All posts by Kenna

“Pitch Perfect 3” Trailers and Blu-Ray/DVD

comedy, music, sequels, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Directed by  Trish Sie, the cast just keeps getting larger and larger with an impressive list of talent.

Now graduated from college and out in the real world where it takes more than a cappella to get by, the Bellas return in Pitch Perfect 3, the next chapter in the beloved series that has taken in more than $400 million at the global box office.

After the highs of winning the World Championships, the Bellas find themselves split apart and discovering there aren’t job prospects for making music with your mouth.  But when they get the chance to reunite for an overseas USO tour, this group of awesome nerds will come together to make some music, and some questionable decisions, one last time.

The Blu-ray/DVD hit the streets, so if you missed the movie in theaters, and now you can buy the movie for real. The package includes new songs.

Comparing the Blu-ray cover with the movie poster,  the yellow background makes the movie seem lighter not as dark or foreboding.

Perhaps, shoppers are likely to pick up a lighter colored package than a darker one.

“Stronger” Trailer and Clips

drama, romance, true stories, , , ,

Directed by David Gordon Green, Stronger is a true story following Jeff Bauman, played by Jake Gyllenhaal. Jeff is a 27-year-old working-class Boston man who was at the marathon to try and win back his ex-girlfriend Erin, played by Tatiana Maslany.

Waiting for her at the finish line when the blast occurs, he loses both his legs in the attack. After regaining consciousness in the hospital, Jeff can help law enforcement identify one of the bombers, but his battle has just begun.

Watching the trailer, the story unfolds. We see Jeff tackling physical and emotional rehabilitation with Erin and his family. The trailer is filled with raw emotion. Stronger also stars Miranda Richardson and Clancy Brown.

David Gordon Green’s signature movie is Pineapple Express. Quite different from this true story based on the 2013 Boston Marathon tragedy.

“Thank You For Your Service” Trailer, Featurette, Interviews

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

Directed by Jason Hall, Thank You for Your Service follows a group of U.S. soldiers returning from Iraq. They struggle to fit in with a “normal” life, such as being with family and living in general civilian life. It is the memories of a war that threatens to destroy them long after they’ve left the battlefield.

The story is told with a strong ensemble cast led by Miles Teller, Haley Bennett, Amy Schumer, Joe Cole, Beulah Koale, Scott Haze, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Brad Beyer, Omar J. Dorsey, and Jayson Warner Smith. The story is based on the bestselling book by Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and author David Finkel.

This is Jason Hall’s directorial debut. He received recognition for his screenplay American Sniper. He also wrote the script for this heart-wrenching drama.

The trailer and featurette with an in-depth interview with Jason Hall are awesome and touches on the battle our service men experience when they return home. Let’s help them by thanking them for their service and using green mental health treatments, not psychotropic drugs, because they are not the answer.

“The Only Boy Living in New York” Trailer and Clips

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Directed by Marc Webb, whose eclectic work includes 500 Days of Summer, The Amazing Spider-man, and Gifted brings a nice little tale that’s been played before. Yet, this one has a similar scene from Breakfast at Tiffany’s.  You gotta love New York City, rain, taxi cab, and good-byes.

The movie has a pretty decent cast with familiar faces including Callum Turner, Jeff Bridges, Kate Beckinsale, Pierce Brosnan, Kiersey Clemons, and Cynthia Nixon.

The story follows a recent college graduate who is adrift in New York City and seeks the guidance of an eccentric neighbor as his life is upended by his father’s mistress.

I watched the movie on Amazon and totally enjoy the story.  The actors are great and the scene with Brosnan and Turner is incredible.

“Flatliners” Trailer

drama, remakes, , , ,

Directed by Niels Arden Opley, who directed Girl with the Dragon Tattoos, Flatliners follows five medical students, hoping to gain insight into the mystery of what lies beyond the confines of life, embark on a daring and dangerous experiment.

A remake of the 1990 movie with the same title starring Julia Roberts and Keith Sutherland, by stopping each student’s heart for short periods of time, every time it triggers a near-death experience.

As the investigation becomes more and more perilous, they are forced to confront the sins of their pasts, as well as contend with the paranormal consequences of trespassing to the other side.

Peter Filardi, who wrote the original 1990 screenplay receives “Story By” credit along with the movie’s screenwriter Ben Ripley.

I am curious how the movie will pan out because Joel Schumacher directed the original movie and has stellar credits including The Phantom of the Opera, Batman Forever, and Phone Booth.

Watching the trailer, I’d say this movie is even darker with a strong cast.

It looks like the remake is following the original by discovering their wicked past.

Great interview with three of the actors in the movie.

“Happy Death Day” Trailer, TV Spots, and Clips

horror, , , , ,

Directed by Christopher Landon, Happy Death Day is an evil twist on the comedy Groundhog Day. The movie follows a college student, played by Jessica Rothe (La La Land), who relives the day of her murder with both its typical details and terrifying end until she discovers her killer’s identity.

The producers, known for producing Whiplash and Get Out, are calling the movie an original and inventive rewinding thriller, but I wonder if they have seen Groundhog Day and Before I Fall.

With that, horror fans will flock to this movie because, if you watch the trailer and TV spots, it looks like a great horror movie.

“Black Panther” Trailer, Poster, Movie Clips

action, adventure, children movies, family movies, kid movies, , , , , , , , , ,

Directed by Ryan Coogler, Black Panther follows T’Challa, played by Chadwick Boseman, who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king.

But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.

The Blu-ray and DVD arrive on the streets. The movie is streaming. The trailer after the movie clips gives all the details, and if you haven’t seen the movie yet, you are in for a treat.

The movie clips are epic and are fun to watch while you wait to see the Blu-ray and DVD.

Enjoy the trailer.

Genuine Sam Elliot Stars “The Hero” Trailers and Clips

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Directed by Brett Halley and NY Times Critics Pick, The Hero stars Sam Elliott. The movie follows his character, who is an aging actor confronting mortality.  Watching Elliot in the trailer and clips, he takes the time to tell the story with undertones and lost innuendos.

He is Lee Hayden, a Western icon with a golden voice, but his best performances are decades behind him. While he spends his days reliving old glories and smoking too much weed with his former-co-star-turned-dealer, Jeremy, played by Nick Offerman, he is caught off guard with a surprise cancer diagnosis.

His priorities come crashing down into a sharp focus. He soon strikes up an exciting, contentious relationship with stand-up comic Charlotte, played by Laura Prepon, and he attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Lucy, played by Krysten Ritter.

All while he is searching for one final role to cement his legacy.

Watch the trailers and clips.  It is a beautiful and poignant celebration of life and the legacies we all leave behind.

“Kidnap” Trailer

drama, thriller, , , , , ,

Directed by Luis Prieto, Kidnap follows single mom Karla Dyson, played by Oscar winner Halle Berry. A typical afternoon in the park becomes a nightmare when Karla’s son suddenly disappears.

Without a cell phone and knowing she has no time to wait for police help, Karla jumps in her own car and sets off in pursuit of the kidnappers.

A relentless, edge-of-your-seat chase ensues, where Karla must risk everything to not lose sight of her son.

After watching the trailer, it is obvious the movie is an intense, action-fueled thriller.

It is hard to imagine one mother’s heroic attempt to take back her son leads her to ask herself how far she will go to save her child.

“Lost Gully” Teaser Trailer

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Directed by Donna McRae, Lost Gully Road tells the story of Lucy, played by Adele Perovic, a directionless young woman who travels to a secluded cottage in the forest to wait for her sister.  With no television and little communication with the outside world, she spends her days alone and drinking to pass the time. That is until her unexpected host decides to keep her company.

Other cast members include Eloise Mignon, John Brumpton, and Jane Clifton.

The teaser trailer doesn’t show much, but the imagery reminds me of Netflix’s Stranger Things.

The film features cinematography from Laszlo Baranyai, production design from visual artist Michael Vale, and a score by Dave Graney and Clare Moore.

A horror movie from Downunder is always desired because true horror fans love these movies.  Right now, there is no indication this movie is coming to the states.