WAMG’s Favorite Films of 2014… So Far

Between January and August of 2014, local cinemas worldwide entertained moviegoers with themes of sci-fi, documentaries, animation, fairy tales, horror and thrillers.

Glowing up on the big screen were images of clicking colorful bricks, racing trains, mysterious creatures, superheroes – both shielded and guarded, coming-of-age tales and a fond farewell to the best Movie Geek ever.

Small and original storylines or epic stories with big stars, it’s been a good time at the movies this year and a lot for ticket buyers to choose from.

With so many to great films in the first half of 2014, including SNOWPIERCER, UNDER THE SKIN, ENEMY, LONE SURVIVOR, EDGE OF TOMORROW, and NOAH, whittling it down to a list of our “10 Favorite Movies of 2014… So Far” was a challenge.

Check out our lineup and let us know in our comments section below what your favorite movies have been this year. Some of these films are in theaters or you catch them at home on Netflix, OnDemand or a Premium Channel.

HONORABLE MENTION: THE LEGO MOVIE

Synopsis: The original 3D computer animated story follows Emmet, an ordinary, rules-following, perfectly average LEGO minifigure who is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world. He is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant, a journey for which Emmet is hopelessly and hilariously underprepared.

WAMG review HERE

THE LEGO MOVIE is wildly creative and often hilarious.

Opening Weekend: $69 million

10. THE RAID 2

Synopsis: He thought it was over. After fighting his way out of a building filled with gangsters and madmen – a fight that left the bodies of police and gangsters alike piled in the halls – rookie Jakarta cop Rama thought it was done and he could resume a normal life. He couldn’t have been more wrong. Formidable though they may have been, Rama’s opponents in that fateful building were nothing more than small fish swimming in a pond much larger than he ever dreamed possible. And his triumph over the small fry has attracted the attention of the predators farther up the food chain. His family at risk, Rama has only one choice to protect his infant son and wife: He must go undercover to enter the criminal underworld himself and climb through the hierarchy of competing forces until it leads him to the corrupt politicians and police pulling the strings at the top of the heap. And so Rama begins a new odyssey of violence, a journey that will force him to set aside his own life and history and take on a new identity as the violent offender “Yuda.” In prison he must gain the confidence of Uco – the son of a prominent gang kingpin – to join the gang himself, laying his own life on the line in a desperate all-or-nothing gambit to bring the whole rotten enterprise to an end.

WAMG review HERE

THE RAID 2 is compelling drama punctuated by fist-pumping action, and stomach-churning violence that barely gives the audience a moment to catch their breath

9. PALO ALTO

Synopsis: Shy, sensitive April (Emma Roberts) is the class virgin —a popular soccer player and frequent babysitter for her single-dad coach, Mr. B. (James Franco). Teddy (Jack Kilmer) is an introspective artist whose best friend and sidekick Fred (Nat Wolff) is an unpredictable live wire with few filters or boundaries. While April negotiates a dangerous affair with Mr. B., and Teddy performs community service for a DUI — secretly carrying a torch for April, who may or may not share his affection — Fred seduces Emily (Zoe Levin), a promiscuous loner who seeks validation through sexual encounters. One high school party bleeds into another as April and Teddy finally acknowledge their mutual affection, and Fred’s escalating recklessness spirals into chaos.

WAMG review HERE

PALO ALTO methodically paints a portrait of a generation that’s simultaneously looking for the truth and yet trying to drink enough to forget it.

8. MALEFICENT

Synopsis: MALEFICENT explores the untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain from the classic “Sleeping Beauty” and the elements of her betrayal that ultimately turn her pure heart to stone. Driven by revenge and a fierce desire to protect the moors over which she presides, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) cruelly places an irrevocable curse upon the human king’s newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Aurora is caught in the middle of the seething conflict between the forest kingdom she has grown to love and the human kingdom that holds her legacy. Maleficent realizes that Aurora may hold the key to peace in the land and is forced to take drastic actions that will change both worlds forever.

WAMG review HERE

Angelina Jolie is incredible.

Opening Weekend: $69 million

7. DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

Synopsis: A growing nation of genetically evolved apes, led by Caesar, are threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth’s dominant species.

WAMG review HERE

DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES leaves a lasting impression based on the impressive special effects, rich visual landscapes, and moving character interactions.

Opening Weekend: $72 million

6. CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER

Synopsis: After the cataclysmic events in New York with The Avengers, Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” finds Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow, Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off assailants sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon. However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy—the Winter Soldier.

WAMG review HERE

This crackling action-adventure tale may be the brightest gleaming jewel in Marvel’s dazzling movie crown.

Opening Weekend: $95 million

5. TRUST ME

Synopsis: TRUST ME tells the sharp, comic story of Howard Holloway ( Clark Gregg), a down-on-his luck agent for child actors and truly one the last good guys left in Hollywood. After discovering a 13-year-old acting prodigy (Sharbino), he is poised to close the deal of a lifetime which would catapult his tween client and, at long last, himself, into the big time. With the support of his gorgeous new neighbor (Amanda Peet), he must wrangle the actress’ volatile, overprotective father, dodge a scheming producer (Felicity Huffman), and outwit his uber-slick nemesis (Sam Rockwell). As he arrives on the brink of the Hollywood dream that’s eluded him for a lifetime, he begins to sense that his innocent young starlet may not be quite what she seems. This is the second feature film written and directed by Gregg, who made his directing debut with Choke, an adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk’s novel that starred Sam Rockwell.

WAMG review HERE

Clark Gregg bucks his beloved SHIELD Agent typecasting by writing, directing and starring in this smart, sincere, darkly comic tale of Hollywood extremes that proves he has much more to offer than playing a guy in a suit with a gun.

4. GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

Synopsis: THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL recounts the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting and the battle for an enormous family fortune — all against the back-drop of a suddenly and dramatically changing Continent.

WAMG review HERE

Thanks in part to his terrific script but mostly to a magnificent central character played by Ralph Fiennes, Wes Anderson pulls out his best film yet.

3. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Synopsis: From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchises of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team—the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits—Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Quill discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand – with the galaxy’s fate in the balance.

WAMG review HERE

It’s original, smart, it doesn’t talk down to audiences, and it’s above all, an emotional film about outsiders finally finding a place to fit in.

Opening Weekend: $94 million

2. LIFE ITSELF

Synopsis: Acclaimed director Steve James (Hoop Dreams) and executive producers Martin Scorsese (The Departed) and Steven Zaillian (Moneyball) present LIFE ITSELF, a documentary film that recounts the inspiring and entertaining life of world-renowned film critic and social commentator Roger Ebert – a story that is by turns personal, funny, painful, and transcendent. Based on his bestselling memoir of the same name, LIFE ITSELF, explores the legacy of Roger Ebert’s life, from his Pulitzer Prize-winning film criticism at the Chicago Sun-Times to becoming one of the most influential cultural voices in America.

WAMG review HERE

LIFE ITSELF is a heart-wrenching love story, a witty tale of news hounds, a glitzy jaunt through “Tinsel Town”, mixed together with great warmth, skill, and affection.

1. BOYHOOD

Synopsis: Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Richard Linklater’s BOYHOOD is a groundbreaking story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason (a breakthrough performance by Ellar Coltrane), who literally grows up on screen before our eyes. Starring Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette as Mason’s parents and newcomer Lorelei Linklater as his sister Samantha, BOYHOOD charts the rocky terrain of childhood like no other film has before. Snapshots of adolescence from road trips and family dinners to birthdays and graduations and all the moments in between become transcendent, set to a soundtrack spanning the years from Coldplay’s Yellow to Arcade Fire’s Deep Blue. BOYHOOD is both a nostalgic time capsule of the recent past and an ode to growing up and parenting. It’s impossible to watch Mason and his family without thinking about our own journey.

WAMG review HERE

Richard Linklater has transcended the “coming-of-age drama” and has in fact achieved a cinematic marvel.

As to what’s coming up in the remaining months of 2014, MY OLD LADY starring Maggie Smith and Kevin Kline, Alejandro González Iñárritu’s BIRDMAN (Oct. 17), Graham Annable’s and Anthony Stacchi’s THE BOXTROLLS (Sept. 26), Christopher Nolan’s INTERSTELLAR (Nov. 7), Tim Burton’s BIG EYES (Dec. 25), David Ayer’s FURY (Nov. 14), Bennett Miller’s FOXCATCHER (Nov. 14) and David Fincher’s GONE GIRL (Oct. 3) are just a few of the films we can’t wait to see. How about you?

TRUST ME – The Review

Clark Gregg may not be a household name now, but that will soon change. Undoubtedly best recognized as the loveable Agent Phil Coulson, Gregg has captured the hearts of comic book fans by perfectly personifying the character on the big screen in movies including THE AVENGERS, THOR and IRON MAN, as well as on the small screen in the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. television series. In retrospect, it could be said that making your name in such big blockbuster movies would pigeonhole an actor, but TRUST ME is proof that such tried and true assumptions are always subject to exceptions.

The truth is, when you are as multi-talented as Clark Gregg, you become nearly impervious to the typical industry stereotypes. TRUST ME is a film as fascinating behind the scenes as it is a fascinating story, but you can do your own Google search to read about the making of the film. A truly indie film that maintains studio production value, TRUST ME is a dark comedy with a touching dramatic flair. Clark Gregg stars as Howard Holloway, a former child star turned Hollywood agent for child actors. Fulfilling one minor legendary stereotype, Howard struggles to regain that sense of importance and fame vicariously through his young clients. The trouble is, he hasn’t enjoyed any notoriety since he was 15 years old and at the top of his acting game.

Poor Howard is truly a good guy, sometimes slightly misguided, but ultimately holds true to having the proverbial heart of gold. TRUST ME is a film whose central character is repeatedly pummeled by misfortune and bad luck. As an audience, we feel every single scrape and blow as if it were our own. Howard is one of those underdog characters we cannot help but empathize with and root on, no matter what the odds. From the very beginning of the film, Howard gets stepped on, most frequently and cruelly by his arch nemesis Aldo Shocklee, played by Sam Rockwell with a marvelously subdued flamboyance. Aldo, fulfilling the film’s other primary stereotype, is a successful big shot agent with deep pockets and absolutely no ethical code of conduct. Howard finds himself constantly in battle with Aldo, having to defend each of his rarely acquired clients from Aldo poaching them with more money, extravagant gifts and outlandish promises.

Lydia, played by Saxon Sharbino, is a promising 14-year old actress being groomed by Howard for a new romantic fantasy franchise based on a popular series of books. A major studio has tapped Ang Lee to direct and has eyes for Lydia, but Howard stumbles upon some secret family issues that may not only threaten Lydia’s chances, but also change Howard’s own perspective on his purpose in life. Sharbino is a rising young star with a short but surprisingly diverse and impressive resume. She has that quintessential girl next door appeal, but has the flexibility to shift into complex dramatics on a dime, exerting what appears to be minimal effort in making it look and feel natural. This plays a pivotal significance in the film’s third and final act as the truth about her character is revealed.

The relationship that develops between Howard and Lydia is honest and rich with depth of character, even if it does ultimately prove destructive. Gregg is absolutely compelling, given an opportunity to explore a more textured role than superhero movies can allow. Gregg nurtures this relationship between Howard and Lydia, resulting in a sweet and dangerously innocent chemistry between the two actors. TRUST ME is a film driven by honest performances, enhanced by Clark Gregg’s personal touch both in front of and behind the camera. Gregg not only stars in the film, but also wrote and directed the film, making it a tremendously important notch on his journey of becoming a respected and influential storyteller.

Consider this… how many creatively successful films can you name that have the same name credited as writer, director and star? Charlie Chaplin’s CITY LIGHTS. Orsen Welles’ CITIZEN KANE. Woody Allen’s ANNIE HALL. Sylvester Stallone’s ROCKY. Clint Eastwood’s UNFORGIVEN. This is a small list, and by no means complete, but when you consider the members of this rather exclusive club, it’s a pretty amazing accomplishment to be included. If this isn’t enough to convince an audience to seek out this relatively small film, perhaps you may be convinced by TRUST ME’s supporting cast that includes Amanda Peet as Howard’s love interest, Felicity Huffman as the studio’s executive producer, Allison Janney, Molly Shannon and William H. Macy. TRUST ME, this film aims to please and hits the bull’s eye.

TRUST ME is available May 6th, 2014 through Video On Demand and iTunes, with a limited theatrical release scheduled for June 6th, 2014.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Watch The Trailer For Clark Gregg’s TRUST ME

TRUST ME is directed by and stars Clark Gregg (Marvel’s THE AVENGERS, ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, and Joss Whedon’s MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING).

Felicity Huffman, Sam Rockwell, Amanda Peet, and Allison Janney co-star in the dark comedy about a struggling Hollywood agent for child actors.

Clark Gregg’s TRUST ME will be released On Demand iTunes May 6th and in select theaters June 6th. Pre-order it HERE.

It’s definitely one of the must-see movies of the summer and utterly charming.

TRUST ME tells the sharp, comic story of Howard Holloway (Gregg), a down-on-his luck agent for child actors and truly one the last good guys left in Hollywood.

After discovering a 13-year-old acting prodigy (Saxon Sharbino), he is poised to close the deal of a lifetime which would catapult his tween client and, at long last, himself, into the big time. With the support of his gorgeous new neighbor (Peet), he must wrangle the actress’ volatile, overprotective father, dodge a scheming producer (Huffman), and outwit his uber-slick nemesis (Rockwell). As he arrives on the brink of the Hollywood dream that’s eluded him for a lifetime, he begins to sense that his innocent young starlet may not be quite what she seems.

This is the second feature film written and directed by Gregg, who made his directing debut with CHOKE, an adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk’s novel that starred Sam Rockwell.

Facebook: Facebook.com/TrustMe2014
Twitter: @TrustMeMovie

TFF 2013: TRUST ME Q & A WITH CLARK GREGG

On my last full day at the Tribeca Film Festival, I attended a public screening of Clark Gregg’s TRUST ME. Most probably know him as Agent Phil Coulson from Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and to be honest that is mostly how I knew him as well. For some reason, I had no idea that he was the writer & director of CHOKE, which is a flick I thoroughly enjoyed and will probably revisit soon. I even have a promotional CHOKE anal beads bookmark that was handed out at NY Comic Con of all places. Following the film’s screening (only the 2nd ever) Clark Gregg was on hand for a short Q & A with the audience. I managed to film the entire thing and now have posted it for your viewing pleasure. The video may contain spoilers; however, in my opinion the few quick references probably won’t make any sense until after you see the film anyway. Enjoy!

Jerry Cavallaro – @GetStuck – www.JerryCavallaro.com

TFF 2013 DAILY RECAP: Monday April 22nd

I had to skip the press lounge and head straight to the Clearview Cinemas for the 10 am screening of WHITEWASH. What unfolded was a film far stranger than what the Tribeca Film Guide’s summary suggests. This “dark comedy” opens with an all too serious tone but slowly becomes a much more comedic effort. The timeline skips around as well and the audience is left wondering at first what is even real. Thomas Haden Church delivers a truly fantastic performance as a man delving into insanity and facing immense guilt for his crime but the overall film left me a bit unsatisfied.

I had less than 30 seconds to get to the next theater to catch Justin Long’s writing debut, A CASE OF YOU. The film is a fairly predictable rom-com that follows the age-old formula precisely. That isn’t exactly a bad thing though since the film is both fun and funny, with a slew of fantastic performances by Justin Long, Evan Rachel Wood and a series of surprising cameos. I’m just not quite sure what a film like this is doing at TFF since it doesn’t fit the typical description of what you normally would find at a festival, even one like Tribeca. I’m not complaining though since I thoroughly enjoyed this film which quote-happy critics will surely call a hilarious and charming rom-com for the Facebook generation.

With a little bit of time before my next screening, I made my way to the Filmmaker Lounge for the first time during the festival. It was in a different location than last year, unlike the press lounge, and I was far more impressed with the new digs. There were also a lot more postcards and promotion material amongst the tables in the lounge. Perhaps the nicest surprise of all was the Magnum Ice Cream freezer that actually had ice cream left in it. After a delicious Gold bar, I grabbed some lunch nearby and made my way back to Clearview for my final screening of the day.

Clark Gregg’s TRUST ME is a fun yet increasingly dark look at Hollywood from the perspective of child agent Howard Holloway (Gregg). The film opens with a shot of the protagonist dying but the film still manages to take you on quite a surprising ride right up until it ends. Besides, in the world of Hollywood, especially the one portrayed in this film, you never really know who or what to trust. Following the film Clark Gregg came out for a fun and informative Q & A, which I recorded and will be posting shortly. After, he stuck around for another 10 minutes to meet with fans. I had the pleasure of talking with him for a bit and must say that he is one of the most personable guys I have ever met. You can tell he truly appreciates and respects his fans, which is sometimes hard to find at events like this. This turned out to be the last screening I attended as press for the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival and it was definitely a highlight to go out on.

Jerry Cavallaro – @GetStuck – www.JerryCavallaro.com

Tribeca Film Festival 2013: Preview

Yesterday the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival officially kicked off with opening night film, MISTAKEN FOR STRANGERS. Today is the first full day of programming; however, tomorrow will be my first day actually at the fest. Every year I post a preview of films & events I’m most looking forward to and every year my schedule changes drastically once the festival actually begins. But it works so why mess with the formula?

For this year’s preview, I simply took screen grabs straight from the official Tribeca guide. Lazy or incredibly smart, feel free to decide for yourself. I am posting these picks knowing full well that I will not make it to every one of them. For example, I really want to see BIG BAD WOLVES after Aharon Keshales & Navot Papushado’s film RABIES blew me away at Tribeca 2 years back. Unfortunately it looks like I will not be able to make a single screening of that film. The same can be said for V/H/S 2 & A SINGLE SHOT but I thought I’d mention them anyway. (Who knows, maybe a kind pr person could hook a buddy up with a screener)

I’ll be at the fest Friday April 19 – Monday April 22nd & again on Friday April 26th. If you see me around the festival, feel free to say hi. I may even have some free stuff on me to give away. My schedule is a bit shorter than last year’s but I will still bring you the same great (debatable) coverage that I’ve given the last few years. And if you want my most up to date thoughts on the festival, follow me on Twitter – @GetStuck

Now without further ado, here are some of the things I am most looking forward to at Tribeca this year: