This is Where I Leave You and A Walk Among the Tombstones Trailers

What do you get when you cross an unexpected death with a dysfunctional family? A generic plot line that's been done a million times over. However, director Shawn Levy hopes his latest work, This is Where I Leave You, has more to offer to this tiring premise. Jason Bateman and Tiny Fey star as two of four siblings who are forced to come together after the untimely passing out their father. With its debut trailer, This is Where I Leave You, certainly packs both a comedic and dramatic punch.





Based on a Lawrence Block novel of the same name, Scott Frank looks to make his return to the director's chair for the first time in seven years with A Walk Among the Tombstones. After a strong debut with 2007's relatively unknown gem, The Lookout, Frank's newest offering follows a cop-turned-unlicensed private detective played by Liam Neeson. After a drug kingpin's wife is kidnapped and murdered, he's hired to investigate but the underworld in which he discovers is paved with immense danger. A Walk Among the Tombstones seemingly features Liam Neeson doing what he does, and the possibilities appear endless.

Hollywood's Rising Stars: Part 2

Yesterday I kicked off a two-part look into who could become Hollywood's next batch of superstars. While a few of Part 1's names were far less noticeable, the top five should bring a little more familiarity to the list. But just to quickly recap, here are numbers 10 through 6 once again:

#10. Brit Marling   #9. Domhnall Gleeson   #8. Margot Robbie   #7. Michael B. Jordan   #6. Miles Teller

And the Top 5 are ...

#5. Eddie Redmayne

Eddie Redmayne catapulted onto the scene as a virtually unknown lead in the Simon Curtis Oscar Nominated film, My Week With Marilyn. This rising star was so impressive in the 2011 movie that it helped land him the role of Marius in Tom Hooper's Les Miserables a few years back. As a fan of the Broadway musical, and someone not particularly in love with the motion picture adaptation, I will admit that Redmayne was one of the film's brighter spots. With upcoming roles in the Wachowski's Jupiter Ascending, James Marsh's Theory of Everything (as Stephen Hawking) and a recently announced lead in Tom Hooper's The Danish Girl (as the first sex-change recipient), Redmayne is destined to become a household name. 

#4. Jason Clarke

As the grandfather on the list, the soon to be 45 year-old is an Australian actor who's finally making a major impact on Hollywood. In 2012 Jason Clarke converged on the industry as a supporting star in John Hillcoat's Lawless and Kathryn Bigelow's Oscar contender, Zero Dark Thirty. Then, Clarke followed up his breakthrough successes with a small, but impactful, turn in Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby just last year. But with all these supporting performances, why does Clarke rate so highly on my list? It's because the late-bloomer has already stocked up on some high profile projects in the near future. Clarke looks to attain stardom after the world watches him star in upcoming blockbusters such as this summer's Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and 2015's Terminator: Genesis (as the iconic John Connor character). 

#3. Brie Larson

As if I haven't rambled on tirelessly about the mesmerizing Brie Larson already, this beautiful and talented young star reminds me of another indie favorite I have, Michelle Williams. Both blondes possess a natural artistic ability that's so rare these days. While Larson is best remembered as Jonah Hill's semi-love interest in the hit blockbuster comedy 21 Jump Street, that doesn't begin to tell the story of her talents. One of the Academy Awards' greatest tragedies this past year was a failure to recognize Brie Larson's unforgettable work in the must-watch indie drama, Short Term 12. With a staple such as that already on her resume, major upcoming roles in the Judd Apatow comedy Trainwreck and Rupert Wyatt's The Gambler (alongside Mark Wahlberg and John Goodman) can only spell a recipe for success.

#2. Ezra Miller

With my #2 pick on the list, some may see my selection of Ezra Miller as "going out on a limb". But believe me, there's a method to my madness. For starters, his knack for turning pedestrian characters into monumental ones is beyond comparison. Many have told me that the rather bland character of Patrick in the coming-of-age novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, is completely transformed and brought to life by Miller's work in the onscreen adaptation. It's also an underrated supporting performance for which he definitely should have been nominated. Then, by watching his villainous portrayal in the skin-crawling We Need to Talk About Kevin, we're able to see just how far this actor's range extends. Miller has all of the makings of a legitimate and untouchable superstar. I just wonder if his film selection will take him there. Hopefully more exposure in the adulterous tale of Madame Bovary and a spot alongside #3 selection, Brie Larson, in Judd Apatow's next project, Trainwreck, will elevate Ezra Miller to stardom. 

#1. Dane DeHaan

And finally, the top spot on my list of Hollywood's Fastest Rising Stars in none other than Dane DeHaan. Perhaps, with this month's blockbuster release of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, I'm a little behind the eight-ball. However, DeHaan's talents far exceed where his career currently stands. Not only has DeHaan captivated audiences with exceptional performances in films like Chronicle, Lawless, The Place Beyond the Pines and the indie hit, Kill Your Darlings, the gifted young actor has also shown that he recognizes a strong project when he sees one. With a thin upcoming schedule that includes a role as James Dean in the potentially career-boosting film, Life, I have full confidence that whatever DeHaan decides to work on in the future, it will be positively affected by his greatness. 

Hollywood's Rising Stars: Part 1

Like everything in life, Hollywood goes through cycles. Superstars come and go in this industry and, sometimes, they're completely unexpected. How many people watched Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street in 1984 and knew that a young unknown actor named Johnny Depp would grow into the success he's become? It happens all the time. So I decided to dig deep and look into the recent past and upcoming future to try and pinpoint the next wave of superstars about to unleash on Tinseltown. But before we begin this two-part look at ten of Hollywood's rising stars, I'll begin with a brief list of the honorable mention selections that also have a chance at becoming household names.

Honorable Mention: Jake Johnson (Safety Not Guaranteed and the TV hit New Girl), Eva Green (Casino Royale and the upcoming Sin City: A Dame to Kill For), Tye Sheridan (Mud and The Tree of Life) and Kaitlyn Dever (Short Term 12 and the upcoming release from Sundance, Laggies)

#10. Brit Marling

The indie princess, Brit Marling, is my dark horse in this race to stardom. Best known for spectacular turns in Sundance hits like Another Earth, Arbitrage and The East, she hasn't broken into the blockbuster scene quite yet. However, she's created quite the stir with indie cinephiles and I have a feeling it won't be long until this highly intelligent and remarkably underrated actress takes Hollywood by storm.

#9. Domhnall Gleeson

Anyone who follows my work knows how much I enjoyed the tender and sentimental 2013 drama, About Time (which landed in my Top Ten Films of 2013). Although the always fantastic Bill Nighy stole the show, at its center was the charming and lovable Domhnall Gleeson. Having found serious face-time in the wildly successful Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (part 1 and 2) and garnering a role in J.J. Abrams' Star Wars: Episode VII, Domhnall may just find himself taking over the industry before any of us know it.

#8. Margot Robbie

Speaking of the hit drama, About Time, the next person on my list also carried a role in the film. Yet, the beautifully stunning Australian actress, Margot Robbie, is best known for capturing Leonardo DiCaprio's heart in Scorcese's entertaining comedy, The Wolf of Wall Street. While the jury is still out on whether or not she has serious staying power in the industry, Robbie will be given the opportunity to carry a major blockbuster film with 2016's Tarzan. 

#7. Michael B. Jordan

Having caught the eyes of audiences as a young actor in HBO's The Wire and, since then, dazzling in well received films such as Chronicle and the 2013 Sundance Grand Jury Prize Winner, Fruitvale Station, Michael B. Jordan is on a mission bound for success. The charismatic young man aims to turn some heads with the upcoming blockbuster reboot, The Fantastic Four, scheduled for 2015. It's also been announced that Jordan plans to re-team with his Fruitvale Station director, Ryan Coogler, for a spin-off of Sylvester Stallone's Rocky. He'll star as the grandson of fictional character, Apollo Creed, who fights under the tutelage of Stallone.

#6. Miles Teller

Upon my further research of the budding star, Miles Teller, I was shocked to discover that he was born in Downingtown, Pennsylvania (10 minutes from where I reside). Best known as Shailene Woodley's counterpart in the indie teen sensation, The Spectacular Now, I was most impressed with Teller's work in the upcoming character study out of Sundance, Whiplash. Anyone who can stand toe-to-toe in the acting ring with an immensely underrated talent like J.K. Simmons definitely has what it takes to become a superstar, so consider me "sold". Keep an eye out for Miles Teller who will star alongside Michael B. Jordan in The Fantastic Four reboot. 

*** Stay tuned for tomorrow when I take a look at the Top 5 Rising Stars in Hollywood.

Magic in the Moonlight and Wish I Was Here Trailers

Despite all of his publicly disputed sexual abuse allegations, writer/director Woody Allen knows how to captivate an audience. This July, he plans to do it again with his highly anticipated release, Magic in the Moonlight. Colin Firth stars as a man brought in to debunk a potentially fraudulent clairvoyant (Emma Stone) but when he can't find a way to discredit her abilities, he ends up falling for the unique woman. Check out the debut trailer for Magic in the Moonlight below.





Zach Braff returns with his first directorial effort since the release of his cult classic, Garden State. With Braff's latest effort, Wish I Was Here, he plays  a struggling actor, father and husband who begins homeschooling his two children after their grandfather can no longer afford to pay for their private education. Through his unorthodox teaching method, he begins to learn a lot about himself. This Sundance Film Festival selection was praised by critics and reaches theatres in late July. Check out the trailer for Wish I Was Here below.

Grand Piano

Film: Grand Piano

Starring: Elijah Wood (Sin City) and John Cusack (Hot Tub Time Machine)

Director: Eugenio Mira

U.S. Release: March 7th, 2014 (Limited Release - Rated R)

Genre: Thriller

Runtime: 90 minutes


Although the new thriller that reaches DVD today, Grand Piano, is technically a Eugenio Mira film, screenwriter Damien Chazelle possesses the hot new name that's floating around Hollywood. Chazelle, who's best known for directing the 2014 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize Winner, Whiplash, seems to have an affinity for music, as this time around his feature follows a world-renowned concert pianist. Yet, unlike his award-recognized debut film about a jazz drummer obsessed with "achieving greatness", this time Chazelle hits all the wrong notes.

Elijah Wood stars as Tom Selznick, a famous pianist who's giving his first performance in five years after a brutally flawed concert frazzled his psyche. Once the show begins and Selznick takes to his former mentor's grand concert piano in front of a sold-out crowd, he comes across threatening messages written on his sheet music. Selznick soon discovers that he and his wife are the target of a sadistic sniper (John Cusack) with a grandiose scheme.

Filmmaker Eugenio Mira's Grand Piano is a second-rate thriller with laughable intensity and illegitimate suspense. Despite some critics who argue that Mira's work is a fun-filled self-knowing mockery of the thriller genre, I find absolutely no need for a film of that breed. Given that its tension is far from nerve-racking and its threats aren't the least bit convincing, Grand Piano serves as a premier example of inauthentic and disingenuous filmmaking.

Although the feature is bogged down by many key deficiencies, Grand Piano has a few mitigating qualities. Sporting a brisk running time of 90 minutes, the film is easy to get through. Also, Grand Piano benefits from a memorable score inundated with fantastic classic compositions. Backed by a smooth pace and pleasing music, it's truly a shame that Mira couldn't construct a genuinely thrilling final product. Therefore, Grand Piano is an excessively underwhelming affair brimming with untapped potential.

Appreciating its clever and secretive motive behind the antagonist's devious plot, there really is an interesting story here. However, directorial issues with tone and style inhibit Grand Piano from capturing its audience. When seeing a thriller, don't we all wish for legitimate thrills that make us believe something's at risk? Unfortunately, Grand Piano never makes you feel that way.


Stars: 1 and a half stars out of 4

Grade: C-

The Best Adam Sandler Movies

This past Friday I visited a friend of mine who's recovering from surgery and, needless to say, we discussed movies quite a bit. One difference in opinion we debated revolved around our favorite Adam Sandler films. While critics have repeatedly crushed Sandler's work throughout the years (and many times it's been warranted), I've always admired the performer as one of those rare actors successful at making the leap from comedy to drama. With his return to romantic comedies alongside longtime film-companion Drew Barrymore in this Summer's release, Blended, I decided to devote May's Movie List of the Month (here's April's List) to Adam Sandler's greatest films.


Honorable Mention: Click, Big Daddy, Airheads and Mr. Deeds.

#5. Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

Shortly following the turn of the millennium, five-time Academy Award Nominee Paul Thomas Anderson (director of Boogie Nights and There Will Be Blood) saw something in Sandler that no one else ever had. The well-respected filmmaker cast him as the lead in Punch-Drunk Love, the story of a troubled and awkward novelty supplier who falls for an English woman after a chance encounter, and it changed Sandler's career forever. While the film comes with its glaring faults and it's never been regarded as one of PTA's best, the iconic feature left a significant imprint on Sandler's time in the industry.

#4. Billy Madison (1995)

Every great career has its first milestone and Sandler's began in grand fashion with arguably the most quotable comedy of all-time, Billy Madison. Sure, the story of a deadbeat son who repeats his entire schooling career at an accelerated pace to prove to his father that he's worthy of taking over the family company is completely absurd, but who hasn't stolen a genius one-liner and used it in a social setting? I used the famous, "anymore brain busters" just last week. Truth be told, most critics would turn up there noses at Billy Madison's immature and ludicrous intentions. However, Sandler's comedic breakthrough was a staple of my adolescence and one that I'll cherish forever.

#3. The Wedding Singer (1998)

Like I mentioned earlier, Sandler has frequented the romantic-comedy genre quiet a few times with co-star Drew Barrymore. Blended arrives in theatres this upcoming weekend and prior to that there was 50 First Dates. Yet, the Sandler-Barrymore tag-team duo began in 1998's iconic comedy classic, The Wedding Singer. Sandler stars as a hopeless romantic who's stranded at the alter on his wedding day. Unable to cope and carry out his duties as a first class singer of a wedding band, he befriends the engaged and soon to be Julia Guglia (what a name!) who helps guide him out of his emotional rut. The laughs are endless, the story is wholesome and the journey back to the 80s is nothing short of spectacular (we love you Billy Idol).

#2. Reign Over Me (2007)

I'll never forget the first moment I was blown away by Sandler's acting chops. He returned to dramas in 2007 with Mike Binder's Reign Over Me, which tells the heartbreaking story of a man who lost his family during the 911 attacks on New York City. Sandler gives a phenomenal turn as this emotionally unstable individual who reconnects with an old college friend (brilliantly played by Don Cheadle) as they slowly piece his life back together. Although the film obviously caters to its sentiment, Reign Over Me is an earnest tale brought to life by the indisputable talents of its leading star.

#1. Happy Gilmore (1996)

In the mid 90s Adam Sandler was the face of comedy (alongside superstar Jim Carrey of course). If Billy Madison was the film that put him on the map, Happy Gilmore is the one that allowed him to conquer it. The 1996 comedy centers around an untalented hockey player named Happy who discovers his remarkable ability for hitting a golf ball. Therefore, after his grandmother's house is taken by the bank, Happy must push his ego aside and use his golfing talents to generate income and buy back the residence. Happy Gilmore is the quintessential comedy. It has everything you could ever ask for, from a fistfight with Bob Barker to a midget cowboy doing the bull dance. Happy Gilmore is a comedy classic right up there with Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Dumb and Dumber. Sandler has brought us decades of laughs and, despite his altered career path of late, he'll always be remembered as a true face of comedy.