"Wealth, Travel, Fame…I can take you to movies that have all of that." -Me and Orson Welles
This year’s Oscars ceremony will be hosted by Conan O’Brien for the second year in a row. The 98th Oscars will be held on Sunday,...
Project Hail Mary is the second film adaptation of a book by Andy Weir and is directed by the hilarious dynamic duo, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller....
It has been 8 years since the release of “I Can Only Imagine”, the story of Bart Millard, a young musician who came from an abusive childhood...
“A man claiming to be from the future takes the patrons of an iconic Los Angeles diner hostage in search of unlikely recruits in a quest to save...
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Kevin James returns to the romantic comedy scene in Solo Mio, a light-hearted, charming tale surrounded by the...
We spoke with Jim Parson (The Big Bang Theory), director Tim Johnson, and Good Morning America contest winner, Cheryl Jackson at the North Texas red carpet premiere of Home.
Click Here to watch Interview with Jim Parsons, Director Tim Johnson, and Cheryl Jackson
Home opens in theater everywhere March 27.
Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson star in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey
Bondage, Flogging, and Spanking, these are a few of Christian Grey’s favorite things. But when Anastasia Steele comes into his life, his particular routine in sexual activities begins to fluctuate.
Those who have read Fifty Shades of Grey have anxiously been waiting to see Christian and Ana’s story come to life on the big screen. Though readers anticipate the film, they also worry about how the “movie version” of their beloved tale will stay true to the book. In this case, fans are concerned with the casting, the chemistry, and just how graphic the sex scenes are going to be. E. L. James’ best-selling novel did an incredible job at describing a hot, titillating romance, which originated from a Twilight fan fiction series. Well you can be rest assured that the film exudes enough heat to warm up your entire theater.
Both Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson, who play Christian and Ana, have great chemistry. Their instant attraction to each other is believable, and the relationship never feels forced. These two characters meet all thanks to fate. When her best friend, Kate (Eloise Mumford), gets the flu, Ana fills in for her journalism assignment interviewing Christian Grey, a 27-year old billionaire who is going be the guest speaker at their college graduation. After an unforgettable and intense interview, Christian makes a few surprise appearances in Ana’s daily life, making their attraction grow stronger. Christian quickly puts a halt to their “situation” and tells Ana to stay away from him, as he is no good for her. That break lasts about all of two seconds. Ana gets drunk and calls Christian to tell him off. He comes and saves her from the drunken state she’s in. The next morning the two share a passionate kiss in an elevator.
You ain’t seen nothing yet!
Ana should be relishing in that fact that she has just found her dream man. Christian is handsome, charming, and rich. The only problem is, this young billionaire has got a dark past and can only be in a dominant/submissive relationship. So while Ana hopes to have the normal dinner and movie dates, all Christian can think about is whipping her in his “playroom.”
As for the sex scenes, director Sam Taylor-Johnson plays it safe. They are tastefully done in an effective way that shows us just how sexy and twisted Christian is. Nudity is limited to topless and butt shots. Sorry ladies, don’t expect to see Christian full frontal.
Unfortunately since Dornan’s role is meant to be controlling and lack emotion, he comes off stiff. It is Johnson who shines and gives a break out performance as Anastasia Steele, giving an at times irritating character humor and likability.
Here’s the thing. As a fan of the book, I was enthralled by this film. They cut out all the bad parts of the book and focused on the emotional struggle of the couple’s relationship. However, I find some of my fellow critics to be warranted in their negative reviews. The plot of the story is thin and a tad redundant. Ultimately, we’re watching a girl date a guy that she’s hoping will change for her. It is an interesting character study, especially on the troubled Christian Grey, who can’t seem to let anyone in. That just may not be enough for the regular movie-goer.
If you go into Fifty Shades of Grey with an open mind and have fun with the story, then there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy the movie. Given that there is an added kink to this romance, that aspect of the film is something different to look forward to. And for the fellas who are being forced to watch, I’m sure you will be rewarded with plenty of enjoyment after the film is over.
RATING: 3/5
Fifty Shades of Grey opens in theaters tonight at 8pm.
“Fifty Shades of Grey” Official Trailer HD
Black Sea tells the story of Robinson (Jude Law), a submarine captain who, in order to make good with his former employers, takes a job with a shadowy backer to search the depths of the Black Sea for a submarine rumored to be loaded with gold.
We got a chance to sit down with the Academy Award winning director, Kevin MacDonald (The Last King of Scotland), to discuss his latest film.
Besides the fear of being at the bottom of the ocean, these men are also kind of thinking about this money that they are about to find. And some of them aren’t too happy about the fact that they have to do the even split, even though it would still be plenty of money. What do you think it is about money that changes people and makes them act in psychotic ways?
“Yeah I mean; I think the center of this movie is sort of what greed can do to people. And not even so much what money can do to people, ‘cause it’s not sort of anti-money in this film. It’s sort of anti-greed, I suppose. And it’s the idea that, people, instead of realizing when you’ve got enough, it’s like I always want more. I want more and more! And that’s kind of part of human nature. That kind of dark part of human nature, isn’t it? Yeah, it’s the positive and negative of human nature, both present in this extreme circumstance.”
This was probably one of my favorite roles to see Jude Law in as Robinson. I really felt for his character, especially, with him losing his family to his job. Because I think in any work that you do, you can get wrapped up in it and kind of lose sight of the ones you love.
“I think that’s exactly, that’s the sort of central theme I suppose. And it’s a very simple one really of this movie. Is that we all kind of think that our jobs are so important; that we only get respect from other people, because of whether we’re successful in our jobs and all these sort of things. And the pressure that there is to be successful to earn money, but actually when all is said and done; that’s not what’s important about life. And at the end of our lives none of us are going to think, “oh I wish I had spent more time at the office.” We’re going to think, “I wish had spent more time with my family. I wish I loved that person more, and made that relationship work.” Those are the things that you’ve got to think about. And I guess that’s what’s fundamentally at the heart of this movie.”
I mean for me, the moment they entered the water; I was on the edge of my seat. I was just terrified the whole time. So, is there another film for you that has given you that same excitement while watching?
“I mean, I think Gravity has that feeling for me. You know pretty much as soon as the movie starts, and you’re in this precarious situation space walking with Sandra Bullock. You’re terrified. And you’ve got vertigo (laughs), and yeah, I think this is sort of the underwater version of that.”
Yeah, it is. It gave me the same effect actually, because I struggled to breathe in both those films.
“(Laughs) So there’s a good recommendation. If you want to struggle to breathe, go and see this movie!”
Black Sea opens in select theaters January 30.
Fathom Events and Open Road Films to Give Audiences Sneak Peek at
Jon Stewart’s Directorial Debut in ‘Rosewater’ Followed by
Live Q&A on the Eve Before Its National Release
DENVER – November 3, 2014 – Fathom Events and Open Road Films are partnering to present the exclusive “Rosewater: Jon Stewart & Stephen Colbert LIVE” event, including the feature film Rosewater followed by a Live Q&A with Jon Stewart, the film’s screen writer, director and producer, interviewed by Stephen Colbert, host and executive producer of the Emmy and Peabody Award Winning series “The Colbert Report,” broadcast from New York City. Fans can join the conversation by Tweeting questions now via Twitter using the hashtag #RosewaterLive. This special event will be showcased in select cinemas nationwide for only one night on November 13 live at 7:30 p.m. ET and tape delayed to 7:30 p.m. local time in all other time zones. Rosewater is based on The New York Times best-selling memoir “Then They Came for Me: A Family’s Story of Love, Captivity, and Survival,” written by the BBC journalist Maziar Bahari, which is now available in paperback and titled after the upcoming movie. Following the exclusive Fathom Events preview on November 13, Rosewater will be in theaters nationwide on November 14.
Tickets for “Rosewater: Jon Stewart & Stephen Colbert LIVE” are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. The event will be presented in more than 300 select movie theaters nationwide through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).
A true story, Rosewater marks the screenwriting and directorial debut of “The Daily Show” host and executive producer Jon Stewart, and stars Gael García Bernal, leading an international cast. Rosewater is produced by Scott Rudin, Stewart and Gigi Pritzker, with Lila Yacoub, Eli Bush and Chris McShane serving as executive producers.
Rosewater has a direct connection to Stewart, who since taking over as host of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” in 1999, has turned the nightly half-hour satirical look at newsmakers and news-coverers into not only a perennial Emmy-winning juggernaut, but also an important touchstone on the zeitgeist. Stewart and “The Daily Show” covered Bahari’s saga nightly and the journalist appeared on the show to talk about his ordeal once he was released from prison.
Rosewater follows the Tehran-born Bahari, a 42-year-old broadcast journalist with Canadian citizenship living in London. In June 2009, Bahari returned to Iran to interview Mir-Hossein Mousavi, who was the prime challenger to controversial incumbent president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. As Moussavi’s supporters rose up to protest Ahmadinejad’s victory declaration hours before the polls closed on election day, Bahari endured great personal risk by submitting camera footage of the unfolding street riots to the BBC. Bahari was soon arrested by Revolutionary Guard police, led by a man identifying himself only as “Rosewater,” who proceeded to torture and interrogate the journalist over the next 118 days. In October 2009, with Bahari’s wife leading an international campaign from London to have her husband freed, and Western media outlets including “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” continuing to keep the story alive, Iranian authorities released Bahari on $300,000 bail and the promise he would act as a spy for the government.
“Rosewater has been celebrated by early festival audiences as well as critics,” said Tom Ortenberg, CEO of Open Road Films. “Moviegoers have expressed incredible enthusiasm about the upcoming release of Jon Stewart’s directorial debut and we are thrilled to be able to bring this special event with two icons to theaters across the country.”
“Rosewater is an important story that must be told to the world,” said Fathom Events CEO John Rubey. “The chance to see it first and hear the thought-provoking insight directly from the film’s creator should not be missed.”
View the event trailer on our YouTube page and visit our press site for event photos.
Director: Bobby Roe
Writers: Bobby Roe, Zack Andrews, Jason Zada
Stars: Zack Andrews, Bobby Roe, Mikey Roe, and Brandy Schaefer
Synopsis
Looking to find an authentic, blood-curdling good fright for Halloween, five friends set off on a road trip in an RV to track down these underground Haunts. Just when their search seems to reach a dead end, strange and disturbing things start happening and it becomes clear that the Haunt has come to them.
I sat down with Zack Andrews, Bobby Roe, Mikey Roe, and Brandy Schaefer to discuss their new film, “The Houses October Built.”
Mark Hapka stars in “23 Blast”
Since Remember the Titans, there has yet to be a movie based on a real football team or player that is able to emotionally grab and thoroughly entertain an audience. It’s a hard feat to accomplish, given that most of these true stories have an enriching plot but struggle to successfully translate their message. Unfortunately, 23 Blast has fallen victim to this formula.
Based on the true story of Travis Freeman (Mark Hapka), a high school football star, who is suddenly stricken with irreversible total blindness. Travis quickly assumes his life is over and begins to spend his days at home sulking. Until one day, his former football coach (Stephen Lang) discovers a way to utilize the team’s key player.
This premise is undoubtedly uplifting. The thought that a blind student could still play football and have the support of his team and town is incredibly moving. But, when you choose to tell this story with a weak supporting cast, an unnecessary, forced love story, and an amateur screenplay, it will distract from your inspiring tale.
Though it’s not the best film to put on a resume, 23 Blast does feature a few stand out performances, beginning with their lead, Mark Hapka. Known for his long running role in Days of Our Lives, Hapka proves that he can take on the big screen and has more to offer than dramatic stares. He commits to his character and portrays a genuine personality that’s easy to like. As for Bram Hoover, who plays Travis’ best friend and also co-wrote the script. His first tackle at the big screen was an upsetting fumble. The lack of development and cliché dialogue did no favors for the fairly, new actor. Hoover’s attempt to shine as the supporting star was intercepted by Glee’s Max Adler, who starts as the film’s antagonist. But like his character on Glee, he’s the bully who turns a new leaf. There is a quality in both, Hapka and Adler that shows true potential for these talents.
23 Blast offers a remarkable story that is trying to stay afloat from its sinking surroundings.
23 Blast hits theaters October 24.
Rating: 2/5
“23 Blast” Official Trailer HD
LAGGIES
Monday, October 27, 2014
7:30 PM
AMC NorthPark 15
8687 N. Central Expressway
Dallas, TX 75225
To enter and win passes for this screening you can either go to www.gofobo.com/rsvp and enter this code: TCFLIX7JT6
OR
Direct Link – http://l.gofobo.us/wmON9HAZ
Synopsis
Overeducated and underemployed, 28 year old Megan (Keira Knightley) is in the throes of a quarterlife crisis. Squarely into adulthood with no career prospects, no particular motivation to think about her future and no one to relate to, Megan is comfortable lagging a few steps behind – while her friends check off milestones and celebrate their new grown-up status. When her high-school sweetheart (Mark Webber) proposes, Megan panics and– given an unexpected opportunity to escape for a week – hides out in the home of her new friend, 16-year old Annika (Chloë Grace Moretz) and Annika’s world-weary single dad Craig (Sam Rockwell).
Lynn Shelton, whose unique directorial voice created such astutely observed comedies as YOUR SISTER’S SISTER and HUMPDAY, crafts a sweet, coming-of-age romantic comedy about three people who find their lives intertwined in the most unconventional way. Keira Knightley shines as Megan, a rare female slacker hero who shows us that while you never stop growing up, you can choose stop lagging, and start living on your terms.
OPENING DATE: Opens in select theaters Friday, October 31, 2014
Rated R for language, some sexual material and teen partying.
It’s no surprise that big studio production companies are quickly grabbing hold of the rights to as many young adult novels as they can. The fan base is already there. Give them a “best-seller” and a good looking lead, and you may just have the next Twilight or The Fault in Our Stars.
Tweens are thirsting for romance that they can live vicariously through, and Chloe Grace Moretz’s latest drama will quench every young girl’s desire.
If I Stay is an adaptation of Gayle Forman’s 2009 best-seller. The film centers on Mia Hall (Moretz), a straight-lace, gifted cellist who lives in Oregon with her ultra-hip parents, Kat (Mireille Enos) and Denny (Joshua Leonard), and her little brother, Teddy (Jakob Davies). One day while Mia is practicing in school, Adam (Jamie Blackley), an up-and-coming rock star, passes by and it’s love at first listen. Be warned now, if you’re in theater with any teenage girls, Adam will cause swooning and sighing. The two go through a jagged relationship, proving that classical and rock doesn’t make for a smooth mix.
Priorities shift for Mia when she is invited to audition for Julliard but, her music and Adam become the least of her worries after a horrific car accident has caused her to fall into a coma. Anxious to know the fate of the rest of her family, Mia has an out of body experience. Her spirit roams the hospital halls and she eavesdrops on her loved ones as they try to cope and pray for her to make it through surgery. As her future begins to be uncertain, Mia is faced with a choice. She must decide if the life she’s waking up to is one worth living.
Call me a cheesy romantic, but I enjoyed this film. I am fully aware the one liners, “I see you,” and “why me?” will have plenty of people rolling their eyes. But there are certain qualities in a teenybopper romance that can always salvage the movie. The key element is your lead. Chloe Grace Moretz is a thriving young talent, and since I first saw her in 500 Days of Summer, she has only flourished in her career. Whether it’s a success like Kick-Ass or a flop like Carrie, Moretz masterfully performs in all of her projects.
Of course, what’s love without believability? Moretz and Blackley’s chemistry is hardly that of comparison to Hazel and Gus (The Fault in Our Stars), but it translates well here. Mia and Adam’s relationship isn’t forced, we get to watch them grow as a couple and care for their story, a missing quality from many recent love stories.
There is more to If I Stay than just the romance. The film also touches on how some people in your life don’t necessarily need to be blood related to be your family. If I Stay may pull at your heartstrings and shed some tears, but think of this film as more of a “doesn’t-hurt-to-see” versus a “must-see.”
Rating: 3/5
In Daniel Radcliffe’s latest film, he swaps sorcery for romance and faces his toughest challenge yet- burying his true feelings for the girl that could be “the one.”
What’s being deemed as this year’s 500 Days of Summer is the story of Wallace (Radcliffe), a med school dropout who’s given up on love after a string of failed relationships and Chantry (Zoe Kazan), the potential girl of his dreams. The two meet at a party and have an immediate connection. Their spark is quickly extinguished, however, when Chantry mentions her boyfriend. Regardless of the circumstances, Wallace would rather have Chantry in his life as friend than not all. It’s an awkward challenge for both of them as they are faced with the age-old question: Can a guy and girl just be friends?
I have to say, right off the bat, that What If… is incomparable to 500 Days of Summer. I can see how the characters may correlate from the two films. But as a love story, writer Michael H. Weber (500 Days of Summer, The Spectacular Now) continues to be in a league of his own. What If… does not provide any sort of originality in its narrative; in fact it’s about as formulaic as they come. But thanks to the film’s charismatic cast, the movie is surprisingly pleasurable the whole way through.
Zoe Kazan is rapidly becoming the queen of the indie flick world, with films like her offbeat romance, Ruby Sparks and her dark comedy, The Pretty One. She brings a refreshing flair to every character she plays. And who knew Harry Potter could slide into the quick-witted male lead with such ease. What comes as no surprise is the scene-stealing Adam Driver, who plays Allen, Wallace’s best friend who also happens to be Chantry’s cousin. Allen is the uproarious link that caused their initial interaction. Frankly, I would have rather watched Allen’s romance with Nicole (MacKenzie Davis), an outspoken, sexually driven wild-child that actually meets Allen at the same party where Chantry and Wallace first met. Nicole and Allen handle their immediate connection through a more spontaneous route, skipping all the usual steps of a regular relationship.
What If…easily outweighs in comparison to the other cliché Katherine Heigl disasters we’ve endured. But given its subject matter and the potential this story had, I can’t help but be slightly disappointed with the entirety of the film. So many movies try to tackle the “just friends” premise, but only rarely do they pull off the complexity and authentic emotion behind a friendship that has more than platonic feelings. If you’re looking for that kind of story, I suggest you watch Drinking Buddies; it’s one of the few that flawlessly explored a true test of whether or not men and women can just be friends.
The great message here, and what is really the central focus of this film, is how when you’re lucky enough to find that instant connection with someone, is it best to wait it out and see where it goes, or do you jump on your feelings and take a risk before you miss an opportunity?
What If…is an undoubtedly cute, quirky, romantic comedy that most audiences will enjoy.
Rating: 3/5
“What If…” Official Trailer HD
