Monthly Archives: March 2019

“Booksmart” Trailers, Movie Clip, Featurettes, Poster & Interviews

comedy, , , , , ,

Making her directorial debut, Oliver Wilde tells the story of two girls graduating from High School. Their tale is based on getting straight A’s while keeping their noses clean until they realize they must branch out and fit in with the high school crowd.

Will Ferrell and Adam McKay are included as executive producers. When you hear the crude, crass, and dirty-mouthed girls, there are no surprises about who produced this movie. Ferrell and McKay worked on Vice together, with McKay also directing.

The studio promotes Booksmart as a wildly original, fresh, modern perspective. I beg to differ. These crude and disgusting jokes are common in Ferrell and McKay’s movies.

Booksmart is an unfiltered comedy about high school best friends and the bonds we create that last a lifetime. Capturing the spirit of being a girl in High School, the film is a coming-of-age story for a natural generation.

Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein play best friends forever. The movie includes Lisa Kudrow and Jason Sudeikis to keep it grounded. You might recognize Dever, who also starred in The Beautiful Boy, and Feldstein, who starred in Lady Bird.

The movie trailer is crude and foul-mouthed, and you might enjoy it.

Olivia Wilde talks on the red carpet at SXSW 2019 about the movie being a commitment.

On the red carpet, Feldstein talked about how special the night was because it was Wilde’s birthday and how the movie was fun.

Dever talks on the red carpet at the SXSW premiere about how much she enjoyed working with her co-star Feldstein.

These two trailers are similar, but one is called “no green band,” and the other is called “green band.” The “green band” trailer is 7 minutes longer. The differences are subtle, and if you figure it out, great!

The following featurettes show how the two girls are such good friends and make the movie seem like a lot of fun. There are crazy, unorthodox characters and a bit of truth squeezed in between.

The following movie clip shows us how it all began for these nerdy but daring high school girls.

The two “Meet the Characters” featurettes are humbling and descriptive, showing each character’s contrast. Gigi, played by Billie Loured, the daughter of Carrie Fisher, is introduced and captioned for all her zany tricks. Amy is the main character, and she and Gigi have a moment together in the movie.

“Dora and the Lost City of Gold” Trailers, Clip & Poster

adventure, children movies, family movies, kid movies, , , , , , , ,

Directed by James Bobin, Dora and The Lost City of Gold is how I pictured Dora the Explore’s first movie. Though, I don’t see the map in the movie trailer.

Rightly so, Dora, played by Isabela Moner, spent most of her life exploring the jungle with her parents, played by Eva Longoria and Michael Pena, nothing could prepare Dora for her most crazy adventure – High School.

While on a High School field trip Dora and her friends get kidnapped because her parents are looking for a lost city of gold, and the kidnappers think Dora is their way of finding her parents.

L-r, Eva Longoria, Isabela Moner and Michael Peña star in Paramount Pictures’ “DORA AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD.”

Dora is self-sufficient with her backpack and always the explorer. She quickly finds herself leading Boots, her best friend in the cartoon series – a monkey, Diego, played by Jeff Wahlberg, a mysterious jungle inhabitant, played by Eugenio Derbez, and a ragtag group of teens on a live-action adventure to get away from the kidnappers, save her parents, and solve the impossible mystery behind a lost city of gold.

In this clip, we see her parents trying so hard to protect Dora from city life.

Moner is known for her singing career and her performance in the movie Instant Family, where she wrote and sang the movie’s theme song “I’ll Stay.”

The second trailer shows us plenty more of what to expect from Dora with a quick short cut to the Swiper. It looks like the movie is following some of Nickelodeon‘s series.

“Once Upon a Time in…Hollywood” Trailers, Interviews & Posters

comedy, drama, , , , ,

Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, Once Upon a Time in…Hollywood goes back to the final moments of Hollywood’s golden age in 1969, Los Angeles. A time when everything changed, as TV star Rick Dalton, played by Leonardo DiCaprio and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth, played by Brad Pitt stroll their way around a magical business, they barely identify with anymore.  

The below press junket is a marvel of information about movie making and how Tarantino makes his movies. The tone in itself expresses the joy of making a movie. It’s great to see Pitt so animated and happy. One of the best interviews on filmmaking I have seen in a long time.

Tarantino’s ninth movie with a large ensemble cast and multiple storylines in a tribute to the final moments of Hollywood’s golden age. With David Heyman, Harry Potter franchise, producing along with Tarantino and Shannon McIntosh, the movie is in good hands.

The rest of the ensemble cast includes Dakota Fanning, Tim Roth, Emile Hirsch, Al Pacino, Kurt Russell, and the late Luke Perry.

The first trailer is a mishmash of clips from the movie, but the focus is on DiCaprio and Pitt. Margot Robbie also stars, but we barely see her in the trailer but the full view in the above poster wearing go-go boots. Go-go boots arrived on the streets in the mid-60s, white with the low heel.

The next movie trailer tells us this is Tarantino’s ninth movie and a longer cast list, which includes Dakota Fanning and Kurt Russell, plus the late Luke Perry. The music is ironic and appropriate for the scenes and situations. The story is more transparent now with Pitt’s character hooking up with a young woman, and DiCaprio deems himself a has been.

The other interview is a rarity. Pitt and DiCaprio have a joint interview. They talk together about Tarantino’s directing style, and how he helped them prepare for their roles.

Here are a couple of interviews with the director, Tarantino, who describes what he is achieving when he is directing a movie. Robbie sits with him and gives her impression of the screening of the film.
The other interview is a rarity. Pitt and DiCaprio have a joint meeting with the press. They talk together about Tarantino’s directing style, and how he helped them prepare for their roles.

The studio released another poster with a retro look of the 1960s. Each movie poster appears to be a retro look, but this one is more retro than the others. The poster shows all the characters in the movie. Who is the girl with the teddy bear? The daughter of one either DiCaprio’s or Pitt’s character?

You call this “a great scene acted by legends,” and Kurt Russell nails it.

The three featurettes are astounding and offer an insight into the making of this classic movie — one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time.

“Lucy in the Sky” Trailer, Clips & Poster

science fiction, ,
The poster captures my attention like the moon captures Lucy’s attention.

Directed by Noah Hawley, Lucy in the Sky takes us on Lucy’s journey from outer space to Earth and the ever-changing reality of life through her eyes and soul.

Brian C. Brown and Elliott DiGuiseppi co-wrote the screenplay with Hawley adding final touches. The movie trailer spirals in different directions, and it’s hard to connect to the story in general.

I didn’t recognize Natalie Portman, who plays Lucy Cola, at first. Her makeup and hairstyle design molded her astronaut look. Joe Hamm stars as her husband, Mark Goodwin. He seems to be her anchor and tries to save her from after returning to Earth from a life-changing mission in space. She begins to slowly unravel and lose touch with reality. Of course, the question is why is she losing touch with reality.

It appears Portman is gravitating to themes where the main character ventures to another reality or altered reality. Like her appearance in Annihilation where she enters the shimmering to find out what happened to her husband and coming to terms with self- discovery of her failing marriage.

The digital version of the movie is out on the streets. The package includes deleted scenes, director’s journey, and four featurettes on the making of the film.

Lucy in the Sky cast includes Zazie Beetz, Ellen Burstyn, and Dan Stevens.

The next trailer is called “Trailer C” and delineates the story more. It looks like Portman’s character goes rogue, and the story gets dark. It’s unclear who is the bad guy — Hamm’s character or Portman’s.

I noticed in the credits that Reese Witherspoon is one of the producers of the movie.

“American Exit” Poster and Trailer

thriller, ,

Co-written and co-directed by Tim McCann and Ingo Vollkammer, American Exit is based on a true story that follows Charlie, played by Dane Cook. He is desperate and steals a million-dollar painting from Anton, played by Udo Kier, a disreputable art dealer.

The crime-thriller builds as time is running out for Charlie. He escapes to the California desert with his rebellious teen son, Leo, played by Levi Miller. But when Anton and his henchman come looking for him, the situation explodes into violence, and the third act is filled with revenge and bloodshed.

The movie is available on Blu-ray/DVD and streaming.

“Gloria Bell” Poster and Trailer

drama, ,

Co-written and directed by Sebastián Lelio, Gloria Bell follows Gloria, played by Julianne Moore, as she tries to find meaning to her life. She meets a man, played by John Turturro. They begin a relationship and Gloria tries to end it.

Lelio is best known for directing Oscar winning A Fantastic Woman.

The movie trailer tells us about the story and what happens in Gloria’s life.

“Good Boys” Poster, Clip, Featurette & Trailers

comedy, , , , ,

With a name like Gene Stupnitsky, Good Boys is a perfect movie for him to direct with movie actors producing – Lee Eisenberg and Seth Rogen.

The movie follows three grade-school boys who panic after being invited to his first kissing party, Max, played by Jacob Tremblay. He had never kissed a girl before, and his rites of passage had arrived.

In need of pointers on how to kiss a girl, Max and his best friends Thor and Lucas, played by Brady Noon and Keith L. Williams, come up with some bright ideas. They borrow Max’s dad’s drones to spy on a teenage couple making out next door.

But when things go ridiculously wrong, the drone is destroyed. Desperate to replace the drone, Max’s dad, played by Will Forte, gets home; the boys skip school and set off on an odyssey of bad decisions. Their odyssey involves accidentally stolen drugs, frat-house paintball, and running from both the cops and terrifying teenage girls, played by Molly Gordon and Midori Francis. 

The movie is available on Blu-ray, DVD, and streaming. It did poorly at the box office, so now you can watch it at home. The bonus features are an alternative ending and ten extended or deleted scenes.  

Watch the red-band trailer and decide if you can’t believe they have boys saying and doing these things.

The second trailer reiterates how disgusting this movie will be. It is funny at some points, but the raunchy jokes are gross.

The following movie clip shows how south this movie goes. There are R-rated clips, but I decided not to show them. Tactless!

“Amazing Grace” Documentary of Aretha Franklin’s Live Recording

documentary, music, , ,

Co-directed by Alan Elliott and the late Sydney Pollack, Amazing Grace documents Aretha Franklin’s live recording of her “Amazing Grace” album. Presenting Franklin with the choir at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Watts, Los Angeles on January 1972, she arrived, sang her heart out, and brought the house down to its knees.

The movie trailer shows a young and impressionable Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones. Other notables are in the crowd as well. You need to pay attention to who is in the church.

“Late Night” Trailers, Interview, Posters, & Clip

comedy, drama, , , ,

Directed by Nisha Ganatra, Late Night follows two women. Katherine, a late-night talk show host, played by Emma Thompson, suspects she is on the verge of losing her long-running show.

In walks Molly, played by Mindy Kaling, the new staff writer, who is a bit quirky. Sure enough, she slowly builds her trust with Katherine and is in good graces with her. Where the story goes from here is hard to tell from the movie trailer.

I watched the movie last night on Prime with my daughter. Emma Thompson is fantastic, she nails it, as does John Lithgow. However, the story falls flat, and it was not as upbeat as it could be. The script jumped around without intent of where it was headed. Thompson kept the focus and my interest. 

Mindy Kaling wrote the screenplay, and it seems funny. We are seeing more and more women buddy movies, and this is another one.

Ganatra directing credits are episodic television shows like Mr. Robot and You Me Her.

The rest of the cast includes Megalyn Echikunwoke, Amy Ryan, and John Lithgow.

The movie clip “Teachable Way” shows how Thompson’s character is so cut-throat with innuendoes.

The second poster shares the spotlight for both of the lead women in the movie. They are so opposite of each other that the poster attracts our attention.

The second trailer shows are the makings of a great comedy. The cast of professionals is stellar. It is obvious that they make their marks. I see a fun movie with some serious social issues staying out of the radar. I look forward to seeing Lithgow and Thompson play off each other as husband and wife.

The third movie trailer is like the second trailer. Only, it explains the story better, and we see more of Lithgow and Thompson together.

The interview with the female stars of Late Night discusses women’s roles in late-night television as hosts and writers, the lack thereof. It is definitely something everyone needs to watch whether male or female. Thompson’s viewpoint of men is funny.

Kaling talks about writing the role for Thompson before she even agreed to play the lead. There is so much more in this interview — don’t pass it up.

The movie clips are adorable and offer insight as to what you can expect when you see that movie at the theater. Thomspon is great in this movie. She nails it.

The studios are callling this the final trailer. It’s flashy and hard sell, but there are some clips we haven’t seen yet, so enjoy.

“Cruel Intentions” – 20th Anniversary Trailer

based on a book, drama, re-release, romance, , ,

Written and directed by Roger Kumble, Cruel Intentions arrived in the theaters in 1999. The movie played in the theaters again to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

Based on a novel by Choderlos de Laclos, the story follows Kathryn, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar and Sebastian, played by Ryan Phillippe. It’s summer break, and Kathryn is dumped by her beau, Court Reynolds, played by Charlie O’Connell, for the innocent Cecile, played by Selma Blair.

Desperate to get even, Kathryn challenges Sebastian to ruin Cecile by taking her virginity and turning her into a tramp. The intent is to humiliate the Court by presenting him to Cecile, who is damaged goods.

Until now, Sebastian feels he has “been” with all the girls in New York City. He is bored with it all. Though this is too easy a conquest for him, he agrees to it.

He sets his sights on a greater challenge—the new headmaster’s daughter, Annette, played by Reese Witherspoon, who wrote an article in a magazine about how she intends to stay pure until she marries her boyfriend.

Sebastian bets Kathryn that he can seduce the chaste and pristine Annette before school begins in the fall. Kathryn thinks this exploit is impossible and agrees to the wager. As the stakes stand, if Sebastian succeeds, Kathryn must give him a night of unrestrained divine pleasure. A fantasy he’s dreamt about and wanted since their parents got married. If he fails, he must relinquish his 1956 Jaguar to Kathryn and suffer the shame of defeat.

The movie won several awards, including several MTV movie awards and one Teen Choice Award. Witherspoon also won the Blockbuster Entertainment Award (remember those?) for Favorite Supporting Actress in a Drama/Romance.