#GAfilm Floods January Box Office

Ice Cube and Kevin Hart return to star in the Georgia-lensed "Ride Along 2."

#GAfilm has flooded the January box office. Two Georgia productions, "Dirty Grandpa" and "The Fifth Wave" made their debut this past weekend, opening in the fourth and sixth positions respectively. They join Atlanta-filmed "Ride Along 2,” which dropped to third place behind "The Revenant" and the record-breaking "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" after its #1 debut the weekend prior.

From downtown Atlanta to Tybee Island, filming for these three #GAfilm productions have taken place all throughout our Camera Ready state. Find out their specific filming locations below and stay tuned to the end for a list of upcoming #GAfilm releases!

What to See at the 2016 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

The largest Jewish film festival in the world returns for its Sweet Sixteen. Here is a list of titles for you to check out during the 23-day event.

We love that each new year of the Georgia film festival circuit kicks off with the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. The city's most widely attended film event stretches out over three weeks at eight different venues across Midtown Atlanta, Buckhead, Alpharetta, Marietta, Vinings and Sandy Springs. No film festival in the state packs the house as consistently as AJFF and we are looking forward to joining in the opening night ceremonies on Tuesday, January 26 at the Cobb Energy Centre.

This year's lineup is as strong as ever, with films pouring in from all over the world and covering all sorts of thematic ground. Whether you want academic documentaries, Israeli award-winners, Japanese biopics, romantic comedies, musicals or whatever else you can think of—AJFF '16 has it.

We've compiled a long list of films you must see this year! See our picks after the jump.

What to See at the 2015 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

Six continents are represented across dozens of narratives, documentaries and short films in this diverse program from the 15th edition of the Southeast's largest film festival. Here are 23 films you need to see this year.

In its 15-year history, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival has risen to the top of Georgia's and the Southeast's film festival circuits in terms of both attendees and expansive programming. Now spanning 25 days of film screenings at 7 venues—plus numerous parties—AJFF is one of the most well orchestrated and highly publicized events in the state each year.

This year's program offers the same great range in international Jewish or Jewish-interest films we've come to expect from the festival. You certainly don't have to be Jewish to attend or to enjoy these films; the festival's biggest hurdle being that of reaching beyond their obvious clientele. All that simply matters for you to enjoy AJFF is that you must like great films!

Whether you check out Israel's biggest hit films from the last year (Golden Globe nominee "Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem" or "Zero Motivation") or you want to educate yourself through a variety of non-fiction films ("Above All Else," "Raise the Roof"), there is something for everyone. There are world premieres ("Dough") and special anniversary screenings ("Avalon," "The Shop on Main Street").

The 15th annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival kicks off next Wednesday, January 28th at the Cobb Energy Center and runs through February 19th at several different venues in Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Marietta and Alpharetta.

Check out nearly two dozen of our picks for this year's festival!

#GAfilm Review: "Selma" (****½)

A pivotal scene on the Pettus Bridge in Ava DuVernay's "Selma."

"Selma," at least for me, came out of nowhere. With so many great movies having come out of 2014—many of which helmed by respected auteurs—"Selma" just simply wasn’t on my radar. That is, until it began to make itself known. The film has been a contender in just about every awards race this season. The film is currently boasting a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, received nominations from the Golden Globes, Independent Spirit Awards, Critics Choice Awards, and received the Oglethorpe Award for Excellence in Georgia Cinema from our very own Georgia Film Critics Association. Even with all of this praise and hype, I was a bit reluctant to see what appeared to be another somewhat by-the-numbers, feel-good, Oprah-endorsed biopic.

Signs and Sets: "Cell"

The set of "The Cell," just outside Olivia Morgan Antiques.

"Cell," a thriller adapted from the Stephen King novel, started filming in East Cobb today near the corner of Lower Roswell Road and Davidson Road. Thanks to stars John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson, who worked together on another King adaptation, "1408," the set has already provoked notable buzz and a few sightings. Cusack has been seen this week eating at Ritter's and at Sam's BBQ1.

The novel presents Clayton Riddell, possibly cast as Cusack, as he tries to defeat The Pulse--a dangerous virus that attacks the world via the global cell network, turning its victims into mindless predators. He bands together with Tom McCourt, cast as Jackson, and Alice Maxwell, cast as Isabelle Fuhrman ("Orphan," 2009). Fuhrman is a veteran of Sope Creek Elementary, which is right down the street from this set.

I walked the perimeter of the parking lot and saw no one but truck and trailer drivers. There are nine to twelve trailers altogether, and the lot entrances are security blocked. Access Atlanta confirms they are looking for extras and has further information if you're interested.

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

What to see at the 2014 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

Oscar-nominees, Israeli blockbusters, European documentaries and everything in between— Here are 27 films worth checking out at the Southeast's largest film festival.

At fourteen years old, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival is in a great place. Now the largest film festival in the Southeastern United States, I fully expect it to be declared the largest Jewish film festival in world when ticket sales are finalized next month.

The sprawling three-week event has always been a source of excellent programming, with plenty of movies to appeal to people across the board. Estimates for the number of non-Jewish festival-goers hover at around 25% of total attendees, but there is definitely room for growth there. Good films abound at AJFF, and good films are good whether you are Jewish or not! I've been attending for half-a-decade and this year's lineup looks to be the strongest I've seen yet.

From opening night selection "Run Boy Run" to closing night documentary, "Next Year Jerusalem"—there is something for everyone to enjoy. Foreign Language Oscar submissions from Argentina, Czech Republic, Israel, Macedonia, Palestine (one of the nominees, "Omar") and The Philippines all feature in the lineup, as well as the Oscar-nominated documentary short film, "The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life." Ophir nominees and Israeli box office hits like "Bethlehem," "Big Bad Wolves," "Hunting Elephants," "Kidon," "Rock the Casbah" and "The Wonders" are highlights, as are films from across Europe and South America. This year's documentaries cover a variety of subjects, from famed filmmakers and political figures to the Holocaust and modern Israeli issues. Four films feature in special anniversary screenings, including a 25th anniversary presentation of the Georgia set-and-shot winner of the 1989 Academy Award for Best Picture, "Driving Miss Daisy."

The festival kicks off on Wednesday, January 29th and runs through February 20th. Check out our list of over two dozen films to see at this year's festival, after the jump.

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival poised to become the world's largest

The Southeast's largest film festival is getting ready to blanket the Metro Atlanta area with films for 23 days.

Last year's opening night event at the Cobb Energy Centre

While opening night doesn't take place until well over a month from now, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival has released their 2014 lineup, kicking off the countdown for when tickets for the mega-fest go on sale. Last year—with no authority whatsoever—I declared the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival to be larger than the previous world's largest (and oldest) Jewish film fest, the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. Both organizations have claimed 30,000+ in attendance for two years running, but the AJFF has maintained a steady growth rate for years. Officially, the AJFF still claims to be the second largest in the world, albeit the largest film festival of any nature in the Southeastern United States.

Sure to put the numbers well over the 30,000 mark this year, the AJFF is expanding its programming by 25%—a move that could easily push the festival into the title-holding position. The 23-day event features dozens of screenings for the 65-film deep catalog across seven venues. The opening night gala and film presentation will once again take place at the Cobb Energy Centre in Vinings. Closing night festivities will take place at the Woodruff Arts Center in Midtown—a new venue for the festival. United Artists Tara Cinemas in Buckhead, Georgia Theatre Company at Merchant's Walk in Marietta, Regal Cinemas at North Point in Alpharetta, Lefont Theaters in Sandy Springs and Regal Cinemas at Atlantic Station in Midtown all return as the principle screening venues.

Exclusive photos from "Dumb and Dumber To" Marietta set

Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels filming "Dumb and Dumber To" at
Glover Park in the Marietta Square

The Farrelly Brothers' "Dumb and Dumber To," along with "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1," is setting Atlanta ablaze with all the excitement it is generating as it films all over the metro area. Already shooting in Atlanta, Grantville and Monroe; yesterday, the film moved to Marietta Square and continued filming there through today. Hundreds of fans and curious passers-by gathered at street corners to get a glimpse of Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels as Lloyd and Harry.

While Laurie Holden and Kathleen Turner co-star and Jennifer Lawrence will make a cameo appearance, Carrey and Daniels were the film's only big stars I caught today. However, it seems that comedic icon Steve Martin was in town and made a set visit. I can't confirm that the man pictured below is actually Steve Martin (AJC Buzz reporter Jennifer Brett says it is, but an on-set PA said it wasn't).

As evidenced by the Texas flags and a large banner above Church Street that welcomes visitors to a conference in El Paso, filmmakers are using the area to double as the west Texas city.

Filming continues in Metro Atlanta for the next several weeks.

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.

Exclusive photos from "Kill the Messenger" Cartersville set

Period cars parked on set at Red Top Mountain State Park.
Photo: Skip Hammerman

"Kill the Messenger" is the latest high profile movie to film in Metro Atlanta in recent weeks, alongside "Blended," starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. Helmed by popular television director Michael Cuestra ("Dexter," "Homeland," "Six Feet Under"), the film is based on the true story of Gary Webb, a reporter for the San Jose Mercury-News during the 1990s who exposed the CIA's involvement in importing cocaine into California to fund the Nicaraguan Contra rebel army and subsequently became the target of a smear campaign that drove him to suicide.

Jeremy Renner stars as Webb with an all-star supporting cast that includes Andy Garcia, Rosemarie DeWitt, Barry Pepper, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Tim Blake Nelson, Michael Sheen, Robert Patrick, Oliver Platt, Michael Kenneth Williams and Paz Vega as well as familiar Atlanta actors Rhoda Griffis and E. Roger Mitchell.

"Kill the Messenger" has filmed at numerous locations throughout the area, including Downtown Atlanta, the Georgia State Capitol building, Buford, East Cobb, Marietta and most recently at Red Top Mountain State Park in Cartersville. We visited the set earlier this week, but unfortunately weren't able to stick around to catch any of the principal cast. Trusty photographer Skip Hammerman did manage to snap a few good set pictures, though.

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival encore screenings set for April 21st

The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival Audience Award winning films will receive encore screenings on April 21st. Georgia Theatre Company at Merchants Walk in Marietta, one of the festival's most popular venues, will serve as the encore venue. The films will screen in back-to-back presentations– Best Short Film, Best Documentary Feature and finally, Best Narrative Feature. Get your tickets here.

"The Cake Lady" Best Short Film
3:00 PM - A loving tribute to an Atlanta bubbie who embarks on the transition from independence to assisted living.

"Joe Papp in Five Acts" Best Documentary Feature
4:30 PM - Famous faces of the stage and screen pay homage to a transformative figure of American theater.

"Süskind" Best Narrative Feature
7:45 PM - The gripping true story of a Jewish industrialist who saved hundreds of Dutch children from the death camps.

What to see at the 2013 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

Just over three weeks to go until the 2013 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival kicks off. Last year, 30,000 tickets were sold, matching the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival as the largest Jewish film festival in the United States and most certainly one of the largest in the world. With the exponential rate of the growth the fest has seen since its humble beginnings in 2000, I wouldn't be surprised if this year's AJFF sells thousands more tickets than last year's. In fact, three dozen screenings have already sold out.

This year's opening night gala takes place at the Cobb Energy Centre. All regular venues from last year are returning, so you'll be able to catch films at Regal Cinemas Atlantic Station, United Artists Tara Cinemas in Buckhead, Lefont Sandy Springs, Georgia Theatre Company at Merchant's Walk in Marietta and United Artists North Point Market in Alpharetta. You can see the schedule and purchase tickets at www.ajff.org.

I've highlighted 25 films from this year's festival, including the films from opening night, Gen-Y night and closing night as well as two anniversary screenings. Check out the list after the jump.

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival announces new venues and dates

The 12th Annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

This year, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival garnered 26,000 attendees, making it the second largest Jewish film festival in the country. Next year, the festival is expanding yet again and is sure to be seeing even larger numbers than ever before.

The festival will last three weeks, from February 8th through to the 29th. In addition to hosting screenings at The Fox Theatre, Regal Cinemas Atlantic Station, Lefont Sandy Springs and Georgia Theater Company at Merchants Walk (a new venue this past fest); two new theaters will be showing films as well. United Artists Tara Cinemas in Buckhead and United Artists North Point Market in Alpharetta bring the total to six venues.

Three weeks from today (December 13th), the lineup of films and other programming will be announced. Tickets go on sale January 3rd. 

This week we will be posting our wish list of films we hope to see at this years fest. Fingers crossed!

11/15 Star spotting: Billy Crystal, Denzel Washington, Marisa Tomei

Billy Crystal, Marisa Tomei and Bette Midler have been seen all over Atlanta for a few weeks now, filming family comedy, "Parental Guidance." Filming has taken place at Piedmont Park, Perimeter Mall and Cobb Energy Centre as well as various sites throughout Atlanta, Dunwoody and Johns Creek. Tomei in particular has been seen shopping and dining around town when not shooting.

Denzel Washington is currently filming Robert Zemeckis' new project "Flight" throughout Buckhead and Sandy Springs. John Goodman has also been spotted around town, while we have yet to hear anything about co-stars Don Cheadle and Melissa Leo.

Ben Stiller, Jonah Hill and Vince Vaughn have been filming "The Watch" on location in Marietta and Smyrna for several weeks and just moved the set to Midtown.

"The Walking Dead" is currently in production of season two and has been filming near Senoia and Hampton lately.

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