Monthly Archives: April 2019

“21 Bridges” Posters, Clips & Trailers

action, crime, suspense, , ,

Directed by Brian Kirk, 21 Bridges follows an embattled NYPD detective, played by the late Chadwick Boseman. He is thrown into a citywide manhunt for a pair of cop killers after uncovering a massive and unexpected conspiracy.

As the night becomes day, lines become blurred about who he is pursuing and who is in pursuit of him. The search intensifies when extreme measures prevent the killers from escaping Manhattan.

The authorities close all 21 bridges in and out of the island, preventing no entry nor exit from the fabled island.

Matthew Michael Carnahan and Adam Mervis wrote the movie. Carnahan’s credits include Lion for Lambs, World War Z, and Deepwater Horizon. Mervis is also an actor and a playwright. The film 21 Bridges appears to be his first produced screenplay.

The late Boseman starred in the Marvel movies from Black Panther to Avengers Endgame and played Jackie Robinson in 42.

Kirk’s credit includes episodic television such as Games of Thrones and Penny Dreadful. This movie appears to be his first feature movie as well.

The cast includes Taylor Kitsch, Sienna Miller, Stephan James, and J. K. Simmons. You might recognize Stephan James as the young man in love in If Beale Street Could Talk and the heartfelt veteran in Homecoming, starring with Julia Roberts.

Anthony and Joe Russo, the directing team and brothers who brought us four Marvel movies, including Avengers Endgame, produced The 21 Bridges.

The movie trailer is entertaining, like a short film with all the key players. The poster shows Roseman as the cop that criminals do not want to contend with and notice his eyes are two different colors.

SD Comic-Con trailer is long, with lots of features and details about the movie.

The third trailer takes on his journey through Manhattan. Boseman is intense and one tough dude.

These clips show how intense this movie can get. So, hang on tight and let the drama begin. Oh, there is a bit of eye candy for the girls in the third clip.

The following clip shows us another aspect of the story. I like the characterization and the conflict between these two cops.

“Brian Banks” Trailer, Clips & Poster

biography, drama, sports, true stories, , , ,

Directed by Tom Shadyac, Brian Banks is a true story about an injustice made right. The studios are calling it “inspirational true story” when in fact I feel treachery.

The true story follows Brian Banks, played by Aldis Hodge, an All-American high school football star verbally committed to USC. His life is upended when he is unjustly convicted of a crime he didn’t commit.

Despite lack of evidence, Banks is railroaded through a broken justice system and sentenced to a decade of prison and probation. Years later, with the support of Justin Brooks, played by Greg Kinnear, and the California Innocence Project, Banks fights to reclaim his life and fulfill his dreams of playing in the NFL.

Shadyac impressive credits offer encouragement for this movie to rock and entertain. He’s directed Ace Ventura, Bruce Almighty, and The Nutty Professional. Over the past decade or so, he’s involved himself in documentaries as director and producer. In 1983, he became the youngest staff writer for Bob Hope.

The cast also includes Sherri Shepherd, Melanie Liburd, and Morgan Freeman.

The injustice of what Banks went through is tough to face. The young woman lied and destroyed his life. The movie clip is a scene where Banks played the tap of the young woman confessing she lied.

The featurette tells what the story is about through the eyes of those who were there from Brian Banks as executive producer and Justin Brooks as executive producer to the actors who play the people who went through this tragic story about injustice.

The story is real, and injustice happens, unfortunately. In this clip, I understand what Banks mother is saying because I am a mother. I want nothing but good for my daughter.

“The System” movie clip sets the pace for going to trial.

“Gemini Man” Trailer, Featurette, Clips & Poster

action, thriller, , ,

Directed by Ang Lee, who is one of the most innovative directors, Gemini Man follows Henry Brogan, played by Will Smith. He becomes targeted and pursued by a mysterious operative, who is younger than Brogan. The pursuer seems to predict every move Brogan makes to avoid confrontation.

The movie billed as an innovative action-thriller also stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen, and Benedict Wong.

The screenplay is written by David Benioff, Billy Ray, and Darren Lemke. Lee is an Oscar-winning director and appears to be taking on a box office winner compared to his earlier movies of late. He is backed by top producers Jerry Bruckheimer, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger.

Though the trailer offers spoilers, the main point of the story is a younger version of Brogan is pursuing him, and he needs to discover the reason and who is behind it.

The featurette highlights what filmmakers can do with CGI (Computer Generated Imagery Animation ) and beyond. Viewers see the finished product on the screen, and it looks like nothing to it. Oh no, the technology is phenomenal.

The second trailer tells us that there is more to the movie than we thought. Though, the story is not complicated and appears to be about these two men trying to exceed each other for the man who made them both. Lee captured a brilliant shot in the chase scene with the water reflection of the younger version of Brogan.

The next four movie clips are scenes from the movie trailers. There is a lot of action and philosophical dialogue.

“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” Trailer, Clips, Featurettes, TV Spot & Interview

action, adventure, legend, science fiction, sequels, space opera, , , , , , , ,

I am so excited that J.J. Abrams is returning to direct the final chapter of the saga from a galaxy far, far away.

The standard cast is returning with some new faces, including Lupita Nyong’o, Mark Hamill, Oscar Isaac, Daisy Ridley, Keri Russell, Adam Driver, Billy Dee Wiliams, and the late Carrie Fisher.

Abrams also co-wrote the screenplay with Chris Terrio, and there appears to be a new Droid.

The red carpet interview with producer Kathleen Kennedy reveals the franchise hasn’t finished yet. Still, the other red carpet interviews with J.J. Abrams and stars talk about this being the last movie of the nine Star Wars movies.

Star Wars is a big box office winner. I side with Kennedy. The space opera stories must continue even if the next one starts with a different group of characters.

The “Special Look” shows the Star Wars past and the movie’s ending. In the middle, we see C-3PO with red eyes. At the end of the footage, we see Rey (or is it Rey) on the Darkside.

The third trailer shows a lot happening in the final movie. All of it is exciting.

Here is a TV spot and yes it advertises to purchase your advance tickets. Not a bad idea considering it will sell out in some locations. The TV spot does offer some clues to the story and new footage. Enjoy!

The Star Wars Culture featurette says it all.

The next featurette is fabulous. Enjoy!

The movie is about legends.

Funny scene, yes, “They fly now.”

“Anna” Poster and Trailer

action, thriller, , ,

Written and directed by Luc Besson, Anna follows a striking beauty, Anna Poliatova, played by Sasha Luss. Her secret unleashes her indelible strength and skill as one of the world’s most feared government assassins. 

Besson intends an “electrifying thrill ride unfolding with propulsive energy, startling twists and breathtaking action.”

Besson credits include Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, The Fifth Element, Nikita, and The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc.

This is Luss first leading role with Oscar winner Helen Mirren, Cillian Murphy, and Luke Evans.

“Bolden” Man Who Invented Jazz: Trailer, Clips & Poster

based on a book, biography, true stories, , , , , , , , ,

Directed by Dan Pritzker, Bolden follows the tragic life of Buddy Bolden, played by Gary Carr, an unsung inventor of jazz. The movie is filled with compelling images. It’s a story worth telling since his life ended up in a mental asylum. They were placed under their tragic and brutal treatment, never released, and died twenty-five years later.

According to production notes, little biographical information is known about Bolden, and no recordings of his music are available anywhere – tragically gone.

Pritzker uses fragmented memories of Bolden’s past against the political and social context in which his revolutionary music was conceived. The movie is about passion, greed, and a musical genius in the early 1900s in New Orleans.

Wynton Marsalis, who is also one of the producers, wrote, arranged, and performed the movie’s original music. The dance scene in the sweatshop looks promising.

The movie co-stars Erik LaRay Harvey, Yaya DaCosta, Ian McShane, and Michael Rooker. You can also see McShane in Hellboy. He plays men who are outraged in both movies.

The next run of movie clips shows how the movie is not linear but told in flashbacks. My favorite is the “Seamstress Dance” clip. The “Clapping Out” clip is my next favorite. Though there is not much information about Bolden, the movie is told as if Bolden is a mythical character, a legend.

Ron Howard’s “Pavarotti: Genius Is Forever” Trailer, Featurettes, Clips & Poster

biography, documentary, legend, music, true stories,

Ron Howard brought together the same filmmaking team that forged the documentary The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years. Pavarotti takes the opera star’s talent, personality, and forbearance by lifting the curtain on the icon. We understand how he brought opera to the people.

The Oscar winner Howard trailer puts us in the front row for an “exploration of The Voice… The Man… The Legend. Luciano Pavarotti gave his life to music and a voice to the world. This cinematic event features history-making performances and intimate interviews, including never-before-seen footage.”

They all brought Dolby ATMOS technology into production, a fancy way of saying a whole new technology that makes the presentation even better.

The movie clip shows Princess Diana in the audience, outside in the pouring rain. She looks delighted and spectacular—a memorable moment in this extraordinary documentary.

The following featurettes show Pavarotti’s ambition and desire to spread opera worldwide. He wanted to give it to the people, as he felt opera was for the people.

The following two movie clips are about Bono’s relationship with Pavarotti and how he was a master at developing relationships with anyone.

“The Addams Family” Animated Movie Poster, Clips & Trailers

animation, children movies, comedy, family movies, kid movies, , , , ,
The next installment of The Addams Family is an animated family.

Co-directed by Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan, The Addams Family, like the television series, the animated movie is silly and dorky. The infamous family once again arrives in a different version – animated.

The television show went from featured film to Broadway and now back as an animated feature film. The family’s trademark of snapping their fingers is being played up in the trailer.

The studio is calling the movie the “first animated comedy about this creepy and kooky clan.” The conflict that keeps the story the movie interesting is not revealed yet. We know the family is still weird, outlandish, bizarre, and keeping to the original Addams Family behavior from the television show.

The all-star voice cast includes Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Finn Wolfhard, Nick Kroll, Bette Midler, and Allison Janney.

Here is the Instagram version of the trailer. The difference is it’s shorter, and there are captions like a meme.

The next trailer tells us more about the story. Wednesday altering the class Science project by bringing the frogs back to life is hilarious.

The next movie clip shows what to expect from beginning to the end of the movie – intentional mishaps to and fro.

The next clip is for those diehard fans who watched the television series, Broadway show, and movies.

Burning Truth of “Trial by Fire” Poster, Clips & Trailer

drama, true stories, ,

Directed by Edward Zwick, Trial by Fire is a true story that took place in Texas. It follows an unlikely bond between an imprisoned death row inmate, played by Jack O’Connell, and a mother of two from Houston, played by Laura Dern. The mother faces staggering odds and fights with all her skills and smarts for his freedom.

The real story is about Cameron Todd Willingham, a poor, uneducated heavy metal devotee with a violent streak and a criminal record. He ended up convicted of an arson-related triple homicide in 1992.

During his 12 years on death row, Elizabeth Gilbert, an unlikely ally, uncovers questionable methods and illogical conclusions in his case, and battles with the state to expose suppressed evidence that could save him.

The movie trailers show fine acting talent, and its good to see these to actors working together.

These two movie clips are the meat and potatoes of the movie with “Life is Fair” and “He Threatened You” as prevailing themes.

The story follows Dern’s character because she is the one who sees Willingham’s innocence. She believes more in him than he does in himself.

“Stuber” Poster, Clips & Trailers

action, comedy, , , , , , ,

Directed by Michael Dowse, Stuber follows a level-headed Uber driver named Stu, played by Kumail Nanjiani. He picks up a passenger, played by Dave Bautista, who turns out to be a cop hot on the trail of a brutal killer.

Stu in pushed into a harrowing ordeal where he desperately tries to hold onto his wits, his life, and his five-star rating.

The movie also stars Iko Uwais, Natalie Morales, Betty Gilpin, Jimmy Tatro, Mira Sorvino, and Karen Gillan.

This is the second movie Bautista has coming out back to back with My Spy. The trailer is funny, no it’s hilarious.

The next movie trailer is red band, which means it is disgusting. The trailer is not for faint hearts or ears.

The next movie clip is similar to what we see in the trailers.

Another clip that shows the dangerous of being an Uber driver for a police officer.

The next movie clip is different from the other clips and trailers. The human heart aspect of the story starts in this clip.