WHY HIM (2016): The Things I Liked…

Why Him (2016), Bryan Cranston, Megan Mullally, James Franco
Why Him (2016), Bryan Cranston, Megan Mullally, James Franco

I’ve always enjoyed James Franco in comedy roles, more so than I do his dramatic work. I loved the trailer for Why Him, which was well-paced and fun. It also contained a healthy handful of good jokes and expletives.

Fast forward to the movie, it could be argued that there’s an unnecessary level of curse words, though, thankfully, not too uncomfortably gratuitous. Some scenes were a tad awkward and could have moved along more quickly. Yet, overall, I had a good time.

The soundtrack, Franco’s billionaire filterless character’s charm, Keegan Michael-Key’s fun estate manager and peculiar ‘European’ accent are key highlights.

I also enjoyed the way Megan Mullally’s Barb responds to Franco’s Laird. My favourite of her lines is ‘Quite the outdoorsman.’ Watch it and see why that line is so perfect when it’s delivered – and for the rest of the good jokes. That’s assuming all those colourful expletives haven’t scared you off, of course.

Happy Film Loving,

G

WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES (2017): Great New Trailer Starring Woody Harrelson, Ruby Rose & Andy Serkis

War For The Planet Of The Apes (2017), Woody Harrelson
War For The Planet Of The Apes (2017), Woody Harrelson

There’s a new War For The Planet of the Apes trailer and it looks really good.

Starring Woody Harrelson, Andy Serkis and  Ruby Rose,  in this instalment, Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans, and massive losses are suffered all around.

Well done trailer maker!

I actually want to forget about the other films in the franchise and just watch this. But, I know only too well just how unwise that is.

War For The Planet Of The Apes Release Dates: July 14th, 2017 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

THE BOOK OF HENRY (2017): New Trailer From Naomi Watts, Jacob Tremblay, Sarah Silverman, Jaeden Lieberher…

The Book Of Henry (2017), Naomi Watts
The Book Of Henry (2017), Naomi Watts

Naomi Watts, Jacob Tremblay, Sarah Silverman and Jaeden Lieberher are the stars of The Book Of Henry, the Colin Trevorrow-directed movie about a single mother raising a genius child. But wait.  There’s more.

I’m intrigued because of the genius child and seemingly regular mother dynamic.  I also can’t wait for the police commissioner to get what’s coming to him.

The Book Of Henry Release Dates: June 16th, 2017 (US)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

HIDDEN FIGURES (2016): For The Sisterhood, Strength & Determination

Hidden Figures (2016): Taraji P. Henson, Mahershala Ali
Hidden Figures (2016): Taraji P. Henson, Mahershala Ali

Hidden Figures, the movie about the three African American women whose mathematical contributions led to NASA’s first successful space missions, is a film that did two important things for me. First, it gave me and many others a long overdue history lesson. Second, it reminded me that even though there’s still a considerable way to go, humanity really has come quite a distance in terms of equality and civil rights.

Seeing the challenges faced by the film’s main characters, the ways they dealt with the obstacles they encountered is really a great and empowering thing for anyone to witness. I particularly adore the sisterhood, strength, determination and good humour between the women. I of course mean Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. I see these ladies as the kind of women with personal attributes that many would  probably want for the women and young girls in their life. And I’m certainly not talking about the mathematical genius, not that that wouldn’t be welcome.

Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae, there really is no faulting any of the performances in Hidden Figures. Director Theodore Melfi’s movie is a good example of what a well-put-together film can look like. 

I say watch it because it’s thoroughly deserving of all its success. It’s also a beautiful celebration of truly great women, and the people good and brave enough to do what was necessary to help them shine.

Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Glen Powell and Mahershala Ali also star.

Happy Film Loving,

G

FERDINAND (2017): New Trailer From John Cena, Gabriel Iglesias, Tom Kane, Carlos Saldanha…

Ferdinand (2017), John Cena
Ferdinand (2017), John Cena

Starring John Cena, Gabriel Iglesias, Tom Kane and Carlos Saldanha, Ferdinand is the story of a bull who would rather smell flowers than fight in bullfights.

Before this trailer, I had never heard of Ferdinand the bull. Now, I LOVE him! Not just because I, too, would choose flowers over the bull ring.

Ferdinand Release Dates: December 15th, 2017 (US); December 22nd, 2017 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G