Opening this week at a theatre near you:
Photo courtesy of Warner Brothers
“Dolphin Tale 2″ (2014)
Winter the dolphin and the rest of the gang are back at the Clearwater Marine Hospital. Now it appears that Winter has become depressed and is in need of a companion. Will the rescued dolphin, survive and will this be the partner that Winter needs? “Dolphin Tale 2″ Website
What to Watch For: Aside from the whole cast returning from the first “Dolphin Tale,” real life “Soul Surfer” Bethany Hamilton makes an appearance in the film.
Word on the Street: The studio is hoping that kids are ready for a break from school starting and will go see this film.
My Take: I really enjoyed the first film, so I have high hopes for this one.
Photo courtesy of Screen Gems
“No Good Deed” (2014)
Terri (Taraji P. Henson) is a mom, home, alone, with her two young kids. A dangerous escaped prisoner (Idris Elba), claiming car trouble shows up at Terri’s door. Terri offers to let the man in to use the phone and soon she learns that no good deed goes unpunished. “No Good Deed” Website
What to Watch For: The movie was filmed in Atlanta, GA. This is actress Taraji P. Henson’s passion project. She produced the film and has been trying to get it made for the past four years.
Word on the Street: The critics are hopeful about this film because it reunites Idris Elba with Sam Miller, the director of the last season of BBC’s hit “Luther.”
My Take: Taraji P. Henson always gives a great performance.
Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
“Love is Strange” (2014)
Ben (John Lithgow), and George (Alfred Molina) have been a couple for 39 years and decide that the time is right to get married. When word reaches the archdiocese, George loses his Catholic school teaching job and, now, without an income, the couple cannot afford their apartment. Each of them move into separate homes to stay with friends or families. Will the marriage survive this separation? “Love is Strange” Website
What to Watch For: Critics and Film Festival goers have raved about this film and its two lead actors.
Word on the Street: Director Ira Sachs has won a number of film festival awards with his films. Will this finally be his first Oscar nomination?
My Take: You can’t go wrong with the combination of John Lithgow and Alfred Molina.
Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight
“The Drop” (2014)
Bob (Tom Hardy) works at a mob-controlled bar, where money is funneled to local gangsters. Bob finds himself at the center of a robbery gone bad and now must use every resource of his neighborhood to get out of this mess. “The Drop” Website
What to Watch For: This is the late James Gandolfini’s last film appearance.
Word on the Street: The combination of director Michael R. Roskam (“Bullhead”), Tom Hardy (“Locke”) and screenwriter Dennis Lahane (he wrote the novels “Mystic River” and “ Gone Baby Gone,” have critics and moviegoers excited to see this film.
My Take: The film will be bittersweet for me, seeing Gandolfini up on the screen one last time.
Photo courtesy of Paladin Pictures
“The Man on Her Mind” (2014)
Nellie (Amy McAllister) is a young woman having a secret affair with Jack, a super cool lawyer. The only problem is that Jack is a figment of Nellie’s imagination based on a man, Leonard (Samuel James), whom she when on a blind date with a few months ago. Leonard also has an imaginary lover, based on Nellie. Now the two meet once again in real life. Will they choose reality or keep their perfect imaginary lovers? “The Man on Her Mind” Info
What to Watch For: The film is based on the acclaimed play of the same name. Both Amy McAllister and Samuel James starred in the West End production.
Word on the Street: Critics who have seen the film talk about the great chemistry between the two leads.
My Take: Looks to me to be a really interesting take on the romantic comedy genre.
If you can’t make it to the theatre this weekend, then stay at home and watch movies on CW Atlanta.
Sunday
1:00 pm
“Moulin Rouge!” (2001) The hit musical about a poet (Ewan McGregor) who falls in love with a beautiful courtesan (Nicole Kidman), but there is a jealous Duke (Richard Roxburgh) who is out to take her away from the poet.
5:00 pm
“The Shepherd” (2008) A Texas cop (Jean-Claude Van Damme) battles ex-navy seals who are trying to smuggle drugs across the Mexican border.
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