CREED II (2018): The Things I Liked…

Creed II (2018), Michael B. Jordan, MGM
Creed II (2018), Michael B. Jordan, MGM

Creed II is a movie I watched because I was told it’s worthwhile. It certainly would have been a better experience overall if I were a serious boxing fan.

Nevertheless, if, like me, you’re just a fan of good movies, that too is enough. Because thanks to the story, dramatic performances and that rather great fight sequence near the end, I had a good time with director Steven Caple Jr.’s film.

Centred around what is arguably the most important fight of Adonis Creed’s life, I enjoyed the emotional journey and overarching tension as Creed grows into the man and the mindset required to get to where he needs to be.

I also liked the rather moving moments in and outside of the boxing ring. From the time Creed learns of his opponent, to the required balancing act where his family life is concerned and the intense training in the desert, which culminates in the all-important biggest fight of his life.

Regarding the question of whether Creed II is better than Creed, the good news is that they’re both worthy. As such, definitely watch it if you’re into boxing. For everyone else, it’s beautifully shot, particularly the training and fight scenes.

Lastly, you will be moved and the cast is great.

Happy Film Loving,

G

THE PERFECT DATE (2019): New Trailer Starring Noah Centineo, LAURA MARANO, Camila Mendes…

The Perfect Date (2019), Noah Centineo, Netflix.

Directed by Chris Nelson, Noah Centineo, Laura Marano, and Camila Mendes’s new comedy/romance is about teenager Brooks Rattigan.

To help him save up for college, Brooks creates an app that enables him to get hired to play the perfect stand-in boyfriend for any occasion.

This is one I’ll watch when the mood for an ‘easy viewing’ romance movie hits and I don’t mind too much that I probably already correctly guessed the ending .

I see a similarity or two to Centineo’s last film, To All The Boys I Loved Before (2018), and I find myself wondering about the ways in which the formula may be different here.

Blaine Kern III, Matt Walsh, Odiseas Georgiadis, Sue-Lynn Ansari, Joe Chrest and Trina LaFargue also star.

Read my spoiler-free movie review of The perfect Date (2019)

The Perfect Date Release Dates: April 12th, 2019 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

HUGE IN FRANCE (2019): New Trailer Starring Gad Elmaleh, Jerry Seinfeld, Matthew Del Negro, Erinn Hayes…

HUGE In France (2019), Gad Elmaleh
HUGE In France (2019), Gad Elmaleh

HUGE In France is a new Netflix comedy series created by and starring French comic Gad Elmaleh. Based in part on Elmaleh’s own experience, HUGE In France is about a successful French comic who hopes to make it in the United States.

Additional cast includes Matthew Del Negro, Erinn Hayes, Scott Keiji Takeda and Jerry Seinfeld.

The self-deprecating humour and observations of the differences between France/Europe and the United States are why I’m intrigued.

This should be even more interesting since right this minute I’m struggling to name a single comedian from a non-English speaking country that has had a successful Television series in America.

Scott Keiji Takeda, Jordan Ver Hoeve, Austin Fryberger, Keana Marie, Brittany Ross, Clark Moore and André Tardieu also star.

HUGE In France Release Dates: April 12th, 2019 (US)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

DORA AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD (2019): New trailer From Isabela Moner, Eva Longoria, Michael Peña, Benicio Del Toro…

Dora And The Lost City Of Gold (2019), Michael Peña, Isabela Moner, Eva Longoria
Dora And The Lost City Of Gold (2019), Michael Peña, Isabela Moner, Eva Longoria, Paramount Pictures

Dora And The Lost City of Gold is the latest from Michael Peña, Isabela Moner, Eva Longoria and Benicio Del Toro.

Directed by James Bobin and based on the Dora The Explorer children’s television series, a teenage Dora takes on the new adventure of high school. However, Dora soon finds herself and some new school friends on a jungle adventure to save her parents and solve the impossible mystery behind a lost city of gold.

The fact that Dora is a teenager in this movie and not seven years old, like in the series, is an interesting change I didn’t expect.

A part of me already misses the cuteness of seven-year-old Dora, which is strange since I’ve never watched a full episode of the TV series, so I shouldn’t really be too attached to Dora or the outcome of this film. Yet, I’m intrigued.

I see myself trying and failing to avoid comparing this movie to Hey, Arnold! The Jungle Movie (2017). Such is life.

Danny Trejo, Q’orianka Kilcher, Temuera Morrison, Isabela Moner, Madeleine Madden, Jeffrey Wahlberg and Christopher Kirby also star.

Dora And The Lost City of Gold Release Dates: August 2nd, 2019 (US); August 16th, 2019 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

AQUAMAN (2018): The Things I Liked…

Aquaman (2018), Jason Momoa, Warner Bros. Pictures
Aquaman (2018), Jason Momoa, Warner Bros. Pictures

In director James Wan’s latest, Jason Momoa is Arthur, a.k.a Aquaman, a man who reluctantly begins a journey to take his rightful place as heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, and become a hero to the world.

Considering how DC Comics’s recent films have turned out, Wonder Woman (2017) being an exception, as much as I enjoyed the Aquaman trailer, I made sure not to get too excited about how he film would be.

Having now seen it, even though Aquaman is not my favourite superhero movie, there is some fun to be had by watching it. For example, I found Momoa quite delightful, thanks to his aesthetic, physicality and charisma. If I had to choose, it’s the underwater special effects in Aquaman that I loved most. From the toothy flesh-eating creatures to the beautifully lit colours of the deep, I couldn’t help but be reminded to look forward to the upcoming CGI-rich Avatar movies, whenever director James Cameron is ready, of course.

Other key highlights in Aquaman include the action sequences in Sicily. Namely, Willem Dafoe’s performance and Nicole Kidman’s rather convincing fight sequences.

In terms of the elements I wish weren’t quite so about Wan’s film, that would be the romance between Arthur and Mera. ‘Forced’ is the word because I simply didn’t buy it. I also noticed a few awkward instances regarding the placement of music and some less-than-inspiring dialogue.

Lastly, we have Manta; he’s simply not close enough to the best superhero villains I’ve ever seen. By the end of Aquaman, I was just glad that I found more things to enjoy than not. Plus, I’m happy for DC Comics because things seem to be turning around.

Watch it if you’re curious and not ‘too Team Marvel.’

Happy Film Loving,

G