Nicholas Sparks fans are in for a treat, as the adaptation of the author's romance novel "The Longest Ride" hits theaters this weekend. This is the 11th cinematic adaptation of one of Sparks' novels, and some say it's one of the best, although critics did have some serious bones to pick with it. The more interesting films of the week seem to be in the limited release area. Alex Garland's sci-fi thriller "Ex Machina" is an enticing new release, as is the César-winning drama "Clouds of Sils Maria". Another intriguing limited release is the true story drama "Desert Dancer". More about each film after the jump.
Synopses, details, critical reception, trailers, clips and more after the jump.
THE LONGEST RIDE
Official Synopsis
Based on the bestselling novel by master storyteller Nicholas Sparks, THE LONGEST RIDE centers on the star-crossed love affair between Luke, a former champion bull rider looking to make a comeback, and Sophia, a college student who is about to embark upon her dream job in New York City's art world. As conflicting paths and ideals test their relationship, Sophia and Luke make an unexpected and feateful connection with Ira, whose memories of his own decades-long romance with his beloved wife deeply inspire the young couple. Spanning generations and two intertwining love stories, THE LONGEST RIDE explores the challenges and infinite rewards of enduring love.
Film Details
- Starring: Scott Eastwood, Britt Robertson, Alan Alda, Jack Huston, Oona Chaplin, Melissa Benoist, Lolita Davidovich
- Director: George Tillman Jr.
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Running Time: 139 min.
- Rating: PG-13 for some sexuality, partial nudity, and some war and sports action
Critical Reception
- Rottentomatoes: 29% (20 fresh, 50 rotten, score: 4.3/10).
- Metacritic: 32 out of 100 (0 positive, 11 mixed, 16 negative).
Trailers, Clips, Posters and More
EX MACHINA
Official Synopsis
Alex Garland, writer of 28 Days Later and Sunshine, makes his directorial debut with the stylish and cerebral thriller, EX MACHINA. Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson), a programmer at an internet-search giant, wins a competition to spend a week at the private mountain estate of the company's brilliant and reclusive CEO, Nathan Bateman (Oscar Isaac). Upon his arrival, Caleb learns that Nathan has chosen him to be the human component in a Turing Test-charging him with evaluating the capabilities, and ultimately the consciousness, of Nathan's latest experiment in artificial intelligence. That experiment is Ava (Alicia Vikander), a breathtaking A.I. whose emotional intelligence proves more sophisticated--and more deceptive--than the two men could have imagined.
Film Details
- Starring: Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Corey Johnson, Sonoya Mizuno
- Director: Alex Garland
- Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Running Time: 108 min.
- Rating: R for graphic nudity, language, sexual references and some violence
Critical Reception
- Rottentomatoes: 90% (72 fresh, 8 rotten, score: 7.9/10).
- Metacritic: 77 out of 100 (22 positive, 5 mixed, 0 negative).
Trailers, Clips, Posters and More
CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA
Official Synopsis
Maria Enders (Juliette Binoche) is an actress at the peak of her international career who is asked to perform in a revival of the play that made her famous twenty years earlier. Back then she played the role of Sigrid, an alluring young woman who disarms and eventually drives her boss Helena to suicide. Now she is being asked to step into the other role, that of the older Helena. She departs with her assistant (Kristen Stewart) to rehearse in Sils Maria, a remote region of the Alps. A young Hollywood starlet with a penchant for scandal (Chloë Grace Moretz) is to take on the role of Sigrid, and Maria finds herself on the other side of the mirror, face to face with an ambiguously charming woman who is, in essence, an unsettling reflection of herself.
Film Details
- Starring: Juliette Binoche, Kristen Stewart, Chloë Grace Moretz, Johnny Flynn, Brady Corbet
- Director: Olivier Assayas
- Genre: Drama
- Running Time: 124 min.
- Rating: R for language and brief graphic nudity
Critical Reception
- Rottentomatoes: 89% (49 fresh, 6 rotten, score: 7.6/10).
- Metacritic: 80 out of 100 (20 positive, 2 mixed, 1 negative).
Trailers, Clips, Posters and More
DESERT DANCER
Official Synopsis
Set in Iran, this powerful and unbelievable true story follows the brave ambition of Afshin Ghaffarian. During the volatile climate of the 2009 presidential election, where many cultural freedoms were threatened, Afshin and some friends (including Elaheh played by Freida Pinto) risk their lives and form an underground dance company. Through banned online videos, they learn from timeless legends who cross all cultural divides, such as Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev. Afshin and Elaheh also learn much from each other, most importantly how to embrace their passion for dance and for one another.
Film Details
- Starring: Reece Ritchie, Freida Pinto, Nazanin Boniadi, Marama Corlett, Tom Cullen
- Director: Richard Raymond
- Genre: Drama, Biography
- Running Time: 98 min.
- Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements, some drug material and violence
Critical Reception
- Rottentomatoes: 32% (8 fresh, 17 rotten, score: 5.4/10).
- Metacritic: 49 out of 100 (4 positive, 11 mixed, 1 negative).
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