All posts by Kenna

“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

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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.

“Forever My Girl” Trailer, Poster, and Blu-ray/DVD

based on a book, romance, , , , ,

Written and directed by Bethany Ashton Wolf and based on the novel by Heidi McLaughlin, Forever My Girl, follows country music superstar Liam Page, played by Alex Roe. He left his bride, Josie, played by Jessica Rothe, at the altar choosing fame and fortune instead.

However, Liam never got over Josie, his one true love, nor did he ever forget his Southern roots in the small community where he was born and raised.

When he unexpectedly returns to his hometown for the funeral of his high school best friend, Liam is suddenly faced with the consequences of all that he left behind.

Whether the movie follows the book, I don’t know. But, below should give you an idea of the storyline. I am guessing it is content from the book.

“I was never supposed to be a rock star. I had my life all planned out for me. Play football in college. Go to the NFL. Marry my high school sweetheart and live happily ever after. I broke both our hearts that day when I told her I was leaving. I was young. I made the right decision for me, but the wrong decision for us. I’ve poured my soul into my music, but I’ve never forgotten her. Her smell, her smile. And now I’m going back. After ten years. I hope I can explain that after all this time. I still want her to be my forever girl.”

The Forever My Girl Blu-ray/DVD hit the streets, which means it is streaming, too, and I am looking forward to watching the movie. The country music sounds uplifting in the trailer. Before I watch the movie, I will make sure I have a box of tissues nearby.

For some reason, this trailer pulls my heartstrings. This movie looks like a chick flick who loves country music.

My guess is the movie is predictable with a happy ending.

“American Made” Trailer

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Tom Cruise makes movies that are worth watching because there is so much that happens in his movies, and he works with the best in the industry. He has said in interviews he likes to entertain his audience. That he does.

Directed by Doug Liman, American Made follows Cruise’s character as he juggles in this international escapade based on the outrageous (and real) exploits of a hustler and pilot unexpectedly recruited by the CIA to run one of the biggest covert operations in U.S. history.

Based on a true story, Liman and Cruise worked together on Edge of Tomorrow, the movie co-stars Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Wright, E. Roger Mitchell, Jesse Plemons, Lola Kirke, Alejandro Edda, Benito Martinez, Caleb Landry Jones, and Jayma Mays.

Liman other credits include The Bourne Identity and Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Watching this trailer, I know this movie is going to be a rocket ride, never a dull moment. Just too much fun with lots of talented people in front of and behind the camera.