Review: "42" (***½)

Harrison Ford and Nicole Beharie star in "42"

Sharing movie houses with expanding arthouse hits like "The Place Beyond the Pines," "Trance" and "To the Wonder," baseball biopic "42" might not be the most visually striking or thought-provoking film worthy of a Friday night at the cinema this month. The film is exactly what it aims to be, however—a crowd-pleaser with mass appeal. Writer-director Brian Helgeland has a successful past as a screenwriter, winning an Oscar for "L.A. Confidential" and earning a second nomination for "Mystic River." As a director, his most successful film to date is "A Knight's Tale," a lightweight but stylish starring vehicle for the late Heath Ledger. "42" is a handsome film that, while failing to reinvent the inspirational sports film genre, makes for a well spent two hours looking at one of baseball's most important historical figures.

"42" Trailer

Chadwick Boseman stars in "42"

Another day, another trailer of a Georgia production. "42" is the story of American baseball legend Jackie Robinson. Brian Helgeland, the Oscar-winning writer of "L.A. Confidential" and "Mystic River" is the writer/director of the film which stars Chadwick Boseman as Robinson, Nicole Beharie, Harrison Ford, Lucas Black, Alan Tudyk and Christopher Meloni. You might rememeber the film shooting in Macon for nearly three weeks earlier in the year. Production also took place in Atlanta, Birmingham and Chattanooga.

The trailer for the film has just been released and our first glimpse is a striking one (pun sort of intended). It hits theaters next April. 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.

Wrapping up the 2012 Atlanta Film Festival and looking ahead

Seeing and speaking with actress Nicole Beharie was a highlight of the festival

The 36th Atlanta Film Festival came to a close Sunday and I can proudly say that of the six years I've attended, this was the best fest yet. The films were strong and diverse. The venues, especially the new Atlanta Gem Series locations, were fun and accommodating. The staff was warm and helpful. The stars were bright and plenty. Sure, there were delays, technical problems, long waits, etc. If you find a festival without any of those, please let me know, so I can avoid what is undoubtedly a boring and lifeless event.

The Atlanta Film Festival is full of life. Thanks to a new Executive Director, Chris Escobar, and longtime festival veteran, Charles Judson, now the Festival Director and Head of Programming; the festival has made great leaps in organization, cohesion and over-all cool factor. For years, the event felt like a film festival that was in Atlanta, now it feels, as it should, like Atlanta's film festival. With new partnerships with Georgia State University, the Plaza Theatre and Atlanta Magazine, the festival's future looks aglow.