The Oscar Project
With only one wide release last week, this week's four wide release films seems like an absolute bonanza. That said, at least three of them appear to be worth seeing, depending on the mood you find yourself in.
Unfortunately, the same does not appear to be so for limited releases this week. There are definitely some films that fall into the category of bottom of the barrel films that the studios were holding onto until after the first of the year.
A Dog's Way Home
This film is sure to be a tearjerker. If you've seen 2017's A Dog's Purpose, you'll know how this film is going to work for the most part. Based on a book by the same author, A Dog's Way Home feels like a mashup between the previous film and the two classic versions of The Incredible Journey. There are a few big names in this film including Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World) voicing Bella, the lead dog as well as Ashley Judd (Double Jeopardy) and Edward James Olmos (Blade Runner). Other than that, the cast is relatively unheard of.
Replicas I was surprised to see a new Keanu Reeves science fiction film hitting theaters that had gone under the radar, but it's true. This time, Reeves plays Will Foster, a man who lost his family in a traffic accident and has worked ever since to bring them back through human cloning techniques. Things go wrong when the clones discover what they are and government officials attempt to shut down Foster's experimentation. We've had any number of movies about cloning humans as well as the potential issues with artificial or enhanced intelligence and this film seems to be the next in line. I doubt it will break any new ground in the genre.
The Upside
While Kevin Hart may not be the host of the Oscars, he is leading the charge in one of the better film options this weekend. In The Upside, he plays Dell, a parolee in search of work who lands a job caring for wealthy quadriplegic Phillip (Bryan Cranston). While not officially qualified for the job, Phillip likes the freewheeling spirit that Dell brings and the two become friends. While I don't think it's going to make a huge statement about race or social status, this film does feel like it's sending the message that you should never judge the book by the cover. Dell needs a job to be able to see his son while Phillip feels like the world only see the wheelchair he is confined to but both help the other break down some of their preconceptions.
On the Basis of Sex Ruth Bader Ginsburg hits the big screen as this film expands into wide release after a few weeks of limited release beginning last Christmas. Felicity Jones stars as the Supreme Court justice in the early years of her career. The second film about Ginsburg released in the last year, this one focuses on her early years and the foundation of work that led her to begin the Women's Rights Project at the ACLU and eventually join the Supreme Court in 1993.
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AuthorI'm just a film buff who wants to watch great movies. Where else to find the best, than the list of those nominated by the Academy each year? Archives
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