“Honey Boy” Posters and Trailers

biography, drama, , ,

Biography projects can be touchy because the screenwriter, Shia LaBeouf, takes a subjective look at his own traumatic experiences.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Alma Har’el, Honey Boy journeys the life of the young actor’s mean-spirited childhood, including his fledging adult years.

He struggles to reconcile with his father, played by LaBeouf, and deal with his mental health, fictionalizing his ascent to stardom and subsequent crash-landing into rehab and recovery.

Noah Jupe plays the young actor, with Lucas Hedges playing the older version of Otis Lort.

Har’el navigates the different stages in LaBeouf’s frenetic career. LaBeouf takes on the therapeutic challenge of playing a version of his father, an ex-rodeo clown and a felon.

Enter dancer-singer FKA Twigs makes her feature-film debut, playing neighbor and kindred spirit to the younger Otis while living in their garden-court motel home.

Har’el’s feature narrative debut is a one-of-a-kind collaboration between filmmaker and subject, exploring art as medicine and imagination as hope through the life and times of a talented, traumatized performer who dares to go in search of himself.

The trailer shows hardline misery, though Jupe is hardcore and shows committed acting skills.

Learning about LaBeouf’s traumatized childhood and knowing he worked for Disney studios in Even Stevens, what role did the studios play in helping him overcome, clearly, a bad upbringing?

In the red band trailer, I don’t see any difference from the “regular” movie trailer.

“47 Meters Down: Uncaged” Poster and Trailer

adventure, thriller, , , , , , , ,
Teenage girls go diving and explore a submerged Mayan City.

Directed by Johannes Roberts, 47 Meters Down: Uncaged follows the diving adventure of four teenage girls, played by Corinne Foxx, Sistine Stallone, Sophie Nélisse, and Brianne Tju. They explore a submerged Mayan City, and inside, their rush of excitement turns into a jolt of terror.

They discover the sunken ruins are a hunting ground for deadly Great White Sharks. With their air supply steadily dwindling, the friends must navigate the underwater labyrinth of claustrophobic caves and eerie tunnels in search of a way out of their watery hell.

The rest of the cast includes Brec Bassinger, Khylin Rhambo, Davi Santos, John Corbett, and Nia Long.

Roberts says that “47 Meters Down: Uncaged is very different from the first one [47 Meters Down.] These four girls – two step-sisters and two friends – basically, take a day by a lake in Mexico. One of the sisters is the daughter of an archaeologist working on this underwater mine city, mapping it out, and these girls all have basic dive skills, so they decide to go down to look at the first entrance. And then the tunnel collapses and they’re trapped.” Roberts flashes a shark-like grin before staying that, “they are not alone in there! So there’s claustrophobia, plus sharks! It’s pretty fucking scary.”

“1917” Trailers, Featurettes, Clips & Poster

drama, war, , , , , ,

Co-written and directed by Sam Mendes 1917, it is an epic drama during the most intense period of World War I. Krysty Wilson-Cairns co-wrote the screenplay with Mendes. They focused on the story based on his singular vision of telling the story of two young British soldiers, Schofield, played by George MacKay, and Blake, played by Dean-Charles Chapman, who are given a seemingly impossible mission. That is what you see happening in the first trailer with Colin Firth as a British commander giving their task.

In a race against time, they must cross enemy territory and deliver a message to stop a deadly attack on hundreds of soldiers—Blake’s brother among them.

When I first saw the title, I thought the movie was about the 1917 revolution in Russia. Any world history fan will tell you that was a significant point. So, it bears in mind that a lot happened in Europe that year.

The movie also stars Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Claire Duburcq, and Benedict Cumberbatch. Mendes won an Oscar for American Beauty and directed two James Bond movies, Skyfall and Spectre.

Mendes takes filmmaking to a new level with continuous shots and storytelling through the countryside without using the exact locations. The featurette shows incredible production value.

After watching the featurette, I view the second trailer differently. The cinematography stands out as one character in the movie.

Three more movie clips are below, and watch the camera keeps rolling; They shot everything in one long take.

The extended featurette sets us up for a rocket ride of a movie.

Two more clips show how the scenes in the movie are continuously one shot.

The following trailer proves we will not get bored watching this movie.

“Zombieland 2: Double Tap” Poster, Clips, Featurette & Trailers

horror, sequels, thriller, , , , , ,
Abigail Breslin, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, and Jesse Eisenberg return to fight more Zombies.

Ten years ago, Zombieland became a hit and a cult classic that was fun to watch because it is such a wisecracking movie.

Directed by Ruben Fleischer, who directed Venom, the sequel, Zombieland 2: Double Tap seems as ridiculous as the first movie with the lead cast consisting of Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin, and Emma Stone. They reunite with director Ruben Fleischer and the original writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick.

In the sequel with Dave Callaham coming on board as the third writer, the comic mayhem continues from the first movie. The story stretches from the White House and through the heartland.

The four slayers must face off against the many new kinds of zombies that have evolved since the first movie, as well as some new human survivors. But most of all, they have to face the growing pains of their own cynical, make-do family.

The featurette tells us how the second movie differs from the first. It appears to be a lot more crazy and bazaar that the first one.

The second trailer shows how silly the movie will be in the theatres and the problem with the zombies being faster.

The movie clip shows the movie has the same humor as the first movie.

We have two more clips for you, and they prove to show us that the movie is different, including a mystery behind the copycats.

“Harriet” Posters, Clips, Featurettes & Trailer

biography, drama, , , , ,
The movie tells the true story of Harriet Tubman.

Co-written and directed by Kasi Lemmons, Harriet follows a story based on the inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter. Harriet Tubman, played by Cynthia Erivo, is one of America’s genuine heroes.

Erivo is a talented singer and starred in the movie Widows, directed by Steve McQueen.

Harriet escaped from slavery and fought slavery by helping to free other slaves. Her courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of enslaved people and changed the course of history.

Lemmons’ directing credits include Eve’s Bayou, and she is also an actress. The story is by Gregory Allen Howard, and he contributed to the screenplay.

The following two clips show a well-acted movie with exciting talent.

The following two featurettes describe Harriet as having superpowers like a superhero. Fascinating, and I wonder if that is true or just folklore.

The following two movie clips are scenes in the trailers and featurettes. The settings seem extended and offer more than what was in the trailers and featurettes.

“Jojo Rabbit” Trailers, Clips and Posters

drama, war, , , , ,

Co-written and directed by Taika Waititi, Jojo Rabbit brings humor and pathos to his World War II satire. The story follows a lonely German boy named Jojo, played by Roman Griffin Davis.

Jojo’s view of the world is turned upside down when he discovers his single mother, played by Scarlett Johansson, is hiding a young Jewish girl, played by Thomasin McKenzie, in their attic.

Aided only by his idiotic imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler, played by the director – Waititi, Jojo must confront his blind nationalism.

Waititi is best known for directing Thor: Ragnarok and Hunt for Wilderpeople. Christine Leunens co-wrote the screenplay with Waititi.

Sam Rockwell and Rebel Wilson also star in the movie.

The second trailer is funny. I know it’s not a good idea to joke about the Nazis and the Holocaust, but it is entertaining and hilarious.

The movie clip shows how much Davis and Johansson look alike, mother and son.

The following clip shows the ultra-silliness of the movie. Davis is so charming as the boy with an active imagination.

The following clip might be blocked, but it is funny, and I hope you can see it.

I like the following clip because it is so funny with great timing.

The featurette is thorough and discusses all aspects of the movie.

The movie looks like a lot of fun to watch. I’ve heard nothing but positive feedback about the comedy.

The following two featurettes are about Editing and Production Design. They are for those who love to learn more about the film and its production value. Watching the featurette on editing, you can see how much Griffin looks like Johansson.

In the next featurette, I love how they explain the use of colors and the camera. It is such a gorgeous-looking film.

“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” Trailer, Clips, Featurettes & Posters

based on a book, biography, drama, true stories, , ,
Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers is perfect casting.

Only Tom Hanks can play Fred Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. Watch the trailer, and tears will form. The kindness and generosity of Hanks are distinguished to portray one of the most well-known icons in children’s television.

Directed by Marielle Heller, who brings emotional rhythm to movies like Can You Ever Forgive Me? – nurturing Oscar-nominated performances from Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant.

The studio calls this movie “a timely story of kindness triumphing over cynicism,” based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod.

After a jaded magazine writer, Junod, played by Matthew Rhys, is assigned a profile of Fred Rogers, he overcomes his skepticism, learning about empathy, kindness, and decency from America’s most beloved neighbor.

Inspired by the article “Can You Say. . . Hero?” by Tom Junod, Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster turned the story into a screenplay. Both writers worked together on the episodic show Transparency and the movie Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.

The rest of the exceptional cast includes Susan Kelechi Watson and Chris Cooper.

The featurette is a deserving message about a man who wanted people to be happy with themselves. It was okay to have feelings.

After viewing this featurette, all I want to do is see the movie.

I hope this movie changes people’s hearts, and they see the good in everyone.

Watching Tom Hanks in the next three clips is a treasure. He is such a fine actor and makes the movie believable.

“Top Gun: Maverick” Posters, Images, Featurettes & Trailers

adventure, drama, sequels, , , , ,
Tom Cruise is Maverick.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski and starring Tom Cruise, Top Gun: Maverick storyline is hush-hush, right now. But, watch the trailer, and you’ll get a gest of what is happening. All I can say is it looks like the same formula as the first Top Gun. We are fortunate to have Cruise introduce the first trailer to us at San Diego ComicCon.

Tom Cruise plays Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in Top Gun: Maverick from Paramount Pictures, Skydance, and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.
Tom Cruise plays Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in Top Gun: Maverick from Paramount Pictures, Skydance, and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.

The movie trailer says it all. The movie formula fits the original movie storyline.

The featurette takes you to another realm. Fantastic footage captured for IMAX theaters.

The Superbowl ad narration tells us there is a conflict going on between Maverick and Goose’s son. Ad narration tells us there is a conflict going on between Maverick and Goose’s son. The cuts and shots of the top guns are incredible.

“Playing with Fire” Trailer, Clips, and Poster

children movies, comedy, family movies, kid movies, , , , ,

Directed by Andy Fickman, Playing with Fire is a comedy about firemen and kids. When straight-laced fire superintendent Jake Carson, played by John Cena, and his elite team of expert firefighters, played by Keegan-Michael Key, John Leguizamo, and Tyler Mane, come to the rescue of three siblings, played by Brianna Hildebrand, Christian Convery, and Finley Rose Slater, in the path of an encroaching wildfire, they quickly realize that no amount of training could prepare them for their most challenging job yet – babysitters.

Unable to locate the children’s parents, the firefighters have their lives, jobs, and even their fire depot turned upside down and quickly learn that kids – much like fires –are wild and unpredictable.

Fickman’s credits include Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, several episodic television comedies, and Race to Witch Mountain starring Dwayne Johnson.

Dan Ewen and Matt Lieberman wrote the screenplay.

The following two movie clips show how cute and ridiculous the movie gets. Kids will probably love it.

The following clips are funny, cute, and ridiculous.

“Cats” Featurettes, Poster, TV Spot & Trailers

classic, fantasy, music, , , , , , , ,

Directed by Tom Hopper, Cats is a musical film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical theatre sensation and the poems from Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot. 

Idris Elba plays Macavity with a stellar cast.

The film stars James Corden, as Bustopher Jones, Judi Dench as Old Deuteronomy, Jason Derulo as Rum Tum Tugger, Idris Elba as Macavity, Jennifer Hudson as Grizabella, Ian McKellen as Gus, Taylor Swift as Bombalurina, Rebel Wilson as Jennyanydots, and Francesca Hayward, principal dancer with The Royal Ballet, as Victoria.

Tom Hooper, who directed The King’s Speech, Les Misérables, and The Danish Girl, brings a new technology to transform his cast members in vivid cats, unlike the ones we see on stage. Costumes will not be in the movie, but CGI images of the cats created as they captured the actors performing for the camera. Hooper and Lee Hall, who wrote Billy Eliot, scripted the screenplay.

One of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history, the London stage production of Cats received its world premiere at the New London Theatre in 1981—where it played for 21 record-breaking years and almost 9,000 performances.  Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the show won the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical.  In 1983 the Broadway production became the recipient of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and ran for an unbelieve 18 years.

The next featurette shows excellent dancing. It appears that the movie has tons of dancing.

Seeing Taylor Swift creating with Andrew Lloyd Webber and the director is an inspiration to working in film. “Beautiful Ghosts” sounds like a lovely song, and I hope it inspires the movie to do well.

I was skeptical about this movie, but now, after seeing the new trailer, if the story moves along as it does in the second trailer and at a good pace, we have ourselves a box office hit.

Cats TV spot plays with Taylor Swift singing her song recorded especially for this musical movie.