Disney•Pixar’s “Incredibles 2” – Teaser Trailer

Everyone’s favorite family of superheroes is back in “Incredibles 2” – but this time Helen (voice of Holly Hunter) is in the spotlight, leaving Bob (voice of Craig T. Nelson) at home with Violet (voice of Sarah Vowell) and Dash (voice of Huck Milner) to navigate the day-to-day heroics of “normal” life. It’s a tough transition for everyone, made tougher by the fact that the family is still unaware of baby Jack-Jack’s emerging superpowers. When a new villain hatches a brilliant and dangerous plot, the family and Frozone (voice of Samuel L. Jackson) must find a way to work together again—which is easier said than done, even when they’re all Incredible.

Directed by Brad Bird

*Released in 2004, “The Incredibles” grossed more than $633 million worldwide. Earning more than $70 million opening weekend, “The Incredibles” posted the second-largest opening at the time for an animated feature.

INCREDIBLES 2

DISNEY•PIXAR

Website:  http://disney.com/incredibles2

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DisneyPixar

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PixarTheIncredibles/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneypixar

Instagram: https://instagram.com/pixar

 

In Theaters June, 15th 2018

http://www.fandango.com

Roman J. Israel, Esq. – Movie Review

Another fabulous film coming at you before we close out 2017 is Roman J. Israel, Esq.  If you love Denzel Washington, see it now because in this film you’ll see him, simply put, in a way you’ve never seen him before.  His character Roman is a criminal attorney with a civil-rights background who has been working for low wages for thirty-six years.  Instead of becoming a lawyer to get what he can out of people who hurt for his expertise those most, he became one because he’s passionate about helping those individuals who are in desperate need.  He fights for those who have been wronged and despairs when he sees the lawyers of the day allow their first-time offenders to receive sentences of ten years in prison rather than spending the time to go to bat for their clients as they should. 

Roman J. Israel, Esq., so named for the dignity the title possess, is a bit of an egghead and a savant, with a photographic memory.  He believes in social justice and wants to do the right thing as did his mentor and his hero’s but as it becomes harder to be an idealist in a world who’ll fight you tooth and nail for their right not to be protected, Roman feels the earth his career was based on begin to shift out from under his feet.  That earth is not as steady as it once was. 

Washington brings Roman to life so convincingly that you wonder if this wasn’t the real Washington all along.  Going through the loss of all that is dear to him, Roman gets upset and nervous and it shows.  When he’s most troubled, Washington gives him ticks such as playing with his glasses, pulling at his hair.  He displays other behavioral abnormalities that ultimately sell the role.  His performance is magnificent and as the story builds to its inevitable conclusion the more you’re lost in this character and feel for his circumstances.  We learn he’s a forceps baby which tells Roman that he’s fully aware of this world not being one he wanted to enter, especially since he sees what others choose to ignore but in a city that has hardened from corruption, his heart has remained in the right place… until now, that is.

His partner and owner of the law practice, a well-known civil-rights litigator by the name of William Jackson, falls very ill.  While he’s in the hospital, Roman, who has always been the brains behind the operation doing a lot of the grunt work, takes on the cases.  He’s only to go to court and get continuances for the cases but due to his strong beliefs, he can’t help but get involved to try and right what he sees is wrong and fight against the racism, greed and authoritative tendencies of society in the United States and its court system.

George Pierce (Farrell), who was a former student of Jackson’s, handles the liquidation of the company after Jackson’s death and has to let Roman go.  Aware of his intelligence, George hires him for his company and the story picks up speed.  A lot of the dialogue here seems very deliberate, to speak of what is going on in the country today which, if you’re following politics at all, you could find very engaging and appreciate hearing.  It isn’t tedious and it doesn’t assault you but watching an optimist become a realist the way writer/director Dan Gilroy (Nightcrawler) shows Roman slowly become is both heartbreaking and frightening.  Working for George isn’t easy for him because he’s forced to do what he hates and he metamorphoses into what he ultimately despises.  He also becomes ‘Tired of doing the impossible for the ungrateful.’  However, as Roman loses himself, we see who he is turning around and that is someone with the power and control to achieve what Roman sadly never could.

I recommend Roman J. Israel, Esq. for anyone who likes a powerful story with characters driven not by lust or ambition but by the dedication and the commitment to do what’s right.  This is a heavy drama that requires your full attention and once you give it you’ll applaud what you get in return.   

A Quiet Place – Trailer

IF THEY CAN’T HEAR YOU, THEY CAN’T HUNT YOU…


“A QUIET PLACE”


STARRING

EMILY BLUNT

JOHN KRASINSKI

NOAH JUPE

MILLICENT SIMMONDS

A QUIET PLACE Official Channels

Official Site: http://www.paramount.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paramount

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ParamountPics

Twitter: https://twitter.com/paramountpics

#AQuietPlace

In Theaters April 6th 2018

http://www.fandango.com

THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI

Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri – Movie Review

Do not, under any circumstances, miss this movie.  It’s one of the most unique and highly entertaining films of the year.  Written and directed by the skilled and very distinguished Martin McDonagh (In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths), whose work never fails to impress, bewilder and engage you, likewise, Three Billboards will surprise you, shock you, delight you as well as alarm you.  I don’t know what I was expecting going in but what I got was purely visceral and elicited, more than once, a stirring of genuine discomfort for what Mildred (McDormand) was going through.

Important to pull you in, all characters in the film are rich in tone and have strong personalities.  From the target of the Billboards, chief of police Willoughby (Harrelson), to his hotheaded underling, Dixon (Rockwell), the players of the narrative are well developed and entrenched within a captivating and engrossing story about despair and hopelessness.  The film is beautifully shot with fitting music to accompany the actors who are expertly cast for each role.  All things considered, this is easily one of the best films of the year.

A tragedy happened in Ebbing, almost an entire year previous, that changed Mildred’s, an independent and strong divorced mother of two, life forever; her teenage daughter, Angela (Kathryn Newton), was raped and murdered.  In a flashback scene, we learn that Mildred has every reason to feel a little guilty for it happening.  Though Mildred has a son to live for, she has been devastated by her loss and refuses to let the police sit and allow her daughter’s death to go unsolved any longer.  Fearing they’re not doing as much as they should and that Angela’s death is turning into a cold case, she rents Three Billboards and posts messages to Chief Willoughby, reminding him that he has an unsolved murder on his hands, lest he had forgotten.  In a deep red with black lettering the signs read, ‘Raped While Dying,’ ‘And Still No Arrests?’ and ‘How Come, Chief Willoughby?’

After the billboards, with their very potent and direct messages of what happened to her daughter and who it is not doing anything about her murder, go up, Mildred draws unwanted attention from everyone in town.  She finds that Willoughby has many admirers and that the citizens of Ebbing don’t appreciate her attacking and questioning him the way that she has.  It’s at this point we learn more about his current situation and suddenly a suspect list begins to emerge; so do outstanding performances.

Every word McDormand’s Mildred utters is done so with such diligence and precision that the anguish Mildred is suffering through practically assaults you as the characters in the film assault one another.  You’ll agree that McDormand will be a strong contender for an Academy Award this year but so might Sam Rockwell be with his turn here as the slightly deranged mama’s boy of a police officer who’ll stop at nothing to support his boss.  With these two actors at the helm, and an almost muted offering by Harrelson who is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, you’ll not only be happy you saw this movie this weekend but you’ll get back in line to watch it again.  The end leaves the audience to guess what ultimately happens so what better way to solve a mystery than to watch more closely and research everything once again for anything you may have missed.

 

*Exclusively at Harkins Camelview at Fashion Square

UNTITLED DEADPOOL SEQUEL Trailer

UNTITLED DEADPOOL SEQUEL

 

SYNOPSIS:

After surviving a near fatal bovine attack, a disfigured cafeteria chef (Wade Wilson) struggles to fulfill his dream of becoming Mayberry’s hottest bartender while also learning to cope with his lost sense of taste. Searching to regain his spice for life, as well as a flux capacitor, Wade must battle ninjas, the yakuza, and a pack of sexually aggressive canines, as he journeys around the world to discover the importance of family, friendship, and flavor – finding a new taste for adventure and earning the coveted coffee mug title of World’s Best Lover.

 

The UNTITLED DEADPOOL SEQUEL Official Channels

Website: Deadpool.com

Facebook:  facebook.com/DeadpoolMovie/

Twitter:  twitter.com/DeadpoolMovie/

Instagram: instagram.com/DeadpoolMovie/

#Deadpool

In Theaters June 1st 2018

http://www.fandango.com

Dealt Movie review

Dealt is a fascinating documentary about an extraordinary individual who overcame tremendous odds to become, not only a black belt in karate but an award-winning Mechanic Magician.  Every goal he set for himself was met and sometimes exceeded. 
At an early age, an unlikely event befell him, and he felt he had no choice but see the mountain on top of him as something to climb rather than to simply lay under and do nothing to get it to move.  A lesser person may have faced this with great contempt but Richard Turner ignored the weight that had just been dropped on top of him and found a way to adjust it to suit him. How?  With loving support, the strength of character and a deck of cards. 
The incredibly likable, energetic and humorous Richard can trick the best of them and with only what he’d call one small roadblock in his life, Richard is blind.

The film is magnificent as it goes through his life in sections, when he lost his sight and what brought him to meet the magician that turned his life around.  That magician was Dai Vernon, one of the most important figures in magic ever.  It’s said even Harry Houdini couldn’t figure out his tricks.  Vernon taught Richard, who started his interest in cards from watching westerns, how to properly handle a deck, starting with how to hide a trick from your audience.  From that moment on, there wasn’t a time when he was without a deck in his hands.  He became so close with Vernon that he was even told some of his secrets which have never been shared.

Visually, to get the point across as to what life was like for Richard, director Luke Korem shows us what he experienced as his vision started to go but quickly refocuses attention on the fact that for most of his life he refused to live as a blind man.  Teased as a young boy, when he grew up and had more control over his life, he examined his circumstances and didn’t see being blind as a disability but as a challenge, one he accepted without fear as some might choose to.  He and his wife had a son and named him Asa, his middle name is Spades, who he loved very much and who assisted him but no one other than those two individuals has ever really helped him.  Even so, he all but hid the fact that he couldn’t see from anyone who didn’t need to now that about him, even from a live audience.  Soon with his tremendous experience came success and with success came attention but whenever people mentioned his abilities and skill with cards, they’d always equate them with the fact that he couldn’t see which upset him greatly.  This became a hurdle that was difficult to jump.

The documentary is over an hour long and in that time, we see Asa leave for college and though he tries to suppress it, Richard crumbles.  The boy who has been by his side since he was old enough to peek over a card table is gone.  The mighty and impenetrable Richard Turner, maybe the first time, now realizes how much he truly has depended on someone other than just himself.  This is how the documentary ends, with Richard finally admitting to himself that it’s okay to accept your weaknesses and the generosity of others.  Perhaps the healthiest thing he did was see the loss of his visions as a blessing in disguise.  He would have never accomplished what he had otherwise.  Similarly, you wouldn’t have known about this had I not told you about it.  Since I did, do something for YOU and see this over the weekend!

*In Phoenix at Harkins Shea 14 or a theatre near you.

Daddy’s Home 2

If you’ve been burned by a sequel you thought would be amusing and it didn’t deliver, don’t let that experience keep you away.  If you liked Daddy’s Home, be on the lookout for more of the same here.  More of the same isn’t a bad thing.  It’s the holiday’s and there’s nothing like a festive holiday comedy to share with the gang, or if your case happens to be that a film gives you a little break from that reality, that works, too.

In the first film, we meet the very epitome of cool, in dad Dusty (Wahlberg), and the easygoing, cordial stepdad to his children by the name of Brad (Ferrell).  What unfolds is the story of two dad’s showing the difference in being a more confident and masculine male as opposed to being more modest or in touch with your famine side.  The struggle is more within Brad as one might imagine.  Immediately upon seeing Dusty, he feels as though he has already lost the fight.

Sara (Cardellini), the children’s mother, has learned to cope with them but it wasn’t easy at times.  Now that it’s Christmas the men, who have worked out a pretty good system themselves, have decided that instead of dividing the children, they’ll have a ‘together Christmas.’  This decision is made after young daughter Megan, played by the ever-adorable Scarlett Estevez from TV’s Lucifer, says she doesn’t like Christmas because it’s not normal for her as it is for friends who don’t have to bounce from house to house.

The holiday also brings visits from grandpa’s Kurt (Gibson) and Jonah (Lithgow), who resemble one another as much as Dusty and Brad do.  A suggestion is made to rectify this imbroglio they’re in by renting a vacation home away from home for a few days.  Not only do they all have to continue being nice to one another up close but so do their fathers.  For extra kicks, Kurt is negative and seems hellbent on causing problems, starting with asking Dusty how could he stand asking permission from another man to see his own children.

Brad’s father is the complete opposite.  He’s supportive of everyone and gets all the love and attention a grandfather could want… deservedly so since Kurt isn’t the loving sort though Dusty has tried his best.

The family retreat creates many a hysterical scene from the actors, especially little Scarlett who knocks it out of the park whenever she interacts with anyone.  This is also when the macho between the four men jettisons to eleven.  In the audience, both men and women alike, will chuckle and truly appreciate the humor of a scene involving one of their other daughters ‘fiddling with the thermostat’ which sends all the men in the house into hysterics.  Laughs were plentiful and I heard many an, ‘I’ve been there!’ comment from where I was sitting.

John Cena Makes an appearance near the end as another dad.  Every time I see him in a comedic role I hope he gets one with of larger significance.  However, maybe what makes it so striking is that he says something uncharacteristic of what he looks like and who he seems to be that it wouldn’t work, but I’d sign up to find out.  His presence is strong and as the alpha male he’s used very well.

Though Daddy’s Home 2 has its downsides and moments that make you roll your eyes, it’s hard not to enjoy a Sean Anders film, even when he has Lithgow using silly terms such as ‘buttquack.’  Anders, who wrote Sex Drive, Hot Tub Time Machine and We’re the Millers, knows his way around a joke and how to deliver it.  He directed and helped write the first Daddy’s Home and you’ll be glad it stayed in his hands this time around, too.  He creates opportunities for the main cast to strut their stuff.  He most likely told all involved that they could use his film as a vehicle to frolic, let loose and rejoice.  That advice clearly worked from what they showed us in their performances.

Daddy’s Home 2 was quite good comparing it to other comedies this year.  I rather liked it.  This testosterone-filled comedy is, for the most part, is one to take your family to the movies to see this holiday season.  Not only for the comedy but for the reason it shows you how far acting like someone you’re not will end up costing you in the end.

Murder on the Orient Express Movie Review

This film is about detective Hercule Poirot and his train ride into hell.  Actually, that might make for a more pleasing introduction, but it doesn’t really fit here. Poirot isn’t the sort of character the underworld would have their sights on. That aside, he’s just short of irritating, as a matter-of-fact.  His mustache is way over the top and I couldn’t help but think of Peter Seller’s incredible ‘Inspector Clouseau’ when he spoke.  The comparison didn’t help matters as I often found myself drifting and wishing I was watching a Seller’s classics instead. They entertained me much more.
Also, if you’ve read the book this is based on or seen the original film, you might not want to grab a seat on this train as there’s no station it could pull into that you haven’t already dropped your bags.  It’s really that simple.  It’s ‘Clue’ (the mystery, thriller based on the popular game), on a train only it’s not as much fun.

Poirot tells is that he’s good at what he does because he always sees things as they should be.  This is both a blessing and a curse for him as he can’t so much as have a conversation with somewhat that he isn’t sniffing out their every flaw.  Having the shade his mustache affords him for cover and being the straightforward man, he is, he also has no trouble pointing these flaws out to the person on the opposite side of his spyglass.  When Poirot lands on the train he quickly begins meeting his fellow passengers.  All of them open up to him who is, as I mentioned, sizing them up while conversing with them. 
His character isn’t set up anymore beyond this.  You know he’s a detective but what you don’t understand is why you need other characters literally telling you that for the entire opening of the film.  As far as the setup, not much is known about any of the other characters in the film either, which is a big loss with a cast such as this.  The elements are in place for this to be a massive success but it fails to deliver which ultimately falls on Branagh’s shoulders.  I think most of his attention went to his acting instead of on the rest of the film.

All in all, the actors did a fine job portraying their characters but as the story moves forward you don’t find them very memorable.  They remain nothing more than background in a mystery that you have already solved, except for the puzzle in your head that’s still unworking. It stares up at your asking why have the amazing cast if you’re not going to use them better?  I digress.  My original point is that it is quite obvious who the killer is.  I won’t tell you but when our master detective finds the victim, the ‘whodunit’ of it all isn’t too hard to figure out.  For me, this meant the film wasn’t as engaging as I had hoped it would be. 
Maybe I expected too much.  I’ve enjoyed most of Kenneth Branagh’s work but this one misses the mark.  I’m all for interesting camera angles but some overhead shots seemed unnecessary and useless.  He continued using perplexing and erratic camerawork throughout which didn’t win him any favors, however, the performances and music might make it worth the trip for you.  There is a slight hint that there could be another film with Poirot on the way so, if that’s the case, I hope he learns from his mistakes with this one.

LAST FLAG FLYING Screening in Phoenix Tomorrow!

In 2003, 30 years after they served together in the Vietnam War, former Navy Corps medic Larry “Doc” Shepherd (Steve Carell) re-unites with ex-Marine Sal Nealon (Bryan Cranston) and Reverend Richard Mueller (Laurence Fishburne) on a different type of mission: to bury Doc’s son, a young Marine killed in the Iraq War. Doc decides to forgo burial at Arlington Cemetery and, with the help of his old buddies, takes the casket on a bittersweet trip up the East Coast to his home in suburban New Hampshire. Along the way, Doc, Sal and Mueller reminisce and come to terms with shared memories of the war that continues to shape their lives.

Find your chance to receive special advance movie screening passes below. 

LAST FLAG FLYING 

Location:

11/9/17
7 PM
Harkins Camelview at Fashion Square
7014 E Camelback Road ANC-03A
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

JON FAVREAU’S ALL-NEW BIG-SCREEN ADVENTURE “THE LION KING” ROARS TO LIFE WITH ALL-STAR CAST

The all-star lineup for director Jon Favreau’s new take on Disney’s 1994 classic animated film “The Lion King” includes stars from the film, TV, theater and music arenas. Featuring pioneering filmmaking techniques, the film welcomes back to the big screen iconic characters that audiences have long treasured—but in a whole new way. From Disney Live Action, “The Lion King” is slated for U.S. theaters on July 19, 2019.

“It is a director’s dream to assemble a talented team like this to bring this classic story to life,” said Favreau.

Lions rule the African savanna in “The Lion King,” which welcomes Donald Glover (“Atlanta,” “Solo: A Star Wars Story”) as future king Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (“Dreamgirls,” “Lemonade” visual album) as Simba’s friend-turned-love interest Nala, and James Earl Jones (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” “Field of Dreams”) as Simba’s wise and loving father, Mufasa, reprising his iconic performance from Disney’s 1994 animated classic. Chiwetel Ejiofor (“Twelve Years a Slave,” Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange”) was called on to portray Simba’s villainous uncle Scar, and Alfre Woodard (“Juanita,” Marvel’s “Luke Cage”) portrays Simba’s no-nonsense mother, Sarabi. JD McCrary (OWN’s “Tyler Perry’s The Paynes,” Apple’s “Vital Signs”) fills the shoes of Young Simba, a confident cub who can’t wait to be king, and Shahadi Wright Joseph (NBC’s “Hairspray Live,” Broadway’s “The Lion King”) brings tough cub Young Nala to life.

Every kingdom comes with a trustworthy advisor or two. John Kani (“Coriolanus,” Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: Civil War”) was cast as the wise baboon Rafiki, and John Oliver (HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”) was tapped as hornbill Zazu, Mufasa’s loyal confidant. When Simba goes into exile, he relies on two newfound friends—Seth Rogen (“Sausage Party,” “Neighbors”) lends his comedic chops to naïve warthog Pumbaa, and Billy Eichner (“Billy on the Street,” FX’s “American Horror Story”) joins the cast as know-it-all meerkat Timon.

While most of the animals in the kingdom respect the king, the hyenas have other plans. Florence Kasumba (NBC’s “Emerald City,” Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther”) portrays Shenzi, Eric André (Adult Swim’s “The Eric André Show,” FXX’s “Man Seeking Woman”) is Azizi, and Keegan-Michael Key (“Predator,” Netflix’s “Friends from College”) plays Kamari.

“The Lion King” is directed by Favreau (“The Jungle Book,” Marvel Studios’ “Iron Man”) and produced by Favreau, Jeffrey Silver (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Edge of Tomorrow”) and Karen Gilchrist (“The Jungle Book,” “Chef”). Jeff Nathanson (“Catch Me If You Can,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales”) penned the screenplay based on the 1994 screenplay by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts and Linda Woolverton. Tom Peitzman (co-producer “Kong: Skull Island,” “Alice in Wonderland”) and Thomas Schumacher (“The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast”) are executive producers, and John Bartnicki (“The Jungle Book,” “Chef”) is co-producer. The award-winning team of artists tapped to bring the African savanna and its animal inhabitants to life include visual effects supervisor Rob Legato, who conceived the virtual production on “Avatar,” won Academy Awards® for his work on “The Jungle Book,” “Hugo” and “Titanic,” and was nominated for an Oscar® for his work on “Apollo 13.”

The film’s animation supervisor is OscarÂŽ-winner Andrew R. Jones (“The Jungle Book,” “Avatar,” “World War Z”). VFX supervisor is Adam Valdez (“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”), who won an Oscar for his work on “The Jungle Book.” Five-time Oscar nominee Caleb Deschanel, ASC, (“Jack Reacher,” “The Patriot”), is director of photography, and James Chinlund (“War for the Planet of the Apes,” “Marvel’s The Avengers”) serves as the production designer. Oscar winner Ben Grossman (“Alice in Wonderland,” “Hugo,” “Star Trek into Darkness”) is virtual production supervisor, and Mark Livolsi, ACE, (“The Jungle Book,” “Saving Mr. Banks,” “The Blind Side”) and Adam Gerstel (“Transformers: The Last Knight,” “The Jungle Book”) are editors. Hans Zimmer (“Dunkirk,” “Hidden Figures”), who won an Oscar for his score for the animated classic, will score the adventure.

ABOUT THE MOVIE:

From Disney Live Action, director Jon Favreau’s all-new “The Lion King” journeys to the African savanna where a future king is born. Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub’s arrival. Scar, Mufasa’s brother—and former heir to the throne—has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba’s exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his. The all-star cast includes Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Billy Eichner as Timon and Seth Rogen as Pumbaa. Utilizing pioneering filmmaking techniques to bring treasured characters to life in a whole new way, “The Lion King” roars into theaters on July 19, 2019.