Category Archives: classic

Spielberg’s “West Side Story” Reopens a Modern Day Tragedy With Splendor

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© 2019 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Photo by Ramona Rosales. Left to Right: Anybodys (Ezra Menas), Mouthpiece (Ben Cook), Action (Sean Harrison Jones); Jets leader Riff (Mike Faist); Baby John (Patrick Higgins); Tony (Ansel Elgort) and Maria (Rachel Zegler); Maria’s brother and Sharks leader Bernardo (David Alvarez); and Sharks members Quique (Julius Anthony Rubio), Chago (Ricardo Zayas), Chino (Josh Andrés Rivera), Braulio (Sebastian Serra) and Pipo (Carlos Sánchez Falú)

Produced and directed by Steven Spielberg, West Side Story follows the original 1961 film version from the original 1957 Broadway musical penned by Arthur Laurents, with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and concept, direction, and choreography by Jerome Robbins.

Tony winner Justin Peck choreographed the musical numbers in the film. The music team includes conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and composer and conductor David Newman arranged the score.

The cast includes Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, Ana Isabelle, Corey Stoll, Brian d’Arcy James, Curtiss Cook, and Rita Moreno.

Elgort and Zegler play the lead roles — Tony and Maria, as young lovers of forbidden love and the clash between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds.

Moreno starred in the 1961 film as Anita. In the current version, she plays Valentina.

Listen to the Director’s Cut interview with Steven Spielberg. He talks about using his iPhone to film the rehearsals. That way, he practiced, practiced and practiced until he felt he go the shot right.

“Cruella” Promising Imagination

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Directed by Craig Gillespie, an Australian best known for I, Tonya brings us a Cruella based on 101 Dalmatians.

In this live-action prequel feature, the story follows young Cruella de Vil, played by Emma Stone. We learn how Cruella became a fur lover and dog hater.

Dana Fox and Tony McNamara contributed to the screenplay. McNamara wrote The Favourite, which starred Emma Stone.

The film also stars Emma Thompson and Mark Strong.

Love Story

“Love Story” 50th Anniversary Restored 4K Film

based on a book, classic, legend, re-release, romance,

Some call it a classic LOVE STORY as it celebrates its 50th anniversary with a brand-new Blu-ray, newly restored from a 4K film transfer.

Based on Erich Segal’s best-selling novel, LOVE STORY received seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and became a cultural phenomenon, earning over $100 million at the domestic box office. In 2002, the AFI named it #9 among the 100 greatest love stories ever.

The Blu-ray includes the newly restored film, a new Filmmaker Focus with film historian Leonard Maltin, plus previously released content, including a commentary by director Arthur Hiller, an introduction by film critic Ben Mankiewicz, Love Story: A Classic Remembered, and the theatrical trailer, plus access to a Digital copy of the film. The disc is a collectible packaging with a foldout image of the film’s theatrical poster and an interior spread with key movie moments.  

Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw both received Oscar nominations for their starring roles as Harvard students Oliver, played by O’Neal, and Jenny, played by MacGraw, from opposite backgrounds. Still, they share a chemistry they cannot deny—and a love they can’t ignore. Despite Oliver’s wealthy father threatening to disown him, the young couple marries and builds their new life together. But fate has other plans, and soon Oliver and Jenny face a crisis only the strongest of loves can endure. And we hear the most poignant and misunderstood phrase — “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.”

Godzilla vs. King Kong

Gigantic “Godzilla vs. Kong” Powerful Bargain for the Spotlight

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Godzilla vs. King Kong

Directed by Adam Wingard, Godzilla vs. Kong is the next epic cinematic chapter in the battle of the two most significant icons in motion picture history. All as CGI, the fearsome Godzilla, and the mighty Kong fight it out with humanity caught in the balance.

Yes, the legends collide as Godzilla and Kong, some of the most potent forces of nature, clash on the big screen in a spectacular battle for the ages.

Bus Shelter Poster

A squadron embarks on a dangerous mission into fantastic uncharted terrain, unearthing clues to the Titans’ very origins and humankind’s survival. A conspiracy threatens to wipe the creatures from the face of the earth forever, whether they are good or evil.

Watching the trailer, I am impressed. The line, “It’s Godzilla.” is nostalgia.

Showdown

Written for the screen by Eric Pearson and Max Borenstein from the story by Terry Rossio, Michael Dougherty, and Zach Shields, the film has an impressive cast that includes Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Kyle Chandler, and Rebecca Hall.

Tom & Jerry

“Tom & Jerry” Amazingly Flips Exciting Genuine Cartoon

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Tom & Jerry

Directed by Tom Story, Tom & Jerry stars several voice actors, which is a concern. The original classic cartoons had no dialogue, and it entertained kids of all ages. Why change it?

All is not lost since the feature film uses archive recordings of William Hanna. Hanna performed all the original shrieks, howls, screeches, yells, gasps, and screams heard in the cat and mouse cartoons of 1942 to 1957.  

The second theatrical movie is the first rendition as live-action and animation. It is Warner Bros.’s first animated/live-action hybrid movie. It’s been 28 years since the release of the first Tom and Jerry in 1992.

The voice actors include Michael Pena, Chloe Grace Moretz, Rob Delaney, Colin Jost. The script is by Kevin Costello based on William Hanna and Joseph Barbera characters.  Costello’s screen credits appear limited with Brigsby Bear and one episode for the Jean-Claude Van Johnson series.

Rebecca

Astonishing “Rebecca” Strong Cast of Promising Movie

based on a book, classic, remakes,
Rebecca

Directed by Ben Wheatley, Daphne du Maurier’s 1938 gothic novel Rebecca comes alive as the mesmerizing and gorgeously rendered psychological thriller. But, this time, the classic story streams on Netflix.

After a whirlwind romance in Monte Carlo with handsome widower Maxim de Winter, played by Armie Hammer, a newly married young woman, played by Lily Jame, arrives at Manderley.

Her new husband’s imposing family estate on a windswept English coast. Naive and inexperienced, she begins to settle into the trappings of her new life but finds herself battling the shadow of Maxim’s first wife, the elegant and urbane Rebecca, whose haunting legacy is kept alive by Manderley’s sinister housekeeper Mrs. Danvers, played by Kristin Scott Thomas.

The mesmerizing and gorgeously rendered psychological thriller based on Daphne du Maurier’s beloved 1938 gothic novel.

Bill & Ted Face the Music

Unconditional Last Chance Magic “Bill & Ted Face The Music” Trailer

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Bill & Ted Face the Music

Directed by Dean Parisot, the franchise returns with writers Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon—Bill and Ted Face the Music. The film will continue to track the time-traveling exploits of William “Bill” S. Preston Esq. and Theodore “Ted” Logan. Yet to fulfill their rock and roll destiny, the now middle-aged best friends set out on a new adventure when a visitor from the future warns them that only their song can save life as we know it. 

Watch Bill and Ted Face the Music

They will also include their daughters, who help them along the way. A new batch of historical figures join the fantasy, and a few music legends seek the song that will set their world right and bring harmony to the universe.

Bill & Ted Face the Music
Bill & Ted Face the Music

Dean Parisot also directed Galaxy Quest, and as mentioned earlier, the second installment script is by Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon. 

These two guys seem like they are having too much fun time traveling.

The featurette moves quickly through clips of the original movie and the sequel. There are interviews with the director and producers who explain what happens when Bill and Ted are older with daughters a lot like them.

This featurette is fun to watch and talks about the large cast.

Watch The Secret Garden, classic tale

Delightful Imagination of “The Secret Garden” Trailer

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Directed by Marc Munden and adapted for the screen by Jack Thorne, The Secret Garden stars Colin Firth, Julie Walters, and Dixie Egerickx. Munden helms a new take on the beloved classic novel of the same name written by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

Set in England in 1947, which is a different time than Burnett’s book, the film follows a young orphan girl who, after being sent to live with her uncle, discovers a magical garden on the grounds of his estate.

This movie looks delightful, and it’s based on a classic story that is told again and again.

set the pace of David Copperfield

Daring Compromise of “The Personal History of David Copperfield” Poster and Trailer

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Set the stage with David Copperfield from Charles Dickens' story

Directed by Armando Iannucci, we follow the story based on Charles Dickens’ classic tale of grit and determination. Dev Patel plays the lead role in The Personal History of David Copperfield. The studio calls it re-imagines of Charles Dickens’ story, giving it a comedic lens of the Dickensian tale.

Still, a remake is a remake, even though they say “new life of the story for a cosmopolitan age with a diverse ensemble cast of stage and screen actors from across the world.”

Armando Iannucci also co-wrote the screenplay with Simon Blackwell. They seem to lend their wry, yet heart-filled storytelling style to revisiting Dickens’ iconic hero on his quirky journey from impoverished orphan to the burgeoning writer in Victorian England.

Other cast members include Hugh Laurie and Tilda Swinton.

Unparalleled “No Time to Die” Posters and Trailer

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Daniel Craig is back as 007, James Bond.

Director Cary Joji Fukunaga led the production of the 25th James Bond movie by filming where it all began, GoldenEye in Jamaica, where Ian Fleming created James Bond stories, including Dr. No and Live And Let Die locations shot. Daniel Craig returns for his fifth film as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007. 

The production confirmed the returning cast, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Rory Kinnear, Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Jeffrey Wright, and introducing Ana de Armas, Dali Benssalah, David Dencik, Lashana Lynch, Billy Magnussen, and Rami Malek.

Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help.

No Time to Die
Pandemic Caused So Many Posters and Release Date Changes
The new poster looks the same as the old one. Look closer “Only in Theaters” is added and “2021” is taken out.

The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology. 

watch no time to die when it hits the theaters

The 007 production plans also to film in the U.K., and on location in London, Italy, and Norway.

Listen to Billie Eilish sing the them song to No Time to Die.
Billie Eilish

I am very excited that Billie Eilish will sing the theme song for No Time To Die. I wonder if she is working closely with Hans Zimmerman. Eilish said, “It feels crazy to be a part of this in every way. To be able to score the theme song on a film that is part of such a legendary series is a huge honor. James Bond is the coolest film franchise ever to exist. I’m still in shock.”

The Sizzle Reel below is short and offers a perspective of Craig’s role as James Bond.