Movie Review for Salinger

Salinger  

Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Martin Sheen, Gore Vidal

Directed by: Shane Salerno

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 120 mins

Genre: Documentary

Opens September 20th

By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com

Hey Phoenix Film Fans!  Opening this week as a Harkins Camelview Exclusive is the documentary into reclusive American Author of “Catcher in the Rye”, J.D. Salinger. His books and stories have inspired generations of fans but will fans be impressed with the man behind the pages?

Even if you haven’t read “Catcher in the Rye” or familiar with J.D. Salinger’s work, this film doesn’t focus as much on the stories themselves, but the journey itself.  Featuring interviews with Salingers closest friends’, lovers, family members, respected figures in the literary world and Hollywood admirers,  the stories accumulated paint the picture into a very complicated, intriguing man. Tracking his history as a young man in New York City, through his involvement in World War II, his literary achievements highs and lows, to his various love affairs and marriages, Salinger has led a fascinating life. He was a man that was very particular in his vision for his work and would not compromise for anyone. Be sure to check out “Salinger” when it opens up at Harkins Camelview 5 starting Friday September 20, 2013.

Movie Review for Prisoners

Prisoners 

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Maria Bello, Viola Davis, Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo, Paul Dano

Directed by: Denis Villeneuve

Rated: R

Run Time: 153 mins

Genre: Crime/ Drama/ Thriller

Opens September 20th

By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com

Hey Phoenix Film Fans! Opening this week is the crime drama “Prisoners” starring Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Terrance Howard and Melissa Leo. This film had gone through multiple stars attached before it started filming, such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Jessica Chastain, Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale. Despite all the cast changes/ rumors, how well does the final cast perform in the final cut?

In a quiet Pennsylvania suburb, families gather together to celebrate and give thanks on this particular Thanksgiving holiday.  Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman), his wife Grace (Maria Bello) and their two children Ralph (Dylan Minnette) and Anna (Erin Gerasimovich) are spending their holiday with neighbors, the Birch family. Franklin Birch (Terrence Howard) and Keller go back many years to their high school days. Nancy Birch (Viola Davis) has prepared a large meal and while it’s still cooking their young daughters want to go outside. The parents agree only if they are supervised by their older siblings.

While on their neighborhood stroll, Anna and Joy Birch (Kyla Drew Simmons) see an old trailer and want to play on it. Ralph and Eliza Birch (Zoe Borde) pull their younger siblings away after realizing there is someone inside.

After dinner,  Anna and Joy beg to go back to the Keller’s house down the street to look for a red whistle that Anna lost a few weeks ago. The parents allow them to leave, not realizing they were unsupervised.  After realizing the girls never returned, all the family members go into a full-panic mode trying to find their daughters. Ralph remembers seeing the camper the girls were playing on, so the police are notified, issuing a countywide manhunt for this recreational vehicle.

Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) is the first detective on the scene when they find the trailer and the suspect they apprehend, Alex Jones (Paul Dano) is refusing to speak, or rather giving the impression that he may know more or less than he really does.

When Detective Loki is not able to get anywhere with Jones, Keller Dover takes matters into his own hands by doing extra investigative work on his own. With each passing day,  the likelihood that their daughters will be found grows slimmer; will Dover find the girls before Loki? Or is this kidnapping part of a much more twisted, complicated kidnapping ring stretching over the past few decades?

What could be a predictable story with an impressive cast to bill, “Prisoners” is more of a character study film, rich with complexity and raw emotion that really shines on screen. The only downside to this film is the extended run time which clocks in around two hours and forty minutes. Director Denis Villeneuve does an excellent job of guiding his cast into some pretty dark emotional places that one would never wish on their worst enemy to experience, which make for compelling performances from the entire cast. Standout performances from Hugh Jackman, Paul Dano and Melissa Leo are the most powerful of the film The storyline was slightly predictable, but there was so many different plot points that if you are not paying attention to may be confusing the further you get into the film, so pay attention to everything. Be sure to catch “Prisoners” when it opens in theaters nationwide starting Friday September 20, 2013.

Insidious: Chapter 2 Movie Review

Insidious: Chapter 2 

Starring: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Barbara Hershey, Lin Shaye, Steve Coulter, Leigh Whannell, Angus Sampson, Ty Simpkins, Danielle Bisutti

Directed by: James Wan

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 105 mins

Genre: Horror/ Thriller

Opens September 13th

By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com

Hey Phoenix Horror Film Fans! Opening this week is the sequel to the 2010 hit “Insidious”, bringing the cast back for more screams, thrills and chills. Director James Wan is quickly climbing the ranks as a master thriller with some of his other films such as this year’s “The Conjuring”, but how does this sequel stack up?

Kicking off hours after where the first film left off, Renai Lambert (Rose Byrne) is being questioned by the police in her husband Josh ’s (Patrick Wilson) involvement in the murder of paranormal psychologist/psychic Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye). If you recall from the first film, Elise was killed by one of the evil spirits when Josh (Patrick Wilson) was in the “dark side” on a search and rescue mission for his son Dalton (Ty Simpkins). For the moment, Renai, Josh their kids and Josh’s mother Lorraine (Barbara Hershey) are staying at his childhood home where the hauntings first originate with a young Josh.

When Josh came back out of the seance, Renai noticed that something wasn’t quite right as if she didn’t recognize her husband. Even Dalton noticed something was off with his dad. It appears that the hauntings followed Josh back into the real world, and their story wasn’t quite over. By returning to his childhood home, the original spirit that haunted Josh as a boy is back in full force conjuring up more evil and drama.

Elise was one of the original paranormal investigators that originally helped Josh as a boy, but now that she’s gone, Lorraine seeks out the assistance of one of the other investigators, Carl (Steve Coulter) to help bring this evil to an end, once and for all. Can they do it? Or is the evil spirits too strong for the group to overcome?

 What Director James Wan has demonstrated in his catalogue of work and what he does so brilliantly is creating the tension and atmosphere of suspense versus using the gore, blood and guts to horrify make this so much more entertaining experience. Wan and screenwriter Leigh Whannell did a fantastic job of weaving plot point elements from the first film into the sequel to where it make sense why certain choices were made in the original film. By giving more backstory into the origins of the hauntings of Josh’s childhood and his psychic abilities, the story does a great job keeping the element of logic as a strong point. This film although not as scary as the first film, still does an excellent job of creating suspense and thrills that should please audiences. Be sure to check out “Insidious: Chapter 2” when it opens in theaters nationwide starting Friday September 13,2013.

Riddick Movie Review

Riddick 

Starring: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Jordi Molla, Matt Nable, Katee Sackhoff, Bokeem Woodbine, Dave Bautista, Conrad Pla, Raoul Trujillo, Nolan Funk, Keri Hilson

Directed by: David Twohy

Rated: R

Run Time: 119 mins

Genre: Sci- Fi

Opens August 6th

By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com

Hey Phoenix Film Fans!  Now that we are officially into the Fall Summer Movie Season, this should be an interesting line up at the box office. Kicking things off is the latest installment in the Riddick series, starring Vin Diesel as the named anti-hero. How does this film compared to the previous two? Read on to find out.

Richard B. Riddick (Vin Diesel) is having a colossally awful day. He has been abandoned on a desolate planet, left for dead and almost eaten by several species of animals that look as if they mutated from the “Jurassic Park” Island. After managing to escape death for the umpteenth time in one day, he seeks shelter in a nearby abandoned cave where he regroup and tries to configure a game plan on how to get back to his home planet Furya.

As Riddick adapts to his temporary home, he manages to make a friend in one of the planet’s animal species, a hybrid of  hyena and  large dog. Through exploring the landscape, Riddick discovers an abandoned space station where he sends a distress beacon for rescue. Those who come looking for him are out for his head, literally, so it’s up to Riddick to outsmart the bounty hunters that have come to hunt him down. Will Riddick be able to leave the planet and return home or will the hunters or elements get to him first?

The defining factor of this film is the cinematography; the shots, action sequences and special effects all look fantastic, but it’s not enough to support the long run time. The action is rather intense and will keep viewers on the edge of their seat, but if you’re not familiar with the character and the previous films, you may feel a bit lost. The film is primarily a testosterone - fueled gore fest that includes bad dialogue, sexist banter and lots of violence. The best way to sum this film up is if “Jurassic Park” meets “Alien” and “Man vs. Wild”; it a strange dichotomy of genres that never quite finds it footing. You be the judge when “Riddick” opens up in theaters nationwide starting Friday August 6, 2013.

Movie Review for Adore

Adore 

Starring: Robin Wright, Naomi Watts, Xavier Samuel, James Frecheville, Ben Mendelsohn

Directed by: Anne Fontaine

Rated: R

Run Time: 100 mins

Genre: Drama

Opens August 6th

By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com

Hey Phoenix Film Fans! Opening this week in limited release at Harkins Shea 14 and video on demand is the drama “Adore” starring Robin Wright, Naomi Watts and Xavier Samuel. Based on the novella by Nobel Prize winner for Literature Doris Lessing, Academy Award Winner Screenwriter Christopher Hampton (DANGEROUS LIAISONS) tackles some rather taboo issues in this edgy film.

Roz (Robin Wright) and Lil (Naomi Watts) have been best friends since they were young girls. Never far from each other this pattern followed them into adulthood, ending up as neighbors right down the path from each other. Each girl married and had a son around the same age, but Lil’s life strayed from their perfect path when her husband passed away when her son Ian was still a young boy. Roz and her husband Harold (Ben Mendelsohn) took Lil and Ian under their wing letting their son Tom become best friends with Ian.

As the boys grew into young men, Lil and Roz would marvel how their boys are more like young gods and how people regularly mistaken the women's’ closeness as of a romantic nature. Only if they knew the truth. Ian (Samuel Xavier) as an adult has developed romantic feelings for someone close to him. When Harold is offered a job in Sydney, Roz and Tom (James Frecheville) stay behind, not wanting to be far from their home, Lil and Ian or what they are comfortable with. Roz also has another reason to stay as she has taken up a side affair with Ian, Lil’s son. Ian claims he’s in love with Roz. As their secret affair is just getting started, Tom discovers Roz leaving Ian in the walk of shame from the guest room, so as retaliation he makes a play for Lil. What’s even more surprising that the pairing of mothers swapping sons makes for an emotional and physical fulfillment that any one of them have never known and can’t get enough of.

As much of Greek tragedy as can be imagined, these unconventional relationships albeit each is happy with their pairing, puts other relationships in jeopardy as it may not be looked on with approval by others. Will it be too much for the two women or their sons or are these relationships quite functional as is?

As much of a Social Ick factor that can be fathomed, this story is actually quite intricate and fascinating because it lacks a certain predictability that one may expect with this film. This film definitely pushes into some significant social taboos/ Oedipus Complex issues, but the performances are powerful and brilliant that even the social and emotional complexities are explored intelligently and compassionately. If anything this is a great film to be water cooler discussion. Check out “adore” when it opens starting Friday August 6, 2013.

Getaway Movie Review

Getaway 

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez, Jon Voight, Rebecca Budig

Directed by: Courtney Solomon

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 90 mins

Genre: Action/ Crime

Opens August 30th

By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com

Hey Phoenix Film Fans! Another film marking that the end of summer has arrived is the action film “Getaway” starring Ethan Hawke and Selena Gomez. Will audiences be revved up for one more chase/ action film or will this film crash and burn at the box office? Read on to find out.

Former professional race car driver Brent Magna (Ethan Hawke) expected to spend a quiet Christmas with his wife Leanne (Rebecca Budig). Instead, he’s pulled into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with an unknown man with a sinister agenda. Outfitted with an impressive Shelby Mustang Cobra edition, rigged with cameras, GPS and apparent wi-fi, the puppeteering by “The Voice” (Jon Voight) ups the ante, when Magna almost gets carjacked by the owner of the car, a gun slinging teenager (Selena Gomez). Together the Kid and Magna must perform the tasks designated by "The Voice" or else Brett’s wife will die. Will they be able to make it out alive or will they fail somewhere along the way?

Unlike the previous testosterone pumped cars from “Fast and Furious”, the chase scenes don’t let up for more than a few minutes throughout the entire film. Having that much car chase scene may sound like a promising idea on paper but when put in action, it gets tired real quick. The premise sounded cool but took a wrong turn with the casting choices. Ethan Hawke is a solid choice for the lead, but Selena Gomez, really? Gomez has a long way to go to be able to shed her Disney image and grow up some more. She may have an older sounding voice, but the cherubic/ baby faced appearance hinders this role. You be the judge when “Getaway” opens in theaters starting Friday August 30,2013.

Short Term 12 Movie Review

Short Term 12 

Starring: Brie Larson, John Gallagher Jr., Kaitlyn Dever, Stephanie Beatriz, Rami Malek, Alex Calloway, Kevin Hernandez, Lydia Du Veaux, Keith Stanfield, Frantz Turner

Directed by: Destin Cretton

Rated: R

Run Time: 96 mins

Genre: Drama

Opens August 30th

By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com

Opening this week as a Harkins Camelview 5 exclusive is the drama “Short Term 12” starring Brie Larsen, John Gallagher Jr and Rami Malek. Winner for several awards at the Locarno International Film Festival will this film see further hardware going into Hollywood’s award season?

The first day on any job can be a tough one, especially when it’s at a foster care facility for at risk teens. Focusing on a group of young councilors and the kids under their care, the line that separates them is very thin as some of them were once in these kids shoes. Group leader Grace (Brie Larson) is the big sister/ mother hen type who really identifies with Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever), a recent addition to the Short Term 12 home. Grace's under-the-radar boyfriend, fellow councilor Mason (John Gallagher Jr.) desperately adores and loves Grace, but her inability to communicate with him puts their relationship at risk. Nate (Rami Malek) is the newbie counselor, working a summer job while on break from school. Rounding out the day crew counselors is Jessica, mo-nonsense counselor that keeps the kids in line if the rest of the counsellors are dealing with one of the other kids in the middle of a mental meltdown.

Trying to navigate the daily interactions with these kids proves to be a challenge for Grace as the issues of her past surface when her life faces sudden changes. Will Grace be able to cope or will she succumb to her past jeopardizing more people than she realizes?

Full of rich, complex characters, the cast of Short Term 12 delivers performances that stimulate strong empathy, genuine laughter and deep emotional responses. The story pacing is moves in time much like a well tuned orchestra, keeping the flow moving well. Be sure to check out “Short Term 12” when it opens at Harkins Camelview 5 starting Friday August 30, 2013.

Movie Review for Instructions Not Included

Instructions Not Included  

Starring: Eugenio Derbez, Jessica Lindsey, Loreto Peralta, Daniel Raymont, Alessandra Rosaldo

Directed by: Eugenio Derbez

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 115 mins

Genre: Comedy/ Drama

Opens August 30th

By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com

Hey Phoenix Film Fans! Opening this week is the directorial debut for Eugenio Derbez, the man dubbed the “Jim Carrey of Mexico”, the film “Instructions Not Included”. Derbez is a superstar south of the border but how will American audiences respond to his brand of comedic humour?

Preying on the tourists and local ladies of Acapulco is a specialty of Valentin (Eugenio Derbez). A player to the core, he received the shock of his life when a past fling, an American named Julie (Jessica Lindsey) shows up on his doorstep one day, hands him a baby and then goes out to pay the cab. She never comes back. Now stuck with a child, he’s not even sure is his, Valentin tries to track down Julie. The only piece of information that he has, is that she is headed for Los Angeles, so Valentin and this baby accomplish impossible feats illegally crossing into the U.S., where by a stroke of luck he finds work in the movie business. Over time,  the baby grows into a rambunctious little girl, Maggie (Loreto Peralta) who desperately wants to know her mother. Valentin tries his best to protect her from the truth, creating a fictional version of her mother as a world traveler on all these missions. When Maggie’s mother finally shows back up in her life for real, the fantasy life that he built for himself and Maggie is at risk as Julie is back to seek custody of her child. Will the courts rule in favor of the devoted father or absentee mother?

What is billed as a comedy and having the main star billed as a “Jim Carrey” type figure, a high bar is set in comedic expectations. Although Eugenio Derbez may be a comedic genius in his country, his brand of humor doesn’t quite translate as well from one language to another. Some of the jokes were tired and rather offensive. Aside from the physical comedy which looked rather painful at times, the film turn a hard right into tragic dramedy which dissolves, the light hearted banter/ good feelings conjured up through much of the first and second acts. The twist at the end, although unexpected really changes the mood of the viewer. I’m not sure if they were trying to pull the heartstrings like “Liar, Liar”, “Three Men and a Little Lady” or “Mrs. Doubtfire” but it went a little too far, too much drama to overshadow the comedy. You be the judge when “Instructions Not Included” opens in theaters starting Friday August 30,2013.

Inch'Allah Movie Review

Inch’Allah 

Starring: Evelyne Brochu, Sabrina Ouazani, Siva Levy, Yousef ‘Joe’ Sweid

Directed by:  Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette

Rated: R

Run Time: 102 mins

Genre: Drama

Opens August 30th

By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com

Hey Phoenix Film Fans!  Opening this week is the award winning film (it won the Copper Wing Award for World Cinema at the 2013 Phoenix Film Festival!), Inch’Allah stars Evelyne Brochu, Sabrina Ouazani, Siva Levy, Yousef ‘Joe’ Sweid. What makes this film a winner at our festival and a few others such as Berlin International Film Festival and the Jutra Awards? Read on to find out.

Canadian doctor Chloé (Evelyne Brochu) currently lives within the walls of Jerusalem, Isreal, but crosses over into Palestine to practice medicine to expecting mothers in the settlements.  When an attack on the Israeli side takes the lives of several people, including some whom she knows. During her duration of practicing medicine in the Divide Holy Land, Chloé has become close with people on each side of the wall. On the Israeli side, she spends her evenings with Israeli Border Checkpoint Guard Ava (Sivan Levy), going out drinking, dancing and escaping from the seriousness of the Palestine side of the wall. During the day is a whole different world on the Palestine side, caring for pregnant women, trying to issue prenatal care the best she can in  poor conditions of a local clinic. One of the mothers she and Ava are friendly with, Rand (Sabrina Ouazani), whose husband is awaiting sentencing by the courts. Rand’s brother Faysal (Yousef ‘Joe’ Sweid) belongs to a local group whose antics are of a militant nature.

When tragedy strikes Rand, Chloé is forced to take sides of a war that is not her own. Can she choose a side when she cares deeply for each friend or will her relationships suffer greatly because of two nations at war?

What “Inch’Allah” does an amazing job of is creating enough tension in relationships and empathy for each character that when the end scene is revealed, it feels like an emotional punch to the gut. We may not understand the all the reasons why these two small nations have been fighting for many years, but it does raise the topic of human decency, tolerance and revenge. Check out “Inch’Allah” when it opens in theaters starting Friday August 30,2013.

Movie Review for One Direction: This is Us

One Direction: This is Us 

Starring: Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson

Directed by: Morgan Spurlock

Rated: PG

Run Time: 92 mins

Genre: Documentary/ Music

Opens August 30th

By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com

Opening this week if you haven’t heard by now (parents may know) that mega successful boy band, One Direction, has a new film coming out in 3D, “One Direction:This is Us”. What’s surprising is that Academy Award nominated director Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me,30 Days, The Greatest Movie Ever Sold)  helms this documentary.

Don’t let the subject matter fool you, as Spurlock takes the audience on an intimate, behind the scenes look at this pop music phenomenon, consisting of members, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson. From their humble beginnings to their quantum leap into super stardom, it is an interesting compilation to see 5 young men thrust into a life they have only dreamed of to be blown up to international superstars, all within the past 3 years. One fun fact in this film is that One Direction is outpacing The Beatles in terms of success highlights in their career.

Unlike the Mylie Cyrus’ or Jonas Brothers, the humble, yet playful attitude at which they conduct their manner is admirable, as a point that is continually mentioned throughout the film is that they know they have a shelf life of a few years, so they plan to work as hard as they can but try to enjoy it without becoming an over-inflated image of their former self.  These 5 young men exude so much charm, joy and charisma in their personas that it is understandable while millions of millennials have built such a strong fan base. For the adults, if you enjoy Morgan Spurlock’s work, he brings the same cheeky, fun viewpoint to this boyband film. Check out “One Direction: This is Us” when it opens in theaters starting Friday August 30, 2013.

The World's End Movie Review

The World’s End

Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman,David Bradley, Michael Smiley, Samantha White, Rose Reynolds, Paddy Considine, Eddie Marsan, Rosamund Pike, Darren Boyd,

Directed by: Edgar Wright

Rated: R

Run Time: 109 mins

Genre: Action/ Comedy/ Sci-Fi

Opens August 23rd

By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com

Hey Phoenix Film Fans! From the guys that brought films such as “Hot Fuzz” and “Shaun of the Dead”, opens “The World’s End” starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Paddy Considine. How does this film compare to the other Edgar Wright/ Simon Pegg/ Nick Frost collaborations? Read on to find out.

On June 22, 1990, 5 childhood friends had the night of their life as they attempted to conquer the “Golden Mile” of Newton Haven, a stretch of 12 pubs, with the end pub being The World’s End. As the night progressed, the more they drank, some of the weaker boys dropped off until 3 were left, only making it to 9 out of the 12 pubs. Ditching the last 3 pubs on their list, the boys headed to a nearby hillside to watch the sunrise, ushering in a new day. Fast- forward to present day, the aforementioned group of lads, their “ringleader” Gary “The King” King, is in a state of arrested development. We find Gary in a support group recounting the best night of his life, when he attempted to conquer the Golden Mile, having regrets surface for never completing his mission.

Now Gary is hell-bent on recreating this magical night, so he seeks out his childhood mates, now grown and living their own lives. Oliver Chamberlain (Martin Freeman) one of the first boys to drop out of the pub crawl is now working as a high dollar realtor. Steven Prince (Paddy Considine) is dating a 26 year-old fitness instructor, and Peter Page (Eddie Marsan) is working at his father’s Audi dealership. Gary’s best friend Andy Knightley (Nick Frost) is more challenging to convince to reunite with the others as he has taken quite a disdain to Gary and has been sober for the past 16 years.

Somehow all the men, under Gary’s convincing arguments, all reunite and return to their hometown of Newton Haven. Upon arriving, they notice that things are different from they remember, the people seem off, the pubs more cookie-cutter and the atmosphere more suspicious. Will the men be able to conquer the Golden Mile this time around or has too much time passed to make it worth their while? Or are there more sinister forces at play to stop the men from conquering old fears?

As with most Edgar Wright/ Simon Pegg/ Nick Frost collaborations, there is an expectation of a great deal of comedy mixed in with action and some type of element of horror. This formula works it’s magic once more as “The World’s End” is the perfect blend of cheeky humor, backhanded social commentary and sci-fi to make this a highly entertaining film that audiences will enjoy. Be sure to check out “The World’s End” when it opens in theaters nationwide starting Friday August 23, 2013.

You're Next Movie Review

You’re Next  

Starring: Sharni Vinson, Nicholas Tucci, AJ Bowen, Wendy Glenn, Joe Swanberg, Margaret Laney, Amy Seimetz, Ti West, Rob Moran, Barbara Crampton, L.C. Holt, Simon Barrett, Lane Hughes

Directed by: Adam Wingard

Rated: R

Run Time: 96 mins

Genre: Horror/ Thriller

Opens August 23rd

By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com

Hey Phoenix Horror Film Fans! Opening this week is the award winning horror film at such festivals as Austin Fantastic Fest, Toronto International Film Fest and the Gerardmer Film Festival, “You’re Next”. Although this film was made a few years back, will horror fans still embrace with with enthusiasm like the have with “The Purge” from earlier this year?

When Crispian (AJ Bowen) brings his new girlfriend Erin (Sharni Vinson) home to meet his parents and siblings, neither one could imagine their weekend going the way it did. The new couple was traveling to Crispian’s parents Paul (Rob Moran) and Aubrey’s (Barbara Crampton) 35th wedding anniversary, and it would be the first time in years that all the siblings would be under one roof. There is the older brother Drake (Joe Swanberg) and wife Kelly (Margaret Laney), younger sister Aimee (Amy Seimetz) and filmmaker boyfriend Tariq (Ti West) and youngest sibling Felix (Nicholas Tucci) and girlfriend Zee (Wendy Glenn).

The relationship between older siblings Crispian and Drake has always been a little rocky but everything changes the following night at dinner when a group of mercenary killers descends upon the family, taking them out one by one. Who will survive? Who are these killers and why target the family?

Over the past few months,  there has been a solid representation of horror/ thriller films such as “The Conjuring” and the remake of “Evil Dead”. What this film tries to embody with the whole home invasion plot, greatly improves on what they tried to accomplish in “The Purge” but lack of unique characters and situations drag the pacing of the film down. Full of cliche attributes from characterization, plot points and direction, the only strong point in the film is that the female lead is strong and intelligent to navigate the way through the chaos. The gore and suspense factors are mediocre,  but a vast improvement over “The Purge”. You be the judge when “You’re Next” opens in theaters starting Friday August 23, 2013.

Drug War Movie Review

Drug War  

Starring: Louis Koo, Sun Honglei, Huang Yi, Li Jing

Directed by: Johnnie To

Rated: NR

Run Time:105 mins

Genre: Crime/ Thriller/ Action

Opens August 23rd

By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com

Hey Phoenix Film Fans!  Opening this week at FilmBar is the gritty crime thriller “Drug Wars” from Hong Kong director Johnnie To. Considered a master of crime/ thriller films in his homeland, will American audiences embrace the unusual style of this emerging director? Read on to find out.

China is governed by its own way of life, philosophy and values, so if you're caught manufacturing drugs, its an automatic death sentence, no questions asked. When drug producer Timmy Choi (Louis Koo) is caught with quite a bit of meth under his belt, he is coerced into helping Captain Zhang (Sun Honglei) uncover a larger drug ring or face sudden execution. Choi has only 72 hours to prove himself to Captain Zhang; can he do it or will it be sudden death for him?

What’s so unique about foreign films is the difference between their context and ours in terms of visual material. With Asian cinema, generally the context is slightly more raw, real and thrown in the viewers face for added shock value. What was interesting about this film is that the crime context that they portray in the film although we experience the similarities in the context the filmmaker does with a tongue- and cheek approach where it is humorous and disturbing all at once. This film doesn’t take itself too seriously, but the element of drama, grit and gore are heavy hitters in this rough drama.  If you’re a fan of Asian cinema, check out “Drug Wars” when it opens at Film Bar starting Friday August 23, 2013.

Austenland Movie Review

Austenland 

Starring: Keri Russell, Jennifer Coolidge, JJ Feild, Bret McKenzie, Georgia King, James Callis, Ricky Whittle, Jane Seymour

Directed by:Jerusha Hess

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 97 mins

Genre: Comedy/ Romance

Opens August 23rd

By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com

Hey Phoenix Film Fans! Opening this week is something for all the literary fans out there, especially fans of the Jane Austen's work.  This the first based-on-a-book film from Stefanie Meyers that she did not write, her production company Fickle Fish, produced.

For as long as she can remember, Jane Hayes (Keri Russell) has been in love with Mr. Darcy. Because of the unrequited love her romantic relationships as an adult have suffered, and as a result, she is a single lonely woman living a really blase life.  Her dream is to travel to Austenland, a Jane Austen themed resort, where the guests become the stars in their own Jane Austen romance.

Tired of living in this dream world, Jane takes a huge risk spending most of her life savings to go to Austenland. She makes a pact with her best friend if she has a terrible time she will give up the Mr. Darcy fantasy for good and move on in her life.

When she arrives in England, she meets a fellow Austen enthusiast Miss Elizabeth (Jennifer Coolidge), who is not the typical Austen fan, but really just out to meet men. At Austenland, the actors are to create the illusion of a live Jane Austen character, which at the end the actors are to pretend they are in love with the guest. The owner of the retreat, Mrs. Wattlesbrook (Jane Seymore) determined the quality of the experience based on the packaged purchased.  Jane spring for the most affordable package where she finds herself living the role of a simpleton. The joke is on Mrs. Wattelsbrook as two suitors fall for Jane, Martin (Bret McKenzie), one of the hired help/ groundskeeper, not a part of the charade, and Mr. Henry Nobley (JJ Feild) one of the actors to play the Mr. Darby type. Now Jane finds her self in a strange love triangle between two men whom she's unsure of her feelings. Will this be just a vacation fling or something much more? Whom will Jane pick, the man rooted in reality or fantasy?

Capturing all the essence that draw women to Jane Austen works like moths to a flame, "Austenland" is just quirky and adorable where it's not falling into a trap of being too cliche. More of a cheeky type of British humor, this romantic comedy, although  Keri Russell, mostly known for her more dramatic role on television (Felicity, The Americans) captures the same comedic magic that worked so well for her in the 2007 film "Waitress". Jennifer Coolidge plays her typical zany sidekick, much like in "Legally Blonde", but more outrageous in the stuffy British setting. Be sure to catch"Austenland" when it opens in theaters starting Friday August 23,2013.

Movie Review for Spark: A Burning Man Story

Spark: A Burning Man Story  

Starring: Larry Harvey, John Law, Michael Mikle

Directed by: Steve Brown and Jessie Deeter

Rated: NR

Run Time: 112 mins

Genre: Documentary/ Biography

Opens August 23rd

By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com

Hey Phoenix Film Fans!  Opening this week at Harkins Valley Art Theater is the documentary “Spark: A Burning Man Story”. If you’re not familiar with Burning Man, the filmmakers take viewers on a journey of it’s origins, the people behind the scenes and the followers of this unique festival/ movement.

Started by a small group of artist friends in the San Francisco area in the 1990’s, 21 years later Burning Man has grown into a festival where for one week every year 60,000 plus people gather in the Nevada desert to build a temporary city, based on a gifting economy, creating a social type of utopia for artists, musician and seekers who a free to be whom they want to be. The philosophy behind Burning Man is rather unusual, but works for the thousands that gather each year. To the outside viewer looking in, it looks like a technicolor circus filled with characters one would see in a fairy tale or Tim Burton film, but with a closer look, the passion that drives these people to attend each year is rather curious. Following the journey of 3 artists on the path to the 2012 Burning Man festival, it is an intriguing look to what it takes to create an event of this magnitude.

If you were ever curious about Burning Man or even wanted to attend the event, this film provides a well thought out, fair representation of the event which depending on your personality and interests may even spark an interest in attending future events. Check out “Spark: A Burning Man Story” when it opens at Harkins Valley Art starting Friday August 23, 2013.

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Movie Review

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones 

Starring: Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Kevin Zegers, Jemima West, Robert Sheehan, Robert Maillet, Kevin Durand, Lena Headey, Jared Harris, CCH Pounder, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Aiden Turner, Stephen R. Hart, Harry Van Gorkum

Directed by: Harald Zwart

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 130 mins

Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Drama

Opens August 21st

By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com 

Hey Phoenix Film Fans! Opening mid-week is a film based on a popular young adult novel series written by Cassandra Clare. The first book/film in the series “The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones” stars Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Will this film win over fans of the book and gain a few more? Read on to find out.

When Clary Fray (Lily Collins) witnesses a murder in a club that one she can apparently see, she begins to question her sanity. She keeps drawing these strange symbols, a diamond shape with two horns or wings extending at the top of the shape. Her mother, Jocelyn (Lena Heady) becomes more alarmed, begging Clary to stay home so she can tell her something important. Clary, being the rebellious teen, leaves her mom, taking off with her friend, Simon (Robert Sheehan). While with Simon at a coffee house,  she catches sight of the killer from the previous night. The mysterious figure reveals himself to be Jace (Jamie Campbell Bower), and before she can get any further information, she receives a phone call from her mom, ordering to stay away from home. Right after Clary left, a few men broke into their home, confronting Jocelyn looking for a hidden item.

Clary panics and rushes home to find the place in disarray. Jace comes to her rescue, where she finds out that he is a shadow hunter, someone that is half human/half angel, hunting demons and other things that go bump in the night. Apparently, it's been a huge family secret that Jocelyn was hiding from Clary as she is also a shadow hunter.

Now Clary needs to find her mother before an enemy from her mother's past, Valentine (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) does. Jocelyn, years ago, hid something very important to Valentine, and now he is hunting Clary to find out where it is.  Will Clary be able to find her mom in time or will Valentine succeed in his devious plan?

For those new to the series, some of the plot points in the film may come across really strange.  Without revealing any spoilers, some of the relationships get close pretty fast before really getting to know each other. This film is more mature in the context than most young adult films, so it is recommended to leave the small kiddos at home.

Other than that, the special effects are rather remarkable, capturing the essence of magic that comes across the book. The casting choices, albeit different that what is described in the book, works well. Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower have amazing chemistry as Clary and Jace, which is one of the pivotal relationships of the film. Compared to some of the other "tween" novels turned into films, this excels in the special effects/escapism, but the storyline gets a little complex and confusing which hopefully will be cleared up in future sequels.  Be sure to catch "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones" when it opens in theaters nationwide starting Wednesday August 21,2013.

Movie Review for Lee Daniels' The Butler

Lee Daniels’ The Butler  

Starring: Forest Whitaker, David Banner, Oprah Winfrey, John Cusack, Jane Fonda, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Terrence Howard, Lenny Kravitz, James Marsden, David Oyelowo, Vanessa Redgrave, Alan Rickman, Liev Schreiber, Robin Williams, Clarence Williams III

Directed by: Lee Daniels

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 132 mins

Genre: Biography/ Drama

Opens August 16th

By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com

Hey Phoenix Film Fans!  Opening this week is the latest film from Lee Daniels, "Lee Daniels' The Butler". This film has been making headlines long before its release due to the legal battle between the Weinstein Company, (the film's distributor) and Warner Bros. Daniels has assembled one of the most impressive casts in recent memory, aside from all the hype, will it be the first contender for next year's Oscars race?

Inspired by the true story of a White House butler, this story spans about 80 plus years chronicling some of the most pivotal points in the civil rights movement.  As a boy, Cecil Gaines grew up on a cotton plantation in Macon, GA, where he went through much tragedy but will set him on a course that will the rest of his life. After witnessing the dead of his father and the rape of his mother, Cecil was brought in from the fields to work as the house help. Under the wing of Ms. Annabeth Westfall (Vanessa Redgrave), Cecil became one of the best butlers on the plantation. As he grew older and reached a point of maturity, Cecil realized that unless he wanted to meet the same fate as his father, he needed to get out of the South and head North where the opportunities were slightly more improved for a colored man.

By the 1940's, Cecil found himself in Washington DC working as a butler at the Hotel Excelsior, where he met his wife Gloria (Oprah Winfrey), and built a life for her and their two sons. In 1957, he was recruited to work at the White House, starting under the Eisenhower administration. His first day, Cecil was tasked to serve President Eisenhower (Robin Williams) and ends up witnessing a discussion on  the students trying to desegregate the schools. It is Cecil’s first taste of what the president goes through trying to understand what is going on in the country. Going through the Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Reagan administrations, Cecil tries to sever his country the best he can while his son is out doing the work of a foot soldier in the Civil Rights fight. Cecil and his son Louis don’t see eye to eye on Civil Rights and becomes a strain on their relationship as well as the entire family.

Lee Daniels has made a name for himself with polarizing or controversial films that leave the viewer like they have been punched in the gut (Precious, The Paperboy) but treats this film with more respect and honor than the aforementioned films. Not shying away from any of the brutal nature of the Civil Rights movement, Daniels tries to represent both sides of the movement as balanced as possible. Although Daniels tries to represent each president fairly by including nuances of each president that exemplify the humanistic quality of each leader, the film is seriously heavy and relies on deep ingrained stereotypes like meal selections, language usage and regional attitudes. One of the most poignant moments of the film is when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. explains to Louis the exemplary qualities that a butler exudes and why it is a position of honor. It is a quiet beautiful moment that I wish that would have been focused on a little longer or kept pacing throughout the film.

The cast is a stellar assembly of talent, with stand out performance from Oprah Winfrey as the philandering alcoholic wife Gloria, John Cusack as "Tricky Dick" aka President Richard Nixon and of course, Forrest Whitaker as Cecil Gaines. This is a film to keep on your radar going into award season as I can't imagine someone from this cast won't walk away with some type of award. Be sure to check out "Lee Daniels' The Butler" when it opens in theaters starting Friday August 16, 2013.

Movie Review for Kick-Ass 2

Kick-Ass 2  

Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz, Christopeher Mintz-Plasse, Donald Faison, Lyndsy Fonseca, Augustus Prew, Morris Chestnut, Jim Carrey, Lindy Booth, Clarke Duke

Directed by: Jeff Wadlow

Rated: R

Run Time: 103 mins

Genre: Action/ Comedy/Crime

Opens August 16th

By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com

Hey Phoenix Film Fans! If you’re in the mood for an action film this weekend, the sequel to the 2010 hit “Kick-Ass”, “Kick-Ass 2” opens in theaters nationwide. Missing from the sequel is Nicolas Cage’s character “Big Daddy” but gains a quirky comedic actor, Jim Carrey. How does the film fare? Read on to find out.

When we find Dave Lizewski a.k.a. Kick-Ass (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), he’s a high school senior who has retired from the real-life super hero game. Others have joined the ranks of real-life superheroes, and after the death of Big Daddy, it was best to lie low. Now that he has had a taste of the real life action he wants more and is generally bored with regular life.

On the other hand, Mindy Macready a.k.a. Hit Girl is trying to get through life without Big Daddy, adjust to a new life under the guardianship of her father’s old partner Det. Marcus Williams (Morris Chestnut) and being a high school freshman. As much as she wants to avenge her father’s death, Marcus makes Mindy swear that she will give that life up and focus on being a teenager. Easier said than done as she and Dave have been training together taking on the degenerates of the city. After getting caught again, Mindy is forced to give up Hit Girl for good but can she deny such a strong part of herself when there are people that need her help?

While Mindy deserts Dave, he finds a new crop of super heroes to help him patrol the town. Under the wing of General Stars and Stripes (Jim Carrey), Dave/Kick-Ass teams up with his friend Marty aka Battle Guy (Clarke Duke), Dr. Gravity (Donald Faison), Night Bitch (Lindy Booth)Insect Man (Robert Emms) and Tommy’s Parents (Steven Mackintosh and Monica Dolan). They have a new set of foes as Chris D’Amico has risen an army of evil vigilantes to avenge his father’s death and to kill Kick-Ass. Under his new identity, The Motherf8%&*& (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), he assembles some of the most ruthless killers known. Can Kick-Ass and his new team stop the M.F. before it’s too late or will they meet the worst fate under this maniacs rule?

Over the top and über violent are probably the best two words to sum up this sequel.  Although the characters were more colorful, literally and figuratively, something was missing that created the same impact the first film delivered in entertainment.  Perhaps that the focus was more on Hit Girl and less on Kick Ass, but the plight of a high school girl from a male's point of view is rather ridiculous and uninteresting as told from a comic book-esq style. The action sequences will keep viewers on the edge of their sets but what made the first film so unique was the dynamic that Kick Ass had with his friends and his now nemesis, Chris D’Amico. Overall the comedic tone and violent action sequences are entertaining, but unsuitable for small children. Catch “Kick-Ass 2” When it opens in theaters starting Friday August 16, 2013.

JOBS Movie Review

JOBS 

Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Josh Gad, Dermot Mulroney, Lukas Haas, Matthew Modine, J.K. Simmons, Leslie Ann Warren, James Woods, Ahna O’Reilly

Directed by: Joshua Michael Stern

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 122 mins

Genre: Biography/ Drama

Opens August 16th

By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com

Hey Phoenix Film Fans! Another bio-pic film opening this week focuses on Apple founder Steve Jobs. Ashton Kutcher is cast as the enigmatic founder, but can he pull off such a beloved figure in the tech world?

Focusing more on the origins of the Apple company, “JOBS” chronicles the life of Steve Jobs (Ashton Kutcher) starting in 1974 while attending Reed College, the formation of Apple with his friend and co-founder Steve Wozniak (Josh Gad) to the rise and fall of Steve Jobs’ first tenure at Apple Computers to his rehiring in 1996.

Steve Jobs revolutionized an industry, changing the way people use technology from film, music, telecommunications and of course, personal computing. As a filmmaker,  I would expect that one would focus more on the accomplishments rather than the drama that went on to paint this man as a tyrant to work with. So much time is spent on Jobs’ struggle with the board of directors and his famous tantrums while working on projects, demanding perfection. There is so much innovation in the Apple company that it would have been more interesting of a film if they focused not on the Apple II, The Lisa or the origins of the Macintosh but more on the iPod, iTunes and the iPhone or even talk about his struggle with Pancreatic Cancer. What does work in the film is that the casting of the people involved as the resemblance is uncanny to some of the real -life people. The only stand out performance in the film is from Josh Gd, in a more serious turn when as “Woz” confronts Jobs before his firing. You be the judge when “JOBS” opens in theaters starting Friday August 16, 2013.

In a World... Movie Review

In a World... 

Starring: Lake Bell, Rob Corddry, Fred Melamed, Alexandra Holden, Eva Longoria, Ken Marino, Demetri Martin, Nick Offerman, Geena Davis

Directed by: Lake Bell

Rated: R

Run Time: 93 mins

Genre:Comedy

Opens August 16th

By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com

Hey Phoenix Film Fans! Opening this week as a Harkins Camelview Exclusive is an indie film that created quite a buzz at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. Taking the prize for the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award and Nominated for the Grand Jury, triple threat director, writer and lead actress of the film, Lake Bell has assembled a top notch comedic cast. Although the film bills such names as Rob Corddry, Nick Offerman and the ever so random Geena Davis, how will audiences respond to the indie film?

In every business, there is someone who perfects their craft so well that it becomes legendary. In the world of voice over acting, three little words spoken by Don LaFontaine, “In a world...” is the creme de la creme of voice over work. Carol Solomon’s (Lake Bell) father, Sam Soto (Fred Melamed) is also a legend in the business but has not quite reached LaFontaine status.  Carol, on the other hand, is a bit of a lost soul. Like her father she works in the Biz, but as a vocal coach, taking small jobs when she can.

In an effort to get Carol out of her creative rut, Sam kicks Carol out of his house so his young girlfriend, Jaime (Alexandra Holden)can move in. Carol ends up crashing at her sister Dani’s (Michaela Watkins) place, where she and her husband Moe (Rob Corddry) have been having problems of their own.

Carol’s luck seems to change when she’s called by a friend, Louis (Demetri Martin) to do some vocal coaching for Eva Longoria. As fate would have it, Carol ends up filling in for voice over actor/ hot-shot Gustav (Ken Marino), taking the job away from him and landing a few more. Suddenly, Carol is in demand for projects, including a quadrilogy of the latest book franchise for tweens, “The Amazon Games”. This causes a frenzy among the seasoned veterans as Carol is up for the revival of the epic trailers opening “In a World..” used in “The Amazon Games”. In a division of the industry where looks don’t matter, but the tone of your voice does, primarily dominated by males, will Carole lead the way for future women voice over actors to get better projects or will the males continue to dominate?

Using her quirky, rambling style to bring attention to industry that most people don’t worship as celebrities, Lake Bell does a superb job of bringing this story to life. The characters are interesting; dialogue is rapid-fire and fun and overall a unique subject that everyone watches but rarely thinks about the intricacies of the behind the scenes. Bell also give females a voice in a normally male dominated business and proves that female voice over actors can be just as talented as the men. Be sure to check out “In a World...”  when it opens at Harkins Camelview 5 starting Friday August 16, 2013.