Opening this Month: February 2016

Posted on February 1, 2016 at 8:00 am

Happy February!

I love February. It’s short. It sometimes gets an extra day (yay! Leap year!). It has Valentine’s Day and President’s Day. And it means that the January movie doldrums are over. So let’s just remember to pronounce that second R (FebROOary) and look at what’s opening this month.

February 5

The Choice — Nicholas Sparks’ annual valentine for date night has Benjamin Walker (“The Heart of the Sea”) and Teresa Palmer (“Warm Bodies”) as next door neighbors who fight and then fall in love. Co-stars include Tom Wilkenson and Maggie Grace.

Hail Caesar! — And this is valentine from the Coen Brothers to the golden era of big-studio Hollywood, with George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Ralph Fiennes, Josh Brolin, and Jonah Hill.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies — Young ladies of marriageable age wear empire dresses, drink tea, and fight odious zombies.

February 12

Deadpool — This is not your father’s superhero. Ryan Reynolds is Deadpool, who is off-beat and meta. And NSFW.

Zoolander 2 — Stiller. Wilson. Farrell. Cumberbatch. Wiig. Cruz. And much more Blue Steel.

How to be Single — Dakota Johnson, Alison Brie, and Rebel Wilson star in a romantic comedy featuring up-and-comer Jake Lacy.

February 19

Race — In 1936, when Hitler wanted the Berlin Olympics to show the world Aryan supremacy, the most impressive athlete of the games was an African-American named Jesse Owens, who won four medals. This stirring story stars Stephan James, Jason Sudeikis, and Jeremy Irons.

Risen — The story of Christ’s resurrection, from the perspective of a Roman soldier (Joseph Fiennes) who becomes a believer.

February 26

Gods of Egypt — A thief joins forces with a God in this story of ancient times.

Triple 9 — A heist film with Kate Winslet, Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, and Casey Affleck, with one of my favorite character actors, Clifton Collins, Jr.

Eddie the Eagle — Hugh Jackman stars in the real-life story of an Olympian who became famous for coming in last.

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Opening This Month

Coming to Theaters December 2015

Posted on December 1, 2015 at 8:00 am

December is always a blockbuster month at the movies, with big end-of-the-year releases opening in time for family viewing over the holidays and awards consideration.

Some of what we’ll be seeing this month:

December 4, 2015

“The Letters” is the story of Mother Teresa, played by Juliet Stevenson, and based on the letters she sent about her life working with “the poorest of the poor.”

December 11, 2015

“In The Heart of the Sea,” directed by Ron Howard and starring Chris Hemsworth, is the story of the real-life whaling ship that inspired “Moby Dick.”

“The Big Short,” based on the brilliant, hilarious, and excoriating book by Michael Lewis, which tells the story of the 2008 financial meltdown through the eyes of five people who saw it coming, bet against Wall Street and made fortunes. (in limited release — opening nationwide December 18)

December 18, 2015

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” — get your tickets now.

“Sisters” stars Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. What else do you need to know?

“Where to Invade Next” is Michael Moore’s latest documentary and it promises to be at least as controversial as his others.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXVYiF5YiII

December 25, 2015

“The Hateful Eight” is Quentin Tarantino’s latest and it promises to be at least as violent as his others.

“The Revenant,” from director Alejandro González Iñárritu (“Birdman”) is a Western based on the true story of a man left for dead by his friends after he is mauled by a bear — he survives, and is determined to get his revenge. Leonardo diCaprio and Tom Hardy star.

“Joy” stars Jennifer Lawrence in a fact-based story of a woman industrialist, working again with her “Silver Linings Playbook” co-stars Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper and director David O. Russell.

“Point Break” is a remake of the Keanu Reeves/Patrick Swayze action film that certainly did not need to be remade. But the action scenes look crazy-good.

“Concussion” is the true story of the doctor who exposed the tragic history of NFL players with brain injuries from the game, with Will Smith, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Alec Baldwin.

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Opening This Month

Coming to Theaters — November 2015

Posted on November 1, 2015 at 3:59 pm

Some big names are coming to theaters this month! No name is bigger than Bond, James Bond, and Daniel Craig’s last Bond film opens this week, with Christoph Waltz, Monica Bellucci, and “Sherlock” star Andrew Scott. And, the new Peanuts movie, from the people who made “Rio.”

Also coming this month–

November 13

“The 33,” the true story of the rescue of the trapped Chilean miners, starring Antonio Banderas and Juliette Binoche.

“Spotlight,” the true story of the Boston Globe reporters whose story about the cover-up of pedophile priests won a Pulitzer.

“By the Sea,” with Angelina Jolie (who directed) and Brad Pitt as a couple on a trip who confront some of the fissures in their relationship.

“Man Up,” a romantic comedy about a blind date with Simon Pegg and Lake Bell.

“Love the Coopers,” a dysfunctional family holiday story with an all-star cast including Diane Keaton and Olivia Wilde.

November 20

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2,” the final chapter in the dystopian saga.

“Secret in Their Eyes,” a crime thriller with Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

November 24

“The Night Before,” a raunchy comedy starring Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as three friends on a wild Christmas spree.

“The Good Dinosaur,” Pixar’s fantasy about humans and dinosaurs living together in prehistoric times.

“Creed,” takes the “Rocky” story to the next generation as Rocky trains the son of his former rival.

“Victor Frankenstein,” the old story with a new twist, starring Daniel Radcliffe and James McAvoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEGh-QR1jN0

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October 2015: Movies Opening This Month

Posted on October 1, 2015 at 3:58 pm

Happy October! This is going to be a great month for movies, with some scary Halloween stories and some big, awards-worthy dramas, mostly based on true stories, and featuring some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Here’s what’s coming this month:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2
The Martian Matt Damon heads an all-star cast (Jessica Chastain, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kate Mara, Jeff Daniels, Michael Peña) directed by Ridley Scott and based on the best-selling book about an astronaut abandoned on Mars and how he stays alive while NASA figures out how to get him home.

99 Homes Andrew Garfield, Michael Shannon, and Laura Dern star in this stark drama set in Florida as the subprime meltdown leads to foreclosures and homelessness.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
Steve Jobs Michael Fassbender plays the founder of Apple in this biopic directed by Danny Boyle (“Slumdog Millionaire”), with a script by “The Social Network’s” Aaron Sorkin.

He Named Me Malala A documentary about the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize winner, still in her teens, who has been a powerful voice for educational opportunities for girls.

Freeheld Julianne Moore and Ellen Page star as the real-life couple who fought for pension benefits for domestic partners, co-starring Michael Shannon and Steve Carell

Labyrinth Of Lies This powerful German film tells the story of the courageous prosecutors in post WWII Germany who insisted that the true story about the Holocaust be investigated so the perpetrators could be found and prosecuted.

Pan Ever wondered where Peter Pan came from? This is his story, from director Joe Wright (“Atonement,” “Pride and Prejudice”), starring Garrett Hedlund and Hugh Jackman.

The Walk “Man on Wire” was the Oscar-winning documentary about the Frenchman who strung a wire between the towers of the World Trade Center and walked across it. This version stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and is reported to have the best 3D effects ever.

Big Stone Gap Ashley Judd plays a 40-year-old single woman in a small Virginia coal-mining town who wonders if she will ever find love in this charming romantic comedy co-starring Patrick Wilson, Whoopi Goldberg, and Jenna Elfman.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16

Crimson Peak A young bride arrives at a house filled with secrets in this spooky story from Guillermo del Toro.

Goosebumps R.L. Stine’s spooky stories inspired this movie with Jack Black as the haunted author.

Bridge of Spies Tom Hanks stars in Steven Spielberg’s real-life story of a tense negotiation for the release of an American captured by the Soviets in the midst of the Cold War.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23

Jem and the Holograms The classic Saturday morning cartoon comes to life.

Burnt Bradley Cooper stars as a brilliant chef trying to make a comeback after a meltdown.

Truth Robert Redford and Cate Blanchett play Dan Rather and his producer in this story about putting a false story about the President on the news.

Rock the Kasbah Who better to play a shambling music manager than Bill Murray?

Room Brie Larson’s performance as a woman held captive for years by a sexual predator may be the breakthrough for this talented actor in this film based on the best-selling book.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30
Our Brand Is Crisis American campaign consultants go to South America to see if US-style politicking can be transplanted to Bolivia. What can go wrong? Sandra Bullock takes the role originally planned for George Clooney. Oh, and it all really happened. You can check out the documentary before the movie opens.

I Smile Back Sarah Silverman has been getting rave reviews for her performance in a serious role as a woman struggling with mental illness.

Suffragette The story of the women who fought for the right to vote in the UK stars Carey Mulligan and Meryl Streep.

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Opening This Month: September 2015

Posted on September 1, 2015 at 3:24 pm

Happy September! Fall is when we see fewer sequels, superheroes and shootouts, more dramas based on real stories or best-selling books. Here’s what we have to look forward to this month:

September 2

A Walk in the Woods Bill Bryson’s book about his trek through the Appalachian Trail is now a film starring Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, and Emma Thompson.

September 4

Learning to Drive Katha Pollitt’s essay about getting her first driver’s license after a breakup has been softened a bit for this movie with Patricia Clarkson and Sir Ben Kingsley.

Transporter Refueled Newcomer Ed Skrein takes over the role of the implacable driver for hire, this time driving three gorgeous female bank robbers in Sia wigs.

September 11

The Visit M. Night Shyamalan returned to spookiness with this story of children who find there is some very, very creepy stuff going on in their grandparents’ house.

The Perfect Guy A lobbyist played by Sanaa Lathan gets into an intense and steamy rebound relationship after a painful breakup. She is flattered by his attention, but then….

September 18

Black Mass Johnny Depp plays one of the most notorious gangsters of the century, Boston’s Whitey Bulger, at times an FBI informant, and now in prison for 19 murders.

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials They escaped the maze in the first film. Now what’s beyond the maze is even more dangerous.

September 25

Hotel Transylvania 2 All the spooks and monsters are back, as Mavis (Selena Gomez) and Jonathan (Andy Samberg) have a baby and grandpa Dracula (Adam Sandler) wants to make sure his grandchild continues his vampire heritage.

The Intern Writer-director Nancy Meyers (“It’s Complicated”) has two Oscar winners in this film: Anne Hathaway as a harried mom with a quickly expanding business and Robert De Niro as a retired executive who becomes her intern.

99 Homes Andrew Garfield, Laura Dern, and Michael Shannon star in this searing drama about desperate people trying to make the best of a collapsing economy, surrounded by foreclosed homes.