Screening: THE KITCHEN

THE KITCHEN

In Theaters August 9

(New Line Cinema/BRON Creative)

https://www.thekitchenmovie.com/

#TheKitchenMovie 

The gritty, female-driven mob drama "The Kitchen," from New Line Cinema and BRON Creative, is written and directed by Andrea Berloff, who was nominated for an Oscar for the original screenplay for "Straight Outta Compton."

"The Kitchen" stars Melissa McCarthy ("Bridesmaids"), Tiffany Haddish ("Girls Trip") and Elisabeth Moss ("The Handmaid's Tale") as three 1978 Hell's Kitchen housewives whose mobster husbands are sent to prison by the FBI. Left with little but a sharp ax to grind, the ladies take the Irish mafia’s matters into their own hands—proving unexpectedly adept at everything from running the rackets to taking out the competition…literally.

The film also stars Domhnall Gleeson ("Star Wars: The Last Jedi"), James Badge Dale ("Only the Brave"), Brian d'Arcy James ("Spotlight"), with Margo Martindale (TV's "The Americans"), Oscar winner Common ("Selma," "Marshall"), and Bill Camp (TV's "The Night Of"); along with Jeremy Bobb ("Marshall"), E.J. Bonilla (TV's "The Long Road Home"), Wayne Duvall ("Prisoners"), Annabella Sciorra (TV's "Daredevil"), Myk Watford.

Berloff's screenplay is based on the Vertigo comic book series created by Ollie Masters and Ming Doyle for DC.  Multiple Oscar nominee Michael De Luca ("Captain Phillips," "Moneyball," "The Social Network") and Marcus Viscidi ("Rampage") are producing. Serving as executive producers are Richard Brener, Dave Neustadter, Michael Disco, Aaron L. Gilbert, Jason Cloth, and Elishia Holmes.

Berloff’s creative team includes director of photography Maryse Alberti (“Creed”), production designer Shane Valentino ("Straight Outta Compton"), Oscar-nominated editor Christopher Tellefsen ("Moneyball," "A Quiet Place") and costume designer Sarah Edwards (upcoming "Ocean’s 8," Showtime’s "Billions").

Principal photography will take place primarily in and around the film’s setting, New York City's famed Hell's Kitchen.

A New Line Cinema production, "The Kitchen" is currently set for release on September 20, 2019.  It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish, Elisabeth Moss, Domhnall Gleeson, James Badge Dale, Brian d’Arcy James, with Margo Martindale, Common, and Bill Camp, Jeremy Bobb, E.J. Bonilla, Wayne Duvall, Annabella Sciorra, Myk Watford

Director: Andrea Berloff

Mob Drama. Based on the Vertigo comic book series from DC Entertainment, the film stars Oscar nominee Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish and Elisabeth Moss as three 1978 Hell’s Kitchen housewives whose mobster husbands are sent to prison by the FBI. Left with little but a sharp ax to grind, the ladies take the Irish mafia’s matters into their own hands—proving unexpectedly adept at everything from running the rackets to taking out the competition…literally.

Screening:

Tuesday, August 6 – 7:00pm

AMC Mazza Gallerie

5300 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20015

Screening Link: http://www.wbtickets.com/watchkitchen

As always, screenings are first-come, first-served so please arrive early to ensure you get a seat.

Be sure to Like and Follow Watch or Pass so you don't miss out on future screenings and share with your friends!

What to Watch This Weekend: July 26, 2019

In Theaters: The Farewell
I am going to preface this by saying I haven't seen The Farewell, but the trailer looks fantastic and it has a ridiculously good Rotten Tomatoes score.   It is having a wider release this weekend (including expanded showings in the DMV) so if it has hit theaters in your area check it out.  I know I am!

In Theaters: Booksmart
Booksmart is one of my favorite movies of the year, and it's returning to theaters with $5 tickets starting Saturday.  Our review called Booksmart “a smart, sharp, hilarious comedy and the new valedictorian of the high school coming of age class.”  If you missed the film or just want to rewatch it on the big screen for a great price, check your local theaters to see if they have it.  

Streaming (HBO): First Man

Celebrate the Apollo 11 landing (well that was last weekend but it's close enough) by checking out the biopic about the first man to walk on the moon.  The effects were amazing and the story was compelling, but I couldn't get over Gosling's portrayal of Neil Armstrong.  It was probably true to form, but he just didn't seem like a very interesting character with a shoehorned emotional hook to get you to care more.  However, it is definitely worth checking out if you have HBO.

Streaming (Netflix): Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse
One of the best films of 2018 and the Oscar winner for best animated film, Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse is a beautifully animated film that manages to capture a comic style in CG.  It has fantastic animation, an interesting story, and introduces us to the multiverse and a compelling new Spider-Man.  Don't miss this one if you haven't seen it.  If you have, watch it again! 

Review: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Release date: July 26, 2019
Running time: 161 minutes
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is Quentin Tarantino's 9th project that takes us to 1969 Hollywood and follows the exploits of fella TV and movie star Rick Dalton, played by Leonard DiCaprio, and his stunt double Cliff Booth, played by Brad Pitt.  The pair try to cope with a rapidly changing Hollywood that they no longer recognize from their glory days.  DiCaprio's character is an emotional mess as he deals with this change, while Pitt's character was cold as ice despite the shifting nature of Hollywood.  

This movie depicts 1969 Hollywood by compiling numerous story lines.  Some lead to danger, some lead to new opportunities, but all have consequences.  As with every Tarantino film, these story lines are filled with cameos from stars, new and old.  You'll see Luke Perry, Margot Robbie, Mike Moh (as Bruce Lee!), Dakota Fanning, and Maya Hawke to name a few.  

When it comes to a Tarantino project you can usually guarantee two things: tons of gore and action shots involving feet.  However, in Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, Tarantino breaks from his mold and only includes one of these! Despite the lack of gore, there is some action, but the real draws of the film are the fantastic acting, interesting dialogue, and the film's vibrant score.  

As you would expect from a film set in 1969, One Upon a Time in Hollywood  is filled with 60's and 70's nostalgia from labels, brands, businesses, devices, and my favorite, classic cars.  Just imagine all of the classic Hollywood commercials but with Tarantino's style and a star-studded cast.  Tarantino went all out, including using 35 mm film to really capture the feel of the era.  This authenticity includes film distortion and other 35 mm editing techniques.  It really is amazing to see!  

It’s not all positive in Hollywood’s golden era. This film is a three hour movie and at times it feels like it.  Sometimes it just lacked the ability to keep the audience’s attention.  This is a problem in an almost three hour film and something that is unusual for a Tarantino piece.  It feels like it could have been remedied by some cutting of unnecessarily or tonally abstract scenes in order to shorten the run time.  Additionally, the idealized Hollywood setting sometimes fails to display the harshness of the changing times and downplays the evil nature of the Manson family.  

In all this movie was about three hours long—standard for Tarantino films—but the lack of gore and action many of his other projects have caused it to feel like a three hour film.  If you stay for the ending, though, Tarantino makes up a little for this deficit.  If you are a Tarantino fan, you will likely see this in theaters, but if the prospect of sitting through a three hour film with little action doesn’t sound appealing to you, maybe wait to see it at home.  Once Upon a Time In Hollywood is a visual treat that captures a golden time in Hollywood perfectly, but the long run time and lack of action hamper this Tarantino epic.

Rent it.

Deal: Booksmart Tickets For $5

Heads up everyone, the fantastic coming-of-age comedy Booksmart is coming back to Regal and AMC theaters this weekend with $5 tickets! At the time of posting, Regal tickets were only available through the Regal website, but AMC tickets can be purchased through AMC, Fandango, and Atom. The promotional pricing is for tickets from Saturday, July 26 onwards so check your local theaters for showings starting Saturday!

Booksmart is definitely worth checking out and at $5 it is a fantastic deal!  Our review recommended watching it, calling it “a smart, sharp, hilarious comedy and the new valedictorian of the high school coming of age class.”  

Thanks to Slickdeals for the original link.

Screening: READY OR NOT

READY OR NOT

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtYTwUxhAoI

Release Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Starring: Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O’Brien, with Henry Czerny and Andie MacDowell

Directed by: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett

Written by: Guy Busick & R. Christopher Murphy 

Produced By: Tripp Vinson, James Vanderbilt, William Sherak, Bradley J. Fischer

READY OR NOT follows a young bride (Samara Weaving) as she joins her new husband’s (Mark O’Brien) rich, eccentric family (Adam Brody, Henry Czerny, Andie MacDowell) in a time-honored tradition that turns into a lethal game with everyone fighting for their survival. 

Screening Details:

Monday, August 19th  

AMC Mazza Gallerie

7:00pm

How to Enter:

If you would like to enter for an admit-two pass, please:

1. Like and Follow Watch or Pass on Facebook and Twitter.

2. Grab passes from the screening link: http://www.foxsearchlightscreenings.com/bsmmW64241

As always, screenings are first-come, first-served so please arrive early to ensure you get a seat.

Be sure to Like and Follow Watch or Pass so you don't miss out on future screenings and share with your friends!

What to Watch This Weekend: July 12, 2019

In Theaters: Stuber
Stuber is a wild ride from start to finish that has plenty of laughs, ridiculous situations, and interesting commentary on societal norms

See our review here: http://www.watchorpass.com/2019/07/review-stuber.html

From Redbox: Pet Sematary
The remake of the Stephen King classic is a creepy update to the original film.  The remake keep the same, suspenseful story with some updates.  It's not overtly scary, but it has enough suspense and unease to scratch the horror itch.

Streaming (Amazon): East Side Sushi

This movie was previously on streaming but took a haitus.  It was recently added back and it is defintely worth a watch.  The film is a great underdog story about a working-class, single mother, who decides to take a job at a local Japanese restaurant and pursue a dream of becoming a sushi chef. 

Streaming (Netflix): The Hundred Foot Journey
Continuing with the food theme for streaming, the Hundred Foot Journey also tells the story of an unlikely chef who decides to pursue his dreams against all odds.  

See our review here: http://www.watchorpass.com/2014/08/review-hundred-foot-journey.html

Review: Stuber

Release date: July 12, 2019
Running time: 93 minutes
Starring: Kumail Nanjiani, Dave Bautista, Iko Uwais

STUBER is a new buddy cop-style movie where Kumail Nanjiani--an unsuspecting Uber driver--agrees to give Dave Bautista a ride that leads to the journey of both of their lives.  Along the way there is plenty of humor, action, and some introspective conversations.  Think Collateral, but funny.  I went in thinking that this was going to be a terrible buddy cop movie, but boy was I wrong.  This film is legitimately funny and has a crazy enough ride that you will be enjoying it until you reach your destination.

The first thing you will notice about the movie is the chemistry between Nanjiani and Bautista.  Although they are completely different actors who play very different personas, they have a great back and forth throughout the film.  The charisma between the pair is evident from the start and only grows stronger throughout the journey.  This leads to some very funny interactions, where the cowardly but humorous Nanjiani has some great lines with the serious but courageous Bautista.

And STUBER is not just a one trick pony.  Although the main draw is the comedy and the interactions between the two leads, those interactions lead to some interesting dialogue and viewpoints about our changing times.  Maybe it is just the contrast of the two leads, but this film has some interesting things to say about old school vs. new school masculinity.  Some of this might be improv, some of it might be good writing, but either way it is interesting to watch the two compare and contrast old societal norms vs. current societal norms.  Whether it is the changing nature of technology, the differences in masculinity in our current society, or brute force vs. subtlety, the film is much deeper than I expected or initially gave it credit for.  

STUBER is a wild ride from start to finish that has plenty of laughs, ridiculous situations, and interesting commentary on societal norms.  As with any uber ride, you might start off guarded, but once you start to cruise you might actually enjoy it and leave a five star review.  STUBER is a ride that should not be missed.

Watch it.

What to Watch This Weekend: July 3, 2019

In Theaters: Spider-Man Far From Home
Spider-Man Far From Home is a welcome change of pace from the gravity of Endgame, with a ton of humor, amazing special effects, and an enjoyable end to this era of the MCU.  Make sure to catch it in theaters and stay for the two stingers!  4th of July Bonus, includes plenty of fireworks!

See our review here: http://www.watchorpass.com/2019/06/review-spider-man-far-from-home.html

From Redbox: Captain Marvel
Keeping with the Marvel theme, revisit another recent Marvel movie this weekend with plenty of fireworks, a strong female protagonist, and plenty of fun 90s nostalgia.

See our review here: http://www.watchorpass.com/2019/03/review-captain-marvel.html

Streaming (Amazon): The Spy Who Dumped Me
I was expecting this film to be terrible but ended up really enjoying it.  Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon are a great pair and lead to a ridiculous, but funny caper.

Streaming (Netflix): A Silent Voice
One of the best anime movies I have seen recently, a Silent Voice is a testament to the medium and an amazingly deep film about a boy who tries to redeem his past indiscretions.  It is a beautiful, moving film that should not be missed.  4th of July Bonus, also includes plenty of fireworks scenes!

Screening: GOOD BOYS

GOOD BOYS

In Theaters - August 16, 2019

Cast: Jacob Tremblay, Keith L. Williams, Brady Noon, Molly Gordon, Lil Rel Howery, Will Forte

Director: Gene Stupnitsky

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPXqwAGmX04

Rating: R

Just how bad can one day get? The creative minds behind Superbad, Pineapple Express and Sausage Party take on sixth grade hard in the outrageous comedy, Good Boys.

After being invited to his first kissing party, 12-year-old Max (Room’s Jacob Tremblay) is panicking because he doesn’t know how to kiss. Eager for some pointers, Max and his best friends Thor (Brady Noon, HBO’s Boardwalk Empire) and Lucas (Keith L. Williams, Fox’s The Last Man On Earth) decide to use Max’s dad’s drone – which Max is forbidden to touch – to spy (they think) on a teenage couple making out next door.

But when things go ridiculously wrong, the drone is destroyed. Desperate to replace it before Max’s dad (Will Forte, The Last Man on Earth) gets home, the boys skip school and set off on an odyssey of epically bad decisions involving some accidentally stolen drugs, frat-house paintball, and running from both the cops and terrifying teenage girls (Life of the Party’s Molly Gordon and Ocean’s Eight’s Midori Francis).

From Point Grey producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the writers of Superbad, Pineapple Express and Sausage Party, and James Weaver (Neighbors), Good Boys, from Universal Pictures and Good Universe, is written by the team of Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky (NBC’s The Office, Bad Teacher). Eisenberg also produces and Stupnitsky directs. https://www.goodboysmovie.com/

Screening Details:

Wednesday, July 10

7:00pm

Regal Majestic

How to Enter:

If you would like to enter for an admit-two pass, please send an email to watchorpass [at] gmail with the subject "GOOD BOYS SCREENING", and in the body include your name, email address, and the answer to the following question:  What is the craziest (legal) thing you did as a kid?

Be sure to Like and Follow Watch or Pass and share with your friends!

As always, screenings are first-come, first-served so please arrive early to ensure you get a seat.