Ben Is Back (2018)

R | 1h 43min | Drama | 7 December 2018 (USA)

A drug addicted teenage boy shows up unexpectedly at his family's home on Christmas Eve.

Director:

 Peter Hedges

Writer:

 Peter Hedges

Stars:

 Julia Roberts, Lucas Hedges, Courtney B. Vance |

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
	Julia Roberts	...	Holly Burns
	Lucas Hedges	...	Ben Burns
	Courtney B. Vance	...	Neal Beeby
	Kathryn Newton	...	Ivy Burns
	Rachel Bay Jones	...	Beth Conyers
	David Zaldivar	...	Spencer 'Spider' Webbs
	Alexandra Park	...	Cara K
	Michael Esper	...	Clayton
	Tim Guinee	...	Phil
	Myra Lucretia Taylor	...	Sally
	Kristin Griffith	...	Mrs. Crane
	Jack Davidson	...	Dr. Crane
	Mia Fowler	...	Lacey Burns-Beeby
	Jakari Fraser	...	Liam Burns-Beeby
	Cameron Roberts	...	James Lamson

Storyline

Follows the charming yet troubled Ben Burns (Hedges), who returns home to his unsuspecting family one fateful Christmas Eve. Ben's wary mother Holly Burns (Roberts) welcomes her beloved son's return, but soon learns he is still very much in harm's way. During the 24 hours that may change their lives forever, Holly must do everything in her power to avoid the family's downfall.

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

 drug addict | drug dealer | drug dealing | mother son relationship | mother daughter relationship | See All (56) »

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Genres:

 Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language throughout and some drug use | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 Add content advisory for parents »

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Details

Official Sites:

 Black Bear Pictures page

Country:

 USA

Language:

 English

Release Date:

 7 December 2018 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

 Ben Is Back See more »

Filming Locations:

 New York State See more »

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Company Credits

Production Co:

 Black Bear Pictures,30West,Color Force See more »

Show more on IMDbPro »

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

 103 min

Color:

 Color

Aspect Ratio:

 2.35 : 1

Mary Queen of Scots

Mary Queen of Scots (2018)

 R | 2h 4min | Biography, Drama, History | 7 December 2018 

Mary Stuart's attempt to overthrow her cousin Elizabeth I, Queen of England, finds her condemned to years of imprisonment before facing execution. Director:  Josie Rourke Writers:  Beau Willimon (screenplay by), John Guy (based on the book "Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart" by) Stars:  Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie, Jack Lowden | Edit Cast Cast overview, first billed only: Angela Bain ... Snuffer Woman Richard Cant ... Thomas Andrews Guy Rhys ... Earl of Kent Thom Petty ... Earl of Shrewsbury Saoirse Ronan ... Mary Stuart Izuka Hoyle ... Mary Seton Margot Robbie ... Queen Elizabeth I John Ramm ... Bull Simon Russell Beale ... Robert Beale Abby Cassidy ... Fotheringhay Gentlewoman Shalisha James-Davis ... Fotheringhay Gentlewoman Maria Dragus ... Mary Fleming Eileen O'Higgins ... Mary Beaton Liah O'Prey ... Mary Livingston Greg Miller Burns ... Thomas Hepburn Storyline Mary Queen of Scots explores the turbulent life of the charismatic Mary Stuart. Queen of France at 16 and widowed at 18, Mary defies pressure to remarry. Instead, she returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne. But Scotland and England fall under the rule of the compelling Elizabeth I. Each young Queen beholds her "sister" in fear and fascination. Rivals in power and in love, and female regents in a masculine world, the two must decide how to play the game of marriage versus independence. Determined to rule as much more than a figurehead, Mary asserts her claim to the English throne, threatening Elizabeth's sovereignty. Betrayal, rebellion, and conspiracies within each court imperil both thrones - and change the course of history Plot Keywords:  title directed by female | f rated | execution | imprisonment | prison| See All (60) » Taglines:  Born to Fight See more » Genres:  Biography | Drama | History Certificate:  R | See all certifications » Parents Guide:  Add content advisory for parents » Details Official Sites:  Official Instagram | Official Twitter Country:  UK Language:  English Release Date:  7 December 2018 (USA) See more » Also Known As:  Duas Rainhas See more » Filming Locations:  Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland, UK See more » Edit Box Office Budget: $25,000,000 (estimated) See more on IMDbPro » Company Credits Production Co:  Focus Features,Perfect World Pictures,Working Title Films See more » Show more on IMDbPro » Technical Specs Runtime:  124 min Sound Mix:  Dolby Atmos Color:  Color

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)

PG-13 | 2h 14min | Adventure , Family , Fantasy | 16 November 2018 (USA)

Movie story line:

The second installment of the "Fantastic Beasts" series set in J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World featuring the adventures of magizoologist Newt Scamander.

The second installment of the "Fantastic Beasts" series set in J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World featuring the adventures of magizoologist Newt Scamander.

Director:

 David Yates

Writers:

 J.K. Rowling, J.K. Rowling (based upon characters created by)

Stars:

 Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler 

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
	Johnny Depp	...	Grindelwald
	Kevin Guthrie	...	Abernathy
	Carmen Ejogo	...	Seraphina Picquery
	Wolf Roth	...	Spielman
	Eddie Redmayne	...	Newt Scamander
	Zoë Kravitz	...	Leta Lestrange
	Callum Turner	...	Theseus Scamander
	Derek Riddell	...	Torquil Travers
	Cornell John	...	Arnold Guzman (as Cornell S. John)
	Ezra Miller	...	Credence Barebone
	Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson	...	Grimmson (as Ingvar Sigurdsson)
	Poppy Corby-Tuech	...	Rosier
	Andrew Turner	...	MacDuff
	Maja Bloom	...	Carrow
	Simon Meacock	...	Krafft

Storyline

In an effort to thwart Grindelwald's plans of raising pure-blood wizards to rule over all non-magical beings, Albus Dumbledore enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, though he's unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world. Written by sunny skies

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

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Plot Keywords:

 witch | sequel | wizard | murder | professor albus dumbledore character| See All (39) »

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Taglines:

 Who will change the future? See more »

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Genres:

 Adventure | Family | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sequences of fantasy action | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 View content advisory »

Edit

Details

Official Sites:

 Official Facebook | Official Instagram | See more »

Country:

 UK | USA

Language:

 French | English

Release Date:

 16 November 2018 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

 Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 2 See more »

Filming Locations:

 Lacock Abbey, Lacock, Wiltshire, England, UK See more »

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Edit

Box Office

Budget:

$200,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

 $62,163,104, 18 November 2018, Wide Release

Gross USA:

 $123,141,406, 29 November 2018

See more on IMDbPro »

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Company Credits

Production Co:

 Heyday Films,Warner Bros. See more »

Show more on IMDbPro »

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

 134 min

Sound Mix:

 Sonics-DDP (IMAX version)| Dolby Atmos | IMAX 6-Track | DTS (DTS: X)| 12-Track Digital Sound (IMAX 12 track)| Dolby Surround 7.1

Color:

 Color

Aspect Ratio:

 2.39 : 1

See full technical specs »

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Principal photography for the film began at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden London in July 2017. Filming also took place in England, including London, Switzerland, and Paris. See more »

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Goofs

When Jude Law and Eddie Redmayne are talking in the bus. Jude's hat is crushed and not crushed on the top depending on the camera direction. See more »

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Quotes

[first lines]
Spielman: [to Picquery; about Grindelwald] ... you'll be glad to get rid of him, I expect.
Seraphina Picquery: We'd be more than happy to keep him here in custody.
Spielman: Six months are enough. It's time for him to answer for his crimes in Europe.
Abernathy: [meets them at Grindelwald's door] President Picquery, Mr. Spielman, sir. Prisoner is secured and ready to travel.
Spielman: [peers into the cell with Picquery] You've thrown everything at him, I see.
Seraphina Picquery: It was necessary. He's extremely powerful. We've had to change his guard three times - ...
See more »

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Connections

Featured in The Graham Norton Show: Eddie Redmayne/Jude Law/Melissa McCarthy/Emma Stone/Rick Astley (2018) See more »

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User Reviews

 

More focused on franchise building than telling a good story!

15 November 2018 | by maiajay13 – See all my reviews

As both a lover of the Harry Potter Universe and a lover of movie going, I was thoroughly disappointed, even angry with this movie. While the visuals are as magical as ever, it's clear that the filmmakers are so distracted by trying to build a franchise that they're forgetting to actually tell a good story! The chemistry between our main four heroes was diluted by so many new characters being introduced. With so many new people and also so many questions for our old heroes, there wasn't enough time for any kind of (explainable) character development or for the viewers to connect with anyone on the screen. The only "character development" with one of our main heroes felt random and out of character and we aren't given much reason or warning for this change. I was also very disappointed with the writing behind Tina's character as her role was demoted from a strong willed Auror and woman to merely a side kick and love interest. Huge and important elements of the story were left for us only to assume what had happened when discussing the one year time jump between the two films (like the Jacob/Queenie relationship, Jacobs memory, etc.). As a whole, the film screamed "money hungry" and "franchise building" rather than letting us really connect with the characters. It also seemed as if they were only adding in twists that would surely get a reaction from viewers despite the fact that they not only discredited the original Harry Potter films, but just felt like unrealistic and a little too convenient! In short, as a huge fan of the Harry Potter Universe, I was disappointed, upset and felt really let down, and as a film goer, I was confused with the plot and frustrated with the lack of character connection and development! The only reason I have given a 4/10 instead of a 1 is for Eddie Redmayne's perfect execution of the shy, socially awkward but loveable and charming Newt Scamander and for the alluring performance from Jude Law's Dumbledore who leaves us wanting to know more of his history! But in the end, it was a huge disappointment as a stand-alone movie.