“Foxcatcher” is director Bennett Miller’s follow-up to 2011’s “Moneyball”, making this his second “based on a true story” sports drama in a row. The first trailer was actually unveiled over a year ago (September 2013) because the film was originally scheduled for release last December. However, Sony Pictures Classics decided to take “Foxcatcher” out of […]
Comedy is Bill Murray’s forte. From “Caddyshack” to “Ghostbusters”, “Groundhog Day” to “Garfield”, Murray has made us laugh for decades. In 2003, he took a dramatic turn in “Lost in Translation”, which earned him an Oscar nomination. Now, as a cranky old man in “St. Vincent” – his most buzzed-about role in over a decade […]
Released nearly three years ago, “Dolphin Tale” was a smart, sophisticated and sweet live-action family film with genuine heart. I was surprised when Warner Bros. announced they were making a sequel, wondering if this saga could support a franchise. But since the first film was based on real life events, and more events took place […]
“If I Stay” is the “End of Summer of 2014 Tween/Teen Romantic Tearjerker”. Based on the popular 2009 novel by Gayle Forman, Chloe Grace Moretz (“Kick-Ass”) stars as 17-year-old Mia. She lives with her parents and younger brother Teddy in Portland, Oregon. Mia’s love of music was inherited from her mom and dad, but they […]
“Let’s Be Cops” has one of the most basic, yet original, premises of the year: Two 30-year-old roommates, unsatisfied with their lives and careers, dress-up as cops for a costume party. But the outfits are so authentic-looking (complete with real hand-guns and badges) that everyone thinks they’re actually LAPD. They enjoy the power and attention […]
Clint Eastwood, one of the most-respected actors and directors of his generation, has been in front of and behind the camera for some of the most influential movies of the last half-century. Now he takes centerstage by adding a Broadway musical adaptation to his incredible resume. While not as sensational as the Great White Way […]
It’s the return of the classic Monster Movie with another reboot of “Godzilla”. This installment begins in 1999, one year after the previous big screen version, which was panned by critics and audiences. Following a few scenes in the Philippines, where fossils of a ginormous, dinosaur-like creature have been discovered, the story moves to Japan, […]
Kevin Costner has a long history with sports movies. He made “Bull Durham” and “Field of Dreams” back-to-back in the late 80s, took a swing at golf with “Tin Cup” in the mid-90s, and returned to baseball “For the Love of the Game” at the end of that decade. 2014 marks Costner’s return to the […]
Based on the novel by Joyce Maynard, “Labor Day” is a romantic, suspense drama written and directed by Jason Reitman (“Up in the Air”). It’s a tricky film to analyze and appreciate because, while it has several strong qualities, there are many critical flaws. Fortunately, the performances and emotional impact outweigh some absolutely ridiculous plot […]
“Out of the Furnace” is an unconventional, gritty drama from director Scott Cooper (“Crazy Heart”). Christian Bale is very good as Russell, a steel mill worker in rural Braddock, Pennsylvania whose brother Rodney (played by Casey Affleck) is about to serve his fourth tour of duty in Iraq. A fatal DWI accident sends Russell to […]