Category Archives: true stories

“A Private War” Trailer, Movie Clips & Poster

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Directed by Matthew Heineman, A Private War is a true story based on Marie Colvin, played by Rosamund Pike, life as a war correspondent. Some consider her one of the best war journalists of our time.

I watched the movie on DVD and amazed at how much Pike looked and sounded like Colvin. We hear Colvin talk at the beginning and see her at the end of the movie. The comparison is easy.

It is not a positive story, but about a foreign news correspondent who truthfully reported the atrocities of war in the middle east. Her life was not a healthy life or a happy life, but she lived how she wanted to live, dangerously, reporting about the victims of war.

I encourage you to see the movie or, at least, look at the trailer and movie clips within this article. I hope you come to understand this woman’s crazy plight.

The movie follows Colvin as Pike plays her as an utterly fearless and rebellious spirit, driven to the front lines of conflicts across the globe to give voice to the voiceless, while constantly testing the limits between bravery and bravado.

After being hit by a grenade in Sri Lanka, she wears a distinctive eye patch and is still as comfortable sipping martinis with London’s elite as she is confronting dictators. Colvin sacrifices loving relationships, and over time, her personal life starts to unravel as the trauma she’s witnessed takes its toll. Yet, her mission to show the true cost of war leads her — along with renowned war photographer Paul Conroy, played by Jamie Dornan of Fifty Shades movies.

They embark on the most dangerous assignment of their lives in the besieged Syrian city of Homs.

Heineman is a celebrated Oscar-nominated and Emmy winning documentary filmmaker and A Private War is his feature debut.

The movie clip “I Gotta Go Back” is intense.

The movie clips show different points in Colvin’s life and the toll it took from her well-being.

“It has been a deeply personal journey sharing the extraordinary story of Marie Colvin in A Private War,” stated filmmaker Matthew Heineman. “We are so thrilled to be able to finish the film in time to premiere at TIFF and honored to share with the audiences there.”

Watch the trailer, and easily you will see the documentary style of Heineman. It should be noted that Heineman and actress Charlize Theron are among the producers of this movie.

“Lizzie” Trailer, Movie Clips, and Poster

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Directed by Craig William Macneill,  Lizzie is about the notorious woman Lizzie Borden, played by Chloe Sevigny. You might remember the famous or not-so-famous skipping-rope song about the woman who was accused of chopping her mother and father to bits.

“Lizzie Borden took an ax

And gave her mother forty whacks.

When she saw what she had done,

She gave her father forty-one.”

Still, there is a mystery to the true story that endures throughout American history. Many writers speculated in their own versions and books about what happened on that deadly day.

The movie follows Lizzie after a lifetime of loneliness. She finds a kindred spirit in housemaid Bridget Sullivan, played by Kristen Stewart. Their secret intimacy sets off an unthinkable act – while the movie explores the days leading up to the savage crimes in a dark tale of repression, exploitation and thwarted dreams.

The two movie clips below show the story’s dark and sinister aspects. Unfortunately, one of the movie clips is blocked, but the studio may lift the block in the near future.

The two movie clips below show some fine acting chops. I am impressed. Notably, the scene in the barn is worth a look. It is an excellent acting scene for student actors because the undertones are deep.

The movie clip helps you understand how the movie is presented. You will notice a date at the bottom of the right-hand corner of the screen. These are actual events that happened.

“Green Book” Trailer, Movie Clip, Featurettes

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Directed by Peter Farrelly, Green Book is a road trip movie that follows Tony Lip, played by Viggo Mortensen. Tony is a bouncer from an Italian-American neighborhood in the Bronx. He is hired to drive Dr. Don Shirley, played by Mahershala Ali. Dr. Shirley is a world-class Black pianist on a concert tour from Manhattan to the Deep South.

Together, they must rely on The Green Book to guide them to the few establishments that were safe for African Americans at the time. Based on a true story, they confronted racism, danger, unexpected humanity, and humor. They are eventually forced to set aside differences to survive and thrive on the journey of a lifetime.

I first saw Mortensen in The History of Violence and thought he nailed it as the former hired killer, Tom Stall, now a happily married father who is forced to return to violence to save the life he nurtured and created in a small town. Now, he seems to capture a Bronx bouncer magically and effectively.

Ali recently won an Oscar for his role in Moonlight. The role of Dr. Shirley is much different from that of Juan in Moonlight.

Farrelly made a name for himself by directing two hilarious comedies, Something About Mary and Dumb and Dumber.

The featurette is over five minutes long. It goes into great detail about the story. This is a powerful movie and a lesson in dignity.

The featurette tells us about the Green Book itself.

The featurette tells us the story and how it will affect us when we watch it in the movie theaters. The story has impeccable rhythm.

The movie clip is adorable.

The movie trailer seems fitting for a road trip movie.

Watching these two actors work together is authentic entertainment and a lesson in acting. I hope you get a chance to see the movie.

“The Happy Prince” Trailer, Movie Clips, Featurette, and Poster

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Directed by and starring Rupert Everett, The Happy Prince sheds light on the tragic life of Oscar Wilde. Everett is an excellent actor. I sense this direction is just as good. I hope there are enough highs in the movie to appreciate the lows.

Everett also surrounds himself with a delightful and gifted cast, including Colin Firth, Emily Watson, Tom Wilkerson, and Colin Morgan.

The featurette focuses on the actor and directing himself surrounded by very talented people.

The two movie clips show the obvious ostracization Wilde underwent after his arrest for an indecent relationship with another man.

The movie trailer shows the lives Wilde influenced while he was alive. Yet, his signature and wit still rest in our culture.

“Indivisible” Trailer, Poster, and Featurette

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Co-written and directed by David G. Evans, Indivisible is a faith-based movie about a true story of Army Chaplain Darren Turner, played by Justin Bruening, and his wife Heather, played by Sarah Drew. The couple is strong with a faith-filled marriage. They follow their calling, which is serving God, family, and country.

Fresh from seminary and basic training, Chaplain Turner and his family arrive at Fort Stewart. Yet before the Turners can even unpack their new house, Darren is deployed to Iraq. Heather is left taking care of their three young children alone … as well as serving the families of the other deployed soldiers.

Despite a desire to stay connected with their loved ones, the harsh realities of war take a daily toll over the course of the Battalion’s extended deployment. Meanwhile back home, babies are born, kids keep growing and nerves are frayed with every late-night knock on the door.

With deeply etched battle scars, the soldiers’ long-awaited homecoming is much different than any of their families anticipate. Carrying burdens the other can’t comprehend, the Turners must decide if they’re willing to face one more battle. That battle is fought to save their marriage.

All in all, faith-based movies have their purpose and need for people to be reminded of the higher power of God or whatever one wants to call it. We must not forget our religious beliefs and our beliefs in ourselves and our family.

Cheryl McKay and Peter White also contributed to the screenplay. Evans other directing credits include The Grace Card.

“Peterloo” Poster & Trailer

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Directed by Mike Leigh, Peterloo is a true story about victimizing the British subjects who were peacefully demonstrating for democratic reform. Though they were demanding democracy for the common people, it was a peaceful gathering of 80,000 people. The government-supported cavalry charged into the crowd. Turning into one of the bloodiest episodes in British history, known as the Peterloo Massacre of 1819.

Mike Leigh is a respected director who has been nominated for an Oscar for screenwriting and directing Vera Drake and Secret & Lies. He was also nominated for an Oscar for his screenwriting talents including Happy-Go-Lucky, Another Year, and Topsy-Turvy.

The movie trailer shows the pastoral and gentle life of the British subjects who are also starving to death. The monarchy and government are oblivious to their plight.  The peaceful demonstration needed to be heard but rather turned into a historical tragedy. 

“Boy Erased” Trailer, Movie Clips, Featurette & Poster

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Directed by Joel Edgerton, Boy Erased is based on a memoir of a teenage boy whose parents encouraged him to attend a gay-deprogramming through a Christian-sponsored program. 

The movie stars some hefty actors like Oscar winners Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe and Oscar-nominated Lucas Hedges. Openly gay singer and songwriter Troye Sivan plays one attendee of the church-sponsored program.  In the trailer, Sivan appears to keep up with the other talented actors, and I am happy for him. 

The movie isn’t about being gay and accepting homosexuality. It’s about accepting your child or people.  Parents can mold their children into being what they want to be. I know it is cliche,  but parents have to accept who their children are and love them unconditionally.

This isn’t an anti-religion movie because, truly, it is about loving and caring for people and letting people be who they are.

Edgerton is an actor, and this is the fifth movie he’s directed.   He also wrote the screenplay based on Garrard Conley’s book Boy Erased: A Memoir of Identity, Faith, and Family.

The featurette shows how much Edgerton is respected for directing this movie.

These two movie clips pretty much say what the movie is all about. Great acting, watch the clips and you will see what I mean.

The movie clip shows Troye Sivan playing a boy at the church-sponsored program.

The movie trailer tells the story and the frustration the boy and parents went through and the outcome we will find out when we watch the movie.

Colette Trailers and Poster

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Co-written and directed by Wash Westmoreland, Colette follows Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, played by Keira Knightley, after marrying a successful Parisian writer Willy, played by Dominic West, is transplanted from her where she grew up in rural France to the scholarly and artistic richness of Paris.

Shorty, Willy persuades Colette to ghostwrite for him. She writes a semi-autobiographical novel about a witty and gutsy country girl named Claudine. The book becomes a trending bestseller and a cultural inspiring story.

After its success, Colette and Willy become the talk of Paris and their adventures inspire additional Claudine novels. Colette’s fight over creative ownership and gender roles drives her to overcome societal constraints, revolutionizing literature, fashion, and sexual expression.

Richard Glatzer and Rebecca Lenkiewicz also contributed to the screenplay.  Westmoreland is known for directing Still Alice, which won Julianne Moore several international awards. 

The movie is about real people and their relationship with the story. The second trailer shows more of the movie and the sexual innuendoes of one of the most famous books in the world at the time.

“The Favourite” – Oscar Winner Best Actress – Trailers, Clips, Featurettes, & Review

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Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, The Favourite comes from a true story in early 18th century England. A frail Queen Anne, played by Olivia Colman, occupies the throne. Her close friend Lady Sarah, played by Rachel Weisz, governs the country in her stead. A new servant arrives named Abigail, played by Emma Stone. Her charm endears her to Sarah, but it looks like there is more to the story.

I saw the movie and enjoyed it. Coleman is brilliant and outshines all her co-stars. Though, each star in the film is stellar. The comedy is an undercoat of crude vocabulary and bizarre behavior. If you are of faint-heart, then don’t see the movie. My daughter and I went in the late afternoon, and the audience members were over sixty. My daughter and I were the only ones laughing throughout the movie. When the lights came up in the movie house, we saw shocked faces.

Don’t get me wrong; the movie is full of British humor and fantastic pacing. Both of us are glad we went to and saw the movie. The music is a bit odd. I am not quite sure of its purpose in the film.

Lanthimos is from Greece, and he earned award recognition for his movie The Lobster, which Coleman also stars. Coleman stars as Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix’s The Crown. She is replacing Claire Foy, who won a Golden Globe portraying the younger Queen for two seasons.

The featurette focuses on the director and his quirkiness and oddball way of telling a story.

The original screenplay is by Deborah Davis, and it appears this is her first time writing for a movie. Tony McNamara also contributed to the screenplay.

TheThe featurette shows more of how the interplay of the characters works. Though the clip talks about the female leads, we get to see some of the male leads and their odd behavior.

The cleverness of these scenes and the way it shows the characters manipulating each other is brilliant. “Sometimes, a lady likes to have some fun.”

The poster looks similar to the movie poster for the movie Lizzie. I almost thought them one of the same.

The second trailer is so much more fun to watch. It is funny. I hope the story arches and makes sense in the long run.


The movie trailer indicates the movie is a comedy of sorts. I didn’t even recognize Emma Stone.

The next three clips are featurettes concerning the costumes, the cast, and the production design. It is quite interesting to find out where they shot the movie and the color choices for the costumes.

The featurette covers the cinematography, which is fantastic, with wide-angle lenses. Robbie Ryan shares details of how he shot the wide-angle scenes while setting up each shot.

“Beautiful Boy” Trailer, Movie Clips, and Poster

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Co-written and directed by Felix Van Groeningen, Beautiful Boy follows the real story from the memoirs of father and son David and Nic Sheff.  The movie stars Steve Carell, Timothée Chalamet, and Maura Tierney.

Groeningen is a Belgium writer and director. One movie he directed is The Broken Circle Breakdown, which earned an Oscar nomination for the Best Foreign Film. The movie won several awards, including Label Europa Cinemas at the Berlin International Film Festival.

Based on the best-selling pair of memoirs from father and son David and Nic Sheff, the movie chronicles the heart wrenching and inspiring experience of survival, relapse, and recovery in a family coping with addiction over many years.

The two movie clips show the discomfort of trying to reach your child when personal contact is lost.

David Sheff’s memoir is called “Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction,” and Nic Sheff’s memoir is called “Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines.”

Interestingly, kids get diagnosed with learning disabilities and given methamphetamines. They become addicted to them.

Watch the movie trailer and see some fine, fine acting by both Carell and Chalamet.  Chalamet as Nic literal morphs in the restaurant scene.  I didn’t even recognize him at first.