Hail, Caesar! (2016)

Written and Directed by The Coen Brothers

Starring Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich and Ralph Fiennes

In my mind, The Coen Brother's are America's directors. They seem to capture so many different sub-cultures of America perfectly while also satirizing them. The desperation of the American Middle-Class in "Fargo". Three run-away prisoners during the depression era in "O Brother Where Art Thou?". And many others (I don't feel like listing each one. Check their filmography out for yourself!).

In "Hail, Caesar!", the genius brother's tackle Hollywood during the Golden Age of film. Following a studio "fixer", the guy that runs around sweeping scandals under rugs and keeping his bratty movie stars in check, as he attempts to solve his biggest problem yet. The kidnapping of their biggest star.

While this film more than likely won't be named with the Coen Brothers' masterpieces, it sticks with the style that has come to distance the duo from other directors. And it is no exception for my belief that they have never made a bad movie. Not one.

This film certainly rewards the hardcore movie goers in the audience. While many of the jokes will go over the heads of people not familiar with classic cinema, there is seldom a sequence in which there is no reference or nod to classic films. That is probably it's most notable feature.

If you're a casual movie goer, or aren't incredibly familiar with classic films of the 50s, you might not "get" this one. Although I highly encourage everyone to see it, because, well… you never know. But it is certainly not a film that is designed for everyone, as the Coen Brothers rarely are.

My Rating: 8/10

The Wolfpack (2015)

Directed by Crystal Moselle
Starring the Angulo Family

Locked away from society in an apartment on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the Angulo brothers learn about the outside world through the films that they watch. Nicknamed, 'The Wolfpack,' the brothers spend their childhood reenacting their favorite films using elaborate homemade props and costumes. Their world is shaken up when one of the brothers escapes and everything changes.

Never in my life have I seen a documentary that told a story so open-mindedly, so detached from the usual "GOTCHA!" journalism and so honest as the one Crystal Moselle has told in this documentary. Even with a story that is so one-sided and obvious as to what's right and what's wrong, she reveals the opinion of everyone involved without cutting and splicing what they say to fit her agenda.

The true power of movies is revealed with this family-- a group of sons that have no reason to enjoy life, yet discover themselves in the films they watch. It was truly inspiring to see the excitement they have for life and the world which is still very new to them.

I expected to find nothing but heart break and darkness in the lives of these young men. But rather, I was shown how their bond pushed them past the obstacles they faced together and gave them hope. This is, without a doubt, one of the most incredible stories ever told.

My Rating: 10/10

Aloft (2014)

Written and Directed by Claudia Llosa
Starring Jennifer Connelly, Cillian Murphy, Mélanie Laurent and Peter McRobbie

A woman who struggled as a mother has her past come back to haunt her when she encounters the son she abandoned 20 years earlier.

In a film where I assume you are supposed to empathize with the mother and some how understand why she abandoned her son, it achieves the exact opposite. Perhaps it is Jennifer Connelly's portrayal of the single mother, or even the writing, but the character seems to be nothing more than a whiny, stubborn woman who makes poor choices regarding her children and obviously has a favorite.

Despite the frustrating stupidity of Connelly's character, the director, Claudia Llosa keeps it interesting with it's artsy feel and beautiful cinematography. But that's not enough to raise the overall quality of the film.

Even though Cillian Murphy acted phenomenally, even acting circles around Jennifer Connelly when they shared screen time, his character was just dumb. He made choices that made no sense (i.e. cheating on your wife while she's at home watching your kid, with no other reason to other than the fact the woman was French and attractive. It just didn't fit the character).

The entire film felt like it was made to show the harsh landscape of living just out side the arctic circle. The story made no sense. What needed to be explained, wasn't explained. No one learns anything. There isn't a single character arc throughout. It's just plain boring, with the exception of a single five minute scene.

My Rating: 5/10

Adult Beginners (2014)

Directed by Ross Katz
Written by Jeff Cox and Liz Flahive, based on the story by Nick Kroll
Starring Nick Kroll, Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale and Joel McHale

A young, narcissistic entrepreneur crashes and burns on the eve of his company's big launch. With his entire life in total disarray, he leaves Manhattan to move in with his estranged pregnant sister, brother-in-law and 3-year-old nephew in the suburbs - only to become their nanny.

The ambition of Nick Kroll in his first starring roll is well placed with this film. In a performance with more layers than I thought he was capable of displaying, this is a refreshing change of pace from his hilarious but over the top skit show. His dry line delivery worked for his character and made for some big laughs on my part, but it is definitely a humor that not everyone will enjoy.

Tragedy is the foundation for the laughter in this film. But it is also the base of the heart as well. There are so many elements of this story that are easy to connect with and throughout the movie I saw myself and my sister in Nick Kroll and Rose Byrne.

I can totally get behind the lesson of the importance of family in this movie. It is something that I learned very early on and see so many people struggle with every day. While it might not be a perfect movie, it certainly has it's charm. It's definitely worth checking out.

My Rating: 7/10

Movie Trailer Tuesdays - 3/24/15

Welcome back to Movie Trailer Tuesdays! This week, we bring back memories of trying to get the high score at the arcade so you could make your initials "A-S-S", I talk about my confusion of the story choice for the third installment of "Insidious", and we look at just how ridiculous "Mission: Impossible 5" looks. Here we go!

Pixels

Directed by Chris Columbus

Starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Peter Dinklage and Josh Gad

When aliens misinterpret video feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war, they attack Earth in the form of video games…

I'd be lying if I didn't say I think this looks awesome. It looks utterly ridiculous and filled with nostalgia. There is a 95% that this will be terrible, but screw it. I'll get excited for this one! I haven't been disappointed by a movie in a long time and I'm over due for one. "Pixels" hits theaters July 24th.

Man Up

Directed by Ben Palmer

Starring Lake Bell, Simon Pegg, Olivia Williams and Rory Kinnear

A woman who is mistaken for a stranger's blind date, goes along with the misunderstanding thinking it'd be harmless. But she finds herself caught up in the perfect relationship based on a lie.

If Simon Pegg made a movie in which he painted a room white with three coats over the span of an hour and a half, I would see it. He probably brings the most humanity to his style of comedy out of any actor I'm familiar with. So, I would see this for him alone. Lake Bell is just a plus. Even if she is doing a weird British accent (weird for her at least). "Man Up" will be at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 19th. No release date has been set for the U.S.

Insidious: Chapter 3

Directed by Leigh Whannell

Starring Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott, Angus Sampson and Leigh Whannell

A prequel set before the haunting go the Lambet family that reveals how gifted psychic, Elise Rainier, reluctantly agrees to use her ability to contact the dead, in order to help a teenage girl who has been targeted by a dangerous supernatural entity.

This looks cool and all, but what happened to the family at the end of the second one? Where Specs and Tucker visit that hispanic family, and Elise Rainier (as a ghost) sees something in the shadows of the corner? That is what really intrigued me about a third installation. But now, they;re going back to before the first movie? I wanted the story they teased at the end of the last one. Oh, well… Maybe that'll be Chapter 4. "Insidious: Chapter 3" hits theaters June 5th.

Broken Horses

Directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra

Starring Anton Yelchin, Chris Marquette, Vincent D'Onofrio and María Valverde

The bonds of Brotherhood, the laws of loyalty, and the futility of violence in the shadows of the US-Mexico border gang wars.

This definitely looks intriguing, but I can't say I'm impressed with the trailer. It doesn't help that it opens with James Cameron telling us to go see the movie. and I also feel it tells too much. But who knows. Perhaps this is just the tip of the iceberg. "Broken Horses" hits theaters April 10th.

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation

Directed by Christopher McQuarrie

Starring Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg and Alec Baldwin

Ethan and team take on their most impossible mission yet, eradicating the Syndicate - an International rogue organization as highly skilled as they are, committed to destroying IMF.

"Hey! I have an idea for a 'Mission: Impossible 5'"

"We can't make another, Tom! How are we gonna top having you swing from a rope on the Burj Khalifa? It's the tallest building in the world!"

"Well, what if I and holding onto a plane… while it's flying!"

That's how I imagine the pre-production meeting for this movie went. And I'm not mad. This movie looks fun as hell and I am looking forward to seeing it. "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation" hits theaters July 31st.

Thanks for checking out this weeks trailers. Be sure to come back next week when we'll have more. In the mean time, check out some of my reviews. You might find a movie you have never heard of before.