Jason Bateman makes his big-screen directorial debut with Bad Words, in which he plays an adult who attempts to win a spelling bee after finding a loophole in the system. Bateman stars in the film alongside Rohan Chand, Kathryn Hahn, Allison Janey, Philip Baker Hall and Ben Falcone. Bad Words is now in limited release, but expands nationwide on March 28.
In Divergent, Beatrice Prior, a teenager with a special mind, finds her life threatened when an authoritarian leader seeks to exterminate her kind in her effort to seize control of their divided society. Stars Shailene Woodley, Theo James and Kate Winslet. Divergent is now open in wide release. For an additional perspective on the film, read Jacqueline’s review (60/100).
Fresh from prison, a street racer who was framed by a wealthy business associate joins a cross country race with revenge in mind. His ex-partner, learning of the plan, places a massive bounty on his head as the race begins. Stars Aaron Paul, Chillie Mo, and Dominic Cooper. Directed by Scott Waugh (Act of Valor). Need For Speed opens wide March 14th, 2014.
The Greek general Themistocles battles an invading army of Persians under the mortal-turned-god, Xerxes. Stars Eva Green, Rodrigo Santoro, and Sullivan Stapleton. Directed by Noam Murro.
Editor’s Notes: 300: Rise of an Empire is out in theatrical release today, March 7th. For an additional perspective on the film, read Parker’s review (38/100).
An air marshal springs into action during a transatlantic flight after receiving a series of text messages that put his fellow passengers at risk unless the airline transfers $150 million into an off-shore account. Stars Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore and Scoot McNairy. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra.
Philip Seymour Hoffman was one of the great actors of our time. Versatile, poised, and a Orson Wellesian figure of gravitas. On February 2, 2014, “The Master” co-star was found dead in his Manhattan apartment. He was 46. His passing is surely sudden and deeply tragic, but he’s left an impressive legacy for his contemporaries to aspire to. Stay groovy, Scotty J., stay groovy.
This video honours the numerous performers, both big and small (but nonetheless terrific), by Hoffman and aims to cut to the modulated levels of personality and weight that he brought to each and every movie role (Hoffman was also a known thespian).
Frankenstein’s creature finds himself caught in an all-out, centuries old war between two immortal clans. Stars Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy and Yvonne Strahovski. Directed by Stuart Beattie.
A pair of aging boxing rivals are coaxed out of retirement to fight one final bout — 50 years after their last match. Stars Sylvester Stallone, Robert DeNiro, Kevin Hart and Alan Arkin. Directed by Peter Segal.
A lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with his newly-purchased operating system that’s designed to meet his every need. Stars Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara and Scarlett Johansson. Directed by Spike Jonze.
The story of a con artist and his partner in crime, who were forced to work with a federal agent to turn the tables on other cons, mobsters, and politicians – namely, the volatile mayor of impoverished Camden, New Jersey. Stars Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Jennifer Lawrence. Directed by David O. Russel.