Twist of Fate
THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT
Stars Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Theo James
Director Robert Schwentke
Picking up where last year’s “Divergent” left off, “Insurgent” will once again take us to a futuristic dystopian world where the society is divided into distinct factions. In other words: The perfect setting for a thriller filled with action, drama and shocking plot twists. Speaking of twists, readers of the novel trilogy the movie is based on will be quite familiar with the mind-blowing revelation at the very end. Obviously, this cliffhanger ending also serves as a sequel hook for the third and final installment of this epic series, or at least part one of the final movie.
Tripping Out
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Stars Vince Vaughn, Tom Wilkinson, Dave Franco
Director Ken Scott
A trio of businessmen goes on a business trip to Europe in order to close a deal that will either make or break their fledgling company. Intriguing but not exactly out of the ordinary, right? However, this being a comedy movie, what started as a normal, if somewhat awkward, business trip for three mismatched associates quickly turns into a hilarious adventure involving a rival firm, a sex fetish event, riots and much, much more. In short, many hijinks will ensue before their business becomes un-unfinished.
Partners in Crime
SERENA
Stars Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence
Director Susanne Bier
A brash entrepreneur (Bradley Cooper) fights for his precarious logging business amid financial trouble, risky investment and environmentally-minded authorities in the Depression-era North Carolina. As crisis looms, the suave gentleman falls helplessly in love with the beautiful Serena (Jennifer Lawrence) whom he marries and brings in as business partner. Things go downhill from there—much like the movie itself, which languished for two years in company archives before finally hitting the big screen. Still, the chemistry between JLaw and Coop (this is their third time starring in a movie together), as well as their individual performances, gives “Serena” a much-needed oomph.
Cloudy Passion
FIFTY SHADES OF GREY
Stars Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Jennifer Ehle
Director Sam Taylor-Johnson
Ever since it was announced that E.L. James’ bestselling, BDSM-filled novel will have a movie adaptation, moviegoers and “Fifty Shades of Grey” fans alike have been up in arms about everything from casting to the sure-to-be-watered-down naughty bits. Taking up the mantle of enigmatic and definitely American Christian Grey is Irish actor Jamie Dornan (although Robert Pattinson was supposedly E.L. James’ personal choice for the role), while the frail Anastasia Steele will be played by the lovely Dakota Johnson. This is definitely the prime contender for the title of “Most Controversial Movie of 2015.”
Fight for the Universe
JUPITER ASCENDING
Stars Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Sean Bean
Directors Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
Down-on-her-luck janitor Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis) is about to find out that she is an heir to a dominion that could possibly give her control of the universe. Naturally, the alien antagonists also vying for that inheritance are none too pleased to hear this. Luckily, our plucky heroine is aided by Caine Wise (Channing Tatum), a hunter with both human and wolf DNA spliced into his body, and Stinger Apini (Sean Bean) who plays the role of mentor to the two protagonists. It would seem that the space opera genre is alive and well in 2015.
Good Ol’ Chap
CHAPPIE
Stars Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver
Director Neill Blomkamp
“Chappie” tells the story of, well, Chappie: The world’s first artificially intelligent robot capable of learning from the people around him and eventually developing feelings of his own. Unfortunately, as any human child will learn in time, not all people have the best of intentions, and some feelings will hurt. From being bullied by street kids, adopted by an urban gang, to being pursued by the military, “Chappie” takes moviegoers on a rollercoaster of emotions as it explores the notion of being different.
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