Riding on the heels of Queen’s bio-pic, Bohemian Rhapsody, Dexter Fletcher takes on another British icon, Elton John, played by Taron Egerton. Rocketman is promoted as an epic musical fantasy about the incredible human story of Elton John’s breakthrough years.
Following the fantastical journey of morphing from the icon from a shy piano prodigy Reginald Dwight into international superstar Elton John. The studio is calling it an inspirational story with plenty of Elton John’s most beloved songs and performed by Egerton. You might recall Egerton dazzling us with his great archery skills in the recent Robin Hood.
The movie brings us to the familiar story of how a small-town boy became one of the most iconic figures in pop culture. The movie includes stars Jamie Bell as Elton’s longtime lyricist and writing partner Bernie Taupin, Richard Madden as Elton’s first manager, John Reid, and Bryce Dallas Howard as Elton’s mother Sheila Farebrother.
Take a look at the movie trailers and see if it suits your fancy. The first one is brief, and the second one offers more details about movie. The featurette talks about Egerton’s singing. He sounds like Elton John for real.
First trailer released .
Second trailer has more of the fantasy aspect of the story.
It’s amazing how much Egerton sounds like Elton John.
The next featurette is about the costumes. Costumes are all about Elton John.
The following clips tell us more about the movie and the life of Elton John. He definitely had his highs and his lows. Bryce Dallas Howard as his mother is smooth and flamboyant as his mother would be. She looks like she is having fun playing this role.
A poignant moment in music history is when Elton and Taron sing together in front of a huge audience at an Elton John’s concert. A magical moment for all of us, this clip compels me to see the movie.
The featurette is about the song Elton John’s lyrists Bernie Taupin wrote for the movie called “Love Me Again.” Egerton does vocals with John and John comments of Egerton’s vocal skills.
Directed by Danny Boyle, Yesterday follows Jack Malik, played by Himesh Patel, who is the only guy who remembers the Beatles songs. He turns the world on its ear because he plays The Beatle songs and everyone thinks he wrote them.
Boyle is an Oscar winner for the popular movie Slumdog Millionaire. He also directed the first Trainspotting movie. Together with Richard Curtis, screenwriter of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually and Notting Hill, comes a rock-n-roll comedy about music, dreams, friendship, and the long and winding road that leads to the love of your life.
Jack is a struggling singer-songwriter in a tiny English seaside town whose dreams of fame are rapidly fading, despite the fierce devotion and support of his childhood best friend, Ellie, played by Lily James. After experiencing a totally off the wall bicycle accident during a mysterious global blackout, Jack wakes up to discover that The Beatles have never existed … and he finds himself with a very complicated problem.
Everyone says he wrote the songs by The Beatles. He can’t believe how fast he becomes super-famous. Performing songs by the greatest band in history to a world that has never heard them, and with a little help from his steel-hearted American agent, Debra, played by Kate McKinnon.
But as his star rises, he risks losing Ellie — the one person who always believed in him. With the door between his old life and his new closing, Jack will need to get back to where he once belonged and prove that all you need is love.
Yesterday looks like a great movie. Teaming up Boyle and Curtis is a dynamite formula that just might draw a large box office and give the both of them accolades they deserve.
The interview with Richard Curtis and Ed Sheeran is spectacular. Curtis is one of the best romantic-comedy writers ever. It is so good to see him in this interview.
The featurette show the whole spectrum of the movie. It looks like so much fun to watch.
The next four clips takes on the whirlwind trip of what happens when everyone except Jack remembers The Beatles. Cute, funny, and irrestiable is the best way to describe this movie.
The movie featurette is so much fun to watch because you get to see how Himesh prepared himself to sing The Beatles’ songs.
The final trailer arrived on the streets and it looks amazing. The problem is the trailer tells us the story but we have to see the movie to know what happens at the end. That will be the toughest – the third act. Richard Curtis writes endearing third acts with the story truly ending. Meaning no cliffhangers or open-ended finalises where the audience decides what happens.
The featurette shows us how Curtis and Boyle worked together to make an ideal romantic/comedy movie.
Written and directed by Max Minghella, Teen Spirit follows Violet, played by Elle Fanning. She is a shy teenager who dreams of escaping her small town and pursuing her passion for singing. With the help of an unlikely mentor, she enters a local singing competition that will test her integrity, talent, and ambition. A huge list of well-known pop-fueled songs is at the end of the movie trailer, making it a must-owned soundtrack. Watch the trailer, and you will see lots of angst and frustration. Violet learns a lesson on her journey to fame and fortune.
The movie is a “stylish spin on the Cinderella story.” With so little information on the story, I wonder who prince charming is.
I am guessing this is Minghella’s film debut as a director. He is an actor and stars in The Handmaid’s Tale. He’s starred in major movies like The Social Network and comes from a talented family. His father is the late, well-known, Oscar-winning director Anthony Minghella. His mother, Carolyn Choa, is a choreographer.
I am sure Fanning took on this role because it is challenging. She sings, dances, and carries the whole movie. She deserves the part of Violet because she is talented and has played several active roles. She’s starred in notable films like Super-8,Maleficent, and Trumbo.
The cast rounds out, including Rebecca Hall, Zlatko Buric, and Agnieszka Grochowska.
The second poster and trailer show us more about the movie. Fanning is excellent as the Russian teen star who loves to sing; that is all she wants to do.
The following movie clip is more like a music video we used to see in the 1990s. The movie soundtrack is all original songs, so I hope this clip plays here and doesn’t get blocked due to copyright issues. Fingers crossed. I hope you see it because it is nice and tells a beautiful story.
Co-written and directed by Dava Whisenant, Bathtubs Over Broadway follows a late-night comedy writer, Steve Young, who wrote for David Letterman. He stumbled on a fantastic, crazy, and hilarious hidden world of entertainment. He locates some oddball and old musical records about various commercial products. Created only for businesses and their employees or peripheral connections. Each album featured professionally produced numbers and songs while strangely and esoterically focusing on their corporate brands.
Watch the trailer and view talented people promoting the glories of anything and everything: cars, toilets, tractors, and refrigerators. The secret productions of industrial musicals are now known thanks to Young.
Screenwriters Ozzy Inguanzo and Dava Whisenant documented Young’s determination to locate more of these rare records and the people involved with them. It sounds like an interesting subject focusing on the creative talent behind these bits of musical history. The movie won several awards on the film festival circuit. The most notable is Tribeca Film Festival Albert Maysles New Documentary Director Award. The movie includes interviews with David Letterman, Martin Short, Chita Rivera, Martin Short, and Jello Biafra.
Written and directed by Brady Corbet, Vox Lux seems to be a convoluted story about a pop star, played by Natalie Portman.
The real story begins in 1999 when teenage sisters Celeste, played by Raffey Cassidy, and Eleanor, Stacy Martin, survive a seismic, violent tragedy.
The sisters compose and perform a song about their experience, making something lovely and cathartic out of catastrophe – while also catapulting Celeste to stardom. Now it’s 2017, and the 31-year-old Celeste, which is now played by Portman, is a mother to a teenage daughter of her own and struggling to navigate a career fraught with scandals when another act of terrifying violence demands her attention. Jude Law plays her husband, and I am not quite sure if this movie has some comedy elements based on the movie trailer.
Corbet is an actor who is getting his feet wet as a director. He acts more in movies than writing and directing. With big names like Portman and Law, he may shine on this feature film. I look forward to seeing movie clips and interviews with the director and actors.
The trailers take the movie to a whole new angle or level. We see more of the relationships between all the characters. I am wondering if this movie is in flashbacks – not linear. The second trailer tells us more about the story – caustic and funny.
The movie trailer shows sharp cuts and quick shots. I am reminded of Oscar winner Birdman starring Michael Keaton. The chaotic life of a pop star instead of the chaotic life an actor.
Screenplay by David Magee with the story co-written by David Magee, John DeLuca, and Rob Marshall, Mary Poppins Returns with direction by Rob Marshall. The sequel takes place during Depression-era London. Suppose you are familiar with the original Disney Mary Poppinswith Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. In that case, you will relate to the now-grown Jane, played by Emily Mortimer, and Michael Banks, played by Ben Whishaw. Together with Michael’s three children, they are, once again, following a personal loss visited by the enigmatic Mary Poppins, played by Emily Blunt.
Through her unique magical skills and with the aid of her friend Jack, played by Lin-Manuel Miranda, she helps the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives.
The movie clip shows the brother and sister, now older, up in the attic, finding memories.
The latest featurette explains how the movie is not a remake but a sequel.
The studio now blocks one clip of the movie I posted. What I liked about the video was it showed the energy each actor contributes to the scene and, thus, the film.
My family and I saw the movie over the holidays and loved it. The film is upbeat and fun. The curtain call at the end will raise your spirits. Emily Blunt became Mary Poppins, which differs from Julie Andrews’ version but is more faithful to the books.
Here are more movie clips. The “Sing For Us” is now blocked, so I removed it, but Emily Blunt is still stunning in all the other clips.
The featurette is true to the Mary Poppins stories. Enjoy!
Other cast members include Meryl Streep, Dick Van Dyke, Julie Walters, Colin Firth, and Angela Lansbury.
After my family saw the movie, we all agreed that the little dance scene was the best in the film. Next is the curtain call with balloons at the end, a great ending. I highly recommend the movie.
Emily Blunt marvels at how she takes “The Place Where the Lost Things Go” and sings it gently and beautifully to the Banks children. I hope Blunt sings an Oscar-nominated song at the Academy Awards presentation. I’d be ecstatic! The movie nabbed another Oscar nod for Original Score – Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Listen in on their discussion with Richard Sherman about developing the music for the film.
Mary Poppins Returns Blu-ray and DVD are on the streets, with streaming happening online. Now, you can see the movie again with the bonus features.
Directed by John McPhail, Anna and the Apocalypse is a silly, comedy, horror, musical movie. The story focuses on Anna, played by Ella Hunt. A zombie apocalypse hits the sleepy town of Little Haven on Christmas. Anna and her high school friends have to fight, sing and dance to survive the apocalypse. They are surrounded by a large mass of undead people around them.
The music featurette explains how the horror movie is really a musical. It looks like a lot of fun.
The “Zombie” featurette is quick paced and educational while entertaining. We get to see how they make up people worked to create the zombie motif.
https://youtu.be/mtfzxD_th90
Another poster came from the studios for the NY Comi Con. So many posters. I am losing track of which poster is which. They all look great, and the NYCC Poster is my favorite, right now.
I am inserting the various posters the studio keeps releasing. This one with the candy cane raised over Anna’s head is pretty cool. I like it because it communicates the excitement of a horror Christmas musical, which I find interesting.
Teaming up with her best friend John, played by Malcolm Cumming, Anna has to battle her way through zombified snowmen, Santas, elves and Christmas shoppers to get across town to the high school.
At the high school, they will be safe. But they soon find out that being a teenager is just as difficult as staying alive, even at the end of the world.
McPhail is from Scotland and is best known as a cinematographer, and Anna and the Apocalypse is his first feature film. The screenplay was co-written by Alan McDonald and the late Ryan McHenry.
The movie trailer shows how crazy and silly the movie as Anna and her friends break out into a song among the dangers of the zombies.
Directed by Anthony Nardolillo, Shine is a Puerto Rican dance-themed movie. The dance scenes with an upbeat tempo are the best reason to see the movie. Watch the movie trailer, and you will see what I mean. Wouldn’t you like to dance like that? Or, at least, watch them dance with such freedom.
The story follows two Puerto Rican brothers, Ralphi Matas, played by Jorge Burgos, and Junior, played by Gilbert Saldivar. They are from New York’s Spanish Harlem, where we can find the street’s best Salsa dancers. The brothers are separated after a tragedy only to reunite years later on opposing sides of gentrification, which is restoring and rebuilding a deteriorated development.
Seven years of absence from New York City places Ralphi in a different frame of mind. He is back to develop commercial real estate in his old neighborhood. When he returns, he encounters his estranged brother, Junior, who is following his father’s footsteps. Ramon Matas, played by David Zayas, is now an elite salsa dancer and an unwavering activist opposing gentrification in the neighborhood.
The two brothers are at odds and are not communicating or rationally talking to each other because there is a lot of angst because of the tragedy. So, having to face his past to succeed in the present, Ralphi must confront his boss Linda, played by Alysia Reiner, who is aggressively pursuing the lucrative development deal that brought him back to the city he was born, and this is driving the wedge even further between him and his brother.
But, there is more to the story because on the other side, Josie, played by Kimberli Flores, the hot, gorgeous new owner of their father’s dance studio, reveals she is behind on the mortgage payments. Junior rallies the local dance community to raise funds against all odds to save the dance studio despite his brother’s gentrification efforts.
While the brothers have chosen opposite paths thus far, they are brought back together when Tio Julio, played by Nelson Gonzales, reminds them of the power of family and the importance of their community.
The story is about families being divided, but the dancing is unbelievable.
Nardolillo is best known for his 2007 short film Mano, starring Giancarlo Esposito and Laz Alonso. Nardolillo has also directed several music videos. He is credited as the writer and director of the YouTube sensation music video Chachi Gonzales.
I spoke with Nardolillo late last week, and he talked about certain aspects of the gentrification theme of the movie that was cut out. He also said of the love between the two brothers in the film, “There’s a unique bond where they could punch out each other. But if someone else tried to punch out the other brother, they’d step up and protect each other,” explains Nardolillo, “The relationship can go from hot to cold – extreme anger to extreme love, which inspired me.”
Nardolillo talked about directing music videos, and I asked if he required any Salsa music videos, “There’s one video, in particular, where I shot Salsa, but everything else is a fusion of hip-hop and modern dance.” clarifies Nardolillo, “I appreciate all forms of dance. I love shooting dance because there’s a need for choreography in the camera work. I look at everything through a rhythmic lens. Even in dramatic scenes, there’s something rhythmic about everything.”
Co-directed by Dexter Fletcher and Bryan Singer, Oscar-nominated Bohemian Rhapsody is a movie I am ecstatic I saw in a movie theater. The band’s songs will rock you about somebody to love. The film is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen.
The final trailer shows how spectacular the film is. It reveals why I am so impressed with this movie—as corny as it is, tears, tears, and tears.
Queen fans around the world united as the movie won awards. Here is an interview with two of the band members. Do you recognize them?
The title, Bohemian Rhapsody, is the band’s song that revolutionized the music industry in the late 1970s. Lead singer Freddie Mercury, played by Rami Malek, wrote the song, mixing rock and classical music, which was unheard of then. The song hit the top of all the music charts and praised Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys and notable music publications.
If you are unfamiliar with the band’s music, stream it now on Amazon or Spotify. Queen’s music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. Their music is more than upbeat. The tunes take you into the stratosphere of life. Freddie Mercury’s song raises your tone. You can’t help but get up and dance as you hear Queen’s music.
The movie follows the band’s spectacular rise through their recognizable songs and innovative sound—the band struggles because Mercury’s lifestyle spiraled downwards and lost to oblivion.
But, the movie shines on the triumphant reunion on the eve of Live Aid, where Mercury, facing a life-threatening illness, leads the band in one of the most outstanding performances in the history of rock music.
To this day, the band’s legacy shines like a family, inspiring fans, dreamers, and music lovers with the availability of streaming music forever.
Singer’s breakout movie The Usual Suspects in 1995 set the pace for a productive career directing X-Men movies, Superman, and Valkyrie. Fletcher is known more for his acting career which began in the late 1970s. He’s been in movies like Three Musketeers, Kick-Ass, and Stardust. He has also been in many episodic television shows and is easily recognizable.
The movie’s casting includes Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Joseph Mazzello, Aiden Gillen, Tom Hollander, and Mike Myers.
The movie clip shows their hard work, and the outcome is brilliant.
The second movie trailer shows us more about the story behind Queen. I hope you find it as fulfilling as I do – excellent music.
The movie trailer will rock you, and you will recognize some popular tones.
Rami Malek, winner as best actor in a motion picture drama for “Bohemian Rhapsody” with Makeup Artist Jan Sewell
I interviewed the movie’s makeup and hair designer, Jan Sewell, who is amazing. “They completely shoot out of sequence. I have to write down all the continuity. So if they jump around, I know, what everybody looks like. I write down in the whole script what everybody should look like. And you know, based on your meetings with the director, producer, and actors, I know what they look like.”
The movie is now available as streaming, Blu-ray, or DVD. I am getting my copy because this is a movie to own for any fan of Queen or Bohemian Rhapsody. The Blu-ray/DVD package offers an exclusive first look at the “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” performance not previously seen in theaters. The video includes side-by-side, scene-for-scene recreations next to Queen’s original Live Aid 1985 performance and interviews with Rami Malek, who plays Freddie Mercury. The clip showcases how the actual Live Aid performance influenced both the filmmakers and cast when recreating what many consider the most incredible live performance of all time.
Fans can experience the full version of “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and an additional never-before-seen performance of “We Will Rock You.”
Bohemian Rhapsody received a Best Picture Oscar nomination and craft nominations, including Achievement in Film Editing, Sound Mixing, and Sound Editing.
“I am profoundly honored by this nomination on behalf of Bohemian Rhapsody. Working on this film has been a tremendous experience in paying proper tribute to the legend of Queen. I am thrilled the film has become such a phenomenon and grateful to the Academy for recognizing our work,” John Ottman / Achievement in film editing.
“We are deeply humbled by this nomination. It has been such an incredible experience working on Bohemian Rhapsody. All of us are overjoyed that the film has resonated with moviegoers everywhere. Queen’s music is timeless: ” Paul Massey, Tim Cavagin and John Casali / Achievement in sound mixing.
John Warhurst and Nina Hartstone won the Oscar for Achievement in Sound Editing. Massey, Cavagin, and Casali won, too, for sound mixing. I am excited that Rami Malek won the Oscar for Best Actor. He’s won his Golden Globe and SAG awards.
Directed by Scott Speer and based on the based on the screenplay Taiyô no Uta by Eric Kirsten,Midnight Sun follows a 17-year-old girl, played by Bella Thorne, who suffers from a condition that prevents her from being able to be out in the sunlight.
She meets a good-looking guy, played by Patrick Schwarzenegger, and they fall in love. She has to tell him about her condition. It isn’t easy, but it’s a teary-eyed romance.
I am not quite sure what is happening in this movie clip. It does establish some history and the dorky friend.
A simple featurette repeats information from the trailer and movie clips.
