Category Archives: drama

“In Search of Fellini” Trailer and Poster

drama, romance, , , , ,

The voice of Bart Simpson and Emmy nominee Nancy Cartwright co-wrote with Peter Kjenaas the uplifting and romantic movie In Search of Fellini.

The movie follows a mother-and-daughter relationship in a coming-of-age adventure. Lucy, played by Ksenia Solo, a small-town girl from Ohio, discovers the delightfully bizarre films of the legendary Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini and sets off on a journey through Italy to find him. She also stars Maria Bello, who plays her mother, and Mary Lynn Rajskub.

The Blu-ray and DVD are on the streets if you haven’t seen the movie or want to see it again. You can also stream it if you like.

“Death Wish” Starring Bruce Willis

based on a book, drama, remakes,

Directed by Eli Roth, Death Wish is a remake of a very cool classic movie that starred the late Charles Bronson. The story follows Dr. Paul Kersey, played by Bruce Willis. The surgeon only sees the aftermath of Chicago violence when he is rushed to his ER. His wife, played by Elisabeth Shue, and college-age daughter, played by Camila Morrone, are viciously attacked in their suburban home. With the police overloaded with crimes, Paul, burning for vengeance, hunts his family’s assailants to deliver justice. As the anonymous slayings of criminals capture the media’s attention, the city wonders if this deadly vigilante is a guardian angel or a grim reaper. Fury and fate collide in the intense action-thriller.

The new poster is so much better, with the red color showing the violence of the movie.

Screenplay by Joe Carnahan, who is from my hometown, brings the classic story up to date. Eli Roth, whose credits are mainly producing, has directed unfamiliar movies like Cabin Fever and Knock Knock for horror movie fans.

The Blu-ray and DVD are on the streets, so you can see the movie in the comfort of your home if you have or have not seen the movie yet.

The movie trailer is good and shows a contemporary story with ever so silent Willis befitting Bronson, who was also an actor with few words. The poster conveys the same stark message with a pure white background.

“Proud Mary” Trailer

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Directed by Babak Najafi, the movie follows Mary, played by Taraji P. Henson as a hit woman working for an organized crime family in Boston. Her life is completely turned around when she meets a young boy whose path she crosses when a professional hit goes bad.

The poster looks retro 1960s, which is fun to see. With that, Najafi directed London has Fallen. Proud Mary is so different that it will be interesting to watch.

“Brad’s Status” Trailer

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Written and Directed by Mike White, Brad’s Status follows Brad Sloan, played by Ben Stiller. He accompanies his college-bound son, Troy, played by Austin Abrams, to the East Coast.

The college scene sets off a crisis of confidence in Brad’s status. He starts contemplating whether he has a satisfying career and a comfortable life in suburban Sacramento, where he lives with his sweet-natured wife, Melanie, Jenna Fischer, and their musical prodigy son. Still, it is not what Brad imagined during his college glory days.

Showing Troy around Boston, where Brad went to university, he can’t help comparing his life with those of his four best college friends: a Hollywood bigshot, played by White), a hedge fund founder played by Luke Wilson, a tech entrepreneur, played by Jemaine Clement, and a political pundit and bestselling author, played by Michael Sheen.

Obviously, the movie’s message is about defining success, as the film follows Brad’s dilemma on whether he is successful or not.

“Lady Macbeth” Trailer

based on a book, drama, thriller,

Directed by William Oldroyd, Lady Macbeth occurs in rural England in 1865. Don’t let the title fool you. It has nothing to do with Shakespeare.  The story is about a woman who is trapped in a loveless marriage to a much older man and begins a passionate affair with a man her own age

The movie is adapted from Nikolai Leskov’s 1865 novel Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District. The director’s debut weaves a storyline that is nothing new, but the trailer seems intense, not revealing too much like most trailers do these days.

“Stronger” Trailer and Clips

drama, romance, true stories, , , ,

Directed by David Gordon Green, Stronger is a true story following Jeff Bauman, played by Jake Gyllenhaal. Jeff is a 27-year-old working-class Boston man who was at the marathon to try and win back his ex-girlfriend Erin, played by Tatiana Maslany.

Waiting for her at the finish line when the blast occurs, he loses both his legs in the attack. After regaining consciousness in the hospital, Jeff can help law enforcement identify one of the bombers, but his battle has just begun.

Watching the trailer, the story unfolds. We see Jeff tackling physical and emotional rehabilitation with Erin and his family. The trailer is filled with raw emotion. Stronger also stars Miranda Richardson and Clancy Brown.

David Gordon Green’s signature movie is Pineapple Express. Quite different from this true story based on the 2013 Boston Marathon tragedy.

“Thank You For Your Service” Trailer, Featurette, Interviews

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

Directed by Jason Hall, Thank You for Your Service follows a group of U.S. soldiers returning from Iraq. They struggle to fit in with a “normal” life, such as being with family and living in general civilian life. It is the memories of a war that threatens to destroy them long after they’ve left the battlefield.

The story is told with a strong ensemble cast led by Miles Teller, Haley Bennett, Amy Schumer, Joe Cole, Beulah Koale, Scott Haze, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Brad Beyer, Omar J. Dorsey, and Jayson Warner Smith. The story is based on the bestselling book by Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and author David Finkel.

This is Jason Hall’s directorial debut. He received recognition for his screenplay American Sniper. He also wrote the script for this heart-wrenching drama.

The trailer and featurette with an in-depth interview with Jason Hall are awesome and touches on the battle our service men experience when they return home. Let’s help them by thanking them for their service and using green mental health treatments, not psychotropic drugs, because they are not the answer.

“The Only Boy Living in New York” Trailer and Clips

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Directed by Marc Webb, whose eclectic work includes 500 Days of Summer, The Amazing Spider-man, and Gifted brings a nice little tale that’s been played before. Yet, this one has a similar scene from Breakfast at Tiffany’s.  You gotta love New York City, rain, taxi cab, and good-byes.

The movie has a pretty decent cast with familiar faces including Callum Turner, Jeff Bridges, Kate Beckinsale, Pierce Brosnan, Kiersey Clemons, and Cynthia Nixon.

The story follows a recent college graduate who is adrift in New York City and seeks the guidance of an eccentric neighbor as his life is upended by his father’s mistress.

I watched the movie on Amazon and totally enjoy the story.  The actors are great and the scene with Brosnan and Turner is incredible.

“Flatliners” Trailer

drama, remakes, , , ,

Directed by Niels Arden Opley, who directed Girl with the Dragon Tattoos, Flatliners follows five medical students, hoping to gain insight into the mystery of what lies beyond the confines of life, embark on a daring and dangerous experiment.

A remake of the 1990 movie with the same title starring Julia Roberts and Keith Sutherland, by stopping each student’s heart for short periods of time, every time it triggers a near-death experience.

As the investigation becomes more and more perilous, they are forced to confront the sins of their pasts, as well as contend with the paranormal consequences of trespassing to the other side.

Peter Filardi, who wrote the original 1990 screenplay receives “Story By” credit along with the movie’s screenwriter Ben Ripley.

I am curious how the movie will pan out because Joel Schumacher directed the original movie and has stellar credits including The Phantom of the Opera, Batman Forever, and Phone Booth.

Watching the trailer, I’d say this movie is even darker with a strong cast.

It looks like the remake is following the original by discovering their wicked past.

Great interview with three of the actors in the movie.

Genuine Sam Elliot Stars “The Hero” Trailers and Clips

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Directed by Brett Halley and NY Times Critics Pick, The Hero stars Sam Elliott. The movie follows his character, who is an aging actor confronting mortality.  Watching Elliot in the trailer and clips, he takes the time to tell the story with undertones and lost innuendos.

He is Lee Hayden, a Western icon with a golden voice, but his best performances are decades behind him. While he spends his days reliving old glories and smoking too much weed with his former-co-star-turned-dealer, Jeremy, played by Nick Offerman, he is caught off guard with a surprise cancer diagnosis.

His priorities come crashing down into a sharp focus. He soon strikes up an exciting, contentious relationship with stand-up comic Charlotte, played by Laura Prepon, and he attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Lucy, played by Krysten Ritter.

All while he is searching for one final role to cement his legacy.

Watch the trailers and clips.  It is a beautiful and poignant celebration of life and the legacies we all leave behind.