This week: Inappropriate & dysfunctional relationships, "super heroes", & a creepy doll
2014 R Rom ComWriter:
Andrea Seigel (screenplay)
Cast: 2X Oscar nom Keira Knightley, Chloë Grace Moretz, Indie Spirit nom Sam Rockwell, Sundance nom Mark Webber, 5X SAG nom Ellie Kemper, 2X SAG winner Gretchen Mol, Kaitlyn Dever
Trivia: Anne Hathaway was cast in the lead role but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts with her movie Song One (2014) and Interstellar (2014). She was replaced by Keira Knightley. Rebecca Hall turned down the lead role to star in Transcendence (2014).
Plot: In the throes of a quarter-life crisis, Megan (Knightly) panics when her boyfriend proposes, then, taking an opportunity to escape for a week, hides out in the home of her new friend, 16-year-old Annika (Moretz), who lives with her world-weary single dad (Rockwell).
Review: I like movies about quarter-life crises because I think a lot of 20-somethings go through that time when they're trying to figure it all out. I like that injected with a bit of humor. I love Moretz. She's such a talent. I also love Rockwell. I think he's such an underrated actor. I hope this is good. Given the R rating, I'm inclined to think it will be.
Rating: TBD
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2014 R Drama Mystery Thriller
Oscar nom: Best Actress: Rosamund Pike
Cast: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, Kim Dickens, Patrick Fugit, Missi Pyle, Casey Wilson, Sela Ward, Lee Norris, Scoot McNairy
Produced by:
| Reese Witherspoon et al. | ... |
Music by:
| Trent Reznor | ... | (music by) |
| Atticus Ross | ... | (music by) |
Trivia: Ben Affleck postponed directing a film in order to work with David Fincher. Reese Witherspoon obtained the film rights from Gillian Flynn in June 2012 and decided to produce under her production label as she would to be able to play the role of Amy. However, after her initial meeting with David Fincher on his vision of the film, Witherspoon withdrew from contention, realizing that she wasn't the right person to play the female lead. When it comes to casting roles, David Fincher typically goes on the internet to look through pictures of actors to help him find the right type of actor for a role.The film has become David Fincher's highest grossing domestic box-office film. Jessica Chastain , Reese Witherspoon, Charlize Theron, Natalie Portman, Emily Blunt, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, Abbie Cornish and Julianne Hough were considered for the role of Amy Dunne. David Fincher cast Emily Ratajkowski on recommendation by Ben Affleck. Brad Pitt was considered to play Nick Dunne. Feature film debut of Carrie Coon.
Plot: With his wife's disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man (Affleck) sees the spotlight turned on him when it's suspected that he may not be innocent.
Review: David Fincher is one of my all-time favorite directors. He never disappoints. You never know what to expect with him. He always surprises you. Unfortunately, that surprise was ruined for me with a spoiler out of nowhere in a syndicated magazine movie review. I'm so mad because it's a doozy. Now I feel like I won't have as awesome an experience cuz the ending was ruined for me. I won't ruin it for you. Please see it.
Rating: TBD but probably Epic
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2014 Horror
Trivia: The Real Annabelle, was a Raggedy Ann Doll. The real Annabelle doll was given to Donna (a college student at the time) by her mother in 1970. Her and her roommate Angie noticed that the doll would move subtlety, then within a few weeks became fully mobile moving from one room to another while they were gone. Highest grossing horror film in the Philippines
Plot: A couple begins to experience terrifying supernatural occurrences involving a vintage doll shortly after their home is invaded by satanic cultists.
Review: I still haven't seen The Conjuring, but this is a prequel so I can watch this first. One of life's guilty pleasures for me is creepy doll movies so even if this is bad it'll still be good lol.
Rating: TBD
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2014 R Drama Thriller
Addicted
Director:
Bille Woodruff ("The Game")Writers:
Christina Welsh (screenplay) (If Only) & Ernie Barbarash(screenplay) (Stir of Echoes: The Homecoming (TV Movie)) based on the novel by Zane ("Zane's the Jump Off")
Plot: A gallerist risks her family and flourishing career when she enters into an affair with a talented painter and slowly loses control of her life.
Review: I'm not sure if this is a Christian movie, but it reminds me a bit of Tyler Perry's Tempted, and it seems to have a moral high ground. I like movies where cheaters get their comeuppance. The trailer is also very good. I'm wondering what will happen with these characters.
Rating: TBD
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2014 R Drama
Indie Spirit nom: Best International Film
Filming Locations:
Les Arcs, Savoie, France
Trivia: Director Ruben Östlund acquired inspiration for some scenes in the screenplay from real footage on YouTube. For example, the avalanche which serves as a momentum early in the story was inspired by a video Östlund found on YouTube, and a performance by a 12-year-old accordionist of Vivaldi's "Summer" was taken directly from a YouTube clip and played repeatedly throughout the film.
Plot: A family on a ski holiday in the French Alps find themselves staring down an avalanche during lunch one day; in the aftermath, their dynamic has been shaken to its core, with a question mark hanging over their patriarch in particular.
Review: This seems weird, dark, darkly comical, & tragic all in one. I like it. It's also nominated for an Indie Spirit award so I gotta check it out.
Rating: TBD
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2014 Action SciFi Thriller
Plot: A woman, accidentally caught in a dark deal, turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.
Review: I was expecting just a fun action movie, but this actually blew my mind. I'm a sucker for a smart sci-fi film. This was that. This film wasn't simply a movie about super powers. It was a movie that raised interesting philosophical questions about humanity and God. I feel like a lot of people didn't get this movie and only saw what was on the surface which was slick, well-directed, well-acted, and contained awesome action sequences. Those that see beyond that will get so much more out of it. My mouth was hanging out at the end of this film. It went places I never thought it would go. I loved being surprised like that. I was also surprised with how good ScarJo was in this film. She often plays aloof characters, but the beginning of this film allowed her to show a side I've never seen of her. Please see this film. It's a very smart action scifi that deserves to get more credit.
Rating: Epic
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2014 R Action Drama MysteryDirectors:
The Spierig Brothers (Daybreakers)Writing Credits
| Michael Spierig | ... | (written by) (as The Spierig Brothers) & |
| Peter Spierig | ... | (written by) (as The Spierig Brothers) (Undead) |
| Robert A. Heinlein | ... | (story "All You Zombies") ("Starship Troopers") |
Plot: The life of a time-traveling Temporal Agent. On his final assignment, he must pursue the one criminal that has eluded him throughout time.
Review: This film seemed to fly under the radar, but I've heard really good things about it. I love a good, smart scifi film.
Rating: TBD
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]
2014
Cast: Zoe Kazan, Michael Stahl-David, Mark Feuerstein, Jennifer Grey, Steve Howey, Nikki Reed, Steve Harris
Plot: Two seemingly unconnected souls from different corners of the United States make a telepathic bond that allows them to see, hear and feel the others experiences, creating a bond that apparently can't be broken.
Review: I love Joss Whedon as a writer, and I have soft spot for Fantasy Romance films. The only thing I don't like about this premise is that the female lead is married. She'll be cheating on her hubby emotionally. That might bother me.
Rating: TBD
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