2014 R Rom ComCast: Analeigh Tipton, Miles Teller, Jessica Szohr, Scott Mescudi, Berto Colon, Josh Salatin, Joey Lauren Adams
Director:
Max NicholsWriter:
Mark HammerPlot: A 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
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2014 PG-13 Crime ThrillerCast: Idris Elba, Taraji P. Henson, Leslie Bibb
Director:
Sam MillerWriter:
Aimee LagosFilming Locations:
Atlanta, Georgia, USAPlot: 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
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2014 PG-13 Action Mystery ThrillerIndependent Spirit Awards 2015
| Nominated Independent Spirit Award | Best Editing Adam Wingard |
Cast: Dan Stevens, Sheila Kelley, Leland Orser, Lance Reddick, Ethan Embry
Director:
Adam WingardWriter:
Simon BarrettPlot: 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
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2014 PG-13 Action ThrillerCast: Nicolas Cage, Chad Michael Murray, Lea Thompson, Nicky Whelan, Cassi Thomson, Jordin Sparks, Quinton Aaron, Laura Cayouette, Lolo Jones
| Paul Lalonde | ||
| John Patus | ||
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 Nicolas Cage & Cassi Thomson. 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 Jordin Sparks 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. Chad Michael Murray & Nicky Whelan are fine in this. but nothing special. Quinton Aaron from The Blind Side is OK for his 2 minute scene. Lea Thompson 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.
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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 DramaNominated for 5 Golden Globes.
Cast: Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette & Ethan Hawke,
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
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2014 R Scifi DramaSundance Film Festival 2014
| Won Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize |
Cast: Michael Pitt, Steven Yeun, Brit Marling, Cara Seymour, William Mapother, Archie Panjabi
Director:
Mike Cahill
Produced by: Michael Pitt et al.
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.
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2013 R Drama, Fantasy, HorrorCast: Daniel Radcliffe, Max Minghella, Joe Anderson, Juno Temple, Kelli Garner, James Remar, Kathleen Quinlan, Heather Graham, David Morse, Jay Brazeau
Director:
Alexandre AjaPlot: 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.
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2013 Italian DramaCannes Film Festival 2013
| Won Prize of the Ecumenical Jury - Special Mention |
Stars:
Jasmine Trinca, Carlo Cecchi, Libero De RienzoDirector:
Valeria GolinoWriting Credits
| Mauro Covacich | ... | (novel "A nome tuo") |
| Valeria Golino | ||
| Francesca Marciano | ||
| Valia Santella | ||
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
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2010 PG-13 Family DramaCast: Ben Chaplin, Emilia Fox, Robbie Kay, Ella Purnell
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
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2014 R DramaCast: Brendan Gleeson, Chris O'Dowd, Kelly Reilly, M. Emmet Walsh, Domhnall Gleeson
Director:
John Michael McDonaghWriter:
John Michael McDonaghPlot: 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.
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