Transcendence and A Long Way Down Trailers

Having collaborated on 7 films together, Wally Pfister is best known as acclaimed director Christopher Nolan's primary Oscar winning cinematographer. However, Pfister makes his debut move to the director's chair in this year's sci-fi action film Transcendence. Johnny Depp stars as a Will, a brilliant scientist on the verge of something huge who becomes the targeted victim of a biological attack. On his deathbed, Will downloads his mind into a computer and gains immense powers beyond human comprehension. Arriving in theatres on April 18th, check out the latest trailer for Wally Pfister's Transcendence below.





Based on the Nick Hornby novel of the same name, A Long Way Down examines the friendship of four people who inexplicably find themselves on the same rooftop on New Years Eve with the intention of committing suicide. Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul joins Pierce Brosnan, Toni Collette and Imogen Poots as the quartet whose family-like friendship helps each of them handle the struggles in their lives. Check out the trailer for A Long Way Down below.

The Monuments Men

Film: The Monuments Men

Starring: George Clooney (The Descendants), Matt Damon (True Grit) and Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)

Director: George Clooney (The Ides of March)

U.S. Release: February 7th, 2014 (Rated PG-13)

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 112 minutes


George Clooney is one of the most prominent figures in Hollywood. As an Academy Award winner for both acting (Syriana) and producing (Best Picture winner Argo), many believed Clooney had a strong chance at pulling off the trifecta with a potential Best Director win for his newest film, The Monuments Men. However, that was before post-production issues delayed the feature's release until 2014. Unfortunately, we now know that The Monuments Men is light-years away from the prototypical Oscar Nominee.

Clooney stars as Frank Starks, an art historian who makes a pitch to the president of the United States during the closing months of World War II about preserving all of the various artwork spread throughout Europe and returning it to its rightful owners. After being given the green light, Starks enlists six other museum directors, curators and art historians to help him see this mission through. Yet, this group (known as "The Monuments Men") must stare the dangers of war in the eyes and overcome countless obstacles along the way.

Clooney's latest effort has been panned by critics for a multitude of reasons. I wouldn't be the first to address the movie's problems with developing distinct tonal differences between comedy and drama, or even the condescending lecture-like dialogue intended to force the audience into accepting the importance of this mission, rather than making us "feel" something. There's a huge disconnect between film and viewer, something that can never work for a project of this type. Consequently, The Monuments Men is nothing more than an elongated and mediocre fluff piece filled with a strong cast, but weak and ineffective narrative.

Although The Monuments Men never escapes its stagnant vibe, it's an interesting premise that remains mildly entertaining at the hands of many fine performances. However, the long list of great actors in the film are required to make the most out of thinly crafted characters. But while the film hopes to elicit suspense and emotion, The Monuments Men instead outstretches minimal plot progression to a near two-hour running time. With the superficial makings of a compelling and moving examination of an inspiring true story, even Clooney's admirable direction fails to aid a brutally developed screenplay.

There are a few shining moments sporadically peppered throughout The Monuments Men, but they become quickly overshadowed by all of the film's shortcomings. As a viewer you never feel transported into the story, rather just a spectator to its events. And ultimately, the truly great films know how to differentiate between the two and execute effectively. Illustrating that The Monuments Men is nothing more than an occasionally entertaining run-of-the-mill effort from mega-star George Clooney.


Stars: 2 stars out of 4

Grade: C+

Industry News: Leo and Jonah Hill Set to Collaborate Again

The bro-mance is in full swing. After co-starring in Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street and landing Oscar Nominations for their performances, it's been confirmed that Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill will be teaming up in a new biopic. The project sees Hill star as real life security guard Richard Jewell who discovered the bomb during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, only to find himself accused of plotting the attack himself. DiCaprio is set to play Jewell's attorney who is determined to clear the security guard's name.

In other casting news, Johnny Depp has confirmed his role in the upcoming Scott Cooper (Out of the Furnace and Crazy Heart) picture, Black Mass, with one of my personal favorites, Tom Hardy, rumored to co-star. The biopic tells the real life story of James "Whitey" Bulger (Depp) and childhood friend John Connolly who are pitted against each other many years later after Bulger becomes the godfather of the Irish mob and Connolly a major figure in the FBI. Black Mass has an outside chance at a 2015 release date.

After the box-office and critical success of the 2012 hit, Pitch Perfect, the sequel has been slated for a May 15th, 2015 release date with Elizabeth Banks set to make her directorial debut. It was reported via the film's twitter feed that co-stars Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson are set to return in Pitch Perfect 2.

And finally, it's been a week since we lost the great American actor Philip Seymour Hoffman to his terrible heroine addiction. Hoffman was officially laid to rest on Friday February 7th in New York City with many friends such as Amy Adams, Joaquin Phoenix, Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett (and many more) in attendance to pay their respects. With only 7 days of filming left, Hoffman's passing left the Lionsgate projects Mockingjay and Mockingjay Part 2 of The Hunger Games franchise is complete disarray. The New York Post became the first to report that rather than re-casting the role, filmmakers will "digitally recreate" Hoffman for the the scenes that remain.

A Field in England

Film: A Field in England

Starring: Reece Shearsmith and Julian Barratt

Director: Ben Wheatley (Sightseers)

U.S. Release: February 7th, 2014 (Limited Release - Not Rated)

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 90 minutes


Over the course of history many have argued the purpose of film. It's a very personal and almost existential type of quandary. While artists see filmmaking as a platform for expression and storytelling, I've always believed that a majority of the general public simply wants to be entertained, and very little more. Yet, there's always a small faction of people with a desire to push stylistic boundaries and create something unique. After viewing his latest directorial effort, A Field in England, it's clear that Ben Wheatley is one of those people.

Set against the backdrop of the 17th Century Civil War in England, three men flee from battle into an overgrown field. Not long after, this group of men become overtaken by a devilish alchemist and his sidekick who force them to help locate a buried treasure. Drugged and delusional at the hands of these dangerous captors, everyone begins to question the true meaning of this so-called "treasure".

A mind-blowing combination of unequal parts psychedelia, dark humor and lavish surrealism, A Field in England is by far the trippiest film I've ever encountered. While it's odd in the vein of Stanley Kubrick or David Lynch, and filmed over beautiful landscapes with a keen Malick-like respect for imagery, Ben Wheatley's latest addition falls shy of the great works by these legendary directors. From the post-production standpoint, complements are well-deserved for spectacular editing and photography. However, A Field in England breaks down from a fundamental flaw in its storytelling.

Almost nothing alike, outside of its unidentifiable purpose and cryptic symbolism, I had a similar feeling after viewing the Ridley Scott blockbuster, Prometheus. Perhaps Wheatley and co-screenwriter Amy Jump find joy in crafting a malleable experience that can be molded any which way you desire. On the other hand, this ambiguous product is best suited for niche audiences rather than the general public. While I reserve an appreciation for developing an individual style that demands cerebral rationale and thinking outside the box, such an exposure proves to be a daunting task for the viewer.

Maddening and hallucinatory, A Field in England is captivating and vague all at the same time. Although I'd rather spend my day enjoying a concrete story with a definitive message, Ben Wheatley delivers a thought-provoking and puzzling tale of insanity. With religious undertones scattered throughout the film, there's plenty to take away from it as long as your willing to make the effort.

Stars: 2 stars out of 4.

Grade: C+

Divergent and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 NEW Trailers

Moviegoers and critics alike sang their praises for the 2013 indie drama The Spectacular Now. The film's stars, Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley, reunite in 2014 with the futuristic sci-fi adventure, Divergent. Woodley stars as Beatrice Prior, a teenager with a unique mind who finds herself against all odds when an authoritarian leader plans to destroy people of her "kind" and take over their divided society. Based on a best-selling book series of the same name, Divergent has all the makings of a massive box-office franchise.





I happened to be one of the few who wasn't enamored by The Amazing Spider-Man reboot in 2012. But the franchise continues this Summer, with one of the year's biggest blockbusters dishing out an impressive new trailer during the Super Bowl. Andrew Garfield returns as Peter Parker, and the the superhero must find a way to handle a barrage of super-villains courtesy of Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan) and  Oscorp. The thrills and action look bigger than ever in The Amazing Spider-Man 2's newest extended trailer.

DVD Outlook: February 2014

2014 kicked off its DVD release in style with a wide selection of notable titles in January. Now that the Oscar Nominations have been handed out, February and March should continue to offer many of the year's finest on DVD and Video On-Demand. In fact, my top three picks of the month all land in my Top 10 Films of 2013.




About Time - 3 and a half stars out of 4 - (Read my full review here)

Somewhat mislabeled as a romantic comedy, About Time is a charming drama set on reinforcing an appreciation for every-day life. Love Actually director, Richard Curtis, has publicly stated that this will be his last feature and he truly goes out on top with a remarkably sincere and effectively sentimental piece of work. Fast-rising star Domhnall Gleeson and the always wonderful Bill Nighy give tender performances as a son and father who share a family secret that they can travel in time. You'll experience every range of emotion in this hilarious and earnest tale of love and family, justifying About Time as one of the finest films of 2013. (February 4th)




Dallas Buyers Club - 3 stars out of 4 - (Read my full review here)

By now everyone is aware of just how good Matthew McConaughey is in the Best Picture Nominee, Dallas Buyers Club. McConaughey was My Personal Pick for Best Actor of the year with a gripping performance as Ron Woodroof, a Texas bull rider whose lifelong history of partying and drugs catch up to him when he discovers he has HIV. The revelation and will to live set him on a mission to smuggle unapproved prescription drugs from Mexico into the U.S. to combat the effects of the illness. Jared Leto also gives an unforgettable supporting turn as Woodroof's unlikely sidekick. (February 4th)




Gravity - 3 stars out of 4 - (Read my full review here)

Closing out my Top 10 Films of 2013 and #1 on Greg Rouleau's List was Alfonso Cuaron's space adventure, Gravity. Cuaron has found himself at the head of the Best Director class for his examination of a routine space repair mission that ends up going terribly wrong at the hands of fast-flying and destructive debris. Floating around and lost in space, astronaut Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) struggles to survive this nightmarish ordeal. Definitely a film intended to be witnessed on the big screen, it's still worth settling on the at-home experience in order to see one of 2013's most talked about films. (February 25th)


Honorable Mention: Two independent selections from the Philadelphia Film Festival include Best Picture Nominee Nebraska (2/25) and the survival tale All Is Lost (2/11), both of which landed in my honorable mention for the cinematic year. Although I haven't seen Thor: The Dark World (2/25) or Ender's Game (2/11), both seem to interest the action-junky in me. Also, it's worth noting the box-office flop from Ridley Scott, The Counselor (2/11), and Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or Winner foreign film Blue Is the Warmest Color (2/25) also are available.

Industry News: Philip Seymour Hoffman Passes Away

It saddens me to no end that another American Great has tragically passed. ABC News officially confirmed that actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his New York apartment this morning. At the young age of 46, Hoffman had already found himself among the best performers in Hollywood. Having won an Academy Award for his turn in Bennett Miller's Capote, Hoffman was also received Oscar Nominations for roles in The Master, Doubt and Charlie Wilson's War.

My admiration for Philip Seymour Hoffman can't be overstated. I could spend hours dissecting all of his wonderful performances from Boogie Nights to Almost Famous and even his hilarious work as Sandy Lyle in Along Came Polly. I have such respect and admiration for each fine role he so brilliantly brought to life, making this a truly sorrowful day. I fondly remember trekking from Philadelphia all the way up to Boston just to catch his directorial debut, Jack Goes Boating. Philip Seymour Hoffman will certainly be missed, and always remembered.


UPDATE: TMZ reports Hoffman has passed from a drug overdose at the age of 46.