Category Archives: News
Liz’s Review: Joe Swanberg’s Not So ‘Happy Christmas’
Drinking Buddies was on my Top 10 list of Films for 2013. It was refreshing to see Olivia Wilde cast against her “usual type”, and thank God for that. She is incredibly talented. Jake Johnson is always funny. The two together, completely believable best friends with an edge. What was awkward in Drinking Buddies is still awkward in Joe Swanberg’s latest improv driven film, Happy Christmas. That something is Anna Kendrick. Read More →
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Kevin Smith’s new horror ‘TUSK’
Kevin Smith told the world that he was not planning on directing any more films. Well, it seems that he is a liar, liar, pants on fire. Frankly, I’m so okay with that. TUSK is his latest film and it’s a different genre for him. This is something to get excited about. Check out the first trailer below. Read More →
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‘Mistaken For Strangers – The Play’: A Funny or Die Masterpiece
For those of you who followed us when we were swinging our beat over at Cinemit.com, you might have read my review of Tom Berninger‘s fascinating documentary Mistaken for Strangers about his brother Matt‘s band, The National, and their time together on tour. Well, Funny or Die, in the way that few can do, created this wonderful send-up of the film being turned into a stage play:
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NEW TRAILER: ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ Has “B Movie” Written All Over It And Maybe That’s OK
I only have a basic familiarity Fifty Shades of Grey from all the hype after the book release, but I was curious to see what all the fuss is about so I decided to check out the trailer that debuted this morning.
It’s not nearly as cheesy as I had expected, but I’m not going to seek it out.
Will people go to the theaters to see this? Hmm… I’m going to guess that this will do much better on demand, but that remains to be seen.
Written by a woman, directed by a woman and screenplay by a woman. That’s what I’m excited about.
Fifth Shades of Grey is the hotly anticipated film adaptation of the bestselling book that has become a global phenomenon. Since its release, the “Fifty Shades” trilogy has been translated in 52 languages worldwide and sold more than 90 million copies in e-book and print—making it one of the biggest and fastest-selling book series ever. Read More →
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If I Stay Trailer #2- On today’s Page to Screen update
Gayle Forman’s best-selling novel comes to the screen in New Line Cinema’s and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures’ drama “If I Stay,” starring Chloë Grace Moretz (“Carrie,” the “Kick-Ass” films), Mireille Enos (TV’s “The Killing,” “World War Z”), Joshua Leonard (“Higher Ground”), Jamie Blackley (“Snow White and the Huntsmen”) and Stacy Keach (“Nebraska”).
Mia Hall (Moretz) thought the hardest decision she would ever face would be whether to pursue her musical dreams at Juilliard or follow a different path to be with the love of her life, Adam (Blackley). But what should have been a carefree family drive changes everything in an instant, and now her own life hangs in the balance. Caught between life and death for one revealing day, Mia has only one decision left, which will not only decide her future but her ultimate fate.
http://ifistaymovie.com/ Comes to theaters August 22.
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The Immigrant – Now Streaming on Netflix!
Joaquin Phoenix was a busy man during last year’s NYFF51. Following up HER, his second film,The Immigrant, is a story of a young polish immigrant named Ewa (Marion Cotillard). Landing at Ellis Island in 1921, Ewa is at her wits end when her sister is put into quarantine and she is about to be sent back home due to false reports that she is a loose woman. In swoops Joaquin’s character, Bruno. He promises to take her in and make sure she has a job to make enough money to get her sister released from the island. Once inside Bruno’s clutches, he emotionally manipulates her into working in his burlesque show. When the burlesque show doesn’t make enough money, she coerced into prostitution. Enter, Orlando, Bruno’s dashing stage magician cousin. He is sincere in his efforts to woo Ewa and invites her to travel as his assistant. Bruno will have none of this, as his passion for Ewa grows exponentially. They struggle with each other for loyalty and to survive. Read More →
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#AskTheGuardians – Submit Your Questions to the Cast of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’
“Life is meaningless” And Other Bits Of Awesome From ‘Magic In The Moonlight’ Press Conference
On a beautiful Friday morning, I and others gathered for a press conference about Woody Allen’s latest comedy, Magic In The Moonlight. In attendance is Colin Firth, Jacki Weaver and non other than the man himself, Woody Allen.
Isn’t that just an amazing shot of Colin Firth? So dashing!
Woody Allen on the meaning of life
“I firmly believe, and I don’t mean this as a criticism, life is meaningless.”
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So The Rock is Playing Which DC Character?!
via Total Film
For months now Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has been teasing fans the world over of his involvement in the DC Cinematic Universe and now we may finally be closer to finding out just who he might be playing! Read More →
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Director J.J. Abrams Unveils the Star Wars: Episode VII X-Wing in Support of Star Wars: Force for Change Campaign’s Final Week
IN AN EXCLUSIVE VIDEO FROM SET, J.J. ABRAMS OFFERS FANS THE CHANCE TO WIN A PRIVATE HOMETOWN SCREENING OF STAR WARS: EPISODE VII BEFORE IT HITS THEATERS
(IN ADDITION TO CHANCE TO BE IN THE FILM)
Director J.J. Abrams unveils the Star Wars: Episode VII X-Wing in support of Star Wars: Force for Change campaign’s final week
Campaign benefiting UNICEF’s Innovation Labs and programs draws participants from over 119 countries Read More →
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Marvel Just Added Dates to Your Day Planner Through 2019!
Marvel is sure pulling out all the stops a few days ahead of San Diego Comic Con. Today they announce that their cinematic universe will be expanding even further with the announcement of five new release dates which will help Marvel continue to dominate box office numbers through 2019.
The studio already had three unscheduled release dates for films confirmed: July 8, 2016 (Doctor Strange?) which will follow Captain America 3 on May 6, 2016 and then another on May 5, 2017. If that wasn’t enough, now they’ve reserved July 28, 2017 as well as November 3, 2017, July 6, 2018, November 2, 2018 and May 3, 2019! Holy guacamole!
Now nothing about which properties has been confirmed, but I’m fairly certain that’s going to change after next week’s Marvel presentation at Comic-Con! I’ll be on site at next week’s San Diego Comic Con live tweeting all the great news. Make sure to follow #RNDSDCC to keep up!
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EW’s First Look at Avengers: Age of Ultron!!! Look at that sucker!
Entertainment Weekly’s newest edition , features a first look at Iron Man and Captain America as well as the film’s villain Ultron! The story goes on to give some insight into what we can expect from the film’s direction. After the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was shaken to its core with S.H.I.E.L.D. being disbanded and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes status as a group is left in question. Tony Stark has taken it upon himself to search for a way to secure the Earth without the need to put back on the Iron Man suit and give the rest of the team a break. His solution is Ultron, self-aware, self-teaching, artificial intelligence designed to help assess threats, and direct Stark’s Iron Legion of drones to battle evildoers instead. Read More →
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Upcoming: ‘Harmontown’ Documentary Follows Dan Harmon – Creator/Writer/Producer Of NBC’s Community
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Liz’s ‘Thanksgiving’ Review: Let’s Talk Turkey and Truth
Over the holiday weekend, I went to a typical NYC rooftop party. The company was comprised mostly of young lawyers and investment bankers in their mid to late twenties. When one girl complained about the Lower East Side becoming irrelevant, I was perplexed. ” Why?” (an audible Freudian slip). She explained, “Every five feet, they’re are strollers and children! It’s so obnoxious!” I have to say I was genuinely offended. At 34 and kids on the brain, I was angry. Was I ever like this at parties?! Truth is, I probably was. Cue the ashamed shoulder slump and face palm. Read More →
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VOD Today: ‘Kidnapped for Christ’ On Showtime
It’s scary to think that this happens, but it does. Check out the trailer below.
On Thursday, July 10th at 7:30pm ET/PT, SHOWTIME will premiere KIDNAPPED FOR CHRIST, a powerful, award-winning documentary that chronicles the shocking truth behind Escuela Caribe, a controversial Christian behavior modification program in the Dominican Republic for “troubled” U.S. teenagers. Initially hoping to document the positive effects a boarding school like this could have on struggling youth, evangelical filmmaker Kate Logan is granted unprecedented access and allowed to live on campus for the summer. Once there, Logan’s eyes are opened to the truth beneath the sunny façade of this remote reform school—kids being taken by force in the middle of the night, rumors of physical abuse, and staff imposing arbitrary and degrading punishments on the young students—and encounters students who change her life. Read More →
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Liz’s ‘Boyhood’ New York City Press Junket Coverage
Monday, I had the pleasure of participating in the New York press junket for BOYHOOD. In attendance were writer/director Richard Linklater, breakout star, Ellar Coltrane, and industry strongholds Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette. With the film’s highly anticipated release, everyone in the theater was eager to get some deeper insight into this innovative new film. Below you will find some of my favorite highlights from the afternoon.
This movie is about growing up. Can you tell us what you remember about your first kiss? Read More →
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Liz’s Review: ‘Boyhood’ – A Cinephile’s Dream
How do you keep track of your life? With technology these days, it seems that we experience less and less and take digital snapshots of everything we eat, see, hear, and feel. Time is being recorded in short snippets each day. But do all these moments resonate to anyone but ourselves? We cannot forget how we got here. Life and time is not something that can be repeated. We need to pay more attention.
In Richard Linklater’s newest film, BOYHOOD, we are privy to 12 years of not just snapshots but real life moments in time. We not only follow Mason, but his mother, Olivia, father, Mason Sr. and sister, Samantha. 12 entire years of filming one family (and the same actors) through the eyes of a young boy of just 5, into his 18th year. These are the formative years that shape who we are. How we view our mother, father, and siblings forever impacts the choices we make in the future. In Boyhood we are along for moments like family outings, bike rides, first kisses, school, jobs, fights, marriages, both good and bad. These seemingly mundane moments are weaved into a brilliant narrative unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in a film until now. Read More →
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Watch ‘My America’ Exclusively On Fandor Or At Special Screening At IFC Center July 9th
Review coming soon!
Watch on Fandor or find out about the special screening at IFC Center in New York. Read More →
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New Poster: ‘Frank’ Starring Michael Fassbender With A Big Head
I really can’t wait to see it again. Stay tuned for a review coming up from Liz!
In select theaters August 15th!
Acclaimed Irish director Lenny Abrahamson follows up his award-winning films Adam & Paul, Garage, and What Richard Did with an offbeat comedy about a young wannabe musician, Jon (Domhnall Gleeson), who finds himself out of his depth when he joins an avant-garde pop band led by the mysterious and enigmatic Frank (Michael Fassbender), a musical genius who hides himself inside a large fake head, and his terrifying bandmate Clara (Maggie Gyllenhaal).
Written by Jon Ronson (The Men Who Stare At Goats) and Peter Straughan (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Men Who Stare At Goats), Frank is based on the memoir by Jon Ronson. It is a fictional story loosely inspired by Frank Sidebottom, the persona of cult musician and comedy legend Chris Sievey, as well as other outsider musicians like Daniel Johnston and Captain Beefheart. Read More →
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