Popcorn MovieMix April 5: Lion, American Pastoral, The Case For Christ, Going In Style, And Bling

This week’s movies is a mix of sorts. We have one from the Oscars with “Lion”; a directorial debut movie of Ewan McGregor in “American Pastoral”; a Christian biopic, “The Case For Christ”; a look into the ironic side of retirement, “Going in Style”; and a groupie must-see, “Bling.” The box-office actors starring in these week’s pick for the week include Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara, Dev Patel, Ewan McGregor, Jennifer Connelly, Dakota Fanning, Rupert Evans, Fay Dunaway, Mike Vogel, Erika Christensen, Morgan Freeman, Michael Cain, Alan Arkin, and the voices of Taylor Kitsch, James Woods and Jennette McCurdy.

Multi-Awarded Film, ‘Lion’, Stars Hollywood A-Listers

The film, “Lion,” is a film based on a non-fiction biography, “A Long Way Home,” by Saroo Brierley. It stars Slumdog Millionaire’s Dev Patel, Rooney Mara, and Nicole Kidman. It tells the story of a five-year-old child (Saroo) who loses his way on a train and finds himself far away from India, his home. Saroo is left to learn the ropes of survival on his own in Kolkota. Soon after, he is adopted by a couple from Australia. When he was old enough, he uses Google Earth to return home to find his family.

The movie received a total of six Oscar nominations in the 89th Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It also won Best Supporting Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay in the 70th British Academy Film Awards.

Ewan McGregor Debuts as Director with ‘American Pastoral’

The crime-drama is based on the book, “American Pastoral” written by Philip Roth. This is the first film that Ewan McGregor directed which he also stars in. Ewan plays the role of “Swede Levov,” an All-American college star who marries his beauty queen sweetheart, Dawn Levov (Jennifer Connelly). Although the live the dream at first, their family falls apart when their daughter (Dakota Fanning) gets influenced by the turmoil of 1960’s America. Peter Riegert, Rupert Evans, Uzo Aduba, Molly Parker and David Strathairn also star in the famed film.

‘The Case for Christ” – An Atheist Tries to Disprove the Christian Faith

When award-winning investigative journalist Lee Strobe finds out that his wife has found solace in the Christian faith, he tries all he can to disprove Christianity with his journalistic skills. Being the atheist he is, he was relentless in his investigation. After two years of investigating, he, too, finds out the life-giving truth and thus finds faith in Christ. The cast includes Mike Vogel, Erika Christensen and Faye Dunaway.

Seniors Decide to be Robbers in “Going in Style”

High profile actors Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Alan Arkin play the role of three retirees who had their pensions canceled. Inspired by a heist that one of them got to witness, the three seniors decide to rob a bank, too. The comedy is a remake of the 1979 film of the same name. Joey King, Matt Dillon and Ann-Margert join the cast this weekend film.

Bling: Childhood Sweethearts and a Ring

The animated film is about a theme park mechanic, Sam, who constantly dreams of his childhood sweetheart, Sue. He believes that the only way he can get her to notice him is to have a bling ring and propose to her as his true love. His plan is destroyed when the villain Oscar takes Sam’s ring mistaking it as his own. The confusion soon involves superheroes and saving the city. The voices of Taylor Kitsch (Sam), Jennette McCurdy (Sue), James Woods (Victor), Carla Cugino (Catherine), Tom Green (Okra), Jon Heder (Wilmer), Jason Mewes (Kit), and Jason Kravits (Oscar) bring the characters to life.