Directed by Jason Reitman, The Front Runner is based on a true story starring Hugh Jackman. Jackman plays the charismatic politician Gary Hart in a movie that might prove to be a thrilling drama.
The movie focuses on the rise and fall of Senator Hart, who captured the imagination of young voters and was considered the overwhelming front-runner for the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination when his campaign was sidelined by the story of an extramarital relationship with Donna Rice.
American experienced its first taste of tabloid journalism while political journalism merged for the first time. Senator Hart was forced to drop out of the race – events that left a profound and lasting impact on American politics and the world stage.
The movie is available on Blu-ray/DVD and is streaming as well. So, if you haven’t seen the movie yet, nows your chance or you can see it again. I recommend seeing the movie because Hugh Jackman is such a brilliant actor.
Also starring Vera Farmiga, J.K. Simmons, and Alfred Molina, The Front Runner is written by Matt Bai & Jay Carson & Jason Reitman, based on the book “All the Truth is Out” by Matt Bai.
The featurette captures the feel of the movie.
The movie trailer depicts the era when Gary Hart’s fiasco occurred. Today, this type of situation seems to happen once a month. When in fact, Hart’s is the first ever for ruining a political career.
The second poster shows more of the story behind the movie. Jackman looks to the side and tries to avoid being hounded by the press or the situation that is out of control.
Watching the trailer and knowing Reitman, I sense a bit of wit and sarcasm.
I just watched this movie with my daughter about three weeks ago when Schindler’s List became available on Amazon Prime—my daughter’s first time seeing the movie. She loved it. I don’t blame her because I loved it just as much as I did the first time, or perhaps more.
Now, the stark, black-and-white movie is being remastered to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the movie directed by Steven Spielberg. I am sure Spielberg views this movie as one of the most significant endeavors in cinema history. The re-release of the movie with picture and sound digitally remastered includes 4K, Dolby Cinema, and Dolby Atmos. The commemorative continues with a limited theatrical engagement on December 7, 2018, in theaters across the United States and Canada. Universal Studios meticulously restored the movie from the original film negative in pristine high definition and supervised by Spielberg.
The only color in the movie is the little girl with a red coat. A symbol of Shindler’s connection and realization of his necessity to save the lives of Jews is his only desire to build pots and pans.
Winner of seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, this fantastic true story follows the enigmatic Oskar Schindler, played by Liam Neeson, who personally saved the lives of more than 1,100 Jews during the Holocaust.
So many stories are told about the Holocaust. Stories about brave people like Schindler are the triumph. Schindler made a difference for those who survived one of the darkest chapters in human history.
Schindler’s List is an overwhelming story about a man who learned to change his flamboyant lifestyle and take the courage and faith to be strong enough to save the lives of Jews.
Some highlights of technical and artistic achievement are composer John Williams, screenwriter Steven Zaillian, and director of photography Janusz Kaminski, including art directors Allan Starski and Ewa Braun and editor Michael Kahn.
The cast alone is impressive, including Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall, Jonathan Sagalle, and Embeth Davidtz.
Whether you sat in the dark theater and watched this movie, on your flat TV screen at home, or not at all, watch this trailer and see if you do not shed a tear for the visual and musical impact.
Screenplay by William Davies, the comedy follows Johnny English, played, once again, by Rowan Atkinson, after a cyber-attack reveals the identity of all of the active undercover agents in Britain. He is forced to come out of retirement to find the mastermind hacker.
The above poster is perfect for the movie because the story takes place during Thanksgiving, and the characters are super stress over the Oath. With the knife sticking out like that in the turkey, you can only imagine where it will end up. As a dark comedy, watch the red band trailer, so you have a feel for the movie.
Written and directed by Ike Barinholtz, The Oath is a controversial subject about a White House policy that turns a family member against another family member. They become savage. But don’t take it seriously because the movie is a funny, dark comedy about surviving life that includes a Thanksgiving. This is all happening in the age of political factions.
The story follows Chris, played by Barinholtz. He is a high-strung 24-hour progressive news junkie, and his more level-headed wife Kai, played by Tiffany Haddish. They discover that citizens are being asked to sign a loyalty oath to the President.
The second poster is quite interesting because it looks like its a copy of the Oath. I find it kind of funny or perhaps it’s giving us a visual of the Oath. We what it is before we see the movie.
The family reactions are disbelief, followed by an idealistic refusal. But as the Thanksgiving deadline to sign approaches, the combination of sparring relatives, Chris’s own agitation and the unexpected arrival of two government agents, played by John Cho and Billy Magnussen, sends an already tense holiday dinner gathering completely off the rails.
The movie clip “Wishes I Would” shows the premise of the movie, which is totally a dark comedy.
Another poster arrived from the studio. The black hand with the American flag as its sleeve bleeding is an interesting take on how the movie views government intervention.
Another poster “Sign or Die” surfaced and these are interesting because they tell us the movie theme. They are kind of silly but the movie is a comedy, so it fits.
Barinholtz is known for his acting talents in such movies as The Blockers and The Disaster Artist. Both of these movies are over the top dark comedies. The Oath is most likely similar.
The second trailer offers more insight into what is so funny about racism, politics, and ignorant people. This is Facebook comments in a movie.
As contemporary as it is outrageous, watch the trailer, the movie is a gleefully wicked reinvention of the traditional holiday comedy for our dysfunctional political times.
Written and directed by Drew Goddard, Bad Times at the El Royale follows seven strangers, each with a secret to bury. They all meet at Lake Tahoe’s El Royale. The El Royale is a seedy rundown hotel with a dark past.
During the course of one fateful night, everyone will have the last shot at redemption, which appears to be a laughable venture for all of them. The reason I say appears is because watching the trailers, all goes to hell in a handbasket.
The cast is dynamite starring Jeff Bridges, Chris Hemsworth, Jon Hamm, Dakota Johnson, and Cynthia Erivo.
Directed by Matthew Heineman, A Private War is a true story based on Marie Colvin, played by Rosamund Pike, life as a war correspondent. Some consider her one of the best war journalists of our time.
I watched the movie on DVD and amazed at how much Pike looked and sounded like Colvin. We hear Colvin talk at the beginning and see her at the end of the movie. The comparison is easy.
It is not a positive story, but about a foreign news correspondent who truthfully reported the atrocities of war in the middle east. Her life was not a healthy life or a happy life, but she lived how she wanted to live, dangerously, reporting about the victims of war.
I encourage you to see the movie or, at least, look at the trailer and movie clips within this article. I hope you come to understand this woman’s crazy plight.
The movie follows Colvin as Pike plays her as an utterly fearless and rebellious spirit, driven to the front lines of conflicts across the globe to give voice to the voiceless, while constantly testing the limits between bravery and bravado.
After being hit by a grenade in Sri Lanka, she wears a distinctive eye patch and is still as comfortable sipping martinis with London’s elite as she is confronting dictators. Colvin sacrifices loving relationships, and over time, her personal life starts to unravel as the trauma she’s witnessed takes its toll. Yet, her mission to show the true cost of war leads her — along with renowned war photographer Paul Conroy, played by Jamie Dornan of Fifty Shades movies.
They embark on the most dangerous assignment of their lives in the besieged Syrian city of Homs.
The movie clips show different points in Colvin’s life and the toll it took from her well-being.
“It has been a deeply personal journey sharing the extraordinary story of Marie Colvin in A Private War,” stated filmmaker Matthew Heineman. “We are so thrilled to be able to finish the film in time to premiere at TIFF and honored to share with the audiences there.”
Watch the trailer, and easily you will see the documentary style of Heineman. It should be noted that Heineman and actress Charlize Theron are among the producers of this movie.
Written by Sean Drummond and directed by Michael Matthews, Five Fingers of Marseilles is a western taking place in South Africa. The studios call it a pistol-packing and thrilling tale. Similar to such classics as Once Upon a Time in the West and counterparts like The Proposition and No Country for Old Men.
Set against the backdrop of post-Apartheid South Africa, the movie takes place in a small town run by shady local officials. The movie stars Vuyo Dabula, Hamilton Dhlamini, Zethu Dlomo, Kenneth Nkosi, Mduduzi Mabaso, Aubrey Poolo, Lizwi Vilakazi, Warren Masemola, Dean Fourie, Anthony Oseyemi, Brendon Daniels, and Jerry Mofokeng.
The story is about the residents of the colonial town of Marseilles. They are under the thumb of police oppression and only the young rebels known as the Five Fingers are willing to stand up to them.
Their battle is just until Tau kills two policemen and flees the scene. The remaining rebels disband while the banished Tau resorts to a life of crime. Twenty years later, Tau is released from prison and is a feared outlaw by the name of The Lion of Marseilles.
He returns home, desiring only peace and to reconnect with those he left behind. The battle for South Africa’s freedom has been won, and former comrades-in-arms are in prominent positions as mayor, police chief, and pastor.
But it quickly becomes clear to Tau that Marseilles is caught in the grip of a vicious new threat — and he must reconstitute the Five Fingers to fight frontier justice. Standing against former allies and new enemies, the re-formed Five Fingers saddle up and ride out, and put their lives at risk to save their beloved Marseilles.
The movie trailer is well done and shows what to expect from the movie. Obviously, it is in English subtitles, but once the western action starts shooting the subtitles will be ignored.
Directed by Craig William Macneill, Lizzie is about the notorious woman Lizzie Borden, played by Chloe Sevigny. You might remember the famous or not-so-famous skipping-rope song about the woman who was accused of chopping her mother and father to bits.
“Lizzie Borden took an ax
And gave her mother forty whacks.
When she saw what she had done,
She gave her father forty-one.”
Still, there is a mystery to the true story that endures throughout American history. Many writers speculated in their own versions and books about what happened on that deadly day.
The movie follows Lizzie after a lifetime of loneliness. She finds a kindred spirit in housemaid Bridget Sullivan, played by Kristen Stewart. Their secret intimacy sets off an unthinkable act – while the movie explores the days leading up to the savage crimes in a dark tale of repression, exploitation and thwarted dreams.
The two movie clips below show the story’s dark and sinister aspects. Unfortunately, one of the movie clips is blocked, but the studio may lift the block in the near future.
The two movie clips below show some fine acting chops. I am impressed. Notably, the scene in the barn is worth a look. It is an excellent acting scene for student actors because the undertones are deep.
The movie clip helps you understand how the movie is presented. You will notice a date at the bottom of the right-hand corner of the screen. These are actual events that happened.
Written and directed by Peter Hedges, Ben is Back follows 19-year-old Ben Burns, played by Lucas Hedges. He unexpectedly returns to his family’s suburban home on Christmas Eve morning.
Ben’s mother, Holly, played by Julia Roberts, is relieved and welcoming but wary of her son staying clean. Rightly so because over a turbulent 24 hours, new truths are revealed, and a mother’s undying love for her son is tested as she does everything in her power to keep him safe.
Also starring is Courtney B. Vance and Kathryn Newton.
These two actors work so well together.
The official trailer is intense and tells us what is happening in the movie. A mother’s love is so powerful. Yes, as a mother, I agree. We will do anything for your children.
The movie clip is intense, with Julia Roberts afraid of what her son brought back home after being gone for some time.
Ben is Back is now available on Blu-ray, DVD, and streaming online. The cast is powerful, with Julia Roberts, Lucas Hedges, and Courtney B. Vance. If you are interested in seeing the drama, now is your chance. If you have seen it, you can see it again with the Special Featurettes and Bonus Material. The trailer tells the story but doesn’t give the ending. It’s intense.
Directed by Anthony Nardolillo, Shine is a Puerto Rican dance-themed movie. The dance scenes with an upbeat tempo are the best reason to see the movie. Watch the movie trailer, and you will see what I mean. Wouldn’t you like to dance like that? Or, at least, watch them dance with such freedom.
The story follows two Puerto Rican brothers, Ralphi Matas, played by Jorge Burgos, and Junior, played by Gilbert Saldivar. They are from New York’s Spanish Harlem, where we can find the street’s best Salsa dancers. The brothers are separated after a tragedy only to reunite years later on opposing sides of gentrification, which is restoring and rebuilding a deteriorated development.
Seven years of absence from New York City places Ralphi in a different frame of mind. He is back to develop commercial real estate in his old neighborhood. When he returns, he encounters his estranged brother, Junior, who is following his father’s footsteps. Ramon Matas, played by David Zayas, is now an elite salsa dancer and an unwavering activist opposing gentrification in the neighborhood.
The two brothers are at odds and are not communicating or rationally talking to each other because there is a lot of angst because of the tragedy. So, having to face his past to succeed in the present, Ralphi must confront his boss Linda, played by Alysia Reiner, who is aggressively pursuing the lucrative development deal that brought him back to the city he was born, and this is driving the wedge even further between him and his brother.
But, there is more to the story because on the other side, Josie, played by Kimberli Flores, the hot, gorgeous new owner of their father’s dance studio, reveals she is behind on the mortgage payments. Junior rallies the local dance community to raise funds against all odds to save the dance studio despite his brother’s gentrification efforts.
While the brothers have chosen opposite paths thus far, they are brought back together when Tio Julio, played by Nelson Gonzales, reminds them of the power of family and the importance of their community.
The story is about families being divided, but the dancing is unbelievable.
Nardolillo is best known for his 2007 short film Mano, starring Giancarlo Esposito and Laz Alonso. Nardolillo has also directed several music videos. He is credited as the writer and director of the YouTube sensation music video Chachi Gonzales.
I spoke with Nardolillo late last week, and he talked about certain aspects of the gentrification theme of the movie that was cut out. He also said of the love between the two brothers in the film, “There’s a unique bond where they could punch out each other. But if someone else tried to punch out the other brother, they’d step up and protect each other,” explains Nardolillo, “The relationship can go from hot to cold – extreme anger to extreme love, which inspired me.”
Nardolillo talked about directing music videos, and I asked if he required any Salsa music videos, “There’s one video, in particular, where I shot Salsa, but everything else is a fusion of hip-hop and modern dance.” clarifies Nardolillo, “I appreciate all forms of dance. I love shooting dance because there’s a need for choreography in the camera work. I look at everything through a rhythmic lens. Even in dramatic scenes, there’s something rhythmic about everything.”
Directed by Jason Reitman, The Front Runner is based on a true story starring Hugh Jackman. Jackman plays the charismatic politician Gary Hart in a movie that might prove to be a thrilling drama.
