Con News: Boom! Studios exclusives for Baltimore Comic-Con – Skybourne! Kong! Labyrinth!

Posted on August 17, 2016 by Denise

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!
Continue reading →

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TrailerWatch: “Hidden Figures” shows the women behind the voyage to the moon

Posted on August 15, 2016 by Denise

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!

Posted on August 14, 2016 by Denise

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”

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Denise
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”!

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Denise

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”

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Denise

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

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Denise

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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Pete’s Dragon: A Sweet, Soulful Surprise

Posted on August 10, 2016 by Denise

PETE'S DRAGON one sheet

Nutshell: while the start of the film may be scary for the very young, and the nemesis’s denouement feels like an inexplicable about-face, audiences of all ages will enjoy this tale of a boy, his dragon, and the family who tries to protect them both.  Another lovely live-action reboot by Disney.  Grade: A-

“If you go through life only seeing what’s in front of you, you’re gonna miss out.”

I have to admit I’ve never seen the original Pete’s Dragon. It’s just one of those Disney films I never got around to checking out.  So I decided to put that movie blogger bucket list item on pause, figuring if I hadn’t seen the original yet, I could give a clear-eyed look at the reboot.  And my clear eyes liked what they saw. Continue reading →

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: War Dogs!

Posted on August 10, 2016 by Denise

war dogs scarface onesheetWho let the dogs out?  Sorry, couldn’t resist.  Because I have passes for the Baltimore area screening of War Dogs!  The trailer for this film has been on my radar for a while now, and dig the “Say Hello To My Little Friend” Scarface riff on the poster.  I’m looking forward to seeing if the film is just as hilarious.  Synopsis!

Based on a true story, the film follows two friends in their early 20s (Hill and Teller) living in Miami during the Iraq War who exploit a little-known government initiative that allows small businesses to bid on U.S. Military contracts.  Starting small, they begin raking in big money and are living the high life.  But the pair gets in over their heads when they land a $300 million deal to arm the Afghan Military—a deal that puts them in business with some very shady people, not the least of which turns out to be the U.S. Government.

Yep.  True story y’all.  And I’m digging the buddy chemistry of Teller and Hill.  Digging the passes?  Right this way… Continue reading →

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: Hell or High Water!

Posted on August 10, 2016 by Denise

hell or high water onesheetYeehaw!  Who doesn’t love a fun western?  Haters.  But we have no time for them, right people?  Right!  I’ve got passes for the Baltimore area screening of Hell or High Water, and it sounds groovy.  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.

Vengeance.  White hats.  Black hats.  Texas Rangers.  Giddyup!  Continue reading →

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