12 Strong – Trailer

October 20, 2017

12 STRONG

Director: Nicolai Fuglsig

Writers: Ted Tally, Peter Craig

Based on the acclaimed book by best-selling author Doug Stanton

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, Michael PenŢa, Navid Negahban, Trevante Rhodes, Geoff Stults, Thad Luckinbill, Austin Stowell, Ben O’Toole, Austin Hebert, Kenneth Miller, Kenny Sheard, Jack Kesy.

Producers: Jerry Bruckheimer, Molly Smith, Trent Luckinbill, Thad Luckinbill

SYNOPSIS:

“12 Strong” is set in the harrowing days following 9/11 when a U.S. Special Forces team, led by their new Captain, Mitch Nelson (Hemsworth), is chosen to be the first U.S. troops sent into Afghanistan for an extremely dangerous mission. There, in the rugged mountains, they must convince Northern Alliance General Dostum (Negahban) to join forces with them to fight their common adversary: the Taliban and their Al Qaeda allies. In addition to overcoming mutual distrust and a vast cultural divide, the Americans—accustomed to state-of-the-art warfare—must adopt the rudimentary tactics of the Afghani horse soldiers. But despite their uneasy bond, the new allies face overwhelming odds: outnumbered and outgunned by a ruthless enemy that does not take prisoners.

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In Theaters October 21

Get Tickets & Showtimes

I, TONYA – Teaser Trailer

October 20, 2017

Director: Craig Gillespie

Cast: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney, Paul Walter Hauser, Julianne Nicholson, Bobby Cannavale, Mckenna Grace

Producers: Bryan Unkeless, Steven Rogers, Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley
Executive Producers:  Len Blavatnik, Aviv Giladi, Vince Holden, Toby Hill, Craig Gillespie, Zanne Devine, Rosanne Korenberg

Screenplay by: Steven Rogers
Cinematography by: Nicolas Karakatsanis

Based on unbelievable but true events, I, TONYA is the darkly comedic tale of American figure skater Tonya Harding and one of the most sensational scandals in sports history. Though Harding was the first American woman to complete a triple axel in competition, her legacy has forever been defined by her association with an infamous, ill-conceived and worse-executed attack on fellow Olympic competitor Nancy Kerrigan. Featuring an iconic turn by Margot Robbie as the fiery Harding, a mustachioed Sebastian Stan as her impetuous ex-husband Jeff Gillooly, a tour-de-force performance from Allison Janney as her acid-tongued mother LaVona Golden, and an original screenplay by Steven Rogers, Craig Gillespie’s I, TONYA is an absurd, irreverent, and piercing portrayal of Harding’s life and career in all of its unchecked––and checkered––glory.

 

Limited Release December 8, 2017

 Expansion Dates To Be Announced

Official Website:

ITONYAMOVIE.COM

limited theatrical release on December 8th

http://www.fandango.com

Killing Gunther movie review

October 20, 2017 (updated October 20, 2017)

The opening scene for Killing Gunther, including the credits, is fantastic.  It sets up the story perfectly.  Right away, we learn that the film is coming from the point of view of a documentary crew.  This film is that documentary.  Blake (Killam) is a contract killer who hired the crew for proof of his actions.  He explains that Gunther (Schwarzenegger) is at the top of the contract killing business, the king so to speak, and if you’re going to dethrone the king as Blake plans to do, you’re going to need the proof that you had been the one that took him out.

Blake proceeds to explain how he plans to do this.  The reason he feels he’ll be successful is that he has put together a team of people he knows will get the job done.  There’s Donnie (Moynihan) a man good at killing but not at relationships.  Not surprisingly, he’s mostly comic relief.  There’s Sanaa (Simone) who started killing at the age of eight.  She wants to be recognized for her skills not for being her deadly father’s daughter.  Watch out for his character.  When he, whose nickname is ‘The Nightmare,’ enthusiastically fawns all over his daughter, he’s absolutely priceless.  There’s a young hacker, a ‘human computer’ named Gabe (Brittian) who’s new to the group.  He joined because there’s more money in all of this than just your ‘standard hacking.’  We also meet Ashley (Sixto) who doesn’t show up too much.  I’ll let the film explain the reason why.  With Ashley, who Blake introduces as his secret weapon, being on the team, he’s convinced there’s no way he can fail at his mission.

When a problem arises and Blake needs an extra man, he puts the word out that he needs someone.  There are some very witty moments while he interviews some candidates for the job, especially when the criminals realize they’re being filmed and don’t want any part of it.  Each of these cleverly written characters stands out in unique ways that you’ll appreciate. 

Not far in, the documentary crew reveals the real reason that Blake wants Gunther.  He can say it’s to be number one all he wants but it’s actually because of Lisa McCalla (Smulders), a retired hitwoman and… his ex-girlfriend!  Lisa and Blake had been together for four years and she left him for, you guessed it, Gunther!  When he’s confronted by the crew with Lisa’s name and what they know of her, Blake denies he ever heard of a Lisa.  He proclaims that they must have been misinformed.  What happens after that is quite memorable and something worth rewinding and watching more than once.  It’s side-splitting and moments like this are all over the landscape of this film making it worth seeing more than once lest you overlooked something.  During their conversations with Lisa, she informs us that she’s much happier not killing people anymore.  

During the film, problems arise that I don’t want to give up here but Blake does end up confronting Gunther.  Gunther informs him that his group had been infiltrated in several ways and he knew what Blake had been up to the entire time.  There’s a special treat for the audience, in meeting Gunther.  We get to hear a few classic action film lines which, no matter what you thought of the film up to this point, makes it an instant smash for any comedy fan.  There are a few issues such as the budget and having to use cheesy effects, but Killam makes even that work to his advantage.  It’s incredibly silly so don’t take it too seriously, just have fun!  Oh!  And watch the credits, as well. 

*Opens at AMC Arizona Center and On Demand October 20th

Only The Brave Movie Review

October 20, 2017 (updated October 23, 2017)

“Only The Brave” deals with the tragic death of the 19 Hot Shot firefighters in Yarnell. They died as they were fighting a huge wildfire in 2013. But the end of the story only enforces the prior build-up of these brave men. They were ordinary people put into extraordinary situations, time and time again. The purpose of the Hot Shot crew was to be the ‘Seal Team 6’ of wildfire control. They went into dire and deadly circumstances with little more than 50-pound packs and knowledge of the terrain. The Hot Shot crew stood between a forest fire and the local community and towns that were in peril.

Eric Marsh (Josh Brolin) is known as “Supe”, as the Superintendant of the firefighting crew in Prescott. They had 20 members who were all young and ready to take on the worst that Mother Nature can give them. When a couple of openings pop up, one of them is filled by Brendan McDonough (Miles Teller). Brendan was a low spot in his life; with a recent drug habit and felony record, plus an unplanned child from a past girlfriend. He can barely make it through an initial run up a mountain, but he perseveres. Eric sees that Brendan can have the discipline to make it, while the other members of the crew scoff at him.

Eric’s wife Amanda (Jennifer Connelly) is very supportive, but she wants Eric to stay around more so they can plan a family. But it all changes when the local fire chief Duane Steinbrink (Jeff Bridges) tells Eric that the US government has approved his crew with an official Hot Shot status. Eric and his second-in-command Jesse Steed (James Badge Dale) look forward to being sent around the region to fight the biggest blazes. Brendan does everything he can to make things right with his old girlfriend and get to know their little girl. Chris MacKenzie (Taylor Kitsch) at first rejects Brendan, but he soon sees the attitude and spirit in him that keeps the team going. All the other team members also accept his hard work to better his life.

The Granite Mountain Hot Shot team is born, and the group gets called on for fighting fires all over the state of Arizona. They do amazing work, and every place they go, their reputation grows. Eric leads them in a tough but fair manner. He does not expect anything more from his team than he expects from himself. He has his own demons inside, from the past, living in a bottle. Brendan and his addiction problems hit Eric very close to home. Jesse, Chris and all the other crew accept Brendan as an equal. Many of them have wives and children of their own, so family is very important to them. Almost as important as making a dent in a raging wildfire…

They go on deeper into the fire season, and they finally get to June 2013. There is a new fire in the rocky hills near Yarnell. Brendan had a recent leg injury and has limited mobility. Eric Marsh sends him up to a ridge to be a lookout. Brendan is nearly overtaken by a fire roaring up the hill. Another Hot Shot crew finds him and takes him back to the base camp. Eric and the other 18 fire fighters lose contact with Brendan and with everyone else. They decide to hike/run back to the base camp. They are unaware of a major firestorm and winds that have pushed the fire right over the ridge. They are trapped on all sides by the raging blaze. They deploy the safety shelters that they carry, to hide them from the flames. But their luck has burned out…

“Only The Brave” does a spectacular job recreating the personalities and the environment that was the Granite Mountain Hot Shot team. The scenes of the forest on fire are totally realistic. The work and sweat of each crew member is shown in detail, along with ways in which they saved homes, property and lives. The story is true-to-life and makes for a compelling viewing, even when you know the sad outcome. The only issue is that with 20 different characters, it is very hard to know any but selected few. Also, the wives and family are important, but they take second-place to the few main characters.

Josh Brolin and Miles Teller are both excellent in their roles (Eric and Brendan). James Badge Dale and Taylor Kitsch are also very good (Jesse and Chris) but they are not quite as well-defined. Jennifer Connelly is very powerful as Amanda, Eric’s wife. All the other acting is great, with Jeff Bridges even getting a chance to sing and play guitar. The story of the Granite Mountain crew is examined in detail, and it shows the dedication of each member. The soundtrack (Joseph Trapanese) is very noble and moving, and suits the firm perfectly. Director Joseph Kosinski has taken a careful look at these very special people and has creating a very fitting tribute to their life and their life’s work.

This movie really has almost no downside, unless you are afraid of fire. It does go a tiny bit long, and it does limit the people who are the main characters. But each and every one of that crew would give anything for their fellow Hot Shot. On June 28, 2013 – the ‘Seal Team 6’ of Granite Mountain Hot Shots made their last stand.

A Red Carpet preview was held at Tempe Marketplace with many of the people involved with making this film. See the terrific pictures from that event, with many of the stars from this movie…

Photos from the “Only the Brave” Red Carpet event

The Snowman Movie Review

October 20, 2017 (updated October 20, 2017)

As Anna from ‘Frozen’ might say – “Do you want to build ‘The Snowman’?”… Well not exactly this ‘Snowman’. He is a mysterious serial killer from the novel by Jo Nesbø. In his novel there is a literary detective named Harry Hole, who is not a run-of-the-mill gumshoe on the Oslo, Norway police department. He is a force to be reckoned with, and when Norway’s first serial killer pops up and taunts Harry, he faces great odds to catch the perp. The popular character from a series of books now comes to the screen.

Oslo Detective Harry Hole (Michael Fassbender) is a brilliant police officer, whose grueling work is studied at the Police Academy. Yet his troubled life and relationships feed his aloofness and alcoholism. He has broken up with a long-term girlfriend named Rakel Fauske (Charlotte Gainsbourg). She and her young son Oleg (Michael Yates) and her new lover, a doctor named Mathias (Jonas Karlsson), still let Harry hang around now and then. Harry is close to being a father to Oleg, but they are not related. But now Harry’s got a new problem regarding missing people.

Several women have gone missing, and there is some speculation about a return of a serial killer from about nine years ago. Back then, a detective in Bergen, Norway named Gert Rafto (Val Kilmer) had found some dead women after they had gone missing. They had the same profile as the ones that Harry is researching. Rafto believed that he had found the killer, but soon after he told his partner Svenson (Toby Jones), Rafto was found dead. His death was ruled a shotgun suicide, but there were many things unanswered. Such as – who was Rafto’s suspect for the killings?

 

Harry Hole is partnered up with a new officer named Katrine Bratt (Rebecca Ferguson), fresh from the Academy. She is very interested in the missing women. She also has an unusual interest in local business tycoon Arve Støp (JK Simmons). Støp is leading the campaign to get the Winter Games set in Oslo Norway. He also has a keen eye for ladies of a particular age and look. He is assisted in his ‘lady search’ by Dr. Vetlesen (David Dencik), who runs a local clinic for women’s health. But soon, there is a discovery of bodies, or at least body parts. The serial killer has returned, and he is taunting Harry.

The missing women turn up dead, and they are found in pieces. There are letters being sent to Harry, with menacing notes that come from ‘The Snowman’. Whoever is killing the women is also stalking Harry. He and Katrine are finding no luck in locating the killer. But Katrine has a more personal reason to find him. It becomes clear later on that she has ulterior motives to study this murderer and she has personal reasons to do so. But there could be many suspects, like Støp, or Vetlesen. Until the good doctor is found dead of a ‘shotgun suicide’, similar to Gert Rafto. Very suspect, indeed…

Harry Hole is a flawed hero, with many character flaws and addictions. But will he continue to be mocked and taunted by ‘The Snowman’? Will he resolve the attraction he feels for his new partner Katrine, or find a way back to his past love Rakel? Can he find closure for the kidnappings and murders of the young women in Oslo, and find the truth behind the death of Rafto? Can the audience find a reason to stay involved with this overwhelming mess of a plot?

Jo Nesbø has a reputation for writing popular books about flawed people finding refuge in work. However, his novel has undergone a massive change, and it is not for the better. In this adaptation, almost all of the structure is gone; replaced by a hodge-podge of police procedures and unconnected sequences. Many characters are introduced, but with little context as how they relate to the entire story. There are numerous red herrings raised that make you think it might have some significance. But they fly away like the sea gulls that gather around a dead body up in the snow-covered hills.

 

Michael Fassbender does a heroic job attempting to portray the anti-hero character Harry Hole. Rebecca Ferguson and Charlotte Gainsbourg play Katrine and Rakel with a real purpose, and do fine work. The rest of the actors are also OK in their roles, but none of them stand out totally. The entire cast is set back on their heels because of the messy plot. The story must have gone through various rewrites and reshoots. However, One person does stand out. Val Kilmer makes a short appearance, and not in a good way. He no longer looks like ‘Iceman’ from “Top Gun”. The movie has many beautiful shots of snowy landscapes and falling snow.

 

Unfortunately, the story is about as chopped up as one of ‘The Snowman’ victims. The result makes it tough for all the actors, even one as talented as Michael Fassbender. The original story in the novel might have been much better defined, because this story melts quickly away, like the falling snow…

Training The Amazons. ‘The Warriors of Wonder Woman’ Featurette

October 17, 2017

Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained warrior. When a pilot crashes and tells of conflict in the outside world, she leaves home to fight a war, discovering her full powers and true destiny.

Director: Patty Jenkins
Cast:Gal Gadot (Diana Prince / Wonder Woman), Chris Pine (Steve Trevor), Connie Nielsen (Hippolyta), Robin Wright (Antiope), Danny Huston (Ludendorff), David Thewlis (Ares)
DC Comics
TM & © Warner Bros.

GUY FIERI IS ON MISSION TO FIND FOOD NETWORK’S NEXT BIG FOOD-ROAD SHOW ON ALL-NEW “GUY’S BIG PROJECT”

October 16, 2017

GUY’S BIG PROJECT

NEW Series Premieres Sunday, November 5th at 9pm ET/PT 

New York – September 29, 2017 – Guy Fieri has visited thousands of restaurants on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, literally putting food-road shows on the map. Now, Guy is searching for Food Network’s next big culinary-travel series. After receiving and sorting through thousands of submissions from hopeful hosts with promising concepts, Guy and his team of food and television experts narrowed it down to a final group of prospects that will vie to have their idea developed into a show on Guy’s Big Project. The six-episode journey begins on Sunday, November 5th at 9pm ET/PT and documents every twist and turn as the prospects move from initial pitch through development to network review, to the ultimate end goal – the premiere of a new show on Food Network.

“Over a decade ago I was given a chance that I could never have dreamed of on Food Network Star, and now I’m honored to have the opportunity to help make someone else’s dream a reality,” said Fieri. “As a producer, I know what it takes to get a show off the ground, and we will see if these prospects have the passion and skills needed because a great idea is just the first step.”

“Guy’s Big Project invites viewers behind-the-scenes to see how a series goes from a passionate idea to a reality on-air,” said Courtney White, Senior Vice President Programming, Scripps Networks Interactive. “Guy’s betting on not only identifying the next big idea for the network, but he’s also committed to doing everything needed to help the prospects succeed.”

Guy and his team of experts including Food Network’s Alex Guarnaschelli and veteran television producer Mark Dissin, are taking the most promising prospects out on the road to see who has what it takes to be a success. The journey begins with the finalists picking a restaurant that best represents them and their show idea, where they film a pitch video to convey what their show would be about. Then, the pressure heats up as they whip up a meal in Guy’s personal kitchen that embodies their idea. One prospect will find the feedback hard to chew and will be sent home.

As the season progresses, the prospects are put through the paces by Guy and his team, learning that there is a lot more to hosting a food-television show than a passion for food and cooking skills.  From describing each bite of food in order to convey the flavors, aromas and textures, to engaging the audience while eating and interviewing a wide variety of chefs, there is a lot to digest especially when your hopes and dreams are on the line.

On the finale on Sunday, December 10th at 9pm ET/PT, the remaining prospects each shoot a pilot employing all the skills they learned from the previous weeks. After submitting their tapes to the network, they must wait to hear the decision. Immediately following the finale, at 10pm ET/PT, viewers will find out who made the cut as they get a sneak peek of the winner’s series!

The prospects include: Mark Anderson (Boise, Idaho) together with Ryan Fey (Los Angeles, California), Zane Caplansky (Toronto, Canada), Sharon Damante (Napa, California) together with Sherri Williams (Crestview, Florida), Christian Gill (Cincinnati, Ohio), Lindsay Greene (Atlanta, Georgia), Rashad Jones (Ocala, Florida), Dariany Santana(Kenilworth, New Jersey), and Vincenzo Vaccaro (Astoria, New York).

Fans can get an insider’s look at the making of Guy’s Big Project with behind-the-scenes photos of Guy and the prospects, as well as bonus videos and recipes inspired by the show at FoodNetwork.com/GuysBigProject. To join the conversation on social media use #GuysBigProject.

Here, Kitty Kitty!!! NEW “Black Panther” Trailer and Images

October 16, 2017 (updated October 16, 2017)

Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” opens in U.S. theaters on February 16, 2018.

Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.

“Black Panther” stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, with Angela Bassett, with Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.

The film is directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nate Moore, Jeffrey Chernov and Stan Lee serving as executive producers.  Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Cole wrote the screenplay.

Website and Mobile site: http://www.marvel.com

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Blood Money Movie Review

October 14, 2017 (updated October 14, 2017)

A young woman is begging for her life, trying to escape the clutches of a sadistic… John Cusack?!  I know.  Doesn’t sound right, does it?  Exactly!  But, as he often does, he pulls it off even though he would never have fit the role… on paper, that is.  I don’t know what it is with him but he manages to always surprise his audience and never lets them down.  The movie itself, well, that’s a different story, but let me tell you the story first. 
The credits roll with extremely fitting music that puts you in the mood to see a good thriller.  Popcorn in hand, drink nearby… we’re ready for a good flick.  We start the process of learning who the characters in the film are and we’re on our way.  We meet three people right away, Lynn (Fitzgerald), the girl everyone wants, Vic (Coltrane) the clingy type, and Jeff (Artist) the one to use when all hope is lost.  They’re three friends about to enjoy themselves in the wilderness when we cut to a man we find out is Miller (Cusack) propelling himself out of a plane after he first tosses bags of cargo out the side door.  The plane then continues flying itself before crashing into the forest below. 

To our surprise (not really), our young wandering besties seem to be heading in the same direction the bags are tossed  They run into Miller and outside of Lynn thinking he’s sexy, which I assure you, unlike when he was in Serendipity, Cusack is NOT sexy in the film, they find him odd.  Why do I sense this is going to get ugly?  OH!  I know… because they already show that to me in the first few moments of the movie.  You’re watching the movie because you’ve already been intrigued by the trailer, am I right?  There is no need to jump ahead in the story when I’m already watching.  I digress. 
So, our campers continue their deep forest frolic filled with friendship and FRUSTRATION.  Frustration due to the green-eyed monster rearing its horrid head.   Our buddies are caught in a love triangle which has the only female in the group running off in a huff and, as predicted, running into the money.  You’d think that instinct would kick in and that she’s run like hell away from big black bags of cash but nope; she takes it without for one moment considering who might be looking for it.

Both Jeff and Lynn (I wonder if either of the writers, Jared Butler or Lars Norberg, are ELO fans), salivate at the idea of going home with this kind of money and are spending it before it’s even counted.  Vic, the wiser head, bails.  And here were get a bit weird.  As Vic treks through the woods alone, he runs into Miller again.  They begin talking and through their shared resentment or disenchantment with women, strike or sort of bond.  It’s an interesting plot twist to be sure. 

Cusack’s ability to deliver a line far exceeds Coltrane’s who’s too flat, but the filmmakers manage a few moments of cat playing with mouse and it works really well.  However, when we go back to Jeff and Lynn, things aren’t going quite so smoothly.  Lynn is getting a bit ridiculous and I don’t say that lightly.  She’s acting crazy.  The idea of being rich has turned her into a maniac.  The dialogue written for these two is a bit far-fetched, Lynn has become a cold, witch with a capital B but when we’re on Vic and Miller, the story is much more interesting.  What you find out as they get to know one another is that Miller isn’t a killer, isn’t a terrible, evil person but, much like the case with Lynn, he got the money and intends to do whatever it takes to keep it. 

It’s said that money changes people.  That would be the perfect tagline for this film because, damn!  The two people in the power play positions here are almost savage.

*Opens at AMC Arizona Center and On Demand October 13th

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