If you have the winter blahs then Hollywood has the antidote. Michael Keaton stars in ‘The Founder,’ the true life story of McDonald’s fast food CEO Ray Kroc, detailing his interesting journey to fame and fortune. Vin Diesel appears on the silver screen in ‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage’ the latest installment of the xXx franchise. There are a few new documentaries to ponder; one French, another that pulls the covers back on the 60s counter-culture, the third a completely unspoken documentary about a cat in Istanbul – really.
Our pick of the week is an exceptional movie called ‘The Resurrection of Gavin Stone.’ Imagine a grown up young man who peaked as a child star, paroled from prison. His parole dictates that he spend time with with a large religious community. You don’t have to be religious to enjoy this film, but the irony and sub text will make you laugh out loud.
Enjoy the movies this weekend – I always do!
Detour (2016)
(R) 90 min – Thriller
Director: Christopher Smith
Stars: Emory Cohen, Tye Sheridan, Stephen Moyer, Jared Abrahamson
Your mom is suffering from a fatal disease, while her husband (your stepfather) is unfaithful. Do you kill the guy or find forgiveness in all your pain? [watch trailer]
The Resurrection of Gavin Stone (2016)
(PG) 92 min – Comedy
Director: Dallas Jenkins
Stars: Brett Dalton, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Shawn Michaels, Neil Flynn
A former child star is paroled after serving time for a crime he comitted, forced to spend time at a large church as part of his penance. Brett Dalton is spectacular in this film, playing Christ in the annual Passion Play. This film is a beautiful poke at religion and indifference, and well worth your money and time. [watch trailer]
The Red Turtle (2016)
(PG) 80 min – Animation
Director: Michael Dudok de Wit
In a silent movie platform, this animated film makes the world’s turtles, crabs and birds its stars. Your kids will love this film. [watch trailer]
The Founder (2016)
(PG-13) 115 min – Biography
Director: John Lee Hancock
Stars: Michael Keaton, Nick Offerman, John Carroll Lynch, Linda Cardellini
This is the true story of Ray Kroc, the 52-year-old milk shake salesman that stumbles upon the country’s fast food franchise McDonalds. This is an accurate film of how business gets done in America. [watch trailer]
Split (2016)
(PG-13) 117 min – Horror
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Stars: Anya Taylor-Joy, James McAvoy, Haley Lu Richardson, Kim Director
Three young women find themselves kidnapped by a crazy man that has multiple personalities. How they are able to play one against the other is a stroke of genius, one that saves their lives. [watch trailer]
xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017)
(PG-13) 107 min – Action
Director: D.J. Caruso
Stars: Vin Diesel, Donnie Yen, Deepika Padukone, Kris Wu
In the next installment of the xXx franchise, Xander Cage is assumed dead, only to secretly return to wreak vengeance in a new assignment. [watch trailer]
The Sunshine Makers (2015)
(NR) 104 min – Documentary
Director: Cosmo Feilding-Mellen
The 1960s American drug counter-culture was both vulgar and dangerous. This documentary takes us back to those seedy times. [watch trailer]
Staying Vertical (2016)
(NR) 98 min – Comedy
Director: Alain Guiraudie
Stars: Damien Bonnard, India Hair, Raphaël Thiéry, Christian Bouillette
A film maker is forced to bring up a young child while trying to find his next big script. [watch trailer]
Kedi (2016)
(NR) 80 min – Documentary
Director: Ceyda Torun
Stars: Bülent Üstün
It’s not a silent film but not a word is spoken in this film one that depicts the world through the eyes of cats in foreign lands. [watch trailer]
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