"We're not critics. We're professional fan-girls." --- This blog is dedicated to movies and the entertainment industry. We use random selection to bring into light the best and worst of streaming films and entertainment news.
Executive Producer:
Bradley Cooper, George Parra, Michelle Raimo, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein,
Renee Witt
Director: David
O. Russell
Writer: David O.
Russell, Matthew Quick
Actors: Bradley
Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker, Anupam
Kher, John Ortiz, Shea Whigham, Julia Stiles, Paul Herman, Dash Mihok, Matthew
Russell, Cheryl Williams, Patrick McDade, Brea Bee
Pat’s had it rough. After losing everything, he gets committed
to a psych hospital. When his mom gets him out, he begins to start putting the
pieces of his life back together again.
Selina’s Point of View:
This was not my first time seeing this film. Actually, it
wasn’t even the third time.
I love this movie. I love it. It may very well be in my top
ten movies. If I were to sit down and think about it, possibly even in my top
five.
It’s difficult for me to find fault anywhere in Silver Linings Playbook. It’s quirky,
dramatic, heart-wrenching, humorous, cringe-worthy, thrilling, and pretty much
anything else you could want in a film.
The story is incredible. I love movies that exhibit how
difficult things can get, that the world can “break your heart ten ways to
Sunday,” but that you can overcome it. I believe this movie tells that story
better than most.
Aside from that, Bradley Cooper (Aloha, The Hangover, American Hustle), Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games, X-Men: Days of Future
Past, Winter’s Bone), Robert De Niro (American
Hustle, Killing Season, New Year’s Eve), Jacki Weaver (Gracepoint, Haunt, Animal Kingdom) and Chris Tucker (Jackie Brown, Money Talks, Friday) are
all amazing actors that were at the top of their game for this film. There isn’t
a single casting I would want to see different.
I’ve heard so many good things about this movie. It’s been
on my to-watch list for a while now. Events have seemed to conspire against
viewing – from premature DVR deletion to pop-up severe weather causing power
outages. This time, I showed that movie who was boss!
This film was a dramatic work focusing on the path of
redemption for a man suffering from bipolar disorder, and recovering from a
traumatic loss of control. It was, however, expertly sprinkled with comedy. It
was a glorious balance. It swept me along for the ride.
The cast was remarkable. Of course, one would expect no less
from someone like Robert De Niro (The
Family, Limitless, Little Fockers). The man’s a legend; and has proven time
and time again his worthiness of that status. Even in a supporting role as the
slightly OCD, Eagles-fanatic father struggling to relate to his bi-polar son.
The chemistry between Bradley Cooper (American Sniper, Guardians of the Galaxy, The A-Team) and Jennifer Lawrence
(Serena, American Hustle, House at the
End of the Street) was palpable – even when they were yelling at each other
(perhaps especially then).
Chris Tucker’s (Rush
Hour, The Fifth Element, Dead Presidents) appearance in this film was a
pleasant surprise. He brought an element of comedy all his own that was just
right. It was definitely a more subtle performance for him than in some of his
previous over-the-top roles.
I was really hoping this film would live up to the hype. I
must say, I wasn’t disappointed.
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 92%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 86%
Netflix’s Prediction for Selina – 4.9/5
Selina’s Trust-the-Dice Score – 5/5
Netflix’s Prediction for Cat – 4.7/5
Cat’s Trust-the-Dice Score
– 5/5
P.S. Silver Linings
Playbook is based off a novel of the same name by Matthew Quick
Actors: Robin
Williams, Kathy Baker, Bob Odenkik, Roberto Aguire, J. Karen Thomas
Genre: Drama
Rated: R
This is it. The last movie starring Robin Williams (Good Will Hunting, The Birdcage, Aladdin).
After this, what has been, is all that will be.
As fans, there’s nothing on heaven or earth that could keep us
from seeing this film. Bad or good, regardless of topic, we just want to see
the legend one more time.
The final quote in the trailer is heartbreaking, given the
circumstances: “It’s never too late to finally start living the life you really
want.”
9 – Paper Towns (July
24)
Director: Jake
Schreier
Writer: Scott
Neustadter, Michael H. Weber, John Green
Actors: Nat
Wolff, Cara Delevingne, Halston Sage
Genre: Romance
Rated: PG-13
The Fault in Our Stars
(2014) was a tear-jerking masterpiece, both on page and on screen. Paper Towns is developed from a book
written by the same author: John Green (Crash
Course: World History, Crash Course: Literature, Vlogbrothers).
Regardless of writer, though, the trailer for this film is
enticing and makes us want to see what happens. Mystery and romance can be a
more than decent combination.
8 – Terminator
Genisys (July 1)
Director: Alan
Taylor
Writer: Laeta Kalogridis,
Patrick Lussier, James Cameron, Gale Anne Hurd
Actors: Arnold
Schwarzenegger, Jason Clarke, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney, J.K. Simmons, Matt
Smith, Douglas Smith, Dayo Okeniyi
Genre: Action
Rated: PG-13
Arnold Schwarzenegger (The
Expendables, Junior, Total Recall) starring in a Terminator film is a huge dose of nostalgia for us. So many years
later, with him returning to the film franchise opposite someone like Emilia
Clarke (Game of Thrones, Spike Island,
Dom Hemingway) is awe-inspiring.
It would be impossible to not want to see Terminator Genisys. If you’re a fan of
the franchise, it’s going to be an amazing chapter. If you’re unfamiliar with
the original films, chances are that once you watch the trailer, you’ll want to
get familiar real quick.
7 – Mission:
Impossible – Rogue Nation (July 31)
Director: Christopher
McQuarrie
Writer: Drew
Pearce, Christopher McQuarrie, Bruce Geller
Actors: Tom Cruise,
Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, Alec Baldwin, Jeremy Renner, Ving Rhames
Genre: Action
Rated: PG-13
Who doesn’t get a little thrill when they hear that theme
song?
The stunts in this movie look amazing. That plane sequence
teased in the trailer promises to be both funny and quite the adrenaline rush.
The films are great, constant action with smart storylines
and amazing acting. Rogue Nation
seems like it’s going to continue to follow that plan.
6 – Magic Mike
XXL (July 1)
Director: Greg
Jacobs
Writer: Reid
Carolin
Actors: Channing
Tatum, Matthew Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Amber Heard, Andie MacDowell, Jada Pinkett
Smith, Michael Straham, Elizabeth Banks, Danny Glover, Adam Rodriguez, Gabriel
Iglesias, Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss, Kevin Nash
Genre: Dramedy
Rated: R
We disagreed a bit over where to put Magic Mike XXL on the list. One of us thought it should be around
8, the other thought it should be higher. We compromised.
The first Magic Mike
(2012) brought many to their knees with the sexy men and dance moves, but what
people who didn’t watch the movie might not realize, is that it wasn’t all
about making a girl’s ovaries quiver. The story line was interesting and there
was a bit of action/drama in there.
It’s because of the story line that we’re looking forward to
Magic Mike XXL. Oh, sure, we’re not
going to close our eyes when Joe Manganiello (True Blood, Sabotage, How I Met Your Mother) or Channing Tatum (Foxcatcher, This is the End, 21 Jump Street)
hit the stage, but that’s not the primary draw.
The primary draw comes from what we know of the acting
skills portrayed by the aforementioned actors, Matthew Bomer (American Horror Story, White Collar, Chuck),
Elizabeth Banks (The Hunger Games, Zack
and Miri Make a Porno, Slither), Amber Heard (Machete Kills, Paranoia, 3 Days to Kill) and Jada Pinkett Smith (Gotham, Hawthorne, The Matrix Reloaded).
It also comes from our knowledge of the insane comedic timing possessed by
Gabriel Iglesias (Cristela, A Haunted
House 2, The Book of Life) and the unique dance style of Stephen ‘tWitch’
Boss (Step Up All In, Step Up Revolution,
Hairspray).
5 – Self/less (July
10)
Director: Tarsem
Singh
Writer: Alex
Pastor, David Pastor
Actors: Ryan
Reynolds, Michelle Dockery, Matthew Goode, Natalie Martinex, Ben Kingsley,
Victor Garber, Derek Luke
Genre: Thriller
Rated: PG-13
Ben Kingsley (The Boxtrolls,
Ender’s Game, Schindler’s List) is one of those actors that immediately
make people want to buy a ticket. Ryan Reynolds (R.I.P.D., Safe House, Paper Man) has his own loyal following as
well. The question isn’t whether or not they’ll be great in their parts, but if
their chemistry will resonate.
Regardless of actors, the story of the film is incredible. A
sci-fi style thriller with that much meat to the plot? Sign us up.
4 – Sharknado 3:
Oh Hell No! (July 22)
Director: Anthony
C. Ferrante
Writer: Thunder
Levin
Actors: Ian
Ziering, Tara Reid, Cassie Scerbo, Cindy Margolis, David Hasselhoff, Bo Derek,
Ann Coulter, Jerry Springer, Chris Kirkpatrick, Chris Jericho, Ray J, Frankie
Muniz, Michael Bolton,
Genre: Sci-Fi
Rated: Unrated
The Random Review is a big fan of the Sharknado series. It’s super corny, absolutely ridiculous and so
much fun it’s hard to believe The Asylum had anything to do with it.
Hey, even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
It’s because we love the first two films, that we are
excited to see that Anthony C. Ferrante (Headless
Horseman, Boo, Project RCVR), Thunder Levin (Atlantic Rim, AE: Apocalypse Earth, American Warships), Ian Ziering
(90210, That’s My Boy, The Legend of
Awesomest Maximus), and Tara Reid (American
Reunion, Unnatural Causes, The Crow: Wicked Prayer) all returned to do
their parts.
We don’t know how much longer this franchise will succeed,
but for now, we’re all for this next one.
3 – Minions (July
10)
Director: Pierre
Coffin, Kyle Balda
Writer: Brian
Lynch
Actors: Sandra
Bullock, Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan, Allison Janney, Steve Carell, Tara
Strong
Genre: Family
Rated: PG
Do we need a reason other than the fact that minions are
involved? MINIONS!
2 – Pixels (July
24)
Director: Chris
Columbus
Writer: Tim
Herlihy, Timothy Dowling, Patrick Jean
Actors: Adam
Sandler, Michelle Monaghan, Josh Gad, Kevin James, Jane Krakowski, Peter
Dinklage, Brian Cox, Ashley Benson, Sean Bean
Genre: Comedy
Rated: PG-13
Let’s forget about the video game aspect of this film and
the fact that one of the writers for this blog had a video game themed wedding.
Let’s forget that the super-amazing Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones, The Angriest Man in Brooklyn, Knights of Badassdom)
is in it and sporting a wicked mullet. Let’s even forget that it looks like
Adam Sandler (Anger Management, 50 First
Dates, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry) might have gone back to his
actually funny roots.
You realize the director, Chris Columbus (Rent, Mrs. Doubtfire, Percy Jackson &
the Olympians: The Lightning Thief), is the same man credited with writing
the screenplay for The Goonies and
directed the first two Harry Potter films,
right?
Aside from that, the trailer looks ridiculous, in the best
way.
We are taking bet on when Sean Bean (Legends, Silent Hill: Revelation 3D, Game of Thrones) will die.
Five minutes in? Twenty? Not until the end? Let’s see some guesses!
1 – Ant-Man (July
17)
Director: Peyton
Reed
Writer: Edgar
Wright, Joe Cornish, Adam McKay, Paul Rudd, Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby
Actors: Paul
Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lily, Corey Stoll, Hayley Atwell, Michael
Pena, Judy Greer, John Slattery, T.I., Bobby Cannavale, Stan Lee, Anthony
Mackie
Genre: Action
Rated: Unrated
A Marvel movie is coming out this month, did anyone not
expect to see it at number one on this list?
We think Paul Rudd (Parks
and Recreation, This is 40, Our Idiot Brother) was the perfect choice for
the lead role. The only concern is how to make Ant-Man a real Marvel-style film without having that parody feel.
In the trailer, you see the train set scene which looks epic…
and then funny. That scene alone makes it look like they struck a decent enough
balance between action and comedy to not fall into a joke-like feel.
If anyone can do it, Marvel can.
A side note? Chris Evans (Captain America, Avengers, Snowpiercer) is listed as an uncredited
actor in this film. Is he going to make a cameo like he did in Thor: The Dark World (2013) or is that
hinting at what we might see in the after-credits scene?
