According to: Cat
20 - The Dirt (3/22)
Tag Line: Their music made
them famous. Their lives made them infamous.
Production Companies: 10th
Street Entertainment, Focus Features, LBI Entertainment, Netflix
Director: Jeff Tremaine
Writers: Amanda Adelson, Tom
Kapinos, Tommy Lee, Mick Mars, Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, Neil Strauss, Rich
Wilkes
Actors: Douglas Booth, Iwan
Rheon, Machine Gun Kelly , Daniel Webber, Leven Rambin, Pete Davidson, David
Costabile, Christian Gehring
Genre: Docudrama, Biography,
Music
Rated: Unrated
Length: Unknown
IMDb Blurb: The story of how Mötley Crüe came to be one
of the most notorious rock 'n roll groups in history.
If you’re at all familiar with any of the hair bands from the 80’s and
90’s, then Mötley Crüe has crossed your path in one form or another. Their
music is everywhere, really. My husband and I happen to be fans, and I’ve been
to a couple of their concerts in the last decade or so. Naturally, this makes
me a little biased in their favor – but this actually looks like an interesting
movie.
When you look at the cast, there’s some well-known names there. Everyone
loved to hate Iwan Rheon (Residue, Alien
Invasion: S.U.M.1, Inhumans) as Ramsay Bolton in Game of Thrones (2011-2019). I’ve seen some of his other work since
then and was impressed. I think he’ll make an interesting Mick Mars. Machine
Gun Kelly (Nerve, Roadies, Bird Box)
is an amazing casting for Tommy Lee. I am a little on the fence for Douglas
Booth (Noah, The Limehouse Golem, Mary
Shelley) as Nikki Sixx, but there were some moments during the trailer that
gave me hope he’ll be ok in the role. The wild card here is Daniel Webber (Thumper, Australia Day, The Punisher) as
Vince Neil. For me, at least, he’s a relative unknown and those are some big
shoes to fill.
This movie seems to be based on a book penned by the band with their
memoirs. It should make for a wild and entertaining ride to discover all The Dirt they offered to dig up on themselves.
19 - Nancy Drew and the Hidden
Staircase (3/15)
Tag Line: Every Detective
has her first Case.
Production Companies: A Very
Good Production Inc., Red 56
Director: Katt Shea
Writers: Nina Fiore, John
Herrera, Mildred Wirt Benson
Actors: Sophia Lillis, Laura
Wiggins, Linda Lavin, Sam Trammell, Jesse C. Boyd, Jennifer Riker, Mackenzie
Graham, James William Ballard, Zoe Renee, Evan Castelloe, Jon Briddell, Jay
DeVon Johnson, Andrew Matthew Welch
Genre: Mystery, Crime,
Drama, Family
Rated: PG
Length: 89 minutes
IMDb Blurb: A bit of an outsider struggling to fit into
her new surroundings, Nancy and her pals set out to solve a mystery, make new friends,
and establish their place in the community.
The Nancy Drew book series has always been near and dear to my heart. I
had wondered if they were going to try and make another one since the 2007
movie.
I am super excited to see Sophia Lillis (A Midsummer Night's Dream, It, Sharp Objects) playing Nancy. The
original actress for the character’s screen presence in the 30s had curly hair
like hers, and it was a darker shade… not blonde. Lillis is a relative newcomer
to the big screen – but she made a big impression on me. I want to give this
movie a chance and see what she can do with such an established fictional
character.
Not going to lie, though. I’m also jazzed that Sam Trammell (True Blood, I Am Wrath, This Is Us) is
in this one, apparently playing Nancy’s dad.
This one looks to add up to some good family fun.
18 - The Hole in the Ground
(3/1)
Tag Line: Darkness Hides
Within
Production Companies:
Finnish Film Foundation, Wallimage, Wrong Men North, Savage Productions, VOO,
Bankside Films, Head Gear Films, Metrol Technology, A24
Director: Lee Cronin
Writers: Lee Cronin, Stephen
Shields
Actors: Seána Kerslake,
James Quinn Markey, James Cosmo, Kati Outinen, Simone Kirby, Steve Wall, Eoin
Macken, Sarah Hanly
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Rated: R
Length: 90 minutes
IMDb Blurb: Trying to escape her broken past, Sarah
O'Neill is building a new life on the fringes of a backwood rural town with her
young son Chris. A terrifying encounter with a mysterious neighbour shatters
her fragile security, throwing Sarah into a spiralling nightmare of paranoia
and mistrust, as she tries to uncover if the disturbing changes in her little
boy are connected to an ominous sinkhole buried deep in the forest that borders
their home.
Selina pointed out to me, and I wholeheartedly agree, that this movie
seems to have an uncanny resemblance to The
Prodigy (2019) – at least on the surface. The premise of a son that’s just
‘not right’ and even the posters are drawing some parallels. This one seems to
point to a supernatural occurrence that happens to the child; whereas with the
other movie, the kid was just born that way. (I haven’t had a chance to see
that one yet. It’s what I took away from the trailers, at least.)
The trailer for The Hole in the Ground gave me an eerie sense of dread
that it took a little while to shake. Is the little boy possessed? Is he a
changeling? I am dying to figure out what the sinkhole has to do with it all.
There are so many questions that only watching the movie will solve.
Ultimately, I’m going to need to watch both movies to draw my own comparisons.
17 - The Aftermath (3/15)
Tag Line: None
Production Companies: BBC
Films, Amusement Park Films, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Scott Free Productions
Director: James Kent
Writers: Rhidian Brook, Joe
Shrapnel, Anna Waterhouse
Actors: Keira Knightley,
Alexander Skarsgård, Jason Clarke, Martin Compston, Flora Li Thiemann, Kate
Phillips, Jannik Schümann, Fionn O'Shea
Genre: Historical Drama,
War, Romance
Rated: R
Length: 109 minutes
IMDb Blurb: Post World War II, a British colonel and his
wife are assigned to live in Hamburg during the post-war reconstruction, but
tensions arise with the German who previously owned the house.
If I haven’t before, I feel I must admit now – I’m a sucker for most
things with Alexander Skarsgård (Straw Dogs, War on Everyone, Mute) in it. He’s
in more than one movie this month – though both of them didn’t make this list.
I usually really enjoy his projects, but sometimes they just fail to resonate.
The Netflix Original, Hold the Dark
(2018) was one of those. I’m hoping this movie falls to the better end of the
spectrum.
The story, while largely a war drama, does appear interesting. It
covers a portion of the WWII story we don’t generally see a lot of – what came
next after it was over. Germany lost – what happened then? I don’t think this
subject matter is even covered much in schools – at least not in mine.
While I don’t hold illusions of this portraying ‘the truth’ of events
in that timeframe, it does make for a good story. Then you throw a romance and
potential rivalry into the mix. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all plays
out.
16 - Finding Steve McQueen
(3/15)
Tag Line: Inspired by the
Outrageous true story of the Greatest Bank Heist in U.S. History
Production Companies: AMBI
Group, BondIt Media Capital, Identity Films, Paradox Studios, Premiere Picture
Director: Mark Steven
Johnson
Writers: Ken Hixon, Keith
Sharon
Actors: Travis Fimmel,
Rachael Taylor, William Fichtner, Forest Whitaker, Lily Rabe, Rhys Coiro
Genre: Crime, Drama, Romance
Rated: R
Length: 90 minutes
IMDb Blurb: In 1972, a gang of close-knit thieves from
Youngstown, Ohio attempt to steal $30 million in illegal contributions and
blackmail money from President Richard Nixon's secret fund.
This one looks like one of those throwback movies that we all love to
call ‘retro.’ The trailer did give me that decidedly 70’s feel – right down to
the 8 track cassette. Aside from that, the story looks interesting. It doesn't strike me as a pure crime drama, though. The trailer gives me the idea that there's a heavy sprinkling of comedy and action (at least via car chase) throughout.
I can’t seem to be able to pass up a good heist movie. With this one,
we get the tale of a team of crooks robbing one of the country’s most infamous
crooks. The cast for this team looks well put-together. William Fichtner (The Lone Ranger, 12 Strong, The Neighbor)
is great at being the ‘straight man’ in a comedic setup. His delivery can be so
dry and cutting. It’s an asset that can considerably elevate humor where it
might otherwise fall flat. He’s also adept in roles of quiet authority – and
even with a sinister edge. I can tell you I’m looking forward to seeing him in
scenes with Travis Fimmel (Maggie's Plan,
Warcraft: The Beginning, Vikings). Fimmel’s titular character seems to be
set up as the likable doofus. I’m betting that it’s, at least partially, a ruse
to cover real intelligence under the surface.
Though, with the formidable Forest Whitaker (Sorry to Bother You, Black Panther, Empire) playing the head of the
law enforcement team on their heels – will the burglars get away?
I can’t wait to find out.
15 - Stray (3/1)
Tag Line: A Joe Sill Film
Production Company: Diablo
Entertainment
Director: Joe Sill
Writers: J.D. Dillard, Joe
Sill, Alex Theurer
Actors: Christine Woods,
Karen Fukuhara, Miyavi , Ross Partridge, Takayo Fischer, Kiran Deol, Eunice
Chiweshe Goldstein, Brian Carroll
Genre: Action, Crime,
Fantasy, Thriller
Rated: Unrated
Length: 89 minutes
IMDb Blurb: An orphaned teenager forms an unlikely
friendship with a detective. Together they investigate her mother's murder, and
uncover the supernatural force that proves to be a threat to her family.
This trailer had me hooked. I want to know more about the supernatural
happenings that surround the orphaned girl and her family. I can’t say that any
particular cast member influences my decision, either. I don’t really recognize
them. (I’m hoping that will change after this film.) That means, however, that
it’s the story that has grabbed me. The effects look pretty spectacular, too.
For entertainment value, this movie seems to be a strong supernatural
fantasy with a heavy helping of mystery and thrills.
14 - Saint Judy (3/1)
Tag Line: The fight to save
thousands begins with one woman
Production Company:
Cannonball Productions
Director: Sean Hanish
Writer: Dmitry Portnoy
Actors: Michelle Monaghan,
Leem Lubany, Common , Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, Peter Krause, Gabriel
Bateman, Ben Schnetzer
Genre: Biography, Drama
Rated: PG-13
Length: 106 minutes
IMDb Blurb: The true story of immigration attorney Judy
Wood, and how she single-handedly changed the U.S. law of asylum to save
women's lives.
This story is powerful and compelling – and all the more so because
it’s based in reality. I think we need more people like this in the world,
really. Immigration is such a hot-button topic right now. While there are valid
points on both sides to the current debate (which I am certainly not trying to
weigh in on here), there are other stories that also need to be told. This is
one of them, and I think the film has an amazing cast to really give it wings.
13 - Level 16 (3/1)
Tag Line: Purity has a
Price.
Production Company: Markham
Street Films
Director: Danishka Esterhazy
Writer: Danishka Esterhazy
Actors: Katie Douglas,
Celina Martin, Sara Canning, Peter Outerbridge, Amalia Williamson, Kate
Vickery, Josette Halpert, Yasmin Lau
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller
Rated: Unrated
Length: 102 minutes
IMDb Blurb: Sixteen-year-old Vivien is trapped in The
Vestalis Academy, a prison-like boarding school, keeping to herself and
sticking her neck out for no one. Until she is reunited with Sophia -- the
former friend who betrayed her. Together the girls embark on a dangerous search
to uncover the horrifying truth behind their imprisonment. Soon running for
their lives, the girls must save themselves or die trying.
Some aspects of the trailer had me on the fence with this movie for a
moment. The whole ‘purity’ thing was a bit odd. My curiosity is winning out,
however. I want to learn more about the dystopian society that has spawned this
particular academy. I want to find out why these girls have been sent there,
and what this ‘horrifying truth’ is. Why are these poor girls being
brainwashed, and what’s the deal with the ‘level’ system? Is it an orphanage?
I have so many questions. So many. I sincerely hope that the film
offers me some resolution, or I might just be scratching my head forever. But
really, it looks well done – if the trailer isn’t smoke and mirrors.
12 - The Highwaymen (3/29)
Tag Line: The Outlaws made
Headlines. The Lawmen made History.
Production Companies:
Universal Pictures, Media Rights Capital, Casey Silver Productions, Netflix
Director: John Lee Hancock
Writer: John Fusco
Actors: Kevin Costner, Woody
Harrelson, Kathy Bates, Kim Dickens, W. Earl Brown, John Carroll Lynch, Thomas
Mann, David Furr
Genre: Crime, Drama
Rated: R
Length: 131 minutes
IMDb Blurb: A pair of police officers come out of
retirement to catch the infamous outlaws Bonnie & Clyde.
I have been waiting what feels like forever for this movie to come out.
They were filming out in the countryside, not far from where I worked at the
time. It was fun seeing all those old classic cars being trucked to and from
the location.
As a Louisiana native, the story of Bonnie and Clyde is hard to escape.
We even have an annual trade show named after them. What you don’t hear much of
is the story of the officers that tracked them down. I really like it when
movies show us a different perspective on an otherwise well-known topic.
The fact that it’s Kevin Costner (Mr.
Brooks, Hidden Figures, Yellowstone) and Woody Harrelson (Zombieland, True Detective, Venom) also
helps.
11 - Superpower Dogs (3/15)
Tag Line: The World Needs
Real Heroes
Production Company: Cosmic
Pictures
Director: Daniel Ferguson
Writer: Daniel Ferguson
Actors: Chris Evans
Genre: Documentary
Rated: G
Length: 45 minutes
IMDb Blurb: Join an immersive IMAX adventure to
experience the life-saving superpowers and extraordinary bravery of some of the
world's most amazing dogs. In this inspiring true story, our best friends are
also real-life superheroes. Journey around the globe to meet remarkable dogs
who save lives and discover the powerful bond they share with their human
partners. Follow 'Halo', a rookie puppy training to join one of the most elite
disaster response teams in America. Meet 'Henry', an avalanche rescue expert in
the Canadian Rockies, 'Reef', a Newfoundland lifeguard with the Italian
coastguard, 'Ricochet', a Californian surf legend helping people with special
needs, and the Bloodhound brothers, 'Tipper and Tony', who are leading the
fight to save endangered species in Africa. As we discover the incredible
abilities of dogs and the astonishing science behind their superpowers, we'll
never look at our best friends the same way again.
Documentaries don’t often make the list – but I couldn’t pass this one
up. Aside from all the adorable fuzzy friends (no, I’m not talking about the
narrator) – these are some really exciting stories of real heroes.
If you’ve never been to an IMAX movie, this might be a great one to
start with! If you can find a true IMAX dome screen, even better. There haven’t
been a lot of G rated movies coming out lately that have appeal for the whole
family. This one is sure to be an experience that will please all ages – unless you just don’t like dogs.
(Say it isn’t so!)
I can’t wait for this to hit the biggest screen near me.
10 - Fast Color (3/29)
Tag Line: Set your power
free.
Production Companies: LD
Entertainment, Lionsgate, Original Headquarters
Director: Julia Hart
Writers: Julia Hart, Jordan
Horowitz
Actors: Gugu Mbatha-Raw,
Lorraine Toussaint, Saniyya Sidney, Christopher Denham, David Strathairn,
Monique Straw
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi,
Thriller
Rated: PG-13
Length: 100 minutes
IMDb Blurb: A woman is forced to go on the run when her
superhuman abilities are discovered. Years after having abandoned her family,
the only place she has left to hide is home.
Color me intrigued by the trailer. Sorry. (Not sorry!) I couldn’t help
it.
This story feels fresh and really grabbed my attention. I love the
supernatural happenings have a tie to being connected with the earth. I’m
curious as to how a seemingly post-apocalyptic scenario plays into that. Are
people after this lady and her daughter just because of human impulse to
dissect and study them because they can do something unique and powerful, or do
‘the powers that be’ feel that they were responsible somehow for something
happening?
Either way, the story is in capable hands with Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Beauty and the Beast, The Cloverfield
Paradox, A Wrinkle in Time) and Saniyya Sidney (American Horror Story, Fences, Hidden Figures).
9 - Triple Frontier (3/13)
Tag Line: From the Director
of A Most Violent Year and Producer of Wonder Woman and The Dark Knight Trilogy
Production Company: Netflix,
Atlas Entertainment
Director: J.C. Chandor
Writers: Mark Boal, J.C.
Chandor
Actors: Ben Affleck, Oscar
Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund, Pedro Pascal, Adria Arjona, Sheila
Vand, Rey Gallegos
Genre: Action, Adventure,
Crime
Rated: R
Length: 125 minutes
IMDb Blurb: Five former Special Forces operatives
reunite to plan a heist in a sparsely populated multi-border zone of South
America. For the first time in their prestigious careers these unsung heroes
undertake this dangerous mission for self instead of country. But when events
take an unexpected turn and threaten to spiral out of control, their skills,
their loyalties and their morals are pushed to a breaking point in an epic
battle for survival.
Shut up and take my money. But seriously, I can’t tell you how excited
I am that this movie is releasing on Netflix. I won’t have to wait to watch it!
I have been absolutely geeking out ever since I saw the first promo banner when
I logged into my streaming service account.
I’m going to tell it to you straight. I don’t care if this is the most
tropey over-done predictable plot ever. (Please keep in mind that’s NOT what I’m
saying about this film – it actually looks interesting.) I would watch it
anyway. Why? The answer is simple: because of the cast.
Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarcy,
Pacific Rim, A Million Little Pieces), Garret Hedlund (Unbroken, Pan, Mudbound), Ben Affleck (Argo, Runner Runner, The Accountant), Pedro Pascal (Game of Thrones, Bloodsucking Bastards, If
Beale Street Could Talk), and Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, The Promise, Life Itself)
are in the same movie together. Done. The best way I can describe why is to
compare this to seeing a fantasy sports league team come to life. It’s just shy
of my level of giddy when The Expendables
(2010) first came out.
Aside from my fangirling, this looks like it will be a really solid
paramilitary action movie. It’s definitely worth a shot if you’ve got a Netflix
account.
8 - Greta (3/1)
Tag Line: Everyone Needs a
Friend
Production Companies: Screen
Ireland, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, Focus Features, Lawrence Bender
Productions, Universal Pictures, Metropolitan Films International, Little Wave
Productions
Director: Neil Jordan
Writers: Ray Wright, Neil
Jordan
Actors: Isabelle Huppert,
Chloë Grace Moretz, Maika Monroe, Colm Feore, Stephen Rea, Zawe Ashton, Jeff
Hiller, Thaddeus Daniels
Genre: Drama, Horror,
Mystery, Thriller
Rated: R
Length: 98 minutes
IMDb Blurb: A young woman befriends a lonely widow who's
harboring a dark and deadly agenda towards her.
My initial two-word reaction? Holy crap!
I just have to reel myself back in for a moment after watching that
trailer. I can’t help but put myself in Chloë Grace Moretz’s (Kick-Ass, The Equalizer, Brain on Fire)
character’s place. I just am that person that will try to go out of my way to
help when I can. It has come back to bite me in the past. I got an online
stalker that way once – having one in the real world is a terrifying thought. This
movie certainly seems to explore the theme of ‘no good deed goes unpunished.’
The last time we reviewed a movie by Isabelle Huppert (Claire's Camera, Mrs. Hyde, Eva), it
didn’t rate very well. I am very glad for this movie coming out to give some
serious contrast. I think she is absolutely phenomenal here. One moment of the
trailer she’s homespun warmth and wholesome companionship and the next, she’s
all psycho like Gollum after the One Ring. I can’t wait for the emotional ride
this movie promises.
7 - Hotel Mumbai (3/22)
Tag Line: The gripping true
story of the attack on the Taj Hotel
Production Companies: India
Take One Productions, ScreenWest, Electric Pictures, Screen Australia, The
South Australian Film Corporation, Thunder Road Pictures, Cyan Films, Double
Guess, Xeitgeist Entertainment Group
Director: Anthony Maras
Writers: John Collee,
Anthony Maras
Actors: Armie Hammer, Dev
Patel, Nazanin Boniadi, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Anupam Kher, Jason Isaacs, Alex
Pinder, Amandeep Singh
Genre: Drama, History,
Thriller
Rated: R
Length: 125 minutes
IMDb Blurb: The true story of the Taj Hotel terrorist
attack in Mumbai. Hotel staff risk their lives to keep everyone safe as people
make unthinkable sacrifices to protect themselves and their families.
There are a lot of movies based on true stories coming out this month.
This happens to be one of the more harrowing of the tales. I can’t imagine how
scary it must have been to be there in Mumbai when the unrest broke out and
terrorists lay siege to the hotel depicted in is film.
One of the things I took away from the trailer was that this movie
looks to have a lot of heart. It explores the humanity of those trapped in the
hotel as much as it does the action sequences of thwarting the terrorists or
simply trying to survive.
I recognize only three actors out of everyone I saw in the trailer –
and that’s not a bad thing. I like seeing the fresh new faces. There’s a lot of
that this month, too – and I find it exciting. Though, for familiarity, Armie
Hammer (The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Final
Portrait, Sorry to Bother You) and Jason Isaacs (A Cure for Wellness, The Death of Stalin, Look Away) are good casts
for this sort of situation.
I am really excited to see Anupam Kher (A Family Man, The Big Sick, New Amsterdam) involved with this
project. He has been in two of my favorite Bollywood movies, Bride & Prejudice (2004) and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015). (The
latter was reviewed by Trust the Dice in our Foreign Film Friday series.)
6 - Wonder Park (3/15)
Tag Line: Go on the ride
Production Companies:
Nickelodeon Movies, Paramount Animation, Ilion Animation Studios, Midnight
Radio
Director: Dylan C. Brown
Writers: Robert Gordon, Josh
Appelbaum, André Nemec
Actors: Jennifer Garner,
Matthew Broderick, John Oliver, Mila Kunis, Kenan Thompson, Ken Jeong, Norbert
Leo Butz, Brianna Denski
Genre: Animation, Adventure,
Comedy
Rated: PG
Length: 85 minutes
IMDb Blurb: Wonder Park tells the story of a magnificent
amusement park where the imagination of a wildly creative girl named June comes
alive.
This is one of the movies my daughter is super excited about. Of
course, I am too – but considering its placement on the list, you would guess
correctly that there are a large handful of those this month.
I can really relate to the main character, June, here. As an only child
growing up, my imagination was my expansive playland. When I didn’t have others
around to hang out with, I was content to disappear into my own little world. I
think it’s a brilliant idea that this little girl’s fantasy theme park has come
to life; filled with so many crazy and likable characters.
The movie looks like a lot of fun as we watch her creativity shine. I
won’t mind the extra for the 3D tickets.
5 - Us (3/22)
Tag Line: We are our own
worst enemy.
Production Companies:
Monkeypaw Productions, Universal Pictures, QC Entertainment, Blumhouse
Productions, Mongrel Media
Director: Jordan Peele
Writer: Jordan Peele
Actors: Lupita Nyong'o,
Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Anna Diop,
Evan Alex, Shahadi Wright Joseph
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Rated: R
Length: 120 minutes
IMDb Blurb: A family's serenity turns to chaos when a
group of doppelgängers begin to terrorize them.
Trippy seems to be an understatement for this movie. The trailers have
given me the heebie jeebies every single time. Of course, Jordan Peele (Keanu, BlacKkKlansman, The Last O.G.)
has already proven through his directorial debut with Get Out (2017) that he is not one to be underestimated. He flipped
the script in that movie so masterfully that I can only imagine what the depths
of psychological trauma will be now that he’s all warmed up to hit his stride.
I’m not sure that I’ll be able to watch this one on the big screen. I
don’t know if I can handle seeing it in the dark and at that sort of volume. I’ll
definitely be catching it as soon as I am able from the safety of my
livingroom. (Pause buttons are amazing for this sort of thing, I tell you.) For
anyone that feels like they can brave the experience on the big screen – I encourage
you to do so. This one should be worth it.
4 - Captive State (3/15)
Tag Line: This is no longer
our planet.
Production Companies:
Participant Media, DreamWorks, Amblin Partners, Lightfuse & Gettaway
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Writers: Erica Beeney,
Rupert Wyatt
Actors: John Goodman, Ashton
Sanders, Jonathan Majors, Machine Gun Kelly, Vera Farmiga, Madeline Brewer,
KiKi Layne, Kevin J. O'Connor, Alan Ruck, D.B. Sweeney, Keviun Dunn, Ben
Daniels,
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller
Rated: PG-13
Length: 109 minutes
IMDb Blurb: Set in a Chicago neighborhood nearly a
decade after an occupation by an extra-terrestrial force, Captive State
explores the lives on both sides of the conflict - the collaborators and
dissidents.
There are so many theories out there about what First Contact would be
like. Would these otherworldly beings be friendly or hostile? Some great minds
have speculated that the latter is a distinct possibility. Here we have a movie
taking place 10 years after alien occupation. I love a good story about
rebellion – make it a sci-fi tale on top of that and I’m usually sold.
To be honest, I’d probably watch this regardless of genre. Why? John
Goodman (Ratchet & Clank, Kong: Skull Island, Atomic Blonde) is the easy answer.
Oh, there’s no shortage of other acting talent that I admire amongst the cast,
but his role in this film gripped me from the very first trailer. I like that
he seems to be on the alien side of things rather than the human resistance.
Every time I’ve seen this trailer run, my pulse speeds and the tension
builds. I’ve just got to find out what happens! Are the aliens ultimately
victorious in putting down the rebels or does Earth strike a blow towards winning
freedom of humanity? I can’t say that I’ve seen this approach to alien
occuipation before and I’m very excited. It should certainly be worth the
ticket price.
3 - Five Feet Apart (3/15)
Tag Line: When Life keeps
you apart, Fight for Every Inch.
Production Companies: CBS
Films, Lionsgate, Entertainment One, Wayfarer Entertainment
Director: Justin Baldoni
Writers: Mikki Daughtry,
Tobias Iaconis
Actors: Haley Lu Richardson,
Cole Sprouse, Moises Arias, Kimberly Hebert Gregory, Parminder Nagra, Claire
Forlani, Emily Foxler, Gary Weeks
Genre: Drama, Romance
Rated: PG-13
Length: 116 minutes
IMDb Blurb: A pair of teenagers with life-threatening
illnesses meet in a hospital and fall in love.
Cystic Fibrosis is a rough disease. I have a friend that’s been through
it, and even a lung transplant…and the road hasn’t been easy for her at all. I
can only imagine struggling against the relentless CF and on top of that not
being able to be close to the one you love.
I appreciate the dedication this production has shown in portraying CF
correctly. The film worked with Claire's Place Foundation, a charity dedicated
to helping support families and patients going through CF, to ensure their
depiction was as accurate as possible.
The trailer had me hooked. I’m already invested in these characters and
I want to see what happens to them for good or bad.
2 - Dumbo (3/29)
Tag Line: In 2019, a beloved
tale will take you to new heights.
Production Companies: Walt
Disney Pictures, Tim Burton Productions, Infinite Detective, Secret Machine
Entertainment, MPC
Director: Tim Burton
Writers: Helen Aberson,
Ehren Kruger, Harold Pearl
Actors: Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Eva Green, Alan
Arkin, Nico Parker, Finley Hobbins
Genre: Family, Fantasy
Rated: PG
Length: 130 minutes
IMDb Blurb: A young elephant, whose oversized ears
enable him to fly, helps save a struggling circus, but when the circus plans a
new venture, Dumbo and his friends discover dark secrets beneath its shiny
veneer.
“Baby Mine” is a song I used to sing to my daughter as a lullaby.
Hearing that music in the new movie’s trailers just tugged at my heartstrings.
Purists may not appreciate this new take on this classic Disney film. Tim
Burton’s (Corpse Bride, Alice in Wonderland, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar
Children) take on the story will be slightly different than what we remember
from the cartoon. The animals aren’t going to talk, and it seems like the story
is going to be tweaked a little. Of course, this isn’t the first live action
adaptation to mute the animal companions, so that shouldn’t be a shocking turn
of events. Homage seems to be paid to their role in Dumbo’s journey, however.
The trailer just left me wanting more, and I can’t wait to see it –
even if it is a bit darker. I’m packing tissues just in case.
1 - Captain Marvel (3/8)
Tag Line: Discover what
makes a (her)o.
Production Company: Marvel
Studios
Directors: Anna Boden, Ryan
Fleck
Writers: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck,
Geneva Robertson-Dworet, Nicole Perlman, Meg LeFauve
Actors: Brie Larson, Samuel
L. Jackson, Jude Law, Ben Mendelsohn, Djimon Hounsou, Lee Pace, Lashana Lynch,
Gemma Chan, Annette Bening, Clark Gregg,
Genre: Action, Adventure,
Sci-Fi
Rated: PG-13
Length: 124 minutes
IMDb Blurb: Carol Danvers becomes one of the universe's
most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war
between two alien races.
One of the most powerful characters in the Marvel verse? Check.
Movie with a kickass female lead? Check.
Plenty of action, stunning effects, and what will likely become iconic
moments? Check, check, and check.
Do you need any more reasons to go watch this one? I know I don’t – but
just to sweeten the deal, this movie also has one of the last (if not THE last)
of the Stan Lee cameos.
Movies to Look out For
According to: Selina
Among the Shadows .20
Superpower Dogs .19
Saint Judy .18
Fate/Stay Night: Heaven’s Feel—II. Lost Butterfly .17
Vigilante .16
El Chicano .15
The Dirt .14
The Hole in the Ground .13
Greta .12
Level 16 .11
Stray .10
Triple Frontier .9
The Boy who Harnessed the Wind .8
Hotel Mumbai .7
Fast Color .6
Five Feet Apart .5
Dumbo .4
Captive State .3
Us .2
Captain Marvel .1
