"Arrival" Review (****½)

Amy Adams stars in "Arrival."

Denis Villeneuve, one of our most consistent filmmakers, has crafted one of the best sci-fi movies of the decade with "Arrival." A slow-burn, intellectual approach keeps the story front and center—and what a story it is.

Amy Adams plays Louise Banks, a linguist whose skillset becomes invaluable when mysterious spacecrafts land around the world—twelve different ones to be exact. Hovering quietly above random locations across the globe, humanity has to make the next move. Do we attack? What do they want? Why are there twelve? These questions are only the beginning of the mystery that falls into the hands of Louise and her physicist partner Ian (Jeremy Renner).

Review: "Trouble with the Curve" (****)

John Goodman, Amy Adams and Clint Eastwood star in "Trouble with the Curve"

Some of the productions that I report on here may shoot in several different states; some using Georgia to double as wherever else they need it to. I delight in the fact that "Trouble with the Curve" is set in and was shot exclusively in my state. Georgia dutifully plays the part of Western North Carolina for some of the story's elements, but without a doubt, this is a Georgia film. Athens, Atlanta, Dawsonville, Decatur, Dunwoody, Jasper, Macon and Young Harris all serve as backdrops for this charming father-daughter tale set in the world of baseball recruiting.

"Trouble With the Curve" trailer

Amy Adams and Clint Eastwood star in "Trouble With the Curve"

One of the most Georgia-centric productions in recent memory, "Trouble With the Curve," is set to be released next month and the trailer has just hit the web. Starring Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake and John Goodman, the film centers around an aging baseball scout (Eastwood) and his daughter (Adams).

Eastwood's filmmaking protégé, Robert Lorenz, is directing the legend this time around. Judging from the trailer, the film looks to be in keeping with Eastwood's visual aesthetic with a bit more lively of a story than his recent efforts. The film could easily become an Oscar contender, especially in the acting categories. You might remember filming updates throughout the spring, when the production moved all over the state. Shooting took place in Atlanta, Decatur, Dawsonville, Dunwoody, Jasper and Macon.

I can't wait for this film. Check out the trailer after the jump!

04/11 Star spotting: Meg Ryan, Kevin Bacon, Justin Timberlake, Gabrielle Union

"Trouble with the Curve" is still filming throughout Georgia, with production taking place in Jasper tomorrow and Friday. The film stars Clint Eastwood, Justin Timberlake, Amy Adams, John Goodman and Matthew Lillard. Shooting has previously taken place in Athens, Atlanta, Conyers, Dawsonville, Dunwoody and Macon. Matthew Lillard recently spent a day at the Atlanta Film Festival during a break.

"The Walking Dead" will start filming season three in Senoia at the end of May. Set construction is underway at Raleigh Studios, where most filming will take place. Downtown Senoia will also be featured in the show. Lifetime show "Drop Dead Diva" has also recently been filming in Senoia.

"A.C.O.D." (aka "Adult Children of Divorce") has been filming all over Atlanta recently, including locations at Castleberry Hill, Decatur and Piedmont Park. Stars Amy Poehler, Adam Scott and Jessica Alba have been out enjoying Atlanta during breaks from filming.

Also enjoying Atlanta during filming breaks is Kevin Bacon, who is still filming an untitled Kevin Williamson pilot all over metro Atlanta. Appropriately enough, he recently stopped by BaconFest.

"42," the upcoming Jackie Robinson biopic, will start filming in Atlanta and Macon soon, as well as Birmingham and Chattanooga. The film stars Harrison Ford, Chadwick Boseman, Nicole Beharie, Christopher Meloni and Jon Bernthal. Casting for extras is currently underway. Nicole Beharie recently spoke a little bit about the project when she attended the Atlanta Film Festival.

Meg Ryan and John Mellancamp are in town for the premiere of his play "Ghost Brothers of Darkland County" at the Alliance Theatre at Woodruff Arts Center. Mellancamp collaborated with T Bone Burnett and Stephen King on the musical. Ryan has been enjoying several of Midtown's finest restaurants during her stay.

"Think Like a Man" had a red carpet premiere at Atlantic Station last Wednesday evening. Film stars Gabrielle Union, Regina Hall, Kevin Hart, Steve Harvey and Michael Ealy were in attendance.

J.J. Abrams television pilot "Revolution" is currently filming at the Georgia Capitol building in Atlanta.

Georgia-filmed "American Reunion" opened in theaters last weekend, while another Atlanta production hits screens this week. "Three Stooges" opens Friday. Next month, "What to Expect When You're Expecting" will open nationwide. I wouldn't be surprised if there is an Atlanta red carpet premiere for the film.

02/23 Star spotting: Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, Robert De Niro

Clint Eastwood is coming to Georgia soon to film "Trouble With the Curve." The baseball themed film will also star Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake and John Goodman. Filming will take place at Luther Williams Field in Macon on March 8th. Filming in Dawsonville and other locations around Metro Atlanta are set to take place following the shoot in Macon. Longtime Eastwood collaborator Robert Lorenz is directing.

After filming in north Georgia at locations such as Tallulah Gorge State Park and Black Rock Mountain State Park, Robert De Niro and John Travolta have been filming Mark Steven Johnson's "Killing Season" at Cochran Mill Nature Center in Palmetto.

Tyler Perry is currently filming "Madea's Witness Protection" around Atlanta. Tyler Perry Studios and the Atlanta Financial Center in Buckhead are among the locations chosen so far. Denise Richards and Eugene Levy costar.

Perennially Georgia-shot television shows "Teen Wolf" and "The Vampire Diaries" are currently in production around Atlanta. "Teen Wolf" is shooting in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood, while "The Vampire Diaries" has been filming around Decatur.

Spotted any celebrities around the state? Email us at reelga@gmail.com with the details and we'll post it here.