MGM has released the final trailer for director Chris Weitz’s OPERATION FINALE. Starring Oscar Isaac, Ben Kingsley, Melanie Laurent, Nick Kroll, Joe Alwyn, Haley Lu Richardson, Greta Scacchi and Lior Raz, the film opens in theaters on August 29.
Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures’ razor-sharp thriller, Operation Finale, brings to life one of the most daring covert operations in modern history.
Starring Academy Award winner Sir Ben Kingsley (Gandhi, Schindler’s List) and Golden Globe winner Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Ex Machina), the film vividly captures the ingenious and brilliantly executed mission to capture Adolf Eichmann, one of the chief architects of the Holocaust.
Fifteen years after the end of World War II, acting on irrefutable evidence, a top-secret team of Israeli agents travel to Argentina where Eichmann (Kingsley) has been in hiding together with his family under an alias Ricardo Klement and execute an extremely dangerous abduction. In attempting to sneak him out of Argentina to stand trial in Israel while being pursued by the country’s right-wing forces, agent Peter Malkin (Isaac) is forced to engage Eichmann in an intense and gripping game of cat-and-mouse with life-and-death stakes.
Amazon Studios has released this first trailer for the upcoming film LIFE ITSELF. Check it out below and see the film in theaters this Fall.
I love this terrific trailer.
As a young New York couple goes from college romance to marriage and the birth of their first child, the unexpected twists of their journey create reverberations that echo over continents and through lifetimes in LIFE ITSELF. Director and writer Dan Fogelman (“This Is Us”) examines the perils and rewards of everyday life in a multigenerational saga featuring an international ensemble including Oscar Isaac, Olivia Wilde, Antonio Banderas, Annette Bening, Olivia Cooke, Sergio Peris- Mencheta, Laia Costa, Alex Monner and Mandy Patinkin.
Set in New York City and Carmona, Spain, LIFE ITSELF celebrates the human condition and all of its complications with humor, poignancy and love.
Amazon Studios will release LIFE ITSELF in theaters September 21, 2018.
In ‘The Shimmer’, the mysterious coastal landscape where writer/director Alex Garland’s ANNIHILATION takes place, nothing is as it seems. How do multiple species of flower grow from the same vine? Why does that albino alligator have rows of teeth like a shark? Why have the five women sent here to explore the abandoned, overgrown, and dangerous area been so completely misled about what awaits them there? And what’s going on in that lighthouse by the sea? By the time Garland’s challenging, confusing, occasionally terrifying, but often tedious film ends, you will know the answers to some of these questions, but not all. That may be because it’s adapted from the first in a trilogy of novels by Jeff VanderMeer, and because Garland has no intention of tying his metaphysical odyssey up neatly.
In ANNIHILATION Natalie Portman stars as Lena, a Biologist and former soldier. Her husband Kane (Oscar Isaac) has returned from his own trip to study The Shimmer, specifically a phenomenon that seems to emit from a lighthouse and is mutating everything in its path. He’s the only one to ever return from an expedition there alive, but he’s now a damaged man and soon lapses into a coma. Lena joins a group of five women on a mission of their own to explore The Shimmer. This crew consists of its leader, psychiatrist Dr. Ventress (Jennifer Jason Leigh), paramedic Anya (Gina Rodriguez), Surveyor Josie (Tessa Thompson), and anthropologist Cass (Tuva Novotny). When the girls arrives at The Shimmer they encounter a variety of hybrid beasties, weird flowers, trees shaped like humans, and other odd and chilling genetic mutations of flora and fauna. There are flashbacks chronicling Lena’s infidelity and flash forwards to her being interrogated. Eventually, like the crews sent to explore The Shimmer before them, the women descend into madness and paranoia (at least the ones who aren’t eaten by bears first!)
ANNIHILATION has enough beautiful images and profound ideas to linger in one’s mind, but despite achieving a properly chilly atmosphere, the film is rhythmless and shapeless. There are too many scenes of these gals carrying their guns as they trek slowly through homes and neighborhoods buried under overgrown plant life. The score by composer Geoff Barrow, guitar strumming one minute and discordant electronics the next, adds to the film’s unusual tone, at once lethargic and anxious. Like Garland’s EX MACHINA, the special effects are effective when they need to be, but low key. Moments of action, such as when they battle mutant bears and gators, interrupt the long conversations in which the women question the very nature of what they are doing while the light-show climax, which may have seemed trippy a few decades ago, goes on forever and makes the film seem dated. ANNIHILATION is a movie that demands a lot but provides little in return.
Gina Rodriguez, Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson and Tuva Novotny in Annihilation from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.
Lena, a biologist and former soldier, joins a mission to uncover what happened to her husband inside Area X – a sinister and mysterious phenomenon that is expanding across the American coastline. Once inside, the expedition discovers a world of mutated landscape and creatures, as dangerous as it is beautiful, that threatens both their lives and their sanity.
Tuva Novotny plays Cass Sheppard, Gina Rodriguez plays Anya Thorensen, Tessa Thompson plays Josie Radek and Natalie Portman plays Lena in Annihilation from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.
From visionary writer and director Alex Garland (Ex Machina, 28 Days Later) and based on the acclaimed best-selling Southern Reach Trilogy by Jeff VanderMeer, ANNIHILATION stars Natalie Portman, Oscar Isaac, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson, Gina Rodriguez and Tuva Novotny.
ANNIHILATION opens in theaters on February 23, 2018.
Enter for the chance to win TWO (2) seats to the advance screening of ANNIHILATION on February 21 at 7:00 pm in St. Louis. In addition to the passes, we’re also giving away to one lucky winner a copy of the book, Annihilation, from the award-winning author Jeff VanderMeer’s Southern Reach Trilogy.
Answer the following question:
ALEX GARLAND (Director, Writer) directed and wrote the original screenplay for Ex Machina in 2015 starring Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac and Alicia Vikander, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Garland’s writing credits include 28 Days Later, Sunshine, Never Let Me Go and Dredd. He is also the author of two novels.
What are the names of Garland’s two novels?
ENTER YOUR NAME, ANSWER AND EMAIL IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.
OFFICIAL RULES:
1. YOU MUST BE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA THE DAY OF THE SCREENING.
2. No purchase necessary. A pass does not guarantee a seat at a screening. Seating is on a first-come, first served basis. The theater is overbooked to assure a full house.
3. You must provide a U.S. address for shipping of the book.
THE FILM IS RATED R for violence, bloody images, language and some sexuality.
Gina Rodriguez, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson and Tuva Novotnyin Annihilation from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.
Lena, a biologist and former soldier, joins a mission to uncover what happened to her husband inside Area X – a sinister and mysterious phenomenon that is expanding across the American coastline. Once inside, the expedition discovers a world of mutated landscape and creatures, as dangerous as it is beautiful, that threatens both their lives and their sanity.
From visionary writer and director Alex Garland (Ex Machina, 28 Days Later) and based on the acclaimed best-selling Southern Reach Trilogy by Jeff VanderMeer, Annihilation stars Natalie Portman, Oscar Isaac, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson, Gina Rodriguez and Tuva Novotny.
Paramount Pictures has released a fascinating new poster, from the point of view of Area X, for ANNIHILATION.
Based on Jeff VanderMeer’s best-selling Southern Reach Trilogy, the movie stars Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, Tuva Novotny and Oscar Isaac.
The book:
describes a team of four women (a biologist, an anthropologist, a psychologist, and a surveyor) who set out into an area known as Area X. The area is abandoned and cut off from the rest of civilization. They are the 12th expedition. The other expeditions have been fraught with disappearances, suicides, aggressive cancers, and mental trauma. The novel won the 2014 Nebula Award for Best Novel and the 2014 Shirley Jackson Award for best novel. (wikipedia)
It was written and directed by Alex Garland (Ex Machina, 28 Days Later). Check out the trailer below – has an unmistakable PREDATOR feel to it.
Movie fans have yet another reason to be giddy near the end of the year ( besides the big serious Oscar films and those great special DVD sets that Santa brings). For the last two years around this time we’ve been transported to that “galaxy far, far away”. When the Disney company bought Lucasfilm they made a promise to continue the saga AND delve into the mythos with “stand -alone” spin-off films. The “mouse house” has more than kept their promise. 2015 saw the much-anticipated release of “Episode VII” in the saga, introducing a new set of heroes and villains along with returning characters from the original first trilogy. Last year, while another episode was in production, we got the first live-action spin-off, a prequel of sorts to the first film, ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY. Both films were box office smashes with VII becoming the biggest B.O. blockbuster of all time. Now the cast and crew have re-united, under the guidance of a new director/screenwriter for “Episode VIII” also known as STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI. Really…the last?
Despite the decisive victory over the First Order in the last film (the Star Destroyer “blowed up real good”), the rebel forces are in hot water once more. They’re outgunned by the Order’s massive fleet, but one pilot takes his X-wing toward certain death. Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) can inflict some major damage if he can outwit the revenge-seeking General Hux (Dominhall Gleeson). The plan seems to work until Poe ignores orders from resistance leader General Organa (Carrie Fisher). When the Order’s fleet follows the rebels through hyper-space, all may be lost. Cut back to the final moments of the last installment as Rey (Daisy Ridley) meets the legendary last Jedi knight Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). Rey is eager to learn the ways of the “Force”, but Luke is still full of regret over past failures. Speaking of which, we catch up with former pupil gone bad Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), who is still straining under the watchful eyes of Supreme Leader Snoke (“mo-cap” by Andy Serkis). Back on the main rebel ship, reformed stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) finally awakens from his wounds inflicted by Kylo. Finn tries to get away and find Rey, but is stopped by grieving mechanic Rose (Kelly Marie Tran). She believes she can disable the tracking devices on the Order’s ship. The duo enlist Poe’s help in finding a master “code breaker’ for the job, all while alluding new commander (Leia is injured), Vice Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern). As Rose, Finn, and droid BB-8 travel to a casino planet, Luke discovers that Rey is leaning toward the dark side, and is able to communicate with Kylo via the Force. Will the last of the knights be able to pull her back as he faces his former student. And will Poe’s secret mission succeed? If not, the rebellion may be finished.
As with the last installment fans get a chance to see several favorites from the first trilogy alongside those who’ll help the franchise “live long and prosper” (oops, wrong space series). The big draw here is Hamill returning to his iconic role. Skywalker, now 34 years older, is closer to that “crazy old hermit” Ben Kenobi that he encountered on Tatooine. He just wants to be left alone, still stinging from past failures which overshadow his triumphs. Yet he somehow gives us a hint that the vibrant warrior is not gone, but rather dormant, just waiting for his moment. Hard to believe, but it was nearly a year ago that Fisher unexpectantly passed away. Reports quickly surfaced that her work was complete for this and perhaps the next film. Happily, we see much more of her here than in last year’s AWAKENS. Leia’s keen strategy and leadership skills are on full display. She’s a stern taskmaster (as Poe finds out), but still a nurturing, warm maternal figure. As for the characters we first met two years ago, the actors are easing into the roles (maybe they feel less pressure after the success of their debut). Ridley’s Rey is full of fierce determination and a yearning to learn how to harness her skills. There’s a sadness in her also as she hopes to learn of the family that tossed her aside. Boyega as Finn embraces his new role as rebel agent, becoming confident as his life has a greater purpose. Isaac’s Poe still has lots of that familiar Han Solo-style swagger, though his vanity has truly taken its toll (too bad he never heard Han’s great advice to Luke:”Don’t get cocky!”). He’s a guy whose ego is as deadly as his piloting.
As for the “baddies”, Driver as Kylo Ren continues to have lots of issues: anger, family, authority. He’s a tightly coiled cobra, ready to lash out at friend or foe. Here he reaches out and tries to make an emotional connection exposing his inner lonely child. Gleeson as Hux has quite the temper also. He’s more of a self-serving, ambitious dilettante who believes he deserves much more respect. This time out Smoke is not a massive hologram projection, rather a lizard-like wraith give expressive life by Serkis. Also returning is Gwendoline Christie as the imposing Captain Phasma, who gets to showcase her considerable fighting talents.
Two familiar actors make their first saga appearances. Dern is a most intimidating leader as the no-nonsense Holdo, a boss with no tolerance for “hot-shots” like Poe. On their mission, Finn and Rose encounter an ally, DJ played by Benicio Del Toro, a con artist with conflicted loyalties whose pessimism comes right from this modern world. Speaking of Rose, Tran offers us a different type of rebel, one used to working in the shadows, who discovers that coming forward may be the best way to deal with her grief.
Speaking of saga newbies, Rian Johnson, who hasn’t made a feature since 2012’s LOOPER (he directed some episodes of the acclaimed TV series “Breaking Bad”), has directed a most engrossing entry, one that he also wrote. While AWAKENS took some critical heat for being a rehash of the original’s plot, Johnson takes some inspiration from the first sequel (1980’s THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK or “Episode V”), with his training subplot (Luke and Yoda becomes Luke and Rey), but generates tension with some creative twists. Rose and Finn head to a “pleasure planet” that feels like the Monte Carlo version of the Mos Eisley Cantina (still a “hive of scum and villainy”, but with fancy attire) in a “caper” plot (think “Ocean’s 1138”). Luckily the script has plenty of humor (Poe talks to Hux), even taking a jab at sacred saga tropes (Rey thinks using the Force is “moving rocks”). And kudos for making the affable flying ace Poe a really flawed guy. Of course the film is visually stunning from Luke’s rocky emerald isle to the “whiz-whiz, zap-zap” space battles (maybe too tough to follow at times, like the episode VI finale). And the John Williams score is sweeping, lush, and full of emotional heft (the new themes for Rey and her pals are really growing on me). Johnson balances the big action set pieces (one of the greatest light saber fights) with several compelling intimate moments (how the rebellion inspires hope). And though work has started on the next film which will “wrap up” this third trilogy, Johnson’s last act almost seems like a conclusion (no “cliff-hanger” as with EMPIRE). Either way, STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is a superior, soaring sequel that’s full of the same kind of wonder that grabbed movie-goers 40 years ago in a theatre far, far away.
Strap yourself in for another trek in the cinema “way-back” machine at your local multiplex. And for once it’s not a “biopic” or a story “inspired by true events” like MARSHALL or BREATHE. Yes, it’s pure fiction but it is set firmly in the real world. The movies have often viewed the 1950’s through the “rose-tinted” lens of nostalgia, as if yearning for that simpler, more innocent time. TVeven joined in with its long running hit “Happy Days” (that 70’s show now has its own nostalgic glow, as seen in the recent KINGSMEN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE). Sure, they were indeed happy days…if you were part of the right social class, religion or race. . That’s the view of this new film, no surprise since it sprang from the minds of Joel and Ethan, the Coen brothers. But they’re not behind the camera on this project (supposedly this is an unproduced script of theirs from 1986), instead one of their frequent collaborators is finally filming it. It’s beloved actor George Clooney sliding into the director’s chair for his sixth feature film. In his last film, THE MONUMENTS MEN he guided us through WW II ravaged Europe. Well he’s back in the ole’ US of A in a place full of its own dangers. What’s that sign on the road say? Welcome to SUBURBICON.
The film opens up with a sales pamphlet/brochure that itself opens up to taut the joys of living in the postwar utopia known as Suburbicon. The brightly colored illustrations spring to life, full of happy smiling residents from all around the country (“We’re from New York!” “And we’re from Mississippi!”), as the ad copy extolls the conveniences of this newly designed haven (“Our own police force…and fire department!”). As the booklet closes we’re following the mailman on his rounds there, going from one immaculately groomed front lawn to the next. Oh look, a new family is moving in. But the postman’s frozen grin curls down as he discovers that the newcomers are black (“colored” for those pre-PC times). They become the main topic at a very emotional town meeting that night (“…driving down our property values!” Get em’ out!”). Cut to the backyard of the Lodge house, directly across from the backyard of the despised new neighbors, the Mayers. Wheelchair-bound Rose Lodge (Julianne Moore) demands that her eight year-old son Nicky (Noah Jupe) go play ball with the same-aged Mayers boy. Rose’s twin sister Margaret agrees. Later that night an angry mob gathers outside the Mayers home to taunt and harass, while more sinister things or happening at the Lodge house. Nicky’s dad Gardner (Matt Damon) enters his bedroom (“Men are in the house”). Downstairs two thugs, Sloan (Glenn Fleshler) and Louis (Alex Hassell), demand money as they hover over the twins. After tying everyone to chairs, Sloan drenches a handkerchief with chloroform (or ether) and covers their mouths. As Ricky drifts off, he sees Sloan give his mother a second dose. Waking up in the hospital, he sees his mother in a coma. She doesn’t survive. At Rose’s funeral, her and Margaret’s brother, the crude but kind Mitch (Gary Basaraba), tells Ricky to count on him for anything. In the following week, Margaret slides a little easily into the mother role as Gardner tries to return to work. Ricky soon learns that his mother wasn’t the victim of a botched home invasion. And as the crowds outside the Mayers house increase in numbers and volume, a slick insurance investigator, Bud Cooper (Oscar Isaac) pays a business visit to the Lodges. Will he shed a light on the dark secret at the heart of this “perfect” neighborhood?
Though he’s not the film’s main focus, Damon gives his timid role from THE INFORMANT! a sinister twist. His vintage specs do much of the comedic work, while Daddy Lodge sweats and squints as though he’s a walking “pinched nerve” encased in a sweat-drenched white short-sleeve shirt. He’s Hank from TV’s “King of the Hill”, though always on the verge of blowing his top. Moore as Margaret (we hardly get to know Rose) is better able to contain her emotions, using her cheery “happy homemaker’ smile as a mask to hide her inner demons. She’s a slightly less-homicidal cousin to her recent KINGSMEN villain role. Big kudos to Isaac for injecting a burst of energy when the story begins to sag. His “get right to the point” insurance PI is a frothy mix of Fred McMurray in DOUBLE INDEMNITY and MUSIC MAN Harold Hill and worthy of his own solo flick. Actually the film doesn’t really belong to that trio of screen vets, since we view the story through the eyes of young Jupe. He delivers just the right note of sweetness and terrified paranoia. We feel his confusion over the odd behaviors of the “grown ups” and we root for him to escape his perfect home turned shrinking trap. Barsaraba is quite enjoyable as the lovable bear of an uncle. And as the thugs, Fleshler is pure sweaty menace and Hassell is the perfect “bug-eyed weasel” accomplice.
The look of early “baby boomer” America is faithfully recreated by the art directors from the fashions to the bulky cars, and the early remote-controlled TVs (a beam of light…hmm). It feels right, but why doesn’t the film gel? The talented Clooney has had a difficult time finding the right comic tone since his great debut, CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND (LEATHERHEADS felt really forced, as was MONUMENTS MEN). The delightful satire of the opening titles is quickly jettisoned in favor of pitch black, often gruesome crime calamity (it figures that this script was the Coen’s follow-up to BLOOD SIMPLE). Perhaps Clooney with frequent collaborator Grant Heslov should have made another run at that shelved script to smooth out the bumps. The flow of the film is thrown off by cutting from the main story (the murder/robbery) to the raging hatred directed at the Mayers. Plus there’s nothing amusing in the mob menacing this proud family (perhaps this was the plot’s reason why the bumbling police force wasn’t paying much mind to the mayhem at the Lodge home). Alexandre Desplat contributes another assured score that goes from whimsical to foreboding. Ricky’s a compelling kid hero whose plight harkens back to classics like THE WINDOW and INVADERS FROM MARS, but he can’t shoulder this wildly uneven failed farce. Now there’s the sign I was yearning to see after an hour on this village road: “Now leaving SUBURBICON”.
Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Oscar Isaac and Noah Jupe star in director George Clooney’s new film, SUBURBICON.
Suburbicon is a peaceful, idyllic suburban community with affordable homes and manicured lawns …the perfect place to raise a family, and in the summer of 1959, the Lodge family is doing just that. But the tranquil surface masks a disturbing reality, as husband and father Gardner Lodge (Matt Damon) must navigate the town’s dark underbelly of betrayal, deceit, and violence. This is a tale of very flawed people making very bad choices. This is Suburbicon.
The film is written by Academy Award® winners Joel & Ethan Coen (No Country For Old Men), and Clooney & Academy Award® winner Grant Heslov (Argo).
SUBURBICON opens on October 27, 2017.
WAMG invites you to enter for the chance to win TWO (2) seats to the advance screening of SUBURBICON on October 24 at 7:00 pm in the St. Louis area.
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING:
Which 1981 comedy starred John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd and Cathy Moriarty?
TO ENTER, ADD YOUR NAME, ANSWER AND EMAIL IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.
OFFICIAL RULES:
1. YOU MUST BE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA THE DAY OF THE SCREENING.
2. No purchase necessary. A pass does not guarantee a seat at a screening. Seating is on a first-come, first served basis. The theater is overbooked to assure a full house.
Get ready Star Wars fans. The new trailer for STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI debuted Monday during ESPN’s Monday Night Football telecast.
As an extra bonus, Walt Disney also released a brand-new poster for director Rian Johnson’s next chapter in the iconic franchise set in a Galaxy Far Far Away.
In Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.
The film stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern and Benicio Del Toro.
Star Wars: The Last Jediis written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman. J.J. Abrams, Tom Karnowski and Jason McGatlin are the executive producers.
Tickets are now on sale everywhere tickets are sold. See it in IMAX.
STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI opens in U.S. theaters on December 15, 2017.
