QUEEN CHARLOTTE – A BRIDGERTON STORY: The Thing I Liked…

Of the three Bridgerton Universe releases so far, I find Queen Charlotte – A Bridgerton Story is the darkest. The darkness is concerning some of the subject matter, and my disinterest in watching painful, unfortunate things happen to the seemingly undeserving. Admittedly, my appetite for sitting through stories about human suffering isn’t the same since the year that was 2020. 

That’s not to say that Queen Charlotte – A Bridgerton Story is perfect, besides my aversion to its darkness. Because even though there are moments of delightful dialogue, the first two Bridgerton series had more of it, which I prefer.

Additionally, the acting is good. And I did make it through all six episodes, but not without difficulty and several moments of audible frustration. Frustration that I had to note, lest I forget. So, the following are a few unfortunate thoughts that crossed my mind.

I thought the young Queen Charlotte’s rise would be my favourite thing to watch. It turns out that by the end of episode two, the young Agatha Danbury’s rise is what I found most intriguing. That’s not to say that Charlotte doesn’t come into her own eventually. I only wish that it happened much sooner than it does.

As I watched Charlotte and George’s love story unfold, another surprising thought that came to mind is I neither like nor do I buy this romance. For this particular thought I blame the story edit; the decision to show the same timeline twice, first from Charlotte’s perspective and then again from George’s. Said decision meant that certain events during Charlotte’s half of the story did not feel earned or believable. At one point I remember thinking Why did they not show George’s conversation with his mother, or whomever? I needed to see it sooner to believe his change of heart. 

To be clear, I’m not generally against the above storytelling trope. I only wish that it had been applied more seamlessly in this instance. Had it been, I may have experienced something other than cringing during the central couple’s first love scene – because of the fact that I didn’t buy it.

I’m disappointed that I found a fair amount of  Queen Charlotte – A Bridgerton Story a frustrating watch. Perhaps, considering my current disposition, post 2020, that was inevitable. Nevertheless, even with the occasional smiles and giggles the story delivered, among other positives, I’m not sure the entire experience was worthwhile, for me.

Still, I say watch Queen Charlotte – A Bridgerton Story if you’re curious enough. I mean, you likely have a different disposition to mine. Just don’t expect the same pace, number of intriguing characters, fun and amount of humour as there is in the first two Bridgerton stories.

Happy Film Loving 

G

OPPENHEIMER (2023): New Trailer Starring Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh and Rami Malek…

American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer‘s Christopher Nolan directed biography has a brand new trailer, and like all Nolan trailers, it does not disappoint.

Interesting and moving are the words for how it’s going to be to watch this while knowing what’s happening in the world right now. Yet, with such a magnificent Filmmaking team lead by Nolan, and starring Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Florence Pugh and Rami Malek, I say bring it on.

Bring on the audiovisual feast that is a Christopher Nolan film. I’m ready for my traditional pause for silent reflection at the end. Reflection on how grateful I am for film and its position as the perfect amalgamation of all the arts.

Robert Downey Jr., Gary Oldman, James Remar, Casey Affleck, Jack Quaid, David Krumholtz, Benny Safdie, Michael Angarano, Josh Hartnett and Kenneth Branagh also star.

Oppenheimer Release Dates: July 21st, 2023 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving 

G

THE DIPLOMAT (2023): The Things I Liked…

Spending the last few days watching Netflix’s new eight-episode political drama/thriller, The Diplomathas enlightened me to a few thingsFirstly, as late as I am, I’m officially a new Keri Russell fan. She’s excellent as Kate Wyler, a career diplomat with plenty to juggle while in a high-profile role as ambassador to the United Kingdom. A job for which she’s admittedly ill-suited.

As someone who’d never given much thought to the question ‘What is it that diplomats do?’, watching creator Debora Cahn’s dramatisation of how high-stakes things can sometimes get for those in the role was a very entertaining eye-opener and welcomed education.

In addition to the faultless performances, I appreciate the musical score, the clever story edit and the pacing that builds until a brilliant crescendo. The kind I found satisfying in its execution, yet challenging to come to terms with. The latter, only because I’ll have to wait at least a year before learning how things faired for the characters in question.

I would love for season two to pick up exactly where season one ended, amid all the chaotic activity. If you’ve already watched season one, I bet you can picture how great that would be. 

Watch The Diplomat if you’re curious. And certainly for all the great reasons above, plus one more – the sense of humour.

Key additional cast includes, Rufus Sewell, David Gyasi, Ali Ahn, Ato Essandoh, Rory Kinnear, Jess Chanliau, Pearl Mackie, Celia Imrie, Georgie Henley, Nana Mensah, Miguel Sandoval and Michael McKean. 

Happy Film loving 

G

QUEEN CHARLOTTE –  A BRIDGERTON STORY: Episode One, London Premiere…

Queen Charlotte - A Briderton Story, Corey Mylchreest, Netflix
Queen Charlotte – A Briderton Story, Corey Mylchreest, Netflix

Fans of the Bridgerton universe have been impatiently waiting for season three of Netflix’s popular regency era period drama. 

So far, each season has focused on the dramatic love story of one of the eight Bridgerton siblings, starting with Daphne, followed by her big brother Anthony. Each season has taken place against a colourful backdrop with sumptuous costume design and excellent adaptations of popular modern music to fit the period, to name just two highlights.

For those who didn’t already know, 2023 isn’t the year we get to watch Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington’s love story unfold. That’s on the agenda for 2024. Instead, 2023 is the year of Queen Charlotte, the most powerful, and certainly one of the most fun to watch characters of the Bridgerton stories. 

Queen Charlotte - A Briderton Story, Arsema Thomas (Young Lady Agatha Danbury), Netflix
Queen Charlotte – A Briderton Story, Arsema Thomas (Young Lady Agatha Danbury), Netflix

Starring India Amarteifio, Golda Rosheuvel, Corey Mylchreest and Arsema Thomas; Queen Charlotte – A Briderton Storywhich had its London premiere on April 21st 2023, in Leicester Square, is a six-episode prequel about the rise and love life of the young Queen. I had the pleasure of attending said premiere and watching the first episode of the new series. The good news is that much of what fans love about the first two seasons seems to be present in this prequel. Specifically, the intriguing love story, the often fun/funny dialogue and the memorable, well-styled musical score/soundtrack. Not to forget the colourful, stunningly designed world in which all these elements live.

One of the first things you notice while watching the trailer for Queen Charlotte – A Briderton Story is what a great job the casting director has done. Especially regarding the young versions of Queen Charlotte and Lady Agatha Danbury. As for how much I enjoyed episode one overall, I can say that I liked it most towards the end, after the wedding. I can also say that the way episode one concludes had my mind conjuring up the Netflix site as I saw myself immediately clicking the ‘Next Episode’ button, something all fans will have to patiently wait for until May 4th 2023. 

Queen Charlotte - A Briderton Story, Golda Rosheuvel, Netflix
Queen Charlotte – A Briderton Story, Golda Rosheuvel, Netflix

As for the elements of episode one that had me least enthused, personally, the shots of the wedding seemed too long. The story edit needed to do a little more to keep me fully locked in because the pace left me wanting in places. Also, there wasn’t quite enough going on for me to think, ‘My, my, this is super.’ That is, of course, until after the wedding. Hence my mind conjuring up said ‘Next Episode’ button. 

Overall, there is simply too much promise for me not to watch the remaining five episodes on May 4th. Particularly since since there are few things I love more than to watch any woman claim her power.

Queen Charlotte – A Briderton Story Release Dates: May 4th, 2023, Netflix.

Happy Film Loving,

G

THE REGIME (2024): New Trailer From Kate Winslet, Matthias Schoenaerts,  Martha Plimpton, Andrea Riseborough… 

The Regime, (previously known as The Palace) is a new HBO mini-series that’s set in an invented Middle European autocracy.

Starring Kate Winslet, Martha Plimpton, Matthias Schoenaerts and Andrea Riseborough, the drama focuses on what’s going on within the walls of the palace as an authoritarian regime is in the midst of unravelling.

Clearly, the Chancellor/dictator isn’t the most decent and likeable of human beings. That doesn’t mean I’m more than a tad disappointed that according to IMDB Winslet will only appear in one episode. Especially since witnessing the power dynamic between her character and that played by Plimpton is why I’m most intrigued.

Also, hearing the words ‘I do like‘ currently has me woohooing every time. I’m telling myself that since this is an HBO production, I’ll eventually get over Winslet’s ‘cameo.’ Let’s see what the non-teaser trailer has to say.

Are you looking forward to spending some time, perhaps a year at the palace?

Guillaume Gallienne, Hugh Grant and Donald Sage Mackay also star.

The Regime Release Dates: 2024, HBO Max.

Happy Film Loving,

G

THE MARVELS (2023): New Trailer Staring Brie Larson, Iman Vellani, Samuel L. Jackson, Teyonah Parris…

The Marvels (2023), Brie Larson, Marvel Entertainment
The Marvels (2023), Brie Larson, Marvel Entertainment

A new unexpectedly refreshing trailer just landed. One that has a very promising cast that happens to be largely female.

Directed by Nia DaCosta, The Marvels stars Brie Larson, Iman Vellani, Teyonah Parris and Samuel L. Jackson in a follow-up to 2019’s Captain Marvel.

Outside of the rather recent Wakanda Forever (2022), it’s been a while since I committed to watching more than just the trailer of new superhero movies. Today however, I find myself curious about the dynamic between the younger and the more established female superheroes in this trailer. I mean, I’m certainly a fan of Iman Vellan and the energy she brings to her role as as Ms. Marvel.

If there’s a chance for a new superhero movie to pull me back in, perhaps it’s this one. Has this trailer had a similar effect on you?

Zawe Ashton, Park Seo-joon, Mohan Kapur, Caroline Simonnet Kamara Benjamin Barnett, Michael Oladele and Tony McCarthy also star.

The Marvels Release Dates: November 10th, 2023 (US); November 2023 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

GHOSTED (2023): New Trailer From Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Amy Sedaris, Adrien Brody…

Ghosted (2023), Chris Evans, Apple TV+
Ghosted (2023), Chris Evans, Apple TV+

Something rather fun-looking has just arrived, and it’s not what you initially think it is; so be sure to stick with the Ghosted trailer through to the very end.

Directed by Dexter Fletcher; action/adventure/romance Ghosted stars Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, Adrien Brody and Amy Sedaris in an exciting spy story partly set in London, England.

I’d been patiently waiting for a movie trailer that got me excited to express it audibly, and in a way that interrupts others a few feet away from me. This fun pairing of Evans and de Armas; the fact that Ghosted is an action/comedy with the kind of sense of humour I appreciate, plus a story that’s more surprising than expected has me feeling grateful.

All that’s left for me to do now is hope that the actual movie has me smiling as much, if not more than this delightful trailer. And so continues my strong lean towards movies with stories that make me happy rather than the opposite.

Are you also looking forward to Ghosted? What types of movies are you leaning towards these days? Or perhaps you generally don’t mind as long as it’s good, which is a great place to be.

Tate Donovan, Tim Blake Nelson, Mustafa Shakir, Marwan Kenzari, Lizze Broadway, Fahim Fazli, Mike Moh, Marisol Correa and Gina Jun also star.

Ghosted Release Dates: April 2023…

Happy Film Loving

G

AFTER LOVE (2020): New Trailer Starring Joanna Scanlan, Nathalie Richard, Nasser Memarzia, Talid Ariss…

From writer/director Aleem Khan; After Love is an award-winning drama that stars Joanna Scanlan, Nathalie Richard, Nasser Memarzia. and Talid Ariss.

The story follows Mary (Scanlan) who finds herself a widow after the unexpected death of her husband. As if that wasn’t enough, a day after he’s laid to rest, Mary discovers a secret that simply can’t be left alone.

What a nightmare predicament.

This well-edited trailer certainly has me curious about how the story will unfold. I wonder if the ending will be surprising and shocking. I’m sure I’ll be happy as long as it’s good, believable and satisfying. Still, a part of me wants to at least be surprised, if not fully shocked. I should probably stop projecting my expectations and just let the story wash over. Yes, that’s what I’ll (try to) do.

Because of the 2020 UK release date, Scanlan has already won a British Academy Film Award (BAFTA) for her portrayal of Mary. I’m therefore quite certain that at the very least, After Love will be fully believable and moving.

Is your imagination also working overtime to imagine how this might play out?

Nisha Chadha, Sudha Bhuchar, Elijah Braik, Seema Morar and Aaron Chawla also star.

After Love Release Dates: January 20th, 2023 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

G

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