Articles by Meredith Ennis

While 1999 may not seem that long ago, there are stylistic differences in fashion and clothing that had to be observed and followed for those working behind the scenes on A Walk Among the Tombstones. Based on Lawrence Block’s best-selling series of mystery novels, the film tells the story of private investigator Matthew Scudder (Liam Neeson), who is hired by drug kingpin Kenny Kristo (Dan Stevens) to find out who kidnapped and murdered Kristo’s wife. Costume designer Betsy Heimann’s challenge was to design a 1999-inspired look that was also timeless. For Scudder’s character, she created a dark uniform of sorts. “Scudder’s […]

On Demand DVD New Releases Jan. 12-18 The Identical  The son of a preacher rejects his father’s desire to join the ministry and instead pursues a love of rock and roll music, ultimately uncovering a family secret that reveals who he really is. Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd (PG, 1:47) 1/13 Jimi: All Is By My Side Covering a transformative year in Hendrix’s life from 1966-67, in which he went from a New York City backing musician to making his mark in London’s music scene. Andre Benjamin, Imogen Poots (R, 1:58) 1/13 Love Is Strange Depicts the delicate nature of two […]

After his breakout performance as Jackie Robinson in 42, Chadwick Boseman initially wasn’t interested in reading the script for director Tate Taylor’s James Brown biopic Get On Up. Boseman figured the last thing he should do was another biopic about a cultural icon. On top of that, regardless of his already having played Jackie Robinson, the idea of anyone playing James Brown seemed just about impossible to him. “James Brown was ahead of his time, and we still haven’t caught up with him,” Boseman says. “He lived the life of a thousand people in one lifetime.” Still, he talked to […]

On Demand DVD New Releases Jan. 5-11 Art And Craft A funny, fascinating documentary about Mark Landis, one of the world’s most prolific art forgers, who for over 30 years has duped museums nationwide, until one determined registrar sets out to stop him. Mark Landis, Matthew Leininger (1:29) 1/6 Pre-DVD release Boyhood (below) Filming in three- to four-day shoots each year for a period of 12 years, director Richard Linklater tells the story of growing up through the eyes of Mason. Linklater used the same actors in the shoots, allowing for a true experience of growth in the film. Patricia Arquette, Ellar Coltrane, Ethan […]

On Demand DVD New Releases Dec. 29-Jan. 4 It’s a slow week for new releases, with only three titles to choose from … The Equalizer (pictured) McCall, who has put his mysterious past behind him, comes out of self-retirement to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless. Denzel Washington, Melissa Leo (R, 2:11) 12/30 Viking: The Berserkers In Dark Ages Britain, a group of young Saxons are captured by a clan of fearsome Viking warriors and used as prey in a ritualistic manhunt. Sol Heras, Simon Armstrong, Anthony Baines (NYR) 1/1 (REC) 4: Apocalypse A mysterious virus, which turns people into demons, […]

On Demand DVD New Releases Dec. 22-28 Calvary Priests are sometimes met with some shocking confessionals. When Father James receives a death threat within the confines of confession, he finds his next days conflicted. How can he keep his life and his safety? Brendan Gleeson, Chris O’Dowd, Kelly Reilly (R, 1:39) 12/23 The Good Lie A group of Sudanese refugees are taken in by a brash American woman (Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon) assigned to help them as they adjust to modern life in the United States. Reese Witherspoon, Corey Stoll (PG-13, 1:50) 12/23 Left Behind People all over the world suddenly vanish and mass […]

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes traces the path of the apes’ evolution from the mostly mute — though intelligent — animals of Rise of the Planet of the Apes to the articulate, civilized beings that have become the Earth’s dominant species shown in the Planet of the Apes franchise. Director Matt Reeves explains: “In Rise of the Planet of the Apes, the apes said only a few words. With this film, we show the apes at the dawn of their society, learning to truly speak.” Co-screenwriter Mark Bomback says that one of the script’s biggest challenges was how to […]

On Demand DVD New Releases Dec. 15-21 Dawn of Planet of the Apes The virus that destroyed much of civilization has left evolved apes and a small group of human survivors at the edge of a tenuous peace. But when the apes begin to fracture that peace, the new civilization is threatened. Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman (PG-13, 2:10) 12/16 Escobar: Paradise Lost For Pablo Escobar, family is everything. When young surfer Nick falls for Escobar’s niece, he finds his life on the line. Benicio Del Toro, Josh Hutcherson (R, 2:00) 12/16 Pre-theatrical release Goodbye to All That In this smart, sexy […]

On Demand DVD New Releases Dec. 8-14 The Captive  Eight years after the event, a man finds himself immersed in a complex web that surrounds the mysterious disappearance of his daughter in this psychological thriller. Ryan Reynolds, Scott Speedman (R, 1:52) 12/12 Available same day as theatrical release. The Color of Time James Franco, Mila Kunis, Jessica Chastain, and Zach Braff star in this tale of an artist struggling to reconcile his past. Based on the life of Pulitzer Prize winner C.K. Williams. (R, 1:16) 12/9 Pre-DVD release. Dolphin Tale 2 Rejoin Winter, the dolphin with a prosthetic tail, in her Florida home. Sawyer, Hazel […]

Set in the catacombs that lie below the streets of Paris, As Above, So Below has the distinction of being the first production to get permission to film in the actual catacombs. With access to the areas normally open to the public, and to those that are typically off limits, the film’s writers, brothers John and Drew Dowdle, and their production crew were granted unprecedented assistance from the French government to create the film they had envisioned from the start. Producer Patrick Aiello says, “We were committed to helping John Erick and Drew make it work and convey the experience […]