TrailerWatch: SUCK IT, “Ghost in the Shell”. #whitewashing

Posted on November 14, 2016 by Denise

I tried. I really did.  I tried to keep an open mind about the whitewashed monstrosity that is the live-action “reinterpretation” of the popular anime and manga, Ghost in the Shell. But as much as I adore ScarJo, this is an abomination.

Sure, it’s lovely, and the action seems groovy enough.  But I can’t get past the fact that an obvious caucasian was cast in a role that could have been extremely important for Asian actors. The idea of a strong, competent, Asian woman too frightening, Hollywood?

Jesus Christ this sickens me. Maybe it’s because I’m seeing so much hate directed to people of color after this trash fire of an election.  Maybe it’s because I’m a little half-breed who remembers getting excited every time she saw Barney Miller‘s Officer Nick Yemana (played by the awesome Jack Soo), or George Takei’s Sulu on Star Trek reruns.  I still get amped whenever I see an Asian actor onscreen.  And I shouldn’t be. It should be normal.  But it’s still rare enough that I get excited to see “my family” onscreen.

So yeah, fuck you, Ghost in the Shell.  This is the last bit of coverage on this bullshit film that you’ll get from me.  I’m not even going to put up a picture of the poster, because this film doesn’t deserve one more megabyte of data storage on my blog.

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TrailerWatch: “Beauty and the Beast” first trailer, and poster!

Posted on November 14, 2016 by Denise

beauty-and-the-beast-poster-405x600The first teaser trailer for the live-action reimagining of Beauty and the Beast was wonderful.  And now the first official trailer hits.  And it’s really something. I’m digging the CGI effects, especially for Lumiere.

Equally stunning is the poster – it’s a lovely re-do of the original, and Emma Roberts channels Belle wonderfully.  I’m also looking forward to seeing the costumes, and especially how Oscar winner Jacqueline Durran uses fabrics to maximize movement.  What?  I’m a costuming nerd.

Be their guests March 17th, 2017.

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: Allied!

Posted on November 11, 2016 by Denise

allied-posterAlrighty.  We’re getting into the Awards Season Onslaught, and to help you keep up with all the cool films headed our way this season, I’ve got passes to the Brad Pitt & Marion Cotillard WWII spy film, Allied. Perfect timing for Veteran’s Day, yes?  And this film is looking like an interesting piece of intrigue…synopsis!

“ALLIED” is the story of intelligence officer Max Vatan (Pitt), who in 1942 North Africa encounters French Resistance fighter Marianne Beauséjour (Cotillard) on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Reunited in London, their relationship is threatened by the extreme pressures of the war.

Ooh – what’ll happen?  Well, how about we find out early, shall we?

Continue reading →

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Columbia Screening Pass-palooza: Bleed for This!

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Denise

bleed-for-this-posterBoom boom pow, y’all!  I’ve got passes for the Columbia, MD, screening of Bleed for This, the new Miles Teller & Aaron Eckhart film!  Synopsis!

BLEED FOR THIS is the amazing true story of one of the most unlikely comebacks in sports history.  Miles Teller (Whiplash, Divergent) stars as Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Pazienza, a local Providence boxer who shot to stardom after winning two world title fights. After a near-fatal car accident leaves Vinny with a severed spine, he is told he may never walk again. Against all odds and doctor’s orders, renowned trainer Kevin Rooney (Aaron Eckhart) agrees to help Vinny return to the ring just a year after the accident for what could be the last fight of his life.

Sounds very interesting – like a combo of feel-good film and knock-down boxing fun.  In with me?  C’mon! Continue reading →

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TrailerWatch: “Underworld: Blood Wars” lets the dogs out!

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Denise
And now you’ll have that song in your head for the rest of the day.  You’re welcome.

underworld-blood-wars-posterAs the opening date of Underworld: Blood Wars draws closer, the trailers for the film are upping the ante.  There’s been a few trailers released so far, but this one is the most badass so far.  With this newest trailer, there’s MOAR WEREWOLVES.  A whole lot more.  Along with some hints at how violent this final showdown will be. And I.  Cannot. Wait.  Synopsis!

The next installment in the blockbuster franchise, UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS follows Vampire death dealer, Selene (Kate Beckinsale) as she fends off brutal attacks from both the Lycan clan and the Vampire faction that betrayed her.  With her only allies, David (Theo James) and his father Thomas (Charles Dance), she must stop the eternal war between Lycans and Vampires, even if it means she has to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Peep the newest trailer, and see the coolness.  Underworld: Blood Wars shoots its way into theaters January 6, 2017.

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TrailerWatch: “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets”…and The Beatles!

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Denise

valerian and the thousand planets posterValerian and the City of a Thousand Planets has gotten some seriously good buzz at film fests. I’ve thought it was pretty groovy.  And now it’s waaaaay groovy; they’ve scored the rights to use “Because” by The Beatles in this new trailer!  Why the exclamation point?  Because it’s the first time a film has gotten the okay to use an original recording by The Beatles in a movie trailer.  Pretty cool.  And so’s the mind-bending alien action in this trailer.  Synopsis!

Special operatives Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) maintain order throughout the universe for the government of the human territories. Under orders from their commander (Clive Owen), the duo embark on a mission to Alpha, an intergalactic city where diverse species share their technology and resources for the betterment of all. The ever-expanding metropolis is also home to sinister forces that jeopardize the future of mankind.

Check out the trailer below, and read on for the full PR buzz! Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets zooms into theaters July 21, 2017.

Continue reading →

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Blu-ray Giveaway: “Kubo and the Two Strings”!

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Denise

kubo-posterI love animated films.  And when it comes to Kubo and the Two Strings, so does everybody else. And I’ve got TEN copies of their Blu-ray release that hits stores 11/22, and I want to give ’em away!  Synopsis!

From the acclaimed animation studio LAIKA (Coraline) comes an epic original action adventure featuring the voice talents of Academy Award® winners Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey. Kubo mesmerizes the people in his village with his magical gift for spinning wild tales with origami. When he accidentally summons an evil spirit seeking vengeance, Kubo is forced to go on a quest to solve the mystery of his fallen samurai father and his mystical weaponry, as well as discover his own magical powers.

Ready to get your hands on one?  Continue reading →

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: “The Edge of Seventeen”!

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Denise

edge of 17 onesheetBeing a teenager sucks.  But movies about teenagers can be a fun trip back in time; all of the hilarity, but no of the personal embarrassment.  In that vein, I’ve got passes for The Edge of Seventeen!  Synopsis!

THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN is a new coming-of-age movie in the vein of SIXTEEN CANDLES and THE BREAKFAST CLUB – an honest, candid, often hilarious look at what it’s like to grow up as a young woman in today’s modern world.

Everyone knows that growing up is hard, and life is no easier for high school junior Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld), who is already at peak awkwardness when her all-star older brother Darian (Blake Jenner) starts dating her best friend Krista (Haley Lu Richardson). All at once, Nadine feels more alone than ever, until the unexpected friendship of a thoughtful boy (Hayden Szeto) gives her a glimmer of hope that things just might not be so terrible after all.

The film also stars Kyra Sedgwick as Nadine’s well-meaning but completely ineffective mother, and Woody Harrelson as Nadine’s History teacher, mentor and reluctant sounding board.

Ready?  Let’s go!

Continue reading →

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

Posted on November 4, 2016 by Denise

the-space-between-us-posterAnyone else get that song stuck in their head after reading this blog post title?  Well, YOU’RE WELCOME BECAUSE THAT SONG IS AWESOME.  Anyway, I’ve got passes for the Baltimore area screening of The Space Between Us!  The trailer looks beautiful and is already grabbing at my heartstrings… 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.

Ready to make the jump?

Continue reading →

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TrailerWatch: “The LEGO Batman Movie” gets pantless. Yeah, pantless.

Posted on November 4, 2016 by Denise

lego-batman-movie“Last time I checked I only had one butt.”

Yeah, Batman was probably the awesomess part of The Lego Movie.  So I’m stoked he’s getting his own film, but have secret dark worries.  Which I’ve thrown into the garbage, thanks to this new trailer!  Phew.  Synopsis!

In the irreverent spirit of fun that made “The LEGO® Movie” a worldwide phenomenon, the self-described leading man of that ensemble – LEGO Batman – stars in his own big-screen adventure.  But there are big changes brewing in Gotham, and if he wants to save the city from The Joker’s hostile takeover, Batman may have to drop the lone vigilante thing, try to work with others and maybe, just maybe, learn to lighten up.

Nothing quite like seeing the Joker tear up, or realize exactly why Robin doesn’t seem to like wearing pants. THANK YOU, movie! The LEGO Batman Movie gets down to it February 10, 2017.

 

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