Jennifer Jason Leigh, Anne Heche, Woody Harrelson, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Bill Pullman, C. Thomas Howell, Bryan Cranston, Laurence Fishburne, and Steve Carell are all on the silver screen this weekend, and frankly there are at least three films that should yield Oscar nominations in multiple categories. Woody Harrelson portrays an early LBJ our 36th President in ‘LBJ,’ a film you’ll enjoy. The early days of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer are on display in ‘My Friend Dahmer,’ while the movie ‘Lady Bird’ will capture your heart with a break out performance by Saoirse Ronan. There are two foreign films to enjoy, and ‘A Bad Moms Christmas’ is a film every mom will relate to.
Our pick of the week is ‘Last Flag Flying; starring Steve Carell as a war veteran who loses his son in the Iraq War, and asks his fellow veterans to help him bury his child. This film is powerful, touching, and worthy of Oscar recognition for its actors and script.
Enjoy the movies this weekend, we always do!
LBJ (2016)
(R) 98 min – Biography
Director: Rob Reiner
Stars: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Woody Harrelson, Bill Pullman, Denzel Washington, Colin Farrell, C. Thomas Howell
LBJ was the 36th President of the United States, rushing into office due to the JFK assassination. This film captures the young politician from West Texas, to his ascension to the White House. Keep in mind LBJ was at the center of the turbulent 60s, where civil rights, women’s rights, and the Vietnam War were divisive for our nation. Woody Harrelson is incredible in this film and is deserving of an Oscar nomination.
My Friend Dahmer (2017)
(R) 107 min – Horror
Director: Marc Meyers
Stars: Anne Heche, Ross Lynch, Vincent Kartheiser, Dallas Roberts
This film chronicles serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer’s live, beginning with his troubled day in high school. Based on true events, director Marc Meyers pulls back the curtain on the early days of a mass murderer. [watch trailer]
Lady Bird (2017)
(NR) 93 min – Comedy
Director: Greta Gerwig
Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Odeya Rush, Kathryn Newton, Timothée Chalamet
A young woman who has given herself the name ‘Lady Bird’ ends up in California with her eccentric mom, working through a personality crisis to make sense of her troubled life. The humor is very subtle. Saoirse Ronan stars in her breakthrough role as the daughter with a wonderful yet different take on reality. If you love biting dialogue and complex human interaction, you’ll love this film. [watch trailer]
Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)
(PG-13) 129 min – Crime
Director: Dan Gilroy
Stars: Denzel Washington, Colin Farrell, Carmen Ejogo, Shelley Hennig
Denzel Washington takes on the role of an idealistic attorney who uses all his legal skill and persistence to find justice for his inner-city defendants. This movie is a combination of ‘Shaft’ and ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ with an all-star cast. [watch trailer]
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
(PG-13) 130 min – Sci-Fi
Director: Taika Waititi
Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Mark Ruffalo
Thor is in prison, fighting to escape his captors to save the Asgardian civilization. If you’re a fan of fantasy-based movies, this is the ticket to buy this weekend. [watch trailer]
A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)
(R) Action
Directors: Jon Lucas | Scott Moore
Stars: Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Justin Hartley, Jay Hernandez
A troubled mom and her friends consider Christmas a troubling time, battling their traditional holiday expectations and the Christmas party that takes on the life of its own. The women of Hollywood shine in this film. [watch trailer]
Last Flag Flying (2017)
(R) 124 min – Drama
Director: Richard Linklater
Stars: Bryan Cranston, Laurence Fishburne, Steve Carell, J. Quinton Johnson
Vietnam veterans find themselves back together, sadly to bury one of the veterans sons killed in the Iraq war. Steve Carell is magnificent in this film, supported with incredible 70s music and a strong ensemble. Think ‘Platoon’ meets ‘Coming Home’ set in modern day, and you’ll find this film inviting. [watch trailer]
Blade of the Immortal (2017)
(R) 140 min – Drama
Director: Takashi Miike
Stars: Takuya Kimura, Hana Sugisaki, Sôta Fukushi, Hayato Ichihara
Manji, a highly skilled samurai is at the center of this fantastical foreign film that even Bruce Lee would approve of. Imagine a samurai that has supernatural powers, fighting evil? This is a violent film, not meant for everyone in the family. [watch trailer]
Ittefaq (2017)
(NR) 100 min – Thriller
Director: Abhay Chopra
Stars: Sidharth Malhotra, Sonakshi Sinha, Akshaye Khanna, Kimberley Louisa McBeath
This is a thriller cops and robbers story foreign film that will have you at the end of your seat. A detective tries to solve a vicious crime, beset by lies and circumstance. [watch trailer]
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