Reel Facts & Opinions: The Year In Film 2014 - Episode II

The Oscars are over, the last remnants of 2013 have been swept away, and with it also goes away Movie Siberia; the first two miserable months of the year with their equally miserable movies. This year’s month of March brings with it a hint of better and warmer things to come for 2014.

 It all checks in with…

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL – Stylistic director Wes Anderson (MOONRISE KINGDOM) assembles the cast of the year in this whodunit caper taking place in the 1930’s. Stars Ralph Fiennes, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Jeff Goldblum, Jason Schwartzman, Willem Dafoe, Adrien Brody, Saoirse Ronan, Harvey Keitel, Jude Law, Edward Norton, Tom Wilkinson, Owen Wilson, and F. Murray Abraham.

300: THE RISE OF AN EMPIRE – Gerard Butler’s hammy, yet memorable character is gone, as is director Zack Snyder…but that doesn’t stop this sequel. Stars Sullivan Stapleton (GANGSTER SQUAD), Eva Green, and Lena Headey.

NEED FOR SPEED – A rev ‘em up thriller based on a video game. Stars Aaron Paul (BREAKING BAD) and Dominic Cooper.

ENEMY – Jake Gyllenhall reteams with his director from last year’s PRISONERS (Denis Villeneuve) in this psychological thriller. Also stars Melanie Laurent (INGLORIOUS BASTERDS).

THE ART OF THE STEAL – Kurt Russell comes out of his semi-retirement to star as a third-rate motorcycle daredevil and former art-thief who goes for one more heist. Co-stars Matt Dillon, Terence Stamp, and Jay Baruchel.

MUPPETS MOST WANTED – Kermit the Frog is a victim of mistaken identity in this sequel. He is joined by his usual muppety pals and humans Ricky Gervais and Tina Fey.

DIVERGENT – An action-adventure film set in a world where people are divided based on their human virtues. Stars Shailene Woodley and Kate Winslet…and is directed by Neil Burger (LIMITLESS, THE ILLUSIONIST).

 NYMPHOMANIAC: VOLUME I – Controversial director Lars von Trier (MELANCHOLIA, ANTICHRIST) is back with a fun little tale about a self-diagnosed nymphomaniac. Stars Charlotte Gainsbourg, Shia LaBeouf, Christian Slater, Uma Thurman, Connie Nielsen, Udo kier, and Stellan Skarsgard.

JODOROWSKY’S DUNE – Documentary feature chronicling Alejandro Jodorowsky’s failed 1975 attempt to bring DUNE to the big screen.

NOAH – Darren Aronofsky (BLACK SWAN) takes on the Biblical story. Russell Crowe stars as Noah, and he is joined by Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins, and Emma Watson.

SABOTAGE – Arnold Schwarzenegger continues to branch-out by exploring new roles. This time as a DEA agent whose team gets killed by the Cartel. Co-stars Sam Worthington (AVATAR), and Terrence Howard. Directed by David Ayer (END OF WATCH).

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Next month, Episode III takes on the super-month of April.