Sunday, January 11, 2015

[DVD] Tuesdays with Mell 1/6/2015 Two Night Stand, No Good Deed, The Guest, Left Behind, Boyhood & more

This week on [DVD] Tuesdays with Mell, we've got Christian films, Other faith based films, moralistic films, and guys generally going crazy.

2014 R Rom Com

Cast: s

Director:


Writer:

 


PlotA snowstorm forces two people (Tipton & Teller) who made an online connection to unwillingly extend their one-night stand as the blizzard goes through the night.

Review: It looks like an interesting premise, and I really like both actors. Tipton has come a long way from America's Next Top Model. This has been a good year for Miles Teller. I hope this movie is funny. Seems like a good date night movie.

Rating: TBD

Watch with:
The Spectacular NowThat Awkward MomentStuck in Love

2014 PG-13 Crime Thriller

Cast, 

Director:

Writer:


Filming Locations:



Produced by: Idris ElbaTaraji P. Henson & more 

Plot: An unstable escaped convict (Elba) terrorizes a woman (Henson) who is alone with her two children.

Review: A guilty pleasure of mine is watching crazy people movies. Those movies where a BF or GF just go all Swimfan on their object of affection. I also like to see kick ass lady movies. Home invasion films always scare me. Three things here I like, except this guy isn't a BF. I love Idris Elba, and the trailer makes it look exciting, but I've heard some mixed reviews on this, and it bombed in the theater. Here's hoping that's a fluke.

Rating: TBD

Watch with: 


2014 PG-13 Action Mystery Thriller

Independent Spirit Awards 2015

Nominated
Independent Spirit Award
Best Editing
Adam Wingard 

Cast

Director:


Writer:


Plot: A soldier (Stevens) introduces himself to the Peterson family (Kelley), claiming to be a friend of their son who died in action. After the young man is welcomed into their home, a series of accidental deaths seem to be connected to his presence.


Review: I can't help but love these movies where people go nuts. If it's this is bad, at least it looks fun. 

Rating: TBD

Watch with:
A Walk Among the TombstonesThe EqualizerNo Good Deed

2014 PG-13 Action Thriller

Cast: 

Director:

 

Writers:

 (based on novel), (based on novel), 
Paul Lalonde
John Patus



(scene where cessna hits chloe's dad's car is at provo towne center mall)

Plot: A small group of survivors are left behind after millions of people suddenly vanish and the world is plunged into chaos and destruction.


Review: This trailer gave me chills. So here's the deal with this film. If you're Christian, you'll like this. If you're open to Christianity, you will at least find it an entertaining, well-acted though slightly B disaster film. For those who aren't Christian, enjoyment of this movie will depend on who you are. If you can watch what you deem as a fictional story and not get angry and can listen to others' views on religion and not want to punch people, then you might enjoy this. If you can't do that, and can only see your own viewpoint and get angry at anyone who disagrees with you or if you're watching this in order to fuel your own hate or to discredit another's religion, then you won't I've seen plenty of movies about other peoples' religions that are not my own, and even though I may not believe in it, can still enjoy them. For example< I Origins (below) is about reincarnation, The Craft is about witchcraft, What Dreams May Come has a major plot point about reincarnation, and it's one of my all time favorite movies. It's important for all people of all faiths to be able to learn about each other's faith. If you can't do that without it creating hate in your heart, then don't watch this. So here's the jist of The Rapture. For those who know Revelations this will not be a spoiler. For those who don't and would like to watch this film with a fresh pair of eyes then..
SPOILER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the blink of an eye, all Christians and people under the mental age of accountability (children, babies, mentally handicapped, etc.) are all taken up to heaven. The rest are left behind. God didn't abandoned anyone.He rescued the believers from the Tribulation period, those that could be believe without seeing. All those left behind who couldn't believe without evidence, now have the evidence they need to know what has happened and why. Those people are now saved. And these newly turned Christians who die during the Tribulation period will go to heaven. All those who join in the new world leader & persecute Christians the way that Hitler persecuted the Jews will not be saved. After 7 years, Jesus will come down and destroy Satan. 1,000 years reign on Earth. All that stuff. I skipped over a bunch of stuff, but that's the jist.

SPOILER ENDS

 OK now is this movie good? Yes it is mostly a very good movie. The strong points are the story-line & acting. The story line, even to someone who's not Christian, is at least intriguing. The script is good as well. I appreciate the fact that it didn't depict every non-Christian as evil because that's just ridiculous. There are good and bad people all over the world. I'm glad they show humanity in this film. It showed a healthy dose of both good people and bad people, if you really want to get that simplistic with labels. This film has a lot of tense moments as well which I always love in any disaster film. However, there are a few minutes where people are just kind of running around aimlessly, and it gets a bit slow. I guess if I was in that situation, I might panic too. I also liked all the characters that the Left Behind book series (that I've never read) as well as hopefully more of these films, continue to follow. Yes there are some very low budget ones (3) from 15 years ago I hear are garbage from a production & acting POV. All the acting is very good, except for a few random bit actors who aren't so good. Standouts are the leads  & . Cassie was great in the show Switched at Birth so I know she's be great in this. She brought a humanity to her character and you really rooted for her. Cage showcased emotions I haven't seen from him in a while. His heart really felt in the moment. He's always been hit and miss for me as an actor. It seems like he needs a good part to sync his teeth into to really act well. He amazingly did not delve into Con Air territory as he could have given the action aspect of this film  had an emotional scene which was nice to see. She's S5 American Idol winner, a beautiful singer, and a pretty good actress with a few impressive credits now.  &  are fine in this. but nothing special.  from The Blind Side is OK for his 2 minute scene.  is very good in a small role as well. There are a few bit actors I wouldn't have cast. A few though that were very good. This movie only really suffers from some poor post-production. The music is mostly dreadful, but the song at the end and the song in the trailer are amazing. There are some good stunts in here, and good editing, but some of the FX are pretty B-movie. It seemed like 16 million just couldn't be stretched far enough. I really wish someone out there would give a Christian film some money the way they did The Passion of the Christ. With a real budget this would've been fantastic. As it is, it's still good, and the acting & suspenseful moments carry the film where post production fails. I do hope they make more. This movie isn't complete without more films.  

Rating: Noteworthy. I'm actually wanting to buy this on DVD.

Watch with:
Left Behind: The MovieLeft Behind: World at WarInto the Storm
Watch 1-3 with caution. It's great if you wanna continue the story-line but not good if you want a well-produced film or so I've heard. Into the Storm is a safe bet if you wanna disaster film minus biblical aspects. 

2014 R Drama

Nominated for 5 Golden Globes.

Cast:  & 

Director: 

Plot: The life of a young man (Coltrane), Mason, from age 5 to age 18.

Review: This movie is unprecedented in film history which makes it worth a look even if it looks like it might get boring. Imagine editing 12 years worth of film footage! 

Rating: TBD

Watch with:
Before MidnightBefore SunriseBefore Sunset

2014 R Scifi Drama

Sundance Film Festival 2014

Won
Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize

Cast: 

Director:


Writer:

 

Produced by: Michael Pitt et al.


(Greenwich, CT, Dan's Diner and Boise, Idaho)

Plot: A molecular biologist (Pitt) and his laboratory partner uncover evidence that may fundamentally change society as we know it. 

Review: Though I do not personally believe in reincarnation, I find spiritual movies of any variety intriguing.  I also love intelligent scifi. We'll see what direction this goes in. 

Watch with:
Another EarthLucy

2013 R Drama, Fantasy, Horror

Cast: 

Director:


Writers:

 (screenplay),  (novel)

Plot: In the aftermath of his girlfriend's mysterious death, a young man (Radcliffe) awakens to find strange horns sprouting from his temples.

Review: It's nice to see yet another HP alum doing some different roles. It seems like, at least by the trailer, that his acting looks really strong here. I love dark comedies. They appeal to my macabre sense of humor. Good cast here too. I hope this is good and not just weird to be weird. I hope the horns actually mean something. I also hope this isn't anti-religion bigotry. There's a fine line between satire and bigotry. We'll see.

Rating: TBD.

Watch with: 

Sinister

2013 Italian Drama

Cannes Film Festival 2013

Won
Prize of the Ecumenical Jury - Special Mention

Stars:

 

Director:


Writing Credits  


Mauro Covacich...(novel "A nome tuo")
Valeria Golino
Francesca Marciano
Valia Santella

Plot: Irene, nicknamed 'Honey', has devoted herself to people looking for help, and tries to alleviate their suffering, even when they make extreme decisions. One day she has to cope with Grimaldi and his invisible malaise.


Review: I don't mind reading subtitles if it seems like a good movie. I'm always very interested in movies that talk about morality and causes us to really talk about it head on. I feel for people who are so ill or sad that they would rather end their lives. I'm using caution with this though considering the subject matter. 

Rating: TBD

Watch with:
Biutiful (2010) Poster

2010 PG-13 Family Drama

Cast: 

Director:

 

Writers:

 (book),  (screenplay)

Plot: Sam (Kay) loves facts. He wants to know about UFOs and horror movies and airships and ghosts and scientists, and how it feels to kiss a girl. And because he has leukemia he wants to know the facts about dying. Sam needs answers to the questions nobody will answer.

Review: I love inspirational films. This could be sappy or it could be sweet & sad & inspirational. We'll see. 

Rating: TBD

Watch with:
The Bucket List (2007) PosterMy Sister's Keeper (2009) Poster

2014 R Drama

Cast





(Fr. James has a coffee with his daughter)

Plot: After he is threatened during a confession, a good-natured priest (Gleeson) must battle the dark forces closing in around him.


Review: Aww I miss Ireland. This looks like a dark dramedy if there is such a sub genre. I love Brendan Gleeson. He's a great actor who needs more American cross-over work. A positive movie about a priest! Never thought I'd see the day from a movie made past 2003. I hope it's just not too rambling and boring.

Rating: TBD.

Watch with:
Starred UpTwo Days, One Night

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