Blog – Page 284 – tmc.io 🍿 watch movies with friends

Nocturnal Animals

November 24, 2016 (updated February 24, 2017)

Tom Ford, a fashion designer turned filmmaker, gives us “Nocturnal Animals”, his second feature film. Ford clearly knows beauty when he sees it and makes this film a stunning piece of art to gaze upon, to say the least. “Nocturnal Animals” is unusually artistic, intoxicatingly dark. It’s a stylistic and clever drama/thriller that contrasts one scene with the other, one feeling with another and doesn’t give its audience an opportunity to feel vindicated in either of them.

At the beginning, we’re led into the tale of Susan (Adams) and her ex-husband Tony (Gyllenhaal). She is now a successful art dealer married to the rich playboy, Hutton Morrow (Hammer), whom she left Tony for; the playboy who is never home and who sleeps around on her. If she isn’t at an opening, she’s generally alone. Unexpectedly, she receives the proof of Tony’s new book to read. Having always encouraged him to write better she’s excited to begin reading it. As she reads, she is spooked by how good he has become and terrorized by the narration. As she reads, the tale unfolds before us. It flashes back to Susan with Tony when they were younger and we after his face is established, we see that she has interjected her ex-husband into the lead character of the book in her hands. The story is about loss. Perhaps Tony’s new book is a message to her. Maybe it’s just a book but all writing is ultimately about the writer in some sense or another and the loss in this frightening novel is clear and quite brutal… maybe how Tony felt when he lost his wife.

“Florence Foster Jenkins” is enchanting! The cast is delightful. This is an absolute must see!

Shari K. Green

Sr. Film Writer and Community Manager, tmc.io

Ford opens the film with a live art exhibit and closes the film the same way. Though the players are different, it is obvious they are on display. You’ll be moved by the opening and touched by the end. The first might incite you to smile and giggle a bit at wiggling pounds of flesh dancing before your eyes and the later will stir you to sadness and despair. Played beautifully with the music, we see Susan, a living art piece of her own, but I’ll not spoil all of that.

“Nocturnal Animals” is a movie you have to experience. It’s simply not like all the rest. It will pull you into the story as Tony’s book does to Susan. Every background is contrived, locations are perfect, and the performers are good but if you didn’t already believe Michael Shannon is an acting deity, here’s another reason why so many do.

Rules Don’t Apply

November 24, 2016 (updated November 24, 2016)

In 1958, the sweet and innocent Ms. Apple Blossom Queen from Virginia, Marla Mabrey (Collins), with dreams of making it big in Hollywood, steps into the world of Howard Hughes and her life is never the same. For four-hundred dollars a week, a house to reside and a driver she, along with many other woman, are actresses, singers and dancers, kept under contract and available at all times for screen by Hughes, ready for screen tests at a moments notice and at his whim. What becomes evident and quickly is he may not have anything for them, but nobody else can have them. They are what he sees as the best and he, the great and powerful Howard Hughes, has them. It makes the point of the opening scroll clearer; a quote by Hughes, “Never check an interesting fact.” Being very paranoid Hughes keeps close check on everyone he employees yet is emotionally close to few. Of his many drivers, Frank (Ehrenreich), a young and deeply religious Methodist, grabs the attention of the virginal Baptist Blossom, Marla. Frank is not only religious but engaged, however, he notices her, as well, struck by her ability to stand out in a crowd; to be different, speak as an individual and not try to fit into a mold.

“Perfect holiday release…Give it a watch!”

Shari K. Green

Sr. Film Writer and Community Manager, tmc.io

Hughes has strict rules about his drivers having affairs if they’re married, in fact, rule #1 is no employee is allowed to have any relationship whatsoever with a contract actress. He doesn’t want them getting too close in any capacity but Frank can’t help himself and breaks the rule. Frank and Marla, having an almost immediate attraction to one another, get closer and closer and defy the rules of not only Hughes but of their church. Perhaps this is the only way they find comfort in the abnormal life they cater to each day.

Paranoia grips the eccentric billionaire for which they work. Frank and Marla become a lifeline to Hughes as he teeters on the edge of madness. He sees almost no one and he lives in the shadows; in the dark and secrecy. Once you’re in, you give up your life for his and his desires, his dreams. His needs are always met and whether fake or fiction in the heart of the person doing it, everyone coddles him and indulges him, laughs at every joke and is at his beckon call. Frank and Marla change who they are as time moves on, to please their boss but soon it comes clear his interest is only in himself.

The film is quite fascinating. With rumors of his quizzical personality and the opening quote, “Never check an interesting fact,” the question is what or if any of the film is factual. Did he really have to have certain ice-cream instantly at any given moment and insist on flying himself across the world at the drop of a hat? Curiosity of Hughes himself is what makes this movie so riveting but the sweet love story, the old fashion style it’s presented and the music Beatty uses makes it that much more delightful. Beatty is larger than life and it’s great to see him back with this particular project. He also wrote and produced it so he chose cinematographer, Caleb Deschanel (The Natural, Hope Floats, The Passion of the Christ) who has everyone in a special glow that befits the time period and the ambience Beatty was going for. “Rules Don’t Apply” is the perfect holiday release and I suggest you give it a watch this Thanksgiving weekend.

Bad Santa 2

November 23, 2016 (updated December 7, 2016)

“Bad Santa”, back in 2003, unleashed quite a few “Bad” types of movies (“Bad Teacher”, “Bad Moms”, etc.) It brought a very hard edge to idea of a ‘Christmas movie’. Well, 13 years later, the raunchy comeback kid returns with “Bad Santa 2”. This is the movie that will put the “X” in X-Mas.

Willie Soke (Billy Bob Thornton) is living in Phoenix, still as bad-tempered and mean-spirited as ever. He drinks all day holding crummy jobs until he again meets up with Marcus (Tony Cox). Marcus is his diminutive friend in the thievery business who tried to kill Willie during the last heist. Marcus is out of jail and knows about a big score they can pull off up in Chicago.

Willie is a small-time safe-cracker, but the drinking and hard living has made problems for him. One of his problems is Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly) who got to know ‘Santa’ in the first movie. Willie cannot get rid of the lovable little cherub with the angelic face. Marcus is a creepy little dwarf, but he promises a big money payoff in Chicago.

Once there, Willie and Marcus get hooked into a large charity organization that raises lots of dollars. There will be many Santas collecting the loot, and if they get into the company safe, the cash will be theirs. But then Willie meets the person who organized this heist, Sunny Soke (Kathy Bates) his long estranged mother.

Sparks fly and insults hurl and put-downs become the order of the day. Thurman follows Willie to Chicago to be with him. The charity owner’s wife Diane (Christina Hendricks) finds a new ‘friend’ in Willie, because her husband in cheating on her and stealing from the charity.

The final day of the robbery is planned out, and the three main participants are planning to double-triple-cross each other. The safe is full of cash and the characters are all ready to get rich. Or perhaps dead…

The movie producers waited for this many years to make a sequel, and this sort of takes a lot of wind out the sails. The whole thing is a retread of the original, and they think that it will be ‘better’ with many of the same actors and with many more curse words and insults. Well, most of the lines are maxed out on the crudeness credit card, and there are a few that are pretty funny.

But mostly it is a failed trip down the memory chute of better forgotten characters and dialog. Billy Bob Thornton can slum down his acting ability, and Kathy Bates also leaves the award-winning ways in the dirt. The addition of Tony Cox and Brett Kelly make it resemble the original, but without the same motivations as the first one.

This is another entry in the curmudgeon Christmas movie, a small group of movies that take the light, peacefulness, and hope out of the holiday. When the title even reminds you that it is ‘Bad’, there is not that much to expect. If you are looking for disgusting behavior, crudity and vulgarity, all wrapped up in a dull brown paper, then this is the one for you.

Merry Eff’n Christmas, as Willie would say…

Smurfs: The Lost Village Official Trailer #2

November 22, 2016 (updated December 22, 2016)

In this fully animated, all-new take on the Smurfs, a mysterious map sets Smurfette and her best friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty on an exciting and thrilling race through the Forbidden Forest filled with magical creatures to find a mysterious lost village before the evil wizard Gargamel does. Embarking on a rollercoaster journey full of action and danger, the Smurfs are on a course that leads to the discovery of the biggest secret in Smurf history!



In Theaters April 7

Get Tickets & Showtimes

ASU Film Spark Releases Car Dogs

November 21, 2016 (updated December 22, 2016)

Arizona State University’s Film Spark program announced last night that “CAR DOGS”, a dramatic comedy starring Patrick J. Adams, George Lopez, Nia Vardalos, Octavia Spencer, Josh Hopkins, and Dash Mihok, will be released in theaters across the Valley on Friday, January 27, 2017.

The production gave 85 ASU students and 15 recent alums the chance to learn filmmaking on an actual film set from an Oscar winning, Hollywood cast and crew. ASU Film Spark, an unprecedented program at the intersection of the entertainment industry and academia, helps ASU students and alumni in their entertainment careers while creating a better film industry, culture and society.

More information on the film can be found at

ABOUT “CAR DOGS”

With everything to gain, and even more to lose, Mark (Patrick J. Adams) and his brazen sales team have just eight hours to sell more cars than have ever been sold in a single day. Leading the pack is sales vet, Christian (George Lopez). He’s slick, fast talking, and conniving; able to get customers to both open their wallets and part with their better judgement. Hot on his heels is Sharon (Nia Vardalos). She’s smart and savvy, outmaneuvering the competition with her wit and charm. As the clock ticks down, their outrageous tactics step up, with each salesperson ready to do whatever it takes to be top “car dog.” But for Mark, the stakes are much more than just a paycheck.

ABOUT OF FILM SPARK

In Fall of 2009, ASU film professor Adam Collis, hosted a simple video-conference between his students and the cinematographer of The Hangover films. The students liked it so much, Collis set upon a mission to connect ASU students with the best filmmakers and executives in the world.

Since then Professor Collis has connected ASU with 4 Oscar-winners, 5 Oscar-nominees, 3 studio chiefs, the presidents of the Academy and the Directors Guild, as well as numerous blockbuster producers and award-winning directors. The program also deepens ASU connections with entertainment companies, alumni and prospective students in Southern California.

President Michael Crow and Dean Steve Tepper recognized the value of Collis’ efforts and formally established ASU Film Spark at the ASU California Center in Santa Monica with a staff of five. Turning a professor’s passion for his students into a university strategic initiative is yet another example of why U.S. News & World Report named ASU the “Most Innovative University in the Nation” two years in a row.

The Edge of Seventeen Interview with actress Haley Lu Richardson

November 18, 2016 (updated December 20, 2016)

“The Edge of 17” is not exactly what it’s sold to you as. By the looks of it, from the title, poster and the trailer, you’d think this was a film for young girls and young girls only. It’s far from that. Yes. It is a tale of teen angst but is so much more in that we see not only Nadine’s (Steinfeld) low opinion of herself from the get go and her fighting or giving up, but we see a story built around that, with characters who are more than willing to indulge her in her self-loathing and the consequences of that decision. Most affected by her parent’s decision to look the other way as Nadine wallowed in self pity is her slightly older brother, Darian (Jenner). At the time of their father’s death, he not only became the man of the house, he had to also become his mother’s friend which turned into a job for him. There are fights between brother and sister which are quite amusing but not what is at the core of issues the family faces.

Being a very difficult person to be around, Nadine has only one true friend and that’s Krista (Richardson). Since they were little they did everything together. Nadine loved her like family; trusted her more than anyone. When her father died, it was with Krista’s help that Nadine survived. Krista, like Nadine is a young woman now with a likable personality, pretty face and hormones that rage… something that doesn’t go unnoticed by one particular individual. Nadine gets incensed and feels betrayed when Krista begins to date Darian. She is no longer her friend and cuts them both out of her life. Being a spoiled brat and getting her way when she throws a fit has worked so far… why not now? To Krista she says, ‘It’s him or me. Pick.’ Nadine the Terrible is surprised at the response.

“It’s a really fun movie…I highly recommend this film”.

Shari K. Green

Sr. Film Writer and Community Manager, tmc.io

She does learn some sense. She bothers her teacher, Mr. Brunner (Harrelson) every chance she gets. He’s both a father figure and friend but doesn’t want to be either. In a very Woody Harrelson way he damn near makes this film his own as he listens and responds to her tales of woe. It’s a really fun movie and it feels as if it’s almost an honor to watch this character grow.

I highly recommend this film. The writing is inventive, it gives a chance to female actors to play the characters given to males in a setting such as this and they handle their roles like the professionals they are; job well done, ladies! One other reason to see this that stands out… it’s produced by James L. Brooks, writer of “Terms of Endearment,” “As Good As It Gets” and “The Simpsons”. It’s hard to see through a keener eye than his when it comes to a hybrid of heart and hilarity. Be ready for the rollercoaster. This is heavy on the emotion sprinkled with laughs but then… so is life.

Haley Lu Richardson

Plays Nadine’s best friend, Krista

Haley Lu was raised in Phoenix, AZ by right-brained creative parents, Valerie (graphic designer) and Forrest Richardson (golf course architect). She attended Villa Montessori school where she was encouraged to think outside the box and find self-motivation. She then went on to graduate from Arcadia High School in the top 10% of her class.

Haley Lu Richardson, who played Nadine’s best friend, Krista, and I had a chance to chat. She was very bubbly and sweet and talked with her hands, often pounding the table to stress a point. Here is some of that conversation:

Q. How much input did you and you have?

A. We had two weeks of rehearsal time where I literally just spent time with Hailey and we did our scenes and Kelly was super open to improvising in those rehearsals and what happens before the scenes and after not being stuck to the page to really figure out what’s going on in the scene and how people say that. I didn’t do much improving on the day on set but all the work we did in the rehearsal period kind of changed… you could see the scenes change a little bit to how we would naturally do it.

Q. Were you at all intimidate working with this group of people.

A. My character was cast later. Most of the characters were cast already, by the time they had auditioned me which was cool for me because sometimes when you audition for a movie you have no idea who you’re going to be acting opposite but I got to see who was cast and what producers were working on it and I got to see… so yeah, I was like, yeah… I was very intimidated but also equally or more so excited to just get the opportunity to learn from them.

Q. How did you work on establishing this great friendship when you barely had a chance to do it on screen?

A. I think the rehearsal period and Hailey and I got along really well in person. She’s so cool. I think the writing was great… just going with it and being there in the moment. We both know what it’s like going through all that stuff in high school and how important that is and we just wanted to commit and bring it… the justice a friendship like that deserves.

Q. Do you think a friendship is more important than a potential boyfriend or is all fair in love and war?

A. We didn’t want to make Krista the stereotypical villain that ruins the protagonist’s life, you know? We didn’t’ want to make her that. She had reasons for what she did and also she’s not a bad person and she’s not even doing anything that bad. She’s been such a selfless friend for so long and she realizes she could possibly have this really great connection with this guy and it’s like, you kinda have to do something for yourself at some point… I don’t even view it and maybe this is just biased because I had to get in this headspace to play Krista but I don’t view it where it had to be a choice between a relationship or a friendship. I feel like, in the end, it actually could be a great thing if you’re looking at the big picture because if it does end up working out, we could just all be one big happy family. (laughs) If it’s not something full on crossing a line and disrespectful of a friend, I don’t think there really has to be a choice. I think you can make it work.

Q. When Krista and Nadine have a falling out in the second act, what was Krista thinking? We saw her story but not yours.

A. That was interesting. It sets up a bunch of different challenges when you’re playing a supporting character because you don’t have the pressure of carrying the movie but also you have this different pressure of making your character well rounded even though the audience doesn’t see all of that person’s life… and also I’m kind of bummed, when you do a movie, you film probably about five hours worth of movie and have to cut a bunch of things out and there were a couple scenes with me and Blake who plays Darian that actually show us, cuz he’s not a bad guy either in the movie… you see everything he has to brush aside to take care of the responsibilities he has. There was a scene where we were in his room and giggling and we hear Nadine coming in downstairs and we both stop and look at each other and there’s this moment that sums up where they were… that they both wished it wasn’t happening but had to follow their hearts and do some things for themselves. She initially reached out to Nadine and Nadine didn’t answer but she just knew she needed to give her some space before they could ever come together.

Q. It’s not a teen comedy but this is one of those movies that can define a generation like “Breakfast Club”… what are some of your favorite teen films?

A. People are asking me a lot and I keep saying “She’s the Man” with Amanda Bynes. (She laughs) I know it’s a lame answer but I really love that movie. I cracked up during that movie more than I have ever. Whenever I have a bloody nose I use a tampon and sop it all up. (Laughs) That’s disgusting. (Laughs) Honestly, I love that movie. Obviously, I love Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off but I feel there’s stupid ones I like even more. Mean Girls I really like. So there’s my lame answer.

Q. You’re a dancer… are we going to see some of that talent soon?

A. I feel like you’re seeing dance so much on reality shows, the dance mom things, the step it up movies, there’s ballet movies but I feel like the story of like a training contemporary dancer hasn’t been told yet and I’d love to make that happen somehow.

Q: What about you making it?

A. I know! I’d have to make it before I’m thirty-five before I can’t dance anymore. That’s my goal. I’m still dancing all the time. I have a couple of injuries. I’m twenty-one but my body is like a seventy year old because of all my dance injuries. (laughs) I have feet problems, hip problems and knee surgeries. But that will happen!

She stands up and knocks on wood. I for one believe this dance film will happen.

Almost Christmas

November 18, 2016 (updated November 18, 2016)

After the death of his wife the family patriarch, Walter, played by “I’m too old for this shit” Danny Glover, attempts to get through his first Christmas. Writer/Director David E. Talbert gently starts the movie with a clever introduction of Walter and his wife, Grace, a cute young couple happily in love, and moves us through the years. The clips, in particular, show Grace feeding Walter a piece of sweet potato pie, a Christmas staple, setting up the hole in the hearts and the stomachs of all who will feel abandoned by its absence; by not seeing it waiting for them to eat this year, by not seeing the maker of the pie. As we meet the present day widower, we feel we know him and for him.

Struggling with whether or not to now sell his house, Walter decides not to tell his family but rather brings them all together for possibly one last Christmas in the family home. His adult children start to file in, some of whom don’t get along very well, and he finds himself playing referee almost immediately. All he is asking for from them is five good days, is he asking for too much of them?

Through the film, there are tender moments and comedic moments. Mo’Nique is responsible for most of the comedy relief. She plays Aunt May and steps into the role of her sister, trying to make sure this dysfunctional family doesn’t fall apart. She does a great job of making the audience laugh, dealing with the burden of the holiday and the heavy hearts within the house. Writing slapstick comedy and mixing it with the appropriate amount of drama, plus the perfect chemistry of the actors on screen, makes this film one Talbert can be proud of.

“I’d put it alongside any of the comedy holiday greats”.

Shari K. Green

Sr. Film Writer and Community Manager, tmc.io

There are a lot of moving pieces and a lot going on with this cast from Malachi (Malco) venturing into a business deal that would kill his mother’s favorite charity to drug use by Walter and Grace’s youngest son (Usher). The sisters are about to kill one another, and while that’s going on one of the men, Uncle Lonnie, (Smoove) is doing the unthinkable during this holiday break with a cashier he meets at a store.

How these moments are handled, with fights or teasing, is what you’ll find it hard not to remember. Hysterical scenes of the family coming together, such as a scene where they dance away the grief over their missing mother for a moment and flashes of discussing their mother and how much she loved them are the points of most significance in a film that almost all are. The emotion is palatable and at times such as this in life, “Almost Christmas” will be one you’ll be unable to forget this season. It’s usually a good sign that the director has done his job when at the end of the movie, nobody wants to leave. Rather than stay for a second showing, you can always purchase this to keep for your very own as I intend to do. This was almost the perfect Christmas film. There were a few incidents where the performances went a little over the top but outside of those moments I’d put it alongside any of the comedy holiday greats going as far as to say you’ll feel the same way. Take my advice and add it to your collection.

Bleed for This

November 17, 2016 (updated December 22, 2016)

This true story is a good one that few people know about. It is worthwhile to see the lengths that someone can go when they have the internal willpower to get back into the life that they love

Hollywood Invades Tempe, Arizona

November 14, 2016 (updated December 22, 2016)

WHO: Hollywood Invades Tempe hosts the brilliant team of futurists, artists, engineers, ethicists and others who helped envision the world for Steven Spielberg’s science fiction classic, Minority Report.

WHAT: A two-day FREE event showcasing the filmmakers and producers of Minority Report featuring fun interactive events that peer 50 years into the future!

WHEN:

Thursday, November 17 at 12:00 p.m. at Old Main – Dialogue on story with Minority Report producer Walter Parkes.

6:30 p.m. at Harkins Valley Art Theatre – Minority Report screening

9:00 p.m. – Q&A with the creators of the iconic film

Friday, November 18 – Old Main

Session 1: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Session 2: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

WHERE:

Old Main

400 E. Tyler Mall

Tempe, AZ 85281

Harkins Valley Art

509 S. Mill Ave

Tempe, AZ 85281

DETAILS: Join ASU’s Hollywood Invades Tempe for a lecture on Narrative Matters – How Stories Reflect, Distort, and Create Our World with Minority Report producer Walter Parkes on November 17 at Old Main. Later that evening, catch a special screening of the film at Harkins Valley Art Theater followed by a Q&A with the minds behind the magic. Finally, on Friday, November 18, come collaborate with the futurists behind the world of Minority Report, ASU leading edge professors, and fellow students for a two-part, day-long “idea summit” and look 50 years into the future!

Come out for this completely free event and dive into the minds of the genius creators behind the futuristic sci-fi, Minority Report.