Review: ‘BRIMSTONE’ takes Dakota Fanning down the darkest path yet.

BRIMSTONE
Official Selection – Venice International Film Festival 2016
North American Premiere – Toronto International Film Festival 2016
Official Competition – London Film Festival 2016

U.S. Premiere – Palm Springs International Film Festival 2017

BRIMSTONE is a tale of powerful womanhood and resistance set against the unforgiving cruelty of the American frontier. Wrongly accused of a crime she didn’t commit, the story follows Liz (Dakota Fanning) now turned fugitive, who is being hunted by a vengeful and diabolical Preacher (Guy Pearce.)
BRIMSTONE is directed and written by Martin Koolhoven (Winter in Wartime, AmnesiA) and features an all-star cast: Guy Pearce (HBO’s “Mildred Pierce,” The Proposition, Memento), Dakota Fanning (The Runaways, War of the Worlds, Man on Fire), Emilia Jones (One Day, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides), Carice van Houten (HBO’s “Games of Thrones,” Black Book) , and Kit Harington (HBO’s “Games of Thrones,” MI-5).
Once we saw Dakota Fanning in I Am Sam, there was no doubting she would become one of the most talented actresses of her time. Taking on daring roles has always been part of her repertoire. She has never been afraid to push the envelope as a professional. In BRIMSTONE, Fanning plays a young woman whose life, we come to learn, has been nothing but hardship and emotional torture, mainly at the hands of one man. Guy Pearce plays a sadistic preacher hunting Fanning’s character, Liz. His sick interpretation of the Bible leads them both on a journey that takes danger to the next level. Liz only wants to protect her family and the Reverand wants nothing more than to destroy her. The script is extremely dark and completely unexpected. At a full 2hr and 20 min run, you never see what’s around the bend. It’s emotionally exhausting and that is meant to be a compliment. Pearce is vile in every way. Skin-crawlingly good in this role. Kit Harrington is a breath of fresh air and I wish we had seen more of him, but understand his purpose. The cast is exquisite and their chemistry is phenomenal.
Fanning is nothing short of brilliant, almost having to tackle several different characters in the same film. To say more would give away too much and I encourage you to experience the film for yourself. While Brimstone can be difficult to watch during multiple scenes, it’s presentation is outstanding. Presented as chapters of the Bible and out of order, you discover information along the way that ultimately sets up the ending. Never a dull moment, the film’s intensity cannot be denied. You can see Brimstone in theaters and On Demand this Friday, March 10th. Check out the trailer below.
 
 Momentum Pictures will release the upcoming thriller/western BRIMSTONE in select theaters and On Demand / Digital HD March 10, 2017.

New to Watch: Israeli documentary ‘The Settlers’

Featured at the 2016 Sundance and New York film festivals, THE SETTLERS will open on Friday, March 3 at Film Forum in New York and on Friday, March 17 at the Laemmle Monica in Los Angeles. The documentary will appear at several Jewish film festivals throughout the late winter with more national theatrical bookings to follow.

In June 1967, at the end of the Six-Day War, Israel literally tripled its territory, occupying the Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights, and the West Bank. Hundreds of thousands of settlers have made homes in these Occupied Territories since that time — their presence making a peace agreement with the Palestinians infinitely more complex. THE SETTLERS takes their full measure — its focus ranging from opportunistic families seeking less costly living conditions to Western-style hippies; messianic, religious extremists to idealistic farmers; settler “patriarchs” to new converts. Israeli intellectuals, politicos, and academics weigh in on this conundrum: How can approximately a half-million people be allowed to stand in the way of a Middle Eastern peace settlement the world so desperately needs?

Shimon Dotan is a Fellow at the New York Institute of the Humanities and recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship award. His films have been the recipients of the Special Jury Prize at Sundance (HOT HOUSE), the Silver Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival (THE SMILE OF THE LAMB), and numerous Israeli Academy Awards, including Best Film and Best Director. He has taught filmmaking and film studies at Tel Aviv University, Concordia University and is presently teaching Political Cinema at New York University and Film Directing at the New School.

New to Watch: Thriller ‘Lavender’ starring Abbie Cornish, Justin Long & Dermot Mulroney

Lavender

THEATRICAL, VOD AND DIGITAL HD RELEASE DATE: March 3, 2017
DIRECTOR: Ed Gass-Donnelly
WRITER:  Colin Frizzell, Ed Gass-Donnelly
CAST: Abbie Cornish, Diego Klattenhoff, Justin Long, Dermot Mulroney
SYNOPSIS: When a photographer (Abbie Cornish) suffers severe memory loss after a traumatic accident, strange clues amongst her photos suggest she may be responsible for the deaths of family members she never knew she had. Justin Long plays a psychiatrist who helps her recover lost memories.

Review: ‘WOLVES’ depicts a young man trapped between boyhood and manhood.

Presents

Bart Freundlich’s new film WOLVES

From the famous courts of West 4th Street, to the tenements overlooking the bridges of the lower east side, Wolves paints an original, diverse, and emotional portrait of a boy becoming a man in New York City. 18-year-old, Anthony Keller is a high school basketball star. Now in his senior year he is being recruited by Cornell University, a dream come true.  Called “Saint” by everyone at his school (St. Anthony’s), he does his best to live up to his name.  He is captain of his team, a good student, has a long time girlfriend and some good friends.  But the ease with which he moves through his life is a facade. At home, Anthony struggles with his troubled Father, Lee Keller, (Michael Shannon) and his gambling addiction.  Anthony’s Mother, Jenny, (Carla Gugino) has made it her mission to keep the family afloat but has done so only with great emotional and financial sacrifice.

As Anthony approaches the end of his senior year and the city finals, he is faced with adversity from all sides, and the stakes are high.  He must find his own definition of what it means to be a man, both on and off the court, and in doing so he is confronted with the decision of a lifetime.

There is definitely more than meets the eye to this coming of age, high school basketball story. Newcomer Taylor John Smith plays “Saint”, a kid trying desperately to make everyone around him happy. He is emotionally stretched thin and like many high school students who want/need to achieve their lofty dreams, finally meets his breaking point. WOLVES is filled to the brim with fantastic performances. With a heavy hitting cast alongside Smith, there are more layers to this film, and it all comes down to perspective.

Smith’s lead performance is natural, endearing, and powerful. The abusive aspect of the film coming directly from Michael Shannon (as his father), is tough stuff for any actor. But for Smith to easily go toe to toe with a vet like Shannon, all I can say is, “Bravo.” Speaking of Shannon, he plays a real self-loathing scumbag. Unhappy and resentful professor with a gambling addiction, he not only doles out physical abuse to his son but a heavy handed dose of emotional as well. Shannon gives a performance closer to his early seasons on Boardwalk Empire, short fuse and potentially underlying sociopathic tendencies. Carla Gugino is better than ever as the mother trapped in a marriage of frustration and protection of her son and her own sanity. Grittier than her performance in Match but equally as wonderful. For me, the most noteworthy role is one of the smallest. As a momentary surrogate father figure, former pro-baller and wise truth speaking guru, John Douglas Smith is a master. Some of the most impassioned moments in the script come from the mouth of this character Socrates (aptly named). I could have watched this man wax philosophic for the entire film. He was the grounding force the script so desperately needed, as not to lead it into after-school special territory.

On the whole, you will route for WOLVES and the storyline. You can catch the film in theaters and On Demand, tomorrow March 3rd. Check out the trailer below.

In Theaters & On Demand on March 3rd

RT: 110 Minutes

Netflix News: Brad Pitt & Tilda Swinton in teaser for ‘War Machine’ – available May 26th

Oh, Netflix. You are truly worth $11.99 per month.


An absurdist war story for our times, writer-director David Michôd (Animal Kingdom) recreates a U.S. General’s roller-coaster rise and fall as part reality, part savage parody – raising the specter of just where the line between them lies today. His is an exploration of a born leader’s ultra-confident march right into the dark heart of folly. At the story’s core is Brad Pitt’s sly take on a successful, charismatic four-star general who leapt in like a rock star to command NATO forces in Afghanistan, only to be taken down by a journalist’s no-holds-barred exposé.

The Netflix original film is inspired by the book The Operators: The Wild & Terrifying Inside Story of America’s War in Afghanistan by the late journalist Michael Hastings. Joining Pitt in War Machine is a highly decorated cast including Tilda Swinton, Sir Ben Kingsley, Anthony Michael Hall, Topher Grace, Will Poulter, Lakeith Stanfield, Emory Cohen, John Magaro, RJ Cyler, Alan Ruck, Scoot McNairy and Meg Tilly. Ian Bryce and Plan B’s Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Brad Pitt serve as producers. James Skotchdopole serves as executive producer. The film will be released on Netflix on May 26, 2017.

20th Century Fox has debuted a NEW trailer for ‘ALIEN: COVENANT’!

20th Century Fox has debuted a NEW trailer for ALIEN: COVENANTRidley Scott returns to the universe he created with a new chapter in his groundbreaking ALIEN franchise. Watch the new trailer below!

The crew of the colony ship Covenant, bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, discovers what they think is an uncharted paradise, but is actually a dark, dangerous world.  When they uncover a threat beyond their imagination, they must attempt a harrowing escape.

The movie stars Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride, Demián Bichir, Carmen Ejogo, Amy Seimetz, Jussie Smollett, Callie Hernandez, Nathaniel Dean, Alexander England and Benjamin Rigby.

ALIEN: COVENANT hits theaters everywhere on May 19, 2017.

Review: ‘BURLESQUE: HEART OF THE GLITTER TRIBE’ gives you a peek behind the feathers and the lives of the performers

BURLESQUE: HEART OF THE GLITTER TRIBE explores the world of burlesque and its growing popularity across the U.S.  The film invites audiences to experience this art form up close and personal – seeing its evolution from old world burlesque to “neo-burlesque,” which combines classic striptease with modern dance, comedy and even fire acts.
This truly entertaining doc lets us peek behind the feathers and into the lives of a troupe of very awesome entertainers. Often times the perception of Burlesque is objectification. This is totally misleading. The art of burlesque is about empowerment. It is not about having the perfect body, in fact, some of the best dancers are not the shapes we expect. Infusing sexiness, glamor, and humor is all part of the special form of performance. Here are a few introductions to the individuals we get to meet in the film.
Zora Von Pavonine, one of the stars featured in the film, spends every waking minute perfecting her act and designing one-of-a-kind costumes inspired by designers Alexander McQueen and Jean Paul Gaultier.  Through her own admission, her obsession has a taken a toll on her relationship and her pocket book.
We also meet Angelique DeVil, a college graduate and a dancer by trade, who credits burlesque for allowing her to express her various “personalities” – thus making her alive!
 
Lastly, Isaiah Esquire, is often referred to as “Glamazon.”  He confesses that dance has transformed him from a shy, stuttering teenager who suffered from body image issues to a confident performer, dancer, and teacher.
With the perfect balance of intimate sit down interviews, backstage/rehearsals, and full-out performances, BURLESQUE: HEART OF THE GLITTER TRIBE is as enjoyable to watch as it is to be in awe of. You can watch the film in select theaters March 3rd and on VOD / iTunes March 7th.

Review: ‘Lavender’ will haunt you in the daytime.

SYNOPSIS: When a photographer (Abbie Cornish) suffers severe memory loss after a traumatic accident, strange clues amongst her photos suggest she may be responsible for the deaths of family members she never knew she had. Justin Long plays a psychiatrist who helps her recover lost memories.

In Lavender, Abbie Cornish‘s character Janie is haunted by memories old and new. Trying desperately to reconnect to her childhood, she is drawn back to the home she once lived in and where her family was massacred. Problem is, she has zero memory of anything involved in that time or space. A car accident has triggered someone or something to send her mysterious gifts to help along the way. Her daughter Alice is being affected as well. Can Janie put together the disturbing clues in time to save history from repeating itself? A speeding ticket lawyer is a legal professional who practices law and focuses mostly on vehicular traffic infraction and other crimes related to this particular offense. This is an important matter because many people who commit this may overlook this and take it for granted or forget about it. If this happens, the crime may become a bigger issue. An attorney who specializes in this particular field is specially trained and educated to defend his client for charges associated with this offense. If you want to get more details, then visit LouisianaSpeedingTicket.com site.

There are several options that a speeding ticket lawyer can give his client. Several general defenses for this charge include refuting the speed that the police officer stated, moving above the speed limit but conditions warranted it and moving above the limit due to an emergency situation. If these defenses are presented, several evidences need to be presented to support the claims. The legal professional needs to establish that the need to move above the limit was there during the time. There is also such a thing as a presumed and absolute speed limit. With the former, it means that the individual who was driving has driven above the limit and he needs to prove that he was moving at a safe speed. In the absolute state, the speeding ticket lawyer has to defend a person who has actually driven above it even though it was just one mile over the limit.

Cornish is wonderful in this role. It’s a subtle and believable performance under truly bizarre circumstances. Dermot Mulroney plays her only living relative and uncle. His genuine and seemingly even paced presence is a gift to the film. Not to be left out is the altogether unsettling Justin Long. As Janie’s doctor, there is something a little extra strange about his character that will drive your brain to do somersaults as the plot twists at every turn. A bit of a departure from his usual fare, there is no denying his talent here. Nothing but praise for the entire cast as the chemistry is palpable. Director Ed Gass-Donnelly uses music and sound to his advantage to build the unease. With co-writer Colin Frizzell, the script will challenge you at every turn. Clever use of what appears to be a 360-degree camera and quick cuts only adds to the suspense. You will not figure it out until the final 10-15 minutes of the film. Lavender is a thrilling little gem.

TITLE:  LAVENDER
THEATRICAL, VOD AND DIGITAL HD RELEASE DATE: March 3, 2017
DIRECTOR: Ed Gass-Donnelly
WRITER:  Colin Frizzell, Ed Gass-Donnelly
CAST: Abbie Cornish, Diego Klattenhoff, Justin Long, Dermot Mulroney
GENRE: Thriller
DISTRIBUTOR: AMBI Media Group & Samuel Goldwyn Films

 

New to Watch: Romance in wartime ‘Bitter Harvest’

Directed by George Mendeluk

Written by Richard Bachynsky-Hoover and George Mendeluk

Starring Max Irons, Samantha Barks, Barry Pepper, Tamer Hassan and Terence Stamp

Roadside Attractions will release Bitter Harvest in theaters February 24, 2017

Based on one of the most overlooked tragedies of the 20th Century, BITTER HARVEST is a powerful story of love, honor, rebellion and survival as seen through the eyes of two young lovers caught in the ravages of Joseph Stalin’s genocidal policies against Ukraine in the 1930s.  As Stalin advances the ambitions of the burgeoning Soviet Union, a young artist named Yuri (Max Irons) battles to survive famine, imprisonment and torture to save his childhood sweetheart Natalka (Samantha Barks) from the “Holodomor,” the death-by-starvation program which ultimately killed millions of Ukrainians.  Against this tragic backdrop, Yuri escapes from a Soviet prison and joins the anti-Bolshevik resistance movement as he battles to reunite with Natalka and continue the fight for a free Ukraine.

Filmed on location in Ukraine, this epic love story brings to light one of the most devastating chapters of modern Europe.  The stellar cast also includes Barry Pepper, Tamer Hassan and Terence Stamp. Director George Mendeluk co-wrote the screenplay with Richard Bachynsky-Hoover based on Bachynsky-Hoover’s original story. The film is produced by Ian Ihnatowycz, Stuart Baird, George Mendeluk, Chad Barager and Jaye Gazeley. Dennis Davidson, Peter D. Graves and William J. Immerman serve as executive producers. Richard Bachynsky-Hoover is executive producer (Ukraine). Roadside Attractions will release the film in the U.S. on February 24, 2017.

Rated R | 103 Minutes

For more info:

Official Site | Facebook | Twitter

#BitterHarvestFilm

Prologue for ‘ALIEN: COVENANT’ gives a new look at the upcoming sequel

The official prologue to Alien: Covenant introduces the crew of the mission as they gather for a final meal before entering cryosleep.

Set aboard the Covenant, a colonization ship on its way to a remote planet to form a new human settlement, the main crew (all couples) and their android, Walter, enjoy their final meal together before cryosleep.

Ridley Scott returns to the universe he created, with Alien: Covenant, a new chapter in his groundbreaking ALIEN franchise. The crew of the colony ship Covenant, bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, discovers what they think is an uncharted paradise, but is actually a dark, dangerous world. When they uncover a threat beyond their imagination, they must attempt a harrowing escape.

The film stars Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride, Demián Bichir, Carmen Ejogo, Amy Seimetz, Jussie Smollett, Callie Hernandez, Nathaniel Dean, Alexander England, Benjamin Rigby

In Theaters – May 19, 2017

‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ Coming to Blu-Ray and Digital HD

Announced today on The Star Wars Show and StarWars.com, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will be coming home on Digital HD on March 24th and Blu-ray on April 4th.  This news comes on the heels of the start of production announcement of the untitled Han Solo Star Wars Story.  “Rogue One” has established its place within the Star Wars universe and the hearts of moviegoers, becoming the seventh highest-grossing film of all time in the U.S.

Arriving early on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere on March 24, and on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD and On-Demand on April 4, the release includes never-before-seen “Rogue One” bonus material that will take fans behind the scenes with the movie’s diverse, dynamic cast and inspired team of filmmakers. An intimate collection of stories reveals how the film came to life, as well as hidden Easter Eggs and film facts that audiences may have missed in the theater.

The new trailer for Terrence Malick’s ‘SONG TO SONG’ has arrived

Broad Green Pictures has released the new trailer for Terrence Malick’s SONG TO SONG starring Michael Fassbender, Ryan Gosling, Rooney Mara, and Natalie Portman and we have it for you below!

In this modern love story set against the Austin, Texas music scene, two entangled couples – struggling songwriters Faye (Rooney Mara) and BV (Ryan Gosling), and music mogul Cook (Michael Fassbender) and the waitress whom he ensnares (Natalie Portman) – chase success through a rock ‘n’ roll landscape of seduction and betrayal.

Opening in Los Angeles & New York on March 17th

Review: ‘Logan’- A masterful send off to Hugh Jackman in his iconic role

Hugh Jackman takes his final bow as the iconic Wolverine in Logan, a thoughtful tale of redemption and regret thru the eyes of the only man to ever play the role. Director James Mangold (The Wolverine) returns to bring the final act to a close opting for a more dramatic tone than full on action film like previous films in the X-Men franchise. Logan is the perfect send off to both actor and character and a love letter to all who have endured the good and the very bad of this characters cinematic arc. The long journey of the Wolverine concludes.

Tired and weary, Logan (Hugh Jackman) finds himself among the last mutants standing in a world that’s long forgotten his kind. Opting to blend in to society and live out his days, Logan keeps to a quiet life, driving a limo and acting as a caretaker for friend and mentor Charles Xavier (Sir Patrick Stewart) for whom age has taken a huge toll. He is aided in this task by Caliban (Stephen Merchant), a mutant who can sense and track other mutants, but is running from a past he would soon forget.

Logan is approached by a young Mexican nurse looking for the Wolverine to help her protect her daughter Laura (Dafne Keen from a secret experiment called Transigen. Pierce (Boyd Holbrook), is the leader of the Reavers, a team set to find escaped patients from the Transgien project who have set their sights on finding Laura at all costs. Reluctant and unwilling to upend his life, Logan opts to decline the offer until he becomes faced with the stark reality that helping this young girl get to her destination is more vital than he anticipated. Aided by Charles Xavier, the three set their sights on North Dakota and “Eden”, a safe haven for mutants, but Transigen has plans of its own to unleash a new and improved version of their experiments that will test the aging Logan to his limits and beyond.

Seventeen years is a long time for anyone to play the same role, but Hugh Jackman has cherished his experience and has been so caring of the character that seeing him for the last time feels like a family member moving across the globe. Jackman pours his heart and soul into this movie and turns in the best performance of his X-Men career. Patrick Stewart is equally as outstanding as the aging Charles Xavier. The relationship between the two characters has grown from a student to teacher to father to son and the two actors chemistry is cemented into these performances. Newcomer Dafne Keen is brilliant in her first starring role and acts as the catalyst to the emotional journey that Logan embarks on in this film. To watch her rage from an outsiders view allows Logan to see himself and offers a rare opportunity to help steer this child down a different path than him. Their onscreen relationship is a beautiful nod to the pull that Logan has from the animal he’s become and the life he so sorely wishes never eluded him.

Overall, Logan is an outstanding film and a must see for all X-Men lovers and film lovers alike. It’s an emotional journey for both audience and actor and one we won’t soon forget. Thank you Hugh for your Wolverine, there will never be another who could match yours.

Stars:

4 out of 5

After Credit Scene?

No

Trailer:

Review: ‘FROM NOWHERE’ is a timely look into the daily struggle of undocumented kids.

Presents

From NowhereThree undocumented Bronx teenagers are graduating from high school while navigating the treacherous waters of trying to get their papers to stay in the US.

 From Nowhere stars Julianne Nicholson as a Bronx high school lit teacher who has three students that are undocumented immigrants. Denis O’Hare is their passionate case worker. While these two stars make a massive impact in the script, the plot focuses on the three students in questions. We are privy to their home lives, their backstories, and their final few weeks of senior year. In a time in our country when undocumented immigrants are being dehumanized by an administration that has become more dysfunctional than anything we’ve ever seen in our history, From Nowhere gives us faces to focus on, people to care about, stories to route for. It’s a timely film and one that needs to be viewed by a wide audience in this era of chaos. Our young leads, played by J. Mallory-McCree, Octavia Chavez-Richmond, and Rachel Castro, are extraordinary. These kids could have easily been picked out of a real high school in the Bronx. The chemistry they possess with both Nicholson and O’Hare must be applauded. Nicholson, also appearing in a drastically different role with Sophie and The Rising Sun, shines as per usual. Her ability to connect with her fellow actors in uncanny. Not surprising is the incredible performance from Denis O’Hare. His chameleon acting chops, which I thoroughly enjoy on American Horror Story every season, serve him well. It was really lovely to see him in a role like this. Anytime you give a great actor a great script, you have the potential for movie gold. From Nowhere’s screenwriters, Matthew Newton and Kate Ballen did their homework on the immigration process. Taking a realistic look at the difficulties that can tear families apart. Also directing the film Newton does not pull punches with a surprisingly honest ending. You cannot wrap this subject in a pretty bow. We are experiencing this crisis in real time and From Nowhere brings the struggle into our homes.

  • Opens tomorrow
  • FEBRUARY 17, 2017
  • (Limited NY/LA/National)
  • NR, 1 hr 29 min
  • Drama

New to Watch: Amazon Studios Original Documentary ‘Author: The JT Leroy Story’


**Amazon Studios** Original Documentary AUTHOR: THE JT LEROY STORY will premiere on Amazon **Prime Video** February 16th

**Written and Directed by** Jeff Feuerzeig **Featuring** Terry Gross, Laura Albert, Winona Ryder, Courtney Love and Madeleine Brand

**AUTHOR: THE JE LEROY STORY** **is Certified Fresh at 82% on** Rotten Tomatoes!

On January 9, 2006 The New York Times disrupted the literary world when it unmasked “it boy” wunderkind JT LeRoy, whose tough prose about a sordid childhood had captivated icons and luminaries internationally. It turned out LeRoy didn’t actually exist. He was the creative expression of 40-year-old San Francisco former phone-sex operator turned housewife, Laura Albert. Author: The JT LeRoy Story takes us down the rabbit hole of how Laura Albert breathed not only words, but life, into her avatar for a decade.

110 Minutes | Rated R

For more info:

Official Site|Facebook |Twitter

Review: In ‘MY NAME IS EMILY’ Evanna Lynch leaves Hogwarts behind.

Monument Releasing

Presents

 MY NAME IS EMILY

 A Film By

Simon Fitzmaurice

Opening Theatrically In US Cities On February 17

VOD To Release On February 24

MY NAME IS EMILY, the debut-feature written and directed by the amazing Simon Fitzmaurice, is a life-enhancing story starring Evanna Lynch (Harry Potter), Michael Smiley (The Lobster, Kill List) and newcomer George Webster (City of Dreamers, Blood Moon).

After her mother dies and her visionary writer father is institutionalized, Emily is placed in a foster home and a new school where she is ostracized. On her 16th birthday, when her father’s annual card fails to arrive, Emily knows something’s wrong. Enlisting Arden, her only friend at school, she sets off on a road trip adventure across Ireland to find her missing Dad and break him out of the psych ward. They are an odd couple, this pale girl and the boy in the velvet suit, and along the way, they both come to realize important truths about the nature of relationships, both to their parents and to each other. MY NAME IS EMILY is a story of madness, sadness and love.

In  2008, director Simon Fitzmaurice was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (ALS). Now completely paralyzed, Fitzmaurice typed the script for the film, through the movement of his eyes and iris recognition software, Eye Gaze. This is also how he communicated with cast and crew during the film’s six-week shoot. Given four years to live, Simon credits writing and filmmaking with having saved his life.My Name is Emily is a stunning coming of age film. Evanna Lynch shines in this complex role of a sad and brilliant young lady. The layers of this character come from the outstanding script from writer/director Fitzmaurice. Infusing philosophy, literature, poetry, loss and teenaged angst all intertwined into a story of finding oneself through letting go and letting people in. Michael Smiley is as wonderful as he’s ever been, touching the cornerstone of every possible emotion. George Webster, in particular, is one hell of a find. His natural ability to draw you in is reminiscent of the late Anton Yelchin. He will seduce you with his awkwardness and charm the pants off you all in the same scene. The honest chemistry between Lynch and Webster makes this film what it is. Another high note (pun not intended) is the glorious soundtrack. Each song evokes a familiarity that seems to fit perfectly into the moment. With a cool mix of voiceover moments and flashbacks, My Name is Emily is a true delight.

 

Netflix News: Sarah Silverman new original stand-up comedy special May 30th

Netflix, the world’s leading Internet TV network, is bringing its members an all-new stand-up special from one of the most versatile talents in entertainment today, Sarah Silverman. The comedy special, slated to shoot later this month, will launch globally on Netflix Tuesday, May 30th, 2017.

An acclaimed actress, writer, producer, comedian and author, Silverman has proven herself to be a distinct and bold voice in stand-up throughout her illustrious career. The comedian’s critically-acclaimed 2013 HBO comedy special, Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles, earned her a 2014 Primetime Emmy Award for “Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special,” as well as a nomination for “Outstanding Variety Special.” The hourlong special also received a Writers Guild Award nod and was later released as an audio album, receiving a 2015 Grammy Award nomination for “Best Comedy Album.”

Additional honors for Silverman include a 2009 Primetime Emmy Award nod for “Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series” in her eponymous Comedy Central series, The Sarah Silverman Program, as well as a Writers Guild Award nomination for her work on the project and 2008 Primetime Emmy Award win for “Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics” for her musical collaboration with Matt Damon.

Cementing multihyphenate status in 2010, Silverman released her first book, a memoir titled The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee, which went on to become a New York Times Bestseller.

Silverman — whose robust list of film and television credits include Masters of Sex, The Good Wife, Wreck It Ralph, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, A Million Ways to Die in the West, The Larry Sanders Show, an Emmy-nominated guest spot on Monk and her Screen Actors Guild Award-nominated turn in 2015’s I Smile Back — will next be seen in The Book of Henry and Battle of the Sexes, both slated for release later this year. Additionally, the comedian continues to lend her voice to the Emmy-nominated Fox comedy Bob’s Burgers and is a partner in JASH, a comedy-driven media company that Silverman founded alongside comedians Michael Cera, Tim Heidecker & Eric Wareheim and Reggie Watts.

Silverman’s upcoming Netflix stand-up comedy special will be directed by Liam Lynch. JASH has signed on to produce alongside Thruline’s Amy Zvi.

Having recently become the home for all-new stand-up comedy specials from Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Amy Schumer and Jerry Seinfeld, Netflix continues to thrive as a hub for top original comedy specials, including 2016’s Emmy-nominated shows from both John Mulaney and Patton Oswalt (2016 Emmy winner for Writing for a Variety Special), and recent specials from Cedric the Entertainer, Iliza Shlesinger, Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy, Russell Peters, Ali Wong, Mike Epps, Aziz Ansari, Anjelah Johnson, Bill Burr, Chris Tucker, Demetri Martin, Chelsea Handler, Bo Burnham, Jim Jefferies, David Cross, Joe Rogan, Dana Carvey, Colin Quinn (directed by Jerry Seinfeld), Michael Che, Reggie Watts, Gabriel Iglesias, Jim Gaffigan, Jen Kirkman, Neal Brennan, Cristela Alonzo, Bill Burr and Michael Bolton. Additional upcoming comedy specials include Katherine Ryan, Trevor Noah and Mike Birbiglia.

The brand new trailer for ‘GHOST IN THE SHELL’ is here!

Paramount Pictures has released the brand new trailer for GHOST IN THE SHELL and we have it for your below!

Based on the internationally-acclaimed sci-fi property, GHOST IN THE SHELL follows the Major, a special ops, one-of-a-kind human-cyborg hybrid, who leads the elite task force Section 9. Devoted to stopping the most dangerous criminals and extremists, Section 9 is faced with an enemy whose singular goal is to wipe out Hanka Robotic’s advancements in cyber technology.

The movie stars Scarlett Johansson, Pilou Asbaek, Takeshi Kitano, Juliette Binoche and Michael Pitt

GHOST IN THE SHELL in theaters nationwide on March 31, 2017 in REALD 3D and IMAX 3D

Get Ready for ‘The LEGO NINJAGO Movie’!

A new animated adventure in Warner Bros. Pictures’ LEGO® franchise, The LEGO NINJAGO Movie stars Dave Franco, Justin Theroux, Fred Armisen, Abbi Jacobson, Olivia Munn, Kumail Nanjiani, Michael Peña, Zach Woods, and the legendary Jackie Chan.

In this big-screen NINJAGO adventure, the battle for NINJAGO City calls to action young Master Builder Lloyd, aka the Green Ninja, along with his friends, who are all secret ninja warriors. Led by Master Wu, as wise-cracking as he is wise, they must defeat evil warlord Garmadon, The Worst Guy Ever, who also happens to be Lloyd’s dad. Pitting mech against mech and father against son, the epic showdown will test this fierce but undisciplined team of modern-day ninjas who must learn to check their egos and pull together to unleash their inner power of Spinjitzu.

Jackie Chan (Rush Hour) stars as Master Wu; Justin Theroux (Megamind 2) is Garmadon; Dave Franco (Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising) plays Lloyd; and Olivia Munn (X-Men: Apocalypse) is Lloyd’s mom, Koko. Making up the secret ninja crew, Fred Armisen (“SNL”) voices Cole; Abbi Jacobson (Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising) plays Nya; Kumail Nanjiani (Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates) is Jay; Michael Peña (Ant-Man) is Kai; and Zach Woods (“Silicon Valley”) voices Zane.

The LEGO NINJAGO Movie marks the feature film directorial debut of Charlie Bean (“Tron: Uprising”). The screenplay is by Hilary Winston & Bob Logan & Paul Fisher, story by Kevin Hageman & Dan Hageman and Hilary Winston & Bob Logan & Paul Fisher, based on LEGO Construction Toys.

The LEGO NINJAGO Movie is produced by Dan Lin, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Roy Lee, who previously collaborated on the worldwide box-office phenomenon The LEGO Movie, along with Maryann Garger (Flushed Away). Serving as executive producers are John Powers Middleton, Seth Graham.

The LEGO NINJAGO Movie opens September 22, 2017

Focus Features debuts the trailer for ‘The Beguiled’ starring Colin Farrell and Nicole Kidman

Focus Features has debuted the trailer for The Beguiled directed by Sofia Coppola and we have it for you below!

The seductive thriller stars Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, and Elle Fanning.

The Beguiled opens in select cities on June 23, 2017,expanding to more theaters on June 30, 2017