Category Archives: drama

“Megan Leavey” Trailer

drama, war, , , , , ,

Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Megan Leavey is a tearjerker and low-budget movie based on a true story that I am happy it is being told. It’s hard to believe the dedication of these service dogs and their owners.

The trailer pretty much tells the story based on the true life story of a young marine corporal, played by Kate Mara, whose unique discipline and bond with her military combat dog saved many lives during their deployment in Iraq.

When she is assigned to clean up the K9 unit after a disciplinary hearing, Leavey identifies with a particularly aggressive dog, Rex, and is given the chance to train him. Over the course of their service, Megan and Rex completed more than 100 missions until an IED explosion injures them, putting their fate in jeopardy.

“The Lovers” Themes of Marriage and Fidelity

comedy, drama, ,

Directed by Azazel Jacobs, The Lovers looks like a fun movie to watch as long as the funny moments are actually funny.

Performances by Debra Winger and Tracy Letts

The movie follows Michael, played by Tracy Letts, and Mary, played by Debra Winger, who are long past passion, never mind patience, after decades of turmoil and tedium in their marriage.

Each is now contentedly distracted by a lover on the side. And each fully intends to call it quits on the other after one last family get-together with their collegiate son, played by Tyler Ross.

So, we meet Michael’s fiery ballet teacher, played by Melora Walters, while Mary is holding her guy, a playful novelist played by Aidan Gillen.

A Marriage Rekindled

But when the dried-up spark between Michael and Mary unexpectedly, indeed feverishly, reignites, it sends their plans into chaos, forcing them to navigate the hilarious new complications of having to “cheat” on their respective lovers. It all sets the stage for a collision of betrayals and agendas that crescendos to a truly unforgettable ending.

Edgar Wright Directed “Baby Driver”

action, drama, romance, thriller, , , , , ,

Directed by Edgar Wright, Baby Driver follows a talented young getaway driver, played by Ansel Elgort, who I adored in The Fault in Our Stars, who relies on the beat of his soundtrack to be the best in the game.

The Soundtrack

When he meets the girl of his dreams, played by Lily James, Baby sees a chance to ditch his criminal life and make a clean getaway. But after being coerced into working for a crime boss, played by Kevin Spacey, he must face the music when a doomed heist threatens his life, love, and freedom.

Themes and Tone

The film blends crime, romance, and high-speed action with a brilliant soundtrack. The story follows Baby’s struggle to escape his unlawful past, safeguard the people he loves, and find an everyday life with the woman he loves.

Here is another poster, and I like this one better because it shows the stellar cast, and the movie is available on Amazon. 

“Song to Song” Terrence Malick’s Romantic Drama

drama, music, romance, , , ,

Directed by Terrence Malick, who brought us The Thin Red Line and The Tree of Life, this modern love story is set against the Austin, Texas, music scene.

Plot, Cast, and Review

Song to Song romance drama follows two entangled couples—struggling songwriters Faye, played by Rooney Mara, and BV, played by Ryan Gosling, and music mogul Cook, played by Michael Fassbender, and the waitress whom he ensnares, played by Natalie Portman. They chase success through a rock ‘n’ roll landscape of seduction and betrayal.

I am curious how this will play out with Malick’s style of artful and non-sequitur cutaways he uses to tell a deep and meaningful life of his characters.

Dreamlike Story of Love and Music

The Andy Warhol-style poster is pretty cool and conveys a modern twist on Pop Art and its crazy, eschewed pop culture.

Johansson in “Rough Night”

comedy, drama, , , , ,

Directed by Lucia Aniello, Rough Night is an edgy R-rated comedy starring Scarlett Johansson.

The film follows five college friends (Johansson, Kate McKinnon, Jillian Bell, Ilana Glazer, and Zoë Kravitz) who reunite ten years later for a wild bachelorette weekend in Miami.

Bachelorette Party Chaos

They get wild and dark while their hard partying takes a hilarious turn when they accidentally kill a male stripper. Amidst the craziness of trying to cover it up, they’re ultimately brought closer together when it matters most.

Tone and Humor

The movie is hilarious to watch, thanks to these talented actresses. The story is awkward, yet you might enjoy this wild, rough night.

“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”

based on a book, drama, mystery, romance, , , , ,

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.

A Homecoming of Betrayal and Regret “Trainspotting 2” Trailer

action, drama, sequels, , , ,

Directed by Danny Boyle about 20 years ago, Trainspotting was a cult sensation that launched the careers of Ewan McGregor and Boyle. Boyle won an Oscar for directing Slumdog Millionaire.

Friendship, Revenge, and Old Wounds

Now, Boyle and McGregor have teamed up again with the sequel to Trainspotting. What you get to see is first, there was an opportunity……then there was a betrayal. Twenty years have passed. Much has changed, but just as much remains the same. One thing, there are social media and devices, but there are still enemies.

The movie is available on Amazon and other streaming platforms.

Mark Renton Returns to Edinburgh

Mark Renton, played by McGregor, returns to the only place he can ever call home. They are waiting for him. If you have seen the first movie, you know they are Spud (played by Ewen Bremner), Sick Boy (played by Jonny Lee Miller), and Begbie (played by Robert Carlyle).

Other old friends are waiting too with emotions like sorrow, loss, joy, vengeance, hatred, friendship, love, longing, fear, regret, diamorphine (Heroin), self-destruction and mortal danger. They are all lined up to welcome him, ready to join the dance.

Wedding Comedy “Table 19”

comedy, drama, romance, ,

Five Strangers, One Wedding

Directed by Jeffrey Blitz, Table 19 follows Eloise, played by Anna Kendrick, an ex-maid of honor.

She’s been relieved of her duties after being unceremoniously dumped by the best man via text, and decides to hold her head high and attend her oldest friend’s wedding.

Feel-Good Wedding Rom-Com

She sits at a random table in the back of the ballroom with a disparate group of strangers, most of whom should have known to send regrets (but not before sending something nice off from the registry).

As the story reveals everyone’s secrets, Eloise learns a thing or two from the occupants of Table 19.  Friendships—and even a little romance—can happen under the most unlikely circumstances.

Enjoy the simple story about misfits who know they are better and deserve a better table.

Bill Nighy Delightful in “Their Finest”

comedy, drama, war, , ,

I love movies like this because it is a story and a story well told without the big box office blitz or big stars and super special effects.

Directed by Lone Scherfig,  Their Finest follows Catrin Cole, played by Gemma Arterton, who fills a man’s job because London has emptied of men now fighting at the Front. The British Ministry of Information hires her as a “slop” scriptwriter charged with bringing “a woman’s touch” to morale-boosting propaganda films. If you didn’t know, a slop writer adds the sentimental touch to a story.

Cole’s natural flair quickly gets her noticed by the dashing movie producer Buckley, played by Sam Claflin, whose path would never have crossed hers in peacetime. As bombs are dropping all around them, Catrin, Buckley, and a colorful crew work furiously to make a film that will warm the nation’s hearts.

Although Catrin’s artist husband looks down on her job, she quickly discovers there is as much camaraderie, laughter, and passion behind the camera as there is on screen.

Bill Nighy is charming in this film. It’s so good to see him in so many films of late.