and ambition with a portrait of a marriage, thirty-plus years later—a lifetime’s shared compromises, secrets, betrayals, and mutual love.
There are few artists who can fill an entire movie screen with their acting abilities. Nowadays, movies are so full of special effects, music, and other gimmicks that audiences see acting as only one component of a movie. Well, thank goodness for Glen Close. Her latest performance, in The Wife, is some of the best acting of the year.
The Wife is all Glen Close, for the entire run time. Close plays Joan, the wife a recent Nobel prize winner who is conflicted about her husband's win. Close's performance is incredibly nuanced. Every sigh, voice tone and glance has a ton of meaning. It was engrossing to watch Close's face for slight, but deliberate, expressions.
Joan's other half, Joe, is played perfectly by Jonathan Pryce. Max Irons plays Joan and Joe's son, David. Christian Slater plays a reporter, Nathaniel. So, the film is basically four males and Close, but there is no confusing who the star is. The give and take between the cast is very entertaining. Great dialogue. Natural pace.
The story felt familiar and novel. It was familiar in that The Wife deals with marital conventions for all the slings and arrows between spouses. It felt new because of the Nobel prize and those complications.
The Wife is a slow, but smoldering, burn. It's one of those pensive pieces which invites the audience to evaluate its own human relationships. No part of it was boring. Nothing about it was ordinary.
Close's performance is worth a trip to a movie theater. It goes great with a glass of wine. The Wife is playing everywhere now.
A Simple Favor Director: Paul Feig Writers: Jessica Sharzer (screenplay by), Darcey Bell (based upon the novel by) Starring: Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Golding MPAA Rating: R Official Socials:Site |Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | IMDb Hashtag #ASimpleFavor
A SIMPLE FAVOR, directed by Paul Feig, centers around Stephanie (Anna Kendrick), a mommy blogger who seeks to uncover the truth behind her best friend Emily's (Blake Lively) sudden disappearance from their small town.
Every since I saw the trailer for this movie, I wanted to see it, so I was quite excited to be invited to go to a screening to do a review for you all. I've loved Anna Kendrick since the Twilight movies, but mostly, she is pretty, quirky, and dorky in real life, and I love it (because so am I). Blake Lively is just stunning to look at and also a good actress. The two of them together? I felt like it was perfection.
The director of the movie said in an interview that "A Simple Favor" is a thriller but with comedy, and he couldn't be more accurate. It's definitely a thriller and, if you've seen the trailer (if not, it's at the end of this review so you can watch it), you might agree with me that it reminded me a bit of "Gone Girl". As I watched the movie, it really confirmed it for me. Although, I admit I've never seen "Gone Girl", I've only read the book, but you get what I mean. They do have you guessing about how some Emily disappeared, how it all happened, and why. They also make it seem like there's something else going on we haven't realized yet. I loved having different theories and trying to figure everything out. I was only right about one of my theories. #EpicFail.
Let's talk a little bit about Anna Kendrick's character, Stephanie. I took my best friend with me to the screening and she told me halfway through the movie what I had been thinking since the beginning: Stephanie reminded her of me. I absolutely loved her character and she is definitely the comedic relief of the movie, but also the strongest and best character, in my humble opinion. She is also the one who has probably the best character development, and I love it when they underestimate a character and said character then surprises everyone. Really and truly loved Anna Kendrick in this movie, more than in any other one I've seen of her.
Blake Lively's character is also slightly unpredictable, and it's one of those personalities you aren't sure if you like her or not. But, I cannot deny she is interesting. And I absolutely loved her fashion sense and just how she portrayed this character overall. She was funny, sweet, cynical, loving, sexy, and smart all at once. It was fun to watch this, I am not going to lie. Also, I absolutely love her hair. Vain, I know, but I couldn't help admire it throughout the whole movie.
Another thing I really loved in the movie was the two little boys that play Emily and Stephanie's kids. They're so tiny, but so talented and adorable. They really did a great job and I look forward to their growing movie careers.
In conclusion, if you want to have fun with a movie, go see this one. I honestly had a great time watching it and I wouldn't mind watching it again. Hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did!
COLETTE (Bleecker Street)
Release Date: Friday September 28, 2018
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Rating: R
Run Time: 111 Minutes
Official Site: https://bleeckerstreetmedia.com/colette
Cast: Keira Knightley, Dominic West, Eleanor Tomlinson, and Denise Gough.
Directed by: Wash Westmoreland
After marrying a successful Parisian writer known commonly as “Willy” (Dominic West), Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (Keira Knightley) is transplanted from her childhood home in rural France to the intellectual and artistic splendor of Paris. Soon after, Willy convinces Colette to ghostwrite for him. She pens a semi-autobiographical novel about a witty and brazen country girl named Claudine, sparking a bestseller and a cultural sensation. After its success, Colette and Willy become the talk of Paris and their adventures inspire additional Claudine novels. Colette's fight over creative ownership defies gender roles and drives her to overcome societal constraints, revolutionizing literature, fashion and sexual expression.
Click below for your chance at wining passes to COLETTE on September 24th 2018.
The Happytime Murders Director: Brian Henson WritersTodd Berger (screenplay by), Todd Berger & Dee Austin Robertson (story by) Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Elizabeth Banks, Maya Rudolph MPAA Rating: R Official Socials:Site |Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | IMDb Hashtag#HappyTimeMurders
When the puppet cast of an '80s children's TV show begin to get murdered one by one, a disgraced LAPD detective-turned-private eye puppet takes on the case.
There's no other word to describe this movie with than odd. Yes, it had a plot, its funny moments, the silliness of puppets living with humans (reminded me of the world of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" but with Muppets instead of cartoons), but it is definitely odd. The poster for it you see above describes the movie very well.
Growing up watching Sesame Street and The Muppets Show (as many of us from the 80s did), I want to watch anything with the Muppets in it (I've seen most of the movies that have been done with them, if not all), so I was curious to watch this one. I saw the trailer before going into the movie and decided I'd maintain a neutral opinion about it until I watched the actual movie. I won't lie, it was better than I thought it would be. Will I tell you to rush to the theaters to go see it? No. If you do, should you take your kids to see like all the other Muppet movies? Um, take another look at the poster, read all the signs and things that are being shown and you will be in agreement with me that the answer is HELL NO. It's a very adult movie, so make sure to leave the little ones with a babysitter if you want to go see this movie.
The plot of the movie also reminded me of Roger Rabbit because, as the title of the movie implies, there are a few murders of puppets. The cast of a kids show from the 80s, "The Happytimes", start getting murdered one by one and it's up to Phil Phillips (the blue Muppet with Melissa McCarthy in the poster) ends up getting accused of them (as I said, reminiscent of Roger Rabbit), so now he and Melissa McCarthy's character, Detective Edwards, are out to solve the murders while clearing his name.
What makes it odd, I think, is that there's a terrible sex scene with two of the Muppets (you can see part of it in the trailer actually) and it's just so...well, odd. But there's a lot of things that make it odd. Doesn't mean it's not fun or funny, just know there are some things in the movie that will make you put a confused face. Despite these things, I did laugh and have a good time with it. I spoke to other press attendees and they said the same thing that I did: better than I expected, has its funny moments, but so odd.
I won't lie, I haven't seen many Melissa McCarthy movies. No reason at all, just haven't gotten around to it. Anyway, I actually liked her in the movie and laughed with her. I like the way she delves into a character and really makes you believe she IS that character. Joel McHale comes out in the movie too, but his character is more of a douche bag and smart ass than anything, but I still love him to pieces (and he's so hot!). The few scenes he's in are actually quite funny and make the movie funnier.
There really isn't much more I can say about the movie without spoiling it, but just know that I had a good time, but I wouldn't run to the theaters to see it. If you feel like watching some none sense movie that you don't have to think a lot and just laugh, then go and see it. Otherwise, wait for later.
Eighth Grade
Directed By: Bo Burnham
Written By: Bo Burnham
Produced By: Scott Rudin, Eli Bush, Lila Yacoub, Chris Storer
Starring: Elsie Fisher, Josh Hamilton, Emily Robinson, Jake Ryan
Release Date: July 27, 2018 (Houston)
Running Time: 93 Min
Rating: R
Thirteen-year-old Kayla endures the tidal wave of contemporary suburban adolescence as she makes her way through the last week of middle school—the end of her thus far disastrous eighth grade year—before she begins high school.
If you’re getting ready to send the kiddos back to school, no movie is going to make you pause for thought more than this comedy, Eighth Grade. It’s not a comedy in the funny sense. It’s a comedy in the “I have to laugh so I don’t cry” sense. And even though Eighth Grade was difficult to watch, at times, it is still so good, and worthy of a trip to an arthouse theater to catch.
Eighth Grade is a time capsule. Through the film, and on the screen, the audience is transported to the eighth grade. But it isn’t so much like voyeuristically viewing someone else’s life. The movie allowed for a genuinely visceral connection to the audience. The audience cringed in unison several times. They laughed. The admired. They shed tears. Eighth Grade is rollercoaster of emotion, and it is that roller coaster which allows the audience to remember the horrors or delights of their adolescent experiences. We were all there, or knew someone who was. Watching the movie will bring back all of the feels.
The film is success thanks to the writing of Bo Burnham, the film’s writer/director. In his feature film debut, Burnham shows that he isn’t afraid to hold mirrors up to the audience, pimples and all. It is as if he is inviting audiences to, not only, look at the screen, but also to look at themselves. The plot moves at the same pace of the eighth grade. Some days are good, and go by in a blink of an eye. The bad days seem to go on forever.
Elsie Fisher's portrayal of Kayla, the film's protagonist, is gifted. Eighth Grade is the beginning of what is sure to be a great career for her. Fisher brings just the right amount of teenage angst without seeming bratty or shallow. She also exudes hopeful optimism even during the most difficult scenes. Her life isn't perfect. This is a John Hughes film. Not everything is tied-up with a bow by the time the last scene wraps, and that is okay. That feels real.
Above all, Eighth Grade has a great message. It displays all of the warts of adolescence without being dark. The references to social media are very timely. The ending is fantastic. It is a must-see for anyone who has a teenager, knows a teenager or was a teenager. Don't miss Eighth Grade, in theaters.
MILE 22
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Lauren Cohan, Iko Uwais, Ronda Rousey and John Malkovich
Directed By: Peter Berg
Written By: Screenplay by Lea Carpenter
Story by Graham Roland and Lea Carpenter
Produced By: Peter Berg, Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson
Release Date: August 17, 2018
Rating: R
In a visceral modern thriller from the director of Lone Survivor, Mark Wahlberg stars as James Silva, an operative of the CIA’s most highly-prized and little-known unit. Aided by a top-secret tactical command team, Silva must transport an asset (Iko Uwais) who has vital information to a Southeast Asian airfield for extraction before the enemy closes in. MILE 22 also stars Lauren Cohan, Ronda Rousey, and John Malkovich.
Do you want to see MILE 22 Movie before it hits Theaters. Click on the link below, for your chance to download an admit-two screening pass for an advance screening on Tuesday, August 14 at 7:00PM in Houston. Seats in the theater are first-come, first-serve so PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY!
MILE 22
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Lauren Cohan, Iko Uwais, Ronda Rousey and John Malkovich
Directed By: Peter Berg
Written By: Screenplay by Lea Carpenter
Story by Graham Roland and Lea Carpenter
Produced By: Peter Berg, Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson
Release Date: August 17, 2018
Rating: R
In a visceral modern thriller from the director of Lone Survivor, Mark Wahlberg stars as James Silva, an operative of the CIA’s most highly-prized and little-known unit. Aided by a top-secret tactical command team, Silva must transport an asset (Iko Uwais) who has vital information to a Southeast Asian airfield for extraction before the enemy closes in. MILE 22 also stars Lauren Cohan, Ronda Rousey, and John Malkovich.
Do you want to see MILE 22 Movie before it hits Theaters. Click on the link below, for your chance to download an admit-two screening pass for an advance screening on Wednesday, August 15 at 7:00PM in San Antonio Seats in the theater are first-come, first-serve so PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY!
Unfriended: Dark Web
Directed By: Stephen Susco
Written By: Stephen Susco
Release Date: July 20th, 2018 (Nationwide)
Running Time: 88 minutes
Rating: R
Social Media Channels: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
#UNFRIENDEDDARKWEB #BEWAREDARKWEB
Unfolding in real-time UNFRIENDED: DARK WEB is the most terrifying horror yet from the producer of GET OUT, HAPPY DEATH DAY and THE PURGE, and the makers of UNFRIENDED. When a 20-something finds a cache of hidden files on his new laptop, he and his friends are unwittingly thrust into the depths of the dark web. They soon discover someone has been watching their every move and will go to unimaginable lengths to protect the dark web.Written and directed by Stephen Susco (THE GRUDGE), UNFRIENDED: DARK WEB is produced by Timur Bekmambetov, Bazelevs Productions and Jason Blum, Blumhouse Productions
Unfriended: Dark Web, like its predecessor, is a movie takes place entirely on a MacBook screen, switching back and forth of FaceTime, iMessage, Facebook, and Skype, and following a group of teenagers as they get picked off one by one. As they die, their friends watch via webcam, with a lot of crying, yelling, and disbelief.
Programmer Matis (played by Colin Woodell) has recently obtained a laptop from a lost and found, so he can build ASL translation software faster in order to help him communicate with his deaf girlfriend Amaya (played by Stephanie Nogueras). The film begins with him trying to login into a computer. He manages to login, and apps such as Facebook, Skype, Spotify, and several others suddenly open all with the original Owner’s login information saved. Every time he encounters the login screen of Norah C. IV, he erases it, and enters his own information in. Curiosity, however, takes the better of him and he takes a peak into Norah's Facebook account and this is where things begin to get a little weird. Several instant messages begin appearing. however, one user stands out, and the user is demanding to know who is using the computer. The mysterious user becomes increasingly violent and threatening.
We finally get to meet the other characters in this story when Matias logs into a Skype session with his friends for their game night. We meet tech-savvy Brit Damon (played by Andrew Lees); conspiracy theorist AJ (played by Connor Del Rio); Nori (played by Betty Gabriel), Serena (played by Rebecca Rittenhouse) and musician Lexx (played by Savira Windyani). During a game of Cards Against Humanity, Matias subsequently stumbles upon a mysterious Dark Web portal called “The River,” as well as a folder full of made-to-order snuff films. He finds strange chat messages which suggest that someone is paying money for these murder videos. Questions begin to arise on who exactly Matis got his laptop from and who it belongs to.
Things escalate quickly when the owner of the stolen laptop starts threatening Matias in Facebook Messenger. Matais must try and protect his innocent girlfriend Amaya, his friends who are trying to figure out if what they are seeing is real, or if Matais is making it up, and out-whit the secret society of people calling themselves “Norah”.
I have also read there are two endings to the movie! There are reports that you have no way of knowing which ending you will see in the theater. The movie is entertaining and keeps a steady pace of events which keeps you on the hook wondering what will happen next. If you liked the first one, definitely make a trip to the theater and check it out.
Unfriended: Dark Web
Directed By: Stephen Susco
Written By: Stephen Susco
Release Date: July 20th, 2018 (Nationwide)
Running Time: 88 minutes
Rating: R
Social Media Channels: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
#UNFRIENDEDDARKWEB #BEWAREDARKWEB
Unfolding in real-time UNFRIENDED: DARK WEB is the most terrifying horror yet from the producer of GET OUT, HAPPY DEATH DAY and THE PURGE, and the makers of UNFRIENDED. When a 20-something finds a cache of hidden files on his new laptop, he and his friends are unwittingly thrust into the depths of the dark web. They soon discover someone has been watching their every move and will go to unimaginable lengths to protect the dark web.Written and directed by Stephen Susco (THE GRUDGE), UNFRIENDED: DARK WEB is produced by Timur Bekmambetov, Bazelevs Productions and Jason Blum, Blumhouse Productions
Click below for your chance at wining passes to UNFRIENDED: DARK WEB on July 11, 2018.
The Strangers: Prey At Night
CAST: Christina Hendricks, Martin Henderson, Bailee Madison, Lewis Pullman
DIRECTOR: Johannes Roberts
WRITERS: Bryan Bertino and Ben Ketai
PRODUCERS: Wayne Marc Godfrey, James Harris, Robert Jones, Mark Lane
RELEASE DATE: March 9, 2018
RATING: R
RUN TIME: 81 Minutes
A family’s road trip takes a dangerous turn when they arrive at a secluded mobile home park to stay with some relatives and find it mysteriously deserted. Under the cover of darkness, three masked psychopaths pay them a visit to test the family’s every limit as they struggle to survive. Johannes Roberts directs this horror film inspired by the 2008 smash hit THE STRANGERS.
The Strangers: Prey at Night, directed by Johannes Roberts, brings back with a vengeance the masks ruthless killers we got the know in the popular 2008 cult film. This installment features a family that decides to stay at an abandoned trailer park during their road trip (awesome idea right?). After a woman knocks on their door and discovers they are home, the family is paid a visit by three masked psychopaths and must try to survive. But that is sort of the genius of the film, that they don’t try to complicate it with too many characters or extra flare. If you were not aware there was an older version of this movie, I could see a making a connection between the villains in this movie and the killers in The Purge. However, our masked murders in The Strangers are killing for no other reason that they feel like it.
Although the original film's director is not working on the sequel, he did co-write the script with Ben Ketai. That being said, it has the same gritty feel as the horror flicks from the 90’s and early 2000’s. There is no unnecessary fluff or ridiculous back story to this one. It is straight to the point – you meet the Mr. and Mrs. and their kiddos. One teenager of course has a chip on their shoulder…then the killing quickly commences. I personally was refreshed and enjoyed the simplicity of the film.
Christine Hendricks portrays the Mother of Kinsey and Luke (the teenage children). Baliee Madison and Lewis Pullman (the son of known actor Bill Pullman) do a pretty great job with their roles as the teenagers and you find yourself either wanting to yell at them to run or cheering them on try and get the upper hand on one of the killers. In particular, Luke gets you emotionally involved in the film. At some points are frustrated with him as his character is a little whishy-washy; then all of the sudden he finds weapon of choice and gets in the game. I was a little disappointed with the performance of Martin Henderson as Mike the Father. I struggled to really care about his character as I didn’t feel like he was as engaging as the others.
Something that quickly stood out to me about the film was the clever use of music. There is something fun about the contrast of listening to “I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tiffany or “Total Eclipse of The Heart” by Bonnie Tyler while you are watching someone get chased down and murdered by a madman in a gunnysack mask that adds to the flavor of the movie.
It was a great throwback feeling in the theater and you felt as if it was 2008 all over again with the cinematography and style of the movie. The was fully interacting with the film; yelling at times, screaming and jumping out of the seat at other times, and cheering where deserved. We even had a few movie-goers show up in masks from the original 2008 movie. I have to say YES YES and YES to this movie! I know it won’t be for everyone, but if you enjoy a good ol’ fashion slasher movie, The Strangers: They Prey at Night is a good time!
The Leisure Seeker
CAST: Helen Mirren, Donald Sutherland, Christian Mckay, Janel Moloney, Dana Ivey, Dick Gregory
DIRECTED BY: Paolo Virzì
SCREENPLAY BY: Stephen Amidon, Francesca Archibugi, Francesco Piccolo, Paolo Virzì
PRODUCED BY: Fabrizio Donvito, Marco Cohen, Benedetto Habib
RUN TIME: 112 minutes
RATED: R
RELEASE DATE: March 23, 2018 (Houston)
Here's your chance to see The Leisure Seeker in Houston. You can present the attached pass on your phone or print out to give day of the screening in person. Screening is for March 19 @ 7pm at Edwards Green Grand Palace.
RED SPARROW
Thriller Release: March 2, 2018 MPAA Rating: R Directed by: Francis Lawrence Screenplay by: Justin Haythe Based upon the book by: Jason Matthews Produced by: Peter Chernin, Steve Zaillian, Jenno Topping, David Ready Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, Matthias Schoenaerts, Charlotte Rampling, Mary-Louise Parker and Jeremy Irons RED SPARROW Official Channels
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: RedSparrowMovie.com
FACEBOOK: http://fb.com/RedSparrowMovie
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/RedSparrowMovie
INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/RedSparrowMovie
HASHTAG: #RedSparrow
Dominika Egorova is many things.
A devoted daughter determined to protect her mother at all costs.
A prima ballerina whose ferocity has pushed her body and mind to the absolute limit.
A master of seductive and manipulative combat.
When she suffers a career-ending injury, Dominika and her mother are facing a bleak and uncertain future. That is why she finds herself manipulated into becoming the newest recruit for Sparrow School, a secret intelligence service that trains exceptional young people like her to use their bodies and minds as weapons. After enduring the perverse and sadistic training process, she emerges as the most dangerous Sparrow the program has ever produced. Dominika must now reconcile the person she was with the power she now commands, with her own life and everyone she cares about at risk, including an American CIA agent who tries to convince her he is the only person she can trust.
It’s one thing for Hollywood to pay lip service to women’s issues. It is quite another to actually act or deliver on that lip service. Red Sparrow is not a movie that screams “time’s up” or has reverence for the recent “me too” social movement. Like the Cold War era that its based in, Red Sparrow harkens back to a day when men have all of the control and women are pieces of sexualized meat. The whole experience of this film was off-putting and borderline offensive.
Red Sparrow had very big shoes to fill. Cold War spy thrillers have been done. Several have been done very well. Most of the spy thrillers have male leads (think James Bond). It was obvious that the makers of Red Sparrow sought to distinguish it from other films in the genre. Instead of a male lead, they cast a woman (Jennifer Lawrence as Dominika Egorova) and promptly enrolled her in “whore school.” It only got worse from there.
The school was managed by Charlotte Rampling (as the Headmistress of the Sparrow School), as if it makes it better that a woman is issuing sadistic and sensationalized edicts to the students. Rampling is an Oscar nominated actress. The role of Headmistress was a waste of her talent. Watching her issue tasks where the students had to be completely nude and perform public sex acts was uncomfortable, to say the least.
In order to have a proper Cold War era drama, Red Sparrow had to include an American. Joel Edgerton (as Nathaniel Nash) gets thrown-in as a weak incarnation of an American spy. Nash, literally, gets made for a spy at every turn. What’s worse is that Nash is also a completely awkward love interest for Dominika.
The sex and seduction aspects aside, Red Sparrow was a boring spy caper. There were no hints for the audience follow, no intrigue for solving the plot’s mystery. The whole story gets wrapped in so many sub-plots that the audience forgets what it was trying to solve in the first place. The pacing was either too fast or too slow. Then, came the big reveal, handed to the audience without the necessary build-up. The ending was extremely disappointing.
None of it worked. What was billed as a female empowerment film is really a voyeuristic sexual drama, where the heroine’s lead skills were seduction, manipulation and sex. But she can pick locks, too. The uninteresting twists and turns played out as opportunities for Lawrence to remove her clothes on-screen.
If you’re a fan of semi-nude Jennifer Lawrence, Red Sparrow is for you. If you like Cold War dramas or spy thrillers, in general, this movie isn’t, so much, for you. Either way, there is no need to see this one on the big screen. The visuals (other than Lawrence’s undressed body) are not spectacular. It isn’t pensive or thought-provoking, it's low hanging fruit. If you’re inclined to see this dark and over-sexualized tale, Red Sparrow is playing everywhere now.
A Bad Moms Christmas WRITTEN/DIRECTED BY Jon Lucas & Scott Moore Starring: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines, Jay Hernandez and Justin Hartley Social Handles:Site | Twitter| Facebook | Instagram | IMDb Rated R #BadMomsXmas
A Bad Moms Christmas follows our three under-appreciated and over- burdened women as they rebel against the challenges and expectations of the Super Bowl for moms: Christmas.
A Bad Moms Christmas starring Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn is a must see absolutely raunchy riot! I haven't laughed to the point of tears in a long time, and this movie did it for me! The actresses have such amazing chemistry, even more so than in the first movie if possible. They flow back and forth with hilarious banter, and reference things from the first movie that remind you and have you laughing all over again. The characters are back but you can see their progress from who they were when they first met to how much stronger they are now that they're together, and I think every woman could see a little bit of themselves in each character, and who hasn't wanted to "take back Christmas?!"
Even though this movie appeals to moms because of the title, you definitely don't need to be a mother to appreciate this one! The supporting cast is perfectly picked, Susan Surandon, Cheryl Hines and Christine Baranski play the lead character's overbearing, insane but really just misunderstood mothers. They really take this movie to another level and put their daughters in uncomfortable and hilarious situations. I love how they tap into the complicated relationships between mother and daughter, it was so relatable and heartfelt, I think anyone could take something away from this movie for that reason.
The cast is rounded out by the husbands, boyfriends and fathers played by Jay Hernandez,Peter Gallagher, Lyle Brocato and Justin Hartley (from "This is Us!") it was so funny and sweet to see the guys in these roles, and Justin Hartley's "Santa stripper" character Ty Swindel and his interactions with Kathryn Hahn's character Carla, had me laughing the most! I think this movie overall is very heartwarming, revealing, wild and hilarious and I can't wait to gather my girlfriends and sister and see it again!
The Foreigner
Starring: Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan
Rated: R
Run Time: 114 minutes
Director: Martin Campbell
Writers: Screenplay by David Marconi, Based on the Novel “The Chinaman” by Stephen Leather
Producers: Jackie Chan, Wayne Marc Godfrey, Arthur Sarkissian, Qi Jian Hong, Claire Kupchak, Scott Lumpkin, Jamie Marshall, Cathy Schulman
The Foreigner, starring Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan, is a timely action thriller from the director of “Casino Royale.” The film tells the story of humble London businessman Quan (Chan), whose long-buried past erupts in a revenge-fueled vendetta when the only person left for him to love -- his teenage daughter -- is taken from him in a senseless act of politically-motivated terrorism. In his relentless search for the identity of the terrorists, Quan is forced into a cat-and-mouse conflict with a British government official (Brosnan), whose own past may hold clues to the identities of the elusive killers.
I didn’t know what to think of this week’s The Foreigner when I agreed to sit for a screening. It has been a while since Jackie Chan had a starring role in a film. In his sixties, I wasn’t sure if he could still deliver the action sequences of his past. I enjoyed some of The Foreigner, but not all.
Let’s cover the bad aspects first. The story is almost too timely. I’m tired of worrying about real random violence in the world today. Terrorist threats and actions are all over the news, every day. The Foreigner offers nothing by way of escapist entertainment. The plot felt like it was lifted-off the news headlines. It was too real, and that was too much. It also felt irresponsible to glorify guns and violence in the manner this movie does.
Also, I'm not sure that Jackie Chan (as Quan) was the best person to lead this film. He looked tired for the entire movie. The action scenes were nice to see, but they looked more carefully choreographed than in any action film Chan has done before. And Chan seemed to be lacking in his acting range. When he was supposed to look sorrowful, he looked flat. Chan's facial expressions, and lack thereof, were disappointing. Chan was easily out-shined by his co-star, Pierce Brosnan (as Liam Hennessy), in a movie that was supposed to be about Chan. While there are other members of the cast, The Foreigner is about the relationship between Hennessy and Chan. The audience is supposed to root for one of them, and I found myself rooting for the wrong one.
Next up is the musical score of The Foreigner. What was that? I would have enjoyed the movie so much more without the 1990's sounding musical score. It was very over-powering and out of place. It was distracting to the story instead of enhancing to it.
But I didn't dislike all of the movie. I appreciated the geo-political plot. Films with a global view are enlightening. I liked the fast talking political negotiations. Brosnan's star shown brightest during these scenes.
The cat and mouse chase was predictable, but fun. I enjoyed putting together the puzzle. Not bad for a revenge-style movie as long as no one over thinks some of the impossible scenarios in the movie.
The Foreigner is very middle of the road. There is no need to rush out to see it in a theater. I could have watched this in the comfort of my living room and enjoyed it just fine. I would have liked the ability to turn-down the annoying musical score. If you want to see The Foreigner in a theater, it is playing everywhere now.
Friend Request Release: September 22, 2017 Distributor: Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures Director: Simon Verhoeven Writers: Matthew Ballen, Philip Koch, Simon Verhoeven Cast: Alycia Debnam-Carey, William Mosely, Connor Paolo, Brit Morgan, Brooke Markham, Sean Marquette, Liesl Ahlers, Shashawnee Hall Producers: Quirin Berg, Max Wiedemann Executive Producers: Byron Allen, Carolyn Folks, Jennifer Lucas, Chris Charalambous, Mark Borde, Richard Barner, Chad Doher
#EvilisTrending
Popular college student Laura (Alycia Debnam-Carey) has tons of friends, both on Facebook and IRL. She graciously accepts social outcast Marina’s (Liesl Ahlers) online friend request, until Marina crosses the line and Laura unfriends her. To everyone’s shock, Marina takes her own life in a ritual meant to torment Laura, which appears in a video posted on Laura’s profile. Even though it wasn’t Laura who posted the video, or other creepy content that begins appearing on her page, her Facebook friend count begins to dwindle as a result. When her real-life friends start dying mysterious, cruel deaths, Laura must figure out how to break the deadly curse before it’s too late.
You and a guest are invited to an advance screening of FRIEND REQUEST! Click movie poster below for your chance to download an admit-two pass to see the film on Wednesday, September 20 in Denver! Seating in the theatre is first-come, first-serve and is not guaranteed. Please arrive early! FRIEND REQUEST opens everywhere September 22. #EvilIsTrending
Snatched
Director: Jonathan Levine
Writers: Katie Dippold
Starring: Amy Schumer, Goldie Hawn, Kim Caramele
MPAA Rating: Rated R for crude sexual content, brief nudity, and language throughout
Official Socials: Site | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | IMDb
Hashtag: #SnatchedMovie
When her boyfriend dumps her before their exotic vacation, a young woman persuades her ultra-cautious mother to travel with her to paradise, with unexpected results.
Snatched was fun to watch at home. It had a few really hilarious moments, but the majority of the comedy was alright. I enjoyed Goldie Hawn's acting way more than Amy Schumer. I felt Amy was pushing it sometimes, and it would come out scripted. Goldie on the other hand, was just naturally funny.
I wouldn't recommend watching with the kids, some scenes are pretty raunchy. The location is great, it really did go with the theme of being kidnap. Of course some of it is pretty unrealistic, but I guess the is expected in a comedy.
I really wished I had more to comment on this film, but it did slightly fall flat of what I expected as far as a comedy goes. Would I recommend it, yes, but only if you rent it from the RedBox.
It Comes At Night Cast: Joel Edgerton, Riley Keough, Christopher Abbott, Carmen Ejogo and Kelvin Harrison Jr. Written and Directed by: Trey Edward Shults Run Time: 91 minutes Release Date: June 9, 2017 Social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Hashtag: #ItComesAtNight
Imagine the end of the world - Now imagine something worse. Award-winning filmmaker Trey Edward Shults follows his incredible debut feature KRISHA with IT COMES AT NIGHT, a horror film following a man (Joel Edgerton) as he learns that the evil stalking his family home may be only a prelude to horrors that come from within. Secure within a desolate home as an unnatural threat terrorizes the world, the tenuous domestic order he has established with his wife and son is put to the ultimate test with the arrival of a desperate young family seeking refuge. Despite the best intentions of both families, paranoia and mistrust boil over as the horrors outside creep ever-closer, awakening something hidden and monstrous within him as he learns that the protection of his family comes at the cost of his soul.
It Comes At Night tells a story of a family who has gone to extreme measures to protect themselves from an unknown lethal contagion by sealing themselves off from the any and all outside contact. From the very first scene, it sets a very intense tone and continues to build tension throughout the film. The film's cast is extremely strong and small enough so that you actually care about these characters which is a hard to find in horror films. Starring Joel Edgerton, Riley Keough, Chris Abbott, Carmen Ejogo and Kelvin Harrison, Jr., the film is electrified through these actors with strong and noteworthy acting.
While the film is incredibly suspenseful, it leads you on a pins and needles journey to nowhere. I was left riddled with confusion and anger over the film but I couldn't hate it. The story is very thin and relies on visual and audio stimulation to keep you on the edge of your seat. Throughout the film, you keep waiting to find out what the true threat is and for some sort of culmination; and are never given any sort of answers to the dozens of questions you are left with my the end of the movie. Half way through the film, you still aren’t sure what the real threat is and what the story is building towards showing how strong of an influence fear and paranoia can have over our decisions, this film definitely does its job at holding your attention, but in the end leaves with so many unanswered questions that you leave the theater feeling cheated. I found myself feeling led on and a bit betrayed for having been only given access to a portion of what could have been a great suspense/horror story.
Snatched Director: Jonathan Levine Writers: Katie Dippold Starring: Amy Schumer, Goldie Hawn, Ike Barinholtz, Wanda Sykes, Joan Cusack MPAA Rating: Rated R for crude sexual content, brief nudity, and language throughout Official Socials:Website | Facebook | Twitter | IMDb
After her boyfriend dumps her on the eve of their exotic vacation, impetuous dreamer Emily Middleton persuades her ultra-cautious mother, Linda to travel with her to paradise. Polar opposites, Emily and Linda realize that working through their differences as mother and daughter - in unpredictable, hilarious fashion - is the only way to escape the wildly outrageous jungle adventure they have fallen into.
When life gets rough, you get tougher. That's the moral of this story. When a daughter has a non-refundable trip to South America she brings her mother - someone who tends to stay away from adventure if at all possible. Wanting to spend time with her daughter she goes along for the ride. Just not the ride she was expecting.
This movie was HILARIOUS. I could not stop laughing. There were moments when the whole theater was busting up. I swear we all were going to cry our eyes out from the hysterics. This movie is definitely a feel good movie. Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn - not a pairing I would've put together but they work so well together. Amy brings the hilarity, while Goldie brings the class. Yes Goldie has some hilarious lines too - but for the main comedy Amy brings it.
I would say that's because the writing was great. The one liners that were in this film were some of the best I've heard in a film. Ike Barinholtz - he's from The Mindy Project. At least that's how I know him. He plays one of my favorites characters on that show so I was excited to see him in this film. And then he plays just a better version of his character on The Mindy Project which made this even better. But he has the best one liners out of any other character in the movie.
People might be put off by this film - "it's a mother/daughter film so guys won't like it" - this is definitely not the case. There were so many guys in the theater that were DYING. I feel that they loved the movie just as much as I did. Yes, it is a mother/daughter feel good story so I would recommend all the daughters out there to take your mother to see this movie. They'll love it and love that you brought them to see it.
This week marked Goldie Hawn’s triumphant return to the silver screen after a fourteen year absence. Only her new movie, Snatched, wasn’t so much a triumph. By “not triumph,” I mean it was not good. It was not funny. It was not well-written. It was not any of the things anyone looks for in a trip to a movie theater.
Of course, I’m not blaming the quality of Snatched on Goldie. I love love love Goldie. She is a class act. I have seen all of her movies. There just wasn’t any good material for her. Goldie (as Linda) is cast as a dowdy mom stereotype. It was a disservice. I think fans of Goldie love her because she isn't a stereotype. But, in Snatched, Goldie was used for little else than setting-up her co-star's (Amy Schumer as Emily) punchlines.
And the punchlines weren't funny. I found Snatched to be incredibly unfunny. It is more crass than anything. It is worse that many of the punchlines were given to Schumer. Schumer plays the role as stereotypical, failure to launch, spoiled, self-centered twenty-something. The character of Emily unlikable from start to finish. Zero redeeming qualities early-on. By the time that the film tries to redeem Emily, I didn't care anymore.
The only cast members I really liked were Wanda Sykes (as Ruth) and Joan Cusack (as Barb). These were the only original feeling, non-stereotypes. Unfortunately, both Ruth and Barb were relegated to near cameo-type roles.
The plot has similarities to the film Romancing the Stone. It takes place in Columbia. There is a trek through a jungle. There are language barriers. That is where the similarities end. Where Romancing the Stone was original and funny Snatched is tired, boring, overly-convoluted and long.
It was bad. I'm sorry to say it because I like Goldie Hawn so much, but I don't want anyone to see this movie as a celebration of Mother's Day. Don't take mom to see this. Moms deserve better. Goldie deserved better.
If you must see this, wait for it to be on Redbox or some other bargain viewing. Snatched opens, in theaters, today.
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