Huge number of movies opening this weekend. Nothing super anticipated, though, but still a solid week of releases. This BSR! Weekend Movie Previews is for the weekend of July 18, 2014.
Per usual, before we get started, a quick disclaimer. I write these over my lunch at my day job, all of the film information presented here, including the plot summary, has been pulled from the Opening This Week page of IMDb (http://www.imdb.com/nowplaying/). I have not seen any of these movies at the time of this writing.
Join us this week as we preview “Sex Tape”, “The Purge: Anarchy”, “Planes: Fire & Rescue”, and more.
Sex Tape (2014)
R 94 min – Comedy
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Jason Segel, Cameron Diaz, Rob Corddry, Ellie Kemper
Summary: A married couple wake up to discover that the sex tape they made the evening before has gone missing, leading to a frantic search for its whereabouts.
Thoughts: I’m not a big fan of Cameron Diaz, but I am a big fan of Jason Segel (Go Freaks and Geeks!!). However, they were pretty good together in “Bad Teacher”. This looks like a pretty one premise comedy film that will beat that premise until it is rolling around on the ground crying for its mommy. And I don’t mean that in a good way. And does anyone else find it creepy and unfair at how quickly Jason Segel (and celebrities in general) put on and lose weight? I want a full time chef and personal trainer, too. C’mon Sony Pictures Entertainment, show me some love too!!
The Purge: Anarchy (2014)
R 103 min – Action | Horror | Thriller
Director: James DeMonaco
Stars: Frank Grillo, Carmen Ejogo, Zach Gilford, Kiele Sanchez
Summary: A couple are driving home to their kids when their car runs out of gas just as the Purge commences. Meanwhile, a police sergeant goes out into the streets to get revenge on the man who killed his son, and a mother and daughter run from their home after assailants destroy it. The five people meet up as they attempt to survive the night in Los Angeles.
Thoughts: I didn’t see the first The Purge, I have an issue with overtly politically metaphorical horror movies. Except Zombie movies. And Captain America: Winter Soldier. But, Crossbones is in this one and looks like he is fighting back against the Purgers. Crossbones looks like he would be a good Punisher. We need a good Punisher at some point. There have already been three bad ones, I think we are due.
Planes: Fire & Rescue (2014)
PG 83 min – Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family
Director: Roberts Gannaway
Stars: Dane Cook, Ed Harris, Julie Bowen, Curtis Armstrong
Summary: When Dusty learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he joins forces with fire and rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and his team, The Smokejumpers, to battle a massive wildfire.
Thoughts: So, to start, let’s be clear – this isn’t a Pixar movie and as such I think its status as a true”Cars” sequel is suspect – so we aren’t able to pile on to the mediocrization of Pixar. And as opportunistic and cyncial as I am with regard to that (C’mon, the moral of “Up” was to throw a mentally unstable old man out of a Zeppelin to his death rather than get him medical attention?), I think they have earned the right to make a couple of movies that are just designed to delight the littler kids. This looks like it falls right into that space. No harm, no foul. But I could be wrong, check out what our very own CitizenBot has to say in his review here.
Wish I Was Here (2014) – [Limited]
R 120 min – Comedy | Drama
Director: Zach Braff
Stars: Zach Braff, Joey King, Pierce Gagnon, Kate Hudson
Thoughts: Aidan Bloom is a 35-year-old man who finds himself at major crossroads, which forces him to examine his life, his career, and his family.
Summary: This looks so premeditated and sitcom-ish that I just can’t get up any excitement. I actually contributed to the Kickstarter for this at the $35(?) level, and once I realized none of the levels included the ability to get a copy of the movie or see it as part of the contribution, I un-contributed. If I am contributing above the cost of seeing the movie once it is released, then I should be able to see the damn movie for my contribution!! Bad form Zach Braff, very bad form.
Persecuted (2014) – [Limited]
PG-13 91 min – Action | Drama | Mystery | Thriller
Director: Daniel Lusko
Stars: James Remar, Dean Stockwell, Raoul Trujillo, Bruce Davison
Summary: An evangelist finds himself framed for murder and on the run after he refuses to back a senator’s proposition calling for sweeping religious reform.
Thoughts: I have no idea what is even going on here. What I find interesting in movies that deal with religious faith is that Main Stream Hollywood doesn’t understand how to portray it, and neither do the Religious Right. This movie looks like a total mess of tonal contradictions. Sex, violence, lots of gun shots at people. A preacher as Jason Bourne. I am all for Niche Filmmaking, and the faith market creating content for their audience. I just don’t know if this is the way to do it.
I Origins (2014) – [Limited]
R 113 min – Drama | Sci-Fi
Director: Mike Cahill
Stars: Michael Pitt, Steven Yeun, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Brit Marling
Summary: A molecular biologist and his laboratory partner uncover evidence that may fundamentally change society as we know it.
Thoughts: This by the filmmakers that made “Another Earth” a couple of years ago and which I hated with a deep burning hate. My expectation isn’t high for this one. Already from the trailer, it feels like they don’t understand how science is done, or labs are set up, or people are. But it has a lot of good reviews, so, whatever. Man, I am feeling super negative today. I am sorry.
Mood Indigo (2013) – [Limited]
Not Rated 94 min – Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Romance
Director: Michel Gondry
Stars: Romain Duris, Audrey Tautou, Gad Elmaleh, Omar Sy
Summary: Wealthy, inventive bachelor Colin endeavors to find a cure for his lover Chloe after she’s diagnosed with an unusual illness caused by a flower growing in her lungs.
Thoughts: I have no idea how this could possibly not be wonderful. Michel Gondry? Audrey Tatou? Practical on-set whimsy and effects? I am totally in.
Alive Inside (2014) – [Limited]
Not Rated 73 min – Documentary | News
Director: Michael Rossato-Bennett
Stars: Dan Cohen, Louise Dueno, Nell Hardie, Norman Hardie
Summary: Dan Cohen, founder of the nonprofit organization Music & Memory, fights against a broken healthcare system to demonstrate music’s ability to combat memory loss and restore a deep sense of self to those suffering from it.
Thoughts: This looks wonderful. I don’t know how locked down the science is – I suspect not much. But it still looks like it is kind and uplifting look at our older generation having some renewed moments of joy. A definite will see.
Now, it’s your turn – if you have seen any of these movies, let us know your thoughts in the comments.