Official Trailer for the Upcoming Fantasy "I Kill Giants"

RLJ Entertainment recently send us information for their upcoming release "I Kill Giants". The film stars Zoe Saldana (Guardians of the Galaxy, Avatar), Imogen Poots ("Roadies," Green Room, That Awkward Moment, 28 Weeks Later), Madison Wolfe (The Conjuring 2, "True Detective"), and Sydney Wade (360, Una).

"I Kill Giants" hits theaters and VOD on March 23rd.

Press Release:

R​LJE Films will release the upcoming adventure / fantasy I KILL GIANTS in theaters and On Demand ​/ Digital HD on March 23, 2018. Check out the trailer​: ​https://youtu.be/n7Jg-eo8nBo

​From producer Chris Columbus (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Home Alone)​, I KILL GIANTS​ ​stars Zoe Saldana (Guardians of the Galaxy, Avatar), Imogen Poots ("Roadies," Green Room, That Awkward Moment, 28 Weeks Later), Madison Wolfe (The Conjuring 2, "True Detective"), and Sydney Wade (360, Una). The film ​was directed by the Academy Award winning writer/director of the short film Helium,​ ​Anders Walter, and ​was written and produced by Joe Kelly​ (Deadpool, Big Hero 6, Ben 10, Mega Man).

Barbara Thorson (Madison Wolfe) is a teenage girl who escapes the realities of school and a troubled family life by retreating into her magical world of fighting evil giants. With the help of her new friend Sophia (Sydney Wade) and her school counselor (Zoe Saldana), Barbara learns to face her fears and battle the giants that threaten her world​.​

"I Kill Giants": Official Trailer

"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2" Review by Tim Hellman

'GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2': Five Stars (Out of Five)

The highly anticipated sequel to the blockbuster 2014 superhero flick 'GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY', based on the Marvel comic book of the same name. The film is once again written and directed by James Gunn, and all of the original's starring cast return as well; including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Sean Gunn, and the voices of Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel. They're joined this time around by Kurt Russell, Elizabeth Debicki, Pom Kelmentieff, Chris Sullivan and Sylvester Stallone. The story this time deals with the Guardians helping Peter Quill learn more about his father, who he meets for the first time. The movie has received mostly positive reviews from critics (just like the first) and it's a blockbuster at the Box Office so far as well (just like the first). I loved it.

The story begins in 2014, when Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord (Pratt), and his friends, are now all well known (across the cosmos) as 'The Guardians of the Galaxy'. They're hired by the Sovereign race to protect valuable batteries from a giant space monster. In exchange they're given Gamora's (Saldana) sister Nebula (Gillan); who was trying to steal the batteries for herself. Upon leaving, Rocket (Cooper) also steals some of the batteries, for no apparent reason, and the Sovereign race hunt the Guardians down for it. They crash on a planet close by, after being rescued by Peter's father Ego (Russell). The Guardians then help Quill get to know his dad, for the first time. Things are not all as they seem though.

The movie is once again full of colorful characters and visuals. It's also full of witty jokes, decent performances (which are all very well cast once again), exciting action scenes, and an awesome soundtrack (featuring Brandy, by the Looking Glass, which is a karaoke song I've done hundreds of times before). The film, this time around, is not quite as original, creative, action-packed or as hilarious as the original though; it does all of those things well, but just not quite as well as the first film. It is once again filled with great character development though (including a lot of psychology and family drama), and very touching dramatic scenes; this is where this sequel actually outdoes the original (I cried more times in this movie than in it's predecessor). Gunn gives it his all once again, and he definitely delivers (it is a near perfect film). When the original is as classic as it is though, it's almost impossible to top the second time around. I still give the movie 5 stars though, and it is one of the very best films so far this year (that's for sure).

"Live By Night" Review by Tim Hellman

'LIVE BY NIGHT': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

The new crime drama from writer/co-producer/director Ben Affleck (who also stars in the movie). It's based on the 2012 novel (of the same name) by Dennis Lehane; who also wrote 'GONE BABY GONE' (which Affleck also directed the film adaptation of). Leonardo DiCaprio, who was originally supposed to star in the movie, also served as a co-producer on the film. The mob flick costars Elle Fanning, Sienna Miller, Zoe Saldana, Chris Messina, Brendan Gleeson and Chris Cooper. It tells the story of the son of a respected Boston police captain, and a World War I veteran, who becomes a notorious gangster (during the 1920s and 1930s). The film was originally expected to be another possible awards contender, for Affleck, but it hasn't received many overly positive reviews from critics. Despite being a fan of Affleck, as a director and an actor, I wasn't that impressed either.

The story begins in Boston, during the 1920s. Joe Coughlin (Affleck) is a World War I veteran, who's now an Irish criminal. He's also the son of the Boston police captain (Gleeson), and having an affair with the mistress (Miller) of a powerful Irish gangster, named Albert White (Robert Glenister). Joe is nearly killed by White, and then arrested for the death of three police officers; during a crime he committed with his partner Dion Bartolo (Messina). After serving three years in prison, he goes back into a life of crime, in Florida. He continues to get himself into more trouble there, while also becoming a successful gangster himself.

I've really enjoyed all three of Affleck's other directorial efforts ('THE TOWN', 'GONE BABY GONE' and 'ARGO'), so I definitely had high hopes for this; sadly it didn't live up to my expectations (and the reviews, and Box Office, have absolutely no effect on my opinion). The movie is beautifully shot, and Affleck did another excellent job directing the film; but his acting performance is definitely not one of his best. The other actors all give decent performances in the movie though, and there's some pretty cool actions scenes in it. The pacing is a little slow though,

Official Stills for the Upcoming DVD/Blu-Ray Release of "Nina"

RLJ Entertainment recently send us information for the upcoming Biopic "Nina". The film stars Zoe Saldana (Star Trek), David Oyelowo (Selma), Mike Epps (Uncle Buck), Keith David (Greenleaf) and Ella Joyce (Being Mary Jane).

No special features were announced at this time.

"Nina" hits retail on September 6th.

Plot Synopsis:

She was one of the century's most extraordinary talents, a 15-time Grammy nominee and Grammy Hall of Fame Recipient; her mesmerizing songs and passionate politics combined to make her the unforgettable Nina Simone (Zoe Saldana). But fame and fortune came with a price, and her later years were riddled with depression, alcohol abuse and isolation. Rediscovering the meaning of her life and work took courage, strength and one true friend: Clifton Henderson (David Oyelowo), the man who started out as her assistant and eventually became her loyal manager. With Clifton's encouragement, the "high priestess of soul" began a courageous journey back to her music ... and, eventually, herself.

Music Biopic "Nina" Lands on DVD & Blu-Ray

RLJ Entertainment recently send us information for the upcoming Biopic "Nina". The film stars Zoe Saldana (Star Trek), David Oyelowo (Selma), Mike Epps (Uncle Buck), Keith David (Greenleaf) and Ella Joyce (Being Mary Jane).

No special features were announced at this time.

"Nina" hits retail on September 6th.

Plot Synopsis:

She was one of the century's most extraordinary talents, a 15-time Grammy nominee and Grammy Hall of Fame Recipient; her mesmerizing songs and passionate politics combined to make her the unforgettable Nina Simone (Zoe Saldana). But fame and fortune came with a price, and her later years were riddled with depression, alcohol abuse and isolation. Rediscovering the meaning of her life and work took courage, strength and one true friend: Clifton Henderson (David Oyelowo), the man who started out as her assistant and eventually became her loyal manager. With Clifton's encouragement, the "high priestess of soul" began a courageous journey back to her music ... and, eventually, herself.