Demolition

Director Jean-Marc Vallée

Genre Comedy | Drama

Cast Jake Gyllenhaal, Naomi Watts, Chris Cooper, Heather Lind

Rating R

Release Date April 8th, 2016

“A successful investment banker struggles after losing his wife in a tragic car crash.”

Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée (Dallas Buyers Club, Wild) Demolition looks like another one of his indie gems. Starring superstar actor Jake Gyllenhaal and Naomi Watts, Demolition tells a story that focuses on how we as human beings deal with pain and regret, and just how complicated life can be sometimes. I think it looks like a uniquely engaging dramedy (drama/comedy) and I am excited to see it. Check out the trailer below.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny

Director Woo-Ping Yuen

Genre Action | Adventure | Drama

Cast Donnie Yen, Michelle Yeoh, Harry Shum Jr., Jason Scott Lee

Rating PG-13

Release Date February 26th, 2016 (Netflix)

“A story of lost love, young love, a legendary sword and one last opportunity at redemption.”

The straight to Netflix release that will show in limited theaters looks like it could have some promise. I feel biased because nothing will ever compare to Bruce Lee's Enter The Dragon, but I will give Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny a chance. Who knows it may impress me. Check out the trailer below. 

The Brothers Grimsby

Director Louis Leterrier

Genre Action | Comedy

Cast Mark Strong, Sacha Baron Cohen, Rebel Wilson, Penelope Cruz

Rating R

Release Date March 11th, 2016

“A new assignment forces a top spy to team up with his football hooligan brother.”

Directed by Louis Letterier (The Transporter 1 & 2, Now You See Me) The Brothers Grimsby stars over-the-top uncensored goofball actor Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, Bruno) and supporting role superstar Mark Strong (Kingsman: The Secret Service). The film is co-written by Baron Cohen as well as Peter Baynham who co-wrote the 2006 film Borat together. The Brothers Grimsby looks like it could serve as an entertaining action-comedy suitable for a few thrills and plenty of cheap laughs. Well that is my hope anyway, check out the trailer below.

Race

Director Stephen Hopkins

Genre Biography | Drama | Sport

Cast Jason Sudeikis, Stephan James, Carice van Houten, Jeremy Irons

Rating PG-13

Release Date February, 19th 2016

“Jesse Owens’ quest to become the greatest track and field athlete in history thrusts him onto the world stage of the 1936 Olympics, where he faces off against Adolf Hitler’s vision of Aryan supremacy.”

I'm not quite sure how I feel about the new film Race. It looks to be a feel good story, chronicling a mans road to redemption amid extreme odds but one of my main issues is Jason Sudeikis in a serious role. Race will be Sudeikis very first drama and he could very well surprise us. Well I guess we will find out soon enough The film takes place during the 1936 Olympics and follows the true story of Jesse Owens and his quest to become the greatest track and field athlete in history. Check out the trailer below.

Get a Job

Director Dylan Kidd

Genre Comedy

Cast Miles Teller, Anna Kendrick, Bryan Cranston, Alison Brie

Rating R

Release Date March 25th, 2016

“Life after college graduation is not exactly going as planned for Will and Jillian who find themselves lost in a sea of increasingly strange jobs. But with help from their family, friends and coworkers they soon discover that the most important (and hilarious) adventures are the ones that we don’t see coming.”

Anna Kendrick is a bit of a local hero where I live and the fact that her career has reached incredible heights doesn't hurt. I met her once and I will admit I was starstruck, I mean who wouldn't be? What I really respect is the fact that she is always willing to do a variety of films most of which are indie or just really under the radar. In Get A Job she teams up with Miles Teller and I can already picture the instant on-screen chemistry between these two. I am looking forward to seeing this one, check out the trailer below.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Director Burr Steers

Genre Action | Horror | Romance

Cast Lily James, Lena Headey, Matt Smith, Douglas Booth

Rating PG-13

Release Date February, 5th 2016 

“Jane Austen’s classic tale of the tangled relationships between lovers from different social classes in 19th century England is faced with a new challenge — an army of undead zombies.”

London Has Fallen

Director Babak Najafi

Genre Action | Crime | Thriller

Cast Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, Charolotte Riley, Angela Bassett

Rating Unrated

Release Date March 4th, 2016

“In London for the Prime Minister’s funeral, Mike Banning discovers a plot to assassinate all the attending world leaders.”

“After the British Prime Minister has passed away under mysterious circumstances, all leaders of the Western world must attend his funeral. But what starts out as the most protected event on earth, turns into a deadly plot to kill the world’s most powerful leaders and unleash a terrifying vision of the future. The President of the United States, his formidable secret service head and an English MI-6 agent who trusts no one are the only people that have any hope of stopping it.”

The Witch

Director Robert Eggers

Genre Horror

Cast Ana Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Harvey Scrimshaw

Rating R

Release Date February 19th, 2016

“A family in 1630s New England is torn apart by the forces of witchcraft, black magic and possession.”

I have a special place in my heart for good horror films so The Witch caught my eye once the buzz began circulating from the 2015 Sundance film festival, where it was awarded the Directing Award in the U.S. Dramatic category. Robert Eggers is a new director but is known for his attention to detail and that seems to translate well to this 17th century New England based horror film. Good horror films are hard to come by and I am very excited to see if The Witch holds up. Check out the trailer below. 

Zoolander 2

Director Ben Stiller

Genre Comedy

Cast Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig

Rating PG-13

Release Date February, 12th 2016

“Derek and Hansel are modelling again when an opposing company attempts to take them out from the business.”

Risen

Director Kevin Reynolds

Genre Action | Adventure | Drama

Cast Joseph Fiennes, Tom Felton, Peter Firth, Cliff Curtis

Rating PG-13

Release Date February, 19th 2016

“Follows the epic Biblical story of the Resurrection, as told through the eyes of a non-believer. Clavius, a powerful Roman Military Tribune, and his aide Lucius, are tasked with solving the mystery of what happened to Jesus in the weeks following the crucifixion, in order to disprove the rumors of a risen Messiah and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem.”

It's times like these that make me feel like I probably should have paid more attention in Sunday School. Risen looks to be a film that should resonate with viewers who have strong religious beliefs but might remain off the radar for the crowd that attends Church every once in a while. Nonetheless, I suggest checking out the below trailer to make what I like to call an "informed decision". It does look entertaining.

Triple 9

Director John Hillcoat

Genre Crime | Thriller

Cast Casey Affleck, Anthony Mackie, Aaron Paul, Woody Harrelson

Rating R

Release Date February 26th, 2016

“A gang of criminals and corrupt cops plan the murder of a police officer in order to pull off their biggest heist yet across town.”

I have been excited for Triple 9 for quite a while now for a few reasons, a stacked cast including Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson, Kate Winslet, Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), Anthony Mackie, Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead), Chiwetel Ejiofor, and a few others. As well as what looks to be a kickass storyline including corrupt cops and gang bangers. Two of my favorite things oddly enough. I mean this is a cast that can get things done and the trailer feels like a cross between season 1 of the HBO series True Detective (which also starred Harrelson) as well as The Town and The Departed. Granted those are big shoes to fill but I feel like my excitement for this film is more than justified. I almost forgot, Kate Winslet plays a kingpin. That should be cool. Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think.

The Other Side of the Door

Director Johannes Roberts

Genre Horror

Cast Sarah Wayne Callies, Jeremy Sisto, Sofia Rosinsky, Javier Botet

Rating R

Release Date March 4th, 2016

“A family lives an idyllic existence abroad until a tragic accident takes the life of their young son. The inconsolable mother learns of an ancient ritual that will bring him back to say a final goodbye. She travels to an ancient temple, where a door serves as a mysterious portal between two worlds. But when she disobeys a sacred warning to never open that door, she upsets the balance between life and death.”

The Other Side of the Door offers a bit of intrigue for a few reasons, for one it is an R rated horror film which right from the start gives the writers some room to work, and it also stars Sarah Wayne Callies (Prison Break, The Walking Dead) who has proven that she is a decent actress who can play a variety of roles. Considering it is directed and co-written  by Johannes Roberts who has a long list of low-budget horror films, it may fail miserably like so many before it, but I am hoping it at least makes a splash. Check out the trailer below.

Meet The Blacks

Director Deon Taylor

Genre Comedy

Cast Mike Epps, Charlie Murphy, Mike Tyson, Zulay Henao

Rating R

Release Date April 1st, 2016

“The Black family is getting out of Chicago in hopes of a better life. After Carl Black (Mike Epps) comes into some unexpected funds, he takes his family and leaves the hustling lifestyle behind for something better. Carl, his new wife Lorena (Zulay Henao), son Carl Jr., daughter Allie Black (Bresha Webb) and cousin Cronut (Lil Duval) pack up and move to Beverly Hills. Turns out, Carl couldn’t have picked a worse time to move. They arrive right around the time of the annual purge, when all crime is legal for twelve hours.”

Someone must have been listening because when Mike Epps appeared for his 5 seconds of screen time in Fifty Shades of Black I was wondering why the heck this guy doesn't get more roles. I think he is hilarious and I loved him in All About The Benjamins which I have seen at least 10 times. He was very funny in Next Friday (Friday After Next was a bit unnecessary) and served as a solid replacement to Chris Tucker. Aside from that it seems like he only gets small supporting roles. Meet The Blacks has me excited because I finally get to see Epps play a lead role in another comedy. The film is a spoof of The Purge movies but luckily it looks a lot funnier and does not seem to have the same over-the-top corny humor as the Scary Movie films. Fingers crossed. Check out the trailer below.

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens

Director J.J. Abrams

Genre Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Cast Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver

Rating PG-13

Release Date December 18th, 2015 (April 5th, 2016 Blu-ray/DVD)

“Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a ragtag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance.”

“30 years after the defeat of Darth Vader and the Empire, Rey, a scavenger from the planet Jakku, finds a BB-8 droid that knows the whereabouts of the long lost Luke Skywalker. Rey, as well as a rogue stormtrooper and two smugglers, are thrown into the middle of a battle between the Resistance and the daunting legions of the First Order. ”

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens is now available for rental and purchase on Blu-ray, DVD and VOD/iTunes. Check out the trailer below.