Reel News: Week of Aug. 12 — Jobs, The Butler, Paranoia, Kick-Ass 2, Blue Jasmine, Olympus Has Fallen

Upcoming Theatrical Releases

Paranoia
Director: Robert Luketic
PG-13; 100 mins.
Trailer

In this high-stakes thriller, Adam Cassidy (Liam Hemsworth) is a regular guy trying to get ahead in his entry-level job at Wyatt Corporation. But after one costly mistake, Adam’s ruthless CEO, Nicholas Wyatt (Gary Oldman), forces him to spy on corporate rival, Jock Goddard (Harrison Ford), Wyatt’s old mentor. Adam soon finds himself occupying the corner office and living the life of his dreams. However, behind the scenes, he is simply a pawn in Wyatt’s corporate game and realizes he must ultimately find a way out from under his boss who will stop at nothing, even murder, to win a multi-billion dollar advantage. (Synopsis by Relativity)

A lot of talent tied up in a highly predictable and largely uninspired thriller. The potential is there, and people are going to go see it. Those people are going to be disappointed.

Kick-Ass 2
Director: Jeff Wadlow
R; 103 mins.
Trailer

The costumed high-school hero Kick-Ass joins with a group of normal citizens who have been inspired to fight crime in costume. Meanwhile, the Red Mist plots an act of revenge that will affect everyone Kick-Ass knows. (Synopsis by IMDB)

This mixed bag of extreme action and tepid comedy does the casual fan no favors by leaping deep into fanboy territory. Jim Carey’s antics aside, the first installment didn’t really need a sequel, especially one of this low caliber.

Lee Daniels’ The Butler
Director: Lee Daniels
PG-13; 126 mins.
Trailer

Lee Daniel’s The Butler tells the story of a White House butler who served eight American presidents over three decades. The film traces the dramatic changes that swept American society during this time, from the civil rights movement to Vietnam and beyond, and how those changes affected this man’s life and family. (Synopsis by Weinstein)

A clunky film held together by Forest Whitaker’s talent. Historians won’t have much love for the story, but flaws aside it is engaging and enjoyable.

Jobs
Director: Joshua Michael Stern
PG-13; 127 mins.
Trailer

It only takes one person to start a revolution. The extraordinary story of Steve Jobs, the original innovator and ground-breaking entrepreneur who let nothing stand in the way of greatness. The film tells the epic and turbulent story of Jobs as he blazed a trail that changed technology — and the world – forever. (Synopsis by the Official Site)

Steve Jobs has been dead for just under two years, but apparently someone thought that was long enough to create a biopic. You know, because Apple. They should have waited longer—this is barely a surface treatment of the man. Ashton Kutcher is way out of his league on a project like this, but the failure falls squarely on Stern for not righting the ship.

Blue Jasmine
Director: Woody Allen
PG-13; 98 mins.
Trailer

A life crisis causes a socialite to head to San Francisco, where she reconnects with her sister. (Synopsis by IMDB)

A portrait of a woman whose life has fallen apart is anchored by Cate Blanchett’s talents. This dark comedy was born out of Allen’s guilt in his own life, and the labor of love shows. He returns to his better form with this outing behind the lens.

Upcoming DVD Releases

Olympus Has Fallen
Director: Antoine Fuqua
R; 119 mins.
Trailer

When the White House (Secret Service Code: “Olympus”) is captured by a terrorist mastermind and the President is kidnapped, disgraced former Presidential guard Mike Banning finds himself trapped within the building. As our national security team scrambles to respond, they are forced to rely on Banning’s inside knowledge to help retake the White House, save the President and avert an even bigger crisis. Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) directs an all-star cast featuring Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Angela Bassett, Melissa Leo, Ashley Judd and Rick Yune. (Synopsis by Film District)

If the Tea Party remade “Independence Day” it would sort of look like this. The patriotic explosions only need a bald eagle to fly out of the screen (in 3D!) to make this any cheesier. It’s a popcorn movie and largely forgettable, but enjoyable for what it is.