Weekend Watch (May 16th-18th)

Hello everyone and welcome back to another edition of Weekend Watch!

This weekend's match-up is particularly interesting as Jon Hamm and Disney go up against the return of what some consider, the most famous monster to appear on the silver screen: Godzilla.

First up: Million Dollar Arm



Synopsis: A sports agents recruits cricket players to play in the MLB.

With baseball season underway and last month's release of "Draft Day", I can see how a studio like Disney would want to capitalize on "America's favorite past time," but of course, in their own fashion. Million Dollar Arm follows Jon Hamm on his quest to make a baseball player out of an Indian cricket player. Hamm certainly leads the way in this trailer, with his other cast members: Bill Paxton, Lake Bell, Alan Arkin, Bar Paly, and Aasif Mandvi, more or less filling in the backdrop. I'm not a big fan of sports centered movies; don't get me wrong, I enjoy the tugs at my heart when I watch a solid performance, I just don't usually watch these kinds of movies in the theater(s). But Disney is apt to remind us (including myself) of their past accomplishments of "Miracle" and "Invincible," plus with the added feature of this being based off a "true story," I can certainly see the intrigue.

Verdict: The movie looks like a good one to take the family to, with a touch of heart, comedy, drama, and of course Disney's trademark of pulling for the underdog, it looks like a good one to see.


Next up: Godzilla



Synopsis: From visionary new director Gareth Edwards ("Monsters") comes a powerful story of human courage and reconciliation in the face of titanic forces of nature, when the awe-inspiring Godzilla rises to restore balance as humanity stands defenseless.

It's been nearly 16 years since Godzilla has graced the American big screen(s); the last Godzilla movie was back in 1998 and starred Matthew Broderick, Maria Pitillo, Hank Azaria, Kevin Dunn and Jean Reno. So for those who still remember that "movie," hearing about a Godzilla remake was probably worrisome. Fortunately, or unfortunately however you look at it, CGI has come a long way and we can now create characters like Caesar from the new "Planet of the Apes" franchise that look so good, that with some fantastic acting behind these characters - we can almost be fooled into believing they're real. Now with that being said, what's shown off of Godzilla in this trailer looks pretty good; from the fearsome monster's scaly back to the sheer size of it, Godzilla certainly looks like a monstrous creature to be feared. Add in a fantastic cast with members: Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Victor Rasuk, Juliette Binoche, and Sally Hawkins - it's certainly going to draw a crowd. I particularly enjoy how it seems shot from the angel of our ineffectiveness, and therefore the fear of our demise from such a great threat. To me, that would keep me guessing as to how humanity will win out in the end - or will we?

Verdict: Looking for a blockbuster movie to see this weekend and not a fan of baseball? "Godzilla" is definitely the movie for you. See it with your friends, maybe even on opening day, and enjoy the gravity of every impossible situation with the crowd(s).

*Finally we have: A Touch of Sin
 


Synopsis: Four outcasts on the edges of a rapidly changing China, channel their rage into a bloody rampage.

Okay, so this one is, well, let's just say "unusual," which is probably why it's received rave reviews from the likes of the Fesival De Cannes and the Toronto International Film Festival. Watching the trailer, as it explained how our cast: Zhao Tao, Jiang Wu, Wang Baoqiang, Luo Lanshan, Zhang Jiayi, and Li Meng, were all sort of connected, reminded me of how "Crash" was shot. It's one of those movies that seems disconnected at the beginning, telling the stories of these four, seemingly random people, but as the movie goes, their stories are more connected then they've ever realized.

Verdict: If you're into reading subtitles through a movie and loved "Crash," then this one is for you. Unusual movies like this sometimes intrigue me, so I might check this one out myself (just probably not in the theater).

Weekend Watch (May 9th-11th)

With summer quickly approaching and blockbuster movies teasing us with their previews, it can get tricky deciding which movie to see...

Never fear! The Final Cut Movie Blog is here with your Weekend Watch! An opinionated approach to what to watch at the box office.

Obviously some movie showings will depend on your area; I'll do my best to mark* those particular movies. Now onto the showdown!

First up is Neighbors:



Synopsis: A young couple suffering from arrested development are forced to live next to a fraternity house after the birth of their newborn baby.

Director Nicholas Stoller is at it again with this hilariously looking comedy starring: Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Dave Franco, Rose Byrne, Lisa Kudrow, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse. Stoller is known for his work in both Muppets movies and The Five-Year Engagment, which makes him perfect for pitting the infamous Seth Rogen against, what I'm sure will be the female favorite, Zac Efron. This second trailer shows just how far our "normal" couple (Rogen and Byrne) is willing to go to have some peace and quiet. The back and forth between Rogen and Efron is funny enough in the trailer(s), with Efron's posse (and pranking) ever growing - my hope is that same comedy is maintained throughout the movie.

Verdict: If you're fan of comedies, I'd definitely recommend seeing this one in theaters. Even if you don't laugh at every joke or stunt, you'd probably find yourself laughing at those who do.

Next up: Mom's Night Out



Synopsis: Men watch the children while their wives enjoy a night out.

Watching this trailer made me think of a mix between Bridesmaids, The Hangover, and a more intense version of Daddy Day Care. Marketed as a comedy, Mom's Night Out doesn't come off as strong a comedy as Neighbors, though that may be the point. It's certainly appealing to moms and women who deserve that night out, kind of like Date Night to some more "mature" couples. With cast members like Sarah Drew, Sean Astin, Patricia Heaton, and Trace Adkins, it's sure to draw a smile from all audiences.

Verdict: If you're looking for a movie to take your mom to, this is probably the one. She'll laugh, cry, and probably reminisce on those days when you were younger. Unless of course your mom is into seeing Zac Efron shirtless...

*Finally we have Chef:



Synopsis: When Chef Carl Casper (Jon Favreau) suddenly quits his job at a prominent Los Angeles restaurant after refusing to compromise his creative integrity for its controlling owner (Dustin Hoffman), he is left to figure out what's next. Finding himself in Miami, he teams up with his ex-wife (Sofia Vergara), his friend (John Leguizamo) and his son to launch a food truck. Taking to the road, Chef Carl goes back to his roots to reignite his passion for the kitchen—and zest for life and love.

Personally, my favorite out of the three, but then again I kind of have a man crush on Jon Favreau. This just looks really good, like the food Favreau's cooking up in the trailer - it's one of those family flicks that you thought you were tired of, but then you watch this and all of a sudden, you're pulled back in. At least that's how I felt about watching the trailer; it's like the perfect blend of comedy, heart, and fantastic acting.

Verdict: If you find that it's playing in your area, I'd highly recommend seeing this - even if you skip the night showings for the day-time manatee, it's certainly worth sinking your teeth into.

Opening This Week - July 5, 2013

The week of the Fourth of July is always a popular one for movies which makes it prime real estate for studios hoping to wow audiences with their big blockbusters. This year is no different. Here's what's playing this week at a theater near you!

Opening This Week - June 28, 2013

It's hot outside. Like, unbearably hot. Luckily, we know of a way you can spend at least an hour and a half inside an air conditioned room stuffing enjoying cool refreshments all the while being entertained. Go to the movies! As luck would have it, there are a couple of new movies to pick from this weekend so read on to plan your escape from the heat. Here is what's opening this week.

Opening This Week - June 7, 2013

It's finally Friday! I thought it would never get here! If you're planning a trip to the movies this weekend,  there are two new movies opening on wide release today. So read on to plan your cinematic adventure!

The Internship

For those of us who have always wanted a Wedding Crashers sequel...well, the Internship isn't it. But it is the first time Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn have reunited since that amazing film. The pair plays a couple of old school salesmen who lose their jobs thanks to the internet. So to try and catch up to the new economy, they get an internship at Google. I'm a big Google fan (not to mention being a fan of Wilson and Vaughn), so despite the lack luster reviews, i'm in.

The Purge

In The Purge, one night a year all crime is legal for 12 hours. A pretty intriguing concept. The movie follows a family on this night as a group of maniacs try to get into their house and kill them. Sounds creepy!

Some Notable Movies Still Playing

Fast and Furious 6 (Last Week's Box Office Winner)

Now You See Me

After Earth

What are you seeing this weekend? Or are you waiting for next week's Man of Steel?

Opening This Week - May 31, 2013

In the midst of a summer full of sequels and reboots, this weekend is turning out to be a shining example of how Hollywood is still alive with original ideas. Here's what's playing this weekend:

Opening This Week - May 24, 2013

Has this week been as crazy for you guys as it has been for me? Geez. Anyway, the weekend is finally on the horizon and we can look forward to a slew of new releases at our local cinemas. So to help you plan your movie night out, here's what's opening this week.

Opening This Week - May 16, 2013

This week, we get our second round of summer genre movies. With only one huge movie opening in wide release, will Iron Man be able to hold onto its three week box office winning streak or will the Enterprise and her crew warp past it?

Opening This Week - May 10, 2013

Okay so Iron Man 3's opening has passed and we are now onto our second week of the summer movie season. What's in store for you this weekend at the theater? We have the answers along with a little bit of snark in the week's "Opening This Week"!

Opening This Week - May 3, 2013

It's the beginning of the summer movie season! Are you going out to the cinema this weekend? Here's what's opening!

Opening This Week - April 26, 2013

Thank God it's almost Friday! What are you guys up to this weekend? If you're planning on seeing a movie, let me breakdown what's playing this weekend. This week, we have three new releases as well as several holdovers from previous weeks.

Opening This Week - April 12, 2013

It's Friday again and of course that means we have new movies opening. So what are you going to see this weekend?

1. 42

Itching for a classic baseball story with surprisingly relevant racial commentary? Then you'll probably wanna check out 42, the story of Jackie Robinson and his history making entrance into white baseball. So far, the critics are loving this film.

2. Scary Movie 5

Yep. After all the failed, horrible spoof movies that have been released in the last 10 years, they've decided to make another one. Who is watching these movies?? Anyway, if you're into that kinda thing, Scary Movie 5 promises to give you more of the pointless, unfunny crap all the other ones did.

Some Notable Films Still Playing:

Evil Dead - Last Week's Box Office Winner
Jurassic Park 3D

Have you seen any of these? Comment below!

Opening This Week - April 5th, 2013

It's Wednesday. You know what that means? Only two more days until Friday - and that means new movies. Are you thinking about catching a flick this weekend? We are here to give you a rundown of what's opening. This week, we have two new releases to cover:

1. Jurassic Park (Re-Released in IMAX 3D)

It doesn't get any better than this for someone who grew up in the 90's like myself. The classic 1993 Steven Spielberg hit about a dinosaur theme park gone wrong is being re-released and given the IMAX 3D treatment. Most of the time I feel like these 3D re-releases are a shameless attempt to cash in on nostalgia, but Jurassic Park was a groundbreaking film in terms of visually effects and I'm actually interested to see how it looks in IMAX 3D. And I HATE 3D, so that's saying something.

2. Evil Dead

 A remake of the 1981 film The Evil Dead that kick started Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell's careers,
Evil Dead has been highly anticipated by audiences. The story follows a group of young people that end up in an old cabin in the woods and find a mysterious, demonic Book of the Dead. They unwittingly unleash some evil and horror ensures. The buzz around this film is extremely high because of the creepy as hell trailers in spite of its seeming similarity to every other horror film ever.

Some Notable Films Still Playing:

G.I. Joe: Retaliation - Last Week's Box Office Winner
The Croods
Olympus Has Fallen (Click the link to see our review)

Are you excited to see any of these movies or have you seen them already. Comment below and let everyone know if they are worth the time!