This week’s column runs the gambit of movie genres from animated family comedy to drama to action and non-stop excitements. Hotel Transylvania 2 is the sequel to the 2012 monster hit original. This go around has Count Dracula’s super old-fashioned father coming for an impromptu family get-together at the hotel, which forces Dracula and his friends to make the hotel both old world but still cool. The Forger tells the tale of a thief and his father, who team up to forge a painting by Monet and steal the original. Finally, No Escape revolves an American family fighting to find safety when a coup erupts in the country where they have just purchased a home. Each motion picture brings its own distinctive flair to its plot whether it be an exceptional comedic style or a perplexing, nail-biting thrill ride, fans of each film’s particular movie genre are sure to enjoy every moment of these three flicks.
Hotel Transylvania 2 is the sequel to the 2012 smash animated family comedy bonanza. Returning to voice the characters from the original are Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, Saturday Night Live current cast member Andy Samberg, Steve Buscemi, Kevin James, SNL alum David Spade and Fran Drescher. New voice additions include Mel Brooks, another SNL alum Chris Kattan and Keegan-Michael Key from Comedy Central’s comedy television show Key and Peele. This sequel has Count Dracula’s (Sandler) uber old-fashioned father, Vlad (Brooks) coming to the hotel from an unarranged family gathering thus forcing Dracula and the other monsters to make sure the hotel and its guests exhibit traditional behaviors while also attempting to maintain its more modern day vibe. The film’s teaser trailer shows Dracula along with his monster friends attempting to teach Dracula’s half-human grandson to fly. The comedic romp of the first film seems even more prevalent in this teaser as Drac and the gang face a new challenge. It opens in theaters on Friday, September 25.
The Forger is an dramatic crime thriller starring John Travolta, Christopher Plummer, Fifty Shades of Grey’s Jennifer Ehle, Abigail Spencer and Anson Mount from AMC’s Hell on Wheels. Travolta plays Raymond Cutter, a second-generation thief, who just got released from prison, who teams up with his ailing father, Joseph (Plummer) to steal an original painting by Claude Monet and replace it with a forgery. The flick’s trailer illustrates Raymond’s precarious situation as he must go through with this highly dangerous heist/forgery to keep his son safe and to keep from being sent back to prison by the same shady people that secured his release. It also reminds audiences of Travolta’s incredible talent for gritty, edge of your seat drama. It opens in theaters on Friday, April 24.
No Escape is an action thriller starring Owen Wilson, Lake Bell, Pierce Brosnan, The Conjuring’s Sterling Jerins and Spencer Garrett. The movie’s plot revolves around Jack and Annie Dwyer (Wilson and Bell, respectively) who just bought a home in a country overseas in an attempt to start a brand new life with their two young daughters. Yet, they end up having to fight to stay alive when a coup erupts and foreigners are being ruthlessly executed. The motion picture’s trailer displays how chaos breaks out in a matter of seconds as the Dwyers witness unspeakable acts of violence. Wilson’s not often seen dramatic acting skills shine as he shows just how far a man will go to protect his family. It opens in theaters on Wednesday, September 2.