I truly believe THIS is the quietest week of movie releases I’ve written about in Looking Ahead. I’m sure I’ll find another week that’s quieter then this, but as of now, THIS is a very quiet week. The biggest film release is a very dark and intense drama/thriller.
The rest are as small as you can imagine.
BUT, this could be a good thing for you. You might find a little gem of a film that gets you really interested. And lets say you do give a shot to one of them and you end up loving it! You know what ? I call those my favorite kinds of film discoveries.
LIMITED RELEASE
What’s it about? A divorced and single parent, Eva (Julia Louis Dreyfus) spends her days enjoying work as a masseuse but dreading her daughter’s impending departure for college. She meets Albert (James Gandolfini) — a sweet, funny and like-minded man also facing an empty nest. As their romance quickly blossoms, Eva befriends Marianne (Catherine Keener), her new massage client. Marianne is a beautiful poet who seems “almost perfect” except for one prominent quality: she rags on her ex-husband way too much. Suddenly, Eva finds herself doubting her own relationship with Albert as she learns the truth about Marianne’s Ex. ‘Enough Said’ is a sharp, insightful comedythat humorously explores the mess that often comes with getting involved again.
My thoughts? One of the last James Gadolfini roles, so there’s something great about seeing him in a film were he’s kinda lovable. I actually laughed a bit with this trailer, and I really quiet like the rest of the cast. Could be a nice romantic comedy, and I like that it’s a romantic comedy about exploring a more mature relationship.
LIMITED RELEASE
What’s it about? ‘The Short Game’ follows the lives of eight of the best 7-year old golfers in the world as they train for and compete in the World Championships of Junior Golf. The annual tournament held at golfing mecca Pinehurst, North Carolina, brings in 1500 young golfers from 54 different countries and determines who will be crowned golf’s next phenom. In its course, the eight stories entwine to form a fascinating and often funny portrait of a group of very young athletes and their families, in which the narrow-focused, peculiar and highly competitive junior golf subculture becomes both a window into contemporary global society and an inspiring reflection of the human condition.
My thoughts? When I first saw the poster my reaction was that it looked like some awful kids film that you would have found in the dollar bin at your local gas station. Turned out it was a neat looking documentary about kid golfers. Go fig. This could be a fun little movie, but would it be as great as the other kids centric documentary Spellbound? Guess we will have to watch it find out.
What’s it about? ‘Battle of the Year’ is an international dance crew tournament that attracts all the best teams from around the world, but the Americans haven’t won in fifteen years. Los Angeles Hip Hop mogul Dante (Alonso) wants to put the country that started the sport back on top. He enlists his hard-luck friend Blake (Holloway), who was a championship basketball coach, to coach his team. Armed with the theory that the right coach can make any team champions, they assemble a Dream Team of all the best dancers across the country. With only three months until Battle of the Year, Blake has to use every tactic he knows to get twelve talented individuals to come together as a team if they’re going to bring the Trophy back to America where it started.
Inspired by the actual world championship held yearly in France.
My thoughts? Man, nothing taking out those evil evil Koreans who’ve gained ownership of the best dance competition in the world!! Right? Yeah, I don’t know either. Can I say I’d never though I’d see Josh Holloway (of Lost fame) share the screen with B-Boy dancing like…ever? Truthfully, I never saw any the dance crew films like this one, but maybe I should check them out one day. (Perhaps a future FRANCHISE BREAKDOWN would be about the Step UP films?) As for this film? Who knows. Perhaps on a slow, boring day, I’ll end up seeing it on Showtime or something.
LIMITED RELEASE
What’s it about? From Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and first-time director Stuart Blumberg (‘The Kids Are All Right’), ‘Thanks for Sharing’ is a sharply comic and deeply moving look at a new kind of modern family, as a group of friends in recovery learns to face life together with heart, humor and humility. Academy Award-nominee Mark Ruffalo, Academy Award-winner Tim Robbins and Broadway star Josh Gad (“The Book of Mormon”) anchor a stellar ensemble that includes Academy Award-winner Gwyneth Paltrow and pop star Alecia Moore (“Get the Party Started”) in her first film role.
My thoughts? I actually like this trailer very much. It’s got some nice comedic scenes, and a subject matter that seems like an interesting place to explore both comedy and drama. As a Marvel Movie fanatic I do find it hilarious to see Bruce Banner hooking up with Pepper Potts. I also am digging the chemistry between Josh Gad and Alecia “Pink” Moore.
LIMITED RELEASE
What’s it about? In this supernatural thriller, three college friends go to the biggest party of the year, each looking for something different: love, sex and a simple human connection. When a mysterious phenomenon disrupts the party, it lights a fuse on what will become the strangest night anyone has ever seen. As the three friends struggle to find what they’re looking for, the party quickly descends into a chaos that challenges if they can stay friends or if they can even stay alive.
My thoughts? A very intriguing head trip of a flick. Could be a total blast to watch, or an annoying viewing. I’m not sure which one it is, but I would love to see it to find out.
LIMITED RELEASE
What’s it about? Based on David Sedaris’ autobiographical short story originally featured in Naked, the film follows David (Jonathan Groff), who decides to attempt to immerse himself in “the real world,” and goes “off the grid” following his graduation from Yale to work at an apple farm under an alias. Failing to fit in amongst the locals and migrant workers, David begins a journey that will take him deep into unfamiliar, awkward, and frequently hilarious territory as he encounters would-be benefactors and friends alike.
My thoughts? The films marketing is banking a lot on the fact that David Sedaris fan base will come and check it out. The sad part is…I never heard of David Sedaris. I’ve listened to a little bit of the popular radio show, This American Life, but I have never fully immersed myself into that show so I don’t know his work from that. BUT, that being said, this trailer still got my attention regardless of my lack of knowledge on Sedaris. I’ve met people like David at this age. To focus the film at David’s life when he starts to reexamine the snobbish part of his personality really intrigues me and is ripe with comedic potential.
LIMITED RELEASE
What’s it about? Years ago, winter came and never went away. Beneath the surface of an ice-covered world, survivors in Colony Seven struggle to keep their fragile society from collapsing as food dwindles and temperatures drop. Already plagued by illness and internal conflict, the colonists suspect the worst when they lose contact with the only other known settlement. A small group decide to go on a dangerous expedition to discover what happened and what they find is worse than they could have ever imagined. Now the fight for survival really begins.
My thoughts? Slick trailer (despite it promoting the original release date of April) promises a cool and visual action/sci fi/horror flick. Sorta digging the zombieish type creatures too. And Morpheus and Hudson are in the flick, so that could be cool. My concern is that there is very little buzz about the movie. If the people releasing this film had faith in it, they would have tried to get the word out about it, but I am hearing NOTHING if this is great or awful. It seems like it could be a decent rental, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to see it.
LIMITED RELEASE
What’s it about? Hortense Laborie (Catherine Frot), a renowned chef from Perigord, is astonished when the President of the Republic (Jean d’Ormesson) appoints her his personal cook, responsible for creating all his meals at the Elysee Palace. Despite jealous resentment from the other kitchen staff, Hortense quickly establishes herself, thanks to her indomitable spirit. The authenticity of her cooking soon seduces the President, but the corridors of power are littered with traps. Based on the extraordinary true story of President Francois Mitterand’s private cook.
My thoughts? Who doesn’t love a good Food Porn movie? A very very charming trailer, I can only hope that the film matches the charm and comedy that this trailer promises.
LIMITED RELEASE
Whats it about? Christian O’Connell (Ivan Sergei) has met the girl of his dreams in Alison Marks (Jennifer Love Hewitt). Unfortunately, Christian told Alison (who happens to be a rabbi’s daughter) that his name was Avi Rosenberg, and that he was Jewish- neither of which are true. Desperate to keep up the illusion, he turns to his childhood best friend, Adam Lipschitz (Joel David Moore) to teach him how to “act Jewish.” But Adam has problems of his own, with a fiance (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) pushing him closer to a mental breakdown as their wedding approaches. With the best intentions, Adam and Christian attempt to help each other out, but things quickly go completely and hilariously off the rails in this outrageous all-star comedy from the creators of the original hit international play seen by millions.
http://youtu.be/aykPt9Y7RxY
My thoughts? At first, it seems like it’s a Jewish version of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but then all of a sudden this romantic comedy starring Jennifer Love Hewitt interrupts it and THAT movie has a totally different high concept plot then the other movie. And they both seem to use up as much old and used up Jewish jokes as possible. As much as I like the cast, I’m gonna pass.
LIMITED RELEASE
What’s it about? In postwar Hong Kong, legendary Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man (Anthony Wong) is reluctantly called into action once more. What begin as simple challenges from rival kung fu styles soon turn deadly, drawing him into the dark and dangerous underworld of the Triads. Now, to defend life and honour, he has no choice but to fight one last time…
My thoughts? Hong Kong is making it seem like that the man who trained Bruce Lee, Ip Man, has had ONE CRAZY ACTION PACKED LIFE! This is yet another film that has neither ties to the Donnie Yen Ip Man films NOR the Wong Kar Wai Ip Man film The Grandmaster (despite putting that word in the trailer.) Anthony Wong is a fantastic actor, and he seems like a decent choice to play an older version of the man. This also is the only film to feature Bruce Lee during most iconic part of his life, though I’m sure it’s just a cameo. The action looks cool, but I’m not as interested in seeing this as the other Ip Man films I mentioned.
LIMITED RELEASE
What’s it about? How far would you go to protect your child? Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) is facing every parent’s worst nightmare. His six-year-old daughter, Anna, is missing, together with her young friend, Joy, and as minutes turn to hours, panic sets in. The only lead is a dilapidated RV that had earlier been parked on their street. Heading the investigation, Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) arrests its driver, Alex Jones (Paul Dano), but a lack of evidence forces the only suspect’s release. Knowing his child’s life is at stake, the frantic Dover decides he has no choice but to take matters into his own hands. The desperate father will do whatever it takes to find the girls, but in doing so, he may lose himself, begging the question: When do you cross the line between seeking justice and becoming a vigilante?
My thoughts? There has been some solid word about this film since it premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. It’s dark and tough material, but if it is done right, it would be one hell of a ride. I’ve always liked Hugh Jackman, and this seems like a great meaty role to sink his claws in….damn it…I really hoped that I could avoid Wolverine jokes this time……bub…DAMN IT!!!! Jake Gyllenhaal seems like he’s in top form here too. While not a intense “must see” film for me, I would like to check it out at some point.
That is it this week. For me, nothing this week really screams I NEED TO SEE IT NOW! But how about you? Is Prisoners enough to grab you? How about the B-Boy dancers vs the World? Up for seeing some kick ass martial arts?
Let me know in the comments below! Also, I just saw Short Term 12 this weekend. I do hope to write a review on it this week, but let me say, if you can watch it, I do think it’s worth a viewing.