Paula Weinstein Movies
- 2010
Ben Affleck stars as a businessman whose life is thrown into ruin when he's affected by company layoffs and has to work at his brother-in-law's (Kevin Costner) construction site in this drama by ER co-creator John Wells. Tommy Lee Jones co-stars in the Paula Weinstein-produced production. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
Real-life siblings Beau and Jeff Bridges star as the eponymous Fabulous Baker Boys. Musical prodigies both, the Bakers have long been teamed as a twin-piano act, with the less talented Frank (Beau Bridges) coasting on the skills of his brilliant younger brother Jack (Jeff Bridges). Their career dwindling to nickel-and-dime dates in second-rate clubs, the Bakers decide that they need a female vocalist to boost their popularity. They select auditioner Susie Diamond (Michelle Pfeiffer), who in addition to being a gifted songstress is drop-dead gorgeous. The newly renovated Baker Boys act scores a success, which is inevitably threatened by Susie's growing popularity and by Jack's insistence upon pursuing an affair with the girl. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Bridges, Michelle Pfeiffer, (more)
Bille August directed this film version of the Isabel Allende novel, featuring a cast that includes Jeremy Irons, Meryl Streep, and Glenn Close. The story is a sweeping and brooding melodrama, spanning generations and filled with violence, revenge, and telekinesis. The tale begins in South America in 1926, when a young man, Esteban (Jeremy Irons), falls in love with the daughter of a rich man, Rosa Del Valle (Teri Polo). He vows to become rich enough to make her his wife and spends months of toil in the gold fields to earn enough money to do just that. Before the two marry, however, Rosa is killed by poison meant for her father. After the tragedy, Esteban moves to Trés Marias, an abandoned ranch, and spends 20 years of his life turning the ranch into a thriving estate, exploiting the labor of the poor who live off the land. When he returns to the city, he comes across Rosa's younger sister Clara (Meryl Streep), now a woman with telekinetic abilities. Clara took a vow of silence years before, but upon the arrival of Esteban, she speaks for the first time in years -- "You have come to propose marriage to me," she says. Esteban and Clara marry, and Esteban takes her back to the ranch, where they have a daughter, Blanca (Winona Ryder). Their daughter falls in love with the son of one of Esteban's foremen, a hot-headed revolutionary named Pedro (Antonio Banderas). Now, the country is in the throes of revolution. Esteban banishes his sister Ferula (Glenn Close) from the ranch, beats his wife, and rapes a peasant woman. The product of Esteban's rape (Joaquin Martinez) grows into an angry young man who convinces Esteban to send him away to military school. When there is a military coup, the illegitimate son returns to Trés Marias with revenge and torture on his mind. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeremy Irons, Meryl Streep, (more)
In October 1991, a dying tropical hurricane from Bermuda collided with a cold front from the Great Lakes, resulting in a "perfect storm" of previously unknown destructive impact that resulted in 100-foot waves; tragically, the crew of a fishing boat was lost in the midst of the fearsome storm. Based on the best-selling book by Sebastian Junger, The Perfect Storm tells the story of the ship's brave and hard-working crew. Billy Tyne (George Clooney), captain of the Andrea Gail, hasn't had much luck finding catch on his most recent trips to sea, and with money short, he and his crew -- Bob Shatford (Mark Wahlberg), Dale Murphy (John C. Reilly), and David Sullivan (William Fichtner) set out again when they hear that the fish are running. Billy's hunch proves correct, but when the ship's refrigeration system goes haywire, they have to return to shore as quickly as possible before the fish spoil, sending them into the middle of the worst storm in history. The supporting cast includes Mary Elziabeth Mastrantonio, Diane Lane, Bob Gunton, and Karen Allen; Wolfgang Petersen, whose breakthrough film was the aquatic wartime drama Das Boot, directed. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, (more)
- 2012
Their home planet of Thundera destroyed by Mumm-Ra, an evil sorcerer who is intent on erasing all evidence that they ever existed, a race of humanoid cats arrives on a planet known as Third Earth in search of shelter. Little do they realize, however, that malevolent wizard has tracked them through space and has recently arrived on Third Earth to complete the mission that he started back on Thundera. As the frightened feline humanoids fight for their lives on an unfamiliar planet, a lone hero named Lion-O will emerge as the one leader who could save them from ultimate annihilation. Former video-game art director Jerry O'Flaherty directs from a script by newcomer Paul Sopocy. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
This award winning made-for-cable movie tells the story of American President Harry S.Truman and his role in the second World War. Gary Sinese stars in the title role of this biographical account, which is based on Pulitzer Prize-winner David McCullough's book. The film chronicles Truman's rise from unknown farmer to infamous American President -- who is chiefly remembered for being the first to use the atomic bomb. Diana Scarwid stars as Truman's wife Bess. Nominated for many awards that year, the film won the Emmy for "Best Made-for-Television Movie." Gary Sinese won the "Best Actor" Golden Globe and the Screen Actors Guild award for his impressive lead performance. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gary Sinise
- 2010
Revered TV and film producer/writer/director James L. Brooks (As Good As It Gets) sets his sights back on the big screen with this ensemble comedy starring Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson, and Paul Rudd for Columbia Pictures. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
Harvard University graduate Alek Keshishian directed this tale about a homeless man who teaches some snotty Harvard students a thing or two about real life. Monty (Brendan Fraser) is a self-absorbed graduate student who is obsessed with finishing his thesis on government so that he can satisfy his demanding teacher, Professor Pitkannan (Gore Vidal). When Monty loses his precious thesis in the basement of the library's heating plant, it is found by a homeless man living there, Simon (Joe Pesci). Simon agrees to return the thesis one page at a time in return for certain favors. The relationship with the bearded vagabond changes Monty's view of life, and it also affects his housemates, who include Everett (Patrick Dempsey), a wisecracking radio host; Courtney (Moira Kelly), who is immature and sex-obsessed; and the studious nerd Jeff (Josh Hamilton). Simon becomes something of a father figure to Monty, argues history with Professor Pitkannan, and provides an earthy balance to the overly academic viewpoint of the students. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joe Pesci, Brendan Fraser, (more)
