We Are Movie Geeks

TURBO – The Review

TURBO is the first film I can recall to tell the story of a garden snail that races in the Indy 500. Who dreams up these concepts? The good news is that Dreamwork’s witty, gleaming new charmer is very funny, has a great message for kids, is a treat for NASCAR enthusiasts, and has Ken Jeong as the voice of an old woman!

Voiced with appropriate energy by Ryan Reynolds, Turbo is a dreamer. While his fellow mollusks, including brother Chet (Paul Giamatti), are content with leisurely chasing fallen tomatoes, Turbo is obsessed with speed. Able to slither a whopping 12 inches in 17 minutes, his human hero is racecar champ Guy Gagne (Bill Hader) who, with his thick French accent tells his fans, ”No dream is too big and no dreamer too small”. Turbo is magically endowed with super speed when he gets sucked into a drag racer’s nitrous oxide booster. He and Chet are then discovered by brothers Tito and Angelo Lopez (Michael Peña and Luis Guzmán), who are Hispanic, therefore operate a taco stand in a struggling, shabby strip mall alongside a hobby shop owner (Richard Jenkins), a tough girl mechanic (Michelle Rodriguez) and a pedicurist (Jeong). The Lopez brothers race snails for a hobby so Turbo quickly makes a new group of same-species friends (a brassy Maya Rudolph, an angry Samuel L. Jackson, and a stoned Snoop Dogg). Tito takes Turbo and the gang on a road trip to enter him in the famous Indianapolis 500 where, despite not even entering any qualifying rounds, he gets to race against Guy and other human drivers.

TURBO combines cute cartoon characters with the well-worn all-American “with determination, any dream can come true” lesson. It contains plenty of the elements that make animated movies popular with children: animals, bright colors, bodily function gags, and video game-style action. But thanks to the vocal work and the humor, this adult had a good time with TURBO. I also liked the nighttime scenes around the taco stand and dilapidated stores surrounding it, which gave authentic detail to an East L.A. not usually seen in kids flicks. As good as Pixar is making animated movies, theri best rival is, without a doubt, Dreamworks. They certainly know how to construct a story. Indeed, TURBO is tightly structured — so much so that one can fairly see the pieces slot snugly into place as the film unfolds. As a result, there’s little surprise, and some moviegoers might find themselves growing restless while they wait for the movie to catch up with what they already know is going to happen, but it’s funny enough to forgive most of its predictableness. The movie is great to look at and a lot of fun, but somehow lacks the extra push of the very best of Dreamworks (HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, THE CROODS). Maybe that’s because there’s less at stake here, and no child-surrogate to identify with but I still highly recommend TURBO.

4 of 5 Stars

Principal Photography Begins On Silver Pictures’ And Studiocanal’s THE GUNMAN Starring Sean Penn

Photo: Silver Pictures, 2013 Gunman LTD

Silver Pictures and Studiocanal announce the start of principal photography of the international action thriller THE GUNMAN. Starring Sean Penn, the project unites the two time Academy Award winning actor with an extraordinary, unconventional ensemble cast including Javier Bardem, Idris Elba, Ray Winstone, Mark Rylance and Jasmine Trinca.

Directed by acclaimed French helmer Pierre Morel, the compelling script is written by Peter Travis and is based on the novel The Prone Gunman by Jean-Patrick Manchette. Joel Silver and Andrew Rona are producing through Silver Pictures, with Sean Penn. The film is fully financed by Studiocanal who handles worldwide sales and will distribute it in its four territories.

It is the second collaboration this year between Silver Pictures and Studiocanal after NON-STOP. Neeson is an air marshal who gets texts messages for a stranger who claims to be on board with him and threatens to murder the passengers. He must identify and stop the killer before time runs out. Julianne Moore, Michelle Dockery (DOWNTON ABBEY) and Scoot McNairy (ARGO) also star in the film, currently shooting in New York. NON STOP is produced by Silver Pictures (Joel Silver).

NON-STOP

THE GUNMAN will shoot mainly in Barcelona, Spain and London.

Penn stars as Jim Terrier, an international operative who is betrayed by the organization he worked for, and must go on the run in a relentless game of cat and mouse across Europe.

The cast also includes Bardem, winner of the Academy Award for NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, and co-star of recent Bond adventure SKYFALL; Elba, winner of the Golden Globe for his title role in television series “Luther” and soon to be seen in PACIFIC RIM and MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM, as the former president of South Africa; Winstone, a veteran of UK and international films, including SEXY BEAST, THE SWEENEY and THE DEPARTED; and Rylance, twice winner of the Olivier and Tony Awards, most recently for his performance in Jerusalem on West End and Broadway stages.

Italian actress Trinca, who won multiple awards for her film debut in Nanni Moretti’s THE SON’S ROOM and recently won a 2013 Globi d’Oro (Italian Golden Globes) and a 2013 Nastro d’Argento for her role in Valeria Golino’s MILE, co-stars.

Director Morel launched the successful TAKEN franchise, starring Liam Neeson. A third TAKEN film is planned.

SOURCE: Silver Pictures; Studiocanal

Davis Guggenheim To Direct Malala Yousafzai Documentary; In Theaters 2014

MARK SELIGER FOR TIME

Producers Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald announced today an early July production start for a feature-length documentary chronicling the story of 15-year-old Malala Yousafzai and her courageous fight to ensure a safe education for every child. Davis Guggenheim has signed on to direct. The project is being produced in association with and fully financed by Image Nation Abu Dhabi, the Emirati film and television company with whom Parkes + MacDonald has a long-standing partnership.

Pakistani student activist Malala gained international recognition when she survived a brutal assassination attempt by the Taliban at age 14. Shot in the head and neck when gunmen opened fire on her school bus in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, Malala was targeted for speaking out on behalf of girls’ education in her community. Despite the senseless violence she endured, Malala did not waiver. Upon her recovery in Birmingham, England, she has courageously continued her campaign to ensure every child, boy or girl, in Pakistan and beyond, has access to a safe education.

For her steadfast advocacy, Malala was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, becoming the youngest nominee in history. She was included in the 2013 Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world and is currently in the process of writing a memoir to raise awareness about the 61 million children across the globe who are not in school.

Most recently, the United Nations and Gordon Brown, the organization’s Special Envoy for Education, declared July 12, 2013 Malala Day in support of her global education campaign. She will step foot on United States soil for the first time next month to speak in front of the UN General Assembly – her first major public address since being shot last October – and to celebrate her 16th birthday. The Untitled Malala Project will document this occasion.

TIME/Asim Hafeez

Parkes says, “There are few stories Laurie and I have ever come across that are as compelling, urgent or important as the real-life struggle of Malala and her father Ziauddin on behalf of universal education for children. It is an honor and a privilege to be able to try to bring the lives of these extraordinary people to the screen.”

“I have two daughters and they are inspired and captivated by Malala’s story and her fight for education for every child” added Guggenheim. “I believe this movie will speak to every girl and every family in the world.”

“We are honored to be involved in making a film about such an urgent and timely issue,” said Mohamed Al Mubarak, Chairman of Image Nation. “We hope to inspire generations of children worldwide with Malala’s message of courage and strength.”

The film will debut in theatrical release in late 2014. No distributor has been chosen yet. Malala is represented by Ron Bernstein of ICM on behalf of Karolina Sutton at Curtis Brown.

ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES To Show at Fundraiser for Operation Food Search in St. Louis

“We have to convince the little housewife out there that the tomato that ate the family pet is not dangerous! “

In the 1978 cult classic ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES, America is overtaken by tomatoes — killer tomatoes!

After a wave of reports of mysterious attacks involving people and pets being eaten by the traditionally docile fruit, a special government task force is set up to investigate the violent veggies and put a stop to their murderous spree. Included in this crack team are a lieutenant who never goes anywhere without his parachute, an underwater expert who’s never out of his scuba gear, and a master of disguise who conceals his appearance by dressing as a black Adolf Hitler.

And how can you not love a movie that features a catchy theme song, a deliberately badly dubbed Japanese scientist, an insane katana-swinging WWII pilot who seems to drop from out of nowhere and just sort of follows along, a blind policeman, a president whose main job seems to be writing his signature on papers before crumpling them and throwing them away, a UN-type organization who spends the entire movie debating what should be done about the tomatoes before deciding it’s not time to take action yet, a swimming champion who eats an entire bowl of the cereal “STEROIDS”, mind-numbing musical numbers (did I mention this is a musical?), the list goes on.

You’d have to have a pretty dull personality not to enjoy ATACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES. It’s utterly insane, shamelessly cheap and silly, but somehow awesome.

Now lucky St. Louis diners will have the opportunity to eat a delicious meal and watch this cinematic masterpiece at the same time when Tenacious Eats Presents…

ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES in Wednesday July 24th

It’s a “Tomato-centric” blowout to raise money for a worthy cause
Celebrating and Benefiting Operation Food Search’s TOMATO EXPLOSION 2013!

Located at the legendary Gaslight Theater in the Central West End
358 N. Boyle
St. Louis, MO. 63108

Doors open at 5:00PM with Featured Tomato Cocktails!

Pre-show music by hot gypsy jazz duo, COCO RICO
WEAR YOUR RED to support Operation Food Search and be featured on our RED CARPET!

Film begins at 7:00PM

$55.00 per person. (Price includes 5 Sumptuous COURSES featuring local tomatoes and 5 ferocious COCKTAILS!

Unexpected! Visceral! Titillating! Brought to you in High Definition Taste-O-Vision! (Special glasses, not required)

By integrating film and food, Movies for Foodies creates an original experience, a feast for the senses, an event that brings food and film, chefs and diners together.

We only work with locally produced food procured by us and hard-to-find ingredients, imported from places that specialize in them. With each new film, we write a new menu specific to its story. Sometimes the menu is literal and sometimes it is inspired interpretation. In all cases, each dining experience is different because each film is different.

Be sure to watch for the Special Appearance of the Royal Shakespearean Tomatoes by Arrangement with the Queen

The Facebook invite for the event can be found HERE

https://www.facebook.com/events/153194721536466/

Here’s the link to get tickets:

tomato.brownpapertickets.com

Win Passes To The Advance Screening Of FRUITVALE STATION In St. Louis

Winner of both the Grand Jury Prize for dramatic feature and the Audience Award for U.S. dramatic film at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, director Ryan Coogler’s FRUITVALE STATION follows the true story of Oscar Grant (Michael B. Jordan), a 22-year-old Bay Area resident who wakes up on the morning of December 31, 2008 and feels something in the air.

Not sure what it is, he takes it as a sign to get a head start on his resolutions: being a better son to his mother (Octavia Spencer), whose birthday falls on New Year’s Eve, being a better partner to his girlfriend Sophina (Melonie Diaz), who he hasn’t been completely honest with as of late, and being a better father to Tatiana (Ariana Neal), their beautiful four year-old daughter.

Crossing paths with friends, family, and strangers, Oscar starts out well, but as the day goes on, he realizes that change is not going to come easily. His resolve takes a tragic turn, however, when BART officers shoot him in cold blood at the Fruitvale subway stop on New Year’s Day. Oscar’s life and tragic death would shake the Bay Area – and the entire nation – to its very core.

FRUITVALE STATION opens nationwide July 26th.

Enter for your chance to receive a pass (Good for 2) to the advance screening of FRUITVALE STATION on July 24th at 7:00 PM in St. Louis.

ENTER YOUR NAME IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.

OFFICIAL RULES:

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

http://www.fruitvalefilm.com/

https://twitter.com/fruitvalemovie

https://www.facebook.com/FruitvaleStationMovie

MPAA Rating: R

Photos Courtesy of The Weinstein Company

Win Passes To The Advance Screening Of THE TO DO LIST In St. Louis

In order to shed her uptight image before college, Valedictorian Brandy Klark creates a “to do list” of all the “activities” she missed out on in high school. Quickly realizing that she’s way out of her depth, Brandy solicits her two best friends, her older sister and her burnt-out boss for their help and advice. But even with the guidance of those closest to her, Brandy can’t foresee that emotions are not easily kept to the margins.

Featuring the hottest cast of the summer including Aubrey Plaza, Johnny Simmons, Bill Hader, Alia Shawkat, Sarah Steele, Scott Porter, Rachel Bilson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Andy Samberg, Donald Glover, with Connie Britton and Clark Gregg, THE TO DO LIST is a comedy set in 1993 about a Type A girl, her to do list, and all of the outrageous lessons she awkwardly learns over the summer between high school and college.

The film will be in theaters July 26th.

Enter for your chance to receive a pass (Good for 2) to the advance screening of THE TO DO LIST on July 22nd at 7:00 PM in St. Louis.

Answer the following question:

THE TO DO LIST marks the big screen debut of director, writer and comedian Maggie Carey. The Boise native graduated college and followed her love for comedy to the big city, New York City. The film, “is a classic coming-of-age comedy about a girl who wants to lose her virginity. What I wanted to capture is that feeling when you’re young and you want to know about something. You just want this information, but you really can’t know it until you have experienced it,” Carey says.

What is you favorite coming-of-age movie?

OFFICIAL RULES:

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

2. ENTER YOUR NAME AND ANSWER IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.

3. YOU MUST SUBMIT THE CORRECT ANSWER TO OUR QUESTION ABOVE TO WIN.

Rated R for pervasive strong crude and sexual content including graphic dialogue, drug and alcohol use, and language – all involving teens.

CBS Films presents a Varsity Pictures / Mark Gordon Company production, THE TO DO LIST. Written and Directed by Maggie Carey, and loosely inspired by her adventures, the film is produced by Jennifer Todd, Brian Robbins and Sharla Sumpter Bridgett. The executive producers are Mark Gordon, Maggie Carey, Bill Hader, Tracy McGrath, Greg Walter and Tom Lassally. The Director of Photography is Doug Emmett. The Production Designer is Ryan Berg. The film’s editor is Paul Frank. Music is by Raney Shockne. The Music Supervisor is Howard Paar. The Costume Designer is Trayce Gigi Field.

https://www.facebook.com/thetodolistmovie

https://twitter.com/ToDoListMovie

Photo Credit: Bonnie Osborne/CBS Films

THE GRANDMASTER 2nd Amazing Trailer Stars Tony Leung And Ziyi Zhang

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Wong Kar Wai, THE GRANDMASTER is an epic action feature inspired by the life and times of the legendary kung fu master, Ip Man. The story spans the tumultuous Republican era that followed the fall of China’s last dynasty, a time of chaos, division and war that was also the golden age of Chinese martial arts.

Watch the brand new trailer below.

Filmed in a range of stunning locations that include the snow-swept landscapes of Northeast China and the subtropical South, THE GRANDMASTER features virtuoso performances by some of the greatest stars of contemporary Asian cinema, including Tony Leung and Ziyi Zhang.

The Weinstein Company will release the film in theaters on August 23rd.

http://thegrandmasterfilm.com/

Fathom Events Presents The Met: Live In HD Summer 2013 Encores – Verdi’s “La Traviata” July 17

The summer heats up as The Metropolitan Opera and NCM Fathom Events once again present the fifth year of Summer HD Encores, a series of encore performances from the groundbreaking Live in HD series, in nearly 400 select U.S. cinemas nationwide including five theaters in St. Louis.

The Summer HD Encore series has one event remaining:

Verdi’s “La Traviata” – July 17

Natalie Dessay stars as Verdi’s most beloved heroine in Willy Decker’s stunning production, first seen at The Met in 2010. Matthew Polenzani is her lover, Alfredo, and Dimitri Hvorostovsky sings his stern father, Germont. Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi is on the podium. Fabio Luisi conducts.

This performance was originally transmitted live on Saturday, April 14, 2012.
Running times are approximate, and theaters are subject to change.

Tickets for The Met: Live in HD Summer 2013 Encores, are available at www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices.

The Summer Encore Series is playing at the following movie theaters:

Esquire 7

Chesterfield 14 with IMAX

Gravois Bluffs Stadium 12

O’Fallon Stadium 14

St. Louis Mills 18 with IMAX

http://www.fathomevents.com/#!summer-encores/more-info/details

All-New MARVEL ONE-SHOT: AGENT CARTER Featured On IRON MAN 3 Blu-ray

This fall, the highest-grossing movie of the year, Marvel’s IRON MAN 3, launches on HD Digital 3D and HD Digital September 3, 2013, and on 3-Disc 3D Blu-ray Super Set, 2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack with Digital Copy, 2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, SD Digital and On-Demand platforms September 24, 2013, featuring top-flight bonus features, including the all-new “Marvel One-Shot: Agent Carter”.

Called “bold” (Reelz) and “the best ‘Iron Man’ yet” (Access Hollywood), this blockbuster third chapter in the Iron Man series pits the brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against his ultimate enemy, The Mandarin, for the year’s most spectacular action adventure!

Marvel will hold a special screening of the film Friday, July 19 at 7:00 p.m. PT at the Reading Cinemas Gaslamp 15! Hit up the Marvel Booth (#2329) at the San Diego Convention Center to get your tickets during the show for the chance to be one of the first to see “Marvel One-Shot: Agent Carter”.

Marvel’s IRON MAN 3 has earned a record-breaking $1.2 billion dollars in theaters worldwide, making it the biggest hit in the Iron Man series and the fifth highest grossing feature film of all time. Now, viewers everywhere can experience the action-packed excitement on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Copy, featuring “Marvel One-Shot: Agent Carter,” the fourth entry in the fan-favorite “One-Shot” series.

Starring Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter of Marvel’s “Captain America: The First Avenger,” AGENT CARTER takes place after the events of “The First Avenger” and offers the latest exciting expansion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Other bonus features include an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into Marvel’s “Thor: The Dark World,” which shows off the spectacular new worlds, unforgettable characters, and pulse-pounding thrills of the upcoming blockbuster movie, and two behind-the-scenes featurettes “Iron Man 3 Unmasked,” in which the film’s cast and crew offer a crash course in epic movie-making, Marvel-style, and “Deconstructing The Scene: Attack On Air Force One,” which allows viewers to jump right into the excitement of creating one of the film’s most memorable action sequences.

Additional extras include a Gag Reel, Deleted & Extended Scenes, and Audio Commentary with Screenwriter Drew Pearce & Screeenwriter/Director Shane Black.

The full range of Marvel’s “Iron Man 3” home entertainment offerings and bonus features are as follows:

PACKAGING & BONUS FEATURES:

3-Disc 3D Super Set (Blu-ray 3D+Blu-ray+DVD+Digital Copy+Music Download)

Bonus Includes:

Marvel One Shot: Agent Carter
Exclusive Behind-The-Scenes Look Marvel’s “Thor: The Dark World”
Marvel’s Iron Man 3 Unmasked
Deconstructing The Scene: Attack On Air Force One
Gag Reel
Deleted/Extended Scenes
Audio Commentary With Drew Pearce & Shane Black
And more!

2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack with Digital Copy (Blu-ray+DVD+Digital Copy)

Bonus Includes:

Same as the 3-Disc 3D Blu-ray Super Set above

2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray+DVD)

Bonus Includes:

Same as the 3-Disc 3D Blu-ray Super Set above

1-Disc DVD + Digital Copy

Bonus Includes:

Deconstructing The Scene: Attack On Air Force One
Exclusive Behind-The-Scenes Look Marvel’s “Thor: The Dark World”

High-Definition & Standard Definition Digital

Bonus offerings vary per select digital retailers

DISC SPECIFICATIONS:

Street Date: September 24, 2013 (Direct Prebook: 7/30; Distrib. Prebook: 8/13)

Digital & On-Demand = please check with your television provider or favorite digital retailer for pricing

Feature Run Time: 130 Minutes

Ratings: U.S.: PG-13 For Sequences Of Intense Sci-Fi Action and Violence Throughout, and Brief Suggestive Content (bonus features not rated)

Aspect Ratio: Blu-ray & DVD = 2.40:1

Audio: Blu-ray 3D & Blu-ray 2D = English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, French-Canadian 7.1 DTS-HDHR, Latin Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital

DVD = English/Latin Spanish/French Canadian 5.1 Dolby, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital

Languages/Subtitles: English, French & Spanish

Stay connected with the latest news and information about “Marvel’s Iron Man 3”:

“Like” on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ironman
Follow on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Iron_Man
Website and Mobile Site: marvel.com/ironman3

ABOUT MARVEL’S IRON MAN 3

Marvel Studios’ “Iron Man 3” pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy’s hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: Does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Szostak, James Badge Dale, with Jon Favreau and Ben Kingsley, “Iron Man 3” is directed by Shane Black from a screenplay by Drew Pearce & Shane Black and is based on Marvel’s iconic Super Hero Iron Man, who first appeared on the pages of “Tales of Suspense” (#39) in 1963 and had his solo comic book debut with “The Invincible Iron Man” (#1) in May of 1968.

“Iron Man 3” is presented by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures and DMG Entertainment. Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige is producing and Jon Favreau, Louis D’Esposito, Charles Newirth, Victoria Alonso, Stephen Broussard, Alan Fine, Stan Lee and Dan Mintz are executive producers.

Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, the film earned the second biggest domestic opening of all time with $174.1M, crossed the $1 billion global box office threshold in 23 days of release, and currently stands as the #5 worldwide release of all time.

12 YEARS A SLAVE Trailer Stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender & Alfre Woodard

The powerful, new trailer has arrived for director Steve McQueen’s 12 YEARS A SLAVE starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fasbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Lupita Nyong’o, Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt, and Alfre Woodard.

McQueen and Fassbender worked together on 2011’s SHAME.

Rest assured, 12 YEARS A SLAVE will garnish awards and catapult careers to new heights.

12 YEARS A SLAVE is based on an incredible true story of one man’s fight for survival and freedom.

In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by Michael Fassbender), as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity.