Three big budget films. Paper Towns, Pixels and Southpaw. Teens saving a neighbor, retro-gamers saving the planet and a southpaw boxer saving himself.
Paper Towns
(PG-13 for profanity, sexuality, underage drinking and partial nudity) It is an adaptation of John Green’s young adult novel of the same name, set in Orlando. A teenager, played by Nat Wolff, enlists the help of his friends to solve the mysterious disappearance of his next-door neighbor, played by Cara Delevingne, who he has a crush on.
The cast includes Halston Sage, Austin Abrams, Jaz Sinclair and Justice Smith.
Justice Smith, asked about what he liked about John Green, said, “I really like the complexities that John brings to teenage characters. … John gives more layers to his characters.”
Over at Rotten Tomatoes, 57 of 103 reviewers liked Paper Towns, gaining it an average rating of 5.9/10.
Watch the Paper Towns trailer:
Pixels
(PG-13 for profanity and suggestive content) Sci-fi comedy revolving around a trio of retro-gamers, played by Adam Sandler, Peter Dinklage and Josh Gad.
The gamers apparently saved the planet thousands of times, in their youth.
They are recruited by the President of the United States, played by Kevin James, to save the day when the planet is attacked by aliens who fight like the monsters in classic arcade games. – Think Space Invaders, Pac-Man and Donkey Kong.
With Michelle Monaghan, Jane Krakowski, Dan Aykroyd and Affion Crockett.
At Rotten Tomatoes, only 23 of 140 reviewers liked it, but 55% of 52,000 viewers liked it. Maybe they were mostly retro gamers?
Watch the Pixels trailer:
Southpaw
(R for violence and pervasive profanity) Jake Gyllenhaal plays Billy “The Great” Hope, a left handed boxer, in this bittersweet tale of redemption about a disgraced boxer. Billy attempts to win back his championship belt with the help of a crafty veteran trainer, played by Forest Whitaker.
Director Antoine Fuqua and screenwriters Kurt Sutter and Richard Wenk tells the riveting story of the reigning Junior Middleweight Boxing Champion of the World. Billy Hope has an impressive career, a beautiful, played by Rachel McAdams, an adorable daughter, and a lavish lifestyle. Tragedy strikes and then his manager and friend, played by 50 cent, leaves.
The cast includes Rachel McAdams, Naomie Harris and Oona Laurence.
Watch the Southpaw trailer:
