Opening this week at a theatre near you:
Photo courtesy of Warner Brothers
“Creed” (2015)
The illegitimate son of Apollo Creed, Adonis Johnson Creed (Michael B. Jordan) wants to follow in his father’s footsteps and be a boxer. He is willing to do just about anything to reach his goal, including moving to Philly to get the man who beat his father, Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) to help him train. “Creed” Website
What to Watch For: This is the 2nd time that director / co-writer Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan have worked together. The first film was the 2013 award-winning film “Fruitvale Station.”
Word on the Street: This is the first “Rocky” film that Sylvester Stallone has not written.
My Take: Film critics that have seen the film feel that both Jordan and Stallone could get Oscar nominations from this film.
The film opens at a number of Atlanta area theatres on Wednesday.
Photo courtesy of Disney/Pixar
“The Good Dinosaur” (2015)
What if the asteroid that caused the dinosaurs to die off, never hit earth and humans and dinosaurs lived at the same time? An Apatosaurus named Arlo (voiced by Raymond Ochoa) has been separated from his family, and he enlists a human boy named Spot (voiced by Jack Bright) to help him complete the tough journey home. “The Good Dinosaur” Website
What to Watch For: Pixar is using new animation techniques to produce this film, including using data from the U.S. Geological Survey and satellite images from Google Earth.
Word on the Street: The voice cast for the film includes Sam Elliott, Anna Paquin, Jeffery Wright and Frances McDormand.
My Take: I always love Pixar’s films.
The film opens at a number of Atlanta area theatres on Wednesday.
Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures
“Legend” (2015)
Two identical twins, Reggie and Ronnie Kray (Tom Hardy) are bent on creating an organized crime empire in the East End of London during the 1960’s. Their reign will go down in history as one of the bloodiest times in the city’s history. “Legend” Website
What to Watch For: Tom Hardy plays both of the twin’s roles.
Word on the Street: The film is based on true events.
My Take: I am a huge fan of Tom Hardy, so I will definitely be seeing this film.
The film opens at a number of Atlanta area theatres on Wednesday.
Photo courtesy of Bleeker Street
“Trumbo” (2015)
In 1947, Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) was Hollywood’s highest paid screenwriter and one of the most talented writers out there. There was one problem, Trumbo was a registered member of the Communist Party, and the U.S. government was targeting communists for persecution. Trumbo would be fired from his job and would suffer the injustice of the blacklist, which kept writers, actors and directors from working on any film. “Trumbo” Website
What to Watch For: The film has an outstanding cast including Diane Lane as Trumbo’s wife, Helen Mirren as gossip maven Hedda Hopper, Louis C.K. as troubled screenwriter Arlen Hurd and John Goodman as Frank King, the king of “B” pictures.
Word on the Street: Kirk Douglas, played by Dean O’Gorman in the film, has endorsed the film. Douglas was instrumental in breaking the blacklist in 1960.
My Take: I am very interested in this film as I took several classes at the University of Texas under Edward Dmytryk, one of the “Hollywood Ten,” which Trumbo was a part of.
The film opens at a number of Atlanta area theatres on Wednesday.
Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox
“Victor Frankenstein” (2015)
The legend of Frankenstein (James McAvoy) before he created his monster, told from the perspective of his friend and colleague, Igor (Daniel Radcliffe). “Victor Frankenstein” Website
What to Watch For: Three cast members of the BBC TV show “Sherlock” are in this movie: Andrew Scott (Moriarty), Mark Gatiss (Mycroft Holmes), Louise Brealey (Molly Hooper).
Word on the Street: Look for a little tribute in the film to the legendary Mel Brooks comedy “Young Frankenstein.”
My Take: Daniel Radcliffe is proving that he is a fine actor.
The film opens at a number of Atlanta area theatres on Wednesday.
Photo courtesy of Submarine Delux
“Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict” (2015)
Documentary about Peggy Guggenheim, an heiress to her family fortune who became a central figure in the modern art movement. As she moved through the cultural upheaval of the 20th century, she collected not only art but artists. Her colorful personal history included such figures as Samuel Beckett, Max Ernst, and Jackson Pollock. “Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict” Website
What to Watch For: The film is directed by Lisa Immordino Vreeland, who directed the award-winning 2011 film “Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel.”
Word on the Street: The film was nominated for Best Documentary at the 2015 Stockholm Film Festival.
My Take: I am always up for a good documentary.
The film opens on Friday at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema
If you can’t make it to the theatre this weekend, stay at home and watch movies on Atlanta’s CW.
Sunday
1:00 pm
“Labyrinth” (1986) Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) is a very selfish girl. She is jealous of her baby brother and wishes him to be taken away. Her wish is granted by the Goblin King (David Bowie), and now it’s up to her to solve a labyrinth and rescue her brother.
3:00 pm
“The A-Team” (2010) A group of Iraq War veterans look to clear their name after being framed for a crime that they didn’t commit. The film stars Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Sharlto Copley, Jessica Biel and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.