Review: "Lee Daniels' The Butler" (***)

Oprah Winfrey and Forest Whitaker star in "Lee Daniels' The Butler"

“Lee Daniels' The Butler” has a lot going for it. Its sheer ambition is almost overwhelming. Added to that is a cast that includes, but is not limited to, Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Gooding Jr., Robin Williams, James Marsden, John Cusack, and Jane Fonda. Directed by—you guessed it—Lee Daniels ("Precious," "The Paper Boy"), the film is a fictionalized telling of the real-life White House butler, Cecil Gaines. It’s a much more mainstream movie than the director’s previous works but is still able to pack a few punches. The film is a bit uneven and sometimes feels rushed. Its scope is huge and often scarifies exposition for a quick history lesson.

Star spotting 04/19: Colin Farrell, Jon Hamm, Nicole Kidman, Robin Williams, Reese Witherspoon

Colin Farrell, Jon Hamm and Nicole Kidman have all found work in Atlanta this spring.

It is certainly no secret that "Anchorman: The Legend Continues" has been filming all over Atlanta for the last month-and-a-half. Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig, Steve Carrell, Paul Rudd, Christina Applegate, James Marsden, Harrison Ford and David Koechner all star in the film that has covered the city with production crews from Turner Field and Summerhill to Upper Midtown and the West End. Apparently, Nicole Kidman was even in town briefly last week, filming a cameo appearance. Adam McKay directs.

"Solace," directed by Alfonso Poyart, will begin shooting in Atlanta in May. Colin Farrell, Anthony Hopkins, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Abbie Cornish will star in the psychic crime drama. Although the genre might be a bit overdone these days, this cast promises good things. Some reports suggest filming will also take place in Detroit. More details to come.

Reese Witherspoon has been in town shooting "The Good Lie" from director Philippe Falardeau ("Monsieur Lazhar"). Corey Stoll and Arnold Oceng also star in the film about a Sudanese refuge who is taken in by an American woman. Filming has taken place in Atlanta, Dunwoody and Lawrenceville so far. Production will move to Africa after it wraps in Atlanta. Witherspoon shot another upcoming release "Devil's Knot" in Georgia last year.

"Million Dollar Arm" is the latest Disney movie that will film in Atlanta. Jon Hamm, Alan Arkin and Suraj Sharma will star in the film about a sports agent who recruits Asian cricket stars to play Major League Baseball. Production begins next month. Send crew résumés to milliondollarprods@gmail.com. Craig Gillespie ("Fight Night," "Lars and the Real Girl") directs a script from Thomas McCarthy ("The Station Agent," "Up," "The Visitor," "Win Win").

"A Friggin' Christmas Miracle" began filming in Atlanta last week. The film will star Robin Williams, Lauren Graham and Joel McHale. All three of these are gifted comedic talents, but lets hope they come up with a better title before this fall's release. Tristram Shapeero ("Community," "New Girl," "Parks and Recreation") directs.

"The Surgeon General" is a CBS television pilot that has been filming throughout downtown Atlanta and the Cobb Galleria area in Vinings. Sean Astin, Kathryn Morris and Jason Isaacs star in the prospective fall drama.

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