Here to take a look at the films coming out in wide and limited release this coming weekend. I’ll give you my thoughts to help you decide what’s worth checking out.
- Fury – I’m not sure if I’ve seen more trailers for this this or Lone Survivor. I definitely got sick of both before the movie even came out. Fury just doesn’t have a very unique hook. There’s a decent cast surrounding Brad Pitt, but it feels like there should be something more substantial going on than whatever we’re seeing. This sort of feels like another Monuments Men almost-Oscar-bait that never was.
- The Best of Me – This latest Nicholas Sparks movie looks a lot like other Sparks movies. There’s two teens who fall in love. Stuff comes between them. They fall in love again later in life. This time the thing is that the woman is married and has a kid. The grown up versions of the characters are played by James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan, who both should be doing better stuff than this. I really think Marsden should have a better career. It just bums me out to see him sidelined to these sorts of roles. Even if he does look super handsome.
- Birdman – This has one of the best trailers of the year without a doubt. I had heard some buzz about this for awhile now, but it wasn’t until I saw the trailer that I knew this was going to be something special. The trailer makes the whole tone of the film seem very off kilter and I love the use of the Animals’ “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”. It looks completely bonkers, a unique cinematic experience that will mesmerize you. I’m very excited to check this out as soon as I can.
Opening in select theaters and expanding on October 24th. - Camp X-Ray – This film stars Kristen Stewart as an Army guard at a Guantanamo Bay detention camp who forms a bond with one of the prisoners. It looks like an interesting take on the subject matter with a very intimate approach. Not only is the subject matter provocative but showing a woman’s perspective in the military seems like something that should be further explored. It certainly helps that the praise so far has been quite good, especially for Stewart’s performance, which I’m looking forward to seeing.
Opening in select theaters and available on VOD. - Listen Up Philip – This little indie comedy is basically Jason Schwartzman being Jason Schwartzman. Which means that I will be seeing it. He plays a definitely pompous and fairly unsatisfied writer, who goes away for a little writer’s retreat at his idol’s country home. It also has a lot to do with his girlfriend and also other girls he’s probably hooking up with. It might the jazz, or maybe the humor but there’s a bit of a Woody Allen vibe going on here. Also in the cast are people I enjoy like Jonathon Price, Elizabeth Moss, and Krysten Ritter. It looks dark and funny and I’ll probably catch it at some point.
See where it’s opening in select theaters here before it is available on VOD starting October 21th.
