The Father Review: A Tough, Emotional Story of Family and Responsibility

Release date: March 12, 2021 (Theaters) and March 26, 2021 (PVOD)
Running time: 97 minutes
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Mark Gatiss, Imogen Poots, Rufus Sewell, Olivia Williams
Director: Florian Zeller

Anthony is 80, mischievous, living defiantly alone and rejecting the caretakers that his daughter, Anne, encouragingly introduces. Yet help is also becoming a necessity for Anne; she can’t make daily visits anymore and Anthony’s grip on reality is unravelling. As we experience the ebb and flow of his memory, how much of his own identity and past can Anthony cling to? How does Anne cope as she grieves the loss of her father, while he still lives and breathes before her? THE FATHER warmly embraces real life, through loving reflection upon the vibrant human condition; heart-breaking and uncompromisingly poignant – a movie that nestles in the truth of our own lives.

The Father is a film for those that love good acting and good dialogue.  The film has a stellar cast, headlined by the always amazing Anthony Hopkins.  He has a tough job playing the conflicted, unraveling father but he does so amazingly, balancing this tough performance with the ease we have come to expect form him.  Olivia Colman has a no less difficult job, as Anthony's daughter who is trying her best to help her father who does not want it.  The film introduces Anthony's slowly deteriorating grip on reality slowly, letting you start to wonder where the lines of the real world are drawn.  And again, this is all helped along by some very good dialogue, plenty of drama over this emotional turmoil, and a deep dive into the main characters.

The Father feels like a play, for all the good and bad that can do.  The father has a limited setting (mostly taking place in one location), really good dialogue, drama, and recurring characters throughout the story.  This leads to some great conversations and conflicts, but it also can feel like not a lot happens.  The limited setting and slow progression make it so that parts of the film just languish as we learn more about Anthony and his mental state.  And although the film overall is a tough, emotional story with very dramatic acting, overall The Father feels stationary.  And maybe that is part of the point of the film, something to showcase Anthony's stubbornness with life and with staying where he is, a noble goal but one that led to a story that just felt idle.  Watch this film if you're in the mood for a slower paced, dialogue and drama filled film.  But if you're not, this might not be the Anthony Hopkins acting showcase for you.

The Father's deep characters, great dialogue, and drama highlight a tough, emotional story about family and responsibilities.  

Rent it.

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The Father is available in theaters on March 12, 2021 and on Premium Video on Dmeand on March 26, 2021.  For showtimes, click here.

For additional information about the film and to rent / buy it, check it out at the links below.

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Cosmoball Review: An Exciting Animated Space Sport

Release date: March 23, 2021 (Physical and Digital Release)
Running time: 119 minutes
Starring: Evgeniy Mironov (Spacewalk, The Lenin Factor, Space Dogs), Evgeniy Romantsov (Petropolis, Nu), Viktoriya Agalakova (The Bride, Mermaid: The Lake of the Dead, Rasputin), Maria Lisovaya (Guests) and newcomer Ivan Ivanovich
Director: Dzhanik Fayziev

Cosmoball takes place after an intergalactic battle that destroys Earth’s moon and causes worldwide devastation, leaving the human race desolate and clinging to survival. The film follows four athletes with the rare ability to teleport, which makes them the only humans capable of playing “cosmoball,” a dangerous sport requiring unimaginable speed, reflexes, and courage. While the rest of the world religiously scans the sky to catch the high-flying tournaments, no one suspects that with each match, they are actually witnessing four young humans fighting furiously to ensure the survival of humankind.

Cosmoball's most noticeable aspect is its stunning special effects.  The film has some top notch animation that blends real and animated footage into a seamless world.  It is really well done and keeps you engaged in this sci fi epic.  The actors all do a great job in this, seamlessly existing along with their sci-fi, computer-generated sidekicks.  And this style lets the world have some crazy effects.  Cosmoball is a crazy game with teleportation, fast action, and big explosions, all of which are recreated seamlessly.  And overall the story is a fun one, with a charismatic main character Anton, a new and extremely skilled Cosmoball player.  His journey is fun to watch and his hesitation to play and childlike wonder is fun to see.  His teammates are a diverse group that add some additional excitement and variety to the cast.  They come together as a great cohesive team and are a lot of fun to see on stage.  

However, Cosmoball is an exciting epic hat has a story to match, but this story doesn't really make much sense.  It leads to some really beautiful locales and effects, but it also just doesn't come together to make the film more than an entertaining piece of science fiction eye candy.  Maybe these are based more on Russian tales and culture, so it will play better in that region, but for me the story just didn't hit.  And although Cosmoball was the main sport in the film, I still didn't really understand much about it.  It was tough to follow, although it was fun to watch at least.  Cosmoball has a mostly light-hearted story and is a visual epic, but if you're hoping for a coherent story then you might be disappointed.  Thankfully I was just hoping for a fun movie and Cosmoball did not disappoint!

Cosmoball is a light-hearted, visually stunning space adventure with great special effects around an exciting, high-stakes game. 

Rent it.

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Cosmoball is available on Blu-ray and digitally on March 23, 2021. 

For additional information about the film and to rent / buy it, check it out at the links below.

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Screening: Get in the March Madness Spirit With Boogie, March 25 at 7:30 ET

Hopefully, the NCAA isn't the only basketball you're watching this week! RSVP for the ultimate match-up featuring Alfred 'Chin' Boogie and his biggest rival, Monk, during Focus Features virtual screening of BOOGIE. Check out the TRAILER here. 

Virtual Screening Details

Boogie

Thursday, March 25th

7:30pm EST 

To RSVP, click here 

For those that are able to RSVP, an hour before the screening time a link will be provided for you to reserve your spot.  Make sure to click that link as soon as you get it (and in the device that you are planning to watch the movie in).  Film will begin at 7:30 pm EST.  Enjoy!  

Interview: Stephen Kijak of Shoplifters of the World, A Coming-of-Age Drama Featuring the Music of The Smiths

James Bloor of Shoplifters of the World joins for a discussion about this wonderful film, how he prepared to play an obsessive Smiths fan, and what it was like filming this indie gem. We also discuss his own musical tastes and how he prepared to play an American! So give it a watch and make sure to check out Shoplifters of the World, premiering in theaters, digitally, and on demand on March 26, 2021. Starring: Helena Howard, Ellar Coltrane, Elena Kampouris, Nick Krause, James Bloor, Thomas Lennon, and Joe Manganiello Written and Directed by Stephen Kijak Synopsis: In the Summer of 1987, four friends, reeling from the sudden break-up of the iconic British band The Smiths, embark on a night out of partying to mourn their musical loss. At the same time, an impassioned Smiths fan takes a local radio DJ hostage at gunpoint and forces him to play nothing but Smiths tracks. With the radio station playing as the soundtrack to their night, the friends go on a wild journey of self-discovery that will transform them forever. Featuring an incredible soundtrack – including 20 songs from The Smiths – Shoplifters of the World is a glorious ode to the craziness of the ‘80s and the power of music to change people’s lives.

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Interview: James Bloor of Shoplifters of the World, A Coming-of-Age Drama Featuring the Music of The Smiths

James Bloor of Shoplifters of the World joins for a discussion about this wonderful film, how he prepared to play an obsessive Smiths fan, and what it was like filming this indie gem. We also discuss his own musical tastes and how he prepared to play an American! So give it a watch and make sure to check out Shoplifters of the World, premiering in theaters, digitally, and on demand on March 26, 2021. Starring: Helena Howard, Ellar Coltrane, Elena Kampouris, Nick Krause, James Bloor, Thomas Lennon, and Joe Manganiello Written and Directed by Stephen Kijak Synopsis: In the Summer of 1987, four friends, reeling from the sudden break-up of the iconic British band The Smiths, embark on a night out of partying to mourn their musical loss. At the same time, an impassioned Smiths fan takes a local radio DJ hostage at gunpoint and forces him to play nothing but Smiths tracks. With the radio station playing as the soundtrack to their night, the friends go on a wild journey of self-discovery that will transform them forever. Featuring an incredible soundtrack – including 20 songs from The Smiths – Shoplifters of the World is a glorious ode to the craziness of the ‘80s and the power of music to change people’s lives.

Please subscribe to be updated on the latest videos!

Giveaway: Enter to win a DVD of the thriller Fatale, starring Hillary Swank and Michael Ealy

Thanks to our friends at Lionsgate, we are offering our readers the chance to win Fatale on DVD, a tense thriller starring Hillary Swank and Michael Ealy (review).  Enter below for your chance to win.  Contest goes until Thursday, March 25 so enter now and secure your chance to win!  Please note that this contest is only open to our readers in the United States due to shipping issues.  Please enter below and use an email address that you check regularly.  The winner will be contacted on early Friday to request a shipping address.

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What to Watch This Weekend: Rose Plays Julie, Hawk and Rev, Koko-Di Koko-Da, Promising Young Woman, Sometime Other Than Now, Songbird, Spongebob, Do Not Reply

For A Powerful Psychological Drama: Rose Plays Julie (Virtual Cinema)
Rose Plays Julie is a powerful psychological drama with a deliberate pace and strong characters confronting some timely, dark, and important themes.  For more information, check out the review!

For An Irreverent Vampire Comedy: Hawk and Rev Vampire Slayers (Digital)

Hawk and Rev Vampire Slayers has an irreverent, ridiculous style, a quirky group of enthusiastic vampire hunters, and a humorous story that does not suck.  For more information, check out the review!

For The Horror Fans: Koko-Di Koko-Da (Shudder)

Koko-Di Koko-Da is an amazingly tense descent into madness, with unpredictable characters, a creepy carnival atmosphere, and an old school horror style.  For more information, check out the review!

For A Charming, Mature Family Drama: Sometime Other Than Now (Theaters and Digital)

Sometime Other Than Now is an endearing and mature relationship drama with heartfelt performances, a modern look at love and family, and plenty of small town intrigue and charm.  For more information, check out the review!

For The Kids: Spongebob Squarepants Movie: Sponge on the Run (Paramount+)

Spongebob Squarepants: Sponge on the Run updates the animation and adds some stellar cameos but keeps the characters, silliness, and craziness that makes Spongebob what it is.  For more information, check out the review!

For A Surprisingly Good Kidnapping Horror: Do Not Reply (Amazon)
The unsettlingly perfect sets, convincing acting, and brutal and tense scenarios make Do Not Reply one movie you should swipe right on.  For more information, check out the review!

For A Dark, Irreverent, and Timely Film: Promising Young Woman (Redbox)

Promising Young Woman tells a dark tale with an amazingly bright style, sharp unapologetic writing, and painful lessons that will stay with you well after the credits roll.  For more information, check out the review!

For Those Shut In During The Pandemic: Songbird (Redbox)

Songbird's interesting take on a post-apocalyptic world and its stellar cast deliver a thrilling and sadly timely quarantine adventure.  For more information, check out the review!