The month of April is offering a bevy of horror films for movie-goers. THE POPE’S EXORCIST, EVIL DEAD RISE, RENFIELD and THE BLACK DEMON.
Josh Lucas (Ford v Ferrari, Yellowstone) stars in this edge-of-your-seat action thriller from the director of Rambo: Last Blood. Oilman Paul Sturges’ (Lucas) idyllic family vacation turns into a nightmare when they encounter a ferocious megalodon shark that will stop at nothing to protect its territory. Stranded and under constant attack, Paul and his family must somehow find a way to get his family back to shore alive before it strikes again in this epic battle between humans and nature.
Directed By Adrian Grünberg, THE BLACK DEMON opens in theaters on April 28.
The secret to life will be discovered in homes everywhere when the uplifting and hope-filled film The Secret: Dare to Dream arrives Friday, July 31 on Premium Video on Demand. The feel-good romantic drama starring Katie Holmes, Josh Lucas, and Jerry O’Connell explores hope and gratitude in one’s darkest days, and reminds us that it’s never too late to believe again.
Based on the groundbreaking best-selling book about the law of attraction by Rhonda Byrne, The Secret: Dare to Dream follows Miranda (Katie Holmes), a young widow trying to make ends meet while raising her three children and dating her boyfriend (Jerry O’Connell). A devastating storm brings an enormous challenge and a mysterious man, Bray (Josh Lucas), into Miranda’s life. Bray reignites the family’s spirit but, unbeknownst to Miranda, also holds an important secret — one that will change everything. With its timeless messages of hope, compassion, and gratitude, The Secret: Dare to Dream is an inspiring and heartwarming film that shows how positive thoughts can transform our lives.
WAMG is giving away 2 free downloads of the book.
Just leave your name and email address in our comments section below.
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The Secret: Dare to Dream will be available to rent for $19.99 through On Demand platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, VUDU and cable providers starting Friday July 31.
20th Century Fox has released a new trailer and poster for their upcoming film FORD v FERRARI, based on the remarkable true story of the visionary American car designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and the fearless British-born driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale). The film follows Shelby and Miles, who battled corporate interference, the laws of physics, and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company and take on Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966. FORD v FERRARI also stars Jon Bernthal, Caitriona Balfe, Tracy Letts, Josh Lucas, Noah Jupe, Remo Girone and Ray McKinnon. The film will be released on November 15 by The Walt Disney Studios.
Check out the new trailer:
Academy Award-winners Matt Damon and Christian Bale star in FORD v FERRARI, based on the remarkable true story of the visionary American car designer Carroll Shelby (Damon) and the fearless British-born driver Ken Miles (Bale), who together battled corporate interference, the laws of physics, and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company and take on the dominating race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966.
20th Century Fox has released the official trailer and poster for their upcoming film FORD v FERRARI.
The 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the most iconic events in motorsports. 50 years to the day following the historic podium sweep at the Le Mans 24 Hours by the Ford GT40 in 1966, the Ford GT returned to Le Mans and claimed victory.
Academy Award-winners Matt Damon and Christian Bale star in the film from director James Mangold.
Based on the remarkable true story of the visionary American car designer Carroll Shelby (Damon) and the fearless British-born driver Ken Miles (Bale), who together battled corporate interference, the laws of physics, and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company and take on the dominating race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966.
FORD v FERRARI also stars Jon Bernthal, Caitriona Balfe, Tracy Letts, Josh Lucas, Noah Rupe, Remo Girone and Ray McKinnon. The film will be released on November 15 by The Walt Disney Studios.
Have a look at the documentary and footage from the race below.
On January 19, 2015, 14-year-old John Smith was trapped underwater for 15 minutes. First responders pulled him from the icy waters of Lake Saint Louis near St. Charles, Missouri, about 40 miles West of St. Louis. Young John wasn’t breathing, and paramedics and doctors at St. Joseph Hospital West performed CPR on him for 45 minutes without him regaining a pulse. His mother Joyce, who had been notified by phone about the accident, rushed to the hospital, prayed for him, and to the surprise of everyone, his heart began beating again. Dr. Kent Sutterer, the first doctor who treated John, wrote in his medical records: Patient dead. Mother prayed. Patient came back to life. To this day, John suffers no after-effects from the accident
Pastor Jason Noble, Joyce Smith, and one of Joyce’s older sons
In 2017, Joyce Smith chronicled the story in her memoir entitled “The Impossible”, and now that book has been made into the film BREAKTHROUGH, which opens nationwide April 17th. In the film, Joyce is played by Chrissy Metz (from the TV show ‘This is Us’) and John is played by Marcel Ruiz (from the TV show ‘One Day at a Time). Josh Lucas co-stars as Joyce’s husband Brian and Topher Grace plays their family’s pastor Jason Noble.
Producer DeVon Franklin, Chrissy Metz, and Marcel Ruiz
Because this was such a big local story, there was a red carpet premiere of BREAKTHROUGH last night at the Marcus Des Peres Cinema in St. Louis County and We Are Movie Geeks was on the scene to cover the event. John and Joyce Smith were in attendance as were their big-screen counterparts Chrissy Metz and Marcel Ruiz. Also attending the premiere were Pastor Jason Noble, the film’s director Roxann Dawson (a former actress who played B’Elanna Torres on the show Star Trek Voyager from 1996 to 2001), the film’s producer DeVon Franklin, and dozens of first responders from the Lake Saint Louis police and fire departments including Tommy Shine (played in the film by Mike Colter), the hero who fished young John from his watery would-be grave.
Lake St. Louis fireman Tommy Shine (center)
Check back here at We Are Movie Geeks for more coverage of BREAKTHROUGH and look for our review on April 17th
As we reach that light-at-the-end-of the-tunnel that concludes the 2017 movie year, theatres are now filled with stories “inspired by true events” and “biopics”. This new release is a bit of both, like last weekend’s MARSHALL, this tells the story of one man, while focusing on one major event or incident of his long life. Unlike the former Supreme Court justice, this person was not well known by the general public. However, his “nickname” became legendary, thanks in part to a Best Picture Oscar winner. Though the film’s title may sound seem like hyperbole, it presents much evidence to support it in MARK FELT: THE MAN WHO BROUGHT DOWN THE WHITE HOUSE.
We first meet mark Felt (Liam Neeson) on a crisp May morning in 1972 as he readies himself for another day in DC as Deputy Associate Director of the FBI (the number three guy at the Bureau). After kissing his wife Audrey (Diane Lane) goodbye, he is driven to the White House for a meeting with three of President Nixon’s top aides, the three Johns, Mitchell, Ehrlichman, and Dean (Michael C. Hall). With the elections only a few months away, they pressure Felt to “crack down” on the counter-culture groups. Felt reminds them that the FBI doesn’t take its orders from the oval office. Days later, the nation is stunned by the death of the bureau’s founder, J. Edgar Hoover. It’s assumed that Felt will take over as acting director until the president appoints L. Patrick Gray (Martin Csokas) to the position. While his wife, friends, and colleagues are shocked, Felt tries to work smoothly with his new boss. The next month, the Watergate Hotel break-in occurs. As Felt oversees an investigation into the burglary, he is pressured by Gray to “wrap it up” quickly. When Felt learns of the burglars connections to Nixon aides like E. Howard Hunt. he believes that Gray is acting on orders from the White House, a violation of the founding principles of the FBI. In order to get the truth out, Felt passes files on to Time magazine reporter Sandy Smith (Bruce Greenwood) at an out-of-the-way diner. Later, after hearing of the Washington Post’s articles, he meets with reporter Bob Woodward (Julian Morris) after hours at a desolate parking garage. Woodward will refer to his source only as “Deep Throat”. Gray and his advisors now have a new mission: find the “leak”. Felt must constantly watch his back as Washington and the nation is thrown into turmoil. How long can his involvement remain a secret?
In the title role, Neeson combines the gravitas of Aslan, Zeus, and Qui-Gon Jinn with a touch of the menace of Bryan Mills from the TAKEN series along with the a hint of the weary sadness of Oskar Schindler. With his silver pompadour Felt is a regal mature lion with little tolerance for the petty fools that surround him. This deflects the inquiring questions that jab him as the “mole hunt” begins. Neeson has an easy chemistry with Lane, who is regulated to the cliché “woman on the phone” far too often. While Felt seems unable to vent, she lets out her rage and frustration that their sacrifices appear to have meant nothing to those choosing a new FBI chief. The diner exchanges also crackle thanks to the superb delivery of Greenwood as the prodding, probing reporter. Tony Goldwyn and Josh Lucas also shine as Felt’s Bureau BFFs who respect and trust him above all others. And kudos to the producers for thinking “outside the box” by casting the talented comic actor/writer Ike Barinholtz (SNATCHED, SISTERS) as the cynical, suspicious filed agent, Angelo Lano. Plus Csokas makes a terrific “arch-enemy” as the devious , plotting Gray with Hall’s Dean a conniving cohort. Oh, and welcome back to Tom Sizemore as the seedy, “not afraid to get his hands dirty” agent Bill Sullivan whose withering stare speaks volumes.
With a cast like this, the film should be a riveting historical/ political thriller. Yes it should, but the pedestrian direction from Peter Landesman (who also adapted the books by Felt and John D. O’Connor) never allows the story to break out and really breathe. This flick moves at a snail’s pace, with little sense of urgency as new characters are introduced with bits of clumsy dialogue (“Well, Mark Felt and Bill Sullivan, together again”). Since it covers the same events, this film can’t help but suffer in comparison to the iconic journalism thriller ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN (that Oscar winner still retains its power). The vintage fashions and hair styles of this new flick look authentic, but the muted, dark cinematography give the movie a cold, dingy feel. The addition of a side story of Felt trying to locate his daughter Joan, who seems to have been swallowed up by the “hippie” movement feels wedged in as a way to give the principals more humanity. It only serves to slow the pace even more (I was reminded of the love story forced into THE CAINE MUTINY). Unlike the 1976 Redford/Hoffman classic (wonder it it’s streaming), MARK FELT: THE MAN WHO BROUGHT DOWN THE WHITE HOUSE feels like a dusty museum piece, hastily erected just before the gift shop exit.
If you’ve ever participated in a band, an orchestra, or a choir, you know the time, talent and dedication it takes to become an world class musician.
In BOYCHOIR, a rebellious preteen (Garrett Wareing) with a remarkable gift is challenged by a demanding vocal teacher (Dustin Hoffman) at one of the most prestigious music academies in the country as they prepare for the National Championship.
Here is your first look at the trailer for BOYCHOIR.
BOYCHOIR also features Eddie Izzard as a teacher who serves as Hoffman’s right-hand at the school. Josh Lucas as Stet’s estranged father, while “Glee” star Kevin McHale plays a young music teacher who champions the boy. Debra Winger is the principal from Texas who first spots his talent.
Screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, the film is from Francois Girard (director of “The Red Violin”) with an original screenplay by Ben Ripley.
Directed by Chris Eyre (Smoke Signals, Edge of America), and an audience favorite at SXSW festival, HIDEAWAY is a stirring drama thatfollows the story of a successful businessman (Josh Lucas) attempting to resurrect his life. Entering an idyllic harbor as a broken and haunted man, he buys and boards the dilapidated sailboat, Hesperus. Disturbed at night by unsettling dreams of his past, the boat becomes a beacon of hope as he begins the challenge of bringing back the shine to the tarnished vessel – and to his life.
Directed by: Chris Eyre (Smoke Signals)
Written by: Peter Vanderwall
Produced by: Sally Jo Effenson, Josh Lucas, Kevin Reidy
Director of Photography: Elliot Davis (Winner – 2011 SXSW Competition Award Best Cinematography-Narrative Competition)
Starring: Josh Lucas (The Lincoln Lawyer, J. Edgar), Ayelet Zurer (Angels and Demons), James Cromwell (The Artist) and Casey LaBow (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1)
Release date: May 25, 2012 – opening in select cities including New York, Los Angeles, San, Fran., etc.
Running Time/Rating: 83 Minutes / PG-13
Opening in the following cities:
May 25th
Phoenix, Arizona – Valley Art Theatre
June 1st
New York City – at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center Los Angeles – at the Laemmle Music Hall Theatre
LEONARDO DiCAPRIO as J. Edgar Hoover in Warner Bros. Pictures’ drama “J. EDGAR,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo by Keith Bernstein
Due in theaters on November 9 (Limited) / November 11 (Wide), here’s the 1st trailer (via Apple) for Warner Bros. Pictures’ J. EDGAR starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Armie Hammer, Josh Lucas, Ken Howard and Judi Dench.
Okay, so what’s everyone think? Will the film will be as great as the trailer or just another by-the-numbers biopic? I guess it all depends on what aspects of Hoover’s career are focused on. They’re obviously hitting on the race riots, the gangsters, having Kennedy under his thumb, but how deep will it delve into him being a Mama’s boy versus being head of the G-Men.
I already love cinematographer Tom Stern’s hazy interior shots. He’s previously worked with Eastwood on INVICTUS, GRAN TORINO, HEREAFTER, MILLION DOLLAR BABY, CHANGELING, FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS, LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, MYSTIC RIVER, BLOOD WORK.
From those few scenes with Judi Dench, safe bet we’ll be hearing her name in the Best Supporting Actress category come Oscar nomination morning. One thing is for sure, count on seeing Clint – alot – this awards season.
(L-r) LEONARDO DiCAPRIO as J. Edgar Hoover and NAOMI WATTS as Helen Gandy in Warner Bros. Pictures’ drama “J. EDGAR,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo by Keith Bernstein
Drama. “J. Edgar” explores the public and private life of one of the most powerful, controversial and enigmatic figures of the 20th century. As the face of law enforcement in America for almost fifty years, J. Edgar Hoover (DiCaprio) was feared and admired, reviled and revered. But behind closed doors, he held secrets that would have destroyed his image, his career and his life.
Director: Clint Eastwood
Writer: Dustin Lance Black
Producers: Clint Eastwood, Brian Grazer, Robert Lorenz
Executive Producers: Tim Moore, Erica Huggins
This film has been rated R for brief strong language.
Here’s a first look at the new poster for Lionsgate’s THE LINCOLN LAWYERstarring Matthew McConaughey, Ryan Phillippe, Marisa Tomei, William H. Macy, Josh Lucas and John Leguizamo.
Synopsis:
Mickey Haller (Matthew McConaughey) is a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who operates out of the back of his Lincoln sedan. Haller has spent most of his career defending garden-variety criminals, until he lands the case of his career: defending Louis Roulet (Ryan Phillippe), a Beverly Hills playboy accused of rape and attempted murder. But the seemingly straightforward case suddenly develops into a deadly game of survival for Haller.
From Lionsgate and Lakeshore Entertainment, THE LINCOLN LAWYER will be in theaters on March 18, 2011. Visit the film’s official site here and like it on Facebook here.
