Among the new movies that were released Friday, June 6 are a psychological thriller starring Mark Strong and Taissa Farmiga, a sci-fi actioner starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt and a romantic dramedy starring Clive Owen and Juliette Binoche.
‘Anna’
Mark Strong plays a man with the ability to enter peoples’ memories who takes on the case of a brilliant, troubled 16-year-old girl (Taissa Farmiga) to determine whether she is a sociopath or a victim of trauma. (R – 98 minutes)
It is hard to keep viewers engaged in a movie that takes place primarily within the mind. “Anna” struggles with that task every step of the way, coming across as dull and lifeless while also failing to muster up much originality with its psychological story – the concluding twist of which can be seen coming from about 90 minutes away. Stars Mark Strong and Taissa Farmiga turn in solid albeit subdued performances and the plot points are occasionally compelling but the overall product lacks the necessary energy to keep us on the edge of our seats. (Thumbs Down!)
Tom Cruise plays a soldier fighting in a war with aliens who finds himself caught in a time loop of his last day in the battle, though he becomes better skilled along the way. Emily Blunt also stars. (PG-13 – 113 minutes)
There is no denying that “Edge of Tomorrow” has some spectacular special effects and operates on a slightly higher wavelength than most summer blockbusters. Moreover, its first act is ridiculously compelling. Unfortunately, its final act drops the “compelling” quality and is instead just plain ridiculous – not to mention disappointingly conventional considering the creativity with which the new futuristic flick starts off. Another admirable trait that slowly but surely disappears over the course of its runtime is a sense of humor – which is not only much needed during the “Transformers”-esque finale but also kind of expected anytime Tom Cruise is involved. (Thumbs Down!)
‘Filth’
James McAvoy plays a corrupt cop who manipulates and hallucinates his way through a bid to secure a promotion and win back his wife and daughter. (R – 97 minutes)
Witnessing human debauchery on film can be quite amusing – as movies like “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “The Hangover” and even “Jackass” have so hilariously demonstrated. And “Filth” has – as its title warns – more than its fair share of human debauchery. However, what writer/director Jon S. Baird forgets to do is make any of it even remotely funny therefore the new crime comedy does little more than leave a bad taste in your mouth. A decent starting place would be a protagonist who is at least a little bit likeable and a plot that feels less like someone is just flinging feces around. (Thumbs Down!)
Juliette Binoche and Clive Owen play an art instructor and an English teacher, respectively, who form a rivalry that ends up with a competition at their school in which students decide whether words or pictures are more important. (PG-13 – 111 minutes)
While the romantic relationship that “Words and Pictures” tries to paint between its two leads – Juliette Binoche and Clive Owen – is never quite believable, the way that the characters impact one another is genuinely affecting. The new romantic dramedy demonstrates how human interaction improves our lives and that relationships of any and all types are essential to our own advancement. The debate that is at the core of the motion picture’s plot also takes on a life of its own as viewers ponder the value of the written word versus that of visual art. (Thumbs Up!)
Director Fred Schepisi recently spoke with “Breakthrough Entertainment” about his new romantic dramedy “Words and Pictures.”
In “Words and Pictures,” which opens Friday, June 6, Juliette Binoche and Clive Owen play an art instructor and an English teacher, respectively, who form a rivalry that ends up with a competition at their school in which students decide whether words or pictures are more important.
Listen to “Breakthrough Entertainment’s” full interview with Schepisi by clicking HERE. The following is an excerpt from the interview in which the director discusses the movie’s stars and message.
“[Juliette Binoche and Clive Owen] were fantastic. First of all, they have always wanted to work together. Secondly, when I put them together, you could see that they had great respect for one another, a great rapport and a very similar sense of humor. So I knew that that was going to be fantastic as a pairing.
“I knew that Juliette painted a little bit but I did not know the depths of her talent and experience. Boy was I happy to find that out because it meant we did not have to fake it. And it was clear that she was prepared to go on the journey as a painter – pretty much the same journey – for different reasons – that her character had to do to go from portraiture to abstract.
“And Clive is a classically trained actor from the [Royal Academy of Dramatic Art] in London. He has got a love for language and he just jumped at this because of that – and because of how well [Gerald Di Pego] wrote the script, how smart the rhythm of the language was and the humor. He got that immediately so that made my job a lot easier, let me tell you.
“[The movie’s message is that] everybody has got a dream in life or expectations of themselves. But at a certain point, they have to kind of realize that they are either not capable of it physically or mentally; that they need to kind of work out where they are and find a way to move forward. Often they are really good at something that they do not expect to be good at – and that is worth just as much as whatever their dream was.” – Fred Schepisi
In the spring of 1960, while a movie called Oceans 11 was being made in Las Vegas, some of the stars of the movie decided to perform at the Sands hotel delighting sold out crowds with their songs, humor, interaction with the audience and their star attraction. Elvis might have been called the King, however Frank Sinatra, known as the chairman of the board, combined his talents with Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joey Bishop to form what will be forever known as the “Rat Pack.”
Entering the show room before the show started and sitting about 20 feet from the stage, I comfortably enjoyed watching 8 to 10 big screen TV’s on the left and right sides of the stage, giving trivia questions, information on the Rat Pack and film clips of performances from the past. As the show started, I gently closed my eyes, going deeper into my memories while I listened to the great songs of the past, performed by some of the greatest entertainers of yesteryear, I could have sworn that “The Rat Pack” was back. Opening my eyes to match the perfect, distinct and wonderful sounds to the images of the performers on stage continued to amaze me. The physical images, mannerism, delivery of their jokes, the style of their songs and the crowd pleasing interaction among these great performers kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the show.
Frank Sinatra, started the show with Luck be a Lady. His style, grace, mannerism and voice had the audience going back to the days of Ol’ Blue Eyes. Singing performances by Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. helped the crowd down memory lane with such great songs as “That’s Amore,” “Volare,” “You’re nobody Till Somebody Loves you,” “Candy Man,” “Mr. Bojangles,” “Hey There” among others. Frank Sinatra sang classics such as “I’m going to Live Until I Die,” “Summer tWind,” “Fly me to the Moon,” “New York, New York” and many more.
Joey Bishop was very funny telling jokes in the same style and mannerism as the original. An appearance by Marilyn Monroe interacting with guests in the audience made the whole show “The Total Package” of great entertainment as some of the greatest entertainers of all time were honored by the cast of “The Rat Pack is Back.”
I wanted to give a special shout out to Drew Anthony who played Dean Martin. I really could not tell the difference between Drew and Dean. How he looked, sounded, moved, facial expressions, intonation and mannerism was shockingly identical. Dean Martin is my favorite singer of all time which made this show even more spectacular. Yet, the entire cast was terrific. A big shout out to Brian Duprey who played Frank Sinatra, Kenny Jones who played Sammy Davis Jr. and Mickey Joseph who played Joey Bishop.
Some entertainers were meant to be legends. Some come and go. Yet, the Rat Pack is Back is an experience that reflects a one of a kind entertainment that will transcend time and go down in history as truly a tribute to the greatest entertainers of all time. Whether you are young or old, great talent lives through “The Rat Pack is Back.”
The Rat Pack is Back is now playing at the Rio, Las Vegas.
Writer/director Jim Mickle recently spoke with “Breakthrough Entertainment” about his new dramatic thriller “Cold in July.” In “Cold in July,” which opens Friday, May 30, Michael C. Hall plays a Texan who, Initially hailed as a hero for fatally shooting a low-life burglar who broke into his house, begins to fear for his family’s safety when the victim’s ex-con father (Sam Shepard) turns up in town making some not-so-veiled threats. Listen to “Breakthrough Entertainment’s” full interview with Mickle by clicking HERE. The following is an excerpt from the interview in which the writer/director discusses how his characters are created. “I used to draw storyboards and … when I think of things I think of them in black and white. So when I think of characters I sort of think of very fuzzy shapes or sometimes even just silhouettes. I am never able to look at characters and think, ‘This is McConaughey and this is so-and-so.’ I would love to be able to do that. It would make it much more easy to talk about casts with producers and stuff. “But the most beautiful thing in the world is once actors start trying clothes on. It is one of the most exciting portions of making a movie. Our costume designer Liz Vastola had a blast on this. Michael [C. Hall] had just gotten there … and we were both just sort of trying to figure out what his character was going to be. Then he started putting on these pants and these short-sleeved button-down shirts and all of the sudden that little fuzzy image in my mind solidified. “[Michael] is one of the really great actors who is able to sink into characters. When you look at the character he played on ‘Six Feet Under,’ it took a long time to accept him as Dexter. And once I had accepted him as Dexter, it was hard to accept him as anything else. Everytime he plays somebody he is able to dissolve into what that is. “That is not something you see very often. So many actors just play different versions of themselves. He was the one who suggested, ‘Hey, maybe I’ve got a mullet.’ He came in with a little bit of facial hair already and he shaved that mustache and took good care of it. It is a very cool process to see somebody not afraid to dissolve into [a character].” – Jim Mickle
Among the new movies that were released Friday, May 30 are a thriller starring Michael C. Hall, a fresh take on a Disney classic and a comedy set in the Old West.
Michael C. Hall plays a Texan who, initially hailed as a hero for fatally shooting a low-life burglar who broke into his house, begins to fear for his family’s safety when the victim’s ex-con father (Sam Shepard) turns up in town making some not-so-veiled threats. (NR – 109 minutes)
The first 30 minutes of “Cold in July” is exceptionally gripping, fusing the home invasion and revenge genres into one compelling concoction. However, just when things are at their utmost intensity, a wrench is thrown into the tale and the story suddenly shifts into a completely different direction. Although this narrative 180 is interesting in theory and the movie’s mood digs its way under your skin, it feels somewhat forced in that one may find it hard to believe that these characters – particularly the one that Michael C. Hall so excellently portrays – would go along for the risky ride. (Thumbs Down!)
Marion Cotillard plays an immigrant who falls prey to a charming but wicked man (Joaquin Phoenix) who takes her in and forces her into prostitution. The arrival of a dashing stage magician (Jeremy Renner) restores her self-belief and hopes for a brighter future while becoming her only chance to escape the nightmare in which she finds herself. (R – 120 minutes)
Period dramas tend to walk a very fine line between Academy Award-worthy fare and stagey melodrama. “The Immigrant” falls on the latter side of that line barely even one-quarter of the way into its 2-hour runtime. Granted, everything looks beautiful (though pales in comparison to last year’s “The Great Gatsby”) and its cast is incredible (boasting the likes of Marion Cotillard, Joaquin Phoenix and Jeremy Renner) but its story is dull and depressing while its characters are wooden stereotypes that we have seen countless times before in better movies. (Thumbs Down!)
Pierce Brosnan and Emma Thompson play a divorced couple who, after their pension is stolen by an unscrupulous businessman, reunite to steal it back. (PG-13 – 95 minutes)
“The Love Punch” is just one “Benny Hill” theme away from absolute absurdity. The new comedic caper is occasionally kind of charming thanks to its charismatic cast but it is much more often outrageous and outlandish as its characters trip over one another (and themselves) yet still manage to save the day while rekindling their relationship. It is so constantly kooky that it is cringe-inducing – a quality that is amplified by the fact that stars Pierce Brosnan and Emma Thompson deserve a whole lot better than this incessant silliness. (Thumbs Down!)
Angelina Jolie plays a vindictive fairy who is driven to curse a princess (Elle Fanning) only to realize the child may be the only one who can restore peace. (PG – 97 minutes)
Angelina Jolie’s take on “Sleeping Beauty’s” nefarious villain is every bit as epic as Dustin Hoffman’s turn as the title character in “Hook” or when Glenn Close brought Cruella de Vil to life in “101 Dalmatians.” However, as a movie, “Maleficent” is far less magnificent. The story – told from the perspective of the title antihero – is too thin and seemingly exists solely as a means to evolve the ending into a “Frozen”-esque message about girl-power (which may not sit so well with purists). Moreover, the entire experience is a bit bizarre. (Thumbs Down!)
‘A Million Ways to Die in the West’
Seth MacFarlane plays a cowardly farmer who begins to fall for the mysterious new woman in town (Charlize Theron) and must put his new-found courage to the test when her husband – a notorious gunslinger (Liam Neeson) – announces his arrival. (R – 116 minutes)
Watching “A Million Ways to Die in the West” is like spending a couple of hours in the best gosh-darn Western-themed amusement park this side of the Mississippi. That is to say that writer/director (and now star) Seth MacFarlane’s new comedy may be one of the most fun experiences you have in a movie theater this summer as it slays you with nonstop hilarity. Granted, MacFarlane aims his pistol pretty low but he hits his target every time, succeeding at making not only an uproarious laugh-fest but also a competent – albeit contemporarily spoken – Western as well. (Thumbs Up!)
Emma Roberts plays a young woman who is torn between an illicit flirtation with her soccer coach (James Franco) and an unrequited crush on a sweet stoner (Jack Kilmer). (R – 98 minutes)
“Palo Alto” plays out in such a way that suggests James Franco – who not only appears in the new drama but also wrote the collection of stories on which this motion picture was based – aspired to accommodate just about every annoyingly trivial reason a teenager could possibly have for feeling as though their life is one big ball of suffering. Writer/director Gia Coppola’s vision is competent if not derivative but the complete lack of focus and frivolous nature of it all make for one exceptionally boring exercise in ensemble insanity. (Thumbs Down!)
In an age where high tech substitutes for talent, flashy visual effects serve as a distraction and large stage productions separates the audience from the performer, there is one man in the world of “Magic” that performs on pure talent. His name is David Copperfield. Yes, there are props he uses, such as clear beach type balls, styrofoam material, steel look a-like balls, frisbees, etc. that were thrown into the audience which instantly made them feel part of the show. Yet despite the changes in technology/society, David Copperfield is still the greatest Magician and Illusionist in the world.
David’s use of the showroom as a stage was simply magical. Where most magicians will use the stage as their area where “Magic” is done, David will bring the stage to the audience and perform such feats as having someone disappear right in front of you, watching paper float so gracefully in the air, and witnessing an empty box become filled with a surprise that delighted the audience.
Because David’s use of the showroom as a stage had the effect of not only having the audience feel like they were part of the show, there were enough surprises that created the impact of the audience feeling like they were in the show.
David’s use of humor was the perfect icing on the cake. His sense of timing and improvisation along with his quick wit and timely non-verbal communication was fully integrated not as a supplement to the magic but was completely part of the entertainment. The only time the laughter stopped was when you heard the audience collectively say OOH, AAHH, OMG from the wonderment of how a certain magic trick was possible. There was no time to catch your breath when the humor started coming again. There were parts where the show cleverly implemented “Saturday Night Live” type skits to enhance the experience and create a different take on how magic works.
The show not only had magic and humor interwoven throughout the show, there were sub themes with touching moments with respect to David’s parents and particularly his father. David’s sensitivity and compassion was certainly present which added a more meaningful experience by not only seeing David as a great performer, but also a great person.
The finale was truly one of the most amazing feats of magic I have even seen. I was sitting in the front row up against the stage, literally 6 feet from where the grand finale took place. Without spoiling this most amazing “Magical” event, all I can say is I was highly focused on what I knew was going to happen, and I still could not even begin to figure out how the result came about except that great Magicians do exceptional Magic and David Copperfield is exceptional.
David Copperfield can be seen at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas.
Writer/director Gia Coppola recently spoke with “Breakthrough Entertainment” about her new drama “Palo Alto.”
In “Palo Alto,” which opens Friday, May 23, Emma Roberts plays a young woman who is torn between an illicit flirtation with her soccer coach (James Franco) and an unrequited crush on a sweet stoner (Jack Kilmer).
Listen to “Breakthrough Entertainment’s” full interview with Coppola by clicking HERE. The following is an excerpt from the interview in which the writer/director discusses her motivations for the movie.
“[James Franco and I] got introduced at a party by my mom. I had just finished college as a photography major. I sent him my photographs and we wanted to work together in some way. He said that he had this idea of making his book into a feature film and he thought that it would be a good fit [for me]. I really loved his book when I read it and was excited by the opportunity because filmmaking felt like an extension of photography.
“What originally drew me to these stories was that they felt very realistic. The depictions of the emotions of that age was really raw and realistic and the dialogue was really spot-on. I had just finished college so I had enough of a separation to understand my awkward teenage years a little bit better whereas at the time it just felt really painful.
“In order for me to understand the characters and be helpful to my actors, I really had to dig deep within myself to figure out why the characters were acting the way they were. I feel like we are all human beings and we are all very complex. Nothing is black and white so I tried to portray people that way.
“There are definitely some dark stories in [James Franco’s] book. I didn’t necessarily experience some of those issues myself but I knew that that stuff was going on. I felt like my job as a creative person was to find a way to make that work within my comfort zone because these are important stories to tell. I hope that when people watch this movie they can connect to the emotions and maybe feel less alone.” – Gia Coppola
Writer/director Joel Hopkins recently spoke with “Breakthrough Entertainment” about his new comedy “The Love Punch.”
In “The Love Punch,” which opens Friday, May 23, Pierce Brosnan and Emma Thompson play a divorced couple who, after their pension is stolen by an unscrupulous businessman, reunite to steal it back.
Listen to “Breakthrough Entertainment’s” full interview with Hopkins by clicking HERE. The following is an excerpt from the interview in which the writer/director discusses his motivations for the movie.
“[‘The Love Punch’] is about two people who were once in love and for whatever reason fell out of love. Through an unfortunate thing that happens to them – their pension is stolen in a business scam – they have to team up to go after what is rightfully theirs. In the process, they start to feel things for each other again. That is the romantic side of it.
“It is that sort of idea of can you fall back in love with someone, which is a nice idea. [My previous film] ‘Last Chance Harvey’ was about falling in love with someone late in life. This is about falling back in love with someone. This is about second chances instead of last chances. But people should know – especially if they have seen ‘Last Chance Harvey’ – that this is definitely a lot more goofy. I really want people to embrace the goof.
“I feel a lot more vulnerable after [‘The Love Punch’] than I did after [‘Last Chance Harvey’]. I don’t know why because this is a joyful comedy yet I feel a lot more sensitive after it. But [the ultimate takeaway for me personally is to] just keep at it. Keep going and just keep trying to work. I very quickly get lose momentum because I write my own scripts and it takes a lot for me to get back on the writing treadmill. So just keep going and keep at it. That is my takeaway. It ain’t over.” – Joel Hopkins
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Actor Dan Fogler recently spoke with “Breakthrough Entertainment” about his new comedy “Don Peyote,” which he also wrote and directed.
In “Don Peyote,” which opens Friday, May 16, Fogler plays an unemployed stoner who suffers a midlife crisis over his upcoming wedding. Fueled by vivid apocalyptic dreams, he becomes obsessed with Doomsday theories and decides to make a documentary on the subject while his fiancé is busy planning their wedding.
Listen to “Breakthrough Entertainment’s” full interview with Fogler by clicking HERE. The following is an excerpt from the interview in which the writer/director/actor discusses his motivations for the movie.
“[‘Don Peyote’] came from a lot of my life experience; just where I was at the time when I was making the movie. I was about to get married and I was kind of stressing out about the future. I think a lot of people were and I wanted to capture that energy in a movie. I had this story that I wanted to tell that was kind of like a modern street-prophet’s journey. I thought that it would be interesting if you had a regular Joe Schmoe bump into a guy with an ‘End is Near’ sign and he’s like, ‘What does that mean? Is the end coming?’
“He starts collecting all of these interviews from wise men and tries to make a documentary about it while trying to get to the bottom of a lot of his questions. He learns that maybe the world is not ending but maybe it is just a change of consciousness. Then he goes down that rabbit hole and even though everyone is telling him, ‘Don’t worry,’ he still worries and gets so swept up in the fear of not knowing what is coming that he loses his mind.
“The message that you can take away from it is that we are actually much more powerful than we realize as individuals and as a whole species and that happiness is literally our choice in the moment. I think that a lot of people are scared and worried. But just like in ‘Star Wars,’ that leads to the dark side of the force. If you do not worry, then you can stay on the lighter side and really affect things for the better. Because if you worry about it, then you just add to the chaos.” – Dan Fogler
Among the new movies that were released Friday, May 16 are a drama starring the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, an update on a 60-year-old monster movie franchise and a new entry in the Disney sports movie canon.
Dan Fogler plays an unemployed stoner who suffers a midlife crisis over his upcoming wedding. Fueled by vivid apocalyptic dreams, he becomes obsessed with Doomsday theories and decides to make a documentary on the subject while his fiancé is busy planning their wedding. (NR – 98 minutes)
Say what you will about those folks who parade the streets with signs warning us that the end is nigh but they may actually know what they are talking about. After all, what other logical explanation than an approaching apocalypse is there for Anne Hathaway, Jay Baruchel, Josh Duhamel and Topher Grace agreeing to appear in “Don Peyote?” The new drug-trip comedy – which was written/directed by star/narrator Dan Fogler – looks more like an amateurish home video than a legitimate feature film. It is nothing more than an annoying exercise in self-indulgence – asininity at its absolute worst. (Thumbs Down!)
Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a man whose stepson is killed in a construction “accident.” When a local columnist comes sniffing around for the truth, things go from bad to worse and he finds himself stuck in a life-and-death struggle compounded by a body he can’t bury, a wife he can’t please and a debt he can’t pay. (NR – 88 minutes)
One may wish that “God’s Pocket” – exhibiting one of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s final performances – was a remarkable motion picture so that the late actor could have at least left this earth on a high note. Unfortunately, that is not even close to the case thanks to a story that is too meager to sustain even a modest runtime and an excessively inconsistent tone. Granted, writer/director John Slattery captures this peculiar community quite vividly but you never feel like more than a mere observer. Meanwhile, the movie never makes it clear as to whether we should pity these characters or find amusement in their ineptitude. (Thumbs Down!)
‘Godzilla’
The world’s most famous monster is pitted against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity’s scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence. (PG-13 – 123 minutes)
“Godzilla” is the penultimate summer blockbuster – once its characters finally stop their incessant yammering. That is to say that the new monster movie – an update on the now 60-year-old franchise – delivers a thrilling time at the movie theater throughout its 30-minute grand finale during which very little dialogue is spoken as its story is relayed via visually spectacular action sequences and expressive performances. However, it is a somewhat tedious journey to that point in the motion picture as the film’s human characters loquaciously speculate the impending state of emergency. (Thumbs Up!)
John Hamm plays a sports agent who stages an unconventional recruitment strategy to get talented Indian cricket players to play Major League Baseball. (PG – 100 minutes)
“Million Dollar Arm” is a spectacularly solid entry in Disney’s sports movie canon – one with remarkably wide appeal thanks primarily to its focus being more on the heart of its incredibly inspirational story than on the sport. Moreover, it takes a look at a tale that can be told in such a way that does not follow the genre’s often all-too-predictable path while also treating us to a brief-yet-beautiful vacation in India before bringing us back to the United States where its fish-out-of-water chronicle can have an impact that is as amusing as it is charming. Consider it a crowd-pleasing home run – or whatever the cricket equivalent of that is. (Thumbs Up!)
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Actor Patrick Sabongui recently spoke with “Breakthrough Entertainment” about his role in the new actioner “Godzilla.”
In “Godzilla,” which opens Friday, May 16, the world’s most famous monster is pitted against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity’s scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence.
Listen to “Breakthrough Entertainment’s” full interview with Sabongui by clicking HERE. The following is an excerpt from the interview in which the actor discusses his appreciation for this project.
“From the minute that I was invited to audition for it I was just giddy. I mean, it is ‘Godzilla!’ I don’t know if there are any other characters in history that are that iconic. So the excitement never wore off. You roll onto set and everybody is acutely aware of what we are doing – we are working on ‘Godzilla’ – and that kind of makes everything OK.
“You are instantly part of history regardless of how it does at the box office or what the critics say or how people feel about it. You are part of history if you are working on a ‘Godzilla’ film so there is that energy and that atmosphere that is created around the whole experience.
“One of my earliest memories was my family gathering around the TV – which had horrible resolution back in the day – and my parents were going to let us all stay up late to watch ‘Godzilla.’
“I remember having this thought that, ‘This is awesome!’ I remember seeing people running around screaming and thinking, ‘Those are actors and they are telling a story. And the fact that they are telling a story is getting my parents to let me stay up late! We are all united together in the living room to watch this thing!’
“And I remember thinking, ‘I want to be part of that! I want to be part of creating these stories for people that are going to make that magic!’ So being a part of that is kind of a dream come true.” – Patrick Sabongui
Among the new movies that were released Friday, May 9 are a comedy about parenting just in the knick of time for Mother’s Day, a comedy in which Seth Rogen and Zac Efron play feuding neighbors and a found-footage comedy about one wild wedding.
Sarah Drew plays one of several moms who entrust their children to their husbands for a few hours so that they can have a much-deserved grown-up evening of dinner and conversation only to discover that everything goes horribly wrong as a result. (PG – 98 minutes)
“Moms’ Night Out” may be the most entertaining faith-based flick you will ever see, drawing viewers in with a lot of laughs while dispensing a very admirable message about how one does not need to be a perfect parent in order to be a remarkable role model. Best of all, save for a single scene near the end where all of the religious weight is concentrated, the majority of the new movie is much more interested in affording audiences of all ages a rollickingly fun time than preaching to them and instead allows the significance of this side-splitting story to be brought out organically. (Breakthrough!)
Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne play a couple with a newborn baby who face unexpected difficulties after they are forced to live next to a fraternity house. Zac Efron also stars. (R – 96 minutes)
“Neighbors” is like a friend who does not have very good judgement as to how far he or she can take a joke. Most of the time, the new comedy hits its target and extracts uproarious laughter from its audience. However, occasionally, it goes way too far and does something that will make most moviegoers roll their eyes and others feel compelled to walk out. Fortunately, though, if you can survive a little stupidity here and there and are unopposed to its smutty sense of humor, stars Seth Rogen and Zac Efron will haze you with hilarity. (Thumbs Up!)
Tom Hiddleston plays a depressed musician who reunites with his lover (Tilda Swinton). However, their romance – which has already endured several centuries – is disrupted by the arrival of her uncontrollable younger sister (Mia Wasikowska). (R – 123 minutes)
You know that there is a problem with your motion picture when the appearance of a character who is supposed to come off as unwelcome is actually the only thing that pumps a little life into it. Independent filmmaker Jim Jarmusch may have wanted “Only Lovers Left Alive” to be his artistic answer to the “Twilight” phenomenon but it is really just a cinematic sleeping pill. The romantic drama’s sloth-like story contains little more than stars Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton sipping blood as the plot progresses to a very unimpressive conclusion. (Thumbs Down!)
Lucy Punch and Robert Webb play a newly married couple whose best man (Rufus Hound) decides to capture their wedding on video and present them with it as a gift. (NR – 94 minutes)
“The Wedding Video” could have been a laugh riot had it remained relatively plotless and focused on the quirky characters that come together from separate families when two people take one another’s hands in holy matrimony rather than simply being your typical romantic comedy fashioned as a found-footage flick. Aside from cliched predictability, the handheld/homegrown concept is not even fully realized as the best man’s first-hand point-of-view is eventually replaced with your run-of-the-mill omnipresent production. And the unearned happily-ever-after ending is silly even by the low standards set by the cheesiest of rom-coms. (Thumbs Down!)
Actor Sean Astin recently spoke with “Breakthrough Entertainment” about his role in the new comedy “Moms’ Night Out.”
In “Moms’ Night Out,” which opens Friday, May 9, Sarah Drew plays one of several moms who entrust their children to their husbands for a few hours so that they can have a much-deserved grown-up evening of dinner and conversation only to discover that everything goes horribly wrong as a result.
Listen to “Breakthrough Entertainment’s” full interview with Astin by clicking HERE. The following is an excerpt from the interview in which the actor discusses what he hopes that moviegoers take away from “Moms’ Night Out.”
“I am sort of playing a character much like myself – a husband and a father of several children – somebody who is working hard and trying to do the right thing in the world who finds himself sometimes a little bit out of ammo in how to be a great husband and how to be a great father. He has to both lean on his wife and try his best to support her.
“With this film, I didn’t draw from my own life – it was my own life. The big difference is that the character in the movie is maybe a little bit better than I am. He doesn’t hesitate to be supportive when he is supposed to whereas I think I wouldn’t get as good a grade. While watching this film, my kids and my wife are going to think, ‘How is it that when you are on the screen you know exactly what to do and when you are here with us you still have… let’s say, room for improvement?’
“I think that there is an absolute invaluable takeaway for me from my character. What it does is just remind me to really try and be supportive of my spouse; to be there, to be present and to be the best that I can be for my family. I don’t know that it taught me anything new – but it is certainly a reminder of the importance of that.” – Sean Astin
Writer Roger Stanton Baum recently spoke with “Breakthrough Entertainment” about “Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return,” the new animated adventure based on his book “Dorothy of Oz.”
In “Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return,” which opens Friday, May 9, Lea Michele voices Dorothy who wakes up in post-tornado Kansas, only to be whisked back to Oz to try to save her old friends the Scarecrow (Dan Aykroyd), the Lion (Jim Belushi), the Tin Man (Kelsey Grammer) and Glinda (Bernadette Peters) from a devious new villain – the Jester (Martin Short).
Listen to “Breakthrough Entertainment’s” full interview with Baum by clicking HERE. The following is an excerpt from the interview in which the writer discusses what he hopes that moviegoers take away from “Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return.”
“It occurred to me that you want to write [an ‘Oz’ book] that is not going to insult the millions of ‘Oz’ fans out there. You want to make it ‘Oz-y.’ So I just hope that it follows the regular themes of ‘Oz.’ You have Dorothy – who is really one of the very first women leaders – alongside the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Lion. Even Toto is in there. I use them and then I have some new characters, too, and they all go down the yellow brick road.
“What they get out of it is adventure, love, understanding, hope and wholesomeness. If I were to use one word I suppose that would be it. It is a wholesome story that is nonviolent. My great granddad [L. Frank Baum] believed in ‘Oz’ not having anything that would scare a child. I try to follow that line of thinking – no violence; only heart, wisdom and courage – and that wholesome feeling that goes along with all of that.
“Even though the original book is called ‘Dorothy of Oz,’ the movie itself is called ‘Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return.’ That is an indication that [Clarius Entertainment] wants to do more ‘Oz’ adventures based on my books. They wanted to make it a lead-in to an overall title so it will fit other books and not be so character specific. I am very pleased with the whole production crew.” – Roger Stanton Baum
Director Nigel Cole recently spoke with “Breakthrough Entertainment” about his new comedy “The Wedding Video.”
In “The Wedding Video,” which opens Friday, May 9, Lucy Punch and Robert Webb play a newly married couple whose best man (Rufus Hound) decides to capture their wedding on video and present them with it as a gift.
Listen to “Breakthrough Entertainment’s” full interview with Cole by clicking HERE. The following is an excerpt from the interview in which the director discusses his motivations for the movie.
“[The movie operates on] the whole issue of, ‘Whose wedding is this?’ We have got a very domineering mother of the bride and she carries about like it is her wedding. She is out to impress her friends and relatives with creating the biggest wedding that anyone around her has ever seen.
“The groom thinks that it is all about him, the bride thinks that it is all about her and the best man thinks that it is all about him. It should be for the happy couple but it very rarely is. So, yeah, there is a little stress and a lot of pressure and that brings stuff out.
“What I like to do is make people laugh and just when they are least expecting it make them cry. This movie does that and it does that really well. I think that there is a real sucker-punch toward the end that tends to make audiences wipe a tear from their eye.
“You can see all of the men in the audience sort of trying to do it subtly so that no one else notices and all of the women weeping openly. But before that and along the way it is really just a very funny film. And I think that it feels different. I am not sure that it feels like any film that you have seen before – at least not like any comedy that you have seen before.” – Nigel Cole
Writer/director Karl Mueller recently spoke with “Breakthrough Entertainment” about his new thriller “Mr. Jones.”
In “Mr. Jones,” which will be available beginning Tuesday, May 6 on Blu-ray and DVD, Jon Foster and Sarah Jones play a couple who move to a remote cabin only to discover that they are not alone. An infamously reclusive artist lives nearby and only comes out at night when he drags his strange, sinister sculptures deep into the woods.
Listen to “Breakthrough Entertainment’s” full interview with Mueller by clicking HERE. The following is an excerpt from the interview in which the writer/director discusses his motivations for the movie.
“I grew up in rural Minnesota and spent a lot of time around the lake and the woods. When you are a kid and you are kind of bored, you make up stories about people living around there. There is a fair share of hermits and shut-ins there that your childhood imagination makes more of than is probably going on there. So I always thought that was kind of fun.
“There is also this Tom Waits song called ‘What is he Building in There?’ that is this very strange spoken word thing told from the perspective of a neighbor who has been keeping watch on this strange guy on his block for all these years. I have always been interested in these stories about being interested in your neighbors and what might be going on with them.
“I want people to go to this movie with an open mind. I am trying to do something a little different in the horror genre. It starts off as found-footage and it sort of morphs into something much weirder and hopefully sort of captures a little bit of the fabric of nightmares. That is something that we can all relate to and that we all experience – not every night but throughout our lives. That is the kind of thing that we are trying to explore in this movie. So just be open to that. And if you do that, it is a pretty fun little ride.” – Karl Mueller
Among the new movies that were released Friday, May 2 are a superhero sequel, a dramedy about a middle-aged male hustler and a dramatic thriller set within the confines of a car.
Andrew Garfield reprises his role as Peter Parker a.k.a. Spider-Man who must protect his fellow New Yorkers from the formidable villains that threaten the city – including Electro (Jamie Foxx), Rhino (Paul Giamatti) and Green Goblin (Dane DeHaan). (PG-13 – 142 minutes)
“The Amazing Spider-Man 2” is electrifying entertainment, ensuring that Spidey keeps the title of most spectacular superhero firmly in his web. The complicated romance between Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker and Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy is enough to sustain the story in and of itself while Dane DeHaan’s take on the Green Goblin is truly terrifying. Moreover, a scene in which Spider-Man faces off with Electro in the middle of a busy Times Square may be the most visually stunning thing you see on the big screen this summer. Unfortunately, though, director Marc Webb overdoes it with the computer-generated special effects during the grand finale, causing it to become a blur. (Thumbs Up!)
Cam Gigandet plays a suave ladies’ man who’s constant infidelities alienate each and every one of his girlfriends. After wishing he could say goodbye to his “little friend,” he awakes in horror to find that his wish has been granted and his manhood has taken human form (Nick Thune). (NR – 88 minutes)
“Bad Johnson’s” premise is so far-fetched that it is almost pure genius. I said almost. Unfortunately, it is impossible to get past the ludicrous idea of a man’s… well… manhood pulling a Pinocchio (no, I do not mean it like that so get your mind out of the gutter) and becoming a “real boy.” The new comedy is well aware of the preposterousness of its plot, even including a comment about how you “shouldn’t think about it too much.” Had star Cam Gigandet’s character’s “junk” just up and left, its message about the double-edged sword that is a man’s penis would have been brilliant. But giving said penis a mouth and mind of its own sucks any and all cleverness right out of the concept. (Thumbs Down!)
Macon Blair plays a mysterious outsider whose quiet life is turned upside down when he returns to his childhood home to carry out an act of vengeance. Proving himself an amateur assassin, he winds up in a brutal fight to protect his estranged family. (R – 90 minutes)
“Blue Ruin” is a spectacular showcase for star Macon Blair’s acting abilities. After all, his dynamic performance – which is mostly contained to facial expressions that say more than any line or dialogue ever could given this situation – is what propels this motion picture forward from its suspenseful start to its compulsory conclusion. Unfortunately, everything else about the new revenge thriller is unimpressive – particularly its predictability, its measured pace and its limited use of light. Revenge is a dish best served not only cold but also creatively, quickly and graphically. (Thumbs Down!)
Helen Hunt plays a geneticist who forges a friendship with a breast-cancer patient (Samantha Morton) while searching for the link between DNA and cancer. (R – 91 minutes)
“Decoding Annie Parker” is a flawed film but its inspirational intentions carry it through to ultimately being well worth a watch as it gives hope to those that need it most. The new drama’s stellar cast contributes to this small albeit acceptable victory despite its very unbalanced vibe in which we watch a pair of women fight breast cancer from two drastically different perspectives – one personal and dramatic and the other scientific and detached. Unfortunately, the two tales never merge as much as we are led believe they will and therefore the payoff is intellectually limited while still packing an emotional punch. (Thumbs Up!)
John Turturro plays a man who decides to become a professional Don Juan as a way of making money to help his cash-strapped friend (Woody Allen), who acts as his manager. (R – 98 minutes)
Seeing a senior citizen act as a pimp to a middle-aged male hustler should be funny, right? So long as it is treated as comedy it is. After all, it is all a little too ludicrous to be anything else. Unfortunately, writer/director John Turturro tries to make the material have a more mature meaning in “Fading Gigolo,” a film in which he also stars. Granted, the motion picture may appeal to fans of Woody Allen’s unique wit, as Turturro also tries to emulate his co-star’s cinematic style, but everyone else will likely become bored with the movie’s musings. (Thumbs Down!)
Hailee Steinfeld plays a wild teenage girl who orchestrates a romance between her nanny (Kristen Wiig) and her father (Guy Pearce), who is a recovering addict. (R – 102 minutes)
“Hateship Loveship” seems to only exist an an excuse for star Kristen Wiig to show off two things – her dramatic acting chops and her vacuuming abilities. Hopefully all the incessant cleaning that her character does during this movie left the set spotless because her performance leaves a lot to be desired – unless, of course, its purpose was to put people to sleep. It is not entirely Wiig’s fault, though, as nothing of any significance occurs over the course of this story about a bunch of sad-sacks whose interactions resemble zombies bumping into one another. (Thumbs Down!)
‘Locke’
Tom Hardy plays a successful construction manager whose life is drastically changed by a series of phone calls while he drives. (R – 85 minutes)
On paper, “Locke” sounds like a snoozefest: One man juggles personal and business phone calls while driving in his car. However, the execution of it proves that the concept is a genius means of portraying just one example of a situation that can easily be considered a crisis for the involved individuals. Writer/director Steven Knight’s approach may be a bit too artistic for some but it is engrossing nonetheless while star Tom Hardy’s dynamic performance, essentially contained to his unique delivery of this dialogue – which is modified for each person to whom he is speaking – is a spellbinding tour de force. (Breakthrough!)
Elizabeth Banks plays a resourceful reporter whose one-night stand with a handsome stranger (James Marsden) leaves her stranded the next morning in downtown Los Angeles without a phone, car, ID or money – and only 8 hours before the most important job interview of her career. (R – 95 minutes)
Sure “Walk of Shame” is silly, operating on a premise that could easily be resolved if even one of the comedy’s many characters were to communicate in a logical, real-life way. But what fun would that be and how ever would we have such a funny adventure during which a working woman tries to uphold her “good girl” image while walking home – through the Hood (well… more like Hood adjacent) – from a very uncharacteristic one-night stand. Star Elizabeth Banks is extremely entertaining to watch here as she navigates a yellow brick road-like journey of perpetual amusement. (Thumbs Up!)
Filmmakers Jennifer Baichwal and Nick de Pencier and photographer Edward Burtynsky weave together diverse stories from around the globe that detail humanity’s relationship with water through the ages – how we are drawn to it, how we use it and the magnitude of our need for this rapidly depleting resource. (PG – 100 minutes)
“Watermark” features some absolutely spectacular photography that essentially contrasts a world rich with water against one that is a dry and barren desert. The images are completely captivating and would make for a majestically moving piece in a magazine or book. However, pictures alone do not make a movie and while the alternative – a bunch of talking heads lecturing us about how much we rely on this resource and should not take its depletion for granted – would be boring, a balance between both extremes would make this motion picture as persuasive as it is poetic. (Thumbs Down!)
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Writer/director Steven Knight recently spoke with “Breakthrough Entertainment” about his new drama “Locke.”
In “Locke,” which opens Friday, May 2, Tom Hardy plays a successful construction manager whose life is drastically changed by a series of phone calls while he drives.
Listen to “Breakthrough Entertainment’s” full interview with Knight by clicking HERE. The following is an excerpt from the interview in which the writer/director discusses his motivations behind the movie.
“I think that film has traditionally chosen for its topics things that are conventionally dramatic; things that are going to make the papers – like murder, espionage and drug deals. In most people’s lives, the drama is more domestic – but it is no less important. In this story, something happens that, for the people involved, is the end the world. It is the end of the marriage. It is the end of a whole way of life for someone.
“As we all live our day-to-day lives, we have these dramas that are not considered to be worthy of going on the screen but my theory was that when people sit down in the theater … and look at the screen, if they see someone that they recognize – if they are looking in the mirror, facing a situation that they are familiar with – I think that can have a very profound effect on them.
“I chose someone like Ivan Locke because he is the most ordinary man in the world. His job is very ordinary. He is dealing with concrete, which is considered to be very boring. But I think what the film sort of suggests is that every life is a movie. Everybody is the hero of their film. Ivan behaves like a hero because he chooses to and because he decides to do the right thing in a very ordinary domestic situation.” – Steven Knight
Actor Macon Blair recently spoke with “Breakthrough Entertainment” about his role in the new revenge thriller “Blue Ruin.”
In “Blue Ruin,” which opens Friday, May 2, Blair plays a mysterious outsider whose quiet life is turned upside down when he returns to his childhood home to carry out an act of vengeance. Proving himself an amateur assassin, he winds up in a brutal fight to protect his estranged family.
Listen to “Breakthrough Entertainment’s” full interview with Blair by clicking HERE. The following is an excerpt from the interview in which the actor discusses what he hopes that moviegoers take away from “Blue Ruin.”
“Story-wise, I think that it is a cautionary tale about the nature of violence and how actions have consequences. It is definitely a tragedy about indulging in those kinds of violent impulses and how it is not going to end cleanly, well or in a ‘cool’ way.
“The whole idea that you can solve problems by lashing out violently was always something that I was kind of hesitant about with this story and that was one of the things that [writer/director Jeremy Saulnier] and I went round and round about. The notion that there are peaceful ways of dealing with problems was something that I came into it with and that is kind of what I came away from it with as well.
“But outside of just the world of the story, it is about a group of friends that really wanted this really badly and put everything they had on the line to try and make it happen. It would have been easier, safer and perhaps wiser to just stick with our day jobs … but there was something about us wanting to take one last stab at it.
“So we decided to do it that way and – very luckily – it paid off. It could have just as easily not gone that way. But it did what it did and now it is hopefully about trying to figure out a way to not squander that opportunity and to just proceed gratefully and try to build on it.” – Macon Blair
Among the new movies that were released Friday, April 25 are a crime dramedy about a convicted safe cracker, a comedic caper penned by Joel and Ethan Coen and a dramatic thriller that aims to throw viewers off-kilter.
Jude Law plays a notorious safe-cracker who, after spending 12 years in prison for keeping his mouth shut, is back on the streets of London looking to collect what he is owed. (R – 93 minutes)
“Dom Hemingway’s” every spoken line of dialogue is violent, profane and perverse but by God is it not also poetic. The new crime dramedy proves that writer/director Richard Shepard has a way with words. It also proves that when star Jude Law delivers said words, the result is a tour de force performance that will sear itself into your memory. Having said that, after a fantastic first half of nothing but non-stop outrageousness, the movie’s momentum comes to a screeching halt and, save for a brief safe-cracking scene, the story slowly rolls to its resolution. (Thumbs Up!)
‘Gambit’
Colin Firth plays an art curator who decides to seek revenge on his abusive boss (Alan Rickman) by conning him into buying a fake Monet. However his plan requires the help of an eccentric and unpredictable Texas rodeo queen (Cameron Diaz). (PG-13 – 89 minutes)
“Gambit” is middling at best, failing to arouse any excitement or enthusiasm from its viewers. Perhaps the new comedic caper, which is a remake of a 1960’s flick by the same title, would pass for entertainment if it had been released in the mid-90’s but the ho-hum humor is exceptionally disappointing given the level of talent involved both in front of and behind the camera. Stars Colin Firth, Cameron Diaz, Alan Rickman and Stanley Tucci turn in charmingly eccentric performances but you would never have guessed that this stock screenplay was penned by Joel and Ethan Coen. (Thumbs Down!)
‘Proxy’
Alexia Rasmussen plays a woman who, having suffered a miscarriage after being brutally attacked by a hooded assailant, finds consolation in a support group. However, friendship and understanding can be very dangerous things when accepted by the wrong people. (R – 120 minutes)
Props to “Proxy” for trying something different and completely unexpected but the new dramatic thriller is so twisted – or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that its characters are so twisted – that it is almost impossible to remain interested and invested in the tale that unfolds. What starts out as a slow trudge through sadness with a few glimmers of intrigue along the way takes a sharp turn at the halfway point and becomes something psychologically wicked. It would have worked if only its characters’ motivations were clearer and its story had not left so many loony loose ends. (Thumbs Down!)
Colin Firth plays a former British Army officer who, having been tormented as a prisoner of war at a Japanese labor camp during World War II, discovers that the man responsible for much of his treatment is still alive and sets out to confront him. (R – 116 minutes)
If “The Railway Man” were a train, it would be one that chugs along the tracks at a pace that could be bested by a handicapped sloth that has been dunked in molasses. Even with the star-power of stars Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman, the new biopic struggles to work up enough steam to pique moviegoers’ interest much less keep it for its 2-hour runtime. The worst part of all is that it does not do justice to the man whose story is at the center of it while bouncing back and forth between the past and present. (Thumbs Down!)
Ashton Sanders plays a boy who, on the outskirts of the U.S. Civil War, is sent north by his bounty hunter gang to retrieve a wanted man (Tishuan Scott). (R – 92 minutes)
“The Retrieval” is such a laboring experience that it feels a lot longer than it really is. Moreover, not a whole lot of actual action occurs in writer/director Chris Eska’s historical western, which is more or less a meditative journey across a volatile landscape during which two people engage in a conversation that encourages viewers to ponder the complexities of morals and self-respect. On one hand, the film is visually stunning – authentically evoking every emotion Eska asks of his audience – and its ideas are admirable. But the timing of this tale is truly trying thereby thwarting the efficacy of said strengths.
Jonas Armstrong plays a young man who who, in Hungary during the final months of World War ll, sets out to find his displaced family by stealing a Nazi uniform to pose as an officer. He undertakes extraordinary measures to reroute his family and other Jews to safety by disrupting the activities of the German occupiers. (NR – 100 minutes)
“Walking with the Enemy” features some impressive production values given its smaller-studio release and some pretty outstanding performances from its actors – most of whom are relatively unknown and others (ie. Ben Kingsley) who benefit from our familiarity. However, while the new historical drama tells an interesting tale that is fairly original, the entire project feels as though it was cut from a run-of-the-mill mold in that it progresses with a robotic rigidity. Reading more like a textbook than a free-flowing narrative, emotion is all but missing in this otherwise well-meaning movie. (Thumbs Down!)
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Writer/director Richard Shepard recently spoke with “Breakthrough Entertainment” about his new crime dramedy “Dom Hemingway.”
In “Dom Hemingway,” which opens Friday, April 25, Jude Law plays a notorious safe-cracker who, after spending 12 years in prison for keeping his mouth shut, is back on the streets of London looking to collect what he is owed.
Listen to “Breakthrough Entertainment’s” full interview with Shepard by clicking HERE. The following is an excerpt from the interview in which the writer/director discusses his motivation for the movie.
“I think we are so used to movies in which you hear it’s a crime movie and you kind of know that the last 20 minutes are going to be some big break-in at a bank or something. That is not the case in this movie. This is a character-driven movie and I think that it defies expectation. You might think that it is one movie when it starts but then at the end of the movie you hopefully really care for this guy.
“He is sort of a mess of a human being and, like all of us, he needs some love. There is a beating heart underneath all of the profanity and all of the craziness that happens with Dom. I hope that people are sort of surprised by the movie. I think that is why people go see independent films on any level – to be surprised; to see something that you did not expect.
“And Jude doing this role is unexpected. The humor and the heart of the film comes from the grounding of this character that Jude brings. The movie would not work if you did not ultimately care for this guy, who is a tough guy to like. But, hopefully, you do care for him and that comes from Jude fully going into the movie. He was up to the challenge. I asked him to gain weight and not hide his receding hairline. We made all of his suits really tight so he is almost exploding out of his clothes. And I think that was an enjoyable experience for him.” – Richard Shepard
Director Mark Schmidt recently spoke with “Breakthrough Entertainment” about his new historical drama “Walking with the Enemy.”
In “Walking with the Enemy,” which opens Friday, April 25, Jonas Armstrong plays a young man who who, in Hungary during the final months of World War ll, sets out to find his displaced family by stealing a Nazi uniform to pose as an officer. He undertakes extraordinary measures to reroute his family and other Jews to safety by disrupting the activities of the German occupiers.
Listen to “Breakthrough Entertainment’s” full interview with Schmidt by clicking HERE. The following is an excerpt from the interview in which the director discusses his research process and execution.
“I came across this individual who risked his life to do what he could to save innocent people. It was not just totally on him – it was other people, too – but I started investigating through some old books about the history of what happened back then and his name popped up here and there. I went back to the little town where he was and talked to people and it seemed like the older people knew the history but the younger people really didn’t.
“We met with the Horthy family – relatives of the leader Regent Horthy (Ben Kingsley) – and they helped give a little insight into it. We also met with the family of Pinchas Rosenbaum (who was the inspiration for this story). And we met with the daughter of Carl Lutz (William Hope) – the Swiss diplomat that helped save some innocent lives – along with a lot of survivors. We talked to somewhere between 35 and 50 people.
“It was quite interesting to hear the stories of these people. We are so lucky that our relatives didn’t go through the horror and the terror they had gone through over there in Hungary during World War II. We tried to film it as tastefully as possible without making it too horrific where it was just unbearable to watch. We were trying to keep it as real as possible yet do it as tastefully as possible. We were always watching that fine line.” – Mark Schmidt
Writer/director Zack Parker recently spoke with “Breakthrough Entertainment” about his new dramatic thriller “Proxy.”
In “Proxy,” which opens Friday, April 25, Alexia Rasmussen plays a woman who, having suffered a miscarriage after being brutally attacked by a hooded assailant, finds consolation in a support group. However, friendship and understanding can be very dangerous things when accepted by the wrong people.
Listen to “Breakthrough Entertainment’s” full interview with Parker by clicking HERE. The following is an excerpt from the interview in which the writer/director discusses the reaction that he hopes “Proxy” gets from moviegoers.
“I tend to be what some would call a slow-burn filmmaker to begin with and with this film I just wanted to hit people pretty hard at the beginning to sort of throw them off balance and give them the sense that anything can happen with this film thereby creating an innate sense of suspense and also earning the time then to build a character and story with almost this unspoken promise that something like this can be around the next corner.
“I am really interested in playing around with audience expectations. I feel that we have been many generations of filmgoers now and audiences have become quite savvy as to how a film unfolds. Generally, with most films, in the first 5 or 10 minutes you get a good impression of who the characters are, what their relationships are going to be, what the tone of the film is and what the arc is going to be.
“What we are really trying to do is take those expectations, turn them on the audience and hopefully give you the sense that every time you feel like you have a grasp on where the film is going it will become something else in order to try and create some kind of unique viewing experience. I knew that it might be a risky choice but I really appreciate filmmakers who take bold and risky choices in their films so that is something that I am trying to apply to my own work.” – Zack Parker
Among the new movies that were released Friday, April 18 are a nature documentary about bears, a faith-based flick about a boy’s near-death experience and a science-fiction film in which Johnny Depp downloads his consciousness to a computer.
‘13 Sins’
Mark Webber plays a down-on-his-luck salesman who embarks on a dangerous game of risks prompted by a cryptic phone call. The game promises increasing rewards for completing 13 tasks – each more sinister than the last. (R – 92 minutes)
Despite being riddled with plot holes – or at least sketchy logic that has been twisted to the tale’s convenience – “13 Sins” is a riveting thriller that reflects that fact that anyone and everyone is capable of becoming a monster for money. Following in the footsteps of recent releases “Would You Rather,” “The Brass Teapot” and best of all “Cheap Thrills,” this remake of Thai flick “13 Beloved” barrels forward at a ferocious pace through challenges that are sure to shock and probably compel you to consider whether or not you would be willing to complete them for quick cash. (Thumbs Up!)
‘Bears’
John C. Reilly narrates as a film crew documents a year in the life of a bear family as two impressionable young cubs are taught life’s most important lessons. (G – 100 minutes)
“Bears” may look adorable at first glance but before long it becomes unbearably boring. Much like most of DisneyNature’s previous efforts, with 2011’s “African Cats” being the sole exception, the new documentary lacks the entertainment value needed to keep audiences interested and engaged. A repetitious cycle of a mama bear seeking salmon for her cubs is used here in lieu of any actual story while the burden of amusement is placed on narrator John C. Reilly, whose commentary comes across as so silly that it could be passed off as material for the actor’s Dr. Steve Brule character on Adult Swim. (Thumbs Down!)
Greg Kinnear and Kelly Reilly portray a real-life married couple whose son (Connor Corum) claims to have visited Heaven during a near death experience, recounting the details of his amazing journey with childlike innocence and speaking matter-of-factly about things that happened before his birth. (PG – 100 minutes)
One’s enjoyment of “Heaven is for Real” hinges on their willingness to go blindly into the light, taking each and every thing that is suggested over the course of its story as gospel without asking any questions or challenging its far-fetched hypotheses with any number of more logical explanations. The new drama based on author Todd Burpo’s bestselling book will therefore go down extremely easily for Christian audiences but all others may find it all a bit too hard to swallow. Granted, it is well-meaning and harmless but ultimately a little annoying and anticlimactic. (Thumbs Down!)
‘Joe’
Nicolas Cage plays an ex-con – the unlikeliest of role models – who meets a 15-year-old boy (Tye Sheridan) and is faced with the choice of redemption or ruin. (R – 117 minutes)
Although its artistic qualities are occasionally a bit overbearing and its ugly reflection of Southern gothic may make it impossible for some to stomach the movie through to the end, “Joe” is a powerful piece of cinema that redefines what star Nicolas Cage is capable of conveying with a performance. The new drama has something significant to say about clearing away what’s old and unstable to make room for what’s new and full of potential but it is also a gripping portrayal of one man’s futile effort to outrun his own nature. It’s real, it’s raw and it’s remarkable. (Thumbs Up!)
Devon Bostick plays a young man who decides to skip college in favor of joining his father (Christopher Meloni) on the lot of his used-car business. (R – 100 minutes)
Unfortunately, despite having tremendous talent both in front of the camera and behind it, “Small Time” is far from a success. The new dramedy, which is “24” co-creator Joel Surnow’s directorial debut, stumbles along from beginning to end with very little focus therefore making it almost impossible for viewers to remain invested. Stars Devon Bostick, Christopher Meloni, Dean Norris, Bridget Moynahan and Amaury Nolasco play characters that are as endearing as they are entertaining but the movie meanders through to its eventual conclusion and the significance of its story – a young man’s coming of age – gets lost along the way. (Thumbs Down!)
Johnny Depp plays a terminally ill scientist who downloads his mind into a computer, granting him power beyond his wildest dreams before eventually becoming unstoppable. (PG-13 – 120 minutes)
“Transcendence” is both boring and bizarre – qualities that get increasingly worse with each passing minute of the new science-fiction flick’s runtime. It would be bad enough if the movie’s only unfavorable trait was star Johnny Depp’s monotonous pontificating about using technology to expand his consciousness. But then nanotechnology begins rising from out of the soil, healing some people and resurrecting others, and the entire project’s preposterousness hits heights rarely ever seen on the big screen. While watching it, one wishes that they could upload their own mind to a computer far, far away from the theater to escape the experience. (Thumbs Down!)
