All posts by Kenna

“Captain Marvel” Trailers, Poster, Cast Interviews, Featurettes & Movie Clips

action, adventure, based on a book, super heroes, , , , ,

Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, Captain Marvel follows Carol Danvers, played by Brie Larson, as she becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in a galactic war between two alien races.

The movie is now available as Blu-ray/DVD or streaming with some excellent bonus features. 

Brie Larson is from my hometown and an Oscar winner for the movie Room, which I highly recommend. She works hard at her craft and believes in the roles she plays. 

Captain Marvel is not the first film Boden and Fleck collaborated on. Half-Nelson, starring Ryan Gosling, is their first movie. It is about a drug addict teacher whom a student discovers. Boden and Fleck collaborated on other short films. All are garnering their nominations and awards, including Half-Nelson. Please scroll down and watch their interview about directing the latest Marvel movie. 

Taking on a blockbuster movie production such as Captain Marvel is a bold but exciting move for these two crackerjacks. Boden wrote the screenplay with the help of over half a dozen other writers.

The second trailer is much better and tells the story of Larson’s character, which I like and find refreshing. The first trailer is farther down and just as fun to watch. 

Also cast in the movie is an impressive talent such as Jude Law, Samuel L. Jackson, and Annette Bening.

Larson worked out for nine months before shooting the film. She immersed herself in the role, which included super jets.

The three movie clips give us a feel for how the movie flows. I can’t tell if Jude Law’s character is a good or bad guy yet. Only time will tell, but I hope he’s a good guy.

It’s leaning toward Law’s character being a good guy because it looks like they are having fun. A playful fight scene like this doesn’t move the plot along. I hope the plot is exciting and not a typical superhero story.

Jude Law talks about what it means to be in a Marvel movie and how it influences the box office. He refers to all the Marvel movies interloping in each other’s movies. He dressed down for the red carpet premiere, and I like it. He seems to understand the superhero movie-making process.

In the following movie clip, we don’t get a good look at the bad guy. From what I see, he seems innocuous without the mean kicks.

From 15 interviews available on my YouTube Channel, I picked these two interviews for here. One is with the directors, and the other with Brie Larson. I chose these two interviews because the directors explain how they approached the topic to make an authentic movie. In Larson’s interview, she talks about how hard she physically trained for this role.

The featurette about the cast is pretty simple and doesn’t indicate anything new about Marvel. The camaraderie is evident and a pleasure to see during the quick cuts to the different actors. It looks like an excellent movie for popcorn entertainment.

This is an excellent interview with Samuel L. Jackson about working with Larson and Gregg again. He talks about how this Marvel movie is different than the rest. His character, Nick, is younger in this Marvel movie because it takes place in the 1990s.

The world premiere of Captain Marvel included an Air Force fly to acknowledge Carol’s Air Force background in the movie. Two interviews with Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson at the world premiere recognize the Air Force and the young men who protect our country.

I like Jackson more and more. This guy rocks. He is so comfortable in front of the camera, unforgettable.

I am including Pinar Toprak’s soundbites regarding her music composing. She discusses her journey from presenting a demo to creating the theme song. Anyone who loves movies will appreciate this interview.

“Mary Poppins Returns” Trailers, Featurettes, Movie Clips & Posters

adventure, based on a book, children movies, classic, family movies, fantasy, kid movies, music, , , , , , , , ,

Screenplay by David Magee with the story co-written by David Magee, John DeLuca, and Rob Marshall, Mary Poppins Returns with direction by Rob Marshall. The sequel takes place during Depression-era London. Suppose you are familiar with the original Disney Mary Poppins with Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. In that case, you will relate to the now-grown Jane, played by Emily Mortimer, and Michael Banks, played by Ben Whishaw. Together with Michael’s three children, they are, once again, following a personal loss visited by the enigmatic Mary Poppins, played by Emily Blunt.

Through her unique magical skills and with the aid of her friend Jack, played by Lin-Manuel Miranda, she helps the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives.

The movie clip shows the brother and sister, now older, up in the attic, finding memories.

The latest featurette explains how the movie is not a remake but a sequel.

The studio now blocks one clip of the movie I posted. What I liked about the video was it showed the energy each actor contributes to the scene and, thus, the film.

My family and I saw the movie over the holidays and loved it. The film is upbeat and fun. The curtain call at the end will raise your spirits. Emily Blunt became Mary Poppins, which differs from Julie Andrews’ version but is more faithful to the books.

Here are more movie clips. The “Sing For Us” is now blocked, so I removed it, but Emily Blunt is still stunning in all the other clips.

The featurette is true to the Mary Poppins stories. Enjoy!

Other cast members include Meryl Streep, Dick Van Dyke, Julie Walters, Colin Firth, and Angela Lansbury.

After my family saw the movie, we all agreed that the little dance scene was the best in the film. Next is the curtain call with balloons at the end, a great ending. I highly recommend the movie.

Emily Blunt marvels at how she takes “The Place Where the Lost Things Go” and sings it gently and beautifully to the Banks children. I hope Blunt sings an Oscar-nominated song at the Academy Awards presentation. I’d be ecstatic! The movie nabbed another Oscar nod for Original Score – Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Listen in on their discussion with Richard Sherman about developing the music for the film.

Mary Poppins Returns Blu-ray and DVD are on the streets, with streaming happening online. Now, you can see the movie again with the bonus features.

“Maria by Callas” Trailer, Movie Clip, and Poster

documentary, drama, true stories, , , , , , ,

Directed by Tom Volf, Maria By Callas is a documentary about one of the world’s greatest opera singers that ever graced the stage and performance halls. What is unique about this documentary is that it is a compilation of the life of Maria Callas. Nothing is made up or slanted as documentaries do today. No. This is her life story. The story of the legendary Greek/American opera singer completely in her own words.

The compilation is told through performances, TV interviews, home movies, family photographs, private letters and unpublished memoirs, nearly all of which have never been shown to the public.

The movie shines a light on the essence of an extraordinary woman who rose from humble beginnings in New York City to become a glamorous international superstar and one of the greatest artists of all time.

Google Maria Callas and you will discover her life was riddled with negative press and marriages as well as love affairs. She died of a heart attack at the age of 53, which is tragic in itself, because her confidant, a woman, at the time swindled her trust and spent Callas’ money freely without helping young singers as promised but finally established a foundation.

Notable artists and well-known personalities star in the documentary including Fanny Ardant, Aristotle Onassis, Vittorio De Sica, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Luchino Visconti, and Omar Sharif.

The movie clip shows Marie Callas in an interview describing how she is two people, interesting.

I am not quite sure, but I believe, Volf is French and holds two acting credits in French films. Marie By Callas won the best Documentary in Music and Dance at the Master of Art Film Festival 2018.

Challenge of the Truth About “Viper Club” Trailer and Poster

drama, suspense, , , , , , ,

Directed by Maryam Keshavarz, Viper Club follows ER nurse Helen Sterling, played by Susan Sarandon, who struggles to free her grown son, a journalist captured by terrorists in the Middle East.

After hitting walls with the FBI and State agencies, she discovers a clandestine community of journalists, advocates, and philanthropists who might help.

Keshavarz credits include directing shorts and movie Circumstance. She’s also a producer and won awards for one of her shorts and documentaries.

Seeing Sarandon take on a major role in a movie is exciting. She is such a talented actress. Other cast members include Matt Bomer, Lola Kirke, Julian Morris, Sheila Vand, Adepero Oduye, and Edie Falco.

“Anna and the Apocalypse” Trailer, Featurettes, & Posters

comedy, horror, music, , ,

Directed by John McPhail,  Anna and the Apocalypse is a silly, comedy, horror, musical movie. The story focuses on Anna, played by Ella Hunt.  A zombie apocalypse hits the sleepy town of Little Haven on Christmas. Anna and her high school friends have to fight, sing and dance to survive the apocalypse. They are surrounded by a large mass of undead people around them.

The music featurette explains how the horror movie is really a musical.  It looks like a lot of fun.

The “Zombie” featurette is quick paced and educational while entertaining.  We get to see how they make up people worked to create the zombie motif.

Another poster came from the studios for the NY Comi Con. So many posters. I am losing track of which poster is which.  They all look great, and the NYCC Poster is my favorite, right now.

I am inserting the various posters the studio keeps releasing. This one with the candy cane raised over Anna’s head is pretty cool. I like it because it communicates the excitement of a horror Christmas musical, which I find interesting.

Teaming up with her best friend John, played by Malcolm Cumming, Anna has to battle her way through zombified snowmen, Santas, elves and Christmas shoppers to get across town to the high school.

At the high school, they will be safe. But they soon find out that being a teenager is just as difficult as staying alive, even at the end of the world.

McPhail is from Scotland and is best known as a cinematographer, and Anna and the Apocalypse is his first feature film. The screenplay was co-written by Alan McDonald and the late Ryan McHenry.

The movie trailer shows how crazy and silly the movie as Anna and her friends break out into a song among the dangers of the zombies.

“Slice” Red Band Trailer

comedy, horror, , , ,

Written and directed by Austin Vesely, Slice is a comedy horror movie. When a pizza delivery driver is murdered on the job, the city searches for someone to blame.

The usual suspects are ghosts, drug dealers, and a disgraced werewolf.

After watching the trailer, the movie either is so silly and crazy that it will become a sleeper hit or it will become horror fans’ greatest secret.

Vesely’s include video shorts and a movie made for television. Slice is his feature debut.

Joe Keery from Stranger Things plays a photojournalist, and the other cast members include Zazie Beetz, Katherine Cunningham, and Hannibal Buress.

“At Eternity’s Gate” Trailers, Movie Clips, Featurettes & Posters

drama, legend, , , ,

Co-written and directed by Julian Schnabel, At Eternity’s Gate is a journey inside the world and mind of Vincent van Gogh, played by Willem Dafoe.

Gogh is a person who, despite skepticism, ridicule and emotional turmoil, created some of the world’s most beloved and stunning works of art.

The movie is not Gogh’s life story but rather vignettes based on Vincent van Gogh’s letters, common agreement about events in his life that present as facts, rumors, and moments that are just plain invented.

Dafoe is meant to play the brilliant but troubled artist. Rounding out the cast are Mads Mikkelsen, Emmanuelle Seigner, Amira Casar, Niels Arestrup, and Oscar Isaac.

The two movie clips get under my skin. I am interested in the movie and look forward to seeing it.

Schnabel other directing talents include The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Before Night Falls, and Basquiat.

The two movie clips show how the movie is formulated, and it more of a revelation than a linear story.  The camera work is amazing. I have an interview with the cinematographer on my YouTube Channel.

Here is the second poster, which is not all that different but the first poster. The cast list is larger and on the left side of the poster instead of almost centered.  Quotes from reviewers or critics are included as well.

The second trailer shows the magnificent cinematography by Benoît Delhomme, who also shot The Theory of Everything.

The screenplay is co-written by Jean-Claude Carriere, who won an Oscar in 1963 for Best Short Subject, Live Action Subjects sharing it with Pierre Etaix.  He also won a BAFTA for Best Screenplay – Adapted for The Unbearable Lightness of Being shared with Philip Kaufman in 1989.

 

“Instant Family” Featurette, Movie Clips, “I’ll Stay” Song & Trailer

comedy, family movies, , ,

Co-written and directed by Sean Anders, Instant Family is based on real events in Anders’ life when he and his wife decided to adopt three kids over the age of five. Releasing the featurette before the movie trailer is unique but effective.  Watch the featurette and you will understand the reason for the featurette first. Anders and his wife are telling the story and the featurette focuses on their story.

Mark Wahlberg stars as Pete in the movie about a childless, married couple who decide to adopt three children. Isabela Moner, Octavia Spencer, and Rose Byrne also star in the movie. Moner and Wahlberg previously starred together in Transformers: The Last Knight.

This is the third collaboration for both Wahlberg and Anders. Their other movies are Daddy’s Home, and Daddy’s Home 2.

She is very beautiful and vibrant. “I’ll Stay” is so true about families.  I hope this clip isn’t blocked because of the song’s copyright.

These movie clips are fun to watch. The first one is so funny, hilarious.  Enjoy!

The movie clips so how much fun this movie is to watch. Enjoy!

John Morris co-wrote the screenplay. His other movies include Dumb and Dumber and Sex Drive.  At times, Morris wears the hat of producer.

The movie trailer came out after the release of the featurette.

“The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” Trailers, Movie Clips, Featurettes & Posters

adventure, based on a book, children movies, classic, family movies, holiday movies, remakes, , , ,

Directed by Lasse Hallstrom, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms centers on Klara, played by Mackenzie Foy. All she desires is a golden key,not just any old key. A unique key like no other key to unlock a box that holds a priceless gift from her late mother.

Her godfather Drosselmeyer, played by Morgan Freeman, presents a golden thread to her at the annual holiday party. The thread leads her to the key she yearns.  The thread quickly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world.

In the mysterious world, which seems a bit like Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland,” Klara happens upon some quirky characters such as a soldier named Phillip, played by Jayden Fowora-Knight, a gang of mice, and the regents. The regents preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers, and Land of Sweets.

Klara and Phillip journey together and brave the threatening Fourth Realm, which is home to the tyrant Mother Ginger, played by Helen Mirren.

For Klara to her key and with a bit of luck, return harmony to the unstable world, she must confront Mother Ginger.

The following three featurettes show how much creative work went into production. One of the featurettes is about the famous ballerina Misty Copeland.

These two movie clips show how the story unfolds.

Hallstrom’s credits include directing What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? and he is also a writer.

The featurette explains the four realms.

The magical movie also stars Keira Knightley as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Featuring an individual ballet performance by Misty Copeland, all ballerinas will want to see this movie. But keep in mind, E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic tale inspires the cinema. It is not the same story.
The second trailer shows more of the story, and the music sounds familiar.

The Blu-ray/DVD and streaming is now available if you’re interested in watching it with your kids. It is a kids’ movie, but mom and, possibly, dad will like it, too.

“The Front Runner” Trailer, Featurette & Posters

based on a book, drama, true stories, , ,

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.