Upcoming Theatrical Releases
The Loft
Director: Erik Van Looy
1 hr. 44 min.
Trailer
Karl Urban (Star Trek Into Darkness) and James Marsden (2 Guns) star in the tense psychological thriller THE LOFT, the story of five guys who conspire to secretly share a penthouse loft in the city–a place where they can indulge in their deepest fantasies. But the fantasy becomes a nightmare when they discover the dead body of an unknown woman in the loft, and they realize one of the group must be involved. Paranoia seizes them as everyone begins to suspect one another. Friendships are tested, loyalties are questioned and marriages crumble as the group is consumed by fear, suspicion and murder in this relentless thriller. (Synopsis by Open Road)
Not available for critical review. Hopefully this remake will live up to the original. Expect something in the vein “The Usual Suspects” or “Seven.” See it.
Black or White
Director: Mike Binder
2 hr. 1 min.
Trailer
BLACK OR WHITE is the story of a grandfather (Academy Award (R) winner Kevin Costner) who is suddenly left to care for his beloved granddaughter. When her paternal grandmother (Academy Award (R) winner Octavia Spencer) seeks custody with the help of her brother (Anthony Mackie), the little girl is torn between two families who love her deeply. With the best intentions at heart, both families fight for what they feel is right and are soon forced to confront their true feelings about race, forgiveness, and understanding. Anchored by an all-star cast and based on real events, the movie is a look at two seemingly different worlds, in which nothing is as simple as black or white. (Synopsis by Relativity)
The only thing worth seeing here are the performances of Costner and Spencer. The rest of this is a mess of shallow race-relation platitudes amid a dull plot device. Skip it.
Black Sea
Director: Kevin Macdonald
1 hr. 55 min.
Trailer
A suspenseful adventure thriller directed by Academy Award winner Kevin Macdonald, centering on a rogue submarine captain (two-time Academy Award nominee Jude Law) who pulls together a misfit crew to go after a sunken treasure rumored to be lost in the depths of the Black Sea. As greed and desperation take control onboard their claustrophobic vessel, the increasing uncertainty of the mission causes the men to turn on each other to fight for their own survival. (Synopsis by Focus)
If submarine movies are a genre, than this is one of the better ones. The film loses some traction at the end with plot twists and improbable events, but it’s still an enjoyable ride. See it.
Project Almanac
Director: Dean Israelite
2 hr.
Trailer
A brilliant high school student and his friends uncover blueprints for a mysterious device with limitless potential, inadvertently putting lives in danger. (Synopsis by Paramount)
Entertaining, even if you know where it is going from the beginning. It is nowhere as intelligent as “Primer,” but then, it isn’t trying to be. Rent it.
Upcoming DVD Releases
Fury
Director: David Ayer
2 hr. 15 min.
Trailer
April, 1945. As the Allies make their final push in the European Theatre, a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy (Brad Pitt) commands a Sherman tank and her five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Outnumbered and outgunned, and with a rookie soldier thrust into their platoon, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany. (Synopsis by Sony)
If there is a flaw here, it is that Ayer’s errs on the side of violence and tank battles to the detriment of character development. However, this is a solid movie that doesn’t quite fit the mold of other WWII films. The best part is the surprisingly good performances from the junior cast members. See it.
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