New in Theaters: Week of July 28, 2014


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New on the big screen this week are a group of rag-tag superheroes, Chadwick Boseman as James Brown, and Brendan Gleeson as a good-hearted Irish priest searching for his murderer. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s opening in theaters this week.

WAR STORY

Not Rated | In Theaters & On Demand 7/30 | Reel Preview: 4.5 of 5 Reels | IMDB

Catherine Keener stars as Lee, a world-weary American woman who arrives in an Italian city, tangles with hotel staff, smokes incessantly, and ignores a persistently ringing telephone. Yes, there are demons brewing beneath the surface, but when she resolves to help a young woman in need, she gains a new perspective on life. Ben Kingsley also stars in this drama directed by Mark Jackson. 

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for some language | In Theaters 8/01 | Ok for Kids 12+ | Reel Preview: 4.5 of 5 Reels | Marvel.com/guardians | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Google+ | #GuardiansoftheGalaxy

Ready for an action-packed epic space adventure? Me too, and Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” is just the ticket. The story follows brash adventurer Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), who finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunter after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan (Lee Pace), a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe.

Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits — gun-toting raccoon Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), tree-like humanoid Groot (Vin Diesel), enigmatic Gamora (Zoe Saldana), and revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista). Directed by James Gunn, the cast also includes Michael Rooker, Ophelia Lovibond, Glenn Close, John C. Reilly, Benicio del Toro, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou and Josh Brolin.

GET ON UP

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, drug use, some strong language, and violent situations | In Theaters 8/01 | Ok for Kids 14+ | Reel Preview: 5 of 5 Reels | Get On Up | Facebook | Twitter

Tate Taylor (“The Help”) directs “42’s” Chadwick Boseman as James Brown in this film based on the incredible life of the Godfather of Soul. The story ranges from Brown’s impoverished childhood to his evolution into one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.

The cast also includes Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Nelsan Ellis, Lennie James, Tika Sumpter, Jill Scott and Dan Aykroyd. The producers are just as interesting as the cast: Brian Grazer of Imagine Entertainment, with Mick Jagger and Victoria Pearman producing under their Jagged Films banner.

LOUDER THAN WORDS

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language, some thematic material and smoking | In Theaters 8/01 | Ok for Kids 13+ | Reel Preview: 4 of 5 Reels | Facebook | iTunes | Also On Demand

Based on a true story, this inspiring film stars David Duchovny and Hope Davis as a couple trying to put their life together after the tragic death of their young daughter, Maria (Olivia Steele-Falconer). As they deal with their numbing grief, they discover a way to honor their daughter’s wish for health and well-being for all children. With the help of their community, led by good friend Bruce (Timothy Hutton), they establish a children’s state-of-the-art hospital that brings the whole family into the healing process.

CALVARY

PG-13 for a brief suggestive comment, and smoking throughout | In Theaters 8/01 | Reel Preview: 4 of 5 Reels | Calvary | Facebook

This bleak comic drama from director John Michael McDonagh stars Brendan Gleeson as Father James, a good-hearted Irish priest who learns during an anonymous confession that he’ll be murdered in a week — revenge for years of sexual abuse the confessor suffered from pedophile priests.

In the seven days he has to settle his affairs, Father James confronts an oddball assortment of sinners in a rural village on Ireland’s West Coast. At the same time, he tries to suss out who is planning to murder him and talk him/her out of it. “Calvary” is as much a whodunit as a philosophical meditation on faith and personal responsibility. Read Paula Schwartz’ report from the press conference last week.

JANE’S REEL RATING SYSTEM:
One Reel – Even the Force can’t save it.
Two Reels – Coulda been a contender
Three Reels – Something to talk about.
Four Reels – You want the truth? Great flick!
Five Reels – Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.

Comments

One response to “New in Theaters: Week of July 28, 2014”

  1. Adi Avatar

    woow…awesome reviews..I am really excited to watch the upcoming movie -” GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY.”

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