|
Hollywood Hits February 2020
|
|
|
|
|
Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood
Tom Hanks portrays Mister Rogers in a timely story of kindness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod. After a jaded magazine writer is assigned a profile of Fred Rogers, he overcomes his skepticism, learning about kindness, love, and forgiveness from America’s most beloved neighbor.
Director: Marielle Heller
Starring: Tom Hanks, Christine Lahti, Wendy Makkena, Matthew Rhys, Susan Kelechi Watson, Enrico Colantoni, Chris Cooper, Tammy Blanchard
Quotes: "Tom Hanks fits the red sweater like he was born in it, but Marielle Heller's unique take on Fred Rogers' magnetism exceeds impersonation." - Toronto Star
"Nearly impossible not to L-I-K-E it, exactly as it is." - Entertainment Weekly
"...a lovely, soft-hearted fable that works on you in an enchanting way." - Variety
|
|
|
Bombshell
A group of women decides to take on Fox News head Roger Ailes and the toxic atmosphere he presided over at the network.
Director: Jay Roach
Starring: Margot Robbie, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Liv Hewson, Charlize Theron, Jennifer Morrison, Alice Eve, Nicole Kidman, Tricia Helfer, D'Arcy Carden, Allison Janney, Kate McKinnon, Ashley Greene, Mark Duplass
Quotes: "Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, John Lithgow at the top of their game in a solid recap of sexual harassment at Fox News." - Richard Roeper
"Here's the thing about sexism: It doesn't discriminate. It's an equal opportunity prejudice that cuts across history, culture, political affiliation. 'Bombshell' gets this." - New York Times
"Theron, Kidman, and Robbie-all nominees for Screen Actors Guild awards-come out blazing in this tale of how the women of Fox News brought down a predatory CEO. It's explosive entertainment that means to make a difference. Listen up." - Rolling Stone
|
|
|
Frozen II
Why was Elsa born with magical powers? The answer is calling her and threatening her kingdom. Together with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven, she'll set out on a dangerous but remarkable journey. In the first film, Elsa feared her powers were too much for the world. Now she must hope they are enough.
Director: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Starring: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, Santino Fontana, Alfred Molina, Martha Plimpton, Jason Ritter, Evan Rachel Wood, Sterling K. Brown, Rachel Matthews
Quotes: "...one of the most beautifully animated films of the decade, filled with stunning visual pyrotechnics and incredible attention to detail." - Richard Roeper
"With 'Frozen II,' Disney has done the impossible: It's made a terrific animated-musical sequel." - New York Post
"One thing that really sets 'Frozen 2' apart from its predecessor is the visuals, which are as gorgeous and awe-inspiring as computer animation can possibly get." - Toronto Star
|
|
|
Knives Out
A tribute to mystery mastermind Agatha Christie and a fun, modern-day murder mystery where everyone is a suspect. When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan’s dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan’s untimely death.
Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Christopher Plummer, Ana De Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, Lakeith Stanfield, Katherine Langford, Jaeden Martell
Quotes: "A silly, stabby, supremely clever whodunnit that only really suffers from having too little room for each of its talented players to fully register in the film's limited run time." - Entertainment Weekly
"Johnson hasn't just churned out a wink-wink spoof of the classical drawing-room mystery... with its ingenious twists and turns, he has crafted an intricate puzzle-box narrative worthy of the genre's brainiest practitioners." - Los Angeles Times
"Johnson keeps us guessing, which is good, but the thing that makes this a better mousetrap than most isn't the complexity, but the fact he's managed to rig it without the usual cheese." - Variety
"A delicious throwback to the all-star whodunit, this juicy comedy thriller is a treat from start to finish, which should make it a sizeable hit for Lionsgate." - Hollywood Reporter
|
|
|
Midway
Centers on the Battle of Midway, a clash between the American fleet and the Imperial Japanese Navy which marked a pivotal turning point in the Pacific Theater during WWII. The film, based on the real-life events of this heroic feat, tells the story of the leaders and soldiers who used their instincts, fortitude, and bravery to overcome the odds.
Director: Roland Emmerich
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Patrick Wilson, Luke Evans, Ed Skrein, Dennis Quaid, Mandy Moore, Alexander Ludwig, Aaron Eckhart, Darren Criss, Nick Jonas, Luke Kleintank, Jake Weber, Keean Johnson
Quotes: "'Midway' tells a story that's vividly and viscerally rendered, with all the entertainment value of a big, old-fashioned war movie..." - Washington Post
"The film's drama is B-movie basic. But the destructive colliding metal-on-metal inferno of what war is what makes 'Midway' a picture worth seeing." - Variety
"Ambiguity is not its goal, nor is nihilism its motivating philosophy. It aims to celebrate heroism, sacrifice, determination and grit, and if you don't like that it really does not care." - Los Angeles Times
|
|
|
Spies In Disguise
Super spy Lance Sterling and scientist Walter Beckett are almost exact opposites. Lance is smooth, suave, and debonair. Walter is not. But when events take an unexpected turn, this unlikely duo is forced to team up for the ultimate mission that will require an almost impossible disguise, transforming Lance into the brave, fierce, majestic pigeon. Walter and Lance suddenly have to work as a team, or the whole world is in peril.
Director: Nick Bruno, Troy Quane
Starring: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan, Ben Mendelsohn, Rashida Jones, Rachel Brosnahan, Reba McEntire, Masi Oka, Carla Jimenez, DJ Khaled
Quotes: "Nearly every scene pops with bright colors, and the characters have giant heads and big eyes, the better to convey their every emotion." - Richard Roeper
"It's a proud piece of family entertainment with a good heart, an eye for inventive action, and a delightfully wacky sense of humor." - Entertainment Weekly
"Spies in Disguise is also kind of a weird, and that's why it works. Here's hoping more movies take that intel to heart." - Washington Post
|
|
|
Uncut Gems
A charismatic jeweler makes a high-stakes bet that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime. In a precarious high-wire act, he must balance business, family, and adversaries on all sides in pursuit of the ultimate win.
Director: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie
Starring: Adam Sandler, Julia Fox, Kevin Garnett, Idina Menzel, Lakeith Stanfield, Pom Klementieff, Eric Bogosian, The Weeknd
Quotes: "Uncut Gems emerges as real gem itself, a sparkling comedy-drama about a compulsive gambler and risk-taker who never knows when to quit." - Hollywood Reporter
"In 2019, the Waterboy has become a man." - New York Post
"Adam Sandler does award-worthy work as a jeweler addicted to the gambling rush." - Chicago Sun-Times
"Directed with relentless tension and diamond-hard intelligence by Josh and Benny Safdie, "Uncut Gems" is a thriller and a character study, a tragedy and a blast." - Los Angeles Times
|
|
|
Mercer County Library System 2751 Brunswick Pike Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 Phone: (609) 882-9246 E-mail: nrsupprt@mcl.org |
|
|