"Red Sparrow" Review by Tim Hellman

'RED SPARROW': Four Stars (Out of Five)

The new spy thriller starring Jennifer Lawrence as a Russian spy who falls for the CIA agent that she's assigned to seduce. The movie was directed by Francis Lawrence (who also teamed with Jennifer on three 'HUNGER GAMES' films), and it was scripted by Justin Haythe. The movie is based on the 2013 novel (of the same name) by Jason Matthews. Joel Edgerton, Matthias Schoenaerts, Charlotte Rampling, Jeremy Irons, Mary-Louise Parker, Bill Camp and Ciaran Hinds costar in the action flick. It's received mixed to positive reviews from critics, and it's also a modest hit at the Box Office as well. I enjoyed it.

Lawrence plays Dominika Egorova, a former professional ballerina dancer who's recruited to become a Russian spy. After some very brutal training, she's asked to make contact with a CIA officer, named Nathaniel Nash (Edgerton). In the process of seducing Nash, Dominika develops some very strong feelings for him as well. Things of course become complicated.

The film is extremely hard to watch at times; it's the ultimate #metoo story, and by the end of it you might end up hating all men. Jennifer Lawrence is fantastic in the lead. While it's true that her and Joel Edgerton have little chemistry together, their scenes are so limited that it doesn't really matter. There's some great spy movie twists, and thrills in it, too. The film is of course nothing too memorable, or awards worthy, but it is a well made (and very dark) spy thriller. There's also some really awesome female revenge scenes in it, and Jennifer Lawrence kicks some major ass!

"It Comes At Night" Review by Tim Hellman

'IT COMES AT NIGHT': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

A psychological horror flick written and directed by sophomore feature filmmaker Trey Edward Shults. It's set in a future world, where an unexplained illness has wiped out a large percentage of the population (and made everyone else paranoid of each other). A family that's survived in isolation, in a secure locked up house, invites another family seeking help to stay with them (despite the severe mistrust they have for them). It stars Joel Edgerton, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Carmen Ejogo, Christopher Abbot, Riley Keough and Griffin Robert Faulkner. The film had it's world premiere at the Overlook Film Festival (in Mount Hood, Oregon), and it's received mostly rave reviews from critics. It's also been a successful hit at the Box Office so far. I found it to be a very effectively made thriller as well.

Paul (Edgerton) has established a very strict set of rules to keep him and his family safe (in a horrendous, not too distant future world). When a man, Will (Abbot), comes to his home looking for help, he's very quick not to trust him. Then, after the man explains that his wife and child are also in desperate need of help, Paul reluctantly decides to let Will's family come stay with his. Paranoia and mistrust for each other soon tears their uneasy relationship apart though.

Once again, man is much more dangerous than any plague or monster; that's the basic theme of this horror movie. It's got a few moments of hope, and compassion, but ultimately it's a very disturbing and depressing film. Multiple people walked out of the showing I saw of it, before it was over, and several others vocally expressed their discuss with it when it concluded. I think it's a very well made and effective psychological horror flick though. It's obviously not for everyone, but if you love quality film, especially great horror, you should enjoy it.

Official Trailer and Poster for the Upcoming Chiller "It Comes At Night"

A24 recently released the official poster and trailer for the upcoming film "It Comes At Night". The film stars Joel Edgerton,Riley Keough, Christopher Abbott, Carmen Ejogo and Kelvin Harrison Jr.

"It Comes At Night" hits theater on June 9th.

Plot Synopsis:

Imagine the end of the world— Now imagine something worse. Award-winning filmmaker Trey Edward Shults follows his incredible debut feature KRISHA with IT COMES AT NIGHT, a horror film following a man (Joel Edgerton) as he is learns that the evil stalking his family home may be only a prelude to horrors that come from within. Secure within a desolate home as an unnatural threat terrorizes the world, the tenuous domestic order he has established with his wife and son is put to the ultimate test with the arrival of a desperate young family seeking refuge. Despite the best intentions of both families, paranoia and mistrust boil over as the horrors outside creep ever-closer, awakening something hidden and monstrous within him as he learns that the protection of his family comes at the cost of his soul.

"It Comes At Night": Official Trailer

"Loving" Review by Tim Hellman

The new critically acclaimed historical drama, and Oscar hopeful, from writer/director Jeff Nichols; the man who also brought us 2016's 'MIDNIGHT SPECIAL', 2011's 'TAKE SHELTER' and 2012's 'MUD' (one of my favorite movies of that year). This film tells the true story of Richard and Mildred Loving, a couple that challenged interracial marriage laws in Virginia; a battle which continued all the way to the Supreme Court (in 1967). It stars Joel Edgerton, Ruth Negga, Nick Kroll, Marton Csokas, Jon Bass and Michael Shannon (Shannon appears in all of Nichols' movies, and he and Edgerton also co-starred in this year's 'MIDNIGHT SPECIAL'). The film has received rave reviews from critics, a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival, and it will likely receive multiple Academy Award nominations (including Best Picture) next year. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Richard Loving (Edgerton) was a white construction worker, living in Caroline County, Virginia, that fell in love with a family friend, named Mildred (who also happened to be black). When Mildred became pregnant, the two decided to wed. Knowing that interracial marriage was illegal, in the state of Virginia, the two drove all the way to Washington D.C., to get married there instead (in 1958). When the local Sheriff (Csokas) learns of this, he raids the couple's home and has them both arrested. In order to have their prison time suspended, the two are forced to leave the state; and not return there together for at least 25-years. American Civil Liberties lawyer Bernard S. Cohen (Kroll) decides to help them overturn this ruling; seeing it early on as a potential ground breaking Supreme Court case.

The movie is beautifully filmed, and acted; Ruth Negga is especially good as Mildred (and she should definitely get an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress). The film tells a very powerful, and extremely moving, true story; about a very important time in U.S. history, dealing with the never ending battle of equal rights for all. What's most impressive about the movie though, is how subtle and seemingly true to life it impressively all appears. The drama is never overdone, or cheesy, and I especially admire how much it doesn't seem like traditional Oscar bait. It's a really well made film!

Official Trailer for Joel Edgerton's "The Gift"

STX Entertainment recently released the official trailer for Joel Edgerton's directorial debut "The Gift". The film stars Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall and Joel Edgerton.
 
"The Gift" is slated to hit theaters on July 31st.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at  http://giftmovie.com/

Plot Synopsis:

Can you really go through life having never wronged anyone? Even if you are unaware of how, or when, and even who you may have wronged...chances are there is someone out there who won't ever forget it...or you.

Simon (Jason Bateman) and Robyn (Rebecca Hall) are a young married couple whose life is going just as planned until a chance encounter with an acquaintance from Simon's high school sends their world into a harrowing tailspin. Simon doesn't recognize Gordo (Joel Edgerton) at first, but after a seemingly coincidental series of encounters proves troubling, a horrifying secret from their past is uncovered after nearly 20 years. As Robyn learns the unsettling truth about what happened between Simon and Gordo, she starts to question: how well do we really know the people closest to us, and are past bygones ever really bygones?

"The Gift": Official Trailer

Joel Edgerton's Directorial Debut is Titled "The Gift"

STX Entertainment and Blumhouse Productions recently released information they've titled Joel Edgerton's directorial debut "The Gift". The film stars Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall and Edgerton.
 
"The Gift" is slated to hit theaters on July 31st.

Press Release:

Motion picture and television studio STX Entertainment and Blumhouse Productions have officially titled their Joel Edgerton-helmed film The Gift, it was announced today by Adam Fogelson, Chairman of STX Entertainment's Motion Picture Group.

Set to debut on July 31, 2015, this chilling, contemporary psychological thriller marks the writing and directorial debut of acclaimed actor Joel Edgerton (The Great Gatsby, Zero Dark Thirty, Warrior), and stars Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall and Edgerton. The film is produced by Rebecca Yeldham (On the Road, The Kite Runner) and Jason Blum (Whiplash, The Purge).

Can you really go through life having never wronged anyone? Even if you are unaware of how, or when, and even who you may have wronged...chances are there is someone out there who won't ever forget it...or you.

Simon (Jason Bateman) and Robyn (Rebecca Hall) are a young married couple whose life is going just as planned until a chance encounter with an acquaintance from Simon's high school sends their world into a harrowing tailspin. Simon doesn't recognize Gordo (Joel Edgerton) at first, but after a seemingly coincidental series of encounters proves troubling, a horrifying secret from their past is uncovered after nearly 20 years. As Robyn learns the unsettling truth about what happened between Simon and Gordo, she starts to question: how well do we really know the people closest to us, and are past bygones ever really bygones?

"Exodus: Gods and Kings" Review - Written by Jim Herling

It seems like there's an awful lot to say about Exodus: Gods and Kings. For example, there's the controversy over the "whitewashed" main cast (which is admittedly distracting), but I don't want to talk about that. There's also all the hubbub over the glaring historical and even more glaring biblical inaccuracies (both of which are just mind-boggling, especially considering director Ridley Scott had a four-person writing team to work with, consisting of Adam Cooper, Bill Collage, Jeffrey Caine, and Steven Zaillian, none of whom had the sense to point out the inaccuracies apparently), but I don't want to talk about those things either. All the controversies, while interesting and worthy of discussion on their own, have little to do with the quality of the movie itself, which is what I'm here to talk about.

And the quality, in this case, is pretty damn bad.

The only thing I can say for Ridley Scott's latest work is that it is a visually stunning movie. Which is no surprise, really; Scott's movies are always treats for the eyes, shot and framed beautifully, with top-notch effects, and this one is no exception. The Red Sea sequence is particularly breathtaking. But, as Jay said towards the end of Clerks, "what's a good plate with nothing on it?"

When it comes to what's on this plate, the answer is precious little. Inconsistence is the least of the plot's sins; for example, the movie is just boring as hell. It has a very similar structure and story to one of Scott's masterpieces, Gladiator (which should be a clue as to just how far afield from the historical narratives the story blunders), but it lacks that film's cohesion, and its action. Action pieces are short and few and far between. Even the Red Sea finale is anticlimactic, boiling down not to an epic battle or even a thrilling chase but a distant standoff between Moses (Christian Bale) and his "brother" Ramses (Joel Edgerton) that is as ponderous and awkward as the rest of their performances. And they're not alone; whitewashing is a far less problem of this cast than their obvious discomfort with the whole production. From Bale and Edgerton down through the line to Ben Kingsley and John Turturro, this is a talented cast having no fun and clearly not putting their heart into their characters. The most glaring cast misstep is Aaron Paul as Joshua, one of Moses' lieutenants. Joshua does nothing but glare and stare, shouting his handful of lines that all consist of one variation or another of "Come on!" or "Let's go!" The swagger that usually makes Paul's performances compelling is nonexistent, and it's a disappointing microcosm of how disappointing the movie is as a whole.

I'm giving Exodus: Gods and Kings one star or of five for cinematography. The rest of the movie is as bad as a plague of locusts.

Final Trailer for Ridley Scott's Upcoming Film "Exodus: Gods and Kings"

20th Century Fox recently released the final trailer for Ridley Scott's latest film "Exodus: Gods and Kings". The upcoming film stars Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Aaron Paul, John Turturro, Sigourney Weaver, Ben Mendelsohn and Ben Kingsley. "Exodus: Gods and Kings" hits theaters on December 12th.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: www.exodusgodsandkings.com.

"Exodus: God and Kings": Final Trailer

Official Trailer for the Upcoming Ridley Scott Film "Exodus: Gods and Kings"

20th Century Fox recently released a new trailer for the upcoming Ridley Scott film "Exodus: Gods and Kings". The upcoming film stars Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Aaron Paul, John Turturro, Sigourney Weaver, Ben Mendelsohn and Ben Kingsley. "Exodus: Gods and Kings" hits theaters on December 12th.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: www.exodusgodsandkings.com.

Plot Synopsis:

From acclaimed director Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Prometheus) comes the epic adventure “Exodus: Gods and Kings,” the story of one man’s daring courage to take on the might of an empire. Using state of the art visual effects and 3D immersion, Scott brings new life to the story of the defiant leader Moses (Christian Bale) as he rises up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses (Joel Edgerton), setting 400,000 slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues.

"Exodus: Gods and Kings": Official Trailer

First Trailer for Ridley Scott's Newest Film "Exodus: Gods and Kings"

20th Century Fox recently released the first trailer for the upcoming film "Exodus: Gods and Kings". The upcoming film is the latest from director Ridley Scott and stars Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Aaron Paul, John Turturro, Sigourney Weaver and Ben Kingsley. "Exodus: Gods and Kings" hits theaters on December 12th.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: www.exodusgodsandkings.com

Plot Synopsis:

From acclaimed director Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Prometheus) comes the epic adventure “Exodus: Gods and Kings,” the story of one man’s daring courage to take on the might of an empire. Using state of the art visual effects and 3D immersion, Scott brings new life to the story of the defiant leader Moses (Christian Bale) as he rises up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses (Joel Edgerton), setting 600,000 slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues.

"Exodus: Gods and Kings": Official Trailer