"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.
Hello kiddies! This week, I’m stepping a little bit out of
the box. (But seriously, do I even really have a box? If I do, it fits so I
“sits” anyway.)
As I was poring over the scads of trailers for movies being
released in August this year, one featurette caught my attention in the sidebar
that gives you suggestions of other things to watch.
This gave me a mixed reaction which started as an
instantaneous “YASSSS FINALLY” and developed into “oh but it’s him” before
ending up as “eh, the original was a mixed bag – how bad could it be? It could
be cool!” This, of course, sparked my interest to bring you a segment about the
upcoming TNT treatment of a beloved series.
When I was younger, one of the best things about babysitting
was that I could watch cable TV at my client’s house after the kids were
asleep. This was the way I was able to watch MTV videos and other stuff I
wouldn’t otherwise get to experience at home, where I had no cable. HBO’s Tales From the Crypt (1989-1996) was one
of my favorites.
My initial reaction came from that same nostalgic glee that
had me squeeing my way through Stranger
Things (2016-). The tempering factor was the fact that M. Night Shyamalan (Signs, Devil, The Visit) seemed to be
the one at the helm of this one. I really don’t know where I stand with Shyamalan,
and that worries me for such a beloved franchise. I understand why some fans
are up in arms about the revelation. He’s responsible for some seriously ‘meh’
cinema. At the same time, he’s capable of delivering something masterful like Split (2017).
Before I bury the lead, I’m afraid I must report that as of
reports July 28th, the project is on indefinite pause.I’ll get to the why here in just a moment. I
just don’t want to get too many hopes up, only to crush them. Of course, for
anyone horrified that Shyamalan was TNT’s pick, maybe it’s good news?
In any case, let’s explore this a bit.
This isn’t the first flurry of interest in bringing the
iconic horror series back. Deadline
reported in 2011 that there was a new series in the works. That one was under
an entirely different production team than the current lineup. Somewhere along
the line as it plodded through development hell, it lost traction and nothing
ever came of it.
Fast forward a handful of years and January 2016 had stories
popping up everywhere about the new Shyamalan-led series. Variety
and Bloodydisgusting
led the pack with their January 7th articles, which followed
announcements made at that day’s Television Critics Association (TCA) executive
session. The Variety article focused on the new “TNT Horror Block” that was in
development. The cornerstone of that was set to be a new Tales series. They
reported that the series would be based on the original EC Comics with a few
new stories thrown in, and not based on the original HBO series. Then Bloodydisgusting’s
article focused on the Cryptkeeper – or the lack of John Kassir (Jack the Giant Slayer, Smurfs 2, Rick and
Morty) in the role with the new series. Say what?!
See, that should have been my instant red flag.
Of course there was public outcry about the information drop.
I, for one, am not sure how I would feel about a Kassir-less Cryptkeeper.
Herein lies the snag of the whole thing, really.
HBO and the rights are where the series got stuck. I’m not
sure that it’s all on HBO’s end so I feel I need to point that out. There are
other individuals that were involved in that original production that have
rights, as well. Deadline’s
most recent article quoted both a statement from the network and information
provided at a subsequent press conference with TNT’s president and Turner chief
creative officer, Kevin Reilly.
“The underlying rights to the classic, vintage property are
complicated. … TNT and others have been pursuing a solution for more than a
year, with significant progress being made. We look forward to the potential
for further active development of this valuable franchise once the clearance
process is fully resolved.” – Turner Network Statement
Reilly went on to say “It’s been fun with lawyers, it’s been
really fun… We did not know from the get-go or else we would not have announced
it and made a big deal out of it. But in fact there were rights. It is among
the most — if not the most — complicated rights structure
I’ve ever seen in my career, and we had no idea as we got into it. It became a
nightmare. So we said, ‘Fine.’ If and when this gets cleaned up, we’ll
revisit.”
So there you have it. The series might happen at some point
in the future. TNT seems to have continued interest, but don’t expect it in the
Fall 2017 lineup as originally projected. By the time the network gets the
green light, it’s unknown if Shyamalan will still be available to be involved.
I suppose I’ll wait to hold out judgement until more information comes along.
It would be nice to revisit the crypt and the grab-bag of horror tales therein.
Who knows what the rights settlement will bring about. I,
for one, hope that they can keep Kassir involved. He made the whole series for
me and some other incarnation just wouldn’t be the same. With that in mind, I
leave you with the classic series intro.
P.S. If you feel like taking a trip down memory lane to watch the original HBO series, or if you are curious and haven't seen it before, it's available to stream on Amazon and itunes.
But
I Digress... is a weekly column for trustthedice.com that can't be
pinned down to just one thing. It's Cat's celebration of tangents,
random references, and general fan geekdom that both intertwines with,
revolves around, and diverges from our movie-review core. In homage to
the beloved Brit comedians, we want to bring you something completely
different!
Production Companies:
Bestia Produce, Nadie es Perfecto, Pokeepsie Films
Producer: Carolina
Bang, Zoe Berriatua, Alex de la Iglesia, Adan Martin, Kiko Martinez, Araceli
Perez Rastrilla, Ivan Roman
Director: Zoe
Berriatua
Writer: Zoe
Berriatua
Actors: Emilio
Palacios, Jorge Clemente, Beatriz Medina, Olivia Baglivi, Nacho Coronado,
Macarena Gomez, Paula Soldevila, Roman Rymar, Beatriz Olivares, Zoe Berriatua,
Laura Castillo, Javier Manrique
Stunt Doubles: None
Blurb from Netflix:
Three teenage misfits find camaraderie in sex, violence and petty crime. But
what starts as a lark soon threatens to damage them beyond repair.
Selina’s Point of View:
This film seemed a little weird to me.
I don’t believe the music matched what was going on in the
film. It’s possible that what I believe is an issue is actually some kind of
trend in cinematics from Spain, but it still didn’t sit right with me. Nothing
hit quite as hard as it should have because of that.
I had some other minor issues, but for the most part the
film was phenomenal.
Emilio Palacios (Servir
y proteger, El Principe, 1989. Los ultimos de Filipinas) and Jorge Clemente
(La Gira, La montana rusa, La pecera de Eva)
were absolutely astounding in their parts. Playing the bullied, experimenting
main characters, they were both believable.
Clemente, though, stepped things up
to a whole other level. He gave such a creepy and terrifying vibe to his
character that I’m sure it’s going to stick with me for a long time.
The script was also well written and the scenes were well
directed.
As someone who often relates to the bullied characters, it’s
hard for a filmmaker to get me to acknowledge that some victims can go too far
with their sense of justice. The writer/director of this film, Zoe Berriatua (Flesh Memories, Huidas, The Tip of the Iceberg),
did. He managed to make my hair stand on end when things got out of hand.
I would recommend this film to people, but it’s definitely
not for anyone under 18.
Cat’s Point of View:
Bullies are a life issue for many, and it’s something that
certainly crosses cultural barriers with ease. I had no problem relating to
this film and the misfit characters therein. I was one of those misfits for a
very long time until I learned to be more comfortable in my own skin. Hell,
it’s still a learning process. It was a painful and harrowing road for a while,
though. I remember what it felt like to be a new kid that instantly didn’t fit
in. I remember days spent with my nose in a book because ‘the cool kids’ had
given all the established students an ultimatum – they could ignore me or face
social shunning, themselves.
People – children and adults alike can be outright cruel for
no good reason other than they can.
But I digress.
Watching this movie, I was reminded about the hubbub that
came about back when Kids (1995) was
released. While I don’t recall seeing that one, I’ve read enough about it to
draw some conclusions – mostly in the unsupervised youth mischief department. I
think this film goes to far darker places.
I feel I must commend Jorge Clemente (The Last Circus, The Misfits Club, Seis Hermanas), who played
Aritz. He was so expressive in his role and his eerie and unsettling
performance will likely stick with me for a while.
I also enjoyed Emilio
Palacios (Rumbos, The Open Door, Can't
Say Goodbye) as Esteban. Palacios reminds me a little of young River
Phoenix (Running on Empty, Dogfight, The
Thing Called Love) in Stand By Me
(1986). I swear it’s more than the haircut.
This movie was a simmering brooder. I am not entirely sure
how I feel about it overall, but it wasn’t bad. It was gritty and unapologetic.
At the same time, I haven’t decided if the ending was brilliant or if I
absolutely hated it.
All told, it was decent for a teen drama. I likely won’t
watch it again but I wouldn’t steer anyone away from it.
Languages
Speech Available:
Spanish (Spain)
Subtitles Available:
English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, Spanish (Spain)
Producer: Yvonne
M. Bernard, Arthur Cohen, Harvey Kahn, Blake Michael, Ryan M. Murphy, Steven
Stabler, Jane Stein, R.L. Stine, Joan Waricha
Director: Ron
Oliver
Writer: Ron
Oliver, R.L. Stine
Actors: Corey
Fogelmanis, Sophie Reynolds, Blake Michael, Olivia Ryan Stern, Vivian Full,
Andrew Herr, Jedidiah Goodacre, Jamie Kennedy, Danny Trejo, Wyatt Bernard,
Juliette Cohen, Anne Marie DeLuise, Peter DeLuise, Ali Eagle, Morgan Fairchild,
Karen Holness, Zak Santiago, Adam Tsekhman, Darryl Van Dyke, Nelson Wong, Casey
Young
Stunt Doubles: Kent
Thomson
Blurb from Netflix:
As Max tries to help ghost pals Nicky and Tara find their parents, he stumbles
on an enchanted crystal -- and an evil new plot by the phantom Phears.
Selina’s Point of View:
When I was young, R.L. Stine (Eye Candy, When Good Ghouls Go Bad, Eureeka’s Castle) was one of my
all-time favorite authors. During my pre-teen and young teen years, I LOVED the
Goosebumps (1992-) series. I read it
alongside works by Cherie Bennett (Broken
Bridges, Searching for David’s Heart, Port Charles) and Judy Blume (Tiger Eyes, Fudge, Forever). It was my
primary source of creative horror.
I still love Stine. I even have a bound, advanced,
uncorrected manuscript of one of his novels. It’s a book that I hold dear to my
heart. (Yeah, yeah. I know. Pics or it didn’t happen.)
When we watched Goosebumps
a couple of months ago, I was absolutely blown away by the quality of it. Some
of R.L. Stine’s stuff can feel a little juvenile (not a bad thing since it’s
geared toward kids), but Goosebumps (2015)
was elevated to something adults could enjoy, too. This film was definitely
something more for the kids to watch while parents are making dinner.
It felt like I was watching a basic Disney Channel movie instead
of something Universal put out. I saw the aspects that reminded me of my
childhood books, but there was a significant amount of corn in it.
I wasn’t super surprised, though. In fact, I expected it. If
you’ve ever watched the Goosebumps (1995-1998)
TV series, it’s got the same feel.
I have an issue with how Netflix lists this film. As noted
above, it’s labeled as R.L. Stine’s
Mostly Ghostly: One Night in Doom House. That’s not actually the correct
title and you won’t find that film on IMDb. Not only that, but it’s a sequel –
third in a series; Netflix makes no attempt to tell their viewers that. If you
want to locate this movie on other platforms, it’s called Mostly Ghostly 3: One Night in Doom House.
It seems like a small difference, but it’s an important one.
Despite everything, I did enjoy this film. It’s not going to
be one of my favorites, but I’d recommend it to younger teens easily.
Cat’s Point of View:
I must admit that while I’ve long been a fan of R.L. Stine’s
(The Nightmare Room, The Haunted
Lighthouse, R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour) books, I haven’t read all of
them – specifically the ones in the Mostly Ghostly series. However, I did watch
a bit of the old Goosebumps
(1995-1998) TV show; and the classic Nickelodeon show Are You Afraid of the Dark? (1990-2000) is very dear to my heart.
I may not have been familiar with the plot or the
characters, but I had a certain level of expectation going into this movie. I’d
have to say, I certainly wasn’t let down.
So, let’s be honest. This is essentially a staple recipe for
kid-centric networks these days. It didn’t throw me any real curve balls and
the level of effects, production quality, and talent were right in that zone.
I wasn’t surprised to find Ron Oliver (Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars, Beethoven's Treasure Tail, Bigger Fatter
Liar) at the helm here. He also directed quite a few of those
youth-oriented spooky shows of the mid to late 90s. Stine’s story was in good
hands.
Don’t get me wrong, though – even though this film didn’t
offer up anything shocking, that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t worthwhile or that
I didn’t like it. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s definitely solid
and entertaining.
I wouldn’t say that this is my favorite youth-oriented movie
of the genre, but I wouldn’t mind watching it again. In fact, I’m pretty sure I
will be since my daughter wasn’t able to watch it with me on this go-round, and
Corey Fogelmanis (House of Lies,
Partners, I Didn't Do It) is the lead. She adored Girl Meets World (2014-2017) and he played Farkle in it.
This might be a cute movie for the kids when beginning to
gear up for Halloween if you’re not in the mood for the in-your-face holiday
themes with pumpkins and the lot.
IMDb
Blurb: Set in Hiroshima during
World War II, an eighteen-year-old girl gets married and now has to prepare
food for her family despite the rationing and lack of supplies. As she
struggles with the daily loss of life's amenities she still has to maintain the
will to live.
This story
really got my attention. Sure, it’s not as polished of an animation style as,
say Studio Ghibli’s work; but it’s beautiful in its simplicity. I thought it
fitting that the trailer shows the main character painting, since that’s what
this reminds me of – a living painting telling a story through the soft hues
often ascribed to water colors.
While it may
be animation, the story deals with some pretty heavy things – war-torn Japan in
the midst of WWII and set in Hiroshima, no less. The significance of that very
fact juxtaposed with the tale of this young girl’s life is compelling and
certainly makes this film something not to miss.
19 – Pilgrimage
(8/11)
Tag Line:
A Legendary Relic, An Ancient Brotherhood, A Journey Across a War-Torn World
Actors:
Tom Holland, Richard Armitage, Jon
Bernthal, Stanley Weber, John Lynch, Ruaidhri Conroy, Hugh O'Conor, Tristan
McConnell, Diarmuid de Faoite, Gary Byrne, Tony Condren
Genre:
Adventure, Drama
Rated:
Unrated
Length:
96 minutes
IMDb
Blurb: In 13th century Ireland,
a group of monks must escort a sacred relic across an Irish landscape fraught
with peril.
Right on the
heels of his Spiderman: Homecoming
(2017) success, Tom Holland (How I Live
Now, In the Heart of the Sea, Lost City of Z) is right back on the
big-screen. Not only that, he’s in a dream trifecta of talent with Jon Bernthal
(Fury, Sicario, Baby Driver) and Richard
Armitage (Captain America: The First
Avenger, Strike Back, Brain on Fire) as well. I already want to see even
before taking into consideration all the medieval action & adventure. The
fact that it is an Irish movie is really icing on the cake.
18 – Annabelle:
Creation (8/11)
Tag Line:
You don't know the real story.
Production
Companies: Atomic Monster, New Line Cinema
Director:
David F. Sandberg
Writer:
Gary Dauberman
Actors:
Stephanie Sigman, Miranda Otto, Talitha Bateman, Alicia Vela-Bailey, Anthony
LaPaglia, Lulu Wilson, Grace Fulton, Philippa Coulthard,. Kerry O'Malley, Adam
Bartley, Samara Lee, Brad Greenquist
Genre:
Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Rated:
R
Length:
109 minutes
IMDb
Blurb: Several years after the tragic death of their little girl, a
dollmaker and his wife welcome a nun and several girls from a shuttered
orphanage into their home, soon becoming the target of the dollmaker's
possessed creation, Annabelle.
Who doesn’t
love a good origin story? I could have sworn that the origins of the Annabelle doll were already explained in
one of the several movies the creepy creation has already appeared in. I guess
I was wrong. I’m a bit on the fence with this one, which is why it’s as low as
it is on the list. Normally, it would likely have ranked far higher, but I
think I’m getting a bit tired of this particular franchise.
Possessed
dolls are also nightmare fuel of some of the creepiest variety – at least ones
like this. I could deal with Chucky from Child’s
Play (1988) a lot easier. Porcelain dolls that are just inanimate (or are
supposed to be!) just sitting there staring at you have a lot more scare factor
than knife-wielding mobile ones. All told, my curiosity dictates that I’ll want
to watch this anyway.
17 – Polaroid
(8/25)
Tag Line:
Beware This Camera...Once You Take It, It Takes You.
Production
Companies: Dimension Films, Eldorado Film, Vertigo Entertainment
IMDb
Blurb: High school loner Bird Fitcher has no idea what dark secrets are
tied to the mysterious Polaroid vintage camera she stumbles upon, but it
doesn't take long to discover that those who have their picture taken meet a
tragic end.
Quite often,
I enjoy films that are a director’s passion project. While I don’t have
concrete verification that this movie’s director feels that way about this
production – the odds are in favor of that guess considering it’s based on one
of his own short-films. When a short inspires a bigger and more expansive
treatment stretching beyond the confines of its original format, it’s usually
worth a watch. In this case, the director also has a background in photography,
so it’s easy to see that this story resonates from a personal place.
While this
movie doesn’t appear to be entirely original, borrowing elements from films
such as Final Destination (2000) and the like; this particular blend of recipes
just might yield a winner.
I like that
it seems to be playing on the common fear of old, around the time that cameras
were brand new technology – having your picture taken steals a part of your
soul. Put that together with the instant-gratification of the
instant-developing Polaroid photos and you’ve got something there that breathes
life into that old superstition. That makes it worth a watch in my book.
16 – Dave
Made a Maze (8/18)
Tag Line:
He thought of everything but a way out.
Production
Companies: Butter Stories, Dave Made An LLC, Foton Pictures
Director:
Bill Watterson
Writers:
Steven Sears, Bill Watterson
Actors:
John Hennigan, Kirsten Vangsness, Nick Thune, Stephanie Allynne, James
Urbaniak, Meera Rohit Kumbhani, Adam Busch, Scott Krinsky
Genre:
Adventure, Comedy, Horror
Rated:
Unrated
Length:
80 Minutes
IMDb
Blurb: Dave, an artist who has yet to complete anything significant in
his career, builds a fort in his living room out of pure frustration, only to
wind up trapped by the fantastical pitfalls, booby traps, and critters of his own
creation.
This movie
looks insane in the best of ways. It appeals to childhood imagination which
whispered that every giant cardboard box was a cavern of wonders to be
explored. I know I built my share of cardboard forts, and it’s something my
daughter enjoys, too.
I’m
fascinated by this particular flight of fancy which blends both horror and
comedy. Just from the trailer, I see influences from things like Time Bandits (1981), Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005),
and even mythology; and that makes me giddy. I can’t wait to watch and see what
paper-craft shenanigans can be found within the cardboard labyrinth.
15 – Overdrive
(8/11)
Tag Line:Think Fast, Drive Faster.
Production
Companies:Kinology, Sentient
Pictures, Umedia
Director:Antonio Negret
Writers:Michael Brandt, Derek Haas
Actors:Ana de Armas, Scott Eastwood, Gaia Weiss,
Freddie Thorp, Clemens Schick, Simon Abkarian, Moussa Maaskri, Frederic
Anscombre
Genre:Action, Thriller
Rated:PG-13
Length:93 minutes
IMDb
Blurb:Two car thief brothers,
who journey to the south of France for new opportunities, wind up in the cross
hairs of the local crime boss.
I almost
didn’t put this one on my list because the release situation makes me a bit
nervous. We really try not to duplicate our Top 20 entries, and sometimes when
a movie has a string of overseas release dates it can take a while before it’s
released in the US. I liked the trailer, actors, and general premise enough to
proverbially roll the dice. If it ends up not hitting screens in the US this
month, just keep your eyes peeled for it sometime in the near future. This
looks like it’s a fun thrill-ride worth the wait.
Fans of
high-speed action the likes of the Fast & Furious (2009) franchise should
get a lot of mileage out of this one. It’s got cool cars, high-risk stunts,
cheeky wit, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
14 – Starship
Troopers: Traitor of Mars (8/21)
Tag Line:
None
Production
Companies: Lucent Pictures Entertainment, Sola Digital Arts, Sony Pictures
Entertainment (SPE), Stage 6 Films
Directors:
Shinji Aramaki, Masaru Matsumoto
Writer:
Edward Neumeier
Actors:
Casper Van Dien, Dina Meyer, DeRay Davis
Genre:
Animation, Action, Sci-Fi
Rated:
R
Length:
100 minutes
IMDb
Blurb: Federation trooper Johnny Rico is ordered to work with a group
of new recruits on a satellite station on Mars, where giant bugs have decided
to target their next attack.
Finally.
That was my first thought when I watched the trailer for this animated movie.
Here we have the sequel that many of the original movie’s fans have longed for,
utilizing the same characters and expanding on their story. I’m practically chomping
at the bit to find out more of Dizzy Flores’ story! I am also curious to see if
they stayed with the same storytelling format which was employed in the first
film. Would you like to know more?
When the
original hit theaters in 1997, it was during the time I was working at an AMC
theater. Aside from the story being cool (if a bit grisly), it evokes quite a
bit of nostalgia for me.
13 – Birth
of the Dragon (8/25)
Tag Line:
The fight that created the legend.
Production
Companies: Groundswell Productions, Kylin Pictures
Director:
George Nolfi
Writers:
Stephen J. Rivele, Christopher Wilkinson, Michael Dorgan
Actors:
Billy Magnussen, Philip Ng, Terry Chen, Yu Xia, Ron Yuan, King Lau, Darren E.
Scott, Yee Jee Tso, Simon Chin. Simon Yin
Genre:
Action, Biography, Drama
Rated:
PG-13
Length:
103 minutes
IMDb
Blurb: Set against the backdrop of 1960s San Francisco, BIRTH OF THE
DRAGON is a modern take on the classic movies that Bruce Lee was known for. It
takes its inspiration from the epic and still controversial showdown between an
up-and-coming Bruce Lee and Kung-Fu master Wong Jack Man - a battle that gave
birth to a legend.
When someone
says Kung-Fu movie or even just martial-arts movie; there’s one master of both the
sport and the genre that pops immediately to mind for quite a few of us – Bruce
Lee (Marlowe, The Big Boss, The Way of the Dragon). He was a fascinating
individual whose time was cut too short. Watching him is truly putting art in
the martial arts. He had an amazing philosophy, as well; encouraging people to “be
like water.”
Needless to
say, this movie is worth the ticket price for both the spectacle and the story.
12 – Fun
Mom Dinner (8/4)
Tag Line:
Every Mom Deserves a Time Out
Production
Companies: Gettin' Rad Productions, June Pictures, Voltage Pictures
Director:
Alethea Jones
Writer:
Julie Rud
Actors:
Katie Aselton, Toni Collette, Molly Shannon, Hart Denton, Gerald Dewey, Leigh
Dunham, John Early, Bridget Everett, Adam Levine, Paul Rudd
Genre:
Comedy
Rated:
R
Length:
89 minutes
IMDb
Blurb: Four moms whose only common ground is their kids' preschool
class, decide to get together for a harmless "fun mom dinner."
This movie
resonates with me on so many levels. I think it looks hilarious and relatable.
Sure this seems to be following the bandwagon of the latest trend of buddy
ensemble movies where a group runs into crazy issues while just trying to
unwind.Even saying that, it still looks
like a lot of fun!
11 – Ingrid
Goes West (8/11)
Tag Line:
She'll follow you.
Production
Companies: Star Thrower Entertainment, 141 Entertainment, Mighty Engine
Director:
Matt Spicer
Writers:
David Branson Smith, Matt Spicer
Actors:
Aubrey Plaza, Elizabeth Olsen, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Wyatt Russell, Billy
Magnussen, Pom Klementieff, Hannah Pearl Utt, Angelica Amor
Genre:
Comedy, Drama
Rated:
R
Length:
97 minutes
IMDb
Blurb: An unhinged social media stalker moves to LA and insinuates
herself into the life of an Instagram star.
I am
absolutely adoring Aubrey Plaza (The Driftless Area, Dirty Grandpa, The Little
Hours) in Legion (2017-). Sufficed to say, I’m really looking forward to more
loony madcap from this new character.
Buried in
the comedic romp seems to be a bit of a social commentary targeted to those
that put all the details of their lives out there on social media. Of course,
this seems to go a bit to extremes – but I’m glad it sticks to the comedic
aspect for this film. The same premise could easily turn into a horror movie –
I’d want to watch that one, too!
10 – Detroit
(8/4)
Tag Line:
It's Time We Knew
Production
Companies: Annapurna Pictures, First Light Production, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
(MGM), Page 1
Director:
Kathryn Bigelow
Writer:
Mark Boal
Actors:
John Boyega, Will Poulter, Anthony Mackie, Algee Smith, Jacob Latimore, Jason
Mitchell, Hannah Murray, Jack Reynor, Kaitlyn Dever, Ben O'Toole, John
Krasinski
Genre:
Crime, Drama, History
Rated:
R
Length:
143 minutes
IMDb
Blurb: Amidst the chaos of the Detroit Rebellion, with the city under
curfew and as the Michigan National Guard patrolled the streets, three young
African American men were murdered at the Algiers Motel.
Considering
this movie is based on a true story, and considering the societal climate of
the US today; this movie strikes me as significant – even important to watch.
It won’t be something comfortable, and it’s a decidedly heavy topic. We need to
be put out of our comfort zones now and again.
With school resuming
right around the corner, this is the usual time period of summer blockbusters
with a lot of flash and dazzle. It’s time for the last hurrahs before everyone
returns to their ‘regularly scheduled programming’ that generally takes place 9
months out of the year. Pair that with the fact that I would much rather have a
good laugh than squirm in my seat, and you find my inner tug-of-war which
landed this movie here on my list.
9 – Good
Time (8/11)
Tag Line:
Directed by the Safdie Brothers
Production
Companies: Elara Pictures, Rhea Films
Directors:
Ben Safdie, Joshua Safdie
Writers:
Ronald Bronstein, Joshua Safdie
Actors:
Jennifer Jason Leigh, Robert Pattinson, Barkhad Abdi, Ben Safdie, Lucas Elliot
Eberl, Buddy Duress, Rose Gregorio, Souleymane Sy Savane, Phil Cappadora,
Taliah Webster
Genre:
Crime, Drama
Rated:
R
Length:
100 minutes
IMDb Blurb:
A bank robber finds himself unable to evade those who are looking for him.
This doesn’t
seem like the typical role you’d find Robert Pattinson (The Rover, Queen of the
Desert, Life) in. That being said, I have pretty much thrown my preconceived
notions about Pattinson right out the window. He has proven that he has far
more substance than the role that made him infamous. After watching Remember Me
(2010) for a review recently, that dropkick to the feels changed a lot of my
perception.
That being
said, I think this seems to be a gritty movie where you feel the grind of the
streets with a dash of dark humor. The trailer promised something outstanding,
so I hope the movie delivers.
8 – Kidnap
(8/4)
Tag Line:
Vengeance is a Mother
Production
Companies: Di Bonaventura Pictures, Gold Star Films, 606 Films, Ingenious
Media, Lotus Entertainment, Rumble Entertainment, Well Go USA Entertainment
Director:
Luis Prieto
Writer:
Knate Lee
Actors:
Halle Berry, Sage Correa, Chris McGinn, Lew Temple, Jason George. Christopher
Berry, Arron Shiver, Kurtis Bedford., Carmella Riley, Brice Fisher, Timothy
Fannon, Andy Wagner
Genre:
Thriller
Rated:
R
Length:
94 minutes
IMDb
Blurb: A mother stops at nothing to recover her kidnapped son.
This movie
is going to give me heart palpitations, I just know it. It’s every parent’s
worst nightmare to have their child disappear right from under their noses.
There have been a few times my daughter wandered off from me in a store when I
looked away for a nanosecond – and I remember the near panic attack that ensued
like it was yesterday.
Nightmares
play out where a kid gets taken from a public place where they should be safe –
or even the false security of their own backyard.
So what if
the worst happened? This movie takes a look at that very question and gives it
an action thriller spin. I am intending to give this one a watch, but I
probably should give my daughter a heads up that she’ll be expecting some big
hugs afterwards.
7 – Wind
River (8/4)
Tag Line:
Nothing is harder to track than the truth.
Production
Companies: Acacia Filmed Entertainment, Film 44,Ingenious Media, Savvy
Media Holdings, Star Thrower Entertainment, Synergics Films, Thunder Road
Pictures, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, Voltage Pictures, Wild Bunch
Director:
Taylor Sheridan
Writer:
Taylor Sheridan
Actors:
Kelsey Asbille, Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Julia Jones, Teo Briones,
Apesanahkwat, Graham Greene, Tantoo Cardinal, Eric Lange, Gil Birmingham,
Tokala Clifford
Genre:
Action, Crime, Mystery
Rated:
R
Length:
107 minutes
IMDb
Blurb: An FBI agent teams with a town's veteran game tracker to
investigate a murder that occurred on a Native American reservation.
I find the
premise of this movie interesting. It takes a look at a crime mystery from an
angle that isn’t done very often, if at all.
It’s also
very hot this summer and I want to live in the snow vicariously for a few hours
with the bonus of being entertained at the same time. Just saying.
6 – Logan
Lucky (8/18)
Tag Line:
See How The Other Half Steals
Production
Companies: Trans-Radial Pictures, Free Association
Director:
Steven Soderbergh
Writer:
Rebecca Blunt
Actors:
Katherine Waterson, Sebastian Stan, Channing Tatum, Daniel Craig, Adam Driver,
Riley Keough, Katie Holmes, Seth MacFarlane, Hilary Swank, David Denman, Dwight
Yoakam, Jack Quaid, Brian Gleeson
Genre:
Comedy, Crime, Drama
Rated:
PG-13
Length:
119 minutes
IMDb
Blurb: Two brothers attempt to pull off a heist during a NASCAR race in
North Carolina.
So when I saw
the trailer for this movie, the description for this movie that popped into my
head immediately was ‘doofus heist comedy.’ Here we have Channing Tatum (The
Lego Movie, Foxcatcher, Hail Caesar!), Daniel Craig (The Golden Compass, The
Adventures of Tintin), and Adam Driver (Lincoln, Midnight Special, Silence) in
roles we’re not used to seeing them in.
This film
looks like it’s going to be a lot of laughs – and a lot of face-palming. I love
it when actors completely break out of the roles that are their ‘niche.’ This
isn’t a movie that exploits sex appeal and debonair charm that Tatum and Craig
are known for. Though, this does seem to be slightly closer to the wheelhouse
for Driver – outside of his lightsaber wielding skills, he tends to be found in
quirky projects. I think this movie will be perfect to turn your brain off and
have a good giggle. In the trailers it’s obvious this film isn’t taking itself
too seriously, so neither should we.
5 – Sharknado
5: Global Swarming (8/6)
Tag Line:
Make America bait again.
Production
Companies: The Asylum, Syfy
Director:
Anthony C. Ferrante
Writers:
Thunder Levin, Scotty Mullen
Actors:
Tara Reid, Dolph Lundgren, Olivia Newton-John, Ian Ziering, Masiela Lusha,
Cassandra Scerbo, Dan Fogler, Jena Sims, Gilbert Gottfried, Chris Kattan,
Charo, Cody Linley, David Naughton, Ross Mullan, Margaret Cho, Fabio
Genre:
Horror, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Rated:
TV-14
Length:
90 minutes
IMDb
Blurb: With much of America lying in ruins, the rest of the world
braces for a global sharknado, Fin and his family must travel around the world
to stop them.
Normally
this movie would be higher on my list – because I love this series. I just felt
it appropriate to list the 5th installment of this franchise as #5.
Call me crazy. That’s just how I roll.
Sure, it’s
campy and ridiculous, and occasionally mind-numbing… but that’s part of what
makes these movies special. I love the over-the-top acting, the cameos coming
out of the woodwork, and the pure entertainment value of it. It’s always fun to
see what they’ll come up with next. The series has already (sort-of) been to
space. Now the airborne toothsome weather anomalies are going worldwide. What’s
next after this? How will they top this particular caper? Will there be a #6?
(Between you and me, I hope so!)
Get your
friends together and throw a shark-themed party so you can share in the
hilarity when this movie airs on the Syfy Channel Sunday, August 6th,
at 7pm. Don’t worry about the time zones there – they’re showing the movie
twice back-to-back, so if you miss the first one, you can catch it on the second showing.
4 – The
Hitman’s Bodyguard (8/18)
Tag Line:
The world's top protection agent has a new client: His worst enemy.
Production
Companies: Campbell Grobman Films, Cristal Pictures, East Light Media,Millennium Films, Nu Boyana Film Studios,
Skydance Media, Tom de Mol Productions
Director:
Patrick Hughes
Writer:
Tom O'Connor
Actors:
Gary Oldman, Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek, Elodie Yung,
Richard E. Grant, Kirsty Mitchell, Joaquim de Almeida
Genre:
Action, Comedy
Rated:
R
Length:
118 minutes
IMDb
Blurb: The world's top bodyguard gets a new client, a hit man who must
testify at the International Court of Justice. They must put their differences
aside and work together to make it to the trial on time.
I watched
the Red Band trailer for this movie, just to see what the difference was.
F-bombs. I think there has to be some limit as to how many they can show in a
non-restricted trailer, because I swear that it comes across as being every-other
word. I’m exaggerating, of course, but still.
That being
said, I think this movie looks amazing and absolutely hilarious while at the
same time giving its audience some really hard-hitting action. I am an
adrenaline junkie only vicariously through movies. Just saying.
So why did I
mention all the cursing? Because if you don’t want your kid to hear 9,999,999
utterances of some version of ‘fuck,’ this is probably not a movie to let them
watch. Aside from that, I want to see this in the theater, if I can, and get
more bang for my buck with the bigger screen.
Writers:
Bob Barlen, Cal Brunker, Scott Bindley, Peter Lepeniotis, Daniel Woo
Actors:
Will Arnett, Katherine Heigl, Maya Rudolph, Jackie Chan, Isabela Moner, Peter
Stormare, Bobby Cannavale, Tom Kenny, Kari Wahlgren, Gabriel Iglesias, Bobby
Moynihan, Jeff Dunham
Genre:
Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Rated:
PG
Length:
91 minutes
IMDb
Blurb: Following the events of the first film, Surly and his friends
must stop Oakton City's mayor from destroying their home to make way for a
dysfunctional amusement park.
There is one
reason I want to watch this movie so badly that I’d stand in line now if I
could - Jackie Chan (Police Story:
Lockdown, Skiptrace, Railroad Tigers). I mean, come on! I can’t wait to see
him lend his voice to the kung-fu mouse that joins forces with all the other
nutty park animals for this sequel.I
don’t need another reason. That’s it.
2 – Death
Note (8/25)
Tag Line:
On August 25th, Justice is Coming.
Production
Companies: Netflix, Lin Pictures, Vertigo Entertainment
Actors:
Lakeith Stanfield, Margaret Qualley, Willem Dafoe, Shea Whigham, Nat Wolff,
Masi Oka, Michael Shamus Wiles, Paul McGillion, Matthew Kevin Anderson, Paul
Nakauchi
Genre:
Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
Rated:
Unrated
Length:
101 minutes
IMDb
Blurb: Light Turner, a bright student, stumbles across a mystical
notebook that has the power to kill any person whose name he writes in it.
Light decides to launch a secret crusade to rid the streets of criminals. Soon,
the student-turned-vigilante finds himself pursued by a famous detective known
only by the alias L.
I absolutely
adore the anime series that this movie is based on. Of course, that animated
series was based on a popular Manga in Japan. It’s a little odd to consider the
casting for this movie in relation to the anime characters – but I’ve decided
that preconceptions along those lines should probably just be thrown right out
the window. There are a few reasons why.
Primarily,
this movie has Willem Dafoe (John Wick, Finding Dory, A Family Man) playing
Ryuk. I don’t care about the rest of the casting because they knocked that one
right out of the park. Dafoe IS Ryuk. Are you kidding me? I just think back to
all his crazy quirky roles over the years and then picture the mischievous and
curious Shinigami featured in this film and there couldn’t be a more perfect
person on the planet to play that role. I can’t wait.
Aside from
that, it looks like quite the visual treat. There seems to be a bit more action
alluded to in the trailer than I recall in the series, but that can be expected
with a live action treatment. I'm so excited that this is being released by Netflix - you can bet I'll be watching it on Day 1.
1 – The
Dark Tower (8/4)
Tag Line:
In a world of superheroes, there is only one gunslinger.
Production
Companies: Sony Pictures Entertainment, Media Rights Capital, Imagine
Entertainment, Weed Road Pictures
Director:
Nikolaj Arcel
Writers:
Akiva Goldsman, Jeff Pinkner, Anders Thomas Jensen, Nikolaj Arcel, Stephen King
Actors:
Katheryn Winnick, Matthew McConaughey, Idris Elba, Jackie Earle Haley, Abbey
Lee, Dennis Haysbert, Alex McGregor, Nicholas Hamilton, Claudia Kim, Fran Kranz
Genre:
Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Rated:
PG-13
Length:
95 minutes
IMDb
Blurb: The last Gunslinger, Roland Deschain, has been locked in an
eternal battle with Walter O'Dim, also known as the Man in Black, determined to
prevent him from toppling the Dark Tower, which holds the universe together.
With the fate of the worlds at stake, good and evil will collide in the
ultimate battle as only Roland can defend the Tower from the Man in Black.
Stephen King (IT, The Stand, Cujo)
is The Man. I love his books immensely. I have some really wonderful memories
associated with some of his work – both on page and on screen. I also love how
he takes an active role with any production of his work, and even cameos in
most projects. I wonder if he’ll make an appearance in this adaptation of one
of his best-known series.
I do have a confession to make. I know the gist of what The Dark Tower
series is about – and it has long been on my to-read list. I just haven’t yet.
That will change, I assure you, as I continue to whittle books off of my list.
I’m afraid I get a little distracted by new and shiny things and it takes just
that much longer to get around to it.
That being said, I know enough about the story to weigh in that Matthew
McConaughey (Interstellar, The Sea of
Trees, Gold) and Idris Elba (Beasts
of No Nation, Zootopia, Star Trek Beyond) are superb for the roles of The
Man in Black and Roland, respectively. I don’t want to hear any of the haters
that have created a brouhaha over Elba’s selection, either. My answer to all
that noise is to shut it until you actually see it. I, for one, am loving the
glimpses that we’ve been given so far in the trailers.
The book series first hit my radar back in my freshman year of high
school. We were on a bus driving from Louisiana to Colorado for a choir trip
during Spring Break, and one of the guys sitting near me was reading the first
book in the series. We had an interesting discussion about King’s books, and I’ve
been fascinated with the story and series ever since. Seeing this hit the big
screen now is a wish 20-plus years in the granting.
