Now Playing: American Sniper, Blackhat, The Wedding Ringer, Paddington

American Sniper

Official Synopsis: 
From director Clint Eastwood comes "American Sniper," starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. But there was much more to this true American hero than his skill with a rifle. U.S. Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle is sent to Iraq with only one mission: to protect his brothers-in-arms. His pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and, as stories of his courageous exploits spread, he earns the nickname "Legend." However, his reputation is also growing behind enemy lines, putting a price on his head and making him a prime target of insurgents. Despite the danger, as well as the toll on his family at home, Chris serves through four harrowing tours of duty in Iraq, becoming emblematic of the SEAL creed to "leave no man behind." But upon returning home, Chris finds that it is the war he can't leave behind.

North's Thoughts:
With six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, American Sniper is a must-see.
I've stated time and again that Bradley Cooper is one of the best actors around.
He had superb performances in American Hustle, The Place Beyond The Pines, and Silver Linings Playbook . Even his voice over work in Guardians Of The Galaxy stood out in a great ensemble.
Rest assured that he will bring the goods here, even if the film's director, Clint Eastwood, is hit-or-miss.


Blackhat

Official Synopsis: 
Set within the world of global cybercrime, Legendary's Blackhat follows a furloughed convict and his American and Chinese partners as they hunt a high-level cybercrime network from Chicago to Los Angeles to Hong Kong to Jakarta.

North's Thoughts:
The latest film from supremely talented director Michael Mann.
Much like I stated about Paul Thomas Anderson, Mann has earned my trust and price of admission.
His films are almost always slick, well shot and exciting dramas.
It's been over five years since he directed a feature and I can't wait to see his return to form.
Check out our Best Of Michael Mann Lists tomorrow to revisit his career.
And in the meantime slake your thirst for Mann with this little ditty.


The Wedding Ringer

Official Synopsis:
Doug Harris (Josh Gad) is a loveable but socially awkward groom-to-be with a problem: he has no best man. With less than two weeks to go until he marries the girl of his dreams (Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting), Doug is referred to Jimmy Callahan (Kevin Hart), owner and CEO of Best Man, Inc., a company that provides flattering best men for socially challenged guys in need. What ensues is a hilarious wedding charade as they try to pull off the big con, and an unexpected budding bromance between Doug and his fake best man Jimmy.

North's Thoughts:
In my mind there is no better theater experience than sharing laughs with an audience.
Seeing a good comedy with friends at the movies will forever enhance your thoughts on the film.
That's why we love the goofy comedies of our youth:
Even if the content isn't as great as once thought, you remember the good experience you had with it.
That being said, seeing a bad comedy is only worth it for snarking afterward.
Kevin Hart, Josh Gad and Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting are all funny people, so I have high hopes for the film.
And if I'm wrong, enjoy thrashing it mercilessly!


Paddington

Official Synopses:
From the beloved novels by Michael Bond and producer David Heyman (HARRY POTTER), PADDINGTON tells the story of the comic misadventures of a young Peruvian bear (voiced by Firth) who travels to the city in search of a home. Finding himself lost and alone, he begins to realize that city life is not all he had imagined - until he meets the kindly Brown family who read the label around his neck that says "Please look after this bear. Thank you," and offer him a temporary haven. It looks as though his luck has changed until this rarest of bears catches the eye of a museum taxidermist.

North's Thoughts:
The trailer for Paddington screened before two films I recently saw and the reaction was the same:
Kids want to see this movie.
There was jumping, shouting and pleading ("I want to go watch this!").
Too bad for the parents it wasn't opening for a few weeks.
The film is getting great reviews, from adults, with a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.
If the kids are right about Paddington, then I must report their other prediction:
Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 will be the greatest film is the history of the world.



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