Daily Archives: November 8, 2014

Fri Nov 07 10:10:52 EST 2014

These days, the number of indies premiering on a weekly basis can be both thrilling and intimidating. To help sift through the number of new releases (independent or otherwise), we've created the Weekly Film Guide. Below you'll find basic plot, personnel and cinema information for today's fresh offerings.

"Why Don't You Play In Hell?"

READ MORE:Terrence Malick Disciple, A.J. Edwards, Discusses His Debut 'The Better Angels'

Here are the films opening theatrically in the U.S. the week of Friday, November 7. (Synopses provided by distributor unless noted otherwise.)

9 Full Moons Director: Tomer Almagor Cast:Amy Seimetz, Bret Roberts, Harry Dean Stanton, Donal Logue, Brian McGuire, Foster Timms, James Duval, Dale Dickey, Pamela Adlon Synopsis: "Popular wisdom tells us that love heals all wounds. Frankie (Amy Seimetz) is an emotional train wreck, careening around the East Los Angeles music scene drinking and meeting strangers. Lev (Bret Roberts) is a taciturn and tormented soul. He drives a limo and wants to work in the music business. They begin a relationship after they connect with each other one night at a party. This dark romance explores what love is like for two quiet people who may be damaged beyond repair. Lev gets to explore his musical dreams working for star Charlie King Nash (Donal Logue) and learn about the practical realities that restrain talent to make artistic dreams so complicated and frustrating. Together Frankie and Lev explore the challenges of a serious relationship, trying to determine if it's something either of them can handle. This moody piece goes beyond romantic movie clichs to explore the intricate interactions of two lovers who don't fit into any neat categorizations." Theatrical Release: Los Angeles

21 Years: Richard Linklater Director:Michael Dunaway & Tara Wood Synopsis: "It's been said that the first 21 years defines the career of an artist. Few directors have single-handedly shaken up the film establishment like the godfather of indie, Richard Linklater. From the groundbreaking 'Slacker' to his innovative 'Boyhood,' Linklater has just reached the 21-year mark and has unapologetically carved his signature into American pop culture. This compelling documentary takes you on a behind the scenes tour into Linklater's style, skills, and motivation via his friends, actors, and other directors. Get a raw and honest perspective on Richard through candid conversations with Ethan Hawke, Jack Black, Keanu Reeves, Billy Bob Thornton, Matthew McConaughey, Jason Reitman, Julie Delpy and others, and see their stories brought to life through hilarious animated sequences." Theatrical Release: Various (including New York and Los Angeles, Atlanta, Austin, Cleveland, Denver, Houston, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Seattle and Toronto)

Actress Director: Robert Greene Cast: Brandy Burre Synopsis: "Brandy Burre had a recurring role on the iconic TV drama The Wire when she became pregnant. She gave up her career to raise a family and now leads a picturesque domestic existence in upstate New York. But Brandy breaks thingsrules, expectationsand cant not perform. She craves action. She stages a slow dance in the shower and uses a clothes hanger as a scene partner in her one-woman performance of everyday life. But practising her art manqu through daily gestures, and living life as a creative outlet, arent enough anymore. Brandy decides to make a comeback. Balancing the demands of work and home, and playing all the partsmother, lover, wife, performerleads to painful choices and realizations. Can she be both supermom and superstar? Selfless and selfish? Actress is a present-tense melodrama that re-frames the complex-yet-familiar question: Can women have it all?" [Hot Docs] Criticwire Grade Average: A- (7 reviews) Theatrical Release: New York

The Better Angels Director: A.J. Edwards Cast:Jason Clarke, Diane Kruger, Brit Marling, Wes Bentley Synopsis: "Indiana, 1817. The entire nation, only 40 years old and a few years removed from a second war of independence, is still raw. Men and women must battle against nature and disease to survive in log cabins. This is young Abraham Lincolns world. Spanning three years of the future presidents childhood, The Better Angels explores his family, the hardships that shaped him, the tragedy that marked him forever, and the two women who guided him to immortality." [Sundance Film Festival] Criticwire Grade Average: A- (12 reviews) Theatrical Release: New York and Los Angeles (expands to various cities throughout the end of 2014)

Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain Director: Ravi Kumar Cast:Martin Sheen, Mischa Barton, Kal Penn, Rajpal Yadav, Tannishtha Chatterjee Synopsis: "Set in December 1984, 'Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain' is based on true events when a devastating pesticide leak in Madhya Pradesh, central India, killed thousands of people. Dilip, a rickshaw driver in Bhopal, India, lands himself a job at the Union Carbide plant. It is a chance to prove his worth to his family and pull them out of poverty. The job is tough with long hours; everyone is desperate to hold on to their pay cheque and so Dilip keeps quiet when he notices managers at the plant ignoring safety standards. Dilip's long time friend, Motwani, a tabloid journalist knows that Bhopal residents complain of the constant stench in the air and wake up at night choking from the gas. He is on a mission to expose what he believes is a deadly time bomb ticking away in his home town. He feels as if no one will listen but when he meets feisty American journalist, Eva, he sees a ray of hope and persuades her to confront Carbide executive Warren Anderson." Theatrical Release: New York (opens in Los Angeles on November 14th)

Visit link:
Here Are All the Movies Opening Today, November 7. What Will You See?

The weather outside might be getting colder, but the Oscar race is just warming up! Can you feel it? No? Maybe you should be seeing more movies (or, at the very least, spending more time skimming entertainment blogs)!

Obviously, the hot ticket this month is Mockingjay: Part 1, the third movie in the epic adaptation of Suzanne Collins game-changing YA trilogy, The Hunger Games. We last left Katniss (I dont remember there being a Katniss - my dad) recovering from her second Games and distraught after learning that Peeta has been captured by the Capitol and her home, District 12, has been obliterated. The silver-ish lining: The rumored rebel district, District 13, exists, and its leaders are eager to recruit a reluctant Katniss for their cause. Dont hold your breath waiting for our heroine to catch a break. Let's just say relief in Panem lasts shorter than a J. Law-Chris Martin romance.

Speaking of the Oscars, this months Foxcatcher is supposedly packed fuller than Channing Tatums unitard with award-worthy performances. Based on Olympic wrestler Mark Schultzs memoir of the same name, the movie stars Tatum as the athlete hungry for Olympic glory and Steve Carell (playing shockingly against-type) as the crazy millionaire who sponsors Schultz. And if you cant get enough of character-driven Oscar bait, Eddie Redmaynes stunning performance as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything is a cant-miss.

Comic book lovers can continue to stay home and watch the many comic-to-TV adaptations this month --- including the CWs Arrow and The Flash. If youve had just about enough of men in tights already, HBO aired an adaptation of Elizabeth Strouts Pulitzer Prize-winning OLIVE KITTERIDGE in early November. The four-part miniseries received rave reviews from critics, which isnt surprising considering the ever-reliable Frances McDormand was cast as the titular character. And dont worry if you missed it; Im sure you know someone whose HBOGo password you can borrow.

During this month of thanksgiving, lets give thanks for all the amazing books on screen we have to fill our days with meaning and things to do. Enjoy!

In Theaters:

Big Hero 6 Cast: Voices of Scott Adsit, Ryan Potter, Jamie Chung, Damon Wayans Jr. Director: Don Hall and Chris Williams Distributor:Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures MPAA Rating: PG Release Date: November 7th Based On:Marvel comic characters by Steven T. Seagle and Duncan Rouleau

With all the heart and humor audiences expect from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Big Hero 6 is an action-packed comedy-adventure about robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada, who learns to harness his genius-thanks to his brilliant brother Tadashi and their like-minded friends: adrenaline junkie Go Go Tamago, neatnik Wasabi, chemistry whiz Honey Lemon and fanboy Fred. When a devastating turn of events catapults them into the midst of a dangerous plot unfolding in the streets of San Fransokyo, Hiroturns to his closest companion --- a robot named Baymax --- and transforms the group into a band of high-tech heroes determined to solve the mystery.

The Homesman Cast: Hilary Swank, Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones Director: Tommy Lee Jones Distributor: Roadside Entertainment MPAA Rating: R Release Date: November 7th Based On:THE HOMESMAN by Glendon Swarthout

Visit link:
November 2014