August 2015 Movie Releases (DvD & Blu-Ray)

August 4^th

Insurgent – The movie cousin to The Hunger Games has a sequel. Based upon the YA(young adult) novel, this sequel focuses on the war between four factions (Amity, Abnegation, Erudite, and Dauntless). Tris is one of the divergents (having all 4 characteristics) as she helps lead the way in a fight for peace or something like that. Starring: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Kate Winslet and the god awful Jai Courtney.

Do You Believe? – A religious movie about how a pastor influences another pastor to be more pastorly. Starring: Mira Sorvino, Sean Astin (Rudy), and Cybill Shepherd.

True Story – This is that James Franco and Jonah Hill movie that was based on a true story. It focuses on the relationship between a writer, Finkel (Hill) and a murderer, Longo (Franco), taking upon Finkel’s identity. Finkel was a writer for the New York Times Magazine and was actually fired for fabricating parts of a news story in 2002.

Child 44 – Tom Hardy plays a Russian Intelligence agent (in the Joseph Stalin era) who takes on a case involving multiple murders of children. Leo Demidov’s (Hardy) case leads to high authorities in the Russian government. Based upon the first in a trilogy of novels by Tom Rob Smith, the story follows Demidov’s exploits. Starring: Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace (Prometheus), Gary Oldman (The Dark Knight, The Professional), Joel Kinnaman (The Killing, upcoming Suicide Squad), Jason Clarke (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes), Vincent Cassel (Trance), and Charles Dance (Game of Thrones, The Golden Child).An incredible cast doesn’t always spell box office success. Still, I am likely to rent this.

A Little Chaos – A movie about competitive garden designers that are tasked to create a one of a kind water fountain on the grounds of le chateau de Versailles. I’m not making this up. Starring: Kate Winslet (The Reader), Alan Rickman (Harry Potter), Stanley Tucci(Transformers 4: Age of Extinction), and Matthias Schoenaerts (Bullhead).

Adult Beginners – A drama about a businessman (Nick Kroll) that loses it all but while staying with his sister (Rose Byrne) learns valuable life lessons. Starring: Nick Kroll (The League), Rose Byrne (X-Men: First Class), Bobby Cannavale (Ant-Man), Joel McHale (Ted) and Jason Mantzoukas (The Dictator, The League).

The Salvation – Mads Mikkelsen stars as a vengeful settler in the American West circa 1870s after the murder of his family. After killing the man responsible, the leader of their gang also seeks revenge. Looks like a decent flick. Starring: Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale, Hannibal), Eva Green (Casino Royale), and Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Watchmen).

Barely Lethal – This movie follows a 16 year old teenager assassin after she fakes her own death and enrolls in a suburban high school. She quickly learns that school clicks and popularity come at a price. Starring: Jessica Alba (Sin City), Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones), and Samuel L. Jackson (every movie). Yawn!

Madame Bovary – A drama focusing on an adulterous wife as she tries to escape her boring lifestyle. Starring: Mia Wasikowska (In Treatment, Alice in Wonderland), Ezra Miller (Trainwreck, upcoming Flash), Paul Giamatti (Sideways) and Rhys Ifans (The Amazing Spider-Man).

Jackie & Ryan – Katherine Heigl still manages to headline movies, although this one looks straight to video. The story involves two musicians as they find themselves in love. Starring Katherine Heigl, Ben Barnes and Clea DuVall.

 

August 11^th

Hot Pursuit – All of the previews for this mess looked like a rip off of The Heat with Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy. This is a ‘female buddy’ film that has a conservative cop (Reese Witherspoon) and the wife of a drug dealer (Sofia Vergara) that must team up against a drug cartel. If Sofia’s blabbering accent on Modern Family isn’t enough for you, then check this out!

Unfriended – A high school girl that killed herself due to a cruel prank now communicates via Skype in video group chats! Okay, it sounds lame but at least it’s a different way for the genre of horror to reach another generation of kids.

Robot Overlords – Humans are slaves to a race of robots that conquered the world. People are confined to their homes and must wear implants. I’m not sure how this escaped me as it stars Ben Kingsley (Ghandi, Tut) and Gillian Anderson (X-Files). I may watch if the SyFy Channel picks it up.

 

August 18^th

Little Boy – A seven year old boy ventures off to bring his father back home from the World War II. The boy’s innocence incites those embedded in the war. Starring Emily Watson, Kevin James (you read that right), Michael Rapaport, Tom Wilkinson and Ali Landry (that hot Dorito’s commercial girl).

Lambert & Stamp – This documentary chronicles the journey of aspiring filmmakers, Christopher Stamp and Kit Lambert, as they try to produce a movie during the 1960’s underground music scene. The doc also features footage with famous people related to The Who, Richard Barnes, Roger Daltry, and Pete Townshend.

5 to 7 – This is a romantic comedy that follows a woman who writes about falling in love. Things get crazy when the person she is in love with is the French diplomat’s wife! Gasp! Caged Heat sounds better.

Strangerland – A family moves to the Australian outback when a dust storm results in the loss of their children. A search party forms to find the missing children amidst rumors and suspicion. Spooky! Starring: Nicole Kidman (Fur), Joseph Fiennes (Voldemort’s brother) and Hugo Weaving (The Matrix, Lord of the Rings).

The Riot Club – In this thriller, two freshman join an infamous club at Oxford. One day, all of the spoiled, rich students get in over their heads. Based upon the play, Posh.  The movie,Skulls, is probably much better than this but that ain’t saying much!

Vendetta – Remember Dean Cain? Well, if you haven’t went out of your way to research where he’s been, you’d still only remember him for playing Superman in the TV series, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Mr. Cain has been playing in direct to video movies for quite some time. In this movie, he plays a cop who must get revenge after his wife is murdered by The Big Show (Paul Wight or WWE fame). This looks like hung-over viewing.

 

August 25^th

Aloha – An all-star cast surrounds this box office disappointment. Brian Gilcrest is a US weapons consultant that becomes disgraced, then later talks to a robot and then eventually heads to Hawaii to oversee the launch of a spy satellite. He must also get permission for the launch from the Hawaiian council as part of his assignment. Directed by fan-favorite Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous, Jerry Maguire) and starring: Bradley Cooper, Emma, Stone, Rachel McAdams, John Krasinski, Danny McBride, Alec Baldwin, and Bill Murray.

Citizenfour – This riveting looking documentary showcases how filmmaker, Laura Poitras (who focuses on gov’t surveillance of private citizens post 9/11) receives an encrypted email by “citizenfour” who claims to have inside knowledge of covert surveillance by intelligence agencies. “Citizenfour” ends up being Edward Snowden. The documentary focuses on key interviews with Snowden and Julian Assange. Looks very interesting.

Where Hope Grows – Holy 1980s! This movie stars Danica McKellar (The Wonder Years) and William Zabka (bad guy from The Karate Kid). The story focuses on a former professional baseball player who retires because of panic attacks. He eventually develops a relationship with a store clerk who has Downs Syndrome. His perspective on life changes and hope is learned…blah…blah…blah….I’ll pass.

Two Days, One Night – Marion Cotillard (Inception, La Vie en Rose) stars in this drama about how working class people who may have been disenfranchised from society. Sandra (Cotillard) tries to return to her job after an episode of depression only to find that her employer no longer needs her. She learns her fate is to be decided by her fellow employees in a vote.

Big Game – A teenager finds the President of the United States in a pod while hunting. Together they must make it through the woods alive as terrorists close in. Starring: Samuel L. Jackson (every movie) and Onni Tommila.

Skin Trade – Dolph Lundgren stars as a detective out for revenge after his family was slain by the mob. The mob is eventually connected to a human trafficking ring and Dolph must work with Tony Jaa (Ong Bak, The Defender), a Thai detective, to destroy them once and for all. Hung-over viewing.

Justice League: Gods and Monsters – Set in an alternate universe, DC’s trinity (Wonder Woman, Batman and Superman) find themselves framed for a bombing. DC’s main guns all have different origin stories and must decide whether they want to save the world or conquer it. Voice actors: Benjamin Bratt, Michael C. Hall, Tamara Taylor, Jason Isaacs and C. Thomas Howell. It’s a comic book animated movie! Count me in.

Lila & Eve – A drama/thriller surrounding a mother, Lila, who loses her son in a drive by shooting.  Lila eventually meets Eve, another mother who lost her daughter the same night. Together they go after the criminals responsible. Starring: Viola Davis and Jennifer Lopez. Lifetime should starting making theatrical releases.

October Gale – This follows a doctor who tries to assist an injured man on an island from a man that is hunting him. Starring Patricia Clarkson, Scott Speedman, and Tim Roth.

The Runner – Nicolas Cage is back again as a once idealistic politician that must re-examine his life after a sex scandal destroys his career. Not to be confused with a good movie, this stars Nicolas Cage, Sarah Paulson (12 Years a Slave), Peter Fonda (Easy Rider) and Connie Nielsen (Gladiator). Will Nic Cage ever make a comeback from box office obscurity?

June Movie DvD/Blu-Ray Releases!!!

June 2^nd, 2015

Focus – More like out of focus! Ok, that was lame. I’m not really a huge fan of Will Smith but you can sign me up for Margot Robbie anytime! The film opened to mixed reviews. It’s about conning people and the like. The story reminds me of the brilliant Grifters with Faye Dunaway and John Cusack. I’ll likely rent this.

Jupiter Ascending –Imagine someone taking a dump while staring directly into your eyes the entire time. This movie is exactly that. This has the hammiest of acting and a silly story. The special effects are excellent though. It’s this year’s shiniest of turds. Directed by the Wachowski siblings and starred by Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis.

McFarland USA – A sports drama about a track team. Kevin Costner stars as a coach that whips a bunch of Latinos into shape!

SpongeBob Squarepants 2: Sponge Out of Water – This movie made a good amount of change at the box office. I wouldn’t be surprised if another was released.

Monsters: Dark Continent – The sequel to acclaimed Gareth Edwards movie, Monsters. In this story, it follows a group of soldiers fighting the continued alien dominance on Earth.

June 9^th, 2015

Kingsman: The Secret Service – In this fun spy thriller, a young man (Taron Egerton) must rise to the occasion of being a Kingsman, a super spy. Colin Firth shines as the mentor and a lisp-y Samuel L. Jackson rounds out the cast as the villain.

The DUFF – This is about a girl(Mae Whitman) that hopes her last year in high school is more promising until she finds out that she’s ….wait for it……………the Designated, Ugly, Fat, Friend. She’s determined to change the social structure of her high school with the help of the dude that plays Firestorm on The Flash, Robbie Amell.

Project Almanac – It’s a time travel movie but with teenagers that have to go back and make things right. Meh…

Serena – Yet another movie with Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence! They’ve got to be the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan pairing of modern times. This time the movie examines a couple’s marriage problems in Depression Era North Carolina.

June 16^th, 2015

Chappie – Neill Blomkamp attempts to make a movie in the same vein as his debut, District 9. Reviews were not kind to this film. Well, it’s mostly mixed. Hugh Jackman and Dev Patel co-star in the once anticipated film. Many are looking forward to Blomkamp’s upcoming Alien movie.

Run All Night – In trying to replicate his Taken success, Liam Neeson continues to make action-y revenge-ish movies. If you look at the box office numbers, people are finally beginning to get tired of this ‘Liam Neeson’ genre movie. I will say that somehow this film has a great cast that includes the super talented Joel Kinnaman and bad a$$, Ed Harris.

The Lazarus Effect – A scientific experiment leaves Olivia Wilde dead. Mark Duplass and company manage to bring her back but with terrifying results. This wasn’t the best reviewed movie. I’d likely catch this as a late night renter or if it comes to Netflix instant.

Unfinished Business – I hope that once the 2^nd season of True Detective begins that we’ll all forget about this Vince Vaughan led movie. Somehow Tom Wilkinson and Dave Franco co-star in this.

Beyond the Reach – This thriller is about a rich dude and a poacher who set out on a hunting trip. The poacher ends up killing another dude and sets up a wild goose chase in the Mojave Desert. Michael Douglas and Jeremy Irvine star.

Playing it Cool – A romantic comedy with Chris Evans and Michelle Monaghan! I believe this was in a very limited theatrical release (for a good reason). Evans stars as a dude who doesn’t believe in love that tries to win over an engaged girl (Monaghan).

June 23, 2015

Pound of Flesh – Van Damme stars in a movie doing martial arts!! This time around, some idiots steal one of his kidneys and he goes on revenge mode to retrieve it so he can donate it to his niece.

Survivor – In a film by James McTeigue (Ninja and V for Vendetta), the film follows an agent from the US State Department who must prevent a massive terrorist attack. The film stars Milla Jovovich and Pierce Brosnan.

The Forger – John Travolta does a Boston accent! I only want to see the movie because of this. He plays a forger who must commit one last heist, while trying to be there for his sick son.

June 30^th, 2015

Get Hard – Will Ferrell is sentenced to hard time for a crime he didn’t commit but he must ‘get hard’ with the help from Kevin Hart. If you like recognizable comedians in a formulaic comedy, then this one’s for you!

The Gunman – What happens when you ask Sean Penn to do his best Liam Neeson impression? This movie, which tanked at the box office. It does feature a great cast though – Javier “Call it” Bardem, Ray Winstone and was directed by Taken’s Pierre Morel.

While We’re Young – Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts get their lives turned upside when they become friends with a much younger couple played by Adam Driver and Amanda “Butter Face” Seyfried.

Danny Collins – Al Pacino plays an aging musician (like he could play a young musician!) that upon realizing a letter written by John Lennon to him, decides to turn his life around. The movie also features Jennifer “Affleck” Garner and Michael “you’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off” Caine.

The Last Knights – What happened to Clive Owen?! Ever since Children of Men, he’s been kind of off the radar. He recently had Blood Ties in 2013 but that had a short theatrical release. Anyways, he stars in this revenge film alongside Morgan “God” Freeman.