SALT LAKE CITY, June 14, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — Four films are being released to home video and digital download today.
“10 Cloverfield Lane” was highly anticipated by sci-fi fans as a distant cousin to 2008’s “Cloverfield.” The film opened March 11 and took in $72.4 million domestically in its 12-week run and a global total of $108.2 million.
“London has Fallen” was in theaters 14 weeks and earned a grand total of $62.5 million in the U.S. and took in a worldwide total of $195.7 million.
“Eddie the Eagle” was in selected theaters for its 13-week run, bringing home a domestic total of $15.7 million. The biopic did a worldwide box office of $45.9 million.
“The Young Messiah” was in U.S. theaters only six weeks. The faith-based family film starring Sean Bean brought home $6.4 million.
10 Cloverfield Lane
Starring: John Goodman and Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Rated PG-13
When a young woman is nearly killed in an auto accident, she wakes up in the bomb shelter of a man who tells her the outside world has been infected by a chemical attack.
As the story begins to reveal itself, she starts to uncover some truths and to piece together what is going on.
“10 Cloverfield Lane” is an exceptional thriller which, instead of relying on special effects and creature makeup, uses great writing and acting to scare the pants off you.
The film is ode to what good actors can bring to the screen if a director allows them to. And Goodman and Winstead are perfectly cast to bring the tension up to the top.
“10 Cloverfield Lane” gets a B and is rated PG-13.
The Young Messiah
Starring: Sean Bean and Adam Greaves-Neal
Rated PG-13
“The Young Messiah” tells the story of Jesus Christ at age 7 as he and his family depart Egypt to return home to Nazareth. Learning the murderous Herod is dead, they set out to return to their home of Nazareth in Israel, unaware Herod’s namesake son is, like his father, determined to see the boy Jesus dead.
The film focuses on the journey from Egypt to Nazareth, as Jesus begins to discover more and more about himself.
A Roman Centurion, played by Sean Bean, is charged by King Herod to find the young messiah and kill him. Like any soldier who has seen too much war, he’s tired of having to balance following orders and the distasteful acts he must do for the state.
But the film rests squarely on the shoulders of Adam Greaves-Neal as the young Jesus. Greaves-Neal has a very easy and likable charm surrounding him.
The film is the second faith-based movie that has surprised me this year. The first was “Risen,” which premiered a few weeks ago. Both these film take on new and unexplored avenues when looking at the life of Jesus.
“The Young Messiah” gets a B and is rated PG-13.
London Has Fallen
Starring: Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart and Morgan Freeman
Rated R
After the British Prime Minister has passed away under mysterious circumstances, all leaders of the Western world must attend his funeral. But what starts out as the most protected event on Earth turns into a deadly plot to kill the world’s most powerful leaders and unleash a terrifying vision of the future.
“London Has Fallen” is a bad film from beginning to end. The film is loaded with stereotypes, one dimensional characters and just plain stupid plot points. You’ve got your hero (Gerard Butler), a squeaky clean secret service agent who cracks a few jokes here and there and is, kinda sorta, best friends with the president.
You’ve got your president of the United States (Aaron Eckhart), a clean-cut honest “man of the people” who puts his country first. But he has no concept of how the government works.
You’ve got your stereotypical arms dealer from somewhere in the Middle East seeking revenge on U.S. and the western governments for attacking his home and killing his daughter.
Then there’s the bad writing, with bullets flying, helicopters crashing, stinger missiles exploding, buildings falling, secret government agencies being compromised and traitors running rampant in the streets of London.
In the final reel, “London Has Fallen” is the kind of propaganda film that does far more harm than good. It promotes stereotypes and minimizes human life with a very high body count.
The film deserves a D and is rated R.
Eddie the Eagle
Starring: Taron Egerton and Hugh Jackman
Rated PG-13
This is based on the true story of an unlikely British ski jumper, Eddie Edwards, who never stopped believing in himself. With the help of a rebellious coach (played by Hugh Jackman), Eddie takes on the establishment and wins the hearts of sports fans around the world by making an improbable and historic showing at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.
“Eddie the Eagle” is simply a joy. The characters are crisp; the story is well written and wonderfully executed. Taron Egerton, who was last seen in “Legend” and “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” is charmingly awkward in his role of Eddie. Likewise, Hugh Jackman, offers up a charmingly grumpy coach Bronson Peary.
The combination is electric and inspirational.
“Eddie the Eagle” is a must-see film. It gets an A and is rated PG-13.
