Runner up

Before Ben Affleck becomes billionaire Bruce Wayne, he gets to be a high roller who sucks Justin Timberlake into his world of gambling in the new movie Runner Runner. Here's a look at the film's latest trailer.

2013 Fall Movie Preview (October)

GRAVITY (October 4)
Plot: Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney) in command of his last flight before retiring. But on a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalsky completely alone--tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth...and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left. But the only way home may be to go further out into the terrifying expanse of space.

Quick thoughts: It's hard to believe that this film's released was delayed by nearly a year. However, unlike so many movies who get delayed, this should still be a quality movie. The trailers showcase what looks to be an intense thriller that is also beautifully shot. A lot of people have been eagerly awaiting Cuaron's follow-up to Children of Men and I don't think they'll be disappointed.


RUNNER RUNNER (October 4)
Plot: Princeton grad student Richie (Justin Timberlake), believing he's been swindled, travels to Costa Rica to confront online gambling tycoon Ivan Block (Ben Affleck). Richie is seduced by Block's promise of immense wealth, until he learns the disturbing truth about his benefactor. When the FBI tries to coerce Richie to help bring down Block, Richie faces his biggest gamble ever: attempting to outmaneuver the two forces closing in on him.

Quick thoughts: I highly doubt that this movie will help get Ben Affleck back-to-back Best Picture Oscars, but what it may lack in gravitas I am hoping it makes up for in just good old fashioned entertainment. Timberlake is a rising star who should be able to hold his own here. While the gambling story has been told before, it is one that I still find interesting when it is done well.


CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (October 11)
Plot: Columbia Pictures' action-thriller "Captain Phillips" stars two-time Oscar� winner Tom Hanks in the true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years. The film is directed by Oscar� nominee Paul Greengrass, from a screenplay by Billy Ray and based upon the book, "A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea," by Richard Phillips with Stephan Talty. The film is produced by Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, and Michael De Luca.

Quick thoughts: Director Paul Greengrass has shown he knows how to do action with his work on the Bourne movies and he has also shown skill at being able to depict real life events like he did in United 93. The fact that he has Tom Hanks in the titular role here only adds to my anticipation for the film. While I know the basic story, I've tried to avoid reading about a lot of the smaller details so as to enjoy this film that much more when it comes out.


JACKASS PRESENTS: BAD GRANDPA (October 25)
Plot: 86-year-old Irving Zisman is on a journey across America with the most unlikely companions, his 8-year-old Grandson Billy in "Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa." This October, the signature Jackass character Irving Zisman (Johnny Knoxville) and Billy (Jackson Nicholl) will take movie audiences along for the most insane hidden camera road trip ever captured on camera. Along the way, Irving will introduce the young and impressionable Billy to people, places and situations that give new meaning to the term childrearing. The duo will encounter male strippers, disgruntled child beauty pageant contestants (and their equally disgruntled mothers), funeral home mourners, biker bar patrons and a whole lot of unsuspecting citizens. Real people in unreal situations, making for one really messed up comedy.

Quick thoughts: I have to give Knoxville credit for finding a way to freshen up the Jackass. I have to admit laughing very hard at a lot of the scenes in the trailer for this film. This seems to be going for the Borat approach with a Jackass mentality, which likely means it will be a big hit, especially with younger audiences.


OTHER POSSIBLE FILMS OF INTEREST
A.C.O.D. (October 4)
12 Years a Slave (October 18)
The Fifth Estate (October 18)
The Counselor (October 25)

All bets are on

Here's your first look at Ben Affleck's follow-up (as an actor) to Argo. In Runner Runner he goes to the dark side as he tangles with Justin Timberlake in the world of online gambling. I'm not sure if it's best picture worthy, but certainly looks like it could be an exciting thriller. You can check out the trailer below.

RBR: Trouble With the Curve

Before I get to the review, I just wanted to say that I was disappointed in myself for the lack of posting I had in January. So to make up for it, I've decided to do a little experiment. I'm going to see how many days in a row I can post a new movie review on here. My goal is to go at least a month, but we'll just take it one day at a time. And now on with the review...

At this point in his life, Clint Eastwood doesn't need to still make movies, but I'm certainly glad he does. In Trouble With the Curve, he plays Gus, a baseball scout who's struggling to keep his job as his eye sight begins to fail him. To ensure a successful scouting trip, Gus' daughter (the always adorable Amy Adams), who has an, at best, strained relationship with her father decides to go on the road with him. Being a fan of baseball, I always appreciate when it's the central focus in a film, but this is not one of the better depictions of the sport. Here, it pretty much serves as a backdrop for the father-daughter story. I'm perfectly fine with that though because I was engaged by that story. Adams gives a wonderful performance and Clint has the crabby old man part down to a tee by now. You also have likeable performances from Justin Timberlake as a young new scout and John Goodman as the head of scouting and Gus' best friend. I wish the film had a few more surprises. It is patently obvious how every storyline will play out 30 minutes into the film. Even someone with as bad of eyesight as Gus would be able to see what's coming. Thankfully the amiable cast and the usage of baseball make this an enjoyable film, especially on the small screen. If you happened to miss this one in the theaters, like so many people did, I suggest you give it a shot now that's out on DVD and Blu-Ray. This isn't a home run, but I'd say it's at least a satisfying double. Rating: ****

2013 Movie Preview (#24 - 19)

#24. 42 (April 12)

Plot: 42 will star Academy Award nominee Harrison Ford (What Lies Beneath, Air Force One, Witness) as the innovative Dodger's general manager Branch Rickey, the MLB executive who first signed baseball great Jackie Robinson to the minors and then helped to bring him up to the show, and Chadwick Boseman (The Express) as Robinson, the heroic African American who was the first man to break the color line in the big leagues. The film also stars Nicole Beharie (Shame) as Rachel Isum, who would become Robinson's wife, as well as Christopher Meloni (upcoming Man of Steel) and T.R. Knight (TV's Grey's Anatomy).

Personal Opinion: As you no doubt know, I'm a baseball fan so anytime a new film about America's pasttime hits the screen I'm instantly interested. The fact that this one is about one of the most prolific players in baseball's history makes it all the more appealing. Based on the trailer that came out this past fall, it seems like this one could feature some very good performances including Ford as Branch Rickey. Oscar films don't usually come out in the spring, but this one may end up being an exception.


#23. Runner Runner (September 27)

Plot: A dramatic thriller based in the world of offshore online gaming and dealing with the tense relationship between the business' owner and his younger protege.

Personal Opinion: After Argo, nobody is hotter right now than Ben Affleck. Though he is not directing this film, I'm still excited to see what he does as a follow-up. Pairing him with Justin Timberlake who's acting career is on the rise gives this film quite the duo. Though there's nothing new about films dealing with competitive rivalries in business, the online gaming aspect of the plot makes this feel like something fresh and original.


#22. Delivery Man (October 4)

Plot: From DreamWorks Pictures comes "Delivery Man," the story of affable underachiever David Wozniak (Vince Vaughn), whose mundane life is turned upside down when he finds out that he fathered 533 children through sperm donations he made twenty years earlier. In debt to the mob, rejected by his pregnant girlfriend, things couldn't look worse for David when he is hit with a lawsuit from 142 of the 533 twenty-somethings who want to know the identity of the donor. As David struggles to decide whether or not he should reveal his true identity, he embarks on a journey that leads him to discover not only his true self but the father he could become as well.

Personal Opinion: The story here has a lot of potential. The key will be the direction they take this story. If the comedy is too broad, then this could be a disaster. There's also a risk of the film being too serious. But if it strikes the right tone this could be a real comedic gem. Known for his fast-talking charm, Vince Vaughn seems like a good choice to play this 'delivery man'.


#21. RED 2 (August 2)

Plot: "RED 2" brings back the team of retired CIA operatives as they use their old-school style to take on a new set of enemies all across Europe.

Personal Opinion: The first film was a surprising treat. It found the proper balance of humor and action while also giving us the joy of seeing these older people having the fun typically engaged in by actors half their age. The key question here though is whether or not there will be Bruce Willis fatigue after the new Die Hard and the G.I. Joe sequel comes out earlier in the year.


#20. The To Do List (August 16)

Plot: Starring Aubrey Plaza ("Safety Not Guaranteed"), "The To Do List" follows the story of Brandy Klark (Plaza), a Type-A, overachiever who comes up with a "to-do list" featuring all the risque extra-curricular activities she missed out on in high school and wants to complete before college. Rachel Bilson ("Hart of Dixie"), Bill Hader ("Men In Black 3"), Andy Samberg ("Saturday Night Live"), Scott Porter ("The Good Wife"), Connie Britton ("American Horror Story"), Clark Gregg ("The Avengers"), Christopher Mintz-Plasse ("Superbad"), Donald Glover ("Community"), Johnny Simmons ("The Perks of Being a Wallflower"), Sarah Steele ("Please Give") and Alia Shawkat ("The Oranges") co-star in the film.

Personal Opinion: I make no pretenses that this will be a small indie comedy that most people won't see, but that doesn't my interest in it in the least. What's not to like about a film that features a cast like the one listed above. Aubrey Plaza proved in Safety Not Guaranteed that she has leading woman capabilities. If this film earns any sort of recognition, she could easily cement that status. If not, then at the very least, this will be harmless comedy that will serve as a nice way to enjoy the final days of summer.


#19. White House Down (June 28)

Plot: The storyline concerns a para-military takeover of the White House.

Personal Opinion: Though it's not indicated above, this film is being directed by Roland Emmerich, which will likely mean that this will be one big, noisy mess of a film and yet somehow I'm still intrigued by it. A White House takeover is a plot that hasn't been overdone and when done right, like it was on 24, it can make for a very compelling story. While he doesn't do much for me, the fact that Channing Tatum, after the big year he just had, is in the cast can only help its cause.

Scout's honor

While most have been anxiously awaiting the long return of Batman, another tough guy has been off the screen nearly as long. That's right, Clint Eastwood is back. This time he is teaming up with America's pasttime. Given how terrible the Indians are these days, it looks like this is the only baseball I'll look forward to watching in September. Here's a look at the first trailer.

RBR: In Time

In Time creates a very unique futuristic environment. In an undeterminate point in the future, the phrase 'time is money' becomes literal. When someone is born, they stop aging when they turn 25. The catch, however, is that you only have one year left to live unless you gain earn more time. Even though minutes have become the currency, class warfare still exists and perhaps is even worse than what we face today. Justin Timberlake, who plays Will Salas, becomes a central figure in the battle of haves and have nots when he is given a 100 years of time from someone who has decided who doesn't want to live anymore. Upon entering into the wealthy part of town, he meets Phillippe Weis, one of the richest men in the world and finds himself at odds with him after pairing up with Weis' rebellious daughter (played by Amanda Seyfried). As much as I liked the film's concept, I found myself constantly asking questions about the rules associated with such a society instead of focusing on the story. Unfortunately, the film opts to hammer home the class warfare metaphor instead of truly exploring this unique world its created. As for Timberlake, he may have a decent acting career, but his effort here suggest he still has a way to go before he can be taken seriously as a dramatic actor. I had high hopes for this film, but it fails to really work for any possible audience. Sci-fi fans will be disappointed that the film doesn't explore its premise enough, yet the film is a bit too complicated for it to be appeciated by a wider audience. There's no need to waste your time or money on this one. Rating: ** 1/2

RBR: Friends With Benfits

It's hard not to compare this to No Strings Attached considering they share the same set up and both feature an actress from Black Swan, but I'll do my best to base my review solely on its own merits. One of the things that this film does in setting up its 'sex with no consequences' premise is to mock and tear down the conventions and cliches found in most romantic comedies. I have no problem with that and in fact some of their snark towards the genre produces some good laughs (take that Katherine Heigl!). The problem comes with the fact that while mocking them, the film itself fails to rise above those cliches. This is disappointing considering director Will Gluck had been successful at escaping the cliches of the high school comedy genre with his previous film, Easy A. Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis have a light, breezy chemistry and you can buy them being together whether it's as sleepin' buddies or in a relationship. There's no reason other than it's a movie to have them go through some sort of conflict or strife. It feels forces and causes the audience to grow impatient waiting for the inevitable reconciliation. While that flaw is disappointing, it does not completely ruin the film. As I said, the two leads work well together and unlike so many romantic comedies, this film features an appealing supporting cast thanks in large part to terrific actors like Richard Jenkins and Patricia Clarkson. In comparison to most films in this genre, this one is watchable and entertaining. Just don't expect it to transcend the genre like it thinks it does. Rating: ***

Spoilspots

I'm posting two trailers here because they are both for films that I have interest in seeing, but both also give away too many plot details. So while I want to plug the movies, I also want to give you advance notice. If you seemingly don't want the movie ruined for you, avoid watching these trailers. But if you don't mind being spoiled or if you just want to save yourself some money and basically see the whole movie right now, by all means go ahead and check out these videos.

In Time, a sci-fi thriller starring Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried


Dream House, a supernatural thriller starring Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz