This column will introduce you to the most popular movies that are coming out in theaters this weekend.
What movie will you see?
A Ghost Story
First off, this is not a horror movie. A Ghost Story is about a recently deceased husband who is lurking around his wife in a white sheet, but I don’t think she can see him. Starring in this drama romance flick are Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara. David Lowery is the writer and director of A Ghost Story. Lowery has directed a ton of shorts, Pete’s Dragon (2016), and is set to direct a live action Peter Pan flick. How many Pan flicks do we need? Anyway, go check out A Ghost Story this weekend.
Spider-Man: Homecoming
This Spider-Man flick takes place several months after the events in Civil War. Tom Holland is back to reprise his Peter Parker/Spider-Man role from Civil War, while the rest of the cast includes Robert Downey Jr., Michael Keaton, Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau, Gwyneth Paltrow, Zendaya, Donald Glover, and more. Jon Watts swings his way into the director’s chair as well as writing the screenplay. Watts has directed 2014’s Clown, and Cop Car. I know everyone will see this movie this weekend. So enjoy.
This column will introduce you to the most popular movies that are coming out in theaters this weekend and why you should go see them. Which one will you see?
Bleed For This
Reasons to see this:
Based on a true story, Bleed For This is about Vinny Pazienza, a World Champion Boxer who gets in a near fatal accident and tries to make an incredible boxing comeback. Miles Teller stars as Vinny Pazienza, while the other cast includes, Katey Sagal, Aaron Eckhart, and more. Writing and directing is Ben Younger. Ben Younger wrote and directed Boiler Room, as well as several shorts. Go pay For This movie, and see Bleed For This this weekend.
The Edge of Seventeen
Reasons to see this:
This dramedy is about a girl in high school, whose best friend starts dating her older brother. This cast includes, Hailee Steinfeld, Kyra Sedgwick, Woody Harrelson, and more. Directing this flick is Kelly Fremon Craig. This is Craig’s first directorial film. Got 17 bucks? Then hit the theater this weekend.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Reasons to see this:
Welcome back to the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Well, not really. J.K. Rowling is back with a prequel story. This time, the story is based around Newt Scamander, an author who writes the book “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”. The same book Harry Potter reads 70 years later. Bwwwoooonnnnggg. Starring in this magical flick are Eddie Redmayne, Johnny Depp, Ezra Miller, Collin Farrell, Ron Perlman, and more. David Yates comes back to this world as director. He has directed Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince, and Deathly Hallows: Parts 1 & 2. He is also signed on for 4 more Fantastic Beasts movies. If you wanna go see this flick, I’ll tell you how to get Fantastic Seats and Where to Find Them.
Manchester by the Sea
Reasons to see this:
This dramatic film is about an uncle, who has to take care of his nephew after the boy’s father dies. Starring in this film are, Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, Matthew Broderick, Gretchen Mole, and more. Kenneth Lonergan writes and directs this film. This is Lonergan’s 3rd directorial film, however, he has written Analyze This, Analyze That, and Gangs of New York. Now go and Manchester by the See it this weekend.
Nocturnal Animals
Reasons to see this:
This dramatic thriller tells the story of an art gallery owner who thinks her ex-husband’s novel is a threat of revenge towards her. This cast includes, Jake Gyllenhaal, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Isla Fisher, Armie Hammer, and more. Tom Ford writes and directs this flick. This is Ford’s second directorial film. His first was A Single Man. Are you noctural? Then go see this flick tonight.
As strange as it is, this is probably my least favorite of the trilogy; its tone is very serious and we don’t yet know everyone very well. One of the things that made these movies great is the banter and relationship between these characters, especially Danny and Rusty. We get a little taste of those two knowing each other, and possibly working together in the past, but that’s really it.
The one thing that has stuck since the beginning is Linus (Damon) trying to fit in with Danny and Rusty, but never quite able to be as slick as they can be, and I love that little bit of humor.
Overall a good movie, but honestly it’s quite boring, the little bits of humor help pass the time but not enough to warrant a rewatch.
Probably my favorite of the trilogy, not so much because of the story, but because of the supporting cast. There is an entire backstory here involving Vincent Cassel’s character François Toulour – a rich, bored, master thief. With his swagger during the film, I almost wish this would be about him! Besides that, the banter between our main cast is superb, and the inside jokes are heavy and plenty here; my favorite being Topher Grace’s cameo and referencing That 70’s Show and the film In Good Company. The others are Don Cheadle giving advice on how to convey a proper accent, and Tess’ having to portray Julia Roberts.
As far as story, Benedict wants revenge on “Ocean’s eleven”; the funny thing is that the crew seems to care more about Danny being referred to as the leader instead of owing Benedict roughly 200,000,000. As we’re introduced to Catherine Zeta Jones’ character, I can’t help feel that she and Rusty’s back story should have come up at least once during the first film.
My only complaints would be that Bernie Mac is completely under used, as he spends most of the film in jail, and there isn’t enough focus on Toulour’s character, as he was easily the best part of the film.
Quite possibly the biggest heist is in this one, and probably because they actually acted out the plan in real time as the move progressed. The other two films were all meant to seem as if the score was happening as it was shown on screen, but then at the end we realized that the actual robbery was quite lackluster and simple. The scores themselves were never the “hard” part, but rather all of the cunning and devious things happening in order to get the job done.
There is a lot of humor in this one, with the highlight being Virgil and Turk (Affleck and Caan) evicting someone from their hotel room. The way this was done was downright hilarious and makes me laugh every time.
Another inside joke goes on during this one, and it’s pretty subtle but if you’re a fan of the Bourne movies, you’ll recognize that the scene where Linus is in London is short almost exactly as if he is shooting a Bourne film, even his dialogue during the scene matches that character.
All in all, this is one of my favorite trilogies that aren’t fantasy (Lord of The Rings and Episode IV-VI being my favorite). Soderbergh was the right choice for these films, not so much for the ability to handle all of these A-list celebrities, but his inclusion of a certain style that just fits the Las Vegas atmosphere, although each of the films have their own feel to them.
Ocean’s Twelve stands out as the more stylized of the trilogy, and is just the better movie, I didn’t actually realize this until I watched these in the span of two days. My only complaint about Twelve would have to be Catherine Zeta Jones, she wasn’t bad in the movie, but it left the audience expecting to see her in Thirteen, which she wasn’t and I’m not sure why. We get some quick dialogue as to what Tess and Isabel (Roberts and Jones) are up to while this is happening, but nothing more.
I’m sure everyone has seen these three, probably a few times each, but they’re always fun and great to pass the time. It really is a shame these actors don’t do more with each other, especially Affleck and Caan, who could probably have a pretty funny spin off.