#CrossoverInsider – Entertaining Resolutions, December Top 10 & Tyler’s Fav 8 of 2014
RESOLVE TO WATCH
It’s 2015 and the Crossover Insider is back! Here’s hoping that everyone had a very enjoyable and fulfilling holiday season! 2015 is shaping up to be an exciting one in the movie world as a number of highly anticipated big blockbuster hits will be debuting in theatres, DVD and Blu-Ray. Some of these titles include; Star Wars Episode VII, Avengers 2, Superman vs. Batman, Fifty Shades of Grey, Jurassic World and many more! Resolve to keep up on watching movies as they’re released this year or you may have a hard time catching up!
Focusing on the here and now, let’s have a look at the new releases hitting the shelves at Crossover and 2 Doors Down this week, followed by a brief recap of some key titles that were released over the holidays;
NEW DVD/BLU-RAY RELEASES IN MARATHON & MANITOUWADGE
No Good Deed: starring Idris Elba and Taraji P. Henson – Soon after her husband leaves for a vacation, a woman receives a knock on the door from a stranger claiming to be having car problems. She invites him in and soon learns that he is a dangerous convict hell-bent on terrorizing her and her children. (Thriller) (DVD and Blu-Ray) Also available to rent at 2 Doors Down in Manitouwadge!
Left Behind: starring Nicolas Cage – A small group of survivors are left behind after millions of people suddenly vanish and the world is plunged into chaos and destruction. (Action) (DVD and Blu-Ray) Also available to rent at 2 Doors Down in Manitouwadge!
Skeleton Twins: starring Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader – After both coincidentally cheated death on the same day, estranged twins reunite in hopes of mending their strained relationship. (Drama/Comedy) (DVD) Also available to rent at 2 Doors Down in Manitouwadge!
The Guest: starring Dan Stevens – A soldier arrives at the Peterson family home, claiming to be a friend of their son who died in action. After the young man is welcomed to stay, a series of accidental deaths cause one member of the family to question the true identity of the guest living in their home. (Action/Thriller) (DVD)
Boyhood: starring Ethan Hawke – Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Boyhood is a groundbreaking story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason. (Drama) (DVD)
Life After Beth: starring Aubrey Plaza – A young man’s recently deceased girlfriend mysteriously returns from the dead, but he slowly realizes she is not the way he remembered her. (Comedy/Horror) (DVD)
Get On Up A chronicle of James Brown’s rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history. (Drama/Music) (DVD)
Desecrated: starring Haylie Duff – A rich heiress and her friends head for a weekend of fun at her isolated ranch house in the middle of nowhere. They soon find that the caretaker’s dark past, has taken him down a bloody killing spree. (Horror) (DVD) TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUUl5Oqg-bc
HOLIDAY NEW RELEASES
- Cabbie– starring Kunal Nayyar- Available now to rent at Crossover and 2 Doors Down!
- The Longest Week– starring Jason Bateman- Available now to rent at Crossover and 2 Doors Down!
- Reclaim– starring Ryan Phillipe and John Cusack- Available now to rent at Crossover and 2 Doors Down!
- Swearnet– starring John Paul Tremblay and Rob Wells (Trailer Park Boys) – Available now to rent at Crossover!
- The Trip to Itlay– starring Steve Coogan- Available now to rent at Crossover!
- Equalizer– starring Denzel Washington- Available now to rent at Crossover and 2 Doors Down!
DECEMBER TOP 10 RENTALS
Here’s a list of the top 10 most rented movies for the month of December:
TYLER’s 2014 FAVOURITES
Normally a list like this would consist of a nice round number of movies- like 5 or 10. My intentions were to make this a Top 5 List, but I couldn’t leave out 3 of the choices so instead I expanded it to become a Top 8! It should be noted that while I’d very much love to watch every single movie that comes out, my heavy work schedule at the store prevents me from doing so. As such, there were several highly regarded movies released in 2014 that I simply did not get a chance to watch (ie. Captain Phillips). Without any further delay, here is my list of my Top 8 favorite movies of 2014:
#8 Devil’s Knot – starring Reece Witherspoon and Colin Firth- I’m a sucker for True Stories and this one had me engaged right from the get go. The movie brings to life the tragic story of the disappearance and murder of a group of boys in the South USA and the controversial arrest of the suspects despite a lack of evidence. At the end of the movie, I was compelled to read more about the case- and this in itself is an indication of my interest level in the movie! Well acted and very compelling- a must watch as far as I’m concerned.
#7 Grand Seduction – starring Brendan Gleeson- This movie was filmed in Newfoundland- so right off the bat we are presented with breath taking scenery throughout! The plot focuses on the residents of the tiny village of Tickle Head Newfoundland and their quest to obtain a Doctor in their community. When they finally lure in the somewhat troubled Dr. Lewis, the residents, led by unemployed factory worker Murray French, do everything they can to make him feel welcomed- even if it means one big lie after another! The story is funny and the characters are some of the more likeable ones I’ve seen in a while. Canadian movies often go unlooked, but this one most certainly should not! If you’re in the mood for some good clean laughs, be sure to check out Grand Seduction!
#6 Fault in Our Stars – starring Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort- I NEVER thought that I’d end up watching a sappy movie like Fault in Our Stars, but when a fellow co-worker told me that her tough critic husband had thoroughly enjoyed it, I figured I’d give it a shot. The story centers on 2 teenagers who meet, and fall in love while attending a support group for cancer patients. The chemistry between the two main characters is undeniable and you ultimately cannot help but to take a liking to them. Because of the subject matter (dealing with cancer), there are going to be some sad moments so have the Kleenex ready. But in the end, the movie is raw and authentic and it is one that truly must be seen!
#5 12 Years a Slave – starring Chiwetel Ejiofor- An unflinching and sometimes disturbing look into the brutal slave trade featuring Solomon Northup- a free man who was deceived, kidnapped and sold into slavery. This True Story is hard to watch at times, but it has to be in order to show the true hardships that these men and women dealt with during these times. The acting is some of the best you’ll ever see and the story is genuinely haunting. If you have yet to see this movie, please take some time to watch it!
#4 The Butler – starring Forest Whitaker- Yet another True Story about a butler who served decades in the White House over the terms of several different presidents. Meanwhile, his son grows up to become an active member of the Black Civil Rights movement joining forces with Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. It really was amazing to see how much a simple butler could see, hear and experience over his years on the job. At no times is the movie slow going or uninteresting and the acting is top notch (including a surprising job by Oprah Winfrey as the Butler’s wife). Be sure to watch The Butler for one of the more historically fascinating movies I’ve seen in quite some time!
#3 Dallas Buyers Club – starring Matthew McConaughey- I’m not going to lie- I’m not usually a big fan of Matthew McConaughey, so I was little reluctant to believe that he could actually pull off this role. Boy was I wrong! The True Story centers on a party loving, booze drinking and womanizing rodeo cowboy who learns that he’s HIV positive. Although at first he refuses to believe this to be true, he ultimately comes to terms with the diagnosis and turns his focus to receiving medical care in hopes of prolonging his life. When he discovers that the medications that he needs are not readily available, he takes it upon himself to find the help that he needs. Over the course of the movie, we start to see new layers of the character as he sheds his tough exterior and becomes good friends with a Transvestite who finds herself in the same situation. The story is fascinating and the acting (which earned Academy attention) is top-notch! Please note that this movie contains strong sexuality, drug use and very strong language, but I honestly feel as though this movie would not be nearly as effective without it. It is a rare case where that content lends to the movie rather than detracts from it. Highly recommended!
#2 Lone Survivor– starring Mark Wahlberg. Yet another True Story (are you noticing a trend here?) about a group of soldiers tasked with the mission of eliminating a group of dangerous terrorists in Afghanistan. The movie was fast paced and exciting throughout. There were several moments where I was literally on the edge of my seat with my eyes glued to the screen in anticipation of what was about to happen. If you like pulse pounding action/thrillers, this one is a MUST SEE! One of the best movies of the year!
TYLER’s #1 FAVOURITE MOVIE of 2014
#1 Fruitvale Station– starring Michael B. Jordan- You may have never heard of this movie as it played in limited theatres and had little to no commercials/marketing attached to it. Because it is a true story (shocking, right 😉 I had to check it out- and I’m glad I did! The story centers on a young man from the ‘hood who, on New Year’s Eve, realizes that his life is going nowhere fast. His love for his young daughter and his supportive family compels him to commit to becoming a better man, but a New Year’s night out with his girlfriend and friends prevents this from happening. Throughout the movie, we get clips of the characters past, which later on provide some tragic irony and examples of the small world that we live in. I was literally shaken to the core at the end of this movie- it was that powerful. In fact, a few hours later I watched it again with my family. For some, it may not be “the type of movie” that you’d normally watch, but I urge you to give it a chance. If you don’t believe me, check out the 94% positive reviews on this popular movie review site: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/fruitvale_station/?search=fruitvale%20station
Fruitvale Station was my favorite movie of the year, hands-down.
RESOLVE TO RETURN – Coming next week…
Check back next week as I go over a few movies that I didn’t expect to like, but did. My top 4 biggest surprises will be featured in the next #CrossoverInsider!
Have a safe week and don’t forget to support your local businesses!
Tyler Davis, Owner Crossover Video and Games
CONTACT
- Via email at: crossovervideo@hotmail.ca
- by phone at (807) 230-9093
MORE INFO
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- CLICK HERE for past issues of the CROSSOVER INSIDER
CROSSOVER AT 2 DOORS
- In Manitouwadge, Crossover Movies are available at 2 Doors Down in theHalmarket Square
- CLICK HERE for 2 Doors Down’s Facebook page
- Call 2 Doors Down at 826-4393
- Visit 2 Doors Down website
