Category Archives: true stories

“Hotel Mumbai” Poster, Trailer, Clips, and Featurette

suspense, true stories, , , , ,

Co-written and directed by Anthony Maras, Hotel Mumbai is based on true events that happened in 2008. Terrorists in Mumbai, India, sieged the famed Taj Hotel.

Among the dedicated hotel staff is the renowned chef Hemant Oberoi, played by Anupam Kher, and a waiter, played by Dev Patel. They both choose to risk their lives to protect their guests.

The movie shows how the world watches, and a desperate couple, played by Armie Hammer and Nazanin Boniadi, is forced to make unthinkable sacrifices to protect their newborn child. John Issacs also stars in the movie, but his character’s role in the story isn’t clear.

John Collee co-wrote the screenplay with Anthony Maras. Collee worked as a doctor in the UK and other countries around the world. Hotel Mumbai is Maras’ first feature movie. He’s produced and directed three shorts.

The movie trailer is intense, and I am impressed with the filming of the movie.

The featurette tells the true story of what happened at the hotel in 2008 when the terrorists arrived. The actors are interviewed and relate to when this happens in real life. There are real-life heroes in this story.

This movie is intense, with undercurrents of fear, distrust, and uncertainties. The fact that it is based on a true story makes it even better. The movie is a plot-driven story by the curiosity of their survival against constant intrusion.

“The Mustang” Trailer, Interviews & Movie Clips

drama, true stories, , ,

Co-written and directed by  Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, The Mustang is based on a true story about convicts working with wild mustangs as a rehabilitation process. 

Robert Redford is the executive producer, and the movie is hanging with the Sundance Film Festival shingle.  The movie follows a convict named Roman Coleman, played by 
Matthias Schoenaerts. In solitary confinement for 12 years, he’s a basket case.  He takes on a wild mustang that is as crazy as he is. 

Somehow, he ends up in a rehab program where convicts take care of mustangs.  By watching the trailer, Coleman changes into a better person because of this program.

The program is known for rehabbing inmates with a recidivism rate of zero percent. Any program like that is worth knowing. An article here talks about another program Criminon where inmates regain their self-respect, very similar to what happens in The Mustang.

The Mustang is about rebuilding your life after making some terrible and stupid mistakes. Coleman’s daughter, played by Gideon Adlon, comes to visit him in prison.  He needs to confront the issues that plague their obviously troubled relationship.

Bruce Dern and Connie Britton also star. Dern appears to play the guy who oversees the mustang ranch. 

The movie clips show some fine-acting chops. The first clip shows the before, and the second clip shows the after. The story is heart-wrenching, and it is hard to imagine what this man went through to get to the other side and gain his self-respect back.


Clermont-Tonnerre talks about directing the movie and the story. The true story that influences the movie is fascinating.

Robert Redford talks about working with Clermont-Tonnerre when she was at Sundance. Redford was her mentor, and they became good friends. He talks about the movie and his love for horses.

“Fighting With My Family” Trailer, Clips, Interviews with Paige

drama, true stories, , , , ,

Written and directed by Stephen Merchant, Fighting With My Family is based on a true story. The movie follows WWE Superstar Paige, played by Florence Plugh, whose family is tight-knit about wrestling. 

Paige and her brother Zak, played by Jack Lowden, are ecstatic when they get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to try out for WWE.

Paige earns a spot, and her brother didn’t win a place. She begins the competitive training program and leaves her family. She faces the new, cut-throat world alone.

Paige’s journey pushes her to dig deep, fight for her family, and ultimately prove to the world that what makes her different is the very thing that can make her a star.

Merchant is best known for his work as a screenwriter for television. He wrote quite a bit for the popular series The Office. 

The casting includes Lena Headey, Nick Frost, Vince Vaughn, and Dwayne Johnson. 

The two movie clips give a feel for what to expect from the movie. Comedy is one of them because I don’t believe “The Rock” is like he is portrayed in the film. Unless I am wrong, which I am known to be from time to time.

The extended movie clip is no longer available. It showed how a WWE celebrity made it into the arena and became famous. From what I see, so far, I like it. The pace is a bit slow, but it’s funny. The movie is now available on Blu-ray/DVD or streaming. If you are a WWE fan, you need to see this movie or see it again.

Paige shares moments when she first met Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. She talks about WWE and her family and how that relates to the movie.

The second interview with Paige is at The Sundance Film Festival screening. She is more down-to-earth and seems more relaxed and approachable. Her endearing persona shines through to us, though the interview is much shorter.

“The Underdog Story” featurette shows a great movie. We get the jokes, the angst, and the competition.

Here is the final trailer, and it is a bit raunchy but funny.

Here is another clip of the famous phone call to Paige’s family. It shows how crazy her family gets sometimes.

“Breakthrough” Trailer, Clips, Featurette, Interviews & Poster

drama, faith-based, true stories, , , , , ,

 Breakthrough is based on the inspirational true story of one mother’s unfaltering love in the face of impossible odds. It’s a story that is so hard to believe but it is true.

When Joyce Smith’s, played by Chrissy Metz, adopted son John, played by Marcel Ruiz, falls through an icy Missouri lake, all hope seems lost. But as John lies lifeless, Joyce refuses to give up. Her steadfast belief inspires those around her to continue to pray for John’s recovery, even in the face of every case history and scientific prediction.

According to IMDB, when he was 14, Smith drowned in Lake St. Louis and was dead for nearly an hour. According to reports at the time, CPR was performed 27 minutes to no avail. Then the youth’s mother, Joyce Smith, entered the room, praying loudly. Suddenly, there was a pulse, and Smith came around.

Dawson is known better as an actress on Broadway and television.

The screenplay is by Grant Nieporte, who wrote Seven Pounds, from Joyce Smith’s own book of the same name. A faith-based story that is so enthralling, and a reminder that faith and love can create a mountain of hope, and sometimes even a miracle.

The rest of the cast includes Josh Lucas, Topher Grace, Mike Colter, Sam Trammell, and Dennis Haysbert.

 

The Blu-ray, DVD, and streaming are available. The packing shows the son, John, hugging his mother, who saved his life by praying and bringing the community together in prayer.

The featurette interviews the true boy who was dead for at least 45 minutes and came back to life on the community praying. The movie is truly a faith-based story that all religions draw a celebration of the spirit.


The movie clip is amazing. This is a story about the will to live through religious means. An amazing story is a true miracle.

The following movie clips tell us more about the movie, a true story, and a faith-based production. The movie’s focus is the miracle of John Smith surviving an accident that clearly should have killed him.

The importance of the supreme being, divinity or God is the message. You can’t discount stories like this one as happenstance. Something more powerful happened in the lake, in the hospital, and in the community that saved this boy’s life.

The three interviews posted include the producer and director, Chrissey Mitz, Marcel Ruiz, and John Smith. Smith is the boy who lived after falling through the ice and being on life support when the mother and the community prayed for him to survive.

“Stan & Ollie” Trailer, Movie Clips, Featurettes & Poster

comedy, drama, true stories, , ,

Directed by Jon S. Baird,  Stan & Ollie follows Laurel and Hardy, played by John C. Reilly and Steve Coogan.  Some consider them the world’s most famous comedy duo.

The two comedians take a stab at reigniting their film careers as they embark on what becomes their swan song – a grueling theatre tour during post-war Britain.

Baird is best known for directing episodic television.  The screenplay is by Jeff Pope who also wrote for many episodic television shows and the movie  Philomena,  which he won BAFTA Best Adapted Screenplay 2015 with Steve Coogan.

Watch the trailer and if you are familiar with the comedy duo, then you will see some great acting, and it’s uncanny how both actors look like Laurel and Hardy.

The movie also stars Stephanie Hyam and Shirley Henderson.

Watching the following movie clips and featurette, I honestly say these Reilly and Coogan created Laurel and Hardy. Sure, the make-up and hair designers along with the costumes and set designs are instrumental as well. 

Watching Laurel and Hardy’s wives play off each other is fun. I hope the rhythm of the scenes performs better within the movie. 

In the featurette, Reilly mentions how much Laurel and Hardy loved each other, so he and Coogan became friends and truly love each. They remain good friends to this day. 

The featurette about Stan and Ollie’s relationship covers more than what went on between them. It is about the relationship they have without culture at large. They are an iconic comedy team forever embedded in our minds.

“Mary, Queen of Scots” Trailers, Featurettes

based on a book, drama, true stories, ,

Directed by Josie Rourke, Mary, Queen of Scots, is based on the book by John Guy called “Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart”. Mary Stuart’s, played by Saoirse Ronan, attempt to overthrow her cousin Elizabeth I, Queen of England, played by Margot Robbie. Stuart finds herself condemned to years of imprisonment before facing execution.

The second trailer shows how fierce each woman gets over winning the throne.  I posted some behind the scene clips on My YouTube Channel. The clips show details in the costumes, amazing.

Watch the trailer and clips. You will see some fine acting.

Mary, Queen of Scots appears to be Rourke’s first movie, but her theatrical experience is quite extensive. She is the Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse, and her productions have transferred to Broadway, the West-End and won Olivier Awards.

The two featurettes are put together showing how the two women interrelated with each other and their times. Rourke shares the difference between the two queens while Ronan talks about Mary Stuart as a dynamic woman. Robbie talks about how the two women were influenced by men who influenced and ruled the culture at the time.

Play hard wheelchair basketball for recognition

Wheelchair Basketball Struggles for Survival in “Rebound”

documentary, drama, sports, true stories,

Directed by Shaina Allen, Rebound follows the Miami Heat Wheels and their quest for their first-ever National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) Championship.

Allen helms a story that offers an insider’s look at the struggling wheelchair basketball team following a defeat at the national championships. Each player pushes their way physically, mentally and emotionally through each season. They play hard even though they receive no recognition or resources from mainstream sports. Money plays a factor in their game because without it they might not win the national title.

“On the Basis of Sex” Trailer, Movie Clips & Poster

drama, true stories, , , ,

Directed by Mimi Leder and written by her nephew, Daniel Stiepleman. On the Basis of Sex follows the story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, played by Felicity Jones, and her struggles for equal rights. Her life as a wife and mother, whose husband, played by Armie Hammer, entirely supported her.

The first movie clip shows what is going on during the time of Ginsburg’s career and family life. It hits heartstrings because we know her daughter is telling the truth.

Watch all the movie clips and trailer because this is a dynamite movie.

The second clip shows us how Ginsburg started to formulate her process of getting equal rights for all sexes.

The movie follows Ginsburg, and we discover what she overcame to become a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

I am excited to see Leder directing a movie. I admire her work and hope to see more films directed by her.

The movie clip shows how strong and straightforward Ruth Bader Ginsburg confronted human rights.

This movie clip says it all.

The movie also stars Justin Theroux, Sam Waterston, and Kathy Bates.

After seeing a movie clip blocked by the studio, so I can’t show it to you, I am convinced Felicity Jones makes this movie strong. The trial or other issues in the film are just part of the story, but this is about Ginsburg. She is a fantastic person and is lucky Jones plays her in the movie.

From Obsession to Ultimate Willpower “Tiger” Trailer

action, drama, sports, true stories, , ,

Directed by Alister Grierson, Tiger comes to us from the true story of Pardeep Nagra, played by Prem Singh, a practicing Sikh man banned from the sport of boxing due to his religious beliefs.

Tiger follows Pardeep’s journey as he, with the support of his coach and mentor, played by Mickey Rourke, does what any strong American would do, fight back.

The backlash is a result of racial profiling, stereotypical threats, and the daily pressure to change, even from his loved ones who got caught amid the crossfire.

Consequently, his two biggest battles will remain forever connected to his legacy—one in the courtroom and the other in the ring.

Some Fight For The Glory, Others Fight For Their Rights.

“The Best of Enemies” Trailer, Interviews & Featurettes

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

Adapted from Osha Gray Davidson’s book and directed by Robin Bissell, The Best of Enemies lines up with other racial and civil rights themes movies of late. It is a story that needs to be seen and is a timely drama.

Bissell makes his directorial debut based on producing several successful and influential movies like The Hunger Games, Seabiscuit, and The Free State of Jones.

The stellar cast includes Taraji P. Henson and Oscar winner Sam Rockwell.

Attributed to actual events during the racially-charged summer of 1971 in Durham, North Carolina, the movie follows the unlikely relationship between Ann Atwater, played by Henson, an outspoken civil rights activist. C.P. Ellis, played by Rockwell, a local Ku Klux Klan leader,

Ellis reluctantly co-chaired a community summit that dealt with the debate and battle regarding the desegregation of schools in Durham, North Carolina. The improbable events that unfolded and changed Durham as well as the lives of Atwater and Ellis forever.

The movie also stars Anne Heche and Wes Bentley.

The featurette introduces the dramatization of the two people who are in this movie. It is incredible to think that these two people became friends in the Deep South.

The two movie clips show Henson entirely morphed into Atwater. She makes it look so easy. The movie is not box office material, but Henson’s performance is worth an Oscar nomination.

I watched Bissell’s soundbites, and I ended up liking him. He is a smart man who sees the importance of telling a good story about a phenomenal woman.

Henson’s soundbites are different from Bissell’s because she seems unassuming. Yet, she is fantastic as Atwater.

Rockwell and Henson do an interview together, and it’s worth watching because they have so much admiration for each other.

The Ann Atwater featurette tells about the story.