Now playing in theaters is director Michael Bay’s fantastic dark comedy Pain & Gain.  The film is based on a crazy true story and stars Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson as two bodybuilders who get caught up in an extortion ring and kidnapping scheme that goes terribly wrong.  Pain and Gain also stars Anthony Mackie, Rebel Wilson,  Tony Shalhoub, Ed Harris, Rob Corddry, Ken Jeong, and Bar Paly.  For more on the film, watch some clips or the red-band trailer.

At the Miami press junket, I landed an exclusive interview with Ken Jeong & Bar Paly.  We talked about what it was like to work with Michael Bay, their reaction to finding out the story was based on real events, the great work by all the actors, and more.  In addition, they talked about upcoming films like The Hangover Part III and Non-Stop with Liam Neeson.  Hit the jump to watch the interview and definitely check out Pain and Gain.  It’s absolutely worth seeing.

Now playing in theaters is director Michael Bay’s fantastic dark comedy Pain & Gain.  The film is based on a crazy true story and stars Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson as two bodybuilders who get caught up in an extortion ring and kidnapping scheme that goes terribly wrong.  Pain and Gain also stars Anthony Mackie, Rebel Wilson,  Tony Shalhoub, Ed Harris, Rob Corddry, Ken Jeong, and Bar Paly.  For more on the film, watch some clips or the red-band trailer.

At the Miami press junket, I landed an exclusive interview with Anthony Mackie and Rob Corddry.  We talked about what it was like to work with Michael Bay, their reaction to finding out the story was based on real events, the great work by all the actors, and more.  Hit the jump to watch the interview and definitely check out Pain and Gain.  It’s absolutely worth seeing.

Last night I had the opportunity to check out a late showing of Pain & Gain during which I encountered a few thoughts that I couldn’t shake: 1) I wish Michael Bay would make more films like this and less of the transforming car variety. 2) Why can’t Dwayne Johnson be in every movie? 3) This is probably the craziest “Based on a True Story” movie I’ve ever seen. I’ve heard Bay say that some of the most extreme elements of the plot are also the most true to the original story. This is good to know because had someone written a lot of what shows up in the film I would likely call it too farfetched for my suspended disbelief to withstand. Make no mistake, this is a wild, entertaining ride that utilizes layers of action, crime, comedy, sex, and even a touch of sadism to keep you invested from beginning to end.

My mini-review aside, this week’s Top 5 includes the first trailer for Thor: The Dark World, Pain & Gain interviews with Michael Bay, Mark Wahlberg, and more, a recap of our visit to Pixar for Monsters University, news that Zack Snyder could take the helm of Justice League pending Man of Steel‘s success, and the first entry in a new interview series from Steve: “Breaking Down the Movie” with The Place Beyond the Pines director Derek Cianfrance. As is customary, a brief recap and link to each of the above is ready and waiting after the jump.

Opening this weekend is director Michael Bay’s fantastic dark comedy Pain & Gain.  The film is based on a crazy true story and stars Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson as two bodybuilders who get caught up in an extortion ring and kidnapping scheme that goes terribly wrong.  Pain and Gain also stars Anthony Mackie, Rebel Wilson,  Tony Shalhoub, Ed Harris, Rob Corddry, Ken Jeong, and Bar Paly.  For more on the film, watch some clips or the red-band trailer.

Last week at the Miami press junket, I landed an exclusive interview with Tony Shalhoub.  We talked about what it was like to work with Michael Bay, his reaction to finding out the story was based on real events, the great work by all the actors, and more.  In addition, as a huge fan of Galaxy Quest, I couldn’t help but have him reminiscence about making that movie and how it’s stood the test of time.  Hit the jump to watch the interview and definitely check out Pain and Gain this weekend.  It’s absolutely worth seeing.

Entitlement is a central facet of the American Dream. If you work hard, you should be rewarded. We believe we live in a meritocracy despite all evidence to the contrary. In some walks of life, you can get out what you put in. It’s a truth in exercise, and it’s mostly been a truth for the films of Michael Bay. He is a director completely without subtlety and grace, and is one of the most financially successful directors in American history. His films are cinematic excess in their purest form; indifferent to story and character, they have disgustingly large budgets pumped in and grandiose spectacle pumped out. His new film, Pain & Gain, may not have the funds of his recent blockbusters, but it wholeheartedly shares the cocky and reckless spirit of his controversial oeuvre. Sympathetic to his meathead protagonists, Bay has crafted a picture that is energetic, fun, and almost too large for life.

Opening this weekend is director Michael Bay’s fantastic dark comedy Pain & Gain.  The film is based on a crazy true story and stars Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson as two bodybuilders who get caught up in an extortion ring and kidnapping scheme that goes terribly wrong.  Pain and Gain also stars Anthony Mackie, Rebel Wilson,  Tony Shalhoub, Ed Harris, Rob Corddry, Ken Jeong, and Bar Paly.  For more on the film, watch some clips or the red-band trailer.

Recently, I landed an exclusive phone interview with Johnson  and Wahlberg.  We talked about how the craziest stuff is true, the way they prepared for the role, whether they were nervous to play these characters, collaborating with Michael Bay, future projects like Ted 2, Hercules, G.I. Joe 3, and more.   In addition, I asked Wahlberg if we can get Johnson walking around in the background of Transformers 4 so that there can eventually be a G.I. Joe/Transformers movie.  Hit the jump for what they had to say.

Opening this weekend is director Michael Bay’s fantastic dark comedy Pain & Gain.  The film is based on a crazy true story and stars Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson as two bodybuilders who get caught up in an extortion ring and kidnapping scheme that goes terribly wrong.  Pain and Gain also stars Anthony Mackie, Rebel Wilson,  Tony Shalhoub, Ed Harris, Rob Corddry, Ken Jeong, and Bar Paly.  For more on the film, watch some clips or the red-band trailer.

Last week at the Miami press junket, I landed an exclusive interview with Michael Bay.  He talked about balancing the truth while making a movie, why it took so long to make the film, deleted scenes, whether he will release an extended cut on Blu-ray, test screenings, and a lot more.  In addition, beside telling a crazy true story involving the real people involved, I got an update on director Jonathan Liebesman‘s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  Hit the jump to watch and definitely check out Pain and Gain this weekend.  It’s absolutely worth seeing.

Opening this weekend is director Michael Bay’s fantastic dark comedy Pain & Gain.  The film is based on a crazy true story and stars Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson as two bodybuilders who get caught up in an extortion ring and kidnapping scheme that goes terribly wrong.  Pain and Gain also stars Anthony Mackie, Rebel Wilson,  Tony Shalhoub, Ed Harris, Rob Corddry, Ken Jeong, and Bar Paly.  For more on the film, watch some clips or the red-band trailer.

Last week at the Miami press junket, I landed an exclusive interview with screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.  They talked about the crazy true-life story that inspired the movie, the long process of bringing the film to life, how it was always going to be rated R, the cast and their great performances, how the craziest stuff in the movie is real, and so much more.  Hit the jump to watch and definitely check it out this weekend.  It’s absolutely worth seeing.

Paramount Pictures has released the first two clips from director Michael Bay’s dark comedy Pain & Gain.  The film is based on a true story and stars Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson as two bodybuilders who get caught up in an extortion ring and kidnapping scheme that goes terribly wrong.  The first clip focuses more on the film’s humor than its flashy visuals, as we see Anthony Mackie’s bodybuilder character receiving questionable health care from a characteristically humorous Rebel Wilson.  The second clip shows the three of them trying to kidnap someone.

Hit the jump to watch the clips.  The film also stars Tony Shalhoub, Rob Corddry, and Bar Paly.  Pain & Gain opens on April 26th.

Paramount has released a bunch of new images for Pain & Gain.  Director Michael Bay turned up the saturation for the sun-soaked Miami setting, and it looks great, especially with the bulked-up stars Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, and Anthony Mackie holding the frame.  They play “three personal trainers in 1990s Miami who, in pursuit of the American Dream, get caught up in a criminal enterprise that goes horribly wrong.”

Ed Harris, Tony Shalhoub, Rob Corddry, Rebel Wilson and Bar Paly also star.  Pain & Gain opens April 26.  See the images after the jump.

I cannot wait to see Michael Bay‘s Pain & Gain.  The red-band trailer is hilarious, and without the benefit of giant robots, it looks like Bay has had to put more focus on story and character.  That’s not to say that they’ll be particularly deep, but at least they won’t be wallpaper for an onslaught of CG.  This movie is going to rely on the excellent cast just as much as it’s going to rely on the set pieces.

I’m pleased to announce that we’ll be giving away 15 passes to the Atlanta screening of Pain and Gain.  Hit the jump to find out how you can check out the film early and for free.  The movie stars Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Anthony Mackie, Rob Corddry, Rebel Wilson, Ed Harris, and Tony Shalhoub.  Pain & Gain opens April 26th.

A number of new posters have landed online.  Briefly:

• The Great Gatsby – A new poster for director Baz Luhrmann’s colorful adaptation arrives ahead of tomorrow’s new trailer debut.  The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, and Tobey Maguire and opens in 3D on May 10th.
• Pain & Gain – A new poster for Michael Bay’s “small-scale” black comedy puts Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, and Anthony Mackie front and center.  The film opens on April 26th.
• This Is the End – Fresh off the film’s WonderCon panel, a new poster has landed online for the directorial debut of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.  The star-studded comedy includes James Franco, Craig Robinson, and Jonah Hill and opens on June 12th.
• Before Midnight – A German poster for Richard Linklater’s highly anticipated sequel teases the return of Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy’s characters.  The film opens on May 24th.  Click here to read Matt’s review.
• The Kings of Summer – A new poster for this Sundance hit (formerly known as Toy’s House) highlights the film’s young stars.  The pic features Nick Offerman, Megan Mullaly, and Alison Brie and opens on May 31st.

Hit the jump to check out the posters and synopses.

The spring is usually a dumping ground for studios, and while there were big misfires in spring 2013 like A Good Day to Die Hard and Jack the Giant Slayer, there were also some nice gems like Warm Bodies, Stoker, and the great The Place Beyond the Pines.  Now we move towards the heavy hitters of summer, and it’s tough to choose just five among the many choices headed our way.  Summer 2012 was a slog, but hope begins anew with summer 2013.

Hit the jump to see the films that Matt, Adam, and Dave are most anticipating in from April to June.

Paramount Pictures has unveiled some new images and a couple of TV spots for director Michael Bay’s upcoming dark comedy Pain & Gain.  Based on a true story, the film stars Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson as two bodybuilders who get caught up in an extortion ring and kidnapping scheme that goes terribly wrong.  We recently got a look at a red-band trailer for the film that highlighted the pic’s more comedic aspects, and these images tease the characters played by Rebel Wilson and Ed Harris as well as inform us that Wahlberg and Johnson are indeed cool guys who don’t look at explosions.

Hit the jump to check out the images and TV spots.  The film also stars Anthony Mackie, Tony Shalhoub, Rob Corddry, and Bar Paly.  Pain & Gain opens on April 26th.

Before I dive into the main topic of this week’s opening paragraph, just a quick disclaimer that the Top 5 will be taking a week off next Saturday to accommodate the first, and perhaps only, trip to Hawaii I will ever take. Here’s to hoping it’s less awkward but equally as life-changing and Kristen Bell/Mila Kunis-filled as Forgetting Sarah Marshall depicted. That said, while it fell just short of the cut this week, I still want to draw attention to the first trailer for director Adam Wingard‘s You’re Next that debuted on Thursday. As a horror fan, I’m always excited when a new entry in the genre gets lauded from both sides of the aisle (horror fans and those who aren’t as giddy about movies that make them think twice about turning out the lights). As far as I’m concerned, August 23rd can’t get here soon enough.

All Hawaii and horror fanboy talk aside, this week’s list offers up the first trailer(s) for The Wolverine, interviews with Dwayne Johnson and more for G.I. Joe: Retaliation, the first trailer and posters for White House Down, a new red-band trailer for Pain & Gain, and The Host interviews with Saoirse Ronan and more. As you’re probably expecting, a brief recap and link to all of the above can be found after the jump.