7 Pieces of: “A Dog’s Purpose”

Posted on January 27, 2017 by Denise

a dog's life posterNutshell: sweet, sentimental, and capable of manipulating all the feels with Machiavellian aplomb, this film warms the heart yet seems to stay just out of reach of truly touching it.  Still, cute doggies!  And who doesn’t love a shameless kleenex movie from time to time?  Grade: B-

“Um, where am I?”

Story: The soul of a dog goes through a lot.  Including several lifetimes, a gender-swap, and of course, lots of love. Everybody say awwwww.

Genre I’d put it in: Animal-centric Tearjerker That Knows Full Well What It’s Doing

Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Orignal: Based on the novel by W. Bruce Cameron, with echoes of “animal films” like The Incredible Journey, Benji, and Marley and Me. Continue reading →

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Review in a Flash: “Split”

Posted on January 25, 2017 by Denise
Sometimes I’m too lazy for a full-out piece. Sometimes everything I’ve got to say about a film can be summarized in a sentence or two. Sometimes it’s both. So herewith, a quick-n-dirty on M. Night Shyamalan’s latest…Split!

split-poster“You like to make fun of us. But we’re more powerful than you think.”

Nutshell: A surprisingly effective horror thriller that recalls  classic psychological scares of the 70s. Though a bit wobbly in the middle, there’s more than enough solid filmmaking – and acting, thanks to a tour-de-force performance by James McAvoy – to keep things from spilling into mediocrity. Grade: B+

Before: Hmm.  M. Night’s got a new film out?  I loved The Village (no, you shut up) really dug Devil, and even understood what he was trying to do with Lady In The Water. But After Earth was…odd in a bad way.  And the less said about The Last Airbender, the better.  But McAvoy has won my allegiance with his work on the X-Men series, and I did want to see more of Anna Taylor-Joy after Morgan.  So alright; let’s do this. Continue reading →

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: “The Space Between Us”!

Posted on January 24, 2017 by Denise

the-space-between-us-posterOoh – ever feel like you’re an outsider, trying to figure it all out? Just me?  Didn’t think so. Well, The Space Between Us sounds like just the thing we’re looking for…but this kid’s literally out of this world.  Synopsis!

In this interplanetary adventure, a space shuttle embarks on the first mission to colonize Mars, only to discover after takeoff that one of the astronauts is pregnant. Shortly after landing, she dies from complications while giving birth to the first human born on the red planet – never revealing who the father is. Thus begins the extraordinary life of Gardner Elliot – an inquisitive, highly intelligent boy who reaches the age of 16 having only met 14 people in his very unconventional upbringing. While searching for clues about his father, and the home planet he’s never known, Gardner begins an online friendship with a street smart girl in Colorado named Tulsa. When he finally gets a chance to go to Earth, he’s eager to experience all of the wonders he could only read about on Mars – from the most simple to the extraordinary. But once his explorations begin, scientists discover that Gardner’s organs can’t withstand Earth’s atmosphere.  Eager to find his father, Gardner escapes the team of scientists and joins with Tulsa on a race against time to unravel the mysteries of how he came to be, and where he belongs in the universe.

I have a feeling I’ll need all the kleenex.  But I’m in. Are you?

Continue reading →

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: “50 Shades Darker”!

Posted on January 24, 2017 by Denise

50-shades-darker-posterUPDATE – WINNERS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN.  THAN YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED!

This sequel to 50 Shades of Grey looks more like a thriller than an S&M Lite story.  And I think it might actually be pretty good.  I know; I’m just as surprised as you that I said that.  Synopsis!

When a wounded Christian Grey tries to entice a cautious Ana Steele back into his life, she demands a new arrangement before she will give him another chance.  As the two begin to build trust and find stability, shadowy figures from Christian’s past start to circle the couple, determined to destroy their hopes for a future together.

Ready to head into the Room of Requirement Red Room?  C’mon along! Continue reading →

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Catching Up Review: “The Neon Demon”

Posted on January 22, 2017 by Denise
Sometimes I can’t get to a screening.  Sometimes there isn’t a screening available for a particular film.  Sometimes I’m just lazy and wait until the Award Season Onslaught to catch films that came out during the “For Your Consideration” award season year.  Typically, it’s all three.  So here’s a nutshell on what I think about one particular film: 2016’s Neon Demon.

neon-demonTries to be Cronenberg or The Hunger. Fails. This film  aims for “weird” and “shocking” to draw viewers attention away from the fact that the director has nothing to say.

There’s no denying it’s a gorgeous, often fascinating piece of cinema. But the message – the moment you walk a runway you become a narcissistic jerk – is as lightweight as this film’s character development. A movie about society’s obsession with beauty, is itself obsessed with its own beauty; there’s a sort of beautiful irony about that.  Pity that’s the most interesting thing about this film.

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TrailerWatch: Lionsgate releases the Power Rangers!

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Denise

power rangers teaser poster“Did I just hear you say we’re Power Rangers?  Is this some kind of joke?”

No, darlin’.  No joke.  And a joke is what I was afraid of when I first heard about this movie.  But Power Rangers is looking really good.  Not only are they leaning in on the real life after-effects of becoming a superhero, Our Heroes are not instantly awesome.  There are bumps along the road, which makes for a more compelling story.  Plus, I’m digging their “high school newspaper” website, The Roar.  I’m in.  Synopsis!

SABAN’S POWER RANGERS follows five ordinary high school kids who must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove – and the world – is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat.  Chosen by destiny, our heroes quickly discover that they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so they will have to overcome their real-life issues and band together as the Power Rangers before it is too late.

Saban’s Power Rangers suit up March 24, 2017.

 

 

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TrailerWatch: “Logan” sings an amazing swan song

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Denise

unnamed3“Someone has come along.”

For fans of Marvel’s “Old Man Logan” storyline, or anyone who just enjoys the hell out of seeing Hugh Jackman snarl, the latest – and probably last – installment of the Wolverine story has just dropped a trailer. And from this trailer, Logan looks fantastic. Synopsis!

In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hide out on the Mexican border. But Logan’s attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces.

I’m guessing that the young girl Logan is tasked with protecting is none other than X-23, though Marvel hasn’t confirmed (or denied) it… So let’s just hope so, ‘kay?

Logan hits theaters March 3rd, 2017.

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Movie News: Sony Pictures Animation announces upcoming films

Posted on January 18, 2017 by Denise
Culver City, CA - January 18, 2017 TJ Miller as Gene attends Sony Pictures Animation Slate Presentation (photo: Sony Pictures Animation)

Culver City, CA – January 18, 2017 TJ Miller as Gene attends Sony Pictures Animation Slate Presentation (photo: Sony Pictures Animation)

Sony Pictures Animation just dropped some info on the films they’ve got lined up, and it’s a smorgasbord of styles.  Which is kinda cool, actually. They’re actually going full-on Marvel Studios, and giving a whole lot of notice for a few of these. Sweet!

SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE (April 7, 2017 release)
THE EMOJI MOVIE (August 4, 2017 release)
THE STAR (November 10, 2017 release)
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3 (September 21, 2018 release)
UNTITLED ANIMATED SPIDER-MAN (December 21, 2018 release)
VIVO (December 18, 2020 release)

As a fan of Hotel Transylvania and its sequel, I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next in that series.  Plus, The Smurfs was incredibly well done and had an amazing use of 3D that was actually worth the price of admission(and I dont’ say that that often)…so more from that series should be a hoot as well.  As for a movie about emojis?  Well, I’m skeptical, but I think T.J. Miller is hilarious, so I’m game.  The Star had me at Steven Yeun, and that Spider-Man movie could be cool, what with the Miles Morales storyline.  But I’ll need more info to really get jazzed.

And of course with Lin Manuel Miranda helming the upcoming Vivo, I can’t wait to see what happens with that film.  A monkey that likes music, and “locations” like Cuba and Miami?  Okay then.  Gimme.

Read on for the full lineup!

Continue reading →

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Catching Up Review: “The Witch”

Posted on January 18, 2017 by Denise
Sometimes I can’t get to a screening.  Sometimes there isn’t a screening available for a particular film.  Sometimes I’m just lazy and wait until the Award Season Onslaught to catch films that came out during the “For Your Consideration” award season year.  Typically, it’s all three.  So here’s a nutshell on what I think about one particular film: 2016’s The Witch.

THEWITCH_TEASER_02Puritan values, ostracism, fear of God, coming of age, and witchcraft come together in a slow burn of a film. Viewers expecting explosive shocks will be disappointed, but those willing to let the film unspool while contemplating God and man will find it a vicious little treat.

Richly detailed, with a cast that commits 100% and period perfect art direction. More spooky than scary, this film is nonetheless fascinating and suspenseful, with a crafty “less is more” way with the scary stuff. Recommended for anyone who wants to sink into a story.

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: “A Dog’s Purpose”!

Posted on January 17, 2017 by Denise

a dog's life posterOkay y’all.  If you’ve seen the trailer for this movie and didn’t tear up, you’re a monster.  Ready for more heartwarming bittersweetness?  Well, I’ve got passes for the Baltimore screening of A Dog’s Purpose.  Synopsis!

Based on the beloved bestselling novel by W. Bruce Cameron, A Dog’s Purpose, from director Lasse Hallström (The Cider House Rules, Dear John, The 100-Foot Journey), shares the soulful and surprising story of one devoted dog (voiced by Josh Gad) who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love.  The family film told from the dog’s perspective also stars Dennis Quaid, Peggy Lipton, Britt Robertson, K.J. Apa, Juilet Rylance, Luke Kirby, John Ortiz and Pooch Hall.

Ready to squee over puppies with me? C’mon!

Continue reading →

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