The “Underworld” films have always been a guilty pleasure of mine. Who doesn’t like vampires versus werewolves? This once refreshing series is at the ‘let’s beat a dead horse’ phase and would rather continue to contribute nothing creatively. There’s always an emphasis on a ‘new power’ or ‘more powerful’ foes entering the fray so that our hero, Selene (Kate Beckinsale), can continue to kick their a$$.
I love watching Beckinsale in the “Underworld” films but, at this point, there is nothing else appealing to this dead franchise, which is also being dumped in the usual movie graveyard month of January in 2017. If you don’t believe me, check out the trailer below and decide for yourself.
The film also stars Theo James, Tobias Menzies, Lara Pulver, James Faulkner, Charles Dance and Peter Andersson. It is being directed by Anna Foerster (TV episodes of “Criminal Minds”, “Outlander”) and is set for release on January 6th, 2017.
Note: “Underworld: Blood Wars” will be opening in the same weekend as the “Amityville: The Awakening” and Tom Cruise’s CIA thriller “Mena”. With that being said, it would be hard to imagine that moviegoers are still excited about the “Underworld” franchise.
You read that right. Let’s go to the 1970s and to John McClane’s beginning! For those following any Die Hard related news (even after two less than stellar sequels: Live Free or Die Hard and A Good Day to Die Hard), you’ll likely know that it was previously announced that filmmakers were looking to bring back Samuel L. Jackson back into the mold (from his Die Hard with a Vengeance role – Zeus Carver). It seems like McClane and Carver’s reunion could still take place, but in a smaller capacity as not only will this proposed film be a prequel but also a sequel. An origin tale that will likely circle back to the present – McClane sans hair.
Deadline reported that the proposed story this time will focus on McClane as he works as a NYPD officer in the 1970s. If this story is to be followed, it will likely focus on a 2010 comic book series (from Boom! Studios) titled Die Hard: Year One that began with his time as an officer in the Big Apple during the 1976 bicentennial and later the New York blackout in 1977.
What may dismay fans (rhyme unintended) is that Len Wiseman (Live Free or Die Hard) is looking to return to the director’s chair. In fact, Wiseman is the one that pitched this ‘new angle’ to the Die Hard universe. Wiseman may be better known for his Underworld films (one of my guilty pleasures) and for putting sci-fans through the remake of Total Recall in 2012. Despite his track record, I believe this to be a really good idea. We never really got an origin story for McClane and bringing Bruce Willis back to help tell this tale would be pretty creative. It seems every time Willis decides to play with the idea of his younger self, the movie ends up being successful – Looper, 12 Monkeys, The Kid.
Mad Max: Fury Road – One of the most action packed movies to come out this summer and a real game changer. Sure, people may call out the thin plot but they are missing the point. In a film like this (an all out action/car chase spectacle), the plot does not need to necessarily be drawn out or complex. In fact, in some of the character developing scenes, you felt as if the film came to a crashing halt. Characters speak through their actions gawd dammit!
If you love action and appreciate large spectacle (and a cool looking dystopia future), I highly recommend this movie. Review here.
Also, check out the Honest Trailer for Mad Max: Fury Road by the folks at Screen Junkies. Pretty funny stuff.
I’ll See You in My Dreams – Gwyneth Paltrow’s mom, Blythe Danner, stars in this movie as an aging widow trying to make sense of her life and love as she takes on dating again.
The D Train – A helpless guy named Dan (Jack Black) is the head of the High School Reunion Committee. Upon the 20 year reunion, Dan is having trouble conjuring up any interest in going. After seeing an old classmate in a commercial, he ventures out to see if he’ll attend the reunion — in the hopes that everyone else will too. You can see why you likely never heard of this. It’s been prepped for Direct to Video.
Good Kill – A fighter pilot turned drone pilot fights Taliban terrorists during the day via remote control and begins to question the ethics of his job. Starring Ethan Hawke (Boyhood, Gattaca, Before Sunrise), January Jones (Mad Men), and Bruce Greenwood (Star Trek). Directed by Andrew Niccol (Gattaca, writer of The Truman Show).
Boulevard – This is one of Robin Williams’ last performances as he stars as an older man going through a mid to mid/late life crisis. A man tries to come to grips with how he really feels about his wife. Couldn’t anyone else tell how Robin Williams was feeling by looking at his filmography during the later years of his life? This is another darker film for Williams. Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul, Mr. Show) and Kathy Baker co-star.
7 Minutes – Two brothers and a friend attempt to pay back a debt in order to save their lives. They believe they only need 7 minutes to attempt a robbery. Luke Mitchell, Jason Ritter (John Ritter’s son) and Kris Kristofferson (Blade) star.
Face of an Angel – This is supposed to be a fictional re-imagining of the Amanda Knox murder trial. You know, that one girl (and her boyfriend at the time) that was accused of murdering her roommate while in Italy. Kate Beckinsale (Serendipity, Underworld), Daniel Bruhl (Rush) and Cara Delevingne (Paper Towns, upcoming Suicide Squad) star.
September 8th
The Age of Adaline – A lady finds herself in a car accident and comes to the realization that she can no longer age. Man, even romantic dramas are copying off the notion of Highlander. For some reason, Blake Lively’s character believes she must not tell anyone about her secret. That is, until she falls in love. Pass!
American Heist – The post Star Wars career of Hayden Christensen is down right embarrassing (you could also say the same for Oscar Winner Adrien Brody). He recently starred in a forgotten movie with Nicolas Cage called Outcast (at least I remember it!) that was soon in the Video on Demand section. The generic title of this movie matches the generic story. Two brothers with a troubled past try to go ‘legit’ but they have to pull off a seemingly impossible bank heist. Adrien Brody (The Pianist) and Jordana Brewster (Fast and Furious) co-star.
September 15th
Furious 7 – You better get ‘revved’ up for this high octane sequel. Insane amounts of action and a bevy of stars kick this summer blockbuster into high gear. Race car puns!
“You almost had me? You never had me! Ya never had ya car!” – Dom Toretto in The Fast and the Furious
Cinderella – Lily James stars as the titular character in this go around from director Kenneth Branagh (Thor, Sleuth). The film co-stars Cate Blanchett (The Lord of the Rings trilogy), Richard Madden (Game of Thrones) and Helena Bonham Carter (most every Tim Burton movie as of late, Harry Potter films).
Monkey Kingdom – This documentary chronicles a family of monkeys as they yearn to climb up the social ranks of their group just as an invasion of other monkeys changes things. Starring monkeys.
Love & Mercy – This drama follows the events in the life of Brian Wilson (Paul Dano), front man of the Beach Boys. More specifically, it chronicles how fame influenced Wilson and the manipulative relationship he had with his therapist. The film also stars John Cusack (Say Anything, Gross Pointe Blank), Paul Giamatti (Sideways, The Illusionist, Straight Outta Compton) and Elizabeth Banks (The Hunger Games, The Lego Movie).
The Overnight – This comedy is about how a couple and their child, who after moving to L.A., is invited to an overnight play date. Adam Scott (Parks and Recreation, A.C.O.D., Party Down), Taylor Schilling (Orange is the New Black), and Jason Schwartzman (Rushmore, Bored to Death, The Grand Budapest Hotel) star.
Heaven Knows What –This is a drama about a young heroin addict as she roams the streets for her next fix. It doesn’t make thing better when her unstable boyfriend shows up. Although the synopsis doesn’t do anything for me, the critics that have seen this have high praise. Not sure why. They called it a ‘junkie drama’. I just love those!
September 22nd
Pitch Perfect 2 – The acappella group, Barden Bellas, are at it again. This time they are competing against real acappella groups (they weren’t last time?) while also dealing with the eventual end to college and entering the adult world. I don’t do musicals but I have to admit that I enjoyed the first installment and may just give this a chance too. Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Adam DeVine and Brittany Snow return to star.
Saint Laurent – This follows French fashion designer, Yves Saint Laurent, as he took the fashion industry by storm in 1967 (at just 30 years old). He was known to ignore social issues at the time and brought more people of color as models. He is responsible for a lot of the clothing still available at stores today. The drama features Gaspard Ulliel (Hannibal Rising), Jeremie Renier, and Lea Seydoux (Blue is the Warmest Color, upcoming Spectre, upcoming Gambit movie).
Results – A recently divorced rich dude decides to become a gym rat. Comedy ensues (supposedly). Guy Pearce (mostly good movies – Prometheus, Memento), Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother, Avengers), Kevin Corrigan (Pineapple Express), and even Anthony Michael Hall (The Breakfast Club) star in this direct to video movie.
September 29th
Spy – Melissa McCarthy is definitely throwing her weight around in this movie! I’m not sure what I meant by that. Look, at first I wasn’t interested in seeing this movie but I just love Jude Law and Jason Statham so you can be sure I’ll at least be renting this. The film revolves around how a CIA agent (McCarthy), that is integral to top missions, is never actually in the field. When an agent’s identity is compromised, she is recruited to get dirty and do some field work.
Poltergeist – Another needless remake. You may know the story already — A family move into a house that was built on a burial ground. The spirits are angry and kidnap the family’s daughter so they can use her as a portal to this world. Just see the original. This remake stars the amazingly talented Sam Rockwell (Moon, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind –why Sam? why!?), Rosemarie DeWitt, and Jared Harris (Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows, Mr. Deeds).
Entourage – This was a fun, little movie but would’ve been better as a TV movie on HBO (review here). It’s the same formula as the 25 minute episode show but drawn out to an hour and a half or so. Some funny moments but the story seemed to drag at parts. I will say that it was fun to see with a group of friends. Ya know? There’s a lot to identify with. Adrien Grenier, Jeremy Piven, Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon and Billy Bob Thornton star in this which includes a lot of celebrity cameos.
Cop Car – This is more of an independent film that has an interesting premise. Two boys come across an empty police car and decide to take it for a joy ride. This ends up pissing off a corrupt sheriff (Kevin Bacon) and turns the story into a cat and mouse game. The film has received a good amount of praise — Rotten Tomatoes: 77%.
Aloft – A mother and son are separated after an accident. The mother becomes a famous artist and the son masters the art of falconry. They are brought together by a journalist and end up realizing what it means to be alive. The film stars the beautiful Jennifer Connolly (Requiem for a Dream, Labyrinth, A Beautiful Mind), Melanie Laurent (Inglorious Basterds), and Cillian Murphy (Sunshine, 28 Days Later, Batman Begins). Looks a little pretentious but I’m slightly interested.
An American in Hollywood – The story here follows a guy and a group of his friends that move to Hollywood to become ‘real artists’ (instead of fake ones). A young actress ends up complicating things. Starring no one you’ve likely heard of — J.D. Williams, Hassan Johnson and Anil Raman.
Return to Sender – A nurse named Miranda (Rosamund Pike) is living a pleasant life until she has a date with a man named Kevin that leads to her being raped. Eventually, Kevin is captured although Miranda would still like to know why she was attacked. Miranda tries to maintain contact with her assailant to know why he did what he did. *Sounds like a Lifetime Movie. The movie co-stars Rumer Willis (Bruce Willis’ daughter) and crazy Nick Nolte.
The Slap – At a birthday party, a kid kicks one of the guests (Peter Sarsgaard) in the leg which results in him slapping the kid. This causes a whirlwind of problems, including a police investigation. This is another drama that I wouldn’t be surprised if it lands on the Lifetime Network (I’d slap myself for seeing this). The all star cast includes Melissa George, Brian Cox, Zachary Quinto, Uma Thurman and Thandie Newton.
Unexpected – Cobie Smulders stars as a teacher who gets pregnant who must consider exchanging her career for motherhood. Yawn!
I know that this movie has been out for awhile but I really wanted to include it on Pop Culture Crunch as I believe the movie to be important and is one that is overlooked, especially with the collection of Danny Boyle’s movies.
Danny Boyle has made some strange, yet ultimately unforgettable movies over the course of his career thus far. Some will cite “Trainspotting”, “Slumdog Millionaire”, “127 Hours” as great films and some may even recollect how great the sci/fi film, “Sunshine” was.
Boyle has a movie for everyone and that’s what makes his films so special. My personal favorite is his under seen film, “Trance”. Though it may not be for everyone, if there are those that enjoy stories about dreams, the idea of reality, hypnosis, or how susceptible the human mind is then I say “see this movie now”.
“Trance” follows the story of an art auctioneer named Simon (played by James McAvoy) involved in a painting heist. Hit upon the head during the event, he must remember where he put the painting as dangerous criminals attempt to coerce the truth out of him. Enter hypnotist, Elizabeth Lamb (Rosario Dawson), who’s hired to help figure out Simon and where he put the painting.
Upon initial viewing, you are unsure where the story may be going and this is a good thing. The story and its characters’ intentions are weaved in such a way that you are unsure who the true protagonist really is. Smart storytelling and excellent performances are other great reasons to see this original thriller.
The music in the film is by Rick Smith, from the electronic band, Underworld. I honestly do not know how the film could have been nearly as effective without its score. It’s layered, dream-like feel perfectly captures the ‘soul’ of the film and is also nice to play when not watching the movie and wanting to simply relax.
With its excellent visuals to boot, “Trance” really is something unique and dream-like. As the movie explores multiple ideas, it was the notion of how and why we remember what we do that is truly fascinating. This idea is romanticized in the film.
Pop Culture Crunch 