Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: The Wild Life!

the wild life posterStranded on a desert island sounds pretty good, right?  Palm trees, nice sea breezes, coconuts for days…of course, if you’re Robinson Crusoe you might be a bit worried about what’s in store.  No worries though; animals to the rescue! And you can see for yourself, because I’ve got 4-PACK passes for The Wild Life!  Synopsis!

From the over-exuberant parrot Mak to the snack-obsessed tapir Rosie, from the persnickety echidna Epi to the acrobatic pangolin Pango, from the ditzy goat Scrubby to the commonsensical kingfisher Kiki and the always-cool chameleon Carmello, things are larger-than-life on a tropical isle that is pure wild animal paradise.  Then Robinson Crusoe, a marooned human, arrives in the midst of a furious storm, and their lives are forever changed by this bewildering new “creature.”  No matter their differences, castaway human and quirky animals embark on an hilarious new adventure, building the island’s first tree-house and surviving together.  But when two conniving members of the animal kingdom — the savage cats Mal & May – pounce into a battle for control of the island, Crusoe and his animal posse must uncover the true power of friendship against all odds (even savage cats).

The trailer is adorable.  Plus, there’s an animated pangolin.  Pangolins rule.  You with me?  Let’s hit the beach!

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: Blair Witch!

Blair-Witch-posterNo, this isn’t a re-showing of that creepy film from 1999.  You’re thinking of the Blair Witch Project.  This is the 21st Century y’all; it’s time for an update on those creepy woods.  Synopsis!

A group of college students venture into the Black Hills Forest in Maryland to uncover the mysteries surrounding the disappearance of Tommy’s sister, Heather. At first the group is hopeful, especially when a pair of locals offer to act as guides through the dark and winding woods, but as the endless night wears on, the group is visited by a menacing presence, and one-by-one, they begin to disappear.  Slowly, they begin to realize the legend is all too real and more sinister than the footage revealed 20 years ago.  The Blair Witch has come to claim her next victims.

So, ready to go hiking with me?  Oh FINE.  Probaby best to see it all onscreen anyway…

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Con News: Small Press Expo has “Spanish Fever” with García, Galvañ, Rubín, Olivares and Domingo!

SPX 2016 banner 2With featured creators from Spanish Fever-Stories By The New Spanish Cartoonists, SPX is gathering together a fantastic crop o’ talent.  Worth the drive down?  Well, I’ma make the trip.  See you there?

Read on for the full details straight from SPX!
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Con News: Boom! Studios exclusives for Baltimore Comic-Con – Skybourne! Kong! Labyrinth!

BaltimoreComicCon_logo_nodateBaltimore Comic-Con is amping up for a Grade A year, and now they’ve released info on what Boom! Studios is bringing to the party.  In addition to getting top-shelf creators like Corey Godbey, James Asmus, Goñi Montes, Hope Larson and Matthew Daley, they’ll have some pretty sweet BCC exclusives!

Me, I’m itching for a copy of Skybourne #1, Frank Cho’s latest joint.  And of course Kong of Skull Island #1.  What can I say – I love cool ladies and big apes.

Read on for more information – including peeks at those sweet sweet BCC variant covers –  and see you at BCC!
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TrailerWatch: “Hidden Figures” shows the women behind the voyage to the moon

hidden figures“It’s because we wear glasses.”

Aaaaand BOOM.  Take one amazing real-life woman, an historical moment in US history, and an all-star cast that includes Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Mahershala Ali, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst and Jim Parsons…and you’ve got Hidden Figures.  The first trailer for the film hit today, and it looks FANTASTIC.  But first, synopsis!

Hidden Figures is the incredible untold story of Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe)—brilliant African-American women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation’s confidence, turned around the Space Race, and galvanized the world.  The visionary trio crossed all gender and race lines to inspire generations to dream big

Hidden Figures takes off January 13, 2017.

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: Bridget Jones’s Baby!

bridget joness baby onesheetTime for another peek into the life of Bridget Jones, and I’ve got passes for this latest outing, Bridget Jones’s Baby!  Synopsis!

After breaking up with Mark Darcy (Firth), Bridget Jones’s (Zellweger) “happily ever after” hasn’t quite gone according to plan.  Fortysomething and single again, she decides to focus on her job as top news producer and surround herself with old friends and new.  For once, Bridget has everything completely under control.  What could possibly go wrong?

Then her love life takes a turn and Bridget meets a dashing American named Jack (Dempsey), the suitor who is everything Mr. Darcy is not.  In an unlikely twist she finds herself pregnant, but with one hitch…she can only be fifty percent sure of the identity of her baby’s father.

Sounds like the usual comedy-of-errors that is Bridget’s life.  Which should be a hoot.  Who’s with me? Continue reading

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TrailerWatch: Pitt and Cotillard in “Allied”

Brad Pitt plays Max Vatan and Marion Cotillard plays Marianne Beausejour in Allied from Paramount Pictures.

Brad Pitt plays Max Vatan and Marion Cotillard plays Marianne Beausejour in Allied from Paramount Pictures. Photo credit: Daniel Smith © 2016 Paramount Pictures

“Is this a game?”

Ooh – WWII spy stuff!  In Allied, Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard fall in love while dodging bullets and Nazis.  It’s reportedly based on a true story, for my fellow history buffs. With Cotillard as a costar and Robert Zemeckis directing, I’m betting Pitt is rolling up his sleeves and going Full Oscar Mode on this.  Sure does look cool so far… Synopsis!

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

Allied hits theaters November 23rd, 2016.

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Baltimore ROE Giveaway: “Hell or High Water”!

hell or high water onesheetLike westerns?  Like skipping screenings and just going to the movies when the show’s running at the multiplex?  Want a pass so you and a buddy can get in free?  Well, I’ve got your hookup; there’s 5 ROE passes for the Baltimore run of Hell or High Water!  And they’ll be good through the run of the film, from Monday through Thursday.  Synopsis!

A story about the collision of the Old and New West, two brothers — Toby (Chris Pine), a straight-living, divorced father trying to make a better life for his son; and Tanner (Ben Foster), a short-tempered ex-con with a loose trigger finger — come together to rob branch after branch of the bank that is foreclosing on their family land.  The hold-ups are part of a last-ditch scheme to take back a future that powerful forces beyond their control have stolen from under their feet.  Vengeance seems to be theirs until they find themselves in the crosshairs of a relentless, foul-mouthed Texas Ranger (Jeff Bridges) looking for one last triumph on the eve of his retirement.  As the brothers plot a final bank heist to complete their plan, a showdown looms at the crossroads where the last honest law man and a pair of brothers with nothing to live for except family collide.

Sounds very interesting – are you interested?  Well then… Continue reading

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Streep’s on pitch with delightful “Florence Foster Jenkins”

florence foster jenkins poster

Nutshell: A lovely, bittersweet story of a woman determined to pursue her dreams.  Streep is just plain glorious as Florence, and Grant does what might be his best work as her husband St. Clair.  Most amazingly though, as Cosmé McMoon, Simon Helberg made me forget about BBT‘s Wolowitz. Grade: A

“No chives, I know. But they tell me there’s a war on, Bunny.”

Everybody has a dream they’ve got tucked away because it ain’t gonna happen. Something they think they’re amazing at, even though all evidence points to the contrary. With me, it’s writing well thought out reviews.  With Florence Foster Jenkins, it was singing.  She plugged away, throwing her obvious shortcomings to the wind. I believe I’ve found my spirit animal.  And in the delightful film Florence Foster Jenkins, I’ve found an early frontrunner in this year’s Oscar race. Continue reading

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TrailerWatch – new “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” spot brings the pain

Jack Reacher never go back poster 1Tom Cruise loves to open cans of whupass onscreen.  I love watching him do it.  It’s always a good time, and he looks like he’s having so much damn fun.  For the new Jack Reacher: Never Go Back teaser, Cruise is busting heads, and being badass.  And also, Cobie Smulders!  She’s got that S.H.I.E.L.D. thing down, so it’ll be fun watching these two work together.  Synopsis!

Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise) returns with his particular brand of justice in the highly anticipated sequel JACK REACHER:  NEVER GO BACK.  Major Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders) is the Army Major who heads Reacher’s old investigative unit. She is arrested for Treason and knowing that she is innocent, Reacher must break her out of prison and uncover the truth behind a major government conspiracy in order to clear their names and save their lives.  On the run as fugitives from the law, Reacher uncovers a potential secret from his past that could change his life forever. Based upon JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK, author Lee Child’s 18th novel in the best-selling Jack Reacher series, that has seen 100 million books sold worldwide.

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back hits theaters – maybe literally – October 21st, 2016.

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