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 Donald Petrie, who also directed such romantic comedies as How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Miss Congeniality brings a playful story of the Romeo and Juliet theme. The tried and true them takes place in Little Italy in New York City.
The two families at odds are owners of rival pizzerias. Instantly, I can think of all sorts of fun puns to add to this article about the movie. I am going to give it to you straight. The story follows two former childhood friends Leo, played by Hayden Christensen, and Nikki, played by Emma Roberts. Like the Shakespeare story, they are attracted to each other as adults—but will their feuding parents’ rival pizzerias put a chill on their sizzling romance. If you are familiar with the story, this particular one is not a tragedy. It is a romantic comedy. A first date movie makes it safe for a budding romance.
I am interested in seeing Christensen play a leading role in a romantic comedy since his past roles are Anikan Skywalker in the Star Wars franchise. If you recall, Anikan turns into Darth Vader. I was also impressed with his role in Shattered Glass as Stephen Glass. The young reporter who fell from grace when it was discovered he fabricated is articles.
The cast includes Alyssa Milano, Danny Aiello, and Andrea Martin.
I become giddy when I find a horror movie I know I will enjoy and appreciate as a production. Such is the case with The Little Stranger. Based on a bestseller directed by Lenny Abrahamson, the story follows Dr. Faraday, played by Domhnall Gleeson, the son of a housemaid. He built a life of quiet respectability as a country doctor.
During the long, hot summer of 1948, the doctor is asked to visit a patient at Hundreds Hall, where his mother once worked. The Hall has been home to the Ayres family for more than two centuries. The doctor is surprised to find the home is no longer grandiose but in decline, and its inhabitants, mother, son, and daughter, are haunted by something more ominous than a dying way of life.
He takes on his new patient with no idea how closely and disturbingly the family’s story is about to become entwined with his own.
The featurette clearly explains the story and how the director works with the story.
The movie clip shows how the young doctor wants to climb social status. Perhaps his desire prevents him from seeing the darkness within the family.
Watching this clip is the reason why I want to see this movie. It is suspenseful and horrific in a daunting way.
The movie clips show how Abrahamson keeps the movie centered on the doctor but with undertones of suspense. This is going to be a great horror movie.
Directed by Peter Farrelly, Green Book is a road trip movie that follows Tony Lip, played by Viggo Mortensen. Tony is a bouncer from an Italian-American neighborhood in the Bronx. He is hired to drive Dr. Don Shirley, played by Mahershala Ali. Dr. Shirley is a world-class Black pianist on a concert tour from Manhattan to the Deep South.
Together, they must rely on The Green Book to guide them to the few establishments that were safe for African Americans at the time. Based on a true story, they confronted racism, danger, unexpected humanity, and humor. They are eventually forced to set aside differences to survive and thrive on the journey of a lifetime.
I first saw Mortensen in The History of Violence and thought he nailed it as the former hired killer, Tom Stall, now a happily married father who is forced to return to violence to save the life he nurtured and created in a small town. Now, he seems to capture a Bronx bouncer magically and effectively.
Ali recently won an Oscar for his role in Moonlight. The role of Dr. Shirley is much different from that of Juan in Moonlight.
Directed by Adam Shankman, What Men Want follows Ali Davis, played by Taraji P. Henson. She is a successful sports agent constantly kept on the sidelines by her male co-workers.
Ali is passed up for a rightful promotion, giving her an honest look at her success and future. She asks herself what she needs to accomplish success in man’s world.
By hook or by crook and a concoction from a wise witch or gypsy, Ali gains the ability to hear men’s thoughts. With her newfound power, Ali outsmarts her co-workers and races to sign the next basketball superstar.
The lengths and hurdles she goes through to pull it off will put her relationship with her best friends and a potential new love interest, played by Aldis Hodge, to the test.
Does this story sound familiar? The screenplay is by Nancy Meyers, who directed Mel Gibson in What Women Want. Released in 2000, the movie carries the same premise with Helen Hunt playing the love interest. Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Vuspa wrote the screenplay based on the story by Goldsmith, Vuspa, and Diane Drake.
Eighteen years later, What Men Want is more raunchy and ethnically diverse. Shankman is best known for directing John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Queen Latifah, Christopher Walken, and Zac Efron in Hairspray.
Henson is a dynamic actress with a strong presence on screen. Her role as Katherine G. Johnson in Hidden Figures made the movie great. She recently made a massive impression in Tyler Perry’s Acrimony.
Also starring in What Men Want are Tracy Morgan, Richard Roundtree, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Josh Brener, Tamala Jones, Phoebe Robinson, Max Greenfield, Jason Jones, Brian Bosworth, Chris Witaske and Erykah Badu.
The first trailer is funny. Enjoy!
The following trailer is funnier. I laughed and laughed. This movie is for Girls Night Out. We all go to the movie theater together and bring the house down.
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.
