As you watch Jason Stone‘s thriller The Calling, it may be hard not to recall David Fincher‘s Se7en. Both are steeped in biblical lore and both feature a serial killer, although that could up for some debate in the former. But that’s where the analogy wears off. The Calling is based in the cold expanse of the Great White North – Canada – not the hustle and bustle of the big city (presumably New York) in Se7en. Its lead detective, Hazel Micallef (Susan Sarandon doing her best Marge Gunderson), is the exact opposite of the wise sage that was Somerset (Morgan Freeman) – she is broken and conflicted, a drunk and a pillhead who is seemingly indifferent to doing her job. Her partner Ray Green (Gil Bellows) isn’t anywhere near as apathetic as Hazel and operates by the rules, which is a point of contention between the two throughout the film. An odd couple, if you will. Read More →
Category Archives: Features
Liz’s Review: ‘As Above, So Below’
Last year I toured the Catacombs of Paris. If you are at all claustrophobic, this may not be the tour for you. They are very deep beneath the streets of Paris and not for the faint of heart. If you don’t know, they are the resting place for over 6 million bodies; skeletal remains. Check out a few pics from my trip. Read More →
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Jeremy’s Interview: ‘The Zero Theorem’ Screenwriter Pat Rushin
When Terry Gilliam makes a movie, there is a large swath of the film-going community that eagerly awaits its release. We are fortunate this year to have The Zero Theorem hitting the big screen in September although it’s already out on VOD and iTunes as of this week. I was tremendously lucky to have a chance to speak with screenwriter Pat Rushin back in February about the film. Read More →
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Liz’s Review: ‘Are You Here’ … I’m Not Really Sure
Zach Galifianakis, Owen Wilson, and Amy Poehler in a new film written/directed by Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner; I had high hopes. Too high. Are You Here is a story about two friends, Steve and Ben, who travel back to their hometown after the death of Ben’s father only to find that he has inherited the entirety of his father’s massive fortune, leaving his sister, Terri, high and dry. Read More →
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Reel News Daily’s Top Summer Movies of 2014
At one point the Summer Season was depicted by the film’s released between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, but the time’s have changed and so has Hollywood. Summer tent-pole films are being released earlier and earlier to avoid the cluster of blockbusters being released weekly to capitalize on the lack of competition which of course means more money. So we’ve decided to expand our scope and include April into out Top Summer Movies of 2014…buuuuut we’re also cutting off the last 2 weeks of August…so sue us!
Jeremy‘s List10. Fort Tilden |
Liz‘s List10. Neighbors |
Michael‘s List10. Edge of Tomorrow |
Melissa‘s List10. Coherence |
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Film Festival Selections You Can Now Watch on Netflix Instant
Teenage
Filmmaker Matt Wolf explores the origins of the modern-day “teenager” — a demographic that didn’t even exist until the mid-20th century.
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7 New Movies To Watch Today In Theaters And/Or At Home
Here’s a quick look with more detail description and trailers below:
- Dinosaur 13 – doc on the biggest T Rex ever found
- The Expendables 3 – They’re back. Again.
- Found
- Frank – fantastic indie flick. Check out Liz’s review!
- The Giver – did you read the book? Then don’t see the movie.
- Ragnarok
- Septic Man – a Starz release
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The Reel Big Show – Robin Williams & Lauren Bacall Tributes With CEO of Modernciné and Modern Distributors Andrew van den Houten
In the first part of the episode, Michael’s leads the tribute to Robin Williams along with regulars Jeremy Harmon and Brad Slaton. Jeremy also pays tribute to Lauren Bacall.
Andrew van den Houten, CEO and Founder of TentSquare, Modernciné, and Modern Distributors came on to discuss TentSquare and the new films ModernCine has up their sleeve…Young Adult novel fans might freak a little!
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Liz’s Review: to be ‘FRANK’ … I am obsessed.
It’s rare these days you see a film that is so different from everything else. Frank is the story of an eclectic indie band and it’s lead singer of the same name. A young aspiring songwriter Jon, played adorably by Domhnall Gleeson, stumbles upon the band “Soronprfbs” and inadvertently becomes their keyboardist. The band travels to Ireland to record their album. While abroad, Gleeson delves into the mystery that is Frank. You see, Frank is never seen without his massive, cartoonesque, papier-mâché head on. Gleeson secretly shares short rehearsal clips on the internet to create a buzz around the band, leading to a requested appearance at South By Southwest. But is that really best for Frank? Read More →
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Last Chance: HBO GO Movies Expiring At The End of August!
These 3 are actually expiring August 24th!
- The Best Man Holiday – Sequel to The Best Man (1999)
- The Counselor – Either you love it or you hate it. I hated it, but have a strange desire to give it another try. Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz
- Enough Said – James Gandolfini and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss
There are a lot of movies expiring, these are the ones I would want to catch. My personal suggestions in RED. Read More →
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Jeremy’s Interview: Lance Edmands, Award-Winning “Bluebird” Writer/Director
If you followed my coverage of the Indy Film Fest, you might remember I was able to catch (review here) the Grand Jury & American Spectrum Prize-Winning Bluebird, written and directed by Lance Edmands. You also might remember that it was my favorite of the films that I saw at the festival. I was curious to learn more about the film, its evolution and its journey to the screen so I reached out to Lance and he was kind of enough to give me 45 minutes of his time. Here’s what he had to say… Read More →
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12 Movies Worth A Rental Tonight
C’mon, it’s Saturday. Rent something tonight. So what do you want to watch? Well, here’s some suggestions: Read More →
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Jeremy’s Review & Interview: ‘About Alex’, The Big Chill for the 20-teens & Footprint Features CEO Adam Saunders Gives Us Some Production Skinny
Sometimes movies are anchored in the minds of those who watch them, so much so that they become a permanent part of the landscape of when they were watched or released. I first saw The Big Chill when it hit home video back in 1984, but I had already soaked in an integral part of the film as my parents played the soundtrack (on vinyl of course) at home on a regular rotation (and usually at parties they threw). I was immersed in the film and although its subject matter was rather advanced (suicide) for someone of 9-years old, I truly think it is a film that had a profound effect on me without me really realizing it. So when I had the chance to review Jesse Zwick‘s About Alex, a film that covers many of the same themes as Lawrence Kasdan‘s 80s classic, I jumped at the chance. I am excited that I was able to interview Adam Saunders, CEO of Footprint Features and producer of the film, which helped fill in some blanks about the film, its production and the process by which it was made. Read More →
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Liz’s Review: ‘Altman’ documentary airing tonight on EPIX
As a writer, actor, and avid reader, there are certain artists who resonate with me on a very personal level. Robert Altman is one of them. From M*A*S*H* to Gosford Park, Robert Altman’s ability to capture an audience like no other. His passion for truth and realism is tough to match these days. He is a legend in the business and one to be studied. Read More →
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Michael’s Coverage of San Diego Comic Con 2014! Find Out All the Juicy Details Here!
San Diego Comic Con, or as many refer to it, the Mecca of Geekdom, is arguably the most important showcase for artists, comic books, Hollywood movies and television in the country. It’s heaven on Earth for those who love comic books, cosplay and fantasy and sci-fi TV and movies. SDCC is the yearly multigenre extravaganza! And Reel News Daily was there to cover it for you…the people! Read More →
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Liz’s Review: It’s okay ‘To Be Takei’
George Takei is an icon. 3 seasons of Star Trek, 6 movies in the original franchise, Comic-Con signings, innumerable television guest appearances, and 5 million plus Facebook followers. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you also know George Takei’s most personal venture, gay rights activist. Read More →
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New Trailer: Netflix Documentary ‘Mission Blue’ – Available August 15th
More than four years in the making, MISSION BLUE is legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle’s eye-opening wake-up call to save the ocean. Directed by Fisher Stevens (“The Cove”) and Robert Nixon (“Gorillas in the Mist”), the film follows Dr. Earle on her global quest to protect the ocean — and the extraordinary marine life that call it home — from the powerful forces of pollution, overfishing and climate change. The film also sheds light on Sylvia’s remarkable personal story and professional journey, from her earliest memories exploring the ocean as a young girl to her days leading daring undersea missions, offering insight on the sacrifices, difficulties and tough choices she faced along the way. Read More →
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Fun Stuff: LEGO-Inspired ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Video
Check out this new piece created by Marvel and Lego fan, YouTube star Forrest Whaley!
And don’t forget to check out Michael’s review!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/guardiansofthegalaxy
Twitter: @Guardians
Tweet the Hashtag: #GuardiansOfTheGalaxy
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Jeremy’s Review: ‘4 Minute Mile’ Comes Up A Bit Short At The Finish Line
When it comes to sports movies, they are hard to tackle because you have to be careful of all of the cliches that can arise. You have hundreds of movies and at least a hundred years of the sports themselves to provide all the material you need to deep six a film about one. When I think of hockey, I can’t help but to think of Slap Shot. When I think of basketball (as an Indiana native, I guess we do this a lot), I can’t help but to think of Hoosiers. These films exist without cliche, exemplify the best a movie can be about the sport depicted in it and toe the very thin line between pulling all of the drama and comedy out of the sport possible without becoming overwrought and melodramatic. This is where most sports movies come off the rails. Does Charles-Olivier Michaud pull it off? Well, I guess you’ll have to read on, won’t you? Read More →
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Liz’s Review: James Franco’s ‘Child of God’
One of the first films I had the pleasure of viewing at last year’s New York Film Festival was James Franco‘s Child of God. I was certainly in for a ride. Below is my original review.
Child Of God is a new film with James Franco in the director’s chair. Based upon the 1973 Cormac McCarthy novel of the same name, we are introduced to Lester Ballard. Clearly a social outcast both physically and emotionally, he lives in the woods, barely surviving off squirrel meat. One day he comes upon a car with two deceased teenagers and proceeds to rape the young girl. Deciding not to slip away quietly, he takes her body to an abandoned shed where he lives for a while. Clearly with no sense of relationships, he treats the body as if it is still alive; buying it clothes and food, perhaps to somehow justify the nightly necrophilia. Due to an accident, the shed and the girl are burned to ash. This is merely a small deterrent to Lester’s behavior as eventually he moves into the local West Virginia caves and continues to wreak havoc on the small town. Read More →
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