Category Archives: based on a book

Charlize Theron in “Atomic Blonde”

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Directed by David Leitch and starring Oscar-winning Charlize Theron, Atomic Blonde appears to be a breakneck action-thriller that follows MI6’s most lethal assassin through a ticking time bomb of a city simmering with revolution and double-crossing hives of traitors. But it is actually a hilarious movie. The trailer is such a wonkier.

Atomic Blonde Action Scenes

The crown jewel of Her Majesty’s Secret Intelligence Service, Agent Lorraine Broughton, played by Theron, is equal parts spycraft, sensuality, and savagery, willing to deploy any skill to stay alive on her impossible mission.

Sent alone to Berlin to deliver a priceless dossier out of the destabilized city, she partners with embedded station chief David Percival, played by James McAvoy, to navigate her way through the deadliest game of spies. Does this make any sense? It’s hilarious.

Why Atomic Blonde Stands Out

The rest of the cast is just awesome. The movie also stars John Goodman, Til Schweiger, Eddie Marsan, Sofia Boutella and Toby Jones. The film is based on the graphic novel series The Coldest City by Antony Johnston and illustrator Sam Hart.

Atomic Blonde Cast and Characters

I saw two interviews with Charlize and Sofia. Both offered some insight into their lives. Charlize mentions Apartheid and Berlin during the Cold War. Sofia talks about how stunt work is quite different than dancing.

“Before I Fall” Delivers a Favorable Story

based on a book, drama, teenagers

Samantha Kingston is a young woman who has it all. She’s popular with drop-dead gorgeous looks. Based on the 2010 young adult novel by Lauren Oliver, the film follows the book fairly well. Like most movies, there are trims and changes relating to time and reducing characters and subplots.

Time Loop Premise

Plus, she has a crush-worthy boyfriend and amazing best friends. Something happens that creates a time loop.

Before I Fall begins on February 12. It’s like every other charmed day in Sam’s life until it turns out to be her last.

Stuck reliving her last day during one inexplicable week, Sam untangles the mystery surrounding her death and discovers the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

Message of the Film

The film received favorable reviews, but its ending may disappoint. The themes are important as a coming-of-age drama. It reflects on regret, bullying, empathy, and redemption.

Broadbent Stars in “The Sense of an Ending”

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Directed by Ritesh Batra, The Sense of an Ending follows a man, played by Jim Broadbent, who becomes haunted by his past and is presented with a mysterious legacy that leads him to rethink his current situation. 

The movie also stars Charlotte Rampling, Mathew Goode, Michelle Dockery, and Emily Mortimer. The movie is based on the Booker Award-winning novel of the same name by Julian Barnes.

 

 

The movie received favorable reviews, with praise focused on Jim Broadbent. His performance and the overall atmosphere were positive. But those who compared the movie to the book found it less satisfying than the novel.

Acting received much praise for its high-quality, reflective tone, creating a deeper connection with the audience.

I love watching Broadbent because he is so good and says so much with his simple look and stance.

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul” Adventure

based on a book, children movies, comedy, family movies, kid movies, sequels, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Just about a whole new cast in the latest installment of the Wimpy Kid franchise. It looks like fun, but a road trip? It could be fun. Hang on tight because I see some familiar faces.

Greg narrates throughout the film as summer starts with a surprise family road trip. Heffley’s plans go awry immediately. Along the wild way, they deal with a hotel showdown, a county fair pig triumph, a stolen pig situation, and a string of travel calamities that keep getting worse.

The movie adaptation, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul, differs from the book by focusing on Meemaw’s 90th birthday party.

Guy Ritchie’s “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword”

action, adventure, based on a book, legend, ,

Guy Ritchie has his signature all over this film, with choppy shots and hard rock music.  After viewing the trailer, I am not sure of the storyline, with its bold fantasy and gothic strokes.

Ritchie brings an edge to the epic fantasy action-adventure in his own dynamic style. We’ve all heard or read the story growing up. Starring Charlie Hunnam in the title role, King Arthur is an iconoclastic take on the classic Excalibur myth, tracing Arthur’s journey from the streets to the throne.

Jude Law is in the movie as well and knows Ritchie well from their Sherlock movies.  The film flopped with the reviews because of its departure from traditional King Arthur themes. Ritchie’s movie presented “a self-serving thug.”

“Wilson” Trailer

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Directed by Craig Johnson, and after watching the trailer, I had a pleasant laugh. Wilson may prove to be hilarious. The poster is not all that engaging because it shows two men at a urinal—big deal.

The trailer is hopeful. Lauren Dern has proved quite the actress of late. In The Fault in Our Stars and Wild, she played a mother, while in Wilson, she plays and wife and an uncaring mom.

Woody Harrelson stars as Wilson, a lonely, neurotic, and hilariously honest middle-aged cynic who reunites with his estranged wife, played by Laura Dern and gets a shot at happiness when he learns he has a teenage daughter, played by Isabella Amara. He has never met.  In his uniquely outrageous and slightly twisted way, he sets out to connect with her.

Based on the graphic novel of the same name, the movie expands on the book’s events beyond its single-page vignette style. The characters develop further as they fill in the blanks, and they are flawed. With that, the movie might be worth a watch if you like funny movies that make fun of people’s tragic lives.

Baldwin Voices “The Boss Baby”

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Directed by Tom McGrath, The Boss Baby is a hilariously universal story about how a new baby’s arrival affects a family, told from the delightfully unreliable point of view of a wildly imaginative 7-year-old named Tim.

He wears a suit, speaks with the voice and wit of Alec Baldwin, and headlines in the animated comedy with a sly, heart-filled message about the importance of family. The Boss Baby looks hilarious and should appeal to the entire family.

Its core message is about adapting to a new baby in the family. Families can’t divide their love, which makes it easy for parents and kids to relate to the film. The movie also highlights selflessness and sibling bonding. Parents see a positive theme beneath the exaggerated comedy.

The Boss Baby is a family movie since it gives children the enjoyment and silliness they want while offering parents a narrative about family learning to adjust and build togetherness.

“Fifty Shades Darker” is Better Than the First Movie?

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Hot, hot, hot… When a wounded Christian Grey tries to entice a cautious Ana Steele back into his life, she demands a new arrangement before she will give him another chance. As the two build trust and find stability, shadowy figures from Christian’s past circle the couple, determined to destroy their hopes for a future together.

Shadowy figures?  Interestingly, the second book is better than the first because the storyline brings new light to Christian Grey?

It’s getting darker.

No rules…no punishments…

Take option…two.

“The Circle” Storyline

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the-circle-poster

Based on the international bestseller by Dave Eggers and directed by James Ponsoldt, The Circle stars Emma Watson and Tom Hanks.

What a combination to behold. Watson’s career is really doing well after her Harry Potter days.

The Circle is a thrilling modern morality tale following Mae, played by Watson, as she rises through the ranks of the world’s largest tech and social media company.

She’s encouraged by company founder Eamon Bailey, played by Hanks, to live her life with complete transparency. But no one is safe when everyone is watching.

The trailer seems a bit convoluted, without giving away the story or letting you read the book.  It is hard to tell what is happening, but I can’t agree more with the idea that knowledge is power.

With that, the thriller looks intense, and Watson plays well with Hanks.