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Archives for : July2014

20th Century FOX presents an All-Star Panel at Comic-Con 2014!

The line-up for the Twentieth Century FOX films at Comic-Con brought out some of the biggest stars in Hollywood this past weekend.  And I must say, all five films discussed at this year’s conference are soon-to-be box office hits that you won’t want to miss!

The Maze Runner

Director Wes Ball, Writer James Dashner, Stars- Will Poulter, Kaya Scodelario, Dylan O’ Brien

When Thomas wakes up trapped in a massive maze with a group of other boys, he has no memory of the outside world other than strange dreams about a mysterious organization known as W.C.K.D.  Only by piecing together fragments of his past with clues he discovers in the maze can Thomas hope to uncover his true purpose and a way to escape.  Based upon the best-selling novel by James Dashner.

Release: September 19, 2014

Book of Life

Christina Applegate, Writer/Director Jorge Gutierrez, Producer Guillermo del Toro, Ron Perlman, Channing Tatum

THE BOOK OF LIFE, a vibrant fantasy-adventure, tells the legend of Manolo, a conflicted hero and dreamer who sets off on an epic quest through magical, mythical and wondrous worlds in order to rescue his one true love and defend his village.

Release: October 17, 2014

Hitman: Agent 47

Stars Hannah Ware & Zachary Quinto

Based on the top-selling, award-winning videogame franchise, “Agent 47” is an all-new motion picture about an elite and genetically engineered assassin, known only by the last two digits – 47 – of a barcode tattooed on the back of his neck.  His latest target is a young woman on the run from powerful and clandestine forces.  The mission brings startling revelations about the lethal agent and his prey, hurtling them on a collision course with their pasts.  And this time, his number may be up.

Release: February 27, 2015

Kingsman: The Secret Service

Stars Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, Taron Egerton, Sophie Cookson, Sofia Boutella, and Co-Creators Dave Gibbons & Mark Miller

Based upon the acclaimed comic book and directed by Matthew Vaughn (Kick Ass, X-Men First Class), Kingsman: The Secret Service tells the story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency’s ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.

Release: October 24, 2014

Let’s Be Cops

Stars Keegan Michael-Key, Nina Dobrev, Damon Wayans Jr., Rob Riggle

It’s the ultimate buddy cop movie except for one thing: they’re not cops.  When two struggling pals dress as police officers for a costume party, they become neighborhood sensations.  But when these newly-minted “heroes” get tangled in a real life web of mobsters and dirty detectives, they must put their fake badges on the line.

Release: August 13, 2014

 

Movie Review: “And So It Goes” is a Generic Feel-Good Family Film

Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton team up for the first time in a comedy that will warm your heart, but most likely escape your mind once you leave the theater.

Oren Little ( Douglas ) is a successful, self-centered realtor living in a somewhat secluded, peaceful home.  But, his life is quickly turned upside down when his estranged adult son shows up out of the blue and drops a bomb on him.  He is about go to jail for nine-months and needs his dad to look after his almost 10 year-old daughter, Sarah (Sterling Jerins).   At first Oren is adamant that he won’t be looking after the granddaughter he never knew existed.   Luckily, Leah (Diane Keaton), the kind, self-less next door neighbor steps in assuring Oren’s son that she will be in good hands.  And so, begins a story you can probably already predict.

Love is not just felt for young Sarah; it is also spreading its way to an unlikely couple.  Leah and Oren share a sweet romance, but not an exciting one.  Michael Douglas definitely still has “it.”  Charm, wit, class, he exudes all of it when he is on screen.   Diane Keaton on the other hand offers some shrilling and quite annoying cries throughout the film.  The cries aren’t as bad as they were in Something’s Gotta Give, but my gosh.  Whoever thought the constant whiney sobs of woman are hilarious is seriously mistaken.  Keaton plays a very likeable character and caring one at that, but somehow her moments of comedy failed to produce any real laughs.  Douglas and Keaton have great chemistry as friends, but as lovers their relationship felt forced.

Though the romantic aspect of And So It Goes was weak, the family story-line was surprisingly enjoyable.  Seeing Oren with his granddaughter or even his limited moments with his son can’t help but make you smile.

And So It Goes hardly stands out among the films currently in theaters, and I can’t even say it should be in your top choices to see this summer.  However, if you are in the mood for a light, uplifting, and simple comedy, then I do recommend you sit back and enjoy this endearing story.

Rating: 2.5/5

And So It Goes hits theaters July 25.

And So It Goes Official Trailer HD

B&B Theatres Wylie Brings the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” Movie Fun Run!

B&B THEATRES WYLIE 12 BRINGS NOSTALGIC 80’s FLASHBACK WITH THE ‘TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA MOVIE FUN RUN’ FEATURING A RARE APPEARANCE BY ‘PARTNERS IN KRYME’ PERFORMING TURTLE POWER!

No decade has shaped pop culture quite like the 1980s.

1980: The release of Pac-Man

1982: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial lands in theatres

1983:  The Cabbage Patch phenomenon crops up

1984:  Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird form Mirage Studios and publish their first comic book, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

The Turtles dominated the media landscape through the late 80s and early 90s, culminating in multiple feature films, a hugely successful animated television program, action figures mania, and much more.  While these collectibles and throwbacks yank at the heartstrings of nostalgic Babies of the Eighties, the future looks bright for the Boys in Green as Paramount Pictures prepares for the upcoming release of the revitalized and reimagined Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (August 8).

B&B Theatres Wylie 12 with Marquee Suites celebrates the exciting return of the Turtles to the big screen, but acknowledges that the bodacious potential of the future is contingent upon understanding the radical contributions of the past.  To herald in the new feature, B&B Theatres in Wylie is hosting the first ever Teenage Mutant Ninja Movie Fun Run, a Turtles-themed 5k held on August 2nd.  Participants will receive t-shirts, tubular turtle headbands, and raffle entries for great prizes, not to mention the chance to get the shell off the sofa and enjoy some good, ol’ fashioned exercise.

But that’s not all!

All participants will be invited to attend a free showing of the classic 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film.  Sound awesome?  It will be.  The only thing that could make it better would be watching the film with the Turtles themselves….WHICH WILL BE POSSIBLE since all four turtles will be in town to support the race and take pictures with any eager turtle fans, keep the Foot Clan at bay, and share a slice with their fans. (Turtles courtesy of Turtle Power Entertainment) No turtle event would be complete without the essentials, and by essentials, we mean PIZZA! Everyone that joins us for the race will get a piece of Mr. Jim’s pizza before watching the movie on our MASSIVE GRAND SCREEN!

We will also have on site the foremost expert on Ninja Turtles with YouTube Sensation Andre Meadows of ‘Black Nerd Comedy’! With over 250,000 subscribers, many people are eager to learn about his thoughts on anything turtle related! The Allen American’s hockey team will be joining us with a Casey Jones ‘Slapshot Challenge’ and we will have David DeGrand (Artist for Mad Magazine and Spongebob Squarepants) drawing free sketches for all kids! The event is not just for adults as we will have a FREE Turtle Trot for Kids 11 and Under at 9am before the festivities kick off!

But the icing on the cake (or pizza, if you prefer) is the exciting news that PARTNERS IN KRYME will make a rare appearance to perform the classic anthem “TURTLE POWER” and a never-before-released new track, “ROCK THE HALFSHELL”.  Not only will PARTNERS IN KRYME be performing their new song, but everyone in the auditorium will be A PART OF THE MUSIC VIDEO! Couple this with additional games and events, good food,  great friends, and the fact that ALL proceeds go to benefit the Wylie Christian Care Center, and you’ve got a recipe for a turtle-tastic event that will be sure to let Shredder and his goons know that TURTLE POWER is alive and well in Wylie.

Movie Review” Lifetime’s “Expecting Amish” is a Ridiculously Lame Love Story

Expecting Amish is a drama about four Amish teenagers living in rural Pennsylvania.  When they are allowed to go to Los Angeles to experience RUMSPRINGA or rite of passage, Mary (Alyson Stoner), Isaac (Cameron Boyd) and Sara (Aurelia Scheppers) are excited to make the trip but Hannah (AJ Michalka) is reluctant to leave her father (Brian Krause), siblings and her “fiancée”, Samuel (Jean-Luc Bilodeau).

Once they get to Los Angeles, everyone but Hannah immediately enjoy their new freedom.  Encouraged to spread her wings and go to a college party, Hannah meets Josh (Jesse McCartney) in the most cliché rom-com way and the two become inseparable.  When Hannah begins having feelings for Josh, her friends become concerned. Eventually, the time comes for the four to return to their Amish lives and be baptized by their elder (Ron Ely).  But Hannah struggles between choosing to live the life she’s expected to, or the one she wants.  Things get even more complicated when she discovers a shocking secret that will change her life forever.

Maybe it’s because after the last Lifetime drama I was spoiled into thinking they would continue to push the boundaries on their “risqué” films.  But Expecting Amish has to be one of the safest and unexciting movies I’ve seen from Lifetime in a while.  Considering its premise, I was hoping for a lot more fights, sex, partying, etc-you know the basics of a rebellious teen Lifetime drama.  Though there is sex, there is no passion.  Hannah and Josh come off as friends forcing sexual chemistry that is just not there.

Putting the undesirable romance aside, even the subplots are weak.  So many characters are set up for some stimulating storylines, but instead of seeing them through, they are blown over and their wrong doings are never addressed again.

Expecting Amish might as well be a blip in this Saturday night’s TV line up.  There’s nothing to see here people, change the channel.

Rating: 1.5/5

Expecting Amish premieres on Lifetime Saturday July 19 at 8pm ET/7c.

Quick Reviews: “Boyhood” & “Wish I Was Here”

“Wish I Was Here”

Rated R

Starring: Zach Braff, Kate Huson, Joey King, and Josh Gad

Directed by: Zach Braff

Written by: Zach Braff and Adam J. Braff

Rating: 3/5

Aidan Bloom (Braff) is a 35-year-old man who finds himself at major crossroads, which forces him to examine his life, his career, and his family.

10 years after his critically acclaimed, Garden State, Zach Braff returns with a similar heartfelt, thought provoking film.  One that is heightened by it’s unique soundtrack.  Though the premise has been done, I never mind a film that encourages audiences to find their true happiness in life. Added Bonus-mini Scrubs reunion!

 

“Boyhood”

Rated R

Starring: Ellar Coltrane, Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, and Lorelei Linklater

Directed/Written by: Richard Linklater

Rating: 5/5

Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Richard Linklater’s BOYHOOD is a groundbreaking story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason (a breakthrough performance by Ellar Coltrane), who literally grows up on screen before our eyes. 

Linklater has made cinematic history with this true coming-of-age story.  Set to an amazing soundtrack spanning the years from Coldplay’s Yellow to Arcade Fire’s Deep Blue. As of now, easily the best direction in a film this year.  As you watch Mason (Coltrane) and his family through the years, you can’t help but think about your own life journey.

“Wish I was Here” and “Boyhood” open in select theaters on July 18.

Interview: Nicola Peltz & Jack Reynor talk “Transformers: Age of Extinction”

transformersI had some great laughs during my interview with Nicola Peltz & Jack Reynor for the blockbuster hit, “Transformers Age Of Extinction“. A couple weeks ago we discussed their first impressions of each other, which animated series they would want to see turned into a live action film, and what movie inspired them to become actors.

Aired originally on ICTN’s About Towne.

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Movie Review: “Tammy” Puts a Halt in Melissa McCarthy’s Winning Streak

She made us cry laughing in Bridesmaid. She had us falling out of our seats in The Heat.  And she was the only good thing in The Hangover 3.  But, Melissa McCarthy’s hilarity hits a bump in her latest comedy, Tammy.

In a cliché, slapstick comedy way, Tammy (McCarthy) has the worst day of her life. She totals her car after hitting a deer; she gets fired from her job at a burger joint, and then comes home to find out her husband is having an affair with the neighbor. After running home to her mom’s house she decides she needs to get of town and clear her head. Grandma Pearl (Susan Sarandon), who has a car and plenty of cash, overhears everything and forces Tammy to take her along for the ride. Thus begins the typical, reckless road trip where everything goes wrong.

The film is filled with an all-star cast, including Kathy Bates, Sandra Oh, Alison Janney, Mark Duplass, and many more. So you know the acting wasn’t the problem.

I don’t mind the movie’s generic story-line; it’s more that I expect a certain level of laughs when watching McCarthy now. The majority of the so called comedic moments was so weak and forced that I felt like I watching an Adam Sandler rom-com. Frankly, the script was lazy.

Fans are better off skipping Tammy and re-watching The Heat as we wait and hope for better from Melissa McCarthy’s upcoming projects.

Rating: 2/5

“Tammy” Official Trailer HD