“Brian Banks”
Based on a true story starring Aldis Hodge (“City on a Hill”) as Brian Banks, who at 17 thought he was destined for an NFL career when he was falsely accused of rape and then put through the criminal justice system for 10 years. Greg Kinnear stars as the founder of the California Innocence Project, which finally took up his case, thanks to Banks’ perseverance. Morgan Freeman has a small but pivotal role. It’s an inspiring story and absolute condemnation of our criminal justice system. The REAL Brian Jones guests on “Sonstein Sunday” this weekend at 7:15am.
2 ½ ♥
“The Kitchen”
2-time Oscar nominee Melissa McCarthy takes her 2nd dramatic turn in as many years (she was Oscar-nominated for “Can You Ever Forgive Me”) and co-stars with Tiffany Haddish and Elisabeth Moss. Three Irish mobster wives take matters into their own hands when their hubbies are imprisoned. It’s only getting 20% on Rotten Tomatoes.
“Dora and the Lost City Of Gold”
We get yet another live-action adaption of popular animated kids show. After spending most of her life exploring the jungle with parents (Eva Longoria and Michael Pena), Dora goes to high school. Her latest mission is to save her parents and solve the mystery behind the Lost City of Gold. It gets 75% on Rotten Tomatoes.
“After The Wedding”
A re-make of a 2007 Danish movie that replaces the male leads with women: Julianne Moore and Michelle Williams, who both share a connection with Billy Crudup, who plays Moore’s husband.Williams’s character has devoted her life to teaching orphans in India. Julianne Moore’s character is a media mogul who is contemplating making a major donation to the orphanage. It’s a story about bottled-up secrets exploding.There’s a heartbreaking scene showing why Julianne Moore is an Oscar winner. Julianne Moore’s real-life husband directs and will guest on “Sonstein Sunday” a week from this Sunday.
“Scary Stories to Tell In the Dark”
Co-written by Oscar winner Guillermo Del Toro, this is getting strong marks for visuals but not as much for the story. Set in 1968, it centers on a book of scary stories written by a tortured girl. Rotten Tomatoes gives it 80%.