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This Week’s Big Releases

The Big Year – Rated PG (Jack Black, Steve Martin, Owen Wilson)

So three men that are rivals are trying to one up each other with ideas…or something like that. This one didn’t screen locally; so I can’t tell you any more than that.

The Double – Rated PG-13 (Richard Gere, Topher Grace)

Did a full review when this came out in limited theatrical release – might have been too hard on the final grade, but if you’re interested read the review first. The story of a secret agent and his quest to keep his identity secret

READ THE FULL THEATRICAL RELEASE REVIEW HERE           

Dream House – Rated PG-13 (Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, Naomi Watts)

This didn’t screen for the press, and I have yet to see it – but come on…the reviews out there can’t be right….it looks so good, and I love all three actors.

Drive  – Rated R (Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston)

The hippest, coolest and downright BEST film released today. Drive is a cerebral film that walks you through some of the best performances of the year. Ryan Gosling is perfect as the haunted Driver and Albert Brooks SHOULD HAVE BEEN nominated for an Academy Award here.

In Time – Rated PG-13 (Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy))

I’m really starting to dig Justin Timberlake (the actor) – but didn’t get a chance to see this thriller on time being the biggest asset anyone controls.

The Thing – Rated R (Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Joel Edgerton)

Remake, but Mary Elizabeth Winstead involved – and I like her. Didn’t get to see it as I had a schedule conflict when it screened.

Also new this week…

Chalet Girl – Rated NR (Felicity Jones, Ed Westwick)

Texas Killing Fields  – Rated R (Sam Worthington, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Chloe Grace Moretz)

You and I – Rated R (Mischa Barton, Anton Yelchin)

And Finally

Treasure Buddies – Rated G

Ok, I had to post the trailer for this here…yes it’s because my daughter loves the buddies. Snow Buddies, Santa Buddies…it doesn’t matter – I’ll have HER review of this up later this week.

Check out the trailer below.

Pick of the Week

Driveis an intense and VERY cool movie. Actors should watch this one to see how it’s done! I have to admit I’m curious about In Time. And of course, I have a now 7 ½ year old that loves puppies so she would say Treasure Buddies is a must.

Thanks!

Pop Popcorn, Do the Dew, and Bust out the Blu and remember to Save Me A Seat!

Review - Drive

Just Drive!

Hollywood stunt driving is difficult work and yet it really can’t pay the bills. One driver (Ryan Gosling) has taken it upon himself to also work as a part time wheelman for a variety of heists. His friend Shannon (Bryan Cranston) has bigger intentions for him but right now the driver is there for stunts, being a wheelman, and to work in Shannon’s shop.

Unfortunately, being in his profession, the driver or “Kid” as Shannon refers to him meets a number of shady people. But it’s the one that’s not shady, that lives down the hall that catches his eye. Irene (Carey Mulligan)is raising her little boy buy herself as it turns out her husband is in jail.

As their relationship grows, the “wheelman” part of driver’s life is kept secret. But life doesn’t always work out the way one might think and the news that Irene’s husband is getting out of prison changes everything.

Now as Standard (Oscar Isaacs) comes home we see that his seedy side has not really left either. Gosling’s “driver” will do a job, just for him in an effort to keep Irene and her son safe. But will this job change everything?

Ok, I’ll say it; Ryan Gosling is cool! And of course Carey Mulligan is adorable. Bryan Cranston is hip and cool. And oh Albert Brooks, you are so perfect as a mobster.

I’m fawning aren’t I? Well the first thing that works about Drive is its amazing cast. When you put together this type of talent, you never know if it will mesh or they will feel like individuals going their own way. In this film, they mesh perfectly. In fact the only criticism I have of things would be that Carey Mulligan seems underutilized in the attempts to show the connection between her and Gosling.

The story is intricately woven as a mob film with some interesting relationship twists. And it works. I wish there was more of Gosling’s career as a wheelman, as the first sequence of the movie held amazing tension without massive overblown action. But I can live without that.

I felt a connection with Drive and the internal struggle to identify yourself and your life. Don’t walk to the theater for this one, just DRIVE!

B+

Drive

FilmDistrict

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Ron Perlman

Rating: R for strong brutal bloody violence, language and some nudity.

Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes