Category: Movies

“My goal was to create a movie that was intellectually stimulating and emotionally moving.” One of my favorite films of the year is called Captain Fantastic, starring Viggo Mortensen as the father of a family he is raising to be “philosopher kings” without the toxic influences of modern society. I first saw it at the Sundance Film Festival and flipped for it, calling it “profoundly intelligent” in my review and including it as one of my favorite films of that festival. The film later went on to play at the Cannes Film Festival, where I saw it again (I really, really love this film) and luckily had the chance to meet up with writer/director Matt Ross for an interview. Ross is most well known as an actor, appearing on “Silicon Valley” as Gavin Belson, but he’s also a filmmaker – this is his second feature film (after 28 Hotel Rooms) and it’s truly wonderful. ›››

Continue reading Interview: Matt Ross on His Passion for Directing ‘Captain Fantastic’

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“The end is coming, you know what I mean? Time to get paid!” A trailer has debuted online for a film called Tiger Raid, about two mercenaries hired to kidnap the daughter of a powerful man in the Middle East. That sounds like it might be a bit odd, but this actually looks interesting. Brian Gleeson (son of Brendan and brother of Domhnall) and Damien Molony star as the two mercs, who “ride a wave of pitch-black camaraderie as they travel through the desert night on their way to carry out” their job. Sofia Boutella (also starring in the upcoming Star Trek Beyond) plays the woman who is being kidnapped. It’s rare to see a film that provides some empathy for mercenaries, but this looks like it is quite unique. Worth checking out. ›››

Continue reading Official Trailer for Simon Dixon’s ‘Tiger Raid’ About Two Mercenaries

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“Just because you’re not looking at something, doesn’t mean it’s not there.” Lionsgate has unveiled a trailer for a film called Imperium, starring Daniel Radcliffe as a young “analyst” who goes undercover as a Neo-Nazi in order to figure out the inner-workings and help take down a radical right-wing terrorist group. This actually looks quite intriguing, with Radcliffe going all-in with this role. The full cast includes Toni Collette, Tracy Letts, with Nestor Carbonell, Burn Gorman and Sam Trammell. I’m impressed by the choices Radcliffe has been making ever since Harry Potter, he seems to enjoy challenging himself with unique roles working with up-and-coming filmmakers, and it’s refreshing. This looks like it could be good. ›››

Continue reading Daniel Radcliffe as an Undercover Neo-Nazi in First ‘Imperium’ Trailer

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“You can feel it – the burden of their marital prison!” Paramount has debuted an official trailer for the indie comedy The Intervention, written & directed by & starring Clea DuVall. It premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, where it not only earned rave reviews from critics, but won a Special Jury Award for Individual Performance given to Melanie Lynskey – who steals the show. The full cast includes Natasha Lyonne, Vincent Piazza, Jason Ritter, Ben Schwartz, Alia Shawkat and Cobie Smulders. This might be one of those quirky indies that’s actually worth seeing in theaters when it comes out, give it a look. ›››

Continue reading Watch: Full Trailer for Indie ‘The Intervention’ Directed by Clea DuVall

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“Why is there a hog in your motel room?” The first trailer has debuted for a film called Mr. Pig, or Sr. Pig in Spanish, starring Danny Glover as an “old school” pig farmer who goes on a road trip down to Mexico along with a very large pig. This actually originally premiered at the Sundance Film Festival but I don’t remember hearing much buzz about it. Mexican actor Diego Luna directs the film (his third feature film), which is described as “a beautiful road movie, and a chance to talk about love for Mexico through the eyes of an American.” The cast also includes Maya Rudolph, who co-stars as Glover’s estranged daughter who joins him on his trip. I’m not sure what to make of this, it looks charming, but also looks a little dry. Enjoy. ›››

Continue reading Danny Glover Stars in First Trailer for Diego Luna’s New Film ‘Mr. Pig’

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“This is the riskiest military operation that I’ve ever encountered! Why the fixation on Inchon?” An official Korean trailer has debuted for the film Operation Chromite, an epic action thriller about the Korean War, specifically the Battle of Inchon. The film stars Liam Neeson as General Douglas MacArthur, the US military general who lead the campaign to land in the city of Inchon and drive the invading North Korean forces out of South Korea. There is some epic action in this involving giant battleships as well as explosions on the streets, plus hand-to-hand battles and more. The full cast includes Lee Jung-jae, Jin Se-yun and Lee Beom-su. The Koreans love making epic movies, but I’m not sure if this will be any good. Take a look. ›››

Continue reading Liam Neeson in First Trailer for Korean War Film ‘Operation Chromite’

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“There’s something out there waiting for us, and it ain’t no man.” Who has time to bleed when there’s a predator lurking around? Everything is getting re-released these days! Why not? France is preparing for a re-release coming up this August of a newly restored (apparently only in 2K, not full 4K though) version of John McTiernan’s original sci-fi action film Predator. Originally released in 1987, Predator stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Elpidia Carrillo, Bill Duke, Jesse Ventura, Sonny Landham and Richard Chaves. Years after release it has become known as one of the best action movies made, and this trailer lives up to that claim with plenty of explosions. Of course this will make you want to see it again. ›››

Continue reading See the Trailer for Newly Restored French Re-Release of ‘Predator’

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This is a rough week for cinema. Over the weekend, two outstanding, profound filmmakers passed away – American filmmaker Michael Cimino, and Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami. Both of them have made a number of fantastic films that have rightfully earned a place in cinema history, and many cinephiles are feeling the loss of these two great storytellers. Cimino died on July 2nd at the age of 77 at his home in Los Angeles (via CNN). Kiarostami died on July 4th at the age of 76 of cancer at his home in Paris, France (via BBC). Both are being remembered in beautiful, heartfelt ways on social media (a few samples included below) and you can remember them as well by watching their films. Especially any of you haven’t seen yet. ›››

Continue reading We Lost Two Great Filmmakers – Michael Cimino & Abbas Kiarostami

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We are once again at that time of year when the air is filled with excitement as well as an abundance of explosions. Sure, that could mean 4th of July fireworks and grilling with friends. It could also be referring to another, American pastime, this one a little newer and a lot more exciting. That would be the annual Purge, 12 hours when all crime, including murder, is perfectly legal and the people of this country – those who don’t hide behind locked doors – are allowed to get their own, individual aggression out. It’s become such a successful tradition – on film, anyway – that the third entry in the franchise, The Purge: Election Year, makes its way in front of our eyes. Once again sights of twisted violence mix with political & social themes, and once again this series turns a mirror on its audience to deliver a fully charged, eye-opening good time. ›››

Continue reading Review: Insane Action & Violent Politics in ‘The Purge: Election Year’

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Now that you’ve seen it, what did you think? ” The world is more giant than you can imagine.” Now playing in theaters everywhere is the newest Steven Spielberg movie, an adaptation of the Roald Dahl book The BFG – which stands for The Big Friendly Giant. Ruby Barnhill stars as Sophie, a young girl who befriends the “BFG”, played by Oscar winner Mark Rylance. The full cast includes Penelope Wilton, Jemaine Clement, Rebecca Hall, Rafe Spall, plus Bill Hader as one of the other giants. So how is it? Does it live up to Roald Dahl’s book? Is it as wonderful as Spielberg’s many other movies, or is it a waste of his potential? Once you’ve seen it, leave a comment below with your own thoughts on Spielberg’s The BFG. ›››

Continue reading Sound Off: Steven Spielberg’s ‘The BFG’ – What Did You Think of It?

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