Opening this week at a theatre near you:
Ghost in the Shell (2017)
Photo courtesy of Paramount
A cyborg counter-cyberterrorist field commander, called The Major (Scarlett Johansson) and her task force thwarts cyber criminals and hackers. Now a new enemy has emerged that will stop at nothing to sabotage the artificial intelligence technology that the world runs on. Ghost in the Shell Website
What to Watch For: This live-action film has been in the planning stages since 2008 and at one time has Margot Robbie attached to The Major role.
Word on the Street: Director of the film, Rupert Sanders, directed the surprise hit Snow White and the Huntsman in 2012.
My Take: Once Scarlett Johansson was given the lead role, I was on board.
The film opens in Atlanta area theatres on Friday.
The Boss Baby (2017)
Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox
Tim (Miles Christopher Bakshi) was happy in his home with his mom (Lisa Kudrow) and dad (Jimmy Kimmel). Then one day at suit-wearing briefcase-carrying baby arrives at Tim’s home via taxi. Tim knows something is up with this new baby, but his parents can only see that the baby needs all the attention. The Boss Baby Website
What to Watch For: Alec Baldwin provides the voice for the baby in this animated film.
Word on the Street: The film played to a packed audience at this year’s Atlanta Film Festival.
My Take: Alec Baldwin has been a hot streak with his appearances as Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live.
The film opens in Atlanta area theatres on Friday.
The Zookeeper’s Wife (2017)
Photo courtesy of Focus Features
Based on a true story, this film tells the story of Antonina (Jessica Chastain) and her husband Jan (Johan Heldenbergh), who owned a small zoo in downtown Warsaw. When the Nazi’s took over, they saved hundreds of Jews in their zoo, right under the German’s noses. The Zookeeper’s Wife Website
What to Watch For: The film is based on the best-selling book by Diane Ackerman.
Word on the Street: The film is part of this year’s Atlanta Film Festival in cooperation with the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.
My Take: Hey, I will see anything twice Oscar-nominated Jessica Chastain is in.
The film opens in Atlanta area theatres on Friday.
Frantz (2016)
Photo courtesy of Music Box Films
In the aftermath of WWI, a young German (Paula Beer), who is grieving for her dead fiancé, meets a mysterious Frenchman who visits her fiancé’s grave. Frantz Website
What to Watch For: The film is up for ten awards at the Cesar Awards, France’s Academy Awards.
Word on the Street: The film won Best Foreign Film at the 2017 Sedona International Film Festival.
My Take: I enjoy the director of the film Francois Ozon’s work, including the 2010 film Potiche.
The film opens exclusively at AMC Barrett Commons 24 Landmark Midtown Art Cinema
The Blackcoat’s Daughter (2016)
Photo courtesy of A24
Kat (Kiernan Shipka) and Rose (Lucy Boynton) are two girls who have been left alone at their prep school for winter break. The girls start experiencing some weird stuff at the school when we become aware of Joan (Emma Roberts) who is trying to get to the girl’s school as fast as she can. What will happen and why, when Joan arrives at the school? The Blackcoat’s Daughter Website
What to Watch For: When Emma Roberts read the script, it scared her so badly that she couldn’t get to sleep that night.
Word on the Street: It was nominated for Best American Independent Feature Film at the 2016 Cleveland International Film Festival.
My Take: This is the directorial debut of actor Oz Perkins.
The film opens Friday exclusively at AMC Barrett Commons 24
For Here or to Go? (2016)
Photo courtesy of Many Cups of Chai Films
A young Silicon Valley software engineer, Vivek Pandit (Ali Fazal), is about to get a promsing job at a healthcare startup. That job falls through and now Vivek is scrambling to get another job before is work visa runs out. For Here or to Go? Website
What to Watch For: It took director Rucha Humnabadkar fourteen years to become a citizen of the United States.
Word on the Street: The film played a number of film festivals and won the Seattle South Asian Film Festival Jury Award.
My Take: I am interested to see this comedic take on immigration in America from the point of view of someone who desperately wants to live and work here.
The film opens on Friday at AMC North DeKalb Mall 16 and Regal Medlock Crossing Stadium 18
If you can’t make it to the theatre this weekend, then stay at home and watch movies on Atlanta’s CW:
Saturday
1:00 pm
The Shepard (2008) A Texas cop (Jean-Claude Van Damme) battles ex-navy seals who are trying to smuggle drugs across the Mexican border.
Sunday
1:00 pm
Conviction (2010) A working mother (Hilary Swank) puts herself through law school to represent her brother who she feels has been wrongfully convicted of murder.
3:00 pm
The Shepard (2008) A Texas cop (Jean-Claude Van Damme) battles ex-navy seals who are trying to smuggle drugs across the Mexican border.
