Category Archives: drama

“If Beale Street Could Talk” Trailers, Movie Clip & Posters

based on a book, classic, drama, family movies, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Directed by Barry Jenkins, If Beale Street Could Talk, is set in early-1970s Harlem as a timeless and moving love story of both a couple’s unbreakable bond and the African-American family’s empowering embrace, as told through the eyes of 19-year old Tish Rivers, played by KiKi Layne. Tish is a daughter and wife-to-be. She vividly recalls the passion, respect and trust connect her and her artist fiancé Alonzo Hunt, who goes by the nickname Fonny, played by Stephan James. Friends since childhood, the devoted couple dream of a future together but their plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit.

The movie clip shows how sharp and poignant the movie comes across.

The second poster shows the love story and the bonding of the main characters.

Tish knows that Fonny is innocent, and is mindful that his good friend Daniel Carty, played by Brian Tyree Henry, was recently freed after an unjust incarceration. Fonny’s mother, played by Aunjanue Ellis, clings to her devotion to God and his father, played by Michael Beach, struggles with feelings of powerlessness. Tish’s earthly father Joseph, played by Colman Domingo, and fierce older sister Ernestine, played by Teyonah Parris, hold steadfast in their support. Even more anxious to clear Fonny’s name is Tish’s deeply compassionate mother Sharon, played by Regina King, readying to put herself on the line for her daughter and future son-in-law’s happiness.

The undercurrents fill the story including the couple’s unborn child, whose arrival will herald new joys and challenges. Facing the unexpected prospect of parenthood and holding down a job without her partner at her side. Tish must adjust her perspective on the realities of her existence. She visits Fonny regularly, trying to shore up his spirit even as prison takes its toll. As the weeks turn to months, Tish reaffirms their hopes and resilience, relying on familial and inner strength.

If Beale Street Could Talk is based on a book by James Baldwin, charting the vivid emotional currents navigated in an unforgiving and racially biased world as the Jenkins poetically crosses time frames to show how love and humanity endure.

The talented cast also includes Brian Tyree Henry, Michael Beach, Ed Skrein, Diego Luna, Dave Franco, and Pedro Pascal.

The song playing in the background might seem cheesy to some but I like it because it shows how poetic and deep their lives are intertwined. Just beautiful – true love.

Jenkins won an Oscar for directing Moonlight and Beale Street is his beautiful and poetic follow up. Watch the movie and be transformed. 

The Blu-ray and DVD are hitting the streets with streaming available as well. The movie is poetry. If you haven’t seen it yet, now is your chance. It’s a beautiful love story about bigotry and family. Both disc sets have deleted scenes and featurettes about the making of the movie.

“Air Strike” Trailer and Poster

action, drama, , , , ,

Produced and directed by Xiao Feng, Air Strike follows a U.S. Army colonel, played by Bruce Willis. The studios call this movie a pulse-pounding epic about the courage of China’s citizens during WWII.

The colonel trains Chinese pilots for Japanese battle fighters, and a hotheaded pilot, played by Ye Liu, begs to fly a mighty bomber that could stop the attacks. I bet he flies the craft.

In another storyline, a team of spies and refugees must carry an advanced decoder device through the war-torn countryside.

Air Strike is Feng’s second movie. His first is Hushed Roar.

Also starring are Adrien Brody and Willis’ daughter Rumer.

The screenplay is by Ping Chen, whose other credits include episodic television. 

The video will only play on YouTube, where you can see the movie.

“Maria by Callas” Trailer, Movie Clip, and Poster

documentary, drama, true stories, , , , , , ,

Directed by Tom Volf, Maria By Callas is a documentary about one of the world’s greatest opera singers that ever graced the stage and performance halls. What is unique about this documentary is that it is a compilation of the life of Maria Callas. Nothing is made up or slanted as documentaries do today. No. This is her life story. The story of the legendary Greek/American opera singer completely in her own words.

The compilation is told through performances, TV interviews, home movies, family photographs, private letters and unpublished memoirs, nearly all of which have never been shown to the public.

The movie shines a light on the essence of an extraordinary woman who rose from humble beginnings in New York City to become a glamorous international superstar and one of the greatest artists of all time.

Google Maria Callas and you will discover her life was riddled with negative press and marriages as well as love affairs. She died of a heart attack at the age of 53, which is tragic in itself, because her confidant, a woman, at the time swindled her trust and spent Callas’ money freely without helping young singers as promised but finally established a foundation.

Notable artists and well-known personalities star in the documentary including Fanny Ardant, Aristotle Onassis, Vittorio De Sica, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Luchino Visconti, and Omar Sharif.

The movie clip shows Marie Callas in an interview describing how she is two people, interesting.

I am not quite sure, but I believe, Volf is French and holds two acting credits in French films. Marie By Callas won the best Documentary in Music and Dance at the Master of Art Film Festival 2018.

Challenge of the Truth About “Viper Club” Trailer and Poster

drama, suspense, , , , , , ,

Directed by Maryam Keshavarz, Viper Club follows ER nurse Helen Sterling, played by Susan Sarandon, who struggles to free her grown son, a journalist captured by terrorists in the Middle East.

After hitting walls with the FBI and State agencies, she discovers a clandestine community of journalists, advocates, and philanthropists who might help.

Keshavarz credits include directing shorts and movie Circumstance. She’s also a producer and won awards for one of her shorts and documentaries.

Seeing Sarandon take on a major role in a movie is exciting. She is such a talented actress. Other cast members include Matt Bomer, Lola Kirke, Julian Morris, Sheila Vand, Adepero Oduye, and Edie Falco.

“At Eternity’s Gate” Trailers, Movie Clips, Featurettes & Posters

drama, legend, , , ,

Co-written and directed by Julian Schnabel, At Eternity’s Gate is a journey inside the world and mind of Vincent van Gogh, played by Willem Dafoe.

Gogh is a person who, despite skepticism, ridicule and emotional turmoil, created some of the world’s most beloved and stunning works of art.

The movie is not Gogh’s life story but rather vignettes based on Vincent van Gogh’s letters, common agreement about events in his life that present as facts, rumors, and moments that are just plain invented.

Dafoe is meant to play the brilliant but troubled artist. Rounding out the cast are Mads Mikkelsen, Emmanuelle Seigner, Amira Casar, Niels Arestrup, and Oscar Isaac.

The two movie clips get under my skin. I am interested in the movie and look forward to seeing it.

Schnabel other directing talents include The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Before Night Falls, and Basquiat.

The two movie clips show how the movie is formulated, and it more of a revelation than a linear story.  The camera work is amazing. I have an interview with the cinematographer on my YouTube Channel.

Here is the second poster, which is not all that different but the first poster. The cast list is larger and on the left side of the poster instead of almost centered.  Quotes from reviewers or critics are included as well.

The second trailer shows the magnificent cinematography by Benoît Delhomme, who also shot The Theory of Everything.

The screenplay is co-written by Jean-Claude Carriere, who won an Oscar in 1963 for Best Short Subject, Live Action Subjects sharing it with Pierre Etaix.  He also won a BAFTA for Best Screenplay – Adapted for The Unbearable Lightness of Being shared with Philip Kaufman in 1989.

 

“The Front Runner” Trailer, Featurette & Posters

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

Directed by Jason Reitman, The Front Runner is based on a true story starring Hugh Jackman. Jackman plays the charismatic politician Gary Hart in a movie that might prove to be a  thrilling drama.

The movie focuses on the rise and fall of Senator Hart, who captured the imagination of young voters and was considered the overwhelming front-runner for the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination when his campaign was sidelined by the story of an extramarital relationship with Donna Rice.

American experienced its first taste of tabloid journalism while political journalism merged for the first time. Senator Hart was forced to drop out of the race – events that left a profound and lasting impact on American politics and the world stage.

The movie is available on Blu-ray/DVD and is streaming as well. So, if you haven’t seen the movie yet, nows your chance or you can see it again.  I recommend seeing the movie because Hugh Jackman is such a brilliant actor.

Also starring Vera Farmiga, J.K. Simmons, and Alfred Molina, The Front Runner is written by Matt Bai & Jay Carson & Jason Reitman, based on the book “All the Truth is Out” by Matt Bai.

The featurette captures the feel of the movie.

The movie trailer depicts the era when Gary Hart’s fiasco occurred. Today, this type of situation seems to happen once a month. When in fact, Hart’s is the first ever for ruining a political career.

The second poster shows more of the story behind the movie. Jackman looks to the side and tries to avoid being hounded by the press or the situation that is out of control.

Watching the trailer and knowing Reitman, I sense a bit of wit and sarcasm.

“Schindler’s List” 25th Anniversary Remastered Trailer and Poster

classic, drama, legend, true stories, , , , , , ,

I just watched this movie with my daughter about three weeks ago when Schindler’s List became available on Amazon Prime—my daughter’s first time seeing the movie. She loved it. I don’t blame her because I loved it just as much as I did the first time, or perhaps more.

Now, the stark, black-and-white movie is being remastered to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the movie directed by Steven Spielberg. I am sure Spielberg views this movie as one of the most significant endeavors in cinema history. The re-release of the movie with picture and sound digitally remastered includes 4K, Dolby Cinema, and Dolby Atmos. The commemorative continues with a limited theatrical engagement on December 7, 2018, in theaters across the United States and Canada. Universal Studios meticulously restored the movie from the original film negative in pristine high definition and supervised by Spielberg.

The only color in the movie is the little girl with a red coat. A symbol of Shindler’s connection and realization of his necessity to save the lives of Jews is his only desire to build pots and pans.

Winner of seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, this fantastic true story follows the enigmatic Oskar Schindler, played by Liam Neeson, who personally saved the lives of more than 1,100 Jews during the Holocaust.

So many stories are told about the Holocaust. Stories about brave people like Schindler are the triumph. Schindler made a difference for those who survived one of the darkest chapters in human history.

Schindler’s List is an overwhelming story about a man who learned to change his flamboyant lifestyle and take the courage and faith to be strong enough to save the lives of Jews.

Some highlights of technical and artistic achievement are composer John Williams, screenwriter Steven Zaillian, and director of photography Janusz Kaminski, including art directors Allan Starski and Ewa Braun and editor Michael Kahn.

The cast alone is impressive, including Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall, Jonathan Sagalle, and Embeth Davidtz.

Whether you sat in the dark theater and watched this movie, on your flat TV screen at home, or not at all, watch this trailer and see if you do not shed a tear for the visual and musical impact.

“The Oath” Trailers, Movie Clip, and Posters

comedy, drama, ,

The above poster is perfect for the movie because the story takes place during Thanksgiving, and the characters are super stress over the Oath. With the knife sticking out like that in the turkey, you can only imagine where it will end up.  As a dark comedy, watch the red band trailer, so you have a feel for the movie.

Written and directed by Ike Barinholtz, The Oath is a controversial subject about a White House policy that turns a family member against another family member. They become savage. But don’t take it seriously because the movie is a funny, dark comedy about surviving life that includes a Thanksgiving. This is all happening in the age of political factions.

The story follows Chris, played by Barinholtz. He is a high-strung 24-hour progressive news junkie, and his more level-headed wife Kai, played by Tiffany Haddish. They discover that citizens are being asked to sign a loyalty oath to the President.

The second poster is quite interesting because it looks like its a copy of the Oath.  I find it kind of funny or perhaps it’s giving us a visual of the Oath. We what it is before we see the movie.

The family reactions are disbelief, followed by an idealistic refusal. But as the Thanksgiving deadline to sign approaches, the combination of sparring relatives, Chris’s own agitation and the unexpected arrival of two government agents, played by John Cho and Billy Magnussen, sends an already tense holiday dinner gathering completely off the rails.

The movie clip “Wishes I Would” shows the premise of the movie, which is totally a dark comedy.

Another poster arrived from the studio. The black hand with the American flag as its sleeve bleeding is an interesting take on how the movie views government intervention.

Another poster “Sign or Die” surfaced and these are interesting because they tell us the movie theme. They are kind of silly but the movie is a comedy, so it fits.

Barinholtz is known for his acting talents in such movies as The Blockers and The Disaster Artist.  Both of these movies are over the top dark comedies. The Oath is most likely similar.

The second trailer offers more insight into what is so funny about racism, politics, and ignorant people.  This is Facebook comments in a movie.

As contemporary as it is outrageous, watch the trailer, the movie is a gleefully wicked reinvention of the traditional holiday comedy for our dysfunctional political times.

Bad Times at the El Royale Trailers, Movie Clip, and Poster

comedy, drama, thriller, , , , ,

Written and directed by Drew Goddard, Bad Times at the El Royale follows seven strangers, each with a secret to bury. They all meet at Lake Tahoe’s El Royale. The El Royale is a seedy rundown hotel with a dark past.

During the course of one fateful night, everyone will have the last shot at redemption, which appears to be a laughable venture for all of them. The reason I say appears is because watching the trailers,  all goes to hell in a handbasket.

The cast is dynamite starring Jeff Bridges, Chris Hemsworth, Jon Hamm, Dakota Johnson, and Cynthia Erivo.

The movie is available on Blu-ray, DVD, and of course, it’s streaming.

The movie clip shows Bridges at his best and a good reason to see the movie.

Goddard is attached to direct X-Force and his other directing credits include The Cabin in the Woods and episodic television.

 

“Ben is Back” Trailer, Poster

drama, suspense, , , ,

Written and directed by Peter Hedges,  Ben is Back follows 19-year-old Ben Burns, played by Lucas Hedges. He unexpectedly returns to his family’s suburban home on Christmas Eve morning.

Ben’s mother, Holly, played by Julia Roberts, is relieved and welcoming but wary of her son staying clean. Rightly so because over a turbulent 24 hours, new truths are revealed, and a mother’s undying love for her son is tested as she does everything in her power to keep him safe.

Peter Hedges is well-known as a screenwriter for such movies as About a Boy and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?

Also starring is Courtney B. Vance and Kathryn Newton.

These two actors work so well together.

The official trailer is intense and tells us what is happening in the movie. A mother’s love is so powerful. Yes, as a mother, I agree. We will do anything for your children.

The movie clip is intense, with Julia Roberts afraid of what her son brought back home after being gone for some time.

Ben is Back is now available on Blu-ray, DVD, and streaming online. The cast is powerful, with Julia Roberts, Lucas Hedges, and Courtney B. Vance. If you are interested in seeing the drama, now is your chance. If you have seen it, you can see it again with the Special Featurettes and Bonus Material. The trailer tells the story but doesn’t give the ending. It’s intense.