Last week we were treated to the official poster for the new college drama Goat, which stars Nick Jonas as a frat bro who has to choose between his Greek Life bros and his real bro. But what’s the fun in looking at a poster? This week MTV released the first trailer for the frat film, which stars Jonas and James Franco, and is based on the memoir of the same name from author Brad Land. Unlike last week’s look at Total Frat Movie and the recycled plot of some bros who need to return their boys club to glory, Goat is a far more accurate portrayal of fraternity bros up to no good, and it’s sure to get people talking about the pros and many, many cons of allowing a group of emotional, hormonal, and often hammered teenagers and 20-somethings to police themselves within the walls of a really smelly house.
It’s not all serious stuff this week, though. Anna Kendrick is back in a new trailer for another wedding comedy with far less vulgar hijinks (probably) than Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates, while Cobie Smulders, who played the ghost in Safe Haven, tackles relationship drama in The Intervention’s new trailer. There’s even something for the kids, but first… CHUG THAT WARM CUP OF JAGER, BRO!
Goat
Directed by: Andrew Neel
Starring: James Franco, Ben Schnetzer, Nick Jonas
What’s it about?
Reeling from a terrifying assault, a 19 year-old boy enrolls into college with his brother and pledges the same fraternity. What happens there, in the name of “brotherhood” tests the boy and his loyalty to his brother in brutal ways. [IMDb]
Do they make him eat and chew on a live goldfish? Because that’s probably the one that still haunts me the most. Gosh, those were the good, old days. Anywho, not to be insensitive or anything, but a “cool” and “popular” partying frat is clearly not the place that an assault victim is going to find comfort. His real bro should be a little smarter than that, and perhaps should have pointed him to a video game club or student government. Also, James Franco looks less like a frat bro and more like the “bodyguard” of a stripper brought in for Big/Little night. Even if he’s the old guy who can’t let go and is always coming back to haze, he’s not very convincing. But I guess that’s why we watch the movies and then talk about them. Goat goes toilet bobbing for soggy bananas in theaters on September 23.
Table 19
Directed by: Jeffrey Blitz
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Amanda Crew, Lisa Kudrow
What’s it about?
Ex-maid of honor Eloise – having been relieved of her duties after being unceremoniously dumped by the best man via text – decides to attend the wedding anyway only to find herself seated with 5 “random” guests at the dreaded Table 19. [IMDb]
The “dreaded Table 19.” I hope it’s haunted and each person at the table is possessed by a homicidal demon. That’s about the only way I’ll get my hopes up for a January rom-com. It obviously helps that Kendrick is the star, because she’s wonderful, and this one is written by the Duplass brothers, so it’s safe to assume that it will be a little less, um, over-the-top than Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates. But again… January. The movie graveyard. Prove us wrong, Anna! Table 19 will be seated on January 20.
The Intervention
Directed by: Clea DuVall (that’s right, written and directed by Stokes from The Faculty)
Starring: Melanie Lynskey, Clea DuVall, Cobie Smulders
What’s it about?
A weekend getaway for four couples takes a sharp turn when one of the couples discovers the entire trip was orchestrated to host an intervention on their marriage. [IMDb]
Can you imagine if you and your significant other got all packed up for a weekend getaway with your closest friends, and when you got to the secluded destination, thinking that you’re gonna do a little boozing and maybe a little swinging (fingers crossed, you perv!), they all turned on you and told you how your comic book and baseball card obsession is ruining your marriage? Well, guess what, Greg, we can’t all be as perfect as you and Elaine, OKAY?!?! Also, I really hope Smulders plays a ghost in this movie. Get ready to Intervene on August 26.
Kubo and the Two Strings
Directed by: Travis Knight
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Charlize Theron, Rooney Mara
What’s it about?
Kubo lives a quiet, normal life in a small shoreside village until a spirit from the past turns his life upside down by re-igniting an age-old vendetta. This causes all sorts of havoc as gods and monsters chase Kubo who, in order to survive, must locate a magical suit of armor once worn by his late father, a legendary Samurai warrior. [IMDb]
This sounds pretty awesome. At least it has to be way better than 47 Ronin (which I secretly enjoyed, despite it being so dumb). Are little kids going to be able to follow the story and enjoy the characters, though? That’s a tough call, but they better at least be quiet when I’m trying to watch this. Also, Kubo and the Two Strings sounds like the most hipster band ever assembled, all the way at the bottom of the Coachella poster. At least add a rock harmonica to the ensemble, Kubo. The animated adventure strings us along on August 19.
Edge of Winter
Directed by: Rob Connolly
Starring: Tom Holland, Joel Kinnaman, Rachelle Lefevre
What’s it about?
When two brothers are stranded by a brutal winter storm with an unpredictable father they barely know, the boys begin to suspect their supposed protector may be their biggest threat. [IMDb]
Yeah, so this one sounds like a hoot for the whole family. How great would it be, though, if this is a Spider-Man prequel and it explains why Peter Parker went to New York City to live with Aunt May? Pretty great, in my humble opinion. Edge of Winter is in theaters on August 12.
Boy Howdy!
Directed by: Scott Crawford
Starring: People talking about Creem Magazine
What’s it about?
Unfiltered and unapologetic, CREEM remains America’s only true rock’n’roll magazine—long after publishing its final issue.
This documentary tells the story of Creem Magazine and what it meant to rock stars and fans alike. Crawford launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $100,000 for his film, and it’s currently at $12,785 raised with 29 days to go. Check out the first trailer for it while I get to work on my own documentary for Juggs magazine. Talk about a life-altering publication.
