Here to take a look at the films coming out in wide and limited release this coming weekend. In this weekly film guide, I’ll give you my thoughts to help you decide what’s worth checking out.
WIDE RELEASES
Directed by Clay Kaytis, Fergal Reilly (directorial debuts!)
Starring Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Bill Hader
I really would never consider watching this movie. It looks like great fun for kids though. Maybe there is something to appreciate in the script, but mostly just seems like a pretty lazy cash grab. I appreciate that many of my favorite comedic talents are scoring a paycheck though. They are totally scooping up the kid crowd since the last big animation was Zootopia which feels like awhile ago now.
Directed by Nicholas Stoller (Neighbors, Forgetting Sarah Marshall)
Starring Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, Zac Efron, Chloë Grace Moretz
Neighbors is definitely one of my favorite recent comedies. It was a surprise hit because it looked like it might not hit some of the heights of other Seth Rogen movies. It really is a crowdpleaser though with a lot of memorable bits and an endless rewatchability factor. It certainly wasn’t screaming sequel, but I was not mad when it was announced. This trailer isn’t the most exciting sneak peak, but so far I’ve heard mostly positive feedback. Lindsay will have a review up soon, but she for the most part was a fan. I’ll definitively want to check it out, but the next release of the week might be my hold up.
Directed by Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Iron Man 3)
Starring Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice, Matt Bomer
Ever since the trailer, this has been one of my most anticipated movies of the year. It looks so damn fun. I love (along with every other sane person) Ryan Gosling, and seeing his comedic chops (seen before in Crazy Stupid Love) really be the focus of a movie is exciting. Out in the real world, he always has a natural knack for comedy when you see him present awards and speak. He’s a wonderful dramatic performer, but I think this is going to break out a whole new side to appreciate. Pairing with Russell Crowe is going to be a very interesting mix, and with good chemistry I can see them becoming a well-loved duo. Nick’s review is very positive, all the more making this a must see.
LIMITED RELEASES
- Maggie’s Plan– A single woman thinking about starting her own family ends up inserting herself in the middle of a marriage.
Directed by Rebecca Miller (The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, The Ballad of Jack and Rose)
Starring Greta Gerwig, Ethan Hawke, Julianne Moore, Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph
This totally looks like another Noah Baumbach/Greta Gerwig film, but it’s not. Instead Rebecca Miller uses her as a muse in a film with a weird plot that could be quite entertaining. I find Gerwig very charismatic and the rest of the supporting cast are some of my favorites, so I can’t see it going too wrong. I realized I haven’t seen Miller’s other movies, so I really need to fix that. Most of her films (which she also writes) are about women’s experiences in very interesting premises. That she is not on my radar already is unfortunate. This seems like the perfect Netflix instant watch if it’s not playing in nearby theaters.
