Preview This! "Transcendence"
Opening this week at a theater near you:
"Transcendence" (2014)
Dr. Will Caster (Johnny Depp) is a researcher trying to do what no one has ever done before with computers - make a device that possesses sentience and collective intelligence. "Transcendence" Website
What to Watch For: Director of the film, Wally Pfister, is Christopher Nolan's ("The Dark Knight") long time cinematographer.
Word on the Street: The film is said to look remarkable as it was shot in 35mm and is being mastered in the 4K process.
My Take: I heard about this screenplay a couple of years ago and really want to see this film.
"Dom Hemingway" (2013)
After spending 12 years in prison for keeping his mouth shut, notorious safecracker Dom Hemingway (Jude Law) is back on the streets of London looking to collect what he is owed. Traveling with his devoted best friend, Dickie (Richard E. Grant), Dom visits his crime boss, Mr. Fontaine (Demian Bichir), in the south of France to claim his reward. After a near death experience, Dom tries to re-connect with his estranged daughter but is soon drawn back into the only world he knows and is looking to settle the ultimate debt. "Dom Hemingway" Website
What to Watch For: The film played to a packed house at the Atlanta Film Festival.
Word on the Street: The chemistry between Law and Grant is said to be one of the best things about this film.
My Take: I am looking forward to seeing Jude Law just go nuts with this role.
"Under the Skin" (2013)
In Scotland, an alien (Scarlett Johansson), in the body of an attractive woman, travels the cities, looking for unattached males. She lures her victims to her home and proceeds to kill them. "Under the Skin" Website
What to Watch For: Johansson is on a hot streak, with last year's "Her" (2013), and this year's "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" and the upcoming films "Chef" (2014) and "Lucy" (2014).
Word on the Street: Johansson does something that she said she would never do, full frontal nudity on screen in this film.
My Take: I have a feeling this film will be compared constantly to David Bowie's film, "The Man Who Fell to Earth." (1976).
"A Haunted House 2" (2014)
Malcolm (Marlon Wayans) barely escaped from his last house. Now with a new girlfriend (Jaime Pressly) and her two kids, he moves into a new house and a new neighborhood. But, you can't keep a good ghost down, and Malcolm's house troubles are starting all over again. "A Haunted House 2" Facebook page
What to Watch For: Everyone's favorite exorcist, Father Doug (Cedric the Entertainer), is back.
Word on the Street: Will Essence Atkins, who played the possessed girlfriend in the first "A Haunted House" (2013), make an appearance in this film?
My Take: I wonder how much fun they will make of my favorite horror film of last year, 'The Conjuring" (2013).
"Bears" (2014)
A documentary showcasing the lives of two mother grizzly bears in Alaska's Katmai National Park. We follow the mother bears and their cubs over a year. "Bears" Website
What to Watch For: The film was directed by Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey, who also directed the highly successful, "African Cats" (2011) for Disneynature Films.
Word on the Street: Preview audiences are falling in love with the bear cubs.
My Take: It should be a fun film to watch and added bonus is the talented John C. Reilly is the narrator for the film.
"The Railway Man" (2014)
Based on a true story about a British officer who was forced to help the Japanese build a railway during World War II. Now, years later, he finds out that the Japanese officer who tortured him is still alive. "The Railway Man" Website
What to Watch For: The film stars Oscar winners Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman.
Word on the Street: The film has already won several awards, including the Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards for Best Script and Best Film.
My Take: In a very crowded release weekend, this could find an audience with the Indie going public.
"Heaven is for Real" (2014)
Colton (Connor Corum) is a 4 year old boy who, after having surgery for a burst appendix, tells his family that he traveled to heaven and talked to Jesus. Now the family has to decide to believe Colton and, if they do, how will the small town they live in react? "Heaven is for Real" Website
What to Watch For: The film is based on the bestselling book of the same name.
Word on the Street: The film has an excellent cast with Greg Kinnear playing the father of Colton, and includes Thomas Haden Church, Kelly Reilly and Margo Martindale.
My Take: I always enjoy watching Greg Kinnear act on the screen.
If you can't go to the theatre this weekend, stay at home and watch movies on CW69.
Saturday
1:00 pm
"The Net" (1995) A computer programmer (Sandra Bullock) comes across a conspiracy that has wide ranging implications. Now her life is being threatened. Can the hacker survive being hacked?
Sunday
1:00 pm
"The Net" (1995) A computer programmer (Sandra Bullock) comes across a conspiracy that has wide ranging implications. Now her life is being threatened. Can the hacker survive being hacked?
3:00 pm
"The Day the Earth Stood Still" (2008) Dr. Helen Benson (Jennifer Connelly) is called to a military facility when a mysterious alien spacecraft lands in New York City. An alien named, Klaatu (Keanu Reeves), is aboard the ship and says he has come to save Earth. The questions are, is he telling the truth and "save the Earth" from what?
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