Category Archives: drama

“Brian Banks” Trailer, Clips & Poster

biography, drama, sports, true stories, , , ,

Directed by Tom Shadyac, Brian Banks is a true story about an injustice made right. The studios are calling it “inspirational true story” when in fact I feel treachery.

The true story follows Brian Banks, played by Aldis Hodge, an All-American high school football star verbally committed to USC. His life is upended when he is unjustly convicted of a crime he didn’t commit.

Despite lack of evidence, Banks is railroaded through a broken justice system and sentenced to a decade of prison and probation. Years later, with the support of Justin Brooks, played by Greg Kinnear, and the California Innocence Project, Banks fights to reclaim his life and fulfill his dreams of playing in the NFL.

Shadyac impressive credits offer encouragement for this movie to rock and entertain. He’s directed Ace Ventura, Bruce Almighty, and The Nutty Professional. Over the past decade or so, he’s involved himself in documentaries as director and producer. In 1983, he became the youngest staff writer for Bob Hope.

The cast also includes Sherri Shepherd, Melanie Liburd, and Morgan Freeman.

The injustice of what Banks went through is tough to face. The young woman lied and destroyed his life. The movie clip is a scene where Banks played the tap of the young woman confessing she lied.

The featurette tells what the story is about through the eyes of those who were there from Brian Banks as executive producer and Justin Brooks as executive producer to the actors who play the people who went through this tragic story about injustice.

The story is real, and injustice happens, unfortunately. In this clip, I understand what Banks mother is saying because I am a mother. I want nothing but good for my daughter.

“The System” movie clip sets the pace for going to trial.

Burning Truth of “Trial by Fire” Poster, Clips & Trailer

drama, true stories, ,

Directed by Edward Zwick, Trial by Fire is a true story that took place in Texas. It follows an unlikely bond between an imprisoned death row inmate, played by Jack O’Connell, and a mother of two from Houston, played by Laura Dern. The mother faces staggering odds and fights with all her skills and smarts for his freedom.

The real story is about Cameron Todd Willingham, a poor, uneducated heavy metal devotee with a violent streak and a criminal record. He ended up convicted of an arson-related triple homicide in 1992.

During his 12 years on death row, Elizabeth Gilbert, an unlikely ally, uncovers questionable methods and illogical conclusions in his case, and battles with the state to expose suppressed evidence that could save him.

The movie trailers show fine acting talent, and its good to see these to actors working together.

These two movie clips are the meat and potatoes of the movie with “Life is Fair” and “He Threatened You” as prevailing themes.

The story follows Dern’s character because she is the one who sees Willingham’s innocence. She believes more in him than he does in himself.

“The White Crow” Movie Clips & Poster

based on a book, biography, drama

Directed by Ralph Fiennes, The White Crow follows the life of Soviet ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev, played by Oleg Ivenko, and his defection to the Western world in 1961. The story is told in flashbacks with distinguishable ballet scenes.

Ralph Fiennes also stars in the movie as Pushkin. The movie is based on the book by
Julie Kavanagh called Rudolf Nureyev: The Life and the screenplay by David Hare. Hare wrote the screenplays for The Hours and The Reader, which Fiennes starred in the latter.

The three movie clips show scenes from the movie but the movie trailer is not available yet. It is hard to tell what is happening in the clips. I am guessing, Nureyev is not happy, and he defects from Russia. Pushkin is a prominent male ballet teacher, and Nureyev and him do not get along.

“Once Upon a Time in…Hollywood” Trailers, Interviews & Posters

comedy, drama, , , , ,

Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, Once Upon a Time in…Hollywood goes back to the final moments of Hollywood’s golden age in 1969, Los Angeles. A time when everything changed, as TV star Rick Dalton, played by Leonardo DiCaprio and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth, played by Brad Pitt stroll their way around a magical business, they barely identify with anymore.  

The below press junket is a marvel of information about movie making and how Tarantino makes his movies. The tone in itself expresses the joy of making a movie. It’s great to see Pitt so animated and happy. One of the best interviews on filmmaking I have seen in a long time.

Tarantino’s ninth movie with a large ensemble cast and multiple storylines in a tribute to the final moments of Hollywood’s golden age. With David Heyman, Harry Potter franchise, producing along with Tarantino and Shannon McIntosh, the movie is in good hands.

The rest of the ensemble cast includes Dakota Fanning, Tim Roth, Emile Hirsch, Al Pacino, Kurt Russell, and the late Luke Perry.

The first trailer is a mishmash of clips from the movie, but the focus is on DiCaprio and Pitt. Margot Robbie also stars, but we barely see her in the trailer but the full view in the above poster wearing go-go boots. Go-go boots arrived on the streets in the mid-60s, white with the low heel.

The next movie trailer tells us this is Tarantino’s ninth movie and a longer cast list, which includes Dakota Fanning and Kurt Russell, plus the late Luke Perry. The music is ironic and appropriate for the scenes and situations. The story is more transparent now with Pitt’s character hooking up with a young woman, and DiCaprio deems himself a has been.

The other interview is a rarity. Pitt and DiCaprio have a joint interview. They talk together about Tarantino’s directing style, and how he helped them prepare for their roles.

Here are a couple of interviews with the director, Tarantino, who describes what he is achieving when he is directing a movie. Robbie sits with him and gives her impression of the screening of the film.
The other interview is a rarity. Pitt and DiCaprio have a joint meeting with the press. They talk together about Tarantino’s directing style, and how he helped them prepare for their roles.

The studio released another poster with a retro look of the 1960s. Each movie poster appears to be a retro look, but this one is more retro than the others. The poster shows all the characters in the movie. Who is the girl with the teddy bear? The daughter of one either DiCaprio’s or Pitt’s character?

You call this “a great scene acted by legends,” and Kurt Russell nails it.

The three featurettes are astounding and offer an insight into the making of this classic movie — one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time.

“Gloria Bell” Poster and Trailer

drama, ,

Co-written and directed by Sebastián Lelio, Gloria Bell follows Gloria, played by Julianne Moore, as she tries to find meaning to her life. She meets a man, played by John Turturro. They begin a relationship and Gloria tries to end it.

Lelio is best known for directing Oscar winning A Fantastic Woman.

The movie trailer tells us about the story and what happens in Gloria’s life.

“Late Night” Trailers, Interview, Posters, & Clip

comedy, drama, , , ,

Directed by Nisha Ganatra, Late Night follows two women. Katherine, a late-night talk show host, played by Emma Thompson, suspects she is on the verge of losing her long-running show.

In walks Molly, played by Mindy Kaling, the new staff writer, who is a bit quirky. Sure enough, she slowly builds her trust with Katherine and is in good graces with her. Where the story goes from here is hard to tell from the movie trailer.

I watched the movie last night on Prime with my daughter. Emma Thompson is fantastic, she nails it, as does John Lithgow. However, the story falls flat, and it was not as upbeat as it could be. The script jumped around without intent of where it was headed. Thompson kept the focus and my interest. 

Mindy Kaling wrote the screenplay, and it seems funny. We are seeing more and more women buddy movies, and this is another one.

Ganatra directing credits are episodic television shows like Mr. Robot and You Me Her.

The rest of the cast includes Megalyn Echikunwoke, Amy Ryan, and John Lithgow.

The movie clip “Teachable Way” shows how Thompson’s character is so cut-throat with innuendoes.

The second poster shares the spotlight for both of the lead women in the movie. They are so opposite of each other that the poster attracts our attention.

The second trailer shows are the makings of a great comedy. The cast of professionals is stellar. It is obvious that they make their marks. I see a fun movie with some serious social issues staying out of the radar. I look forward to seeing Lithgow and Thompson play off each other as husband and wife.

The third movie trailer is like the second trailer. Only, it explains the story better, and we see more of Lithgow and Thompson together.

The interview with the female stars of Late Night discusses women’s roles in late-night television as hosts and writers, the lack thereof. It is definitely something everyone needs to watch whether male or female. Thompson’s viewpoint of men is funny.

Kaling talks about writing the role for Thompson before she even agreed to play the lead. There is so much more in this interview — don’t pass it up.

The movie clips are adorable and offer insight as to what you can expect when you see that movie at the theater. Thomspon is great in this movie. She nails it.

The studios are callling this the final trailer. It’s flashy and hard sell, but there are some clips we haven’t seen yet, so enjoy.

“Cruel Intentions” Witherspoon, Phillipe and Gellar

based on a book, drama, re-release, romance, , ,

Written and directed by Roger Kumble, Cruel Intentions arrived in the theaters in 1999. The movie played in the theaters again to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Now, there is a Cruel Intentions series set to stream on Amazon.

Let’s savor the award-winning movie first and foremost.

Based on a novel by Choderlos de Laclos, the story follows Kathryn, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar and Sebastian, played by Ryan Phillippe. It’s summer break, and Kathryn is dumped by her beau, Court Reynolds, played by Charlie O’Connell, for the innocent Cecile, played by Selma Blair.

Desperate to get even, Kathryn challenges Sebastian to ruin Cecile by taking her virginity and turning her into a tramp. The intent is to humiliate the Court by presenting him to Cecile, who is damaged goods.

Until now, Sebastian feels he has been with all the girls in New York City. He is bored with it all. Though this is too easy a conquest for him, he agrees to it.

He sets his sights on a greater challenge—the new headmaster’s daughter, Annette, played by Reese Witherspoon, who wrote an article in a magazine about how she intends to stay pure until she marries her boyfriend.

Sebastian bets Kathryn that he can seduce the chaste and pristine Annette before school begins in the fall. Kathryn thinks this exploit is impossible and agrees to the wager. As the stakes stand, if Sebastian succeeds, Kathryn must give him a night of unrestrained divine pleasure. A fantasy he’s dreamt about and wanted since their parents got married. If he fails, he must relinquish his 1956 Jaguar to Kathryn and suffer the shame of defeat.

The movie won several awards, including several MTV Movie Awards and one Teen Choice Award. Witherspoon also won the Blockbuster Entertainment Award (remember those?) for Favorite Supporting Actress in a Drama/Romance.

“Mia and the White Lion,” Heartfelt Story

adventure, children movies, drama, family movies, kid movies, , , ,

Directed by Gilles de Maistre, Mia and the White Lion follows ten-year-old Mia, played by Daniah De Villiers. Her life is turned upside down when her family decides to leave London to manage a lion farm in Africa. The movie is filmed in South Africa with gorgeous landscapes and expansive views.

When a beautiful white lion, Charlie, is born, Mia finds happiness again and develops a special bond with the growing cub. During this time the movie was shot throughout three years. The young stars De Villiers and Ryan Mac Lennan, who plays Mia’s brother, could bond and develop genuine relationships with the lions and other animals in the film.

When Charlie reaches three, Mia’s life is rocked once again as she uncovers an upsetting secret hidden by her father, played by Langley Kirkwood. Distraught that Charlie could be in danger, Mia decides to rescue him. The two friends set out on an incredible journey across the South African savanna, searching for a sanctuary where Charlie can live out his life in freedom.

The movie also stars Mélanie Laurent as Mia’s mother.

Prune de Maistre and William Davies co-write the screenplay. Davies is known for writing How To Train Your Dragon and Puss in Boots. The movie is based on Maistre’s original idea, and this is her first produced screenplay.

This is a heartfelt movie, and the trailer embarrassingly brought tears to my eyes. I am a pushover for sentimental films about animals.

“Poms” Trailer, Posters & Clips

comedy, drama, , , , ,

Directed by Zara Hayes, the movie stars some old favorites in Poms and follows Martha, played by Diane Keaton. She moved into a retirement community and met some quirky mature ladies. It’s okay. They are quirky and old, which is the point of the movie. Another excellent message in the film is to live your dreams because it is never too late.

The movie is an uplifting comedy where Martha starts a cheerleading squad with her fellow residents, Sheryl, played by Jacki Weaver, and Olive, played by Pam Grier. And Alice, played by Rhea Perlman. They soon enroll in a cheerleading competition, which is way too young for them, but they still compete and prove themselves young at heart.

Hayes originated the story, and Shane Atkinson wrote the screenplay. Atkinson is known for his work on Penny Dreadful, which he also directed.

The rest of the cast includes Celia Weston, Phyllis Somerville, Charli Tahan, Alisha Boe, and Bruce McGill.

The second poster says, “It’s never too late to chase a dream.”

The three movie clips are cute and show the storyline and humor of the movie. Keaton is so good in these clips.

Keaton is so good in this movie. She leads a great cast of women in their golden years. My favorite of the two clips is “Audition.”

“Dragged Across Concrete” Trailer & Poster

action, drama, suspense, , , , , , , ,

Written and directed by S. Craig Zahler, Dragged Across Concrete follows two police officers, played by Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn, who find themselves suspended when a video of their strong-arm tactics leaks to the media.

With little money and no options, the embittered policemen descend into the criminal underworld. Waiting in the shadows, they find more than they bargained for or anticipated.

Zahler is best known for his 2015 film Bone Tomahawk, an Independent Spirit
Award-nominated picture starring Kurt Russell, Patrick Wilson, Matthew Fox, and Richard Jenkins.

Zahler wanted to make a movie like Prince of the City and Taxi Driver, “These two flawed, but decorated officers are ostracized for their behavior and soon find themselves reconsidering their moral codes. They are neither innocent good guys nor amoral bad guys, but human beings who do both commendable and dubious things: these two cops have no easy choices if they want to provide for their loved ones.” explains Zahler.

The movie also stars Don Johnson, Tory Kittles, Michael Jai White, Jennifer Carpenter, Laurie Holden, Fred Melamed, and Thomas Kretschmann. White is known for playing roles that require martial art moves. He has several black belts and works out on the film sets while shooting the movies.

The movie appears to have many levels of suspense. I am looking forward to seeing Gibson and Vaughn work together in this movie. Both are talented, and each one uses a different approach to achieving their characters.