Best New Movie Bets: June 27 | Musically Inclined Drama 'Begin Again'

Best New Bet: "Begin Again"

John Carney, the director of 2006’s highly acclaimed music film “Once” is returning 7 years later with this similarly themed venture. Keira Knightley stars as a singer-songwriter going through some relationship troubles when she meets a struggling record-label executive who wants to foster her talent. Set in New York City, it’s difficult not to draw some mild plot comparisons to the 2007 romantic comedy “Music and Lyrics”.

That movie had a pretty infectious pop soundtrack and worked as an effective commentary on the music industry. Carney’s “Once” won the Oscar for Best Original Song with “Falling Slowly”, whether the “Begin Again” soundtrack contains a similar dazzling number remains to be seen. The film spurned a distribution bidding war at the Toronto Film Festival after causing a positive commotion among the viewing audience. It was a war that the Weinstein Co. ended up winning.

Keira Knightley is a mega talented actress and she will be stretching her musical skill set again, having previously sung in the underrated drama “The Edge of Love”.  Seeing her take on this new challenge will be interesting. “Begin Again” is not a historical costume flick and with no swashbuckling action in sight, this could give viewers a different perspective on the thespian. Her second out four movies planned for release this year, Knightly has a busy 2014 ahead of her and the silver screen is lucky to have her.

Also Opening: “Transformers: Age of Extinction” is the latest installment in Michael Bay’s special effects extravaganza and for this fourth effort it’s getting a reboot. Mark Wahlberg replaces Shia LaBeouf as the star of the franchise and he will be accompanied by emerging Hollywood talents; “Bates Motel” actress Nicola Peltz and Irish import, Jack Reynor. 

For a satirical spin on romantic comedies look no further than limited release “They Came Together” starring Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd. Given the cast ensemble, the funny factor is off the charts and romantic comedies are a ripe playground for a legitimate spoof.