Highbrow Magazine - gone girl https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/gone-girl en The Female Takeover of Hollywood? Soon, But Not Yet https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/5525-female-takeover-hollywood-soon-not-yet <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/film-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Film &amp; TV</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:25</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1femaleshollywood.jpg?itok=ftaDBOCl"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1femaleshollywood.jpg?itok=ftaDBOCl" width="480" height="360" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p>At the 2014 Tribeca Innovation Week, award-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin made a few provocative remarks about women in Hollywood. “I’ve been reading a lot about how a female-driven movie like, say, <em>Bridesmaids </em>is looked at as a fluke,” Sorkin said. “The success of that movie,” he went on, “is looked at as a fluke and therefore Hollywood doesn’t do it. That’s a premise that suggests that studio executives have piles of scripts as good as <em>Bridesmaids</em> on their desks. They don’t.”</p> <p> </p> <p>Sorkin’s comments were stirring because they highlighted the prevalent problem of the lack of women working in Hollywood. But Sorkin’s observations, according to a few <a href="http://observer.com/2014/04/aaron-sorkin-says-hollywood-lacks-female-heroes-because-lady-scripts-arent-good-enough/">critics</a>, failed to recognize the cyclical nature of the issue at large; namely, that the lack of women working in film is in turn preventing more female-centered films from being produced, whether a woman is starring in, directing, or producing such films, much to the chagrin of Sorkin’s audience members (one of whom questioned the Academy Award-winning writer if he was going to write a female protagonist for a feature film any time soon). </p> <p> </p> <p>Interestingly enough, this matter seems to be in contradiction with the commercial data of film viewership and profiting. According to the Motion Picture Association of America’s annual <a href="http://www.mpaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/MPAA-Theatrical-Market-Statistics-2013_032514-v2.pdf">report</a> of moviegoer demographics, 52 percent of moviegoers were female. With women purchasing more than half the movie tickets, Hollywood has been under pressure to better represent women on the big screen. Melissa Silverstein <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/memo-to-hollywood-women-go-to-the-movies-too/2012/06/29/gJQAx6F7BW_story.html">questioned</a> the matter. “So again, we ask,” she wrote, “if women are going to the movies more than men, why do only 15% of the films star women?” But for a movie executive, it may be that this very same singularity proves to be a problem that doesn’t need to be fixed. After all, if women are already buying more than half of all movie tickets, why should anything change?</p> <p> </p> <p><br /> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/2femaleshollywood.jpg" style="height:352px; width:625px" /></p> <p> </p> <p>The answer to that may lie with Sorkin’s incendiary comments. As was the case with <em>Bridesmaids, </em>women-centered films make, on average, more money than male-driven movies. In 2014, for example, the film <em>The Other Woman, </em>about three women who find out they are dating the same guy and form a bond amongst each other and a revenge plan against him, opened to an unexpected $24.7 million in weekend sales, taking the number-one spot on the box office to beat out juggernaut <em>Captain America: The Winter Soldier</em>. Instances like these, however, also help strengthen the precarious belief that women-driven film will only fare well if they reflect cardboard representations of women or if they are centered or are sidelined by a male figure. <em>The Other Woman </em>was panned by critics for underdeveloped characters and a tired plot, intensifying the myth of the “chick flick” as the only enticing experience for a female moviegoer.  The data, however, shows that this is not true.</p> <p> </p> <p>When the films <em>Ted </em>and <em>Magic Mike </em>opened simultaneously, they <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/celebritology/post/ted-magic-mike-and-the-box-office-gender-divide/2012/07/02/gJQAFLTgIW_blog.html">proved</a> that even though the gender divide in moviegoers is alive and well, female audiences remain the buying power. Seth MacFarlane’s first feature film <em>Ted</em> became the number-one movie domestically with an opening weekend box office of $54.1 million. The film’s demographics were 56% male, more than half of whom were under the age of 35. This, indeed, is the coveted demographics for summer movie hits, that of young adult males. <em>Magic Mike</em>, a film that marketed assertively to female audiences, saw fairly expected results.  An overwhelming 73% of moviegoers were women, hitting a modest but impressive $39.1 million on its opening weekend and taking second place on the box office. With both films opening to fairly positive reviews, what this data shows is that women are more likely to attend male-centric films, such as <em>Ted</em>, than guys are to see films catered to women, such as <em>Magic Mike</em>. With women being half the ticket buyers, male-driven films like MacFarlane’s <em>Ted </em>depend on female audiences for box-office success.</p> <p> </p> <p>Even action thrillers such as 2014’s <em>Non-Stop</em> help strengthen this data. The filmed starred Liam Neeson, an Oscar-nominated movie star who has had six movies open at number one over the past six years (that’s more than Tom Cruise, Matt Damon, and Will Smith combined). <em>Non-Stop </em><a href="http://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/Box-Office-Guru-Wrapup-NonStop-Takes-the-Top-Spot/">debuted</a> with an opening weekend of $30 million. Studio research shows that this stellar debut was due, in part, to the film’s cross-gender appeal and broad support across many demographics.</p> <p> </p> <p>Indeed, 51% of <em>Non-Stop </em>viewers were female moviegoers. Intriguingly, <em>Non-Stop</em> dethroned the <em>Lego Movie </em>as the number-one film in America after the animated feature held the coveted spot for three consecutive weeks. The <em>Lego Movie </em>also features Liam Neeson as voice talent, and it grossed more than $20 million over each of its reigning weekends before <em>Non-Stop </em>knocked it over the number-one slot. It may be worth noting that even surefire hits such as <em>The Hunger Games: Catching Fire </em>and <em>Frozen</em> did not accomplish this feat (despite being the number-one and number three top-grossing films of 2013, respectively; with the latter being the highest-grossing Disney film of all time), both being female-driven movies. The film <em>Gravity</em>, an award show favorite with a woman as the protagonist, is the exception. <em>Gravity</em>, helmed by Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón and often described as being basically a one-woman show, went on to win seven Academy Awards. </p> <p> </p> <p><br /> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/3femaleshollywood.jpg" style="height:544px; width:625px" /></p> <p> </p> <p>Despite all this, female audience members and filmmakers continue to be disproportionally underrepresented. A study by FiveThirtyEight surveyed box office profits and their performance on the Bechdel test. The Bechdel test is a benchmark for gender equitability in films. It is <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94202522">based</a> on a 1985 strip by cartoonist Alison Bechdel, who listed three criteria for a film to be considered equitable to females: a film must have at least two female characters, they must talk to each other, and the conversation they have must be about something else other than a man.</p> <p> </p> <p>The study by FiveThirtyEight <a href="http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-dollar-and-cents-case-against-hollywoods-exclusion-of-women/">found</a> that films that passed the Bechdel test were profitable in the United States and Canada, and grossed just as much box-office profits overseas as the movies that failed the Bechdel test. Meanwhile, a <a href="http://womenintvfilm.sdsu.edu/research.html">study</a> by the Center for Study of Women in Television and Film found that of the 250 top-grossing films of 2013, only 16 percent of directors, executive producers, producers, writers, cinematographers, and editors were women. Meanwhile, in 2014 the workforce of women working in film <a href="http://variety.com/2014/film/news/employment-of-women-in-film-production-dips-below-1998-levels-1201055095/">dipped</a> below the 1998 levels, with directors, writers, and executive producers hitting low percentages of employment. </p> <p> </p> <p><br /> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/4femaleshollywood.jpg" style="height:323px; width:625px" /></p> <p> </p> <p>But some Hollywood studios do seem to be taking notice. The films <em>Gone Girl </em>and <em>Annabelle</em> topped the box-office charts, premiering with $38 million and $37.2 million respectively. The 2014 films are among the strongest debuts in history in the usually slow-paced month of October. <em>Gone Girl </em>features a complex female central lead played by Rosamund Pike to critical acclaim; while <em>Annabelle</em> is a horror thriller, which is a genre that has historically catered to and is usually helmed by men, another misconception that data has proven wrong: In that same year, 53% of female moviegoers for <em>The Conjuring</em> made up its opening weekend, with 56% female viewers making up the audience for <em>The Purge</em>, and an equal number of female-to-male ratio moviegoers purchasing tickets to the horror thrillers <em>As Above So Below </em>and the year’s latest installment of <em>Paranormal Activity</em>: <em>The Marked Ones. </em></p> <p> </p> <p>Meanwhile, blockbuster hits what would usually be targeted to young adult males are taking aggressive marketing campaigns to cater to women. <em>Star Wars: The Force Awakens</em>, which has shattered records domestically and internationally, <a href="http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2015/12/15/disneys-star-wars-targets-female-audience-in-hopes-of-meeting-box-office-projections/">ran</a> trailers and televisions spots during female-oriented programming, such as <em>Keeping Up with the Kardashians</em> and <em>Jane the Virgin</em>; both television shows rank high among female viewers.  Sony is expecting an assured return on investment with the remaking of the <em>Ghostbusters </em>film featuring female leads. The movie is directed by Paul Fieg, who is known for other female-fronted comedies, such as <em>Bridesmaids </em>and <em>The Heat</em>, and it stars, among others, Melissa McCarthy, an award-nominated actress and the lead of the box-office hit <em>Spy </em>(McCarthy is currently nominated for a Golden Globe in the Best Actress category for this film).</p> <p> </p> <p>Hollywood is an industry rooted in capital gain. While the data demonstrate that films centered on strong female characters are, on a budget driven scale, big earners in the box office, movie studios are taking a slow approach in catering to the female experience for moviegoers and filmmakers alike. We can hope that very soon the industry will overcome the mythos and prejudices against films by and about women to fully immerse and entice its biggest purchasing audience: <a name="_GoBack" id="_GoBack"></a>the female viewer. </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p><strong><em>Angelo Franco is</em> Highbrow Magazine’s <em>chief features writer.</em></strong></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/women-hollywood" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">women in hollywood</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/women-directors" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">women directors</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/movies-women" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">movies for women</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/chick-flicks" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">chick flicks</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/aaron-sorkin" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">aaron sorkin</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/bridesmaids" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Bridesmaids</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/other-woman" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">the other woman</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/gone-girl" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">gone girl</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/magic-mike" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">magic mike</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Angelo Franco</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Sun, 03 Jan 2016 21:25:53 +0000 tara 6565 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/5525-female-takeover-hollywood-soon-not-yet#comments ‘Gone Girl,’ ‘Love Is Strange’ Arrive on Home Video https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/4565-gone-girl-love-strange-arrive-home-video <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/film-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Film &amp; TV</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:14</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/gonegirl.jpg?itok=tQep_G21"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/gonegirl.jpg?itok=tQep_G21" width="480" height="204" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p>A pair of R-rated dramas anchor this week’s major home video releases.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Gone Girl</strong></p> <p><strong>3½ stars (out of four)<br /> Rated R for a scene of bloody violence, some strong sexual content/nudity, and language<br /> 20<sup>th</sup> Century Fox<br /> Available on: Blu-ray, DVD and digital download</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>Few directors match David Fincher in terms of filmmaking prowess. He is known as a perfectionist, and his work ethic results in exciting films that drip with atmosphere and often take viewers by surprise. From that standpoint, “Gone Girl” is a quintessential Fincher project. Based on the bestselling 2012 novel by Gillian Flynn, the movie focuses on Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck), an average guy who is thrown into the spotlight when his semi-famous wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), goes missing. At first, Nick gets a sympathetic reaction from the public and Amy’s parents, but as the case wears on, he becomes the primary suspect.</p> <p> </p> <p>Flynn adapted her own book to the screen, and the material translates relatively well, as viewers spend much of the movie wondering whether they can – or should – trust Nick. This is possible, in large part, thanks to a spot-on performance by Affleck. Over the years, the actor has taken some heat (most of it unjustified) for his performances, but he has matured with age, and his version of Nick is perfect. Affleck paints his character as charming enough to be likable, but guarded enough to leave doubts. </p> <p> </p> <p>Pike is even better as Amy, and there’s talk of a best actress Oscar nomination for her performance. She would be deserving of the honor, as this is the best – and flashiest – work of her career. </p> <p> </p> <p>The movie also features standout roles for Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, Carrie Coon and Kim Dickens. “Gone Girl” is not, however, a simple actors’ showcase. Much of the credit for the film’s success goes to Flynn and to Fincher’s ability to translate her story to the screen.</p> <p> </p> <p>As modern and exciting as Fincher’s filmmaking is, “Gone Girl” plays out like an old-fashioned thriller. That means the emphasis is on plot, and – aside from a questionable finale – the storytelling is as engaging as it gets. The film is filled with sharp turns, and most work flawlessly. That said, I was troubled by the final twist. But that’s almost a good thing because it is guaranteed to spark conversation, and that’s a hallmark of great art.</p> <p> </p> <p>The DVD release has no extras, but the Blu-ray features an audio commentary by Fincher.</p> <p> </p> <p><br /> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/loveisstrangefilm.jpg" style="height:368px; width:625px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Love Is Strange</strong></p> <p><strong>3 stars<br /> Rated R for language<br /> Sony Pictures Classics<br /> Available on: Blu-ray, DVD, digital download and on demand</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>With “Love Is Strange,” director Ira Sachs offers a compelling romantic tale about two men whose lives come apart shortly after the happiest moment in their lives.</p> <p> </p> <p>After a four-decade love affair, Ben (John Lithgow) and George (Alfred Molina) are finally able to wed, and they mark the occasion with a joyful gathering of family and friends. The celebration is short-lived, however, because after the wedding, George is dismissed from his job as a church music teacher. Since Ben is retired, the two men immediately get into financial trouble, and they are forced to sell their comfortable apartment, netting almost nothing.</p> <p> </p> <p>The only option is for the couple to seek help from friends, but nobody has enough room for both of them. So, Ben moves in with his nephew (Darren Burrows) and his family while George stays with two younger pals (Cheyenne Jackson and Manny Perez). Along with living separately, the aging men must adjust to drastically different lifestyles. Ben’s nephew is a workaholic, and his author wife (Marisa Tomei) finds it difficult to write with Ben puttering about her house. In the meantime, George struggles to sleep because the youthful friends who took him in party until the wee hours every night. Despite the struggles, Ben and George find solace in the one thing they’ve always had: each other.</p> <p> </p> <p>“Love Is Strange” is talky, and it moves slowly, but it is also punctuated by outstanding performances from Lithgow and Molina. These men are phenomenal talents, and they are particularly good when sharing the screen. That’s not to take anything away from the rest of the cast, as every actor is solid.</p> <p> </p> <p>Although the movie focuses on a same-sex relationship, the issues it broaches are universal. It’s easy to imagine the pain any couple would face if suddenly ripped apart after decades together, and Sachs and his actors do a fine job reflecting on the situation.  </p> <p> </p> <p>Blu-ray and DVD extras include a Q&amp;A session from the Los Angeles Film Festival, a making-of feature and an audio commentary with Sachs, Molina and Lithgow.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>ALSO OUT THIS WEEK</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“A Walk Among the Tombstones”: Liam</strong> Neeson stars as a private investigator hired to find out who murdered a crime boss’s wife. Directed by Scott Frank.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“The Identical”:</strong> Drama about identical twins (both played by Blake Rayne) who are separated shortly after birth and take different paths through the world. Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd, Seth Green and Joe Pantoliano also star. Directed by Dustin Marcellino.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“The Two Faces of January”:</strong> Thriller about a young man (Oscar Isaac) who is tangled in illegal dealings after becoming infatuated by a beautiful woman (Kirsten Dunst) and her wealthy husband (Viggo Mortensen). Co-written and directed by Hossein Amini.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“Tyrant” – The Complete First Season:</strong> First 10 episodes of the FX drama about the son of a Middle-Eastern tyrant (Adam Rayner) who is grudgingly drawn into his father’s world.  Jennifer Finnigan, Ashraf Barhom and Fares Fares also star.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“Boardwalk Empire” – The Complete Fifth Season:</strong> Final eight episodes of the HBO drama about the dealings of a corrupt politician working in Atlantic City during the Prohibition era.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“House of Lies” – The Third Season:</strong> This popular Showtime series focuses on the personal and professional life of high-profile management consultant Marty Kaan (Don Cheadle). Kristen Bell, Ben Schwartz and Josh Lawson also star.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“Dallas” – The Complete Third Season:</strong> TNT’s revival of the original “Dallas” lasted only three seasons, but fans can revisit the last 15 episodes with this set. In season three, Bobby (Patrick Duffy) has become the eldest member of the powerful Ewing family. Josh Henderson, Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Julie Gonzalo and Ken Kercheval also star.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant”:</strong> Criterion Collection restoration of writer-director Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s 1972 movie about a nasty fashion designer (Margrit Carstensen) who falls in love with an aspiring model (Hanna Schygulla). Presented in German with English subtitles.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“The Scorpion King 4 – Quest for Power”:</strong> Yet another direct-to-video addition to “The Scorpion King” franchise. Victor Webster reprises his role as the title character, and he finds himself in a position where he must battle an entire kingdom of soldiers. Rutger Hauer, Lou Ferrigno and Royce Gracie also star.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“The Facts of Life” – The Complete Series: </strong>All nine seasons of the 1980s sitcom about an all-girls boarding school in New York. Charlotte Rae, Lisa Whelchel, Kim Fields, Molly Ringwald, Nancy McKeon and Mindy Cohn star.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“NYPD Blue” – Season 8:</strong> Twenty episodes of the long-running police drama created by Steven Bochco and David Milch. Dennis Franz, Rick Schroder, Kim Delaney and Gordon Clapp star. </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Author Bio: </strong></p> <p><strong><em>Forrest Hartman is an independent film critic whose byline has appeared in some of the nation's largest publications. For more of his work visit <a href="http://www.ForrestHartman.com">www.ForrestHartman.com</a>.</em></strong></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/gone-girl" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">gone girl</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/love-strange" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">love is strange</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/ben-affleck" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">ben affleck</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/david-fincher" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">david fincher</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/alfred-molina" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">alfred molina</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/new-dvd-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new on dvd</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/dvds" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">DVDs</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/home-video" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">home video</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Forrest Hartman</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Tue, 13 Jan 2015 19:14:07 +0000 tara 5611 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/4565-gone-girl-love-strange-arrive-home-video#comments Movies to Watch in 2014 https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/3452-movies-watch <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/film-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Film &amp; TV</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Thu, 02/20/2014 - 09:36</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/noah.jpg?itok=vk0_nI25"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/noah.jpg?itok=vk0_nI25" width="480" height="282" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p>Now that the awards season is almost over, with only the Academy Awards remaining, our attention turns toward the most eagerly awaited films of 2014. This past year focused on real-life stories, with stellar accomplishments like <em>12 Years a Slave</em>, <em>American Hustle</em>, <em>Wolf of Wall Street</em>, <em>The Butler</em>, and <em>Mandela</em>. However, 2014 is looking to both expand on and provide some counterpoint to this trend, with a new crop of fantasy, sci-fi, futuristic, and supernatural films, as well as historical fiction.</p> <p> </p> <p>As there are every year, a few standout films begin creating buzz long before they debut in theaters. They are touted as the “ones to watch” due to the possession of an all-star cast, their inspiration from a beloved prior work, or fantastic reviews and fanfare from critics. Below you’ll find a few of the films that have already garnered anticipation for their 2014 premieres.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em>Noah</em></strong></p> <p>In his first film since <em>Black Swan</em>, Darren Aronofsky takes on a project of massive proportions with <em>Noah</em>. Hoping to resurrect the Biblical epic in a mainstream movie, he plans to retell the famous story of Noah and the flood. With a budget clocking in at around $130 million as well as a cast of A-listers including Jennifer Connelly, Russell Crowe, Emma Watson, and Anthony Hopkins, <em>Noah </em>seems sure to bring in an audience, regardless of their religious views. The film isn’t strictly historical or realistic either, according to Emma Watson, who <a href="http://www.totalfilm.com/news/emma-watson-on-her-future-projects-video-interview">stated in an interview</a>, “It could be set sort of like a thousand years in the future or a thousand years in the past.” The film also features entirely computer-generated, fictitious animals, which Aronofsky <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/darren-aronofsky-paramount-spar-noah-648777">described to <em>The Hollywood Reporter</em></a> as the most complicated that the CGI production company Industrial Light &amp; Magic had ever created.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em>Gone Girl</em></strong></p> <p>This film adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s novel of the same name is sure to be a divisive film for viewers. When talking to <em>Entertainment Weekly</em>, Flynn <a href="http://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/gone-girl-film-adaptation-deviate-from-book/">said the film</a> would deviate from the novel, which is typical for film adaptations, but might not go over well for fans of the book. But fans should have faith in director David Fincher, who is no stranger to film adaptations of best-selling books (his resume includes <em>The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo</em>). Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, and Missi Pyle headline the cast who are sure to perform well in their portrayal of the gritty subject matter.<br />  </p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/enemymovie.jpg" style="height:625px; width:459px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em>Enemy</em></strong></p> <p>This Canadian adaptation of the Jose Saramago novel <em>The Double </em>has developed a cult following since its screening at the 2013 Toronto Film Festival. The film tells the story of two seemingly identical men living very different lives, both played by Jake Gyllenhaal. While university professor Adam Bell exists in a routine of mundane life, his “double” is fledgling actor Anthony Clair. After seeing a film with Clair in it, Bell sets out to meet him. When they do meet, it becomes clear they aren’t just doppelgangers, they are truly doubles of the same person. The film spirals into a surreal world of who’s who and the origin of the doubles. If you’re a DirecTV subscriber you can catch it ahead of it’s March 14th theatrical release via their OnDemand offerings (more info through <a href="http://www.directstartv.com/">www.directstartv.com</a>).</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em>Maleficent</em></strong></p> <p>While the story of Maleficent originated in Disney’s famous <em>Sleeping Beauty</em>, this film isn’t going to come close to that kind of saccharine sweetness. Starring Angelina Jolie as the “Mistress of All Evil,” <em>Maleficent</em> tackles the tale of <em>Sleeping Beauty</em> from the villain's perspective. From <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pgmFAOgm5E">the trailer</a> alone, it’s obvious the film will be visually stunning, with cutting-edge computer generated effects and masterful prosthetics. While no reviews have been published yet, expect big box-office numbers similar to those of <em>Snow White</em>.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/budapesthotel.jpg" style="height:374px; width:625px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em>The Grand Budapest Hotel</em></strong></p> <p>This film from famed director Wes Anderson has already generated a slew of positive reviews praising its signature quirkiness and dedication to a lush visual experience. Like his previous films, Anderson stacked <em>The Grand Budapest Hotel</em> with big names, including Ralph Fiennes, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Jude Law, Owen Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Saoirse Ronan, Adrien Brody, and Harvey Keitel. While his films aren’t to everyone's taste, if you’re an Anderson fan, this is not going to be one to miss. <a href="http://www.indiewire.com/article/review-wes-andersons-the-grand-budapest-hotel-is-a-delightful-action-comedy-as-only-he-could-make-it">IndieWire’s Eric Kohn declared that</a>, “With each beat exquisitely tied to Anderson's techniques, his zippy historical fairy tale (replete with hand-scrawled chapter headings) has a thoroughly immersive quality.”<br />  </p> <p><br /> <strong><em>Jersey</em></strong><strong><em> Boys</em></strong></p> <p>Based on the Tony Award winning musical of the same name, <em>Jersey Boys</em> tells the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons from before their creation to the eventual breakup of the group. Directed by Clint Eastwood, this film is sure to be one of the most anticipated of the year, as the musical already has a large international fan base. While it doesn’t have a big name cast, expect it to make a star out of John Lloyd young. Young’s portrayal of Valli in the original Broadway production won him an array of awards and critical praise.  </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em>Boyhood</em></strong></p> <p>Perhaps one of the most ambitious films to be made in recent memory,<em> Boyhood</em> took an astonishing 12 years to film and follows the lead actor from boyhood to adulthood. Writer/director Richard Linklater shot every few years out of the year starting in 2002 to capture the complexities of growing up in today’s world. Created as a series of 12 short films, <em>Boyhood</em> <a href="http://www.timeout.com/us/film/boyhood">was described</a> by <em>Time Out</em>’s Joshua Rothkopf as “unshakable, witty and deeply felt.” Watching lead actor Ellar Coltrane grow from a child to a man in the span of 163 minutes promises to be a moving and powerful experience for the audience.<br />  </p> <p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/mostwantedman.jpg" style="height:403px; width:625px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em>A Most Wanted Man</em></strong></p> <p>In what was, sadly, his last role, Phillip Seymour Hoffman portrays Günther Bachmann, a German intelligence agent on the hunt for an escaped Islamist terrorist he suspects German lawyer Annabel Richter (played by Rachel McAdams) is connected to. Based on the novel of the same name, <em>A Most Wanted Man</em> tells the true story of the wrongly accused terrorist Murat Kurnaz, who was detained and tortured at Guantanamo Bay. It sheds a hypercritical light on American policies and explores the dark side to our intelligence programs. A must-see for those interested in the espionage genre.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p><em>Kate Voss is a contributing writer at</em> Highbrow Magazine.</p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/2014-movies" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">2014 movies</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/budapest-hotel" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">budapest hotel</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/wes-anderson" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Wes Anderson</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/noah" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">noah</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/gone-girl" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">gone girl</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/enemy" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">enemy</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/jersey-boys" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">jersey boys</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/boyhood" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">boyhood</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/most-wanted-man" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">a most wanted man</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/hollywood" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Hollywood</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/oscars" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Oscars</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Kate Voss</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Thu, 20 Feb 2014 14:36:43 +0000 tara 4300 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/3452-movies-watch#comments