Written and directed by Miranda July comes a profoundly moving and wildly original comedy.
The story follows con-artists Theresa, played by Debra Winger, and Robert, played by Richard Jenkins. They have spent 26 years training their only daughter, Old Dolio, played by Evan Rachel Wood, to swindle, scam, and steal. During a desperate, hastily conceived heist, they charm a stranger, played by Gina Rodriguez into joining their next scam, only to have their entire world turned upside down.
Directed by Tony Cervone, SCOOB! follows our favorite hero, Scooby-Doo, in the first full-length, theatrical animated Scooby-Doo adventure, which reveals how he and his best friend Shaggy became two of the world’s most beloved crime busters.
The film is streaming on Amazon and other outlets.
The story takes us back to where it all began when a young Scooby and Shaggy first meet and team up with Velma, Daphne, and Fred to launch Mystery Incorporated.
Directed by Catherine Hardwicke and based on a Spanish-language film, Miss Bala follows Gloria, played by Gina Rodriguez, who finds a power she never was aware of before. Her power draws her into a dangerous world of cross-border crime, which is a nebulous term. With that, it makes for an excellent drama as Gloria tries to survive through her cunning, strength, and inventiveness.
Hardwicke cut her directing teeth with the sleeper hit Lords of Dogtown, a movie about skateboarding. Twilight and Red Riding Hood were directed by her as well. Screenwriter Dunnet-Alocer scripted and directed short films before Miss Bala.
Rodriguez starred in Deepwater Horizon and Annihilation, two completely different movies. It good to see her taking on a variety of roles, which includes episodic television including Jane the Virgin and Big Mouth.
The movie also stars Ismael Cruz Córdova and Anthony Mackie. Of late, Mackie walked several red carpet premieres for such movies like The Hate U Give.
These movie clips are intense. I hope the story keeps the viewers’ interest because intensity is not everything in a movie. We need to care about the characters who are in danger and understand why they need to be in a dangerous situation. Not just place the protagonist in harm’s way because the screenwriter and director believe that is a good story. The movie clips are not showing how the story is important to us. It is showing over-the-top acting that doesn’t bring any undercurrents that are visceral. I am thinking Silence of the Lambs or even The Lion King as adequate examples of the protagonist having the purpose to be in harm’s way. One is a mental game and the other is physical death.
The red carpet interview at the movie premiere in LA with director Catherine Hardwicke shows how much energy she gives as she describes each character and actor.
The interviews on the red carpet of Miss Bala premiere are upbeat and fun to watch. Gina Rodriguez is quite a talent and is in quite a bit of movies of late.
Directed by Timothy Reckart, The Star follows a small but brave donkey named Bo, voiced by Steven Yeun. He yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day, he finds the courage to break free, and finally, he goes on his dream adventure.
On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, voiced by Aidy Bryant, a loveable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, voiced by Keegan-Michael Key, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become unlikely heroes in the most incredible story ever told—the first Christmas.
These are fun to watch, but their language is a bit too modern for the time period.
Enjoy the Vignette about the voice actor for Bo, the donkey.
The list of stellar voice actors is astonishing.
Directed by Carlos Saldanha, Ferdinand follows a giant but reluctant bull with a big heart. After being mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure. Set in Spain, Ferdinand proves you can’t judge a bull by its cover.
Looks like the movie is perfect for kids as a heartwarming animated comedy adventure with a talented cast that includes John Cena, Kate McKinnon, Gina Rodriguez, Anthony Anderson and much more.
Nick Jonas of the former Jonas Brothers band co-wrote and sings in “Home” an original song for the animated feature. “I’ve always wanted to write an original song for a film,” says Jonas. “When they showed me the materials of the movie, Ferdinand, a story I was familiar with, I was thrilled.”
Listen to part of “Home” in this trailer.
Jonas says “Home ” encompasses the film’s theme of acceptance. “I wrote this song with good friends of mine Justin Tranter and Nick Monson,” says Jonas. “And we wrote about feeling accepted and feeling loved, wherever that place is for you. For me it’s home, it’s my family, people I have closest to me, and the experiences we’ve shared.”