Opening this week at a theatre near you:
The Great Wall (2017)
Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures
When a mercenary warrior (Matt Damon) is incarcerated within the Great Wall of China, he discovers the mystery behind one of the world’s greatest structures. The Great Wall Website
What to Watch For: The film was shot entirely in China with a budget of 135 million.
Word on the Street: The film employed over 100 translators because the crew was made up of a very large international group.
My Take: The film has already grossed a total of 219,000.00 internationally.
The film opens in Atlanta area theatres on Friday.
Fist Fight (2017)
Photo courtesy of Warner Brothers
After mild-mannered English teacher Andy (Charlie Day) gets Ron (Ice Cube) fired, Ron wants to fight Andy in the school yard. Fist Fight Website
What to Watch For: The film was shot in the Atlanta, GA area.
Word on the Street: The film is loosely based on the 1987 film Three O’Clock High.
My Take: This is the first featured film for the director of the film Richie Keen. Keen is known for his work on the TV series; It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
The film opens in Atlanta area theatres on Friday.
A Cure for Wellness (2016)
Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox
An ambitious young executive (Dane DeHaan) is sent to retrieve his company’s CEO from a mysterious “wellness center.” Once he gets there, he may never get out. A Cure for Wellness Website
What to Watch For: The director of the film, Gore Verbinski, is known for directing the first three Pirates of the Caribbean films and The Ring.
Word on the Street: The film was shot in 5 months at the Castle Hohenzollern in Germany.
My Take: Dane DeHaan is best known for playing Harry Osborn in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014).
The film opens in Atlanta area theatres on Friday.
A United Kingdom (2016)
Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight
Prince Seretse Khama of Botswana (David Oyelowo) causes an international stir when he weds a white English woman, Ruth (Rosamund Pike) from London set after WW II. A United Kingdom Website
What to Watch For: The director of the film, Amma Asante, also directed the well-received 2013 film, Belle.
Word on the Street: The film is based on a true story, and the house used in the film was the actual home of the real Ruth and Seretse.
My Take: The film was shot in Botswana and London.
Opens Friday exclusively at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema and AMC Phipps Plaza 14
Toni Erdmann (2016)
Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
A practical joking father (Peter Simonischek) tries to reconnect with his daughter (Sandra Huller) when a practical joke goes too far. Toni Erdmann Facebook page
What to Watch For: The film is nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at this year’s Oscars.
Word on the Street: The film is going to be remade in America with Jack Nicholson and Kristen Wiig starring.
My Take: Many film critics thought it should have won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
The film opens exclusively in Atlanta on Friday at Regal Tara Cinemas 4
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
It Could Happen to You (1994) Police Officer Charlie Lang (Nicolas Cage) has a good life. He lives in a city that he loves, he’s married to a beautiful wife (Rosie Perez), and he enjoys going to his favorite neighborhood diner. When he doesn’t have enough money for a tip, he tells Yvonne (Bridget Fonda) that he will give half of his lottery ticket to her. What’s going to happen when he wins?
Sunday
1:00 pm
Species (1995) A group of scientists try to track down and trap a killer alien (Natasha Henstridge) before she successfully mates with a human. Cast includes Ben Kingsley, Michael Madsen, Alfred Molina, Forest Whitaker and Marg Helgenberger.
3:00 pm
It Could Happen to You (1994) Police Officer Charlie Lang (Nicolas Cage) has a good life. He lives in a city that he loves, he’s married to a beautiful wife (Rosie Perez), and he enjoys going to his favorite neighborhood diner. When he doesn’t have enough money or a tip, he tells Yvonne (Bridget Fonda) that he will give half of his lottery ticket to her. What’s going to happen when he wins?