Rating:

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May 19, 2012

Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgard, Rihanna, Brooklyn Decker, Tadanobu Asano, Hamish Linklater, Liam Neeson, Peter MacNichol, John Tui, Jesse Plemons, Gregory D. Gadson, Jerry Ferrera.

Director: Peter Berg
Rating: PG-13 (for intense sequences of violence, action and destruction, and for language.)
Running Time: 131 Minutes
Release Date: May 18, 2012
Home Video Release Date: TBD
North American Box Office: $TBD

Battleship Delta Productions, Bluegrass Films, Film 44, Ponysound, Hasbro, and Universal Pictures.

Written by: Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber.
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★1/2 (out of 5 stars)

I was right there with everyone. Laughing, snickering, making jokes about the cinematic version of a childhood board game that no one ever possibly expected could be converted into a feature film. Friends, fellow film critics and I speculated as to who would utter the line, “You sank my Battleship!” The trailer induced laughter. Is that Rihanna…in this? And…aliens!?!?!? Where did those come from?!? Oh yes, we all had great fun mocking the mere concept of a Battleship movie. As its release date drew closer, a strange curiosity seemed to form about what all of this was going to turn out to be.

Now that we have Battleship the film…all the mockery was justified. Not only is Battleship a bad film, but it is a aggravating mix of pseudo-comedy, alien invasion cliches, stunted dialogue, massive explosions and special effects, and shameless pandering. Running 131 unyielding minutes, Battleship is a Michael Bay-inspired film. And if you love those Transformers films, well then stop reading, Fandango your tickets, and go waste a day at the multiplex. For everyone else, let’s continue…

Tags: 2012, Alexander Skarsgard, Battleship, Brooklyn Decker, Gregory D. Gadsen, Hamish Linklater, Jerry Ferrera, Jesse Plemons, John Tui, Liam Neeson, Peter Berg, Peter MacNichol, Rihanna, Science Fiction, Should I See Battleship, Tadanobu Asano, Taylor Kitsch

Permanent link to this article: http://shouldiseeit.net/article/battleship-2012

May 12

Dark Shadows (2012)

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May 12, 2012

Starring: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Eva Green, Jackie Earle Haley, Jonny Lee Miller, Bella Heathcote, Chloe Grace Moretz, Gulliver McGrath, Ray Shirley, Christopher Lee, Alice Cooper.

Director: Tim Burton
Rating: PG-13 (for comic horror violence, sexual content, some drug use, language and smoking.)
Running Time: 113 Minutes
Release Date: May 11, 2012
Home Video Release Date: TBD
North American Box Office: $TBD

Dan Curtis Productions, GK Films, Infinitum Nihil, Tim Burton Productions, Village Roadshow Productions, The Zanuck Company, and Warner Bros. Pictures..

Written by: Seth Grahame-Smith; Story by Seth Grahame-Smith and John August, based on the daytime television serial, “Dark Shadows”, written by Dan Curtis..
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★★1/2 (out of 5 stars)

1,125 episodes aired of the daytime serial “Dark Shadows” from 1966 to 1971 and as a teenager, there may have been no bigger fan that Tim Burton. For years, Burton has wanted to bring the story of Barnabas Collins to the big screen and his cinematic partner for life, Johnny Depp, echoed that same desire. As Burton and Depp collaborate for their 8th film together, Dark Shadows is a film arriving with a great deal of promise that Burton and Depp’s excitement could translate to something quite unique and special.

Sadly, Dark Shadows is an unsettled stew of gothic vampire story, an Addams Family-style witty and self-aware comedy, and a dark, foreboding, revenge tale. Perhaps Tim Burton was blinded by his desire to bring a life’s ambition to the big screen, but with Seth Grahame-Smith’s screenplay, Dark Shadows is a rambling and meandering film that never decides what it wants to be, who it wants to appeal to, with a screenplay that feels ripped up, taped back together again, and likely not at all what was originally intended.

Tags: 2012, Alice Cooper, Bella Heathcote, Chloe Grace Moretz, Christopher Lee, Comedy, Eva Green, Gulliver McGrath, Helena Bonham Carter, Horror, Jackie Earle Haley, Johnny Depp, Jonny Lee Miller, Michelle Pfeiffer, Ray Shirley, Should I See Dark Shadows, Tim Burton

Permanent link to this article: http://shouldiseeit.net/article/dark-shadows-2012

May 05

Avengers, The (2012)

Categories:

May 5, 2012

Starring: Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg, Cobie Smulders, Stellan Skarsgard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lou Ferrigno, Powers Boothe, Jenny Agutter, Harry Dean Stanton.

Director: Joss Whedon
Rating: PG-13 (for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, and a mild drug reference.)
Running Time: 143 Minutes
Release Date: May 5, 2012
Home Video Release Date: TBD
North American Box Office: $TBD

Marvel Studios, Paramount Pictures, and Walt Disney Studios.

Written by: Joss Whedon; Story by Joss Whedon and Zak Penn, based on comic book characters developed by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby..
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★★★★

With all of his success and beloved status in the Hollywood ranks, I still would love to know when the realization struck writer/director Joss Whedon that he was given the keys to a car that people have wanted to drive for decades. The misfit and rather ragtag group of superheroes known as “The Avengers” have had their stories adapted individually for the big screen in the last several years, but Whedon was given the opportunity many would dream of, but few could ever hope to take on; create a definitive “Avengers” film, one which adheres to the Marvel Comics canon, but also plays true to the cinematic stories which have preceded it. No problem, right? Whedon also got a check for $220 million…and Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), and The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo). He also got tens of millions of people’s unquenchable anticipation around the globe, as they were finally getting the comic book adaptation they have always wanted. So, no pressure or anything…

Tags: 2012, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Clark Gregg, Cobie Smulders, Comic Book, Gwyneth Paltrow, Harry Dean Stanton, Jenny Agutter, Jeremy Renner, Joss Whedon, Lou Ferrigno, Mark Ruffalo, Marvel, Powers Boothe, Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Science Fiction, Should I See The Avengers, Stellan Skarsgard, Tom Hiddleston

1 comment

Permanent link to this article: http://shouldiseeit.net/article/avengers-the-2012

Apr 29

Pirates! Band Of Misfits, The (2012)

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In Theaters, Kids Corner

April 29, 2012

Rating:

Starring the Voices of: Hugh Grant, Martin Freeman, Imelda Staunton, David Tennant, Jeremy Piven, Salma Hayek, Lenny Henry, Brian Blessed, Anton Yelchin, Brendan Gleeson, Ashley Jensen, Al Roker.
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Director: Peter Lord, Jeff Newitt
Rating: PG
Running Time: 88 Minutes
Release Date: April 27, 2012
Home Video Release Date: TBD
Box Office: $TBD
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Aardman Animations, Sony Pictures Animation, and Columbia Pictures.

Written by: Gideon Defoe; adapted from his own books “The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists” and “The Pirates! In An Adventure With Whaling”.

“What pirates? There’s nobody here but us…um…Girl Scouts…” – Pirate Captain (Hugh Grant).A rare stumble from Aardman Animations is still a success other studios would be envious to have. In that regard, The Pirates! Band Of Misfits is a solid, if unremarkable film. From the production house that has given us the classic Wallace & Gromit films and animated shorts over the years and thoroughly entertaining films like Chicken Run, Aardman have trademarked the claymation style of animation and it is impossible to not get swept up in the visual impressiveness and artistry on display in these films. Usually, there is a solid and engaging story behind all the extraordinary animated work making an Aardman film a fantastic experience in virtually every conceivable way. With The Pirates!, we have some winning moments but ultimately a by-the-numbers story that falls flat as often as it succeeds. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: 2012, Aardman, Al Roker, Animation, Anton Yelchin, Ashley Jensen, Brendan Gleeson, Brian Blessed, Comedy, David Tennant, Family, Hugh Grant, Imelda Staunton, Jeff Hewitt, Jeremy Piven, Lenny Henry, Martin Freeman, Peter Lord, Salma Hayek, Should I See Pirates Band Of Misfits

Permanent link to this article: http://shouldiseeit.net/article/pirates-band-of-misfits-the-2012

Apr 29

Five-Year Engagement, The (2012)

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April 29, 2012

Rating:

Starring: Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Chris Pratt, Alison Brie, Lauren Weedman, Brian Posehn, Chris Parnell, Rhys Ifans, Mimi Kennedy, David Paymer, Jacki Weaver, Jim Piddock, Dakota Johnson, Mindy Kaling, Randall Park, Kevin Hart, Molly Shannon.
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Director: Nicholas Stoller
Rating: R
Running Time: 124 Minutes
Release Date: April 27, 2012
Home Video Release Date: TBD
Box Office: $
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Apatow Productions and Universal Pictures.

Written by: Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller.

“Will you marry me?” – Tom (Jason Segel).

With his films The 40-Year Old Virgin, Bridesmaids, Funny People, and Knocked Up, among others, producer/writer/director Judd Apatow has almost redefined the R-rated comedy for much of the last decade. Balancing jaw dropping and shocking humor with acute dramatic tone, Apatow’s projects all carry a particular swagger, which brings about a different look and feel than other “mature” comedies that come down the pike in a given year. Largely, Judd Apatow films balance absurdity with honesty and reality, and often strike a deeper and more meaningful chord with viewers who invest the time necessary to watch them. And unique somewhat with Apatow films are the length – while most films hoping for pop culture acceptance and mainstream appeal run between 90-100 minutes, Apatow’s films almost always match or exceed 2 hours in length, which to this point has been a curiosity perhaps, but not really a detriment per se.

Tags: 2012, Alison Brie, Brian Posehn, Chris Parnell, Chris Pratt, Comedy, Dakota Johnson, David Paymer, Drama, Emily Blunt, Jacki Weaver, Jason Segel, Jim Piddock, Judd Apatow, Kevin Hart, Lauren Weedman, Mimi Kennedy, Mindy Kaling, Molly Shannon, Nicholas Stoller, Randall Park, Rhys Ifans, Romantic Comedy, Should I See Five-Year Engagement

In Theaters, Yes You Should!!!

Permanent link to this article: http://shouldiseeit.net/article/five-year-engagement-the-2012

Apr 13

Bully (2012)

Categories:

April 13, 2012

Rating:

Documentary Featuring Alex LIbby, Ja’Meya Jackson, Kelby Johnson, the Libby Family, the Jackson Family, the Johnson Family, the Long Family, the Smalley Family.
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Director: Lee Hirsch
Rating: PG-13 (for theatrical purposes)
Running Time: 99 Minutes
Release Date: March 30, 2012
Home Video Release Date: TBD
Box Office: $279 Thousand
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The Bully Project, Where We Live Films, and The Weinstein Company.

Written by: Lee Hirsch and Cynthia Lowen.

“Some kids had told him over and over that he was worthless and to go hang himself. And I think he got to the point where enough was enough…” – David Long, discussing the death of his 17-year old son, Tyler, by suicide.

Sadly and unavoidably, bullying always finds a next victim. As we continue to become more exposed than ever, through a combination of the instant gratification society we now live in, as well as the interconnectivity of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and text messaging, the opportunity to bully and to become victimized by bullying has arguably never been more prevalent. On top of what occurs in direct person-to-person contact, we now all carry with us a quantifiable friend count on Facebook, a number of followers on Twitter, a Hit Total for our latest YouTube video. In this scorecard life we now find ourselves, more and more people hear us, see us, and respond to us, quicker, faster, and more directly than ever before. The access we provide to people is as exciting and potentially rewarding as it can be disquieting and alarming.

But as social beings, we continue to push forward. We need interaction, we struggle with mattering. Inherently, we want to like and be liked. Respect is important. Finding common ground and mutual admiration for things with another person, or group of people, is fulfilling and sustainable. We are told that if we get knocked down, we should simply pick ourselves back up and start again. Don’t worry what other people think. Be an individual. Treat those how you yourself would like to be treated. Those basic tenements of social interaction should be infallible right?

Tags: 2012, Alex Libby, Documentary, Ja'Meya Jackson, Kelby Johnson, Lee Hirsch, Should I See Bully, The Long Family, The Smalley Family

Permanent link to this article: http://shouldiseeit.net/article/bully-2012

Apr 13

Lockout (2012)

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April 13, 2012

Rating:

Starring: Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Vincent Regan, Joseph Gilgun, Lennie James, Peter Stormare, Jacky Ido, Tim Plester, Mark Tankersley, Peter Hudson, Anne-Solenne Hatte.
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Director: Saint & Mather
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 95 Minutes
Release Date: April 13, 2012
Home Video Release Date: TBD
Box Office: $TBD
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Europa Corp, FilmDistrict, and Open Road Films.

Written by: Stephen St. Leger, James Mather, and Luc Beeson; based on an original idea of Luc Besson.

“Oh, you don’t have to do that. A simple thank you is enough.” – Snow (Guy Pearce).

Lockout is one of those movies that you cringe at and yet have muted optimism that it will become something different than what you perceive it to be. While I swear by a belief that every movie has the potential to be good, within a few minutes of Lockout, you are so confused and thrown off by alarmingly bad visual effects and an incomprehensible storyline, that Lockoutbecomes every bad science-fiction film you can imagine, without aliens, all rolled into one.

Tags: 2012, Anne-Solenne Hatte, Guy Pearce, Jacky Ido, Joseph Gilgun, Lennie James, Luc Beeson, Maggie Grace, Mark Tankersley, Peter Hudson, Peter Stormare, Saint & Mather, Science Fiction, Tim Plester, Vincent Regan

Permanent link to this article: http://shouldiseeit.net/article/lockout-2012

Apr 13

Monsieur Lazhar (2012)

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April 13, 2012

Rating:

Starring: Fellag, Sophie Nélisse, Émilien Néron, Danielle Proulx, Brigitte Poupart, Daniel Goudas, Jules Philip, Francine Ruel, Seddik Bensilmane, Sophie Sanscartier, Andre Robitaille
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Director: Philippe Falardeau
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 94 Minutes
Release Date: April 13, 2012
Home Video Release Date: TBD
Box Office: $TBD
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micro_scope and Music Box Films.

Written by: Philippe Falardeau, adapted from the play “Bachir Lazhar” by Évelyne de la Chenelière.

“A classroom is a home. It’s a place of friendship, of work, and courtesy. It’s a place of life.” – Bachir Lazhar (Fellag).

Canada’s Oscar-nominated entry for the 2011 Best Foreign Language Film, Monsieur Lazhar is a film of great subtlety and moving drama, a gem of a film that should hopefully find a nice audience with its long overdue theatrical release. Writer/Director Philippe Falardeau has crafted a contemplative film, which proves insightful and memorable with a terrific lead performance by Algerian actor Mohamed Said Fellag. Buoying the film to a level of something quite special are two staggering youth performances, and a winning and rich screenplay by Falardeau, adapted from a one-character play by playwright Évelyne de la Chenelière.

Tags: 2012, Andre Robitaille, Brigitte Poupart, Canada, Daniel Goudas, Danielle Proulx, Drama, Émilien Néron, Fellag, Foreign, Francine Ruel, Jules Philip, Mohamed Said Fellag, Philippe Falardeau, Seddik Bensilmane, Should I See Monsieur Lazhar, Sophie Nelisse, Sophie Sanscartier

Permanent link to this article: http://shouldiseeit.net/article/monsieur-lazhar-2012

Apr 07

American Reunion (2012)

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April 7, 2012

Rating:

Starring: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Tara Reid, Seann William Scott, Mena Suvari, Eddie Kaye Thomas, John Cho, Jennifer Coolidge, Eugene Levy, Natasha Lyonne, Ali Cobrin, Dania Ramirez, Katrina Bowden, Jay Harrington, Chuck Hittinger, Shannon Elizabeth, Chris Owen, Charlene Amoia, Vik Sahay, Neil Patrick Harris.
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Director: Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg
Rating: R
Running Time: 113 Minutes
Release Date: April 6, 2012
Home Video Release Date: TBD
Box Office: $TBD
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Universal Pictures.

Written by: Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, based on characters created by Adam Herz.

“High school was awesome… ” – Oz (Chris Klein).

Sometimes it is best to leave the past in the past. In 1999, American Piewas innovative and groundbreaking comedy; balancing shocking and jaw-dropping comedic moments with a surprising and refreshing self-deprecating humor about itself. While the ensemble of young actors were largely unknown at the time, audiences related to the anxieties depicted on screen, the insecurities of self-esteem and status in the shark tank of high school, and the constant wonder of experiencing “that first time.”

The juggernaut that was American Pie naturally led to American Pie 2, which was a repetitive and mostly enjoyable follow up, and then everything crashed and burned with the half-hearted and mandated American Wedding. Chris Klein, who plays Chris “Oz” Ostreicher in these films, did not even take part in the Wedding, and despite $750 million grossed worldwide from the American Pie trilogy, everyone closed that chapter of their lives and moved on to new projects. Except Eugene Levy. Levy reprised his endearing role as Mr. Levenstein, father to his well-intentioned but constantly embarrassing son Jim (Jason Biggs) in four straight-to-video sequels to the American Pie franchise. Was Jason Biggs in those films? Absolutely not, but there was Levy, on set and amenable to anything the filmmakers wanted him to do. By appearing in the new American Reunion, he has now appeared in all eight (?!?!)of these films. Yes, technically, there are eight of these films now.

Tags: 2012, Ali Cobrin, Alyson Hannigan, Charlene Amoia, Chris Klein, Chris Owen, Chuck Hittinger, Comedy, Dania Ramirez, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Eugene Levy, Hayden Schlossberg, Jason Biggs, Jay Harrington, Jennifer Coolidge, John Cho, Jon Hurwitz, Katrina Bowden, Mena Suvari, Natasha Lyonne, Neil Patrick Harris, Seann William Scott, Shannon Elizabeth, Should I See American Reunion, Tara Reid, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Vik Sahay

Permanent link to this article: http://shouldiseeit.net/article/american-reunion-2012

Apr 07

We Have A Pope (2012)

Categories:

April 7, 2012

Rating:

Starring: Michel Piccoli, Nanni Moretti, Jerzy Stuhr, Massimo Dobrovic, Renato Scarpa, Margherita Buy, Franco Graziosi,
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Director: Nanni Moretti
Rating: Unrated (Equivalent to a PG-13)
Running Time: 103 Minutes
Release Date: April 6, 2012
Home Video Release Date: TBD
Box Office: $TBD
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Sacher Film, Fandango, Le Pacté, France 3 Cinéma, Rai Cinema, Canal+, Sofica Coficup, Backup Films, France Télévision, and Sundance Selects.

Written by: Nanni Moretti, Francesco Piccolo, and Federica Pontremoli..

“A billion people are waiting for you…”

After the death of the Pope, the Conclave hold a vote to determine the new Pontiff. Speculation runs rampant that the new Pope will be one of three men, but shockingly, a virtual unknown, Cardinal Melville, is elected by surprise. With the vote complete, the Holy See arrange for the announcement to a massive crowd at St. Peter’s Square and excitement begins to swirl around the world with the pending announcement. Moments before he is to address his followers, Cardinal Melville lets out a mournful wail, breaks down, and suffers a massive panic attack. The Cardinal flees from the ceremony, still unseen to the waiting public. Unsure of how to proceed, the announcement is nonetheless made that “We Have A Pope!” and those in St. Peter’s Square are advised that the new Pope has asked for seclusion and a time of prayer. The crowd is stunned, confused, and the announcement, broadcast throughout the entire world, sparks a mixture of compassion, confusion, and anger.

Tags: 2012, Foreign, Franco Graziosi, Italy, Jerzy Stuhr, Margherita Buy, Massimo Dobrovic, Michel Piccoli, Nanni Moretti, Renato Scarpa, Should I See We Have A Pope