Friday, January 18, 2013

Safe Haven (2013)

THE BUZZ: Lasse Hallström appears to have found safe haven translating the work of Nicholas Sparks into hit movies, and if this project does indeed land Keira Knightley, the actress should kick off 2013 with a box-office success after two previous artier endeavors,Seeking a Friend for the End of the World and Anna Karenina. Let's see, though, how audiences react to themes of domestic abuse, and I'm curious who will be cast to play the man from protagonist Katie's past.

A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)

THE BUZZ: If the Patrick Stewart casting rumors turn out to be true, John McClane's fifth outing might have a villain as iconic as Hans Gruber. Talk about a franchise we still love but would benefit from some vitality; as happy as we are to Jai Courtney in the role of McClane's son, the Die Hard saga needs more than youth to truly revitalize our interest. As The Expendables and Red have proved, aging action heroes can be more than just a box-office draw; they can be pop-cultural events, too.

Identity Thief (2013)

THE BUZZ: The industry was in a frenzy, trying to shape a project for Melissa McCarthy after her breakout performance in Bridesmaids. Similar to Kristen Wiig, she measured her big-screen options while enjoying elevated ratings for her TV show "Mike & Molly". But consider us a bit underwhelmed by the thought of her matching wits with Jason Bateman in his reunion with director Seth Gordon; their career comedy Horrible Bosses was hard-R formula at its most basic, and I fear we're in for another raunchy outing that doesn't play to McCarthy's true genius.

LUV (2012)

THE BUZZ: Common is more of a brand than an actor or rapper these days, but we have heard good things about his co-star, Michael Rainey Jr., in his debut role. Rainey Jr. will next appear as the younger version of Forest Whitaker's title character in The Butler.

Sound City (2013)

THE BUZZ: We pine along with Dave Grohl for the days when bands were comprised of musicians whose instruments were recorded onto tape, instead of all the digital wizardry that makes contemporary rock and pop sound so homogenous. But will the ultimately irony here be a major digital-release push?

Warm Bodies (2013)

THE BUZZ: Better than The Wackness or even 50/50 is director Jonathan Levine's first film, All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, so I'm happy to see him returning to the horror genre for what could be the next undead date movie -- the sub-genre introduced by Zombieland.

Knife Fight (2012) - Free Download

THE BUZZ: "West Wing" devotees should note the reunion of Rob Lowe and Richard Schiff for this political comedy -- even if its marketing materials reveal the movie was set to be released in conjunction with the 2012 presidential election but was quietly slipped into the early 2013 calendar. Documentary vet Bill Guttentag directs and co-writes.

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

122 min - Comedy | Drama | Romance

8.2

Ratings: 8.2/10

After a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own.

Director:

David O. Russell

Writers:

David O. Russell (screenplay), Matthew Quick(novel)

Stars:

Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro

Storyline

Against medical advice and without the knowledge of her husband Pat Solatano Sr., caring Dolores Solatano discharges her adult son, Pat Solatano Jr., from a Maryland mental health institution after his minimum eight month court ordered stint. The condition of the release includes Pat Jr. moving back in with his parents in their Philadelphia home. Although Pat Jr.'s institutionalization was due to him beating up the lover of his wife Nikki, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Nikki has since left him and has received a restraining order against him. Although he is on medication (which he doesn't take because of the way it makes him feel) and has mandatory therapy sessions, Pat Jr. feels like he can manage on the outside solely by healthy living and looking for the "silver linings" in his life. His goals are to get his old job back as a substitute teacher, but more importantly reunite with Nikki.

Plot Keywords:

Friendship | Ex Wife | Institutionalization | Depression | Based On Comic

Parental Guidance (2012)

105 min - Comedy

5.8

Artie and Diane agree to look after their three grandkids when their type-A helicopter parents need to leave town for work. Problems arise when the kids' 21st-century behavior collides with Artie and Diane's old-school methods.

Director:

Andy Fickman

Writers:

Lisa Addario, Joe Syracuse

Stars:

Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei

Storyline

Old school grandfather Artie (Billy Crystal), who is accustomed to calling the shots, meets his match when he and his eager-to-please wife Diane (Bette Midler) agree to babysit their three grandkids when their type-A helicopter parents (Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott) go away for work. But when 21st century problems collide with Artie and Diane's old school methods of tough rules, lots of love and old-fashioned games, it's learning to bend - and not holding your ground - that binds a family together.

Plot Summary forParental Guidance (2012)

The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey - Free Download

169 min

8.3

Ratings: 8.3/10

A younger and more reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out on an "unexpected journey" to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of Dwarves to reclaim their stolen mountain home from a dragon named Smaug.

Director:

Peter Jackson

Writers:

Fran Walsh (screenplay), Philippa Boyens(screenplay)

Stars:

Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen and Richard Armitage

Storyline

Bilbo Baggins is swept into a quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever ... Gollum. Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum's "precious" ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities.

Plot Keywords:

Mountain | Ring | Journey | Dragon | Goblin

Lincoln (2012) Download Free

150 min

8.0

As the Civil War continues to rage, America's president struggles with continuing carnage on the battlefield and as he fights with many inside his own cabinet on the decision to emancipate the slaves.

Director:

Steven Spielberg

Writers:

Tony Kushner (screenplay), Doris Kearns Goodwin(book) (in part)

Stars:

Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and David Strathairn |

Storyline

In 1865, as the American Civil War winds inexorably toward conclusion, U.S. president Abraham Lincoln endeavors to achieve passage of the landmark constitutional amendment which will forever ban slavery from the United States. However, his task is a race against time, for peace may come at any time, and if it comes before the amendment is passed, the returning southern states will stop it before it can become law. Lincoln must, by almost any means possible, obtain enough votes from a recalcitrant Congress before peace arrives and it is too late. Yet the president is torn, as an early peace would save thousands of lives. As the nation confronts its conscience over the freedom of its entire population, Lincoln faces his own crisis of conscience -- end slavery or end the war.

Plot Keywords:

Les Misérables

157 min - Drama | Musical | Romance - 25 December 2012 (USA)

8.1

Ratings: 8.1/10 from 45,312 users Metascore: 63/100
Reviews: 390 user | 243 critic | 41 from Metacritic.com

In 19th-century France, Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after he breaks parole, agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's daughter, Cosette. The fateful decision changes their lives forever.

Director:

Tom Hooper

Writers:

Claude-Michel Schönberg (book), Alain Boublil(book),

Stars:

Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway

A Haunted House

86 min - Comedy | Horror - 11 January 2013 (USA)

5.4

Ratings: 5.4/10 from 1,594 users Metascore: 22/100
Reviews: 19 user | 22 critic | 10 from Metacritic.com

Malcolm and Kisha move into their dream home, but soon learn a demon also resides there. When Kisha becomes possessed, Malcolm - determined to keep his sex life on track - turns to a priest, a psychic, and a team of ghost-busters for help.

Director:

Michael Tiddes

Writers:

Marlon Wayans, Rick Alvarez

Stars:

Marlon Wayans, Essence Atkins and Marlene Forte.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Safe Haven (2013)

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A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)

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Identity Thief (2013)

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LUV (2012) - [Limited]

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Sound City (2013)

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Warm Bodies (2013)

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Knife Fight (2012)

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Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

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Parental Guidance (2012)

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

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Lincoln (2012)

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Les Misérables (2012)

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A Haunted House (2013)

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