Hello out there! It’s a great week for new releases, with tons of flicks to choose from in a wide variety of genres. Be sure to check out the “Blasts From the Past!” section too, there’s something there that you’ll most definitely want to read about. As always, you can also learn more by clicking on the various links throughout the page. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try.
Big New Releases!
Before We Go – Two strangers in New York City cross paths and spend one night in conversation discussing their dreams and fears. Critics weren’t enamored with the end result. They suggested that the plot of this romantic drama was too similar to the Ethan Hawke/Julie Delpy Before Sunrise series, and that even the charm of stars Chris Evans and Alice Eve couldn’t cover for a weak script that didn’t carry much heft and felt emotionally false. Now viewers can make up their own minds.
Bloodsucking Bastards – This satirical horror comedy involves a put-upon corporate employee who loses his girlfriend and a promotion over the course of one day. Events take an even more sinister turn when office workers begin dying under mysterious and very violent circumstances. The press generally liked this low-budget effort. What they admitted it was no classic and took a while to hit its stride, many felt that the climax was a lot of fun and described the overall movie as a better-than-average horror romp. The cast includes Fran Kranz, Pedro Pascal, Joel Murray and Emma Fitzpatrick.
The Diabolical – Reviews were much less positive for this horror flick about a single mother with two children facing off against a paranormal entity. When the lead’s scientist boyfriend gets involved in the investigation, events soon spin into science-fiction territory. While some wrote that they admired the attempts to twist a familiar story into something new, most felt that movie lacked suspense and the pay-off just wasn’t worth the lengthy wait. Ali Larter, Max Rose and Chloe Perrin play the tormented family.
Digging For Fire – The latest from director Joe Swanberg (Drinking Buddies, Happy Christmas) is a largely improvised drama about a couple who find a gun and bone in the woods behind their house. Their investigation leads them on different paths and causes them to examine their own relationship. The press were generally positive about this small, independent title. Despite a few comments that it never really gets deep enough into the psyches of its characters, there were plenty who found the tale interesting and strongly acted. It stars Jake Johnson, Rosemarie DeWitt, Anna Kendrick, Brie Larson, Sam Rockwell, Melanie Lynskey, Mike Birbiglia and Orlando Bloom.
Do I Sound Gay? – This documentary follows a journalist whose boyfriend has just broken up with him. Upset and highly critical of the sound of his own voice, he talks with actors, family, speech therapists, and random strangers to learn more about why we don’t always like the way we speak, especially our own voices. Write-ups were very strong, stating that the movie starts from a very personal perspective, but ends up revealing interesting truths about speech and the way we talk.
The End of the Tour – Based on old interview tapes between Rolling Stone journalist David Lipsky and “Infinite Jest” novelist David Foster Wallace, the story follows their discussions about writing while on a five-day book tour. Reviews were excellent for this small, talking-head drama, calling it a well-acted character study. This reviewer wasn’t able to catch up with it until after its initial release, but he agrees with the recommendations. If you’re okay with a movie full of conversation, there’s a lot of interesting and thoughtful insight. Jason Segel plays Wallace and Jessie Eisenberg takes on Lipsky.
Inside Out – One of the bigger successes of the year with this original Pixar animated film. It follows the personified emotions of a young girl who moves to San Francisco and goes through a big interior upheaval. Located within the lead’s mind, Happiness struggles to keep and handle on all the kid’s feelings. Yes, it’s essentially the Herman’s Head TV show re-purposed as a kid’s movie. Still, notices were fantastic for the movie. They called it bold and beautifully animated. The impressive voice-cast includes Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling, Phyllis Smith and Richard Kind. Read a full-length review here.
A LEGO Brickumentary – This documentary chronicles the rise of LEGO from its humble beginnings in Denmark and follows how the company has continued to grow and evolve over the decades. The press were split on this efforts. While many wrote that the movie would satisfy collectors and brand enthusiasts, just as many felt that the story had little weight and served as more of a puff-piece and feature length commercial for the popular toy line. Jason Bateman takes on the role of narrator. To find out more about the movie, just click here.
Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown – Good God! HBO Films presents this non-fiction examination of one of the legends of soul music – the great James Brown. It contains archival footage and interviews with musicians whom the man played with and those who he inspired. Reviews were excellent for this documentary. Reportedly, it’s a very detailed biography filled with fantastic footage and interesting remembrances. If you’re a fan, you’d better get on up and pick up a copy, you probably can’t go wrong.
Saving Christmas – Oh boy, here’s the movie that was honored (or dishonored) as being the Worst Picture of 2014 at the Razzie Awards. Kirk Cameron stars as a family man who must help his brother-in-law find the true meaning of the holiday. According to critics, it involves the lead character lecturing those around him and making bizarre claims. Reaction was abysmal, with most stating that on top of the heavy-handed approach, it featured poor performances and incredibly shoddy production value. It has yet to receive a single positive review.
She’s Funny That Way – This comedy involves chaos behind-the-scenes at a theater production – in particular, it follows a love triangle between a playwright’s wife, her old lover and a call-girl-turned-actress appearing in the show. Despite being directed by Hollywood veteran Peter Bogdanovich (The Last Picture Show, Noises Off…), reaction was fairly muted to this effort. Almost all critics wrote that it did contain a few funny bits, but more than half felt that there were too many dead stretches between the laughs. It may be worth it just to check out the actors involved. They include Imogen Poots, Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Kathryn Hahn, Rhys Ifans and Will Forte (along with dozens of cameos and other familiar faces).
Stung – Caterers at party for the head of a big pharmaceutical business get a big surprise when killer wasps begin attacking attendees and turning them into giant stinging monsters. This English-language, German/US co-production also split the press. Some called it a fun, old-fashioned horror/comedy with good practical effects and plenty of goo on display, but others didn’t care at all for the human characters. Personally, I’m somewhere in the middle. The lead is hard to like early on, but after 20 minutes (when the action hits) it becomes a serviceable enough monster movie. The movie stars Matt O’Leary, Florentine Lahme, Clifton Collins Jr., and Lance Henriksen.
Tiger House – This thriller from UK/South Africa involves a teenage girl who sneaks into the house of her boyfriend, only to learn that the place has been invaded by kidnappers. She must use her skills to save her guy as well as his mother. There aren’t a lot of write-ups for this flick, but the ones that have been posted aren’t very complimentary. Despite a recognizable cast, they called it a very slow-moving film full of ridiculous turns and gaping plot holes. The cast includes Kaya Scodelario, Ed Skrien and Dougray Scott.
Vacation – The son of Clark Griswold decides to take his kids on a road trip to “Walley World” in this fourth sequel of the long-running comedy franchise. Along the way, the family get themselves into all sorts of trouble. Unfortunately, critics and audiences weren’t very receptive to the latest installment. Many found the humor to be overly crude (some even called it disgusting) and stated that it didn’t match the standards set in previous films. There were a few differing opinions, though. It features Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Leslie Mann and Chris Hemsworth in the lead roles. To read a detailed review of the movie, click here.
Blasts From the Past!
It’s another remarkable week for older titles getting the fancy Blu-ray treatment. After a slight release delay, Olive Films are delivering the romantic comedy Mannequin (1987). But the highlight of the week all around has to be Roar (1981). This adventure starring Tippi Hedren and real life daughter Melanie Griffith is about a family visiting Africa and interacting with lions up close… really up close. In all honesty, it’s one of the craziest movies you’re ever likely to see. Believe me, you need to read all about this title right here.
And there’s more. Kino Lorber have a couple of noteworthy Blu-ray titles as well. They both involve teens becoming involved with nefarious types in the old west. The discs include the Lee Marvin western The Spikes Gang (1984), in which the grizzled veteran actor portrays a wounded bank robber who is nursed back to health by three youths hoping to join his gang. The kids are played by Ron Howard, Charles Martin Smith and Gary Grimes. Wanda Nevada (1979) is an unusual effort in the same genre – it’s about a drifter who wins a young girl in a poker game and takes her with him on a gold claim. It stars Peter Fonda and Brooke Shields.
And finally, Henstooth are putting out a Blu-ray of Croupier (1998). This well-regarded effort features an early performance from Clive Owen as the title character, an aspiring writer who takes a job in a casino, only to find himself in over his head when he’s roped into an elaborate heist plot. If memory serves, it’s a good little thriller.
You Know, For Kids!
And here are some selections for the kids!
Caillou’s Christmas (PBS Kids)
Inside Out
Odd Squad: Reindeer Games (PBS Kids)
Peg & Cat: A Totally Awesome Christmas (PBS Kids)
Peppa Pig: Cold Winter Day
Toy Story that Time Forgot
Wordworld: Merry Christmas (PBS Kids)
On the Tube!
There are plenty of TV options coming your way too. Perhaps the most unusual release is a set containing episodes from the animated Q-Bert. It was part of a series called Saturday Supercade, which aired between 1983 and 1985 (and featured individual cartoon segments based on popular arcade games). It was a pretty shameless attempt to get little kids excited about these game creations and encourage them to spend quarters at the local arcade. You can watch the intro to Saturday Supercade below as well as the opening to Q-Bert. Further down you’ll find the credits for the original Star Trek, which is also arriving this week. Enjoy!
A.D. – The Bible Continues: The Complete Series
Anne of Green Gables: 30th Anniversary (1985 TV mini-series)
Batman: The Complete 3rd Season
Black Sails: The Complete 2nd Season
Californication: The Complete Series
Doctor Who: Series 9, Vol. 1
Empire: Season 1 (Gold Record Edition)
Game of Thrones: Season 1 (Steelbook)
Game of Thrones: Season 2 (Steelbook)
Getting On: The Complete 2nd Season
The Great Fire (PBS release of British Mini-series)
I Love Lucy: The Complete Series
In Their Own Words: Jim Henson (PBS)
In Their Own Words: Muhammad Ali (PBS)
In Their Own Words: Queen Elizabeth II (PBS)
Masterpiece: Worricker: The Complete Series
Mrs. Brown’s Boys: The Complete Series
The Best of Q-Bert: 17 Episodes of the Original Animated Series
Star Trek – The Original Series: The Complete Series (Remastered)
The 10th Kingdom (2000 TV Mini-series)
That 70s Show: The Complete Series
Wicked Tuna – Outer Banks: Season 2