I'm looking forward to seeing Johnny Depp turn in a great performance again, but the one thing that kind of concerns me about this film is the release date. September is kind of a strange no man's land where studios place movies that aren't big enough to be summer blockbusters, but also not quite good enough to be prime Oscar contenders. It's the area of the semi-commercial, good "enough" type of film. Sometimes they get remembered for awards, sometimes not, but if they're keeping it Sept 18th, that makes me think Depp's performance might be all there is to this movie.
Katniss Leads the Revolution in First 'Mockingjay Part 2' Trailer
It's here guys- a first look at the final installment in the Hunger Games series. Mockingjay Part 2 is coming out in November as usual, but it looks like a dour war movie if you ask me. When they're not in the arena everything just seems bleak and grey, and it lacks the colorful costumes of the Capital guys. Meh.
Movie of the Day: "Clerks" (1994)
Okay, so in honor of National Best Friends Day (a holiday I have to admit not knowing the existence of until a few hours ago), I'm taking the opportunity to nod one of my favorite movie duos and best pals here, and that is the eternal Dante and Randal from Kevin Smith's 1994 cult classic Clerks. This film will forever be a monument to what you can do on a limited budget and with amateur actors, as long as you have a way with words. Dante works at the local convenience store, Randal the local video store, and the two casually bemoan their existence as they hang out all day and shoot the breeze, commenting on everything from milk maids to Star Wars and run-ins with another great movie duo (two for one here), the eponymous Jay and Silent Bob of their own, much later film adventure. I always watch this movie whenever it's on- it doesn't get old despite capturing what was very much a moment in time from the mid-90's. Randal is my spirit animal- I never get tired of hearing him dismiss a random customer, each in a ruder and more verbally colorful way. This was Kevin Smith's breakthrough as a unique film voice, and boy did it make people sit up and take notice. Probably still his best work.
Original 1994 Trailer:
New Pics of Katniss, Peeta and Gale in Final 'Hunger Games' Movie
It's finally coming to an end guys, even if I can't say it's not a moment too soon (should have happened last year and it should have never been split into two parts- curse what the Harry Potter guys started). Anyway, here's a look at the gang for Mockingjay Part 2- I don't know what it is, but the two boys, Hutcherson and Hemsworth (Liam) are the lamest, charisma free love interests of any movie franchise I can think of. Couldn't they have cast at least one guy who had any chemistry with J-Law?
Matt Damon Survives Mars in First Trailer for 'The Martian'
It seems like it's been ages since Ridley Scott made a decent movie (unless you were one of those people who actually liked Prometheus), but I gotta say, this one looks promising. Although I can't help but wonder if this is the prequel story about what happened to Matt Damon's astronaut before they found him on that planet in Interstellar (and I can't be the only one who thought that, if you saw the Nolan movie). I'm cautious, since it's Scott, but kind of looking forward to this. It's coming out November 25th.
Another Look at Jake Gyllenhaal's 'Southpaw'
I know Harvey Weinstein swore he was going to get Jake Gyllenhaal his lead Oscar nomination for this, but the more I see of it, the more it looks kind of cheesy and cliched. The whole redemption boxer story is just way too familiar at this point, even if Jake turned in an awesome performance and worked out like crazy for the part.
BOX OFFICE 6/05-6/07: Melissa McCarthy Tops with 'Spy'
Melissa McCarthy continues to prove her box office might with Spy, bringing in $30 million over the weekend, her third biggest opener as a lead, after Identity Thief and The Heat. Experts had predicted it closer to $35 million, but it's still a success, especially given that this is her first starring vehicle to be critically adored, with a 95% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Meanwhile, Insidious Chapter 3 actually beat it in the charts on Friday, but by the end of the weekend had slowed down to bring in $23 million, not nearly as much as the second movie's $40 million bow, and the critically savaged Entourage brought in $17 million since opening on Wednesday, but just $10 million over the three days. You'd think that means no more sequels for the boys, but who knows, that show just can't seem to die.
Last week's San Andreas came in a solid second, with $26 million and almost set to cross $100 easily, while Mad Max finally beat out Pitch Perfect in a weekend hold to round out the top five. In other news, Aloha fell 66% off what was already a weak opening, bringing in just $3.3 million for the weekend, and Avengers: Age of Ultron crossed $1.34 billion globally, knocking off Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 to become the fifth biggest movie of all time.
Top 5:
- Spy- $30 million
- San Andreas- $26.4 million
- Insidious Chapter 3- $23 million
- Entourage- $10.4 million
- Mad Max: Fury Road- $8 million
In limited release, Beach Boys biopic Love & Mercy did well, opening in over 400 theaters for over $2 million, justifying a solid expansion as it goes wider. This movie was adored by critics and is one of those releases looking to hold on past the summer for Oscar season, if the critics come back for it at the end of the year, for something like Paul Dano's performance especially. Next week there could be the first $100 million opening since Avengers, with Jurassic World looking set to take the box office by storm, and the limited release of the Sundance hit Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. See you then everyone!
J-Lo and Viola Davis Team Up for Revenge Thriller 'Lila and Eve'
Anyone here for the campiness that is J-Lo's new movie career? First The Boy Next Door and now this faintly ridiculous new film where she and Viola Davis team up as grieving mothers with murdered sons who decide to become vigilantes. Yeah, you read that right. This movie looks like it's taking itself supremely seriously (not so sure Viola Davis, as good as she is, can play anything on another note), although they should have taken advantage of Jennifer Lopez being in it to turn it into pure diva camp, don't you think? Now that'd be entertaining. She could be the new Joan Crawford.
Ed Helms Heads Back to Wally World in 'Vacation' Remake
Ugh. The more I see of this, the more it just seems like a We're the Millers knock off rather than National Lampoon's Vacation. Raunch and grossness rue the day. Unfortunately, it'll still probably be a hit, but even Chevy Chase looks decidedly un-enthused.
Andrew Garfield and Michael Shannon Star in Financial Crisis Drama '99 Homes'
This movie's been kicking around since last year's Toronto Film Festival and now it's finally coming out September 25th. Set during the 2008 economic crisis, it obviously takes a stark view of the way America treats the poor compared to the 1%- a timely film to come out right before the next election that brings back memories of the crash. Michael Shannon got raves for playing the nasty villain he's so good at.
Margot Robbie is the Last Woman on Earth in 'Z for Zachariah'
Another Sundance movie that good reasonably good reviews was this sci-fi film starring Margot Robbie, Chris Pine and Chiwetel Ejiofor in a post-apocalyptic setting. Don't expect an action film though- apparently it's a very low key drama focused entirely on the three central performances. It's coming out in limited release August 21st.
Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks Reunite for 'Bridge of Spies'
Spielberg and Hanks are teaming up for the first time since The Terminal for what looks like an old-fashioned kind of spy thriller set during the 1960's. It's from a script by the Coen brothers, although nearly every script the Coens write that they give to someone else is not one of their best. I'm iffy on it- it looks well made, but there's a very old school feel to this, like it could have been made in another era, although that may be intentional. I love Tom Hanks though (I still think he was robbed for a nomination for Captain Phillips), so I'm always there for a potentially great Spielberg/Hanks drama. It's coming out October 16th, key Oscar season.
