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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TrailerWatch – “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter” – game over?

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Denise

resident evil final chapter onesheetAfter 5 films – Resident Evil, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Resident Evil: Extinction, Resident Evil: Afterlife, and Resident Evil: Retribution – Sony is wrapping up the series with Resident Evil: The Final Chapter.  Yep, writer/director Paul W.S. Anderson has said that this is the last time Alice will be tangling with the Umbrella Corp.  This time, she’s going back to the Hive to stick a pin in it once and for all.  Synopsis!

The T-virus unleashed by the evil Umbrella corporation has spread to every corner of the globe, turning Earth into a hellscape of zombies, demons and monsters. Now, Alice, a former Umbrella employee turned rogue warrior, joins her friends on a last-chance mission to save mankind by storming the company’s headquarters located deep underneath what used to be Raccoon City. But the Red Queen knows Alice is coming, and the final battle will determine if the rest of mankind lives or dies.

I’ve been a fan of the crazy-fun RE series since the first film, so I’m eager to see how they’re going to tie everything up in this film.  And by the looks of this trailer, it’ll be epic.  Resident Evil: The Final Chapter infects the multiplex January 27, 2017.

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TrailerWatch: “Bad Santa 2” red band trailer – ho ho NO!

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Denise

BS2_TeaserPosterBad Santa was a naughty treat.  So, naturally, there’s gonna be a Bad Santa 2. Sadly, looks like Lauren Graham is skipping this one.  But there’s Kathy Bates as Willie’s mom, and Christina Hendricks as Willie’s love interest/lust object.

Peep the trailer – definitely NSFW, so bear that in mind – and check out the official press release 411 after the jump!

Bad Santa slides down your chimney November 23rd, 2016.

 

Continue reading →

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: Hands of Stone!

Posted on August 8, 2016 by Denise

hands of stone onesheetPow!  Biff!  Baaaaang!  No, these aren’t comic book superhero sounds.  They’re the sounds of welterweight boxing legend Roberto Duran.  Because I’ve got passes for the Baltimore area screening of his biopic, Hands of Stone! Synopsis!

HANDS OF STONE follows the life of Roberto Duran (Edgar Ramirez), the Panamanian fighter who made his professional debut in 1968 as a 16 year-old and retired in 2002 at the age of 50. In June 1980, he defeated Sugar Ray Leonard (Usher Raymond) to capture the WBC welterweight title, but shocked the boxing world by returning to his corner in their November rematch, famously saying the words “no mas” (no more.)

I remember hearing about Roberto Duran, but I’m ashamed to admit I don’t know much more about him than that he’s a famous boxer.  So I’m all in for checking out this film.  Are you?  Well then… Continue reading →

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Con News: HODOR HODOR! (Kristian Nairn comes to Baltimore Comic-Con!)

Posted on August 8, 2016 by Denise

BaltimoreComicCon_logo_nodateHold the damn door y’all.  Kristian Narin – aka Hodor on Game of Thrones – is coming to this year’s Baltimore Comic-Con!  From what I’ve seen on the Twitters and the IGness during this past season of GoT, he seems like a nice, cool guy.  Wanna find out for yourself?  Tickts baby.  Tickets.

Read on for the full press 411, and see you at BCC! Continue reading →

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“Suicide Squad”: the okay PG-13 that could have been a kickass R

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Denise

suicide squad poster

Nutshell: All pop-art acid trip posters with happy bunny colors, Suicide Squad‘s ad campaign came on like the new and different stepchild of Zack Snyder’s DCEU (DC Extended Universe).  But Squad is just as bleak as what’s come before, it just has sprinkles. And while Smith, Hernandez, Robbie and Leto are engaging, Squad still suffers from that same WTF-itis that hobbled Man of Steel and BvS. Fun, but forgettable. The Squad deserves better. Like a film that wasn’t afraid to go for a hard R. Grade: C+

“In a world of flying men and monsters, this is the only way to protect our city.”

Suicide Squad!  Pretty sweet, right?  Well, yes.  The team of anti-antiheroes has been Grade A badass in print for decades.  The idea of bad guys fighting evil has a groovy ring to it, and harnessing some of the coolest villains in the DCU hasn’t hurt.  But writer/director David Ayer takes these characters out for a spin…and then doesn’t have the foggiest idea where to take them.  Kickass performances, fantastic special effects and cinematography, and top-notch sound mixing/editing can’t hide the fact that Ayer has no idea what to do with his toys.  And that’s a shame.

Continue reading →

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