Nothing strange or crazy this week when it concerns the new movie releases.
Not much else left to say, so let’s just see what we got this week….
What’s it about? A look at the many roles played by eclectic 77-year-old actor/activist George Takei, whose wit, humor and grace have helped him to become an internationally beloved figure and Internet phenomenon with 7-million Facebook fans and counting.
My thoughts? If you were to tell me that 10 years ago, that one of the most beloved and most talked about Star Trek cast members would be George Takei, I would be both shocked and pretty dang happy. Even before his internet stardom, I always thought George was a pretty funny person, and to see him be worshipped online, it’s kind of a hoot. I’m glad to see him have a documentary, as the man’s done quiet a bit and has accomplished a lot. Being an Asian american actor in the ’60s and being a closeted gay man was hard enough, but he was able to make it through and has become a strong representative for BOTH Asian Am and Gay communities. This documentary seems like a fun way to look back on his very interesting and exciting life.
What’s it about? The journey of legendary football coach Bob Ladouceur, who took the De La Salle High School Spartans from obscurity to a 151-game winning streak that shattered all records for any American sport.
My thoughts? Looks slick. Some nice performances from Jim Caviezel and Michael Chiklis. It’s not QUITE a typical football drama, but it certainly doesn’t look to be anything ground breaking. Not really a film that I’d rush out to see, but it does seem to be a solid bit of fluffy drama. If sports movies are your thing, I see no harm in checking this one out.
What’s it about? Life changes in an instant for young Mia Hall after a car accident puts her in a coma. During an out-of-body experience, she must decide whether to wake up and live a life far different than she had imagined.
My thoughts? This is one of those trailers in which I’m practically talking to the screen “Whoa, slow down…don’t show me the….whole….movie…damn it. Fine. Go ahead. You already did. You wanna show me ALL the emotional beats in the third act? FINE. Don’t care.”
That being said, the premise looks interesting, and Chole Grace Moretz is growing to be a compelling leading lady, but the film does look to be very heavy on the drama. It’s so thick with drama, I’m worried of drowning in it.
What’s it about? After Ben and George get married, George is fired from his teaching post, forcing them to stay with friends separately while they sell their place and look for cheaper housing — a situation that weighs heavily on all involved.
My thoughts? Lithgow and Molina look to be doing some great work in this film. Unlike If I Stay, I sense that this film’s drama will be done with a lighter touch. The reviews seem to be really great right now, so if the trailer seemed to appeal to you greatly, then check it out!
What’s it about? Struggling with a marriage on the brink of falling apart, a couple escapes for a weekend in pursuit of their better selves, only to discover an unusual dilemma that awaits them.
My thoughts? Well well….I have no idea what’s going on here, and I kinda like that. Whereas something like the If I Stay trailer reveals most of the movie, I actually love when a trailer does its job of teasing you; and this trailer is a huge tease. Saying that the movie has a Spike Jones/Charlie Kaufman like flair is a big hint at what kind of movie it is, but I’m still not completely sure what’s going on…and you know what, that’s enough for me to check this one out.
What’s it about? Two childhood best friends embark on a road trip back to their hometown after one of them learns he has inherited a large sum of money from his recently deceased estranged father.
My thoughts? You’d think a movie written and directed by the creator of Mad Men would gather a bit more buzz…unless the truth is that the film he made wasn’t that great. That’s a shame. I haven’t seen a ton of Mad Men, but I know that the show is well written and directed, so it’s a bit disappointing to think that Matthew Weiner’s first film isn’t a home run. Unfortunately, even judging from the trailer, I feel a bit lukewarm about the film. I like the cast quite a bit, but the trailer just didn’t get me hooked on the humor or the drama. The reviews of the film have been quite brutal, so this might be the case in which this wasn’t the right film for Matthew Weiner to get his feet wet in the world of feature length movies.
What’s it about? Some of Sin City’s most hard-boiled citizens cross paths with a few of its more reviled inhabitants.
My thoughts? Is it too late for a Sin City sequel? It’s been seven years, and not only has the landscape of movies based on comics changed…but the way I see Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller has too.
It pains me to say this, but both men have not been putting out quality stuff in the last few years. I still consider Robert Rodriguez to be a huge influence on me, and I still love his older flicks, but Machete Kills was just too much and I wish Rodriguez would make a regular film without using the whole Grindhouse gimmick again.
– and Frank Miller has just been putting out terrible comics (I couldn’t stand Holy Terror) and even worse movies (the painful experience that is The Spirit.)
So it’s the NEW material that’s been making me worried about Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.
See, A Dame to Kill For is my favorite Sin City graphic novel. If the adaptation is JUST LIKE the comics (which is what they do for these films) then we got a hell of a flick.
It’s the new Nancy storyline that I’m worried about. I know that Nancy’s story was something that Frank has been wanting to do for years as a comic, so the Sin City fan in me kinda loves that this old idea will be first coming out as a movie instead. It’s a story we never saw (as well as the Joe Gordon Levitt story).
This creates a couple of tales in which we don’t know the outcome… and unfortunatel, I just don’t trust Franks writing any more. He’s become a parody of himself, and the focus on ultra violence, sex, and darkness is now a running joke in his work. I just don’t feel the connection.
I’m watching this flick for sure. I want to believe that they will pull this one together, but I’m be hesitant about it.
Ok folks, what about you? What films coming out this week are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below!