Preview This! "Race"
Opening this week at a theater near you:
"Race" (2016)
Jesse Owens is the fastest man on the planet and has made the U.S. Olympic team. He now has to decide if he should compete in Adolf Hitler's 1936 Berlin Olympic Games or should he stay home to protest Hitler's treatment of minorities in Germany. "Race" Website
What to Watch For: John Boyega was set to star as Owens but then dropped out when he got the part of Finn in the latest Star Wars film. Stephan James then jumped at the prospect of portraying Owens.
Word on the Street: Stephan James trained at Georgia Tech while making the 2014 film, "Selma." He portrayed John Lewis in the movie.
My Take: Jason Sudeikis is making quite a mark as an actor in serious dramas such and romantic comedies.
The film opens at a number of Atlanta area theatres on Friday.
"Risen" (2016)
Clavius (Joseph Fiennes), a powerful Roman Military Tribune and his aide, Lucius (Tom Felton), are asked to solve the mystery of what happened to the body of Jesus after he was crucified. Rumors are racing that Jesus has risen as the Messiah and a revolution is about to happen. "Risen" Facebook Page
What to Watch For: Co-writer/ director Kevin Reynolds is coming off an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries for "Hatfields & McCoys" (2012).
Word on the Street: This is co-writer Paul Aiello's first featured film.
My Take: I have been a fan of Joseph Fiennes since he played Will Shakespeare in 1998's, "Shakespeare in Love."
The film opens at a number of Atlanta area theatres on Friday.
"Touched with Fire" (2016)
Two manic depressives (Katie Holmes, Luke Kirby) meet in a psychiatric hospital. Who knew that love would bloom from such an unexpected place? "Touched with Fire" Website
What to Watch For: The film won Honorable Mention at the Woodstock Film Festival in 2015.
Word on the Street: The film is based on the life of the man who wrote and directed the film, Paul Dalio.
My Take: I missed the film at last year's South by Southwest Film Festival, so I am looking forward to seeing it.
The film opens at a number of Atlanta area theatres on Friday.
"The Witch" (2015)
In 17th century New England, a Puritan family lives alone on the edge of a thick, dark forest. Their newborn son disappears, and all signs point at their daughter who practices witchcraft. "The Witch" Website
What to Watch For: The film has been the talk of the Film festival circuit since it premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.
Word on the Street: This is writer/director Robert Eggers featured film debut.
My Take: I can't wait to see this film. I love a well done horror film.
The film opens at a number of Atlanta area theatres on Friday.
"Son of Saul" (2015)
Saul (Geza Rohrig) is a prisoner in the Auschwitz death camp. He is forced to burn the corpses of his own people. One day he finds a young boy who has survived the gas chamber. Could this be his own son? "Son of Saul" Facebook Page
What to Watch For: The film won 38 awards, including the Best Foreign Film from the Georgia Film Critics Association.
Word on the Street: Most film critics feel this movie is a shoe-in for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.
My Take: I hear that this is a tough film to watch but well worth it.
The film opens Friday at UA Tara Cinemas 4 and Lefont Sandy Springs Cinema.
"A War" (2015)
Company Commander Clause Pedersen (Pilou Asbaek) is trying to keep his troops alive while patrolling the Afghan province. His wife, Maria (Tuva Novotny), is back in Denmark trying to keep everything normal for their two children. Clause is about to make a command decision that he will have to live with for the rest of his life. "A War" Facebook Page
What to Watch For: The film has been nominated for an Oscar for the Best Foreign Language Film.
Word on the Street: The film is up for 4 Bodil Awards, the Danish version of the Academy Awards.
My Take: Another must-see film before the Academy Awards happen.
The film opens exclusively at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema.
If you can't make it to the theatre this weekend, then stay at home and watch movies on Atlanta's CW:
Saturday
1:00 pm
"Blind Date" (1987): Walter Davis (Bruce Willis) is set up on a date with a beautiful woman (Kim Basinger). He is told, whatever you do, don't let her drink – but what can possibly go wrong? Walter is about to find out on a wild night he will never forget.
3:00 pm
"The Pink Panther 2" (2009) Inspector Clouseau (Steve Martin) is back, and he is teaming up with a squad of International detectives who are just as bad at their jobs as he is. They are on a mission to stop a globe-trotting thief who been stealing some of the world's most famous historical artifacts.
Sunday
1:00 pm
"Planet of the Apes" (2009) Inspector Clouseau (Steve Martin) is back, and he is teaming up with a squad of International detectives who are just as bad at their jobs as he is. They are on a mission to stop a globe-trotting thief who been stealing some of the world's most famous historical artifacts.
3:00 pm
"Blind Date" (1987): Walter Davis (Bruce Willis) is set up on a date with a beautiful woman (Kim Basinger). He is told, whatever you do, don't let her drink – but what can possibly go wrong? Walter is about to find out on a wild night he will never forget
for more features.