We Are Movie Geeks

INHERENT VICE – The Review

Paul Thomas Anderson returns to the swingin’ 1970’s once more. Nearly eighteen years (zoinks!) after the saga of Dirk Diggler in BOOGIE NIGHTS, he’s back in the era of wacky fashions and grooming choices. But this time PT pushes the clock back a tad from the disco dancing later part of the decade to the time just after the psychedelic 60’s came to a close, 1970, a year still recovering from a massive hangover of the previous decade. And this is first adaptation since 2007’s THERE WILL BE BLOOD, the first film version of a novel by the celebrated, reclusive author Thomas Pynchon. Check your inhibitions at the door, as we indulge in some cinematic INHERENT VICE.

The film’s groovy narrator Sortilege (Joanna Newsom) introduces us to a most mellow fellow, hippie private eye (?!) Larry “Doc” Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix) as he gets a big surprise at his Gordita Beach pad: his ex-girlfriend Shasta (Katherine Waterston). She wants him to look into the disappearance of her new “old man”, real estate mogul Mickey Wolfmann (Eric Roberts). Could his flashy wife be behind it? Is it because of his involvement with some neo-Nazis? This favor sends Doc on a twisted journey that involves cults, a zonked-out dentist (Martin Short), hookers, a missing musician (Owen Wilson), a sanitarium, police informants, and a smugglers’ ship called “The Golden Fang”. But Doc’s got some back-up. There’s his lawyer pal Smilax (Benicio Del Toro), “on the down low” new girl friend Deputy DA Kimball (Reese Witherspoon), and part-time actor Lt. Det. “Bigfoot” Bjornsen (Josh Brolin), although he’s a begrudging aid (can’t stand stoners!). As the usually dazed Doc glides through the lives of the rich and powerful, and encounters many gangs and violent lowlifes, can he avoid the slammer or the morgue?

This film is a welcome reunion for Anderson and Phoenix after their compelling work together on THE MASTER. Phoenix makes Doc a very different “dick” than any seen before on film, with pot replacing Sam Spade’s shot of ole’ “rotgut”. Much of the time he’s as disoriented as us when navigating the maze of plots and conspiracies. But this is not just another cliché “doper”. As always, his performance is unpredictable and original. Especially interesting are his scenes with Watterson, who makes quite an impression in this major role (she’s usually in supporting screen work). Though they only share two sequences, the dialogue really crackles with energy and sexual tension. The same can’t quite be said for Witherspoon. She and Phoenix were pitch perfect nearly 10 years ago as Johnny and June in WALK THE LINE, but these two characters seem an odd pairing. Other than enjoying a walk on the wild side and a toke, there’s no connection beside her throwing some needed story info at Doc. But Reese does a good job with the unfocused part. Perhaps the most vivid chemistry is between Phoenix and Brolin as the hard-edged cop who may secretly envy those “peace-niks” With his immovable buzz-cut flat top, “Bigfoot” bellows and threatens, but then provides essential help to the confused Doc, sometimes within the same conversation. Brolin projects a joy of performance, as if he were chomping down on a sumptuous meal after a long fast. Unfortunately Del Toro is regulated to another clue conduit to Doc, as is Wilson in his brief scenes. More interesting is Jena Malone in her cameo role as Wilson’s very worried spouse. The only questionable casting may be the incredibly talented Short, whose turn as a swinger dentist doesn’t really jell with the film and borders on distracting, likes he’s just dropped in from a zany comedy.

Anderson directs with a relaxed style, allowing the actors plenty of time to interact and prod the mystery along at a leisurely pace (very leisurely!). At times the film becomes a fuzzy hybrid of genres like THE BIG LEBOWSKI goes to CHINATOWN, or a reefer-fueled episode of TV’s “The Rockford Files”. Some have speculated that the subplots and main-plots are jumbled in such a way in order to make the viewer feel just as stoned and confused as Doc. If that was the intention, then mission accomplished. I found that the jumble pushed me out of the film instead of drawing me in. But there’s much to be enjoyed in the recreation of the time’s tacky threads and in Bigfoot popping up on TV in a commercials and cleverly inserted into a tube classic. Fans of the film makers may get wrapped up in the nostalgic spoofs while those wanting a great caper flick may feel as if they’ve taken a twisted, pointless trip. Hey Doc, sorry to be such a downer, dude!

3 Out of 5

Actor Rod Taylor of THE BIRDS, THE TIME MACHINE Dies at 84

People.com is reporting that actor Rod Taylor died Wednesday at the age of 84 of natural causes.

His daughter Felicia Taylor, a former CNN correspondent, confirmed the news Thursday.

“My dad loved his work. Being an actor was his passion – calling it an honorable art and something he couldn’t live without,” she said in a statement.

“He once said, ‘I am a poor student sitting at the feet of giants, yearning for their wisdom and begging for lessons that might one day make me a complete artist,” she continued, “ ‘so that if all goes well, I may one day sit beside them.”

Born on Jan 11, 1930 in Sydney, Australia, Rod Taylor is best remembered for his starring roles in Alfred Hitchcock’s THE BIRDS (1963) and George Pal’s THE TIME MACHINE (1960). He also provided the voice of Pongo in Disney’s 101 DALMATIANS (1961). Taylor also starred in TV’s “The Twilight Zone” in an episode called “And When the Sky Was Opened.”

‘There are so many incredible feelings I have for him. Rod was a great pal to me and a real strength, we were very, very good friends,’ said actress Tippi Hedren in a statement to People.

His final role was in Quentin Tarantino’s INGLORIOUS BASTERDS (2009) as Winston Churchill.

Filmography (TCM):

1. Kaw (2007)

2. Zabriskie Point (1970) as Lee Allen .

3. Darker Than Amber (1970) as Travis McGee .

4. The Man Who Had Power Over Women (1970) as Peter Reaney .

5. The High Commissioner (1968) as Scobie Malone .

6. Dark of the Sun (1968) as Curry .

7. The Hell With Heroes (1968) as Brynie MacKay .

8. Chuka (1967) as Chuka .

9. Hotel (1967) as Peter McDermott .

10. The Liquidator (1966) as Boysie Oakes .

11. The Glass Bottom Boat (1966) as Bruce Templeton .

12. Young Cassidy (1965) as John Cassidy .

13. 36 Hours (1965) as Maj. Walter Gerber .

14. Do Not Disturb (1965) as Mike Harper .

15. Sunday in New York (1964) as Mike Mitchell .

16. Fate Is the Hunter (1964) as Capt. Jack Savage .

17. A Gathering of Eagles (1963) as Hollis Farr .

18. The Birds (1963) as Mitch Brenner .

19. The V.I.P.s (1963) as Les Mangrum .

20. Seven Seas to Calais (1963) as Sir Francis Drake .

21. One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) as Pongo.

22. The Time Machine (1960) as George, Time Traveler .

23. Ask Any Girl (1959) as Ross Taford .

24. Separate Tables (1958) as Charles .

25. Step Down to Terror (1958) as Mike Randall .

26. Raintree County (1957) as Garwood B. Jones .

27. The Catered Affair (1956) as Ralph Halloran .

28. The Rack (1956) as Al .

29. Hell on Frisco Bay (1956) as Brodie Evans .

30. Giant (1956) as Sir David Karfrey .

31. World Without End (1956) as [Herbert] Ellis .

32. Top Gun (1955) as [Lem] Sutter .

33. Long John Silver (1955) as Israel Hands .

34. The Virgin Queen (1955) as Corp. Gwilym .

Watch the trailer for the Rod Taylor documentary in development, “Pulling No Punches.”

Alfred Hitchock’s The Birds (1963). Credit: Universal/Getty Images.

Love Blooms For Judi Dench And Bill Nighy In New THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL Trailer

Fox Searchlight Pictures has released a brand new trailer for director John Madden’s THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL.

The original cast is back for the sequel to the 2012 sleeper hit – Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel, Penelope Wilton, Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup, Diana Hardcastle, Tina Desai, Lillete Dubey – along with newcomers Tamsin Greig, David Strathairn and Richard Gere.

Watch in HD here

THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL is the expansionist dream of Sonny (Dev Patel), and it’s making more claims on his time than he has available, considering his imminent marriage to the love of his life, Sunaina (Tina Desai). Sonny has his eye on a promising property now that his first venture, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful, has only a single remaining vacancy – posing a rooming predicament for fresh arrivals Guy (Richard Gere) and Lavinia (Tamsin Greig).

Evelyn and Douglas (Judi Dench and Bill Nighy) have now joined the Jaipur workforce, and are wondering where their regular dates for Chilla pancakes will lead, while Norman and Carol (Ronald Pickup and Diana Hardcastle) are negotiating the tricky waters of an exclusive relationship, as Madge (Celia Imrie) juggles two eligible and very wealthy suitors.

Perhaps the only one who may know the answers is newly installed co-manager of the hotel, Muriel (Maggie Smith), the keeper of everyone’s secrets.

As the demands of a traditional Indian wedding threaten to engulf them all, an unexpected way forward presents itself.

THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL is open for business on March 6, 2015.

https://www.facebook.com/marigoldhotel

Jude Law Talks BLACK SEA In New Featurette

Go behind the scenes of Focus Features’ upcoming submarine thriller BLACK SEA starring Jude Law, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn, and David Threlfall.

A suspenseful adventure thriller directed by Academy Award winner Kevin Macdonald, centering on a rogue submarine captain (two-time Academy Award nominee Jude Law) who pulls together a misfit crew to go after a sunken treasure rumored to be lost in the depths of the Black Sea. As greed and desperation take control onboard their claustrophobic vessel, the increasing uncertainty of the mission causes the men to turn on each other to fight for their own survival. (Trailer)

Macdonald explains, “Black Sea is an old-fashioned adventure story, populated by a great set of characters. Now, as with any movie taking place on a submarine, we knew there were certain elements we needed to have: an explosion where the sub almost goes down, and a mutiny, for example.

“The setting of a submarine is inherently tense by nature – there’s the constant threat of water somehow coming in, even with precautions taken.”

In seeking to explore these themes further, Macdonald (One Day in September and The Last King of Scotland) realized that he “wanted to make a film about the terror of being trapped underwater – and I felt that there’s a general fear attributed to submarines because of the inherent claustrophobia.

“I also gave thought to how the people who do sail them become a family. They can get so used to being with each other within the confines of a submarine that when they get off of it they are quite dysfunctional people. There are people who are happier at sea, happier in this tin can, because they understand it and they understand the world that’s around them – whereas in the real world, they are lost. That became an inspiration for the characters here, as did our own fascination with what submariners do – spending months and months on a submarine. So I thought, ‘Let’s make a film in a submarine.’”

Accordingly, he discussed the idea of making a submarine-set film on just one soundstage with his frequent collaborator, BAFTA Award-winning producer Charles Steel. “What came to mind for us was the incident years ago with that Russian submarine, the Kursk, which became trapped at the bottom of the ocean,” notes Steel.

The team also found themselves reflecting on such classic movies as The Treasure of the Sierra Madre and The Wages of Fear and the latter’s remake Sorcerer, all of which were visceral and gritty while exploring human nature – whether startlingly self-preserving, surprisingly compassionate, or aggressively greedy.

Macdonald elaborates, “Those movies didn’t have submarines in them. But they had ideas central to the story we wanted to tell: madness overtaking characters in a search for a fortune, for instance.”

BLACK SEA will open in NY and LA on January 23rd and across the US on January 30th.

Photo Credit: Alex Bailey / Focus Features

New U.S. Trailer & Poster For David Cronenberg’s MAPS TO THE STARS Arrives

Focus World has released the brand new U.S. theatrical trailer & poster for MAPS TO THE STARS, directed by David Cronenberg & starring Julianne Moore, Mia Wasikowska with John Cusack and Robert Pattinson.

Cronenberg is equally known for not flinching from any subject, and for making films that are as challenging and substantial as they are suspenseful and visually compelling. Early in his career, he made a series of vivid, fantastical thrillers including Scanners, Videodrome, The Fly, Dead Ringers, Naked Lunch, eXistenZ and Spider. More recently, his filmmaking has become even more expansive with the high-style crime thrillers A History of Violence and Eastern Promises, the psychological, sex- infused historical drama about Freud and Jung, A Dangerous Method, and his adaptation of Cosmopolis which takes place almost entirely in a billionaire’s limousine on one fateful trip through the city.

For Cronenberg, MAPS TO THE STARS was another chance to switch gears entirely – into what he calls “a family drama, just not the usual kind of family drama.”

Meet the Weiss family, who are making their way in Hollywood rife with money, fame, envy, and relentless hauntings. Stafford Weiss (John Cusack) is a famed TV self-help therapist with an A-list celebrity clientele. Meanwhile, Cristina Weiss (Olivia Williams) has her work cut out managing the career of their disaffected child-star son, Benjie (Evan Bird), a fresh graduate of rehab at age 13.

Yet unbeknownst to them, another member of the Weiss family has arrived in town – mysteriously scarred and tormented Agatha (Mia Wasikowska), just released from a psych ward and ready to start again. She soon works her way into a friendship with a limo driver (Robert Pattinson) and becomes personal assistant to unraveling actress Havana Segrand (Julianne Moore), who is beset by the ghost of her legendary mother, Clarice (Sarah Gadon). But Agatha is on a quest for redemption – and even in this realm of the artificial, and the unearthly, she’s determined to find it, no matter what it takes.

“It’s a story that is really of the moment and it also ferociously examines the moment we are living in, culturally, pop-culturally, technologically and in every way,” says the director. Cronenberg’s map of modern Los Angeles – and perhaps of contemporary culture itself — is lined with psychic pitfalls and shadows but also lit up by human vibrancy. “The city in the film is a deadly beauty,” he concludes. “It’s like a Venus fly trap, where each of these characters is swallowed up by their obsessions with success, celebrity and money.”

Focus World will release MAPS TO THE STARS in the US in Theaters, On Demand and iTunes on February 27, 2015.

Clint Eastwood Talks AMERICAN SNIPER In New Featurette – Opens In IMAX Theatres on Jan. 16

Director Clint Eastwood discusses his latest film, AMERICAN SNIPER, in this brand new featurette from Warner Bros. Pictures.

This week, the film received award nominations from the American Cinema Editors, Producers Guild, Art Directors Guild, and Writers Guild. It undoubtedly is one of the best films you will see this year.

Eastwood says of his movie, “What we all hope is that it will remind people of the sacrifices of soldiers and their families and make people even more appreciative of those who have given so much in service of their country.”

From director Clint Eastwood comes AMERICAN SNIPER, starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, whose skills as a sniper made him a hero on the battlefield. But there was much more to him than his skill as a sharpshooter.

Navy SEAL Chris Kyle is sent to Iraq with only one mission: to protect his brothers-in-arms. His pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and, as stories of his courageous exploits spread, he earns the nickname “Legend.” However, his reputation is also growing behind enemy lines, putting a price on his head and making him a prime target of insurgents. He is also facing a different kind of battle on the home front: striving to be a good husband and father from halfway around the world.

Despite the danger, as well as the toll on his family at home, Chris serves through four harrowing tours of duty in Iraq, personifying the spirit of the SEAL creed to “leave no one behind.” But upon returning to his wife, Taya (Sienna Miller), and kids, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind.

A two-time Oscar nominee for his work in “Silver Linings Playbook” and “American Hustle,” Cooper heads the cast, which also includes Sienna Miller, Luke Grimes, Jake McDorman, Cory Hardrict, Kevin Lacz, Navid Negahban and Keir O’Donnell.

The screenplay, written by Jason Hall, is based on the book by Chris Kyle, with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice. The autobiography was a runaway bestseller, spending 18 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, 13 of those at number one.

IMAX, Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures announced that AMERICAN SNIPER will be released into domestic IMAX theatres on Jan.16, 2015.

REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE Screens in 35mm January 16th at Webster University

“Why did you shoot those puppies, John?”

REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE will screen in 35mm at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium Friday January 16th at 7:30pm. The screening will be introduced by We Are Movie Geek’s own Tom Stockman (aka: me)

The theme of teen-age alienation received brilliant treatment in 1955 at the hands of director Nicholas Ray and stars James Dean, Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo. REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE was a poignant melodrama that made James Dean a household word. Back in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s I saw REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE several times on 35mm at The Tivoli (usually double-feature with EAST OF EDEN) back when it was a true repertory cinema, showing different classic double-bills every night. Movie lovers will get a chance to experience REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE in all of its 35mm glory when it screens next Friday, January 16^th at 7:30 at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium (470 E. Lockwood in Webster Groves), one of the last venues in St. Louis that can screen 35mm film prints. It’s part of Webster University’s Centennial Film Series – a look at the Movies that Defined the Past 100 Years.

The trio of stars do standout jobs in REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE – sensitive and compelling with Sal Mineo especially appealing as the most disturbed one of the three, Plato, whose final scenes in the Griffith Observatory bring the movie to a chilling climax. His obvious hero worship of Dean’s character is played with skill, as is his loneliness and despair. Natalie Wood is warm and appealing as Judy, lovingly photographed and at her sensitive best in a demanding juvenile role. But the picture belongs to James Dean in his second (and second to last!) screen role, lending a believability and immediacy to the role of Jim Stark, who wanted to find a niche for himself in a new neighborhood until he has to confront the local thugs and the police. As his overprotective mother Ann Doran lends a sympathetic note to the role. Jim Backus as an ineffectual father who utterly fails to understand his alienated son is excellent. The Observatory scenes are given added dimension by Leonard Rosenman’s starkly effective score underscoring the torments of its teen-age protagonists. Although some complain of the film’s datedness, it explores the theme of alienation without ever insulting the intelligence of today’s audiences. Well worth watching if only for the fantastic central performance of James Dean.

The Webster University Film Series, housed in the School of Communications, is the Midwest’s premier hosting venue for American and foreign films. The Series is host to speakers and visiting artists who address the pertinent issues in films presented. In an effort to further integrate film with education, the Film Series provides workshops with artists and experts.

Unless otherwise noted, admission is:

$6 for the general public
$5 for seniors, Webster alumni and students from other schools
$4 for Webster University staff and faculty

Free for Webster students with proper I.D.

Advance tickets are available from the cashier before each screening or contact the Film Series office (314-246-7525) for more options. The Film Series can only accept cash or check.

Winifred Moore Auditorium (470 E. Lockwood, Webster Groves, MO 63119) :

Directions: Taking Highway 44 East, exit left on Elm Ave. Make a right on East Lockwood Ave. Immediately after passing Plymouth Ave., there will be a parking lot entrance to your right (lot B). Winifred Moore Auditorium is behind Webster Hall (Building 2 on map).

THE BOXTROLLS – The Blu Review

“It won’t change who you are. Cheese, hats, boxes-they don’t make you who you are. You make you!”

Get ready to enjoy a masterfully crafted Dickensian world with stunningly well animated-characters and witty dialog. If you’re familiar with CORALINE and PARANORMAN, LAIKA Animation Studio’s previous works, THE BOXTROLLS will come as no surprise. As before, the visuals are worth the price of admission and as before, I was left hungry for more.

THE BOXTROLLS itself is a well-told fantasy full of silliness and whimsy, but there’s depth and meaning as well. It could be argued that this is a kids film about ethnic cleansing and genocide(!), but it’s all handled in the best possible taste. Somehow they managed to pull this off without ever being too heavy-handed, scary, or inappropriate. An example of this would be the villain’s henchmen, who spend much of the film in the mistaken belief that they’re the good guys. It’s not so much a film about good vs evil, as it is good vs foolishness. THE BOXTROLLS also presents a fantasy world with a visible class system, where aloof aristocrats are so distracted with their ridiculous hobbies that real world problems are neglected. Cheesebridge, the locale, is a posh Victorian-era town obsessed with wealth, class, and the stinkiest of fine cheeses. You could easily spend another viewing just taking in the beautifully detailed sets full of crooked buildings on cobble-stoned streets, and the immaculately tailored costumes, all of it so tactile and vivid you’ll want to reach out. If you’re the kind of person that would love to interact and play around with all these props and puppets, I recommend seeing THE BOXTROLLS in 3D. It’s like having them right there in front of you. Aside from the window dressing, there’s good characterizations all round. The Box Trolls themselves are particularly adorable, and their antics are endlessly amusing. The talent involved with the stop-motion animation makes THE BOXTROLLS a joy to behold.

THE BOXTROLLS is a future classic, destined to be fondly remembered for years to come and on January 20^th , you will be able to enjoy it at home with the thrilling Blu-ray/DVD combo release from Focus Features. We Are Movie Geeks got a sneak peak at the package:

THE BOXTROLLS is presented in a flawless 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation that showcases the film’s grim period wonders beautifully. I do not have a 3-D TV but the high definition image on the flat Blu-ray is as crisp and refined as any animation fan could hope for. Edges are sharp and clean and textures are incredibly revealing. Even minuscule frame-by-frame facial variations are wonderfully apparent, without any blip, blemish or significant artifact to report. Colors are striking and vibrant, primaries are rich and rewarding, black levels are suitably ominous, and contrast is dialed in perfectly. I don’t have a single complaint. This is an amazing presentation.

The DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack is just as impressive as the video with plenty of fun, demo-worthy moments throughout.

The Blu-ray 3D – Blu-ray – DVD – Digital HD package is loaded with extras:

– DARE TO BE SQUARE: BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE BOXTROLLS

VOICING THE BOXTROLLS: The tremendously talented cast members of The Boxtrolls discuss what it’s like to voice an animated puppet, what each actor brought to his/her role, whether their personalities were similar to their characters, and more.

INSIDE THE BOX: The directors, producers, and creative supervisor of character fabrication Georgina Hayns share the challenges of crafting characters who are inside a box.

THE BIG CHEESE: ALLERGY SNATCHER: The directors and producers are joined by Brian McLean, director of Rapid Prototyping, to discuss how the animation studio LAIKA creates the faces for their puppets. The big story here – literally! – is how Snatcher’s face changes shape due to his cheese allergy.

DECONSTRUCTING THE DANCE: Discover how LAIKA combined traditional stop-motion animation with visual effects in order to create the beautiful ballroom dance sequence – and how costume designer Deborah Cook met the challenge of creating costumes that could flow during a dance scene.

THINK BIG: THE MECHA DRILL: Standing 5 feet tall and weighing over 75 pounds, the Mecha-Drill is the largest stop motion puppet/prop ever created by LAIKA. Follow its creation from design to completion.

– Five featurettes that take you inside the magical world of the Boxtrolls:

THE NATURE OF CREATION

TROLLS RIGHT OFF THE TONGUE

ALLERGIC TO EASY

LET’S DANCE

ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS

– FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH DIRECTORS ANTHONY STACCHI AND GRAHAM ANNABLE

THE BOXTROLLS was a weird, completely original experience and the new Blu-ray is recommended for fans of this morbid animation masterpiece.

UNBROKEN To Have Special Screening At The Vatican With Pope Francis

Universal Pictures has announced that UNBROKEN will be screened at The Vatican this week. Director Angelina Jolie has traveled to Rome to attend the event, joined by Luke Zamperini, the son of the film’s subject, Louis Zamperini.

Pope Francis, aware of the incredible life story of Louis Zamperini, graciously welcomed the opportunity to view the film and is expected to attend the screening at the Casina Pio IV, headquarters of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, on Thursday, January 8. Anticipated to attend with The Holy Father, Ms. Jolie and Mr. Zamperini is a delegation of Vatican leaders and officials.

“To be invited to screen Unbroken at The Vatican is an honor and a tribute to Louie’s legacy as a man of faith and someone who exemplified the power of forgiveness and the strength of the human spirit,” stated Ms. Jolie. “These are universal themes at the heart of the human experience everywhere.”

UNBROKEN opened in theaters on Christmas Day. Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie directs the film, an epic drama that follows the incredible life of Olympian and war hero Louis “Louie” Zamperini who survived in a raft for 47 days after a near-fatal plane crash in WWII—only to be captured by the Japanese Navy and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp. Adapted from Laura Hillenbrand’s (“Seabiscuit: An American Legend”) enormously popular book, UNBROKEN brings to the big screen Zamperini’s unbelievable and inspiring true story about the resilient power of the human spirit. The film is produced by Ms. Jolie, as well as Matthew Baer, Clayton Townsend and Erwin Stoff.

Win Tickets To The Advance Screening of THE WEDDING RINGER in St. Louis

Are you bro-less? Buddy-deficient? About to settle down with a girl without ever having lived it up first with the boys?

You might just need to see the advanced screening of THE WEDDING RINGER!

Doug Harris (Josh Gad) is a loveable but socially awkward groom-to-be with a problem: he has no best man. With less than two weeks to go until he marries the girl of his dreams (Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting), Doug is referred to Jimmy Callahan (Kevin Hart), owner and CEO of Best Man, Inc., a company that provides flattering best men for socially challenged guys in need.

What ensues is a hilarious wedding charade as they try to pull off the big con, and an unexpected budding bromance between Doug and his fake best man Jimmy.

THE WEDDING RINGER opens in theaters January 16.

WAMG invites you to enter for a chance to win passes (Good for 2) to the advance screening of THE WEDDING RINGER on January 14 at 7PM in the St. Louis area. We will contact the winners by email.

If you are a winner, you will need to head over to SONYSCREENINGS.COM and register to receive your two passes.

Answer the following:

Name one of Kevin Hart’s comedy shows.

TO ENTER, ADD YOUR NAME, ANSWER AND EMAIL IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. YOU MUST BE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA THE DAY OF THE SCREENING.

2. No purchase necessary.

The Wedding Ringer is rated R by the MPAA for the following reasons: crude and sexual content, language throughout, some drug use and brief graphic nudity.

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