Comedy, Drama

A MAN CALLED OTTO (2022): New Trailer From Tom Hanks, Kailey Hyman, Rachel Keller, Alessandra Perez, Christiana Montoya…

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Directed by Marc Forster; Tom Hanks, Alessandra Perez, Christiana Montoya, Kailey Hyman and Rachel Keller are the stars of A Man Called Otto. A comedy/drama about a grumpy widower who finally meets his match when he gets new neighbours.

Isn’t this just the type of Tom Hanks movie we’ve been waiting for?

I’m certainly ready for all the inevitable heartwarming goodness coming our way, especially during the festive season.

Grumpy Otto is clearly due to learn some important lessons, and I’m more than happy to watch him thaw as he does so.

Now, only if the thawing of all grumpy neighbours was as guaranteed as that of Otto. We can all dream, can’t we?

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Cameron Britton, Mike Birbiglia, Mariana Treviño, Lavel Schley, Elle Chapman, Kelly Lamor Wilson, Josefine Lindegaard, Juanita Jennings, on Donahue, Kirk Kelly, Phil Nardozzi, and Spenser Granese also star.

A Man Callo Otto Release Dates: January 6th 2023 (UK); January 13th, 2023 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

G

Comedy, Drama, History

BABYLON (2022): New Trailer Starring Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Samara Weaving, Tobey Mcquire, Olivia Wilde…

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Lal La land (2016) and Whiplash (2014) director Damien Chazelle’s latest film is set in early Hollywood and stars Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Samara Weaving, Tobey Mcquire and Olivia Wilde.

Babylon is a historical comedy/drama that follows the rise and fall of multiple characters, as a result of outsized ambition and outrageous excess.

Even though this trailer was released back in September 2022, I hadn’t featured it sooner because it reminded me a little too much of Hail, Caesar!, a 2015 movie also set during the earlier Hollywood years. And as excited as I was for the film, it turned out to be quite a major disappointment.

Babylon‘s filmmaking team is what has me most interested; more so than the themes. And now that September is long gone, I’ve gotten over the Hail, Caesar! issue a little more, which means I’ll probably give Babylon a fair chance.

How about you? What are your thoughts on this trailer? Are you also curious about how Pitt’s character compares to his turn as the undeniably cool Cliff Booth in Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood?

Jean Smart, Eric Roberts, Lukas Haas, Jeff Garlin, Spike Jonze, Phoebe Tonkin, Katherine Waterston, Max Minghella, Todd Giebenhain, Chloe Fineman, Jennifer Grant, Rhian Rees and Flea also star.

Babylon Release Dates: December 23rd, 2022 (US); January 20th, 2022 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

Action, Adventure, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

BLACK PANTHER – WAKANDA FOREVER (2022): The Things I Liked…

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Black Panther - Wakanda Forever (2022), Letitia Wright, Marvel Entertainment
Black Panther – Wakanda Forever (2022), Letitia Wright, Marvel Entertainment

I knew I would cry while watching the latest Black Panther movie. And flow those tears certainly did. Not too much, mind you. I couldn’t have my vision obstructed while a stunning visual spectacle was happening before me.

Director Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther – Wakanda Forever is a very engaging story with memorable performances. My favourite is delivered unsurprisingly, by Angela Basset (Queen Ramonda). Especially during the confrontation with Dana Gurira’s Okoye. I loved the framing, costume and camera work in those moments! So much so that I will be replaying that scene repeatedly once the movie is available on Disney+.

I love how the Black Panther films have been a welcome reminder of what is possible when all the elements that make a movie very entertaining come together beautifully. The dialogue, costume, music and cinematography combined for a truly memorable experience.

I admit that there was a point in the film where I became aware it was still playing, meaning the movie could have benefited from slightly tighter editing towards the end. Nevertheless, in addition to Coogler’s film being highly engaging and as epic as hoped, Black Panther – Wakanda Forever is simultaneously a perfect additional opportunity for fans to bid farewell to the man who so impressively represented when he donned the suit for Black Panther (2018). The images of Chadwick Boseman shining in the role are some of the most moving moments for me, especially towards the end. 

If you’re yet to do so, watch Black Panther – Wakanda Forever. You’ll most likely be glad you did.

Happy Film Loving

G

Adventure, Animation, Comedy

ELEMENTAL (2023): New Teaser Trailer Starring Mamoudou Athie, Leah Lewis…

11 Comments
Elemental (2023), Mamoudou Athie, Pixar
Elemental (2023), Mamoudou Athie, Pixar

The latest animation/adventure/comedy from Pixar stars Mamoudou Athie and Leah Lewis as Ember and Wade.

Directed by PeterSohn of The Good Dinosaur (2015); Ember and Wade are two elements in a city where fire-, water, land and air live together.

Looking like a love story between fire and water, I’m hoping there’ll be a lot more to it to keep us all engaged. I mean, I already love the name Ember, so that’s certainly a good place to start.

What are your thoughts at this point? How intriguing do you find this story compared to some of your favourite Pixar films?

Elemental Release Dates: June 6th, 2023 (UK); June 16th, 2023 (US)…

Happy film Loving

G

Horror, Mystery, Thriller

KNOCK AT THE CABIN (2023): New Trailer From M. Night Shyamalan, Starring Dave Bautista, Kristen Cui, Ben Aldridge, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Jonathan Groff…

11 Comments
Knock At The Cabin (2023), Kristen Cui, Paramount Pictures
Knock At The Cabin (2023), Kristen Cui, Paramount Pictures

Dave Bautista, Kristen Cui, Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge and Nikki Amuka-Bird are the cast of Knock at the Cabin, the latest horror/mystery/thriller from M. Night Shyamalan.

At the centre of the story of a young family taken hostage by armed strangers. Strangers who demand the family decide what they believe, in order to make an unthinkable decision.

I’ve seen this trailer approximately four times now, and the one thing that has stayed consistent regarding my thoughts is how wonderful a young actor Kristen Cui, the young girl in this movie, seems to be.

Another thing that hasn’t changed with each viewing is how promising it all seems. That is until towards the end when Bautista’s character says: ‘…Your family has been chosen to make a horrible decision. If you fail to choose, the world will end.’

After all that engaging mystery, I’m sad to say that I find myself disappointed by this seemingly simplistic and somewhat underwhelming turn of events. I’m very likely judging far too soon, of course, and I may just have tired of the ‘or the world will end.’ However, there is Shyamalan’s reputation, which most certainly precedes him.

What are your feelings about this trailer? Is it time for a good Shyamalan movie? Fingers crossed that I’m way off – and Knock at the Cabin turns out to be great.

Abby Quinn, Jerry Lobrow, William Ragsdale, Clare Louise Frost, Kat Murphy, Debbie Lay, Satomi Hofmann, McKenna Kerrigan, Mike Wilson, Michael J. Kraycik, Scott Vogel and Brian Foreman also star.

Knock at the Cabin Release Dates: February 3rd, 2023 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

Drama, Horror, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

NANNY (2022): The Things I Liked…

9 Comments
Nanny (2022), Anna Diop, Prime Video
Nanny (2022), Anna Diop, Prime Video

Sometimes you watch a movie that tells its story so refreshingly well, that you want to talk to someone about it immediately. You want to discuss the parts that thrilled, delighted and surprised you. But then you remember that you watched the movie all by yourself, which means that unless you want to strike up a conversation with the stranger next to you once the movie is over, you can’t. You also remember that you write spoiler-free movie reviews; meaning you still can’t mention the most fun specific details.

Written/directed by Nikyatu Jusu; the film in question that proved to be a rather pleasant surprise is Nanny; a drama/horror/thriller starring Anna Diop, Michelle Monaghan, Sinqua Walls and Leslie Uggams.

Nanny tells the story of Aisha, a Senegalese immigrant who takes care of the child of an Upper East Side American family. As Aisha goes about her days working and trying to piece together a life of her own in New York City, she starts having some not-so-easily explainable experiences.

I’ve mentioned a few times before that I don’t typically watch scary movies, particularly since a peaceful nightmare-free sleep is one of my favourite things. The great news here is that Nanny is more creepy than scary. It features well-executed special effects that I appreciated, even more, when the impressive reveal at the end came to light. There are beautiful shots, great lighting and a generally well-structured story to enjoy. One that hints perfectly at what is to come, but without spoiling the very worth-it ending.

I say give Nanny a chance and let the story surprise you. Though not perfect, mostly because of the rushed last five minutes, it’s certainly in the top two of my favourite movies I watched at the BFI London Film Festival this October.

Nanny Release Dates: 23rd November 2022 (Limited theatre release, US); 25th November 2022 (Limited cinema release, UK); Amazon Prime Video release, 16th December 2022 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

G

Action, Crime, Thriller

JOHN WICK- CHAPTER 4 (2023): New Trailer From Keanu Reeves, Bill Skarsgård, Hiroyuki Sanada, Donnie Yen…

13 Comments
John Wick - Chapter 4 (2023), Hiroyuki Sanada, Lionsgate Movies
John Wick – Chapter 4 (2023), Hiroyuki Sanada, Lionsgate Movies

John Wick did not get killed in John Wick- Chapter 3 – Parabellum. So, naturally, chapter 4 has been due.

Starring Keanu Reeves, Bill Skarsgård, Hiroyuki Sanada, Donnie Yen, and directed by Chad Stahelski; this fourth movie has Wick with an even bigger price on his head. A price so large that he has to seek out the most powerful players in the underworld, from New York to Paris, Osaka and Berlin.

I like the international setting of this one. However, I’m mainly showing up to take in the colours, thrilling action sequences, and definitely to watch Reeves look good in a black suit while doing very impressive movie stuff.

Another reason is Hiroyuki Sanada. He just has a way of standing out in a good way in each movie I’ve seen him in. Two such examples being Mortal Kombat (2021) and Bullet Train (2022).

Is there enough in this trailer to keep your interest? Or are you already done with the John Wick franchise? I can’t help but wonder just how many more will be made.

Laurence Fishburne, Shamier Anderson, Lance Reddick, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, Ian McShane, Marko Zaror, Natalia Tena and Aimée Kwan also star.

John Wick Chapter 4 Release Dates: March 24th, 2023 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

Action, Comedy, Crime

VIOLENT NIGHT (2022): New Trailer Starring David Harbour, John Leguizamo, Beverly D’Angelo, Cam Gigandet…

11 Comments

John Leguizamo and David Harbour’s latest action/comedy Violent Night will show us what happens when a group of mercenaries attack the estate of a wealthy family. Their plans go far from smoothly. That’s what. And all thanks to Santa Claus.

Directed by Tommy Wirkola; Beverly D’Angelo, Cam Gigandet, Alexis Louder and Stephanie Sy are among the key cast.

I’m so in for all the darker and funny Santa movies that have been happening in recent years. I remember being pleasantly surprised by 2020’s Fatman. It looks like this too is going to be quite entertaining. How can it not be with such a wonderful and reliable cast?

Also, tell me that this trailer and possibly the entire movie isn’t fully worth it, just so we can hear Harbour perfectly deliver that delightful line at 1:47 into the trailer?

Alexander Elliot, John B. Lowe, Mitra Suri, Frederick Allen, Erik Athavale, Brendan Fletcher, Edi Patterson, Alex Hassell and Alexis Louder also star.

Violent Night Release Dates: December 2nd, 2022 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

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