Kip Mooney
On 10 Cloverfield Lane and The Rest Of The Weekend’s New Film Releases.
10 Cloverfield Lane.
Director: Dan Trachtenberg.
Writers: Josh Campbell, Matthew Stuecken, Damien Chazelle.
Cast: John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Gallagher Jr, Bradley Cooper.
Playing At: Wide.
Paramount is about to find out just how much great marketing can carry a movie. Until January, no one even really knew this was in production, much less that it was ready to go. It’s not a direct sequel to Cloverfield — which still rules, go back and watch it – but sort of takes place in the same general vicinity. John Goodman plays a bunker dweller who takes in Mary Elizabeth Winstead after she has an accident. But is he really taking care of her or is he keeping her prisoner? Whatever happens, I'm all in.
The Brothers Grimsby.
Director: Louis Leterrier.
Writers: Sacha Baron Cohen, Phil Johnston, Peter Baynham.
Cast: Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Strong, Rebel Wilson, Ian McShane.
Playing At: Wide.
Although Bruno tried way too hard, I'm pretty much on board for whatever Sacha Baron Cohen has in store. This spy parody finds Britain's favorite doofus playing the estranged brother of super assassin Sebastian Butcher. Reunited after more than 20 years, they both find themselves marked for death after a botched assignment.
The Young Messiah.
Director: Cyrus Nowrasteh.
Writer: Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh, Cyrus Nowrasteh.
Cast: Adam Greaves-Neal, Sara Lazzaro, Vincent Walsh, Jonathan Bailey.
Playing At: Wide.
Based on Anne Rice's Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, this film takes a look at Jesus' life after he and his family return to Nazareth from Egypt. It's the second movie about Jesus released this year. Though, as always, one hopes this doesn't merely preach but that it tells a solid story.
The Perfect Match.
Director: Bille Woodruff.
Writers: Brandon Broussard, Gary Hardwick, Dana Verde.
Cast: Terrence Jenkins, Kali Hawk, Paula Patton, Brandy Norwood.
Playing At: Wide.
Can a playboy hang up his promiscuous ways for the right woman? Can I make it through another sentence without sighing heavily?
Knight of Cups.
Director: Terence Malick.
Writer: Terence Malick.
Cast: Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman, Teresa Palmer.
Playing At: Angelika Dallas, Angelika Plano.
Reviews are decidedly mixed for the latest film from the often enigmatic Terence Malick. Christian Bale plays a producer who does the whole “What am I doing with my life?” journey, talking and hooking up with women like Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman, Teresa Palmer and others. Executed poorly, this comes across as “The Problems of a Rich, White Man” and nobody needs that. But, if done well, this could be one of the richest cinematic experiences of the year. If nothing else, three-time Oscar winner Emmanuel Lubezki's cinematography will be gorgeous.
Embrace of the Serpent.
Director: Ciro Guerra.
Writers: Ciro Guerra, Jacques Toulemonde Vidal.
Cast: Nilbio Torres, Antonio Bolivar, Jan Bijvoet, Brionne Davis.
Playing At: Angelika Dallas, Angelika Plano.
Colombia's nominee for Best Foreign Language Film at this year's Oscars was this perilous journey. Shot in black-and-white, it tells the story of a native helping explorers down the Amazon in search of an exotic plant.
Only Yesterday.
Director: Isao Takahata.
Writer: Isao Takahata.
Cast: Dev Patel, Daisy Ridley, Tara Strong, Laura Bailey.
Playing At: Angelika Dallas, Angelika Plano.
The only Studio Ghibli film never officially released in the U.S., this 1991 landmark is finally being shown in American theaters. It's the story of city-dweller Taeko, who goes to visit her brother Toshio out in the country and ponders the decisions that led her to where her life is now.
Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words.
Director: Stig Bjorkman.
Playing At: Texas Theatre.
This doc takes a look at the Swedish actress, who was among the most celebrated and controversial actresses of her time, using her extensive diaries and interviews to do so.
Repertory Pick of the Week.
The Room.
Director: Tommy Wiseau.
Writer: Tommy Wiseau.
Cast: Tommy Wiseau, Greg Sestero, Juliette Danielle. Philip Halidman.
Playing At: Inwood Theatre.
Showing: Friday, March 11; Saturday, March 12; Sunday, March 13.
The Room has taken on a near-mythic status as “The Worst Movie of All Time.” That title is up for debate, of course. But seeing this complete trainwreck of a movie is a true sight to behold. Writer-director Tommy Wiseau – who now pretends that his movie was always meant to be a dark comedy and not merely a dreadful domestic drama packed full of unintentional laughs — will be on hand at the Inwood's three weekend showings to introduce the film and participate in a Q&A, not that you'll be able to understand him.
