You certainly wouldn’t know it by the weather but the Spring movie season is upon us. The winter movie season is notorious for its flops, particularly in January and February. But usually things start looking up come Spring time. So here is how this works: First I’ll talk about Spring releases that I am genuinely interested in and want to spread the word about. These are films I’ll certainly flaunt. I’m also going to pick five releases that are (from my perspective) toilet ready. These I’ll flush. It’s Flaunt It or Flush It time again.
FLAUNT ‘EM
1. “The Grand Budapest Hotel” (March 7, 2014) – It doesn’t take long for Spring to get rolling. March 7th brings us one of my most anticipated movies of the year. It’s Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel”. Anderson is one of the few comedy filmmakers who I think does it right. His quirky original worlds and subtle themes have always worked for me and it looks like we are getting that again. Ralph Fiennes leads what is one of the best looking ensemble casts of the year and he looks to be a perfect fit with this special brand of comedy. The trailer looks insanely funny and I can’t wait for March 7th.
2. “Noah” (March 28, 2014) – I’ve noticed several people approaching “Noah” with a bit of skepticism. I can definitely see why. But I also think this has potential to be an amazing film. As frequent readers of my site know, I’m a huge fan of Russell Crowe. I think this role is right up his alley. Plus there is the good supporting cast of Ray Windstone, Emma Watson, Anthony Hopkins, and Jennifer Connelly. The big question is Darren Aronofsky. His past work makes me wonder what kind of approach he will take. On the other hand he is a fine director and if he respects the material there could be great results.
3. “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (April 4, 2014) – My deep roots as a comic book fan makes me a sucker for good superhero films. I was a big fan of Marvel’s first Captain American movie. This one looks like it could be even better. Ed Brubaker’s “Winter Soldier” story from the Captain American comic book series was one of my favorites of all time. It’s perfect for the big screen treatment and the early trailers look to be capturing what made the story so great. Chris Evans is perfect as Steve Rogers and the addition of Anthony Mackie and Robert Redford are intriguing. Plus this is set to be the first big tie to the next Avengers film. Sign me up!
4. “Le Week-End” (March 14, 2014) – This is a film that has been on my radar for a while. It has already opened up overseas and it makes its United States debut on March 14. This British drama from director Roger Michell follows an older married couple who celebrate their 30th anniversary by going to Paris. Their intent was to rejuvenate their marriage but things don’t go as planned and they are forced to build back their relationship from the ground up. The wonderful Jim Broadbent and Lindsey Duncan play the lead roles which automatically attracted me. The trailer shows a great wit and some beautiful Paris locations.That’s enough to excite me.
5. “X-Men: Days of Future Past” (May 23, 2014) – Yet another Marvel comics superhero movie, but it’s another one that looks really good. Bryan Singer is back and he’s bringing the whole gang. The cast members from the original X-Men films including Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, and Ellen Page meet the cast members from First Class including Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, and Nicholas Hoult. Throw in some brand new mutants and you have a huge cast of characters. This could blow up in Singer’s face, but it could also be a spectacular film.
FLUSH ‘EM
1. “Tyler Perry’s The Single Mom’s Club” (March 14, 2014) – Tyler Perry is becoming a regular on these lists. This Spring he graces us with what looks like the corniest, dopiest, and most cliched movie of his career. I never judge a movie solely on its trailer but it gives us one goofy line, lame gag, and eye-rolling moment after another. Supposedly a group of mothers come together after an incident at school and they become big buddies. Then they partake in a host of silly antics and dopey romances which is supposed to be fun and entertaining. Well I can’t imagine this thing being fun or entertaining.
2. “Blended” (May 23, 2014) – If an Adam Sandler movie is released it automatically gets consideration for this list. Perhaps that isn’t the most objective approach but Sandler has a track record that I can’t shake. His consistency would be impressive if it didn’t involve stupid and unfunny movies. I have no reason to believe that “Blended” will be any different from the other garbage he churns out. Who knows, maybe I’m wrong. Maybe this is a turning point in Sandler’s career. Maybe this is the film that gets him back on track. Personally I don’t buy it and I can see this as a flusher all the way.
3. “A Haunted House 2” (March 28, 2014) – Can someone please explain to me how a crappy movie like last year’s “A Haunted House” could inflict a sequel upon us? Well, I guess if you have a $2 million budget and you pull in nearly $60 million at the box office a sequel is inevitable. I guess the better question is how on earth did that thing make $60 million? The first film was completely unwatchable and this new thing looks like a carbon copy of it. Sitting through the trailer alone is as entertaining as having a root canal. I know there is an audience for this movie but I promise you it doesn’t include me.
4. “The Other Woman” (April 25, 2014) – I suppose there may be a decent idea stashed away somewhere in “The Other Woman” but to be honest I can’t find it. Three woman come together under the bind of being cheated on by the same man. According to the trailer their quest for revenge features dopey missteps, vomit jokes, lame anatomy gags, and an assortment of other things that I don’t find remotely interesting. This is a comedy that could potentially squeeze out a laugh or two. But personally I think it looks like another clichéd and formulaic comedy that will probably find an audience despite its mediocrity.
5. “Neighbors” (May 9, 2014) – Stop me if you’ve heard this one before – Seth Rogan in a raunchy comedy. Look, I know this guy has a big following but I don’t get it. This time he and Zac Efron rip off the great Belushi and Aykroyd comedy from 1981. Rogan’s one-trick pony act features the same vulgar, juvenile nonsense that we always get from him and his friends. I know there is an audience out there who will find shooting firecrackers out of your butt and an infant baby chewing on a used condom as funny. I find it to be another example of how void of smarts and originality Hollywood has become when it comes to comedy. This is a flusher through and through.
Keith & the Movies 
Agreed on all counts. Really looking forward to Budapest Hotel.
Ahhh, a fellow Wes Anderson fan? Love hearing that!
Definitely. Anderson is on my short list for favorite director.
I’m with you 100%. To me the comedy genre is in shambles. Anderson is the one director that gives us smart comedies and I really appreciate him for that.
So agree!
Thanks man!
I don’t know what to say, Keith, other than I agree with your list totally. I love Wes Anderson and the Budapest Hotel looks like a lot of fun. I love quirky artsy comedies. Can’t wait 🙂
Fantastic! Love hearing that. Anderson has such a unique comedic sense doesn’t he? And have you noticed he plays with familiar themes? I just love his style.
Hey, come over and play the Oscar game 😉 I bet the winner for you is Casablanca!
Ohhhhhh! On my way!!!!
Everything about Captain America 2 looks fantastic, I’m super excited for this. I’m sort of in between for Noah. On one hand I’m cautiously optimistic and I loved Aronofsky’s Black Swan, but I’m also prepared to give it a quick flush if it’s crap.
Ohhh yes! Cap 2 looks fabulous. What did you think of the first movie? I understand your hesitancy about Noah. Aronofsky is an unusual match for this particular project.
The first movie was only okay for me, probably my least favorite among Iron Man and Thor. I hope to rewatch it again before Cap 2 because I might appreciate it a little more like I did rewatching X-Men First class recently.
I think my least favorite of that group was Iron Man 3. That one was a major disappointment for me.
Great choices. The only one I’m kinda on the fence about is Noah. The director and the subject just feel like oil and water. Hope they mix.
Exactly! I don’t know what to expect from Aronofsky and this particular story. I think the potential is tremendous though. I guess we need to cross our fingers, right?
I want to look forward to Noah but it looks to be a CGI bucket of ideas forced into a conventional bible story. There were some good lines in the trailer but something about it makes me wary. I don’t think the Neighbors movie has anything to do with the 81 film. Captain America looks fantastic, as does the X Men movie. I’m only a moderate fan of Wes Anderson but this movie looks great in the preview and I really can’t wait.
Besides having the exact same title “Neighbors” is about a happy family who has obnoxious neighbors move next door. They disturb and bother the nice family to the breaking point. The nice husband goes over the edge and begins to fight back. Aside from the obvious differences, that is essentially what happens in the 1981 film.
Are you skeptical towards Transcendence? I’m a tad anxious, but think it’ll work. Just interested in your view on it :).
I think it has potential to be a really good movie. The trailer looks interesting and a tad creepy. It also has Rebecca Hall which is a big plus for me. I think she’s a really good actress who deserves some better roles.
So sign me up for Transcendence!
Yeah, I also love Hall, and Cillian Murphy as well. The potential is there, I’m just worried. Maybe because I don’t fully trust Johnny Depp as of late.
And for good reason. You never know what you’re going to get from Depp these days. I still find him to be an interesting actor but he has certainly made some bad choices.
Grand Budapest is a very good movie, so hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. Looking forward to Noah as well.
I have to admit that I really enjoyed A Haunted House as it made me laugh out loud a couple of times, so I guess I am one of a few people who is looking forward to the second film 🙂
I don’t know. As I mentioned it made $60 million at the box office. You’re probably not alone.
I have your review of Budapest bookmarked. I love seeing your high score for it. It only made me more anxious to see it.
Yeah, I’d pretty much agree here bro. I’m not not interested in Capt. America I have to say but I’m sure it’ll still be fun. I’ve yet to see the first one, though, and that looks unlikely to happen. I get sooooo tired of seeing superhero movies everywhere.
That’s completely fair. You know Hollywood, they always have to saturate the market whenever they hit gold. For me, superhero movies connect mainly because of my long-standing history with the characters. I grew up reading these guys so I’m still enjoying them on the big screen.
This Captain America storyline that the second film is based on was phenomenal. It was one of my favorite comic book runs ever. If they can capture the heart of that story this could be really good.
What about the X-Men movie? Again, another comic book film but what a cast of superb actors.
Yeah, I’m not that big on the X-men either but I do love McAvoy and Fassbender. Again, I’ve yet to see the first one so there’s no point in me tackling that till I catch up. Couldn’t honestly say when that would be, though.
Thinking on your tastes, X-Men First-Class is a movie that I think you would get along with. It deals with some pretty weighty subject matter and Michael Fassbender’s performance is one of the best you’ll see from him. It has its “comic book” moments but as a whole it deals with some deeper themes that you normally don’t find in these movies.
See, now that sounds better to me. I really liked the Watchmen for it’s more weighty subject matter (I was a massive fan of the graphic novel as well, though). I’ll check it out that first X-Men. You’ve sold me! 😉
Alright! Just make sure it’s X-Men First Class. The first X-Men film from 2000 is quite different. I love it but its a superhero flick all the way.
Yeah, I’ve seen that one and the second. They’re quite good but like I say, I don’t get as excited about them as many others do. In fact, I hate the summer season at the movies, cause I can’t escape them. Saying that, it allows me to catch up with other films that I’ve missed.
Me and you are on the same page mate. Also the posters for Noah and Captain America are identical!
I noticed that! Is it because both characters look tougher from behind?
A good-looking list Keith, for both the flaunts and flushers! (Love that concept, by the way. 🙂 )
I think I’m going to take a massive leap of faith here and pray that Blended actually works. I see a potential 50 First Dates in the making, and I actually thought that wasn’t entirely bad. It’s not great stuff and hardly memorable, but it sure beats the pants off of his latest “efforts” like Grown Ups and That’s My Boy.
Moving on, I have Grand Budapest Hotel in top priority mode now. I simply canNOT wait! 🙂 🙂
Hopefully Blended will work. Sandler has just burned me too many times. I’ve lost all faith in the guy. It’s almost as if he doesn’t even try to make a good film. But if anyone is due a turn around it’s him.
The good thing is we don’t have to wait long for “Budapest”! I’ve watched that goofy trailer 30 times and I chuckle every time. My only question is will it be a full wide release or limited? I’m praying for a wide release because occasionally limited ones are a little slow getting here. Have you heard by chance?
Pretty much totally agree on all counts here mate. I haven’t even heard of any of your flush ’em films! ha!
Really looking forward to Budapest Hotel. I saw The Royal Tenenbaums last night for the first time and really enjoyed it. Can’t say I’m looking forward to Noah that much to be honest though. I was gonna say it looks like it’ll go the way of Robin Hood, but I just remember you really like that! Haha!
LOL!!! You are correct sir. I loved Robin Hood. It’s funny though, I can see where that comparison may be accurate. Ridley Scott’s deliberate pace and heavy character development wasn’t what people were looking for. I think Aronofsky is going a different route but we shall see!
So you haven’t heard of any of my flashers? Honestly that’s a great thing. Pretend like they don’t exist. 😉
Great post Keith. No arguments here on your movies to flush. I will be steering well clear. I am keen to see Noah. I have some reservations on how it will turn out. But that doesn’t mean I won’t be racing out to see it as soon as it opens. Le Week-end is already out here. It looks ok, but I am probably just going to wait for the blu-ray.
But I am totally onboard for your three other flaunts. Captain America is probably in my top two or three most anticipated for the year, whilst I get more and more excited for Budapest the more I see of it. Was a massive fan of First Class, so yep, psyched for X Men too.
Thank man! I appreciate you taking time to comment. Le Week-end mainly intrigued me because of the cast and I have this thing for Paris. I know, it’s a stupid measuring stick when it comes to movies but it is what it is. 😉 Has it gotten much press over there?
It sounds like you’re a fellow fan of good superhero movies. I cannot wait for Cap 2! I hope I’m not building my expectations too high but the potential is there. The source material – Ed Brubaker’s phenomenal story – is brilliant. Have you read it by chance? If not you can now find it in graphic novel form. It’s well worth it!
No I haven’t. Will try and get my hands on it. Think I have enjoyed some of Brubaker’s other work and didn’t realise he was behind the source for the new film (might wait til after the film though).
Probably a good idea. I don’t know how much they’re taking from the overall Winter Soldier storyline, but just in case…
Pretty much agree on all counts. The thing w/ NOAH is, I’m skeptical because the filmmaker didn’t seem to have a high esteem for the source material. It’s a Biblical story that obviously has a strong spiritual aspect, but from what I’ve seen the only reference to God is Noah uttering ‘I’m not alone.’ That said, I’m still willing to give it a shot and hope he didn’t turn Noah into the first environmentalist like what I’ve been reading.
You hit on my worries as well. As I said there is cause for concern. On the other hand there is potential there for something epic and special. It all comes down to what we get from Aronofsky.
So no love for “Neighbors”? 😉
The Grand Bucharest Hotel features an impressive ensemble cast, and rates 8.3 on The IMDb, and yet I hadn’t even heard of till I read your post.
Good call Keith!
Thanks man. Anything Wes Anderson automatically grabs my attention. I swear I love his quirky comedies. Did you watch the trailer by chance?
No, I haven’t seen the trailer yet.
The film opens over here on March 7th, and I’m off work, so I should be able to catch up with it next weekend. Happy Days!
While I am happily awaiting for the films in your Flaunt It list, I am most excited for The Grand Budapest Hotel. I love Wes Anderson’s films so really REALLY can’t wait for this one.
Oh I’m with you all the way! “Budapest” should be fantastic! Have you seen the trailer?
I like the work of Le-Week-End writer Hanish Kureishi (he did My Son The Fanatic and My Beautiful Laundrette) because of his work around the experiences of British-Asians coupled with important, and often ahead of their time, themes such as homosexual relationships in “Laundrette” and the emergence of Islamic fanaticism. Le-Week-End seems to have divided critics here in England – with some saying it doesn’t work at all. I haven’t yet seen it myself but I’m glad you highlighted it here as it’s on my radar.
I wonder if Adam Sandler’s new film will work – he made Grown Ups with his “pals” and achieved some of the worst work of his career. Now he’s back with another “pal” in Drew Barrymore. I like the nostalgia (I love Wedding Singer) but it feels a little self-indulgent.
I dunno. Sandler has a pretty steady run of stinkers. He’s reached a point to where I’m going to have to see some quality work to believe it.
Le Week-end doesn’t have the best score on Rotten Tomatoes (last I looked) but it still catches my eye. I really hope it has some substance to go along with those beautiful Paris locales.
Yeah, I’m not sure Sandler can break this trend unless he works with some edgier material and a director who goes outside his usual comfort zone – ie. Paul Thomas Anderson with Punch Drunk Love.
But you have to question if he even wants to do anything like that. It seems he’s gotten lazy and content with putting out crap that somehow still draws big crowds to the theaters.
I’m really curious about Noah. In the wrong hands, it could be a total trainwreck, but I have faith in Aronofsky.
I really hope you’re right. I so want it to be a good film and it certainly has potential to be. For me it all depends on how he approaches the material.
Cant wait for X Men and Cap. Good post 🙂
Thanks Vic! I’m really, really amped for Cap. Hoping it captures some of what made the Winter Soldier storyline great!
I am a fan of the storyline as well and I hope they do it justice. It was a very powerful arc.
It sure was. Not sure how much of it they’ll incorporate into the script but I’m anxious to see.
As am I. It also appears that this Cap entry is heavy on the political and spy drama with machinations resembling something akin to Three Days of the Condor or other films of that ilk.