With February gone, we say hello to the new movies coming out in March!
I’m actually really excited about this week. There are A LOT of movies that I am looking forward to. Some of them are by my favorite filmmakers, and some from a few filmmakers who look to be great new talents. Even the films I’m not that crazy for seem to at least show some promise and may make YOU excited for them. Lets get started!
What’s it about? In a parallel universe, World War One is imminent as we follow the gripping story of human resistance fighters who march to battle against the second invasion of the Martians. In 1899, the Earth was attacked by ruthless invaders from the planet Mars. The Martians’ 80 ft tall, heat-ray spewing, Tripod battle machines laid waste to the planet, but the invaders ultimately fell prey to Earth’s tiny bacteria. Fifteen years later, Man has rebuilt his shattered world, in large part by utilizing captured Martian technology. Equipped with giant, steam-powered Tripod battle machines, the international rapid reaction force, is Mankind’s first line of defense against the return of the rapacious Martian invaders. And return the Martians do. The rematch finds the multinational battle squad tripod “Goliath” on the front-lines of a vicious interplanetary offensive. This time the Martians are using even more advanced alien technology. In the crucible of combat, the young crew helming the mighty Goliath will be tested to the limits of their endurance and courage as they fight for Mankind’s very survival under the onslaught of an implacable enemy.
My thoughts? While I wouldn’t rush out to see this in theaters, this doesn’t really look all that bad. The animation is on par with cartoons on TV, and the cool mix of retro tech and future tech is always appealing. The only problem this movie will have is that it might be boring, what with all the characters looking hard and serious all the time. Though, it makes you wonder…had this been in live action, with the best budget and directed really well…would you have wanted to see it more? Probably right? But since it’s animated, I’m only slightly intrigued.
What’s it about? Adventurous young couple Tom and Lucy (Iain De Caestecker and Alice Englert) are en route to a music festival when they attempt to stop at a countryside hotel, and find themselves pursued by a malevolent stranger as all signs only seem to lead them further down the darkened, unfamiliar roads.
My thoughts? Lots of good mood in this trailer. The premise seems traditional enough for a horror film, but looking at the trailer I can at least see that it’s going to be stylishly directed.
What’s it about? Based on Frank Miller’s latest graphic novel Xerxes, and told in the breathtaking visual style of the blockbuster ‘300,’ this new chapter of the epic saga takes the action to a fresh battlefield–on the sea–as Greek general Themistokles attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war.
My thoughts? It’s amazing how much I don’t really care about seeing this. The first film ended with a finality that didn’t leave us wishing for a sequel. That being said, I sadly understand the appeal of making a second one. 300, love it or hate it, was monumental when it was released. Much like The Matrix, it set a style that was copied for years, which is the problem with this sequel. This film isn’t even directed by the original film’s director, Zack Snyder. Instead it’s being done by Noam Murro, doing his best Snyder impression. But the fact that it’s being directed by a guy trying to make it look like Snyder’s work only makes it feel no better then the other films ripping off the “300” style. Truthfully, if you really are into the first film and want to see the story continue, then I hope you love the second one. For me, I’ll save it for a rainy day rental.
What’s it about? Todd Sklar’s ‘Awful Nice’ centers on estranged brothers Jim (James Pumphrey) and Dave (Alex Rennie) who are forced to travel to Branson together to renovate and flip the lake house they’ve inherited from their just-deceased father. A series of hilarious mishaps and costly misadventures follow as they attempt to restore the dilapidated house and rebuild their strained relationship.
My thoughts? How do you react to something that you had no real reaction too? That’s how I feel after seeing this trailer. It doesn’t look bad. Not at all. It looks decently directed with a good understanding on how to shoot and edit comedy . The problem is I just didn’t laugh. It wasn’t that the humor was bad either, it just wasn’t my sense of humor. If you laughed then I do hope you seek this out, just to support new comedic talent.
What’s it about? Donnie Yen is Zilong “Dragon” Chen, an undercover cop deep inside China’s most ruthless crime syndicate. The boss, Xiong (Collin Chou) swears to find every traitor and make them pay with their lives. Agents are turning up dead. His days are numbered. Desperate to protect his family and his life, Chen must risk everything to protect the SPECIAL IDENTITY he never wanted before it’s too late.
My thoughts? If I do have a weakness it’s old school, hard nosed, violent Hong Kong action crime flicks. This looks like classic Donnie Yen, with Yen playing a bad ass cop (again) fighting crime. The plot is almost inconsequential for me. I just want sweet fights, and Yen usually delivers on them. Judging from this trailer, I will at least get some great ones.
What’s it about? This is a world plagued by demons, who cause its human inhabitants unspeakable suffering. Young demon hunter Xuan Zang, fearlessly guided by his belief in “giving himself for the greater cause,” risks his all and conquers a water demon, a pig demon and the demon of all demons, Sun Wukong. He embraces them as his disciples, and melts them with love. Meanwhile, Xuan Zang discovers the true meaning of Greater Love himself. In order to atone for their own sins and save the common people, the four of them embark on a journey to the West that’s full of challenges…
My thoughts? If I have ANOTHER weakness….it’s my love for Stephen Chow films. Shaolin Soccer is one of my all time favorite films. Flat out. Just a brilliant god damn movie. Any filmmaker who can make a movie as wonderfully insane as Shaolin Soccer will have my attention for the rest of their careers. Thankfully, Stephen Chow is an amazing filmmaker. I know many can’t get behind the Looney Tunes level of cartoon buffoonery that he injects in his movies, but I love it. But it’s not just the cartoon comedy that he’s good at, he knows how to deliver stories with heart and makes you give a damn about the characters at the end of the film. This time out, Chow will actually not be the lead in the film, staying behind the camera fully. While I’ll miss his amazing comedic on screen chops, this movie looks to still deliver on the classic Stephen Chow level of imagination and insanity. Can’t wait!
And now…for the GRAND finale! Hehehe….sorry…..
What’s it about? Tom Selznick, the most talented pianist of his generation, stopped performing in public because of his stage fright. Years after a catastrophic performance, he reappears in public in a long-awaited concert in Chicago. In a packed theater, in front of the expectant audience, Tom finds a message written on the score: “Play one wrong note and you die.” Without leaving the piano, Tom must discover the anonymous sniper’s motives and look for help without anyone realizing…
My thoughts? I have been looking forward to this one since I read reviews from Fantastic Fest. The premise sounds silly as hell, but the visuals from the trailer showed how you could pull this movie off. I’ve always like Elijah Wood and John Cusack, and their casting in the project is spot on. This looks like it’s going to be so much fun. Hell, it’s available right now on VOD, and I actually might just rent it just to see it early.
What’s it about? Wes Anderson heads to Europe for the first time with this Indian Paintbrush production starring Saoirse Ronan, Ralph Fiennes, Bill Murray, and Jude Law. The famous concierge at a legendary hotel situated in the Alps becomes the center of a farcical whirlwind of suspicion when one of his institution’s oldest and richest patrons turns up dead, and she suspiciously leaves him her most priceless work of art — a Renaissance painting of a boy with an apple.
My thoughts? It’s either you love Wes Anderson or you hate him. For a while, I wasn’t sure I would connect to another Anderson film. I’m in the small camp that didn’t fall in love with The Royal Tenenbaums and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. Don’t get me wrong, I liked them, but I didn’t love them as much as I adored Rushmore. Then I fell madly in love with Fantastic Mr. Fox and Moonrise Kingdom and I’m right back on the Anderson bandwagon (Sidenote: I STILL haven’t seen The Darjeeling Limited.) I must have seen this trailer a dozen times when it came out. If you’re not into Anderson, I think it’s fair to say you should probably avoid this film. If you are, then I think it looks like he’s got another winner here. And my gods, did Anderson cast EVERYONE in this thing? Oh, and while we’re here, did you ever see this fun little short film that Wes Anderson did with Jason Schwartzman? It’s pretty great, and it makes me wish the day would come where Anderson makes Schwartzman the solo lead in one of his films again (like in Rushmore).
Wow, this is one of those rare weeks that even “I” don’t know which one to see first! How about you? Tell us below what films are YOU most looking forward too!