LIMITLESS, PAUL, and THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED are out today. (TMNS is in limited release.) They each are very different from each other so I recommend putting your money back into the economy by seeing any one of these.
First up is Limitless starring the ever-charismatic Bradley Cooper. (I've been a fan since Alias and knew it was only a matter of time before he would be a movie STAR!) Legend Robert De Niro and actress Abbie Cornish co-star. Limitless is based on the 2001 novel The Dark Fields by Alan Glynn. Leslie Dixon penned this sharp sci-fi script. (You go GIRL!) She first acquired the rights to the source material and became one of the film's producers. Neil Burger is the director. Bradley Cooper plays Eddie Morra, a down on his luck writer, who comes across a magic pill that will allow 100% brain usage. But with such a pill comes consequences. Robert De Niro plays business mogul Carl Van Loon who is impressed with the fast-rising Eddie Morra. This movie takes you on one ride after another. Lots of fast cuts and interesting angles. This movie will please the MTV generation along with sci fi enthusiasts. Buckle up, this is going to be a bumpy ride!
Next is Paul starring Britain's Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Greg Mottola directed this film about two sci-fi Brits visiting America.. They start at San Diego's Comic Con and then travel to famous alien hot spots. What Graeme Willy (Pegg) and Clive Gollings (Frost) didn't expect was to come across an actual alien on the lam1 Chaos and comedy ensues. Now they all are on the lam! I recognized the voice of Seth Rogan as the outlaw alien Paul. There's another familiar voice (I recognized) in the movie that you sci-fi lovers will appreciate. And yes, the movie has plenty of subtle and not-so-subtle references to classics gone by. The writers wanted to pay homage. Deep down, they are fans just like us. From the beginning to the end, this movie is funny, silly, outrageous, sweet and enjoyable. See this!
Finally, in limited release is The Music Never Stopped based on the case study 'The Last Hippie' by Dr. Oliver Sacks, MD. It tells the story of a father trying to reconnect with his estranged son, who has lost the part of his brain that makes new memories. The father connects through the music his son so loves. For those of you fans of the 60's rock music, it will take you back. And everyone will need tissues! The Music Never Stopped stars Lou Taylor Pucci as Gabriel, wonderful J.K. Simmons plays his father, and Julia Ormond is the music therapist. Also in the movie are Mia Maestro (Alias) and Tammy Blanchard (Rabbit Hole). Even if you aren't of their particular era, this movie will move you. Everyone can relate to the family dynamics and how parents just don't understand! In this movie, one parent does.
Now, I'm not sure who will win out this weekends box office? (TMNS is in limited release.) Maybe Limitless will eek out Paul due to the popularity of Bradley? In the end, I hope they both do well and more of these films will be made! That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.
