Whether it’s of the bombastic, Hollywood lifestyle sort or the daring, seafaring variety, adventure is out there! This weekend brings us the raucous thrills of a group of meatheads whose “American Dream is bigger than yours” in Pain & Gains,a throwback Michael Bay production reminiscent of The Rock (1996) and Bad Boys (1995).Personally, I’m particularly excited about Norway’s official Oscar submission for last year (and my preferred winner),Kon-Tiki, making it stateside thanks to the Weinstein Company. I cannot speak highly enough of this magnificent display of human determination and curiosity laced with good old-fashioned exploration and adventure. If the adrenaline is too much for you, perhaps Robert De Niro in another family comedy, The Big Wedding, might settle things down. Jeff Nichols’ Mudand Mira Nair’s The Reluctant Fundamentalistoffer extra helpings of drama and thriller.
Writer/Director Rahim Bahrani, responsible for the indie hit, Goodbye Solo (2008) puts some of his best cinematic qualities to use in his newest film At Any Price starring Dennis Quaid and Zac Efron. Bahrani’s take on mid-western culture is at times fascinating though has many instances of feeling like a Lifetime movie of the week. Layered with narrative vices and escalating tension, the true savior of the film is the powerhouse performance by Quaid.
Telling the story of the Whipple’s, a farming family whose agriculture business is threatened by an impending investigation of their fields and the procedures they follow. In the midst of the ordeal, the relationship of a father and his rebellious son (Efron) is tested to their max. Bahrani’s interpretation of modern-day Iowa and the communities that surround is an interesting examination of American values that he respectfully caresses however; he does tend to lean on the clichéd dialogue of family melodrama with short cuts and unrealistic story developments that don’t do him or his characters any favors. Read more on TRIBECA: At Any Price (***)…
It’s a short, sweet podcast today as the Awards Circuit Power Hour reveals the results of our first annual Circuit Madness. We’re down to four films and we may be in store for a surprise or two. Download the latest bracket>>>Oscar_Madness_Full_8
We talk over the news of the past week including the new trailer for Richard Linklater’s Before Midnight, Wes Anderson possibly entering the Oscar race for the second year in a row, and the December releases becoming “thinner” than usual.
SXSW is right around the corner so I’ve decided to give you all a Tuesday Top 10 treat from Terence (oh the alliteration!). Unlike Sundance, this film festival contains way more known properties and “bigger” indie films, but more than makes up for it with interesting programming choices. You can see my full schedule at this link but here’s a list of the top 10 films I’m anticipating the most! Read more on Top 10 Most Anticipated Films of SXSW…
SXSW is right around the corner so I’ve decided to give you all a Tuesday Top 10 treat from Terence (oh the alliteration!). Unlike Sundance, this film festival contains way more known properties and “bigger” indie films, but more than makes up for it with interesting programming choices. You can see my full schedule at this link but here’s a list of the top 10 films I’m anticipating the most! 
