All posts by Kenna

“The King’s Daughter” Whimsical Tale

based on a book, fantasy, , ,

Directed by Sean McNamara, in 1684 France, Louis XIV, played by Pierce Brosnan, – the Sun King – is the most powerful monarch on the planet. 

His birthday and a rare solar eclipse are approaching, and he’s worried about the future of France. His spiritual advisor, Père La Chaise, played by William Hurt, comforts him. 

His physician, Dr. Labarthe, played by Pablo Schreiber, informs him that scientists believe mermaids contain a life force that grants immortality. 

Louis commissions Yves, a young sea captain played by Benjamin Walker, to search the North Seas for the heretofore-mythical sea creature.

Meanwhile, to help pay off war debts, Louis brings to Court Marie-Josèphe, played by Kaya Scodelario, the daughter of the mistress he always loved. 

Orphaned at a convent since birth, Marie-Josèphe is educated and musically gifted yet bears inherent defiance of authority. Père feels he can use Marie-Josèphe to tap into the deep pockets of Lintillac, played by Ben Lloyd-Hughes, a wealthy young merchant angling for a position at court and using her musical abilities to satisfy Louis’ ear.

As the week of the Eclipse begins, Yves returns to Versailles, successfully capturing a mermaid played by Fan Bingbing. They order him to place her in a reservoir beneath the Grotto of Thetis and restore her to total health.

Marie-Josèphe discovers the mermaid, and the two quickly develop a mysterious communication ability. Kindred spirits forge an empathic bond based on a common thread: the mermaid, in her capture, has been separated from her children and yearns to be reunited, and Marie-Josèphe still longs to know her parents. Marie-Josèphe also falls in love with Yves, not knowing he is the mermaid’s captor.

Eventually, Marie-Josèphe finds out that Louis has planned not only to marry her off to Lintillac, whom she hates, but, worse yet, to kill the mermaid. When confronting Louis, she learns the secret that has shrouded her life: the King is her father. Her heart leaps at the revelation, but the King is more concerned with the future of France than building a relationship with his daughter.

In the end, Marie-Josèphe understands she must defy her father, her King, to rescue the mermaid.

“When I read the novel The Moon and the Sun by Vonda McIntyre, I completely fell under its magical spell. A King, a secret daughter, and an incredible mermaid that lived in the fountains of Versailles,” tells McNamara. “I love to make inspirational movies that delight audiences around the Globe. We adapted the book into the feature film The King’s Daughter.” 

McNamara made films like Soul Surfer, Spare Parts, and The Miracle Season, branched out, and made a fantasy film that the audience appreciated. “When you meet the mermaid, I want you to feel her journey as she adapts to her new world and meets Marie-Josephe D’Alember.”

McNamara’s love for music and his love of the ocean come together as Marie-Josephe plays her cello and communicates magically with the mermaid. 

Even the love affair between Yves and Marie-Josephe is one of the ages. “It’s pure and whimsical. In fact, after playing the roles in the movie, Kaya Scodelario and Benjamin Walker fell in love in real life and now have two beautiful children.” 

“The Bad Guys” Animated Action Comedy

animation, based on a book, , ,

Directed by Pierre Perifel and based on a popular Scholastic book series by Aaron Blabey, The Bad Guys is about five friends. A crackerjack criminal crew of animal outlaws tries to become model citizens and turn good.

After years of countless heists and being the world’s most-wanted villains, they finally caught the gang. Mr. Wolf makes a deal, which he doesn’t plan on keeping, to save them all from prison. The Bad Guys decide they better be good.

The voice cast includes Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Anthony Ramos and Awkwafina.

“The Lost City” Hilarious with Tatum, Bullock and Pitt!

adventure, comedy, romance, , ,

Co-directed by Aaron and Adam Nee, The Lost City follows a reclusive romance novelist, played by Sandra Bullock. She’s on a book tour with her cover model, played by Channing Tatum.

They both get swept up in a kidnapping attempt that lands them both in a cutthroat jungle adventure.

Daniel Radcliffe plays the villain and Brad Pitt comes to save the day. The rest of the cast includes Patti Harrison, Oscar Nunez and Da’Vine Joy Randolph.

“You Won’t Be Alone” Witches Tale of Horror

foreign movie, horror, , , ,

Written and directed by Goran Stolevski, You Won’t Be Alone takes place in an isolated mountain village in 19th century Macedonia, Southeast Europe. The story follows a young girl kidnapped and then transformed into a witch by an ancient spirit.

Curious about life as a human, the young witch accidentally kills a peasant in the nearby village and then takes her victim’s shape to live life in her skin.

Her curiosity ignited. She continued to will the horrific power to understand what it means to be human.

Noomi Rapace, Anamaria Marinca, Alice Englert, Carloto Cotta, Felix Maritaud and Sara Klimoska star in the movie.

“The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” Trailers, Posters, Clips and Images

action, comedy, , , , , , , ,

Tom Gormican directed The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent starring Nicolas Cage, who is Nicolas Cage in this action-comedy.

Creatively unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, the fictionalized version of Cage must accept a $1 million offer to attend the birthday of a dangerous superfan, played by Pedro Pascal.

Things take a wildly unexpected turn when a CIA operative, played by Tiffany Haddish, recruits and forces him to live up to his legend.

He channels his most iconic and beloved on-screen characters to save himself and his loved ones.

Pedro Pascal as Javi and Nicolas Cage as Nic Cage in
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.
Photo Credit: Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate

It appears clips and references to Cage’s movies are part of the script. So, he built his career by playing Nicolas Cage at this moment.

Sharon Horgan, Ike Barinholtz, Alessandra Mastronardi, Jacob Scipio, Lily Sheen, and Neil Patrick Harris also star in the movie.

“Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” Trailers and Posters

adventure, based on a book, children movies, classic, fantasy, prequel, , ,

Bringing back David Yates, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore introduces Mads Mikkelsen as Grindelwald, a wizarding villain that Johnny Depp played prior.

The rest of the cast includes Katherine Waterston, Ezra Miller, Jude Law and Eddie Redmayne.

Animated “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” Streams on Disney+

animation, based on a book, children movies, comedy, kid movies,

Directed by Swinton O. Scott III, Diary of a Wimpy Kid delivers an animated movie filled with similar situations described in Jeff Kinney’s bestselling books. In this 56-minute movie, Greg Heffley, voiced by Brady Noon, enters middle school and potentially explosive problems and hazards to friendships.

Personified as a digital, bulbous boy, Heffley appears to stumble through misadventures with his buddy, Rowley, voiced by Ethan William Childress. Together they ride out the dreadful mishaps of trying to social fit as a middle schooler. As seen in the trailer, the importance of saying “hang out” instead of “come over and play.” Remember not to go near or touch the revolting piece of swiss cheese in the playground.

Whether they’ve read the books, kids will enjoy the movie, and perhaps encourage them to pick up one of Kinny’s books to read since the film is less than an hour. Kids might want to read about more of Heffley’s mishaps.

Thank you, New York Times information about the movie.

“DC League of Super-Pets” Tickles Your Kids’ Funny Bone

action, adventure, animation, comedy, family movies, kid movies,

Based on characters from DC and directed by Jared Stern, DC League of Super-Pets is about the adventures of crime-fighting pets. The animated movie follows Streaky the Super-Cat, Ace the Bat-Hound and Krypto the Super-Dog.

The cast includes Dwayne Johnson, Keanu Reeves, Kevin Hart, John Krasinski, Kate McKinnon and Diego Luna.

Thank you, IMDB, for the information.

“Jurassic World: Dominion” Continues the Legacy

adventure, based on a book, family movies, science fiction, sequels, , , ,

Co-written and directed by Colin Trevorrow, Jurassic World: Dominion continues the science fiction adventure. Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas, Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum and Lauren Dern are returning.

The first online poster announces the movie. I like the shot of the young boy, making the image ominous.

The plot is no longer under wraps.

The trailer is fun, with chase scenes similar to James Bond. Still, having the original cast back as the conclusion to this franchise is epic. Of course, Goldblum gets his snarky line in at the end of the trailer.

Dern returns from an eclectic career, garnering an Oscar, an Emmy and five Golden Globe awards.

“The Beatles: Get Back” Peter Jackson Delivers Three-Part Series

British, classic, documentary, , , , ,

Directed by Peter Jackson, The Beatles: Get Back follows the intimate recording sessions during a crucial period in music recording history. The documentary features the warmth, friendship, dynamic talent, and genius that define the iconic foursome. Over 60 hours of unseen footage were filmed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg in 1969, with over 150 hours of unheard audio, all gloriously restored.

Jackson was the only person in five decades to have access to the private footage.

The Beatles: Get Back captures John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr while planning their first live show in over two years. Lindsay-Hogg captures them writing and rehearsing 14 new songs expected for release on an accompanying live album.

The movie showcases the entire last live performance as a group for the first time—the memorable London’s Savile Row rooftop concert. The documentary includes other songs and classic works featured on the Beatles’ last two albums, Abbey Road and Let It Be.

Thank you, Collider, for helping with the information.