Directed by Guy Ritchie, Aladdin is the live-action retelling of the 1992 Disney classic movie. Will Smith plays the Genie this time and Billy Magnussen plays Prince Anders. The teaser trailer is just that a teaser not telling us anything we don’t already know. It’s a remake.
The Blu-ray, DVD, and streaming of the movie are coming our way. Now, you can watch the movie again or if you haven’t seen it, you get your chance to watch it as many times as you like at home.
The second trailer proves to be a whole new world for Aladdin. Following the animated version of yesteryear, we see something spectacular and full of wonder.
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.
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.
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 Poppinswith 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.
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.
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.
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 Donovan Marsh, Hunter Killer is a movie that has the potential to be great. Though, Marsh directorial credits are limited to such movies as Spud and Spud 2. The Spud movies are a far cry from an action thriller as any director can get.
Hunter Killer is based on a story that comes from a novel of the same name written by Don Keith and George Wallace. The screenplay is by Jamie Moss and Arnie Schmidt.
The “Joe Glass” movie clip shows how the movie is filmed to create intensity. Here we have Common and Gary Oldman going at it to move the story along.
The movie is a contemporary story about an unproven American submarine captain, played by Gerard Butler. The captain teams with U.S. Navy Seals to rescue the Russian president, who has been kidnapped by a corrupted general.
The final poster reminds of the original poster for the movie The Hunt for Red October starring Sean Connery and Alex Baldwin. It’s a great movie and highly, highly recommend you see it.
Gary Oldman is in Hunter Killer, but the studio is hush-hush about his role in the movie. The other cast members are Caroline Goodall, John Taylor Smith, and Common.
The second trailer tells us more about the story and each role the actor plays. Comparing it to the first trailer, it looks like there is a lot more going on than I thought.
You need to watch the trailer because your juices will get pumped.
Directed by Robert Rodriguez, Alita: Battle Angel vision from not only Rodriguez but from filmmaker James Cameron. The movie is an epic tale about adventure, hope, and empowerment.
The movie clip is so cool to watch, yet you can see the CGI happening when and where. Still, Alita is dynamite.
Alita, played by Rosa Salazar, awakens with no memory of who she is in a future world she does not recognize. Ido, played by Christoph Waltz, takes care of her as a compassionate doctor who realizes that somewhere in this abandoned cyborg shell is the heart and soul of a young woman. A young woman with an extraordinary past.
As Alita learns to navigate her new life and the treacherous streets of Iron City, Ido tries to shield her from her mysterious history while her street-smart new friend Hugo, played by Keean Johnson, offers instead to help trigger her memories.
She soon discovers a clue to her past when the deadly and corrupt forces that run the city come after her. She finds out about her unique fighting abilities, and those in power will stop at nothing to control her abilities. If she can stay out of their grasp, she could be the key to saving her friends, her family, and the world she’s grown to love.
The next trailer shows more of the story and what happens in the movie.
Directed by Robert Rodriguez, Alita: Battle Angel vision from not only Rodriguez but from filmmaker James Cameron.
The latest trailer shows more of the story and how she regains her superpowers.
The latest poster of Alita Rose is so cool and Gothic looking.
The Blu-ray, DVD, and streaming are available for those who missed it in the theater or want to see it again. The 4K format includes 3D.
The featurette praises Rosa Salazar’s work on camera, and they talk about the source for the movie.
The next movie clip shows Alita practicing her martial arts moves in front of a mirror. It appears she is starting to recall her past. She is realizing that she is one strong force to be reckoned.
I like the underworld, Borg-guy’s line “Dance little flea!”
The movie clip is very cool to watch and the CGI is amazing.
The featurette shares all the secrets of how they filmed the animated version of Alita. We hear from all the techies, including James Cameron, who envisioned her and the technology while making Avatar.
The 30 second commercial aired before the Superbowl kick-off. That cost the studio so pretty dollars. The TV spot shows a lot for such a short amount of time – the cast is stellar.
James Cameron articulates the story about Alita. He illuminates on how he enjoyed writing the screenplay with her in mind. The difficulty in finding flaws in Alita because she has no fear. He talks about working with Rodriguez and trying to get him to take the movie and make it his own.
Rodriguez talks about working with Cameron and wanting to make a Cameron movie. He has a tremendous amount of respect for Cameron and clearly wants to emulate his vision and talent.
Here is the star of the movie Rosa Salazar talking about Alita at the LA premiere.
The next two clips are a featurette and a movie clip about Motorball. The sport is part of the movie, and the featurette shows how the production brought it to the movie clip.
The next featurette is all about Alita. Who is she?
The music composer for Alita: Battle Angel, Junkie XL, song writing is amazing and it’s so cool to hear how he creates the movie for Alita and key scenes in the movie.
Directed by Dylan Brown, Wonder Park tells the story of June, voiced by Brianna Denski, who discovers a magical amusement park. The animated tale follows June running in the woods. She is coming home when she stumbles across an old roller coaster car.
She sits in one of the roller coaster cars, and magically she finds herself in Wonderland, an amusement park she had created in her mind and put aside.
Her rides and characters are brought to life but are falling into disarray without her. Now, with the help of her fun and lovable park characters, June will have to put the wonder back in Wonderland before it is lost forever.
Brown worked on several Pixar movies as supervising animator. Wonder Park appears to be his first major movie. Three writers write the screenplay. It looks like Josh Appelbaum, and André Nemec gets the most credit.
Other voices in the movie are Jennifer Garner, Matthew Broderick, John Oliver, Mila Kunis, Kenan Thompson, Ken Jeong, and Norbert Leo Butz.
The second trailer tells us more about the story. The CGI is dazzling.
The movie trailer shows the wonder of the amusement park.
The third trailer tells us more about the story behind the animated movie. The CGI is excellent with the bright colors and synthesized energy.
The commercial for the Super Bowl tells us the release date. We can see that it is a kid’s movie and a lot of fun with crazy animals.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis, this unbelievable true story follows Mark Hogancamp, played by Steve Carell, in an original story about a man who fought back from his fears after a devastating attack. Only Zemeckis can helm this miraculous story of one broken man’s fight as he discovers how artistic imagination can restore the human spirit.
The terrible attack entirely wipes Hogancamp memories of his life. There is no chance of ever recovering from this torment. Through art, he puts together pieces from his old and new life, and Mark meticulously creates a wondrous town where he can heal and be heroic. He builds a world of art that protects him from his own worst memories of his attack. The movie focuses on the testament to the most powerful females he knows—through his fantasy world, he draws strength to triumph in the real one.
Here are some more movie clips that show how the brilliance of this movie and story. I saw some of the behind the scenes footage of them shooting the doll scenes, amazing.
The featurette explains the story and the premise behind what Mark, Carell’s character does to keep his sanity, healing by using his imagination.
The stellar cast includes Leslie Mann, Diane Kruger, Merritt Wever, Janelle Monáe, Eiza González, and Gwendolyn Christie, Leslie Zemeckis, and Neil Jackson.
The third trailer is much better and tells the real story.
The second trailer tells more of the story and shows how Hogancamp relates to each character in this true story.
Watch the trailer, and you will visually see how Zemeckis creates a world so unique and prolific for all to see and understand how art and imagination can save a soul.
The featurette explains how Marwen built his imaginary world, and from there is a story.
