Last week I wrote about how The Longest Ride featured Scott Eastwood, the son of Clint Eastwood and Jack Huston, the grandson of John Huston. Unfortunately, I missed one other progeny of Hollywood royalty appearing in the film: Oona Chaplin, the granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin also stars in the film. Although the film was not a huge hit, it is sure to make a star of the young Eastwood and will help the careers of both Huston and Chaplin.
This week’s new openings include the sequel Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, featuring Kevin James returning as everyone’s favourite protector of indoor shopping. In this one, he takes a well-deserved vacation to Las Vegas with his daughter before she heads off to college. However, even on vacation, he answers the call of duty. Expect more of James’ physical comedy that made the first one a hit.
The most interesting sounding movie opening this week is the aptly named True Story as it is based on the story of New York Times reporter Michael Finkel and how an accused killer took on his identity. Jonah Hill plays Finkel and James Franco plays Christian Longo who was on the FBI’s most wanted list for murdering his wife and three kids. To avoid capture, Longo hid under Finkel’s identity. But when the FBI captures Longo the real Finkel finds out and begins a relentless pursuit of the accused killer’s life story of murder, love, deceit and redemption. Jonah Hill and James Franco are best known for the comedic performances, however they have both proven their dramatic acting chops as Hill was nominated for an Oscar for Moneyball and Franco was nominated for 127 Hours. Opening at the Paramount Theatre, True Story also stars Oscar nominee Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything), Ethan Suplee and Gretchen Mol.
Also at the Paramount Theatre this weekend is the big screen presentation of the Royal Ballet’s Swan Lake. Anthony Dowell’s production of the most famous of Tchaikovsky’s ballets shows on Saturday, April 18 at 10 a.m. with an encore showing on Monday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m.
With Earth Day coming up on April 22, Disney is releasing its latest nature documentary this weekend. Monkey Kingdom follows a newborn monkey and its mother as they struggle to survive within the competitive social hierarchy of the Temple Troop, a dynamic group of monkeys who live in ancient ruins found deep in the storied jungles of South Asia. Narrated by Tina Fey, a portion of the ticket price will go to Conservation International on opening week.
And finally, Unfriended is the latest horror movie from the producer of Paranormal Activity and uses internet bullying as the basis of its terror. One year after the suicide of a bullied classmate, six high school students receive Skype messages that threaten their lives. What at first appears to be a prank turns out to be an unseen figure who seeks vengeance for a shaming video that led to the suicide.
