Opening in limited release on March 29th and wide release on April 12th is the new crime drama The Place Beyond the Pines from director and co-writer Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine). The film features an amazing cast of actors that includes Academy Award-nominees Ryan Gosling (Gangster Squad) and Bradley Cooper (The Words), as well as Eva Mendes (Girl in Progress), Rose Byrne (X-Men: First Class), Ben Mendelsohn (Killing Them Softly), Dane DeHaan (Chronicle), Bruce Greenwood (Flight), and Ray Liotta (Goodfellas). 

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had the pleasure sitting down with director and co-writer Derek Cianfrance for an extended interview to talk about his work on The Place Beyond the Pines. The acclaimed filmmaker discussed his new movie, developing the screenplay with co-writer Ben Coccio, why Ray Liotta is a national treasure, reuniting with Ryan Gosling after Blue Valentine, casting Bradley Cooper, why Ben Mendelsohn was willing to have his teeth pulled to be in the film, and how Dane DeHaan demanded his role in the movie. 

Synopsis: Luke is a professional motorcycle rider who turns to bank robberies to support his newborn son. But when he crosses paths with a rookie police officer, their violent confrontation spirals into a tense generational feud.

Can you smell what The Rock is cooking? Hollywood sure can!

Over the last few years, the WWE wrestler-turned-actor and major box office draw, now known simply as Dwayne Johnson, has made a career of joining sequels that need a little help invigorating their franchises. It began with Fast Five, the fifth installment of The Fast and the Furious series, which went on to be the most successful film in the franchise so far. He also breathed life into Journey 2: Mystery Island, which was the sequel to Journey to the Center of the Earth. The actor will soon be seen in Fast & Furious 6, the follow up to Fast Five that opens in theaters on May 24th, as well as Journey 3: From the Earth to the Moon, which will be in theaters next year. But first, Johnson is saving yet another franchise with his turn as the beloved G.I. Joe character Roadblock in G.I. Joe: Retaliation, which is the sequel to G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and will open in theaters on March 28th.

While the first film, which is of course based on the popular Hasbro line of toys, comic books and cartoon series, was a box office hit earning over $300 million world wide, it failed to score with critics and longtime fans of the property. Now with Johnson on board as well as action legend Bruce Willis (A Good Day to Die Hard), the Joes are back with a more action orientated film than its predecessor, which was criticized for having too many comedic elements. G.I. Joe: Retaliation is directed by Jon M. Chu (Justin Bieber: Never Say Never), and revolves around the Joes being framed as traitors by Zartan (Arnold Vosloo), who is still posing as the President of the United States (Jonathan Pryce) in the aftermath of the first film. Cobra Commander eventually escapes from prison and takes all the world leaders under control, aiming their advanced warheads at innocent countries around the world. It is now up to the few Joes left, which include Roadblock, Snake-Eyes (Ray Park), Flint (D.J. Cotrona), Lady Jaye (Adrianne Palicki), Jinx (Elodie Yung), and General Joseph Colton (Willis) – the man the team is named after – to stop Cobra Commander and Zartan, who are being aided by Storm Shadow (Lee Byung-Hun) and Firefly (Ray Stevenson), before it is too late.

I recently had a chance to sit down with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, along with a few other members of the press, at a roundtable discussion to talk about his work on G.I. Joe: Retaliation, as well as his April 7th match with John Cena at WrestleMania 29, Fast & Furious 6, and possibly appearing in The Expendables 3. The extremely popular actor discussed his new film, how he has become the film franchise savior, preparing physically for his role, being a fan of G.I. Joe as a kid, what he wanted to incorporate and also not use from Roadblock’s mythology, working with the cast, teaming up with fellow action superstar Bruce Willis, Channing Tatum’s resemblance to his wrestling archenemy John Cena, returning to the WWE for WrestleMania 29, how he is preparing for his fight with Cena, Fast & Furious 6, whether or not Eva Mendes will appear in the film, if the rumors are true that Jason Statham will have a cameo in the end credit scene, and if he is open to joining the cast of The Expendables 3.

Focus Features has unveiled a new clip from this month's The Place Beyond the Pines. 

It's not much, clocking in at under a minute, but the clip features professional pretty people Bradley Cooper and Eva Mendes sharing an exchange that's raw, desperate, and emotionally charged.

Focus Features has unveiled a new theatrical one sheet for The Place Beyond the Pines, a crime drama starring Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, and Eva Mendes.

Opening in theaters on May 11th, just in time for Mother's Day, is the new film Girl in Progress from director Patricia Riggen (Lemonade Mouth). The film stars Eva Mendes (Ghost Rider), Cierra Ramirez (TV's The Suite Life of Zach and Cody), Patricia Arquette (Bringing Out the Dead), Matthew Modine (Full Metal Jacket), Russell Peters (New Year's Eve) and Brenna O'Brian (X-Men: The Last Stand). 

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had a chance to sit down with director Patricia Riggen to discuss her work on Girl in Progress. The director talked about her new film, its unique premise, balancing the tone, making entertainment for young girls, what Eva Mendes brings to a project, mothers and daughters, and casting her young lead actress. 

Opening in theaters on May 11th, just in time for Mother's Day, is the new film Girl in Progress from director Patricia Riggen (Lemonade Mouth). The film stars Eva Mendes (Ghost Rider), Cierra Ramirez (TV's The Suite Life of Zach and Cody), Patricia Arquette (Bringing Out the Dead), Matthew Modine (Full Metal Jacket), Russell Peters (New Year's Eve) and Brenna O'Brian (X-Men: The Last Stand). 

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had a chance to sit down with Eva Mendes and Cierra Ramirez to discuss their work on Girl in Progress. The two actresses talked about their new film, it's unusual premise, Ramirez's audition tape; why she wanted to work with Mendes, how the two actresses formed their on-screen mother/daughter bond, Grace's lack of parenting skills, and director Patricia Riggen's vision for the tone of the film. 

Synopsis: Grace (Eva Mendes) is a single mom. She is too busy juggling work, bills, and the very married Dr. Hartford (Matthew Modine), to give her daughter, Ansiedad (Cierra Ramirez) the attention she desperately needs. When Ansiedad's English teacher, Ms. Armstrong (Patricia Arquette), introduces her students to classic coming-of-age stories, Ansiedad is inspired to skip adolescence and jump-start her life without mom. While Grace becomes preoccupied with the increasing affections of her co-worker (Eugenio Derbez), Ansiedad enlists the help of her loyal friend, Tavita (Raini Rodriguez), to plot her shortcut to "adulthood". But as her misguided plan unravels, Ansiedad and Grace must learn that sometimes growing-up means acting your age.

Last year, Derek Cianfrance earned a whole lot of accolades for Blue Valentine, a drama that devastatingly juxtaposed the sweet beginnings of a relationship with its inevitable deterioration.  It's the sort of film that does exactly what it wants to, providing a cinematic approximation of the emotional clusterfuck that accompanies the cessation of a formerly loving relationship.  The leads were perfectly played by Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling, and for his follow-up,The Place Beyond the Pines, Cianfrance is reteaming with former Mouseketeer Gosling.  The first images from the film have made their way online, and they provide the first look at Gosling rocking bleached blond hair, and fellow lead Bradley Cooper getting his run on in a police uniform.

Netflix's streaming Watch Instantly service is fast becoming America's favorite way to watch movies. The library of available titles is so vast and mutable that you, the avid instant watcher, could no doubt use a guide as you navigate the streaming frontier.

Luckily for you, we'll be here every Tuesday to update you on the latest titles available for instant-watching, as well as bringing attention some gems and even some enjoyable calamities out there in the instantly watchable wilds.