From writer/director Elizabeth Lo; Stray is a new documentary about the life of Zeytin, a stray dog living life on the streets of Istanbul, Turkey.
As someone who’s never been to Turkey and had no idea bout the stray dog situation there, I’m looking forward to learning and virtually meeting Zeytin.
Also, it may be the trailer music or the way Zeytin seems to be, largely ignored. But this could be quite moving.
Stray Release Dates: March 5th, 2021, (US), Internet…
Happy Film Loving
G
The best things about Outside the Wire, an action/sci-fi movie about a drone pilot and android officer’s mission to a deadly militarised zone are the two lead performances. Young Damson Idris (Harp) is a talent indeed, and Anthony Mackie is convincing as android officer Captain Leo.
The action sequences were generally well choreographed. Still, that’s not to say that there aren’t moments when I’d have preferred different camera angles so I could enjoy better views of Captain Leo’s physical movements during the fight sequences.
As fun as the action/combat scenes are, including scenes that featured the robot army, most of the fun action doesn’t happen until we’re well into the second half of the movie.
Even though overall, Outside the Wire isn’t as well-written or exciting as hoped, I enjoyed the dynamic between young Harp and Captain Leo. I wanted to see Harp’s growth, especially following his rookie mistake at the start of the movie. I needed to know if he’d get out alive and how he’d do it.
For me, its a shame that the movie’s focus wasn’t purely about Harp’s journey. Firstly, because Idris is very watchable, but also because the turn that Captain Leo’s story took around the one hour, twenty-minute mark proved the most disappointing. Mainly because it’s so very cliché; while not being written cleverly enough to make the lack of originality less of an issue.
Even with all its issues, I mostly had a good time with Outside the Wire. As such, if you’re especially curious, give director Mikael Håfström’s movie a chance. It’s nowhere near Netflix’s best action/sci-fi movie; to be honest, I can’t think of any good ones right now. But, at the very least I’m glad I didn’t find it as infuriatingly disastrous as Extinction (2018).
Happy Film Loving
G
Cherry is the latest crime/drama starring Tom Holland, Jack Reynor, Ciara Bravo and Kelli Berglund.
Directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo of Marvel’s Avengers movies; Cherry is the story of an Army medic with post-traumatic stress disorder who becomes a serial bank robber, after his drug addiction puts him in debt.
I’m curious about this; for reasons including a bank robber not wanting to be rude to ladies. Though, admittedly, I can’t deny that I was hoping to be more excited about this movie after seeing the full trailer, but I’m not.
Another movie about a polite/gentleman bank robber that comes to mind is Robert Redford’s The Old Man & The Gun (2018).
Do you find yourself intrigued by Cherry? It’s OK if you just want to know why the movie is titled Cherry?
Thomas Lennon, Michael Gandolfini, Jeff Wahlberg, Pooch Hall, Forrest Goodluck, Adam Long, Fionn O’Shea, Suhail Dabbach, Jamie Brewer, Nicole Forester and Anna Colwell also star.
Cherry Release Dates: February 26th, 2021 (US), Apple TV+
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G
What to say about Pretend it’s a City; the new Martin Scorsese presented series about humorist and raconteur Fran Lebowitz.
First of all, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. And by ‘it’ I mean the first episode of a seven-part series. I wish I could have watched more than five minutes of episode two, but I had to stop because I couldn’t get into it.
The use of cinematic music to set the tone as the camera focused on Lebowitz walking through New York City was charming, at first. The charm quickly disappeared for me when I started noticing things that made me enjoy the show less.
I had a specific interview structure in mind for how the show would go and had hoped for a more thorough introduction of Lebowitz at the start. I thought that by the end of episode one, I’d at least have learned about who Lebowitz truly is; besides being known for her humorous observations of life in New York City.
I cannot deny that the way Lebowitz’s mind works is interesting. Yet, unfortunately, the structure of Pretend it’s a City didn’t result in an engaging enough result to keep me watching. I may also have tired of the ‘complaining’ – something Lebowitz is perhaps best known for doing – and doing well.
Even though the show’s focus is Lebowitz, I wanted to see presenter/ interviewer, Scorsese’s face more than once. I mean, it’s been three days since my viewing experience and I’m not even sure that I saw his face at all.
It wouldn’t surprise me if the details I feel are missing from episode one will come in the episodes that follow; in which case, perhaps I’ll give Pretend it’s a City another try. It is presented by the one and only Scorsese, after all. Give it a chance if you’re curious.
Happy Film Loving
G
In To All the Boys – Always and Forever, Noah Centineo and Lana Condor are back for the third and final story of Lara and Peter.
Continuing their romantic life, we’ll get to see both of them grow up while facing good and hard times with friends and family.
Directed by Michael Fimognari; additional key cast includes Janel Parrish, Madeleine Arthur, Lisa Durupt, Sarayu Blue.
The first instalment was a good teen movie. The second was OK. My fingers are crossed that this one will be a worthy finale.
Momona Tamada, Emilija Baranac, Kayla Deorksen and C. Ernst Harthand also star.
To All the Boys – Always and Forever Release Dates: February 12th, 2021 (US)…
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G
Producer Ryan Coogler and director Shaka King’s biography, Judas and the Black Messiah has a second trailer.
Starring Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons and Dominique Fishback; Judas and the Black Messiah is the story of the fateful betrayal of Fred Hampton, Chairman of the Illinois Black Panther Party.
I’m going to need a box of tissues with this one. And this magnificent cast; Stanfield, Kaluuya, Fishback and Plemons; I cannot wait.
If it wasn’t already clear, because of all the movies that had to be moved from last year to this one, 2021 is going to be quite the year for film. I hope you’re ready.
Lil Rel Howery, Algee Smith, Jermaine Fowler, Martin Sheen, Ashton Sanders, Robert Longstreet, Dominique Fishback, Nick Fink and Darrell Britt-Gibson also star.
Judas and The Black Messiah Release Dates: February 12th, 2021, (US); February 26th, 2021 (UK)…
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G
From writer/director Lili Horvát; Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time is a new drama/romance about Márta (Natasa Stork), a 40-year-old neurosurgeon.
After Marta falls in love, she leaves her shining American career to return to Budapest and start a new life with the man. The only problem is, the love of her life claims that they have never met before.
Who’s the one seeing/ imagining things, him or her? I sure hope the reveal/explanation is satisfying.
Also, on a random side note, I can’t help but wonder how much work it took to fall in that very unique and interesting way at 0:40 into this trailer. I suspect that plenty of rehearsal must have been required.
Viktor Bodó and Benett Vilmányi, Zsolt Nagy, Andor Lukáts, Zsolt Nagy and Péter Tóth also star.
Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time Release Dates: January 22nd, 2021 (US)…
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G
Starring Jamie Dornan, Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo; Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar is a new comedy about two lifelong friends who decide to leave their small Midwestern town, for the very first time.
Directed by Josh Greenbaum; friendship, romance and a villain’s evil plot are what can be expected in an adventure of a lifetime.
Damon Wayans Jr., Wendi McLendon-Covey, Michael Hitchcock and Kwame Patterson are among the additional key cast.
What a quirky little thing this one is. At the very least I have to see how it turns out.
I also find myself randomly wondering how many people this could potentially inspire to leave their small towns. I’m sure the answer will depend, in part, on how effective the villain is. I think we’ll be OK as long as the villain isn’t too much like the ones in Taken (2008).
Reyn Doi, Mark Jonathan Davis, Tom Lenk, Karen Maruyama, Hank Rogerson and Shantira Jackson also star.
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar Release Dates: July 16th, 2021 (US & UK)…
Happy Film Loving
G
