#GAfilm Review: "A Walk in the Woods" (**½)

Robert Redford and Nick Nolte star in "A Walk in the Woods." 

With Academy Award-winner Robert Redford and Academy Award-nominee Nick Nolte set to conquer an adventurous hike together along the Appalachian Trail, I thought I had another "Wild" on my hands. To my dismay, the Georgia film (and 1998 bestselling book adaptation) "A Walk in the Woods" turned out to be about as exciting as the title suggests. The film begins with energy and potential but quickly loses its footing early on, ultimately resulting in a rather bland and uneventful journey with little substance.

The Local Lense: #GAfilm Updates 6/15 - Tom Cruise, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicki Minaj

Tom Cruise, Michael Keaton, Jennifer Lawrence, Kerry Washington and more! Hosts Beth Keener and Greer Howard bring you the 411 on entertainment news in Georgia. Find out what's filming, who's here and what to watch!

We are thrilled to be featuring The Local Lense here at Reel Georgia! Every week, Beth Keener and Greer Howard host the Entertainment Buzz—giving you the complete #GAfilm rundown of what's filming, what celebrities were spotted and which TV shows were locally-lensed and feature local talent.

This week, catch up on the details of "Mena" with Tom Cruise (filming in Ballground); "Captain America: Civil War" with Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner, Robert Downey, Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle, Anthony Mackie (filming in Metro Atlanta); "The Founder" with Michael Keaton (filming in Canton); "The Do Over" with Adam Sandler and David Spade (filming in Savannah); "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2" with Jennifer Lawrence (filming reshoots in Dawsonville); "Allegiant: Part 1" with Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort (filming in Rome and Metro Atlanta); and "Barbershop 3" with Ice Cube, Nicki Minaj and Anthony Anderson (filming in Atlanta).

Also, there are TV updates from HBO's "Confirmation" with Kerry Washington, Lifetime's "Devious Maids," AMC's "Halt and Catch Fire" and more! Stay tuned to the end to find out how you can win a free one-hour private coaching session from Atlanta acting studio Drama Inc.

Signs and Sets: "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay," "Dumb and Dumber To," "Fast & Furious 7"

"THE ODDS ARE NEVER IN OUR FAVOR," a remnant from the set of
"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" in Southwest Atlanta

It is pretty easy to find pictures of all the celebrities that are spending time filming projects in Georgia, but sometimes you might stumble upon a nondescript film set and not know what and who you are looking at. In a new column called "Signs and Sets," we'll share pictures of the coded signs and miscellaneous set pictures that might not contain the glamorous faces of stars, but will give you an idea of what to look for when set-hunting. Currently, "Fast & Furious 7," "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" and "Dumb and Dumber To" are all speeding through production in the Metro Atlanta area.

Star spotting 10/5: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Paul Walker, Jason Momoa

Jennifer Lawrence, Jason Momoa and Jim Carrey are all hard at work on Georgia sets.

Leading up to next month's release of "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," the mega-franchise is in full-swing filming mode yet again. "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" is back in Atlanta, stars and all. Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Julianne Moore in particular have been spotted all over the city, with more of the sprawling cast expected in town over the next several weeks. So far, filming has taken place at Screen Gems Studios, Downtown at the Georgia World Congress Center, at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Lithia Springs, at Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville with the film currently set up at Pullman Yard in Atlanta's Kirkwood neighborhood.

When Lionsgate decided to split the final book in the series into two films, it was rumored that "Mockingjay - Part 2" would film together with "Part 1." While no official word on this has been issued, it would make sense if there is any truth to the rumors about certain top cast members looking for houses to rent during their stay. Francis Lawrence returns from "Catching Fire" to direct the final installments of the franchise. In addition to Lawrence, Hemsworth and Moore; the cast includes Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Natalie Dormer (who will be in attendance at the Savannah Film Festival to accept an award later this month), Patina Miller, Lily Rabe and Wes Chatham.

"Dumb and Dumber To" may not have been a highly anticipated sequel, thanks to two decades passing since the first film and a terrible prequel ("Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd," also shot in Atlanta) acting as a major buzzkill. But fans of the comedy classic have warmly welcomed the franchise back into the fold now that the Farrelly Brothers, Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels are all back in action. Filming started right around the same time as "Mockingjay - Part 1" in Atlanta's Cabbagetown and Grant Park neighborhoods. Production has so far moved around the state to Grantville and Monroe  and will film in Marietta next week. Kathleen Turner, Rob Riggle, Cam Neely and "The Walking Dead" star Laurie Holden co-star in the film. Jennifer Lawrence has also signed on for a cameo; the news breaking after she was spotted having dinner with Daniels and the Farrelly Brothers at Watershed a couple of weeks back.

"Fast & Furious 7" is another big Hollywood film that has been shooting most of its principal photography in Georgia. Filming has taken place throughout Downtown Atlanta and Grant Park, as well as in Norcross with more shooting scheduled in Forrest Park. Franchise staples Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges, Tyrese Gibson, Jordana Brewster, Dwayne Johnson and Lucas Black will all appear, as well as new additions Jason Statham, Kurt Russell, Djimon Hounsou and Tony Jaa.

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.

"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" officially begins production in Georgia

Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson and Jennifer Lawrence will all reprise
roles in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"

Production on "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" began today in Atlanta. Shooting will take place first at the Georgia World Congress Center. The working title for the film is "The Idiom," but I imagine that cover has been completely blown by now. Filming will take place all over Metro Atlanta before moving production to Hawaii. If you have any pictures or updates from the set, email them to us at reelga@gmail.com.

Recently announced cast-members include Jeffrey Wright as Beetee, Sam Claflin as Finnick Odair, Alan Ritchson as Gloss and Stephanie Leigh Schlund as Cashmere.

"Catching Fire" is just another addition to the list of projects currently filming across Georgia. Shawn Levy's "The Internship" is in Atlanta shooting with Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. "Scary Movie 5" also just began filming in Atlanta with Ashley Tisdale, Lindsay Lohan, Heather Locklear, Charlie Sheen and Molly Shannon. "The Walking Dead" is currently shooting in Grantville. First time director Rudiger Von Spies just began filming "Enchanted Amore" in Savannah with stars Rusty Joiner and Nadine Vinzens.

"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!

03/21 Star spotting: Amy Poehler, Clint Eastwood, Justin Timberlake, Melissa McCarthy

Clint Eastwood star vehicle "Trouble with the Curve" is still filming here in Georgia. Currently being shot at the Amicalola Falls Lodge in Dawsonville, the film also stars Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake and John Goodman. Previous filming has taken place in Athens, Atlanta, Conyers and Macon.

Jason Bateman and recent Oscar nominee Melissa McCarthy will begin filming a comedy titled "Identity Thief" in Atlanta next month. The film is currently searching for extras.

"A.C.O.D." ("Adult Children of Divorce") is on its second week of filming in Atlanta. Starting out in Castleberry Hill, the comedy starring Amy Poehler, Adam Scott, Richard Jenkins, Jane Lynch, Jessica Alba, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Catherine O'Hara has since moved the set to Decatur. Stu Zicherman will make his directorial debut with the film. Two Q&As with Adam Scott have taken place at Atlanta's Midtown Art Cinema recently after screenings of his film "Friends With Kids."

Kevin Bacon has been in Smyrna for the past couple of weeks filming an untitled pilot by Kevin Williamson. Not much more information has been released on the project.

USA Network show "Necessary Roughness" is filming in Macon this week. The show films mostly in Atlanta. Also on USA, "Royal Pains" is currently filming in coastal Georgia for a couple of weeks before moving the set back up to New York. They are shooting in St. Marys and Jekyll Island through the end of March.

MTV's "Teen Wolf" is currently shooting on location between Decatur and Avondale Estates.

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

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.