Category Archives: based on a book

“Adrift” Trailers, Movie Clips, Featurettes, and Posters

action, adventure, based on a book, drama, romance, true stories, ,

Directed by Baltasar Kormakur, who directed 2 Guns starring Denzel Washington and Mark Walberg and has produced several movies, is an actor, is from Iceland, Adrift stars Shailene Woodley, who started in Fault in Our Stars, and Divergent films, and Sam Claflin, who starred in The Hunger Games.

The movie is based on a true story of carefree spirits with a love for adventure. They essentially two free spirits whose chance encounter leads them first to love and then to the dangers of a hurricane.

The story follows their early romance and a commitment as two enthusiastic sailors embark on a journey across the ocean. Tami Oldham, played by Woodley, and Richard Sharp, played by Claflin, had no idea they were in a straight line into one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history.

In the aftermath of the storm, Tami awakens to find Richard badly injured and their boat in ruins. With no hope for rescue, Tami must find the strength and determination to save herself and the only man she has ever loved.

Kormakur has tackled similar true stories about the spirit coming face to face with natural disasters and overcoming them or ending tragically.  The Deep won Kormakur awards in Iceland and Everest. Both of these movies he produced.

Adrift appears to be a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Watching the resilience of the human spirit and the transcendent power of love is the only hope imaginable.

The movie is scripted by Aaron Kandell, Jordan Kandell, and David Branson Smith.  Kandell twins worked together on Moana, and Branson has worked on episodic television such as Enlightened and the feature film Ingrid Goes West.

The Blu-ray and DVD are hitting the streets, so now is the time to see the movie again. Unless, you haven’t seen the movie, nows your chance to see what is so special about the movie.  With that, I am adding some movie clips and behind the scenes clips of the production.

I saw this movie on a flight from Tampa Bay to Denver. The acting was great and the movie seemed slow at times.  I did cry at one point toward the end realizing what this young woman went through to survive.  I think some of the audience missed the point of Richard’s spirit being on the boat helping her survive and navigate the boat to Hawaii.  The movie called him a mirage but it’s more than that if you read Tami’s book.

The second movie trailer is so much better. The music is exuberant and daunting.  You can get a feel for what Woodley’s character is going through.

The movie trailer is super intense and explains how you will be on the edge of your seat as you watch this movie.

“The Darkest Minds” Trailer, Movie Clip, Posters, Blu-ray/DVD

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The Darkest Minds is produced by the people who brought us Stranger Things. Though, if you watch the trailer, I am a bit skeptical that it will be as good if not better than Netflix’s hit series.

Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson and based on the YA novel by Alexandra Bracken, the movie follows sixteen-year-old Ruby, played by Amandla Stenberg. She is one of the ablest and powerful teenagers ever encountered.

There are teens, like Ruby, who mysteriously develop powerful abilities. The government declares them a threat and detains them.  Ruby escapes her camp and joins a group of runaway teens seeking safe haven.

Soon her friends become her newfound family, in a world in which the adults in power have betrayed them, running is not enough and they must wage a resistance, using their collective power to take back control of their future.

The movie is streaming and the Blu-ray/DVD is released, so you can watch the movie in the comfort of your own home or on your device. The movie clip “Camp Dance” hit the Internet concurrently with the releases.  The clip shows a cool way to charm a mind reader during a camp dance.

The movie also stars Mandy Moore, Harris Dickenson, and Gwendoline Christie.

“The House with a Clock in Its Walls” Trailers, Movie Clips, and Posters

action, adventure, based on a book, children movies, classic, family movies, kid movies, , , , , , ,

Directed by Eli Roth, The House with a Clock in Its Walls is a magical adventure. The movie follows a spine-tingling tale of 10-year-old Lewis, played by Owen Vaccaro.

Eli Roth credits pretty much rest on quite a few television series and some so-so horror movies.

You’ll recognize Vaccaro as the funny and spunky kid in Daddy’s Home movies.

Based on the children’s book written by John Bellairs and illustrated by Edward Gorey, Lewis goes to live with his uncle in a creaky old house with a mysterious tick-tocking heart.  But his new town’s sleepy façade jolts to life with a secret world of warlocks and witches when Lewis accidentally awakens the dead.

The second poster shows all the characters with the imagery spellbinding.

The movie also stars Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, Kyle MacLachlan, Colleen Camp, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Vanessa Anne Williams, and Sunny Suljic.

The movie is available on Blu-ray, DVD, and it streams from your favorite online source.  With that, you get to see the movie or you get to see it, again and again.

The two movie clips so how the Lewis relates to the house and his uncle as well as his uncle’s neighbor.  I have more clips available but two are block and one you can follow by clicking on the trailer at the each of either clip.

The second trailer is currently blocked worldwide, but hopefully, that is only temporary. The movie trailer is quite good and explains the whole story, which is helpful if you haven’t read the book.

“Can You Ever Forgive Me?” Trailer, Featurettes & Movie Clips

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

Directed by Marielle Heller, the true story follows Melissa McCarthy as the best-selling celebrity biographer Lee Israel. The movie is written by Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty and is based on Israel’s memoir.

Can You Ever Forgive Me? starts after Israel made her living in the 1970s and 80s, profiling celebrities such as Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead, Estee Lauder, and journalist Dorothy Kilgallen.

Lee can no longer be published because, according to her memoir and movie, she has fallen out of step with current sensitivities. She decides to turn her talent into deception, aided by her loyal friend Jack, played by Richard E. Grant.

Heller is also an actor and earned several fellowships for her writing talent. A Diary of a Teenage Girl was her breakout movie as both writer and director, earning several awards, including the Spirit Award for Best First Feature Film.

The latest poster shows the main character, Israel, working in her office with a cascade of typewriters. I presume she used them to forge the letters.

I interviewed Nicole Holofcener over ten years ago and found it fate that she contributed to the screenplay. One particular comment I remember from my interview with Holofcener was about writing for film, “When I am writing, I am directing. I imagine every writer does because the picture is being said in a very specific way. The tone. Yes, I am always aware of how I would like it to look when writing it.”

Can You Forgive Me? appears to be Whitty’s first writing credit for a movie. He Won a Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for Avenue Q. He also has several acting credits in both film and television.

These two featurettes talk about the main two characters playing off each other and the creativity of creating a 1981 look for the film.

The featurette shows how the director and McCarthy worked together to create Lee Israel.

Melissa McCarthy plays this scene so well with Ben Falcone. The narrowly used bookstore gives a foreboding presence.

The movie clip shows McCarthy’s talent. This movie looks good; hopefully, it moves along and keeps the audience interested.

The Elevator Pitch Featurette is priceless and tells us the story and scenes of the dynamic cast. I love this director.

McCarthy is taking on a severe subject compared to her usual comedic roles. I hope the movie does well for her career and all the talent involved.

I connected with the director, and I am unsure why, but I like her persona. She’s young with an exceptional future ahead of her.

I like perusing used bookstores. I found some autographed first prints and such. I understand what it is like to find a collector’s item. I discovered from visiting used bookstores that each bookstore has a distinct personality.

Melissa McCarthy received several nominations for her portrayal of Lee Israel. She is stellar in this movie. I saw it the other night and am impressed with her acting ability. The story itself is not that entertaining. But seeing McCarthy and Grant act together is delightful and compelling.

If you haven’t seen it, now is our chance to see it because the Blu-ray, DVD, and streaming are available.

Get a Perspective and Soar With “First Man” Trailers

based on a book, drama, legend, , , ,

Directed by Damien Chazelle, who brought six-time Oscar winner La La Land to the screen, and star Ryan Gosling reteam the true story, First Man. It’s the first time Chazelle has tackled a movie based on a book. The movie follows the captivating story of NASA’s mission to land a man on the moon.

Like the book, First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong, by James R. Hansen, the movie focuses on Neil Armstrong and the years 1961-1969.

Nicole Perlman wrote the first screenplay, and now by Josh Singer, who is familiar with writing true stories earning an Oscar win for Spotlight, the story delves into the sacrifices and the cost—on Armstrong and the nation—of one of the most dangerous missions in history.

The intensity of this scene speaks for the situation.

All the interviews regarding First Man that I’ve posted on YouTube, whether an actor, director, producer or consultant, they talk about the movie immerses the audience into the film. The movie clip where Armstrong crashes the lunar training vehicle shows you exactly how the production company pulled that off – you feel like you are right there with Armstrong.

The featurette talks about Armstrong’s walking on the moon. Fantastic stuff.

I am excited about the casting with Claire Foy, playing Armstrong’s wife, Kyle Chandler, and Jason Clarke.

The below movie trailer arrived a couple of days after the first one. Both are similar yet share the intensity helmed by Chazelle.

The impressive sound, direction, and the cast are intense and influential.

The movie is streaming and Blu-ray/DVD is available. The credits include Steven Spielberg as a producer. The movie is riveting at best. Now is the chance to see it if you haven’t seen it yet, or you can view it again.

“Lean on Pete” Trailer, Movie Clips, and Poster

based on a book, drama, , , ,

Written for the screen and directed by Andrew Haigh, Lean on Pete is based on the book of the same title by Willy Vlautin. The movie follows a teenage boy, played by Charlie Plummer, who makes friends with an aging quarter horse, named Lean on Pete while working at a racetrack. They hit the road together when the horse is intended for the slaughterhouse.

Together they take an epic journey across the modern frontier – an American odyssey. The boy and horse are profoundly bonded.  The movie studies themes of loneliness and finding a connection in unexpected places.

The movie includes a stellar cast with Steve Buscemi, Chole Sevigny, Travis Fimmel, and Steve Zahn.

I am curious, though, how each act plays out in the movie. It is clear that the journey is the second act.  The second act is the toughest to write and seems to be the bulk of the story.

This clip shows a buddy relationship and an old, worn out relationship.

This clip shows that something is going down and it is not good for the horse.

The movie trailer offers a clear understanding of what the movie is about.

“Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch” TV Spot, Trailers, Movie Clips, Featurettes & Posters

animation, based on a book, children movies, family movies, fantasy, kid movies, remakes, , ,

Co-directed by Scott Mosier and Yarrow Cheney, Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch tells the story of a pessimistic grouch who goes on a mission to steal Christmas, only to have his heart changed by a young girl’s generous holiday spirit. Benedict Cumberbatch provides his voice to the notorious Grinch, who lives a solitary life inside a cave on Mt. Crumpet with only his loyal dog, Max, for companionship. With a cave rigged with inventions and contraptions for his day-to-day needs, the Grinch only sees his neighbors in Whoville when he runs out of food.

The story follows the problem of each year at Christmas. They disrupt his tranquil solitude with increasingly bigger, brighter, and louder celebrations. When the Whos declare they will make Christmas three times bigger this year, the Grinch realizes there is only one way for him to gain some peace: he must steal Christmas. To do so, he poses as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, even trapping a lackadaisical misfit reindeer to pull his sleigh.

The Blu-ray, DVD, and streaming are perfect for the holiday season or anytime. You purchase the discs or stream the movies for your kids. The film is a keeper because kids love to play it over and over again. 

I am digging these featurettes. They are so much fun to watch. Cumberbatch’s wit is so dry and funny, a joke.

This movie clip is funny and shows the right side of The Grinch.

This featurette is fun for the kids and parents. It’s Grinch Trivia!

The next poster only shows the Grinch and no dog. Otherwise, the newest poster is pretty much the same.

The two movie clips are so cute and fun to watch. Kids are going to love this movie.

More is added to the story down in Whoville, Cindy-Lou Who—a young girl overflowing with holiday cheer—plots with her gang of friends to trap Santa Claus as he makes his Christmas Eve rounds so that she can thank him for help for her overworked single mother.

The movie trailer shows how the narrative reads like Seuss’ book. Do the cookie reindeer eyes move?

The next poster sets up the holiday theme of the movie.

The cute but straightforward Olympics TV Spot has nothing to do with the movie.

“Spinning Man” Trailer, Poster, Featurettes, Clip

based on a book, mystery, thriller, , , , , , ,

Directed by Simon Kaijser, Spinning Man is based on the book of the same name by George Harrar adapted for the screen by Matt Aldrich. The move follows Evan Birch, played by Guy Pearce. He is a family man and esteemed professor at a distinguished college, where his charm and reputation have made his philosophy class very popular.

When a female student named Hannah, played by Jamie Kennedy, goes missing, Evan’s previous off-campus dalliances make his wife, played by Minnie Driver, question his alibi.

Gruff police Detective Malloy, played by Pierce Brosnan, has even more reason to be suspicious when crucial evidence makes Evan the prime suspect in Hannah’s disappearance. Suddenly, the questions Evan comes to grip with aren’t merely academic – they’re a matter of life or death.

The movie trailer is tight and suspenseful, and I keep wondering what happened to the student. It appears in the 100-minute movie there is a twist at the end of a storyline about examining a crime, punishment, and conscience undertones.

I have a feeling Brosnan is going to steal the show. He has developed into quite an actor. He was amazing in the  Only Boy in New York. The movie also stars Clark Gregg, Odeya Rush, Alexandra Shipp, and Freya Tingley.

This clip seems like they shouldn’t worry, but they sure seem worried.

This movie clip gets intense and he sure seems guilty.

In Part 1 of the Featurette Brosnan and Driver talk about when they worked together on Brosnan’s first James Bond Movie.

In Part 2, the Featurette is filled with the actors talking about working with the director. The director, Simon Kaijser, talks about working with the story and actors.

https://youtu.be/etKk-txR78A

“Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot” Trailers and Poster

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Gus Van Sant directed Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot and brought us notable movies like To Die For, Milk and The Sea of Trees.

Based on a true story, the movie follows Joaquin Phoenix, a Van Sant alumni, as he performs John Callahan’s lust for life with a quirky knack for off-color jokes and an obvious drinking problem.

The tragedy begins with an all-night bender and ends in a catastrophic car accident. John wakes up using a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

The movie is about his journey back from rock bottom. His honesty and wicked humor turn out to be his saving grace. He builds friends with an oddball AA group while discovering that love is not beyond his reach. He develops a talent for drawing irreverent and sometimes shocking cartoons that bring him notoriety. 

Amazon Studios produced the movie, which means I am a Prime member and will see it as soon as it leaves the movie theaters. I look forward to peaking at the acting chops of some fine actors in this movie, including Rooney Mara, Jack Black, and Jonah Hill.

Here is a second trailer with a soundtrack that is like The Beatles.

Check out the trailer and notice Jack Black and Jonah Hill take severe turns in this poignant story.

“The Leisure Seeker” Trailer and Clips

based on a book, comedy, drama,

Directed and co-written by Italian Paolo Virzì, The Leisure Seeker follows a vintage recreational vehicle as John, played by Donald Sutherland and Ella Spencer, played by Helen Mirren, take one last road trip from Boston to the Hemingway House in the Florida Keys.

The road trip movie is about John and Ella arriving at the Keys before his Alzheimer’s and her cancer can catch up with them. They base the movie on a novel, so the story is rich and thought-provoking.