Category Archives: Adventure

Action, Adventure, Fantasy

STAR WARS EPISODE 7 – THE FORCE AWAKENS (2015): I May Just Feel It

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Star Wars Episode 7 - The Force Awakens (2015)
Star Wars Episode 7 – The Force Awakens (2015)

I love movies, but I do confess that there are some highly regarded films I’ve never watched – and a few more I may never seriously consider watching. Unfortunately, all Star Wars films have always fallen into this category.

The truth is, fantasy is simply not my favourite genre. In fact, I was quite sure I’d probably never get to watch a single Star Wars film. Unless…
…I met a really impassioned fan who somehow finally managed to convince me to put my aversion to fantasy movies aside.

What I didn’t count on was that, said fan might just be new Star Wars writer/director J.J. Abrams.

I didn’t actually meet him, by the way. However, I have seen the first 60 seconds of the new Star Wars Episode 7 – The Force Awakens teaser trailer.

I’m making no promises, of course. But when that next trailer does arrive, attention, I will certainly pay.

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Adventure, Drama, Family, Fantasy

CINDERELLA (2015): Cate Blanchett Is Who…?

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Cinderella (2015), Cate Blanchett
Cinderella (2015), Cate Blanchett

Read my spoiler-free movie review of Cinderella (2015).

Cinderella is arguably one of the best fairy tales out there. Not because of the famous romance, in my opinion. But rather, thanks to the story of triumph over the unkind and cruel. Particularly when a person triumphs without sacrificing their character and principles.

I’ve watched the below trailer for director Kenneth Branagh’s live-action Cinderella remake a very high number of times, and the great music is certainly a huge part of the reason why.

Bring on March 2015, I say!!

Additional key cast includes Lily James, Richard Madden, Helena Bonham Carter, Hayley Atwell, Nonso Anozie, Stellan Skarsgård, Sophie McShera, Holliday Grainger, Derek Jacobi and Ben Chaplin.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, No Spoiler Reviews

SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN (2012): Great Example of Trailer Perfection

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Snow White And The Huntsman (2012)
Snow White And The Huntsman (2012)

From the beautifully paced editing and perfect choice of music, to the narrative concept, dialogue and visuals/special effects, the Snow White And The Huntsman (2012) trailer provides just enough detail to make you aware that this is a wonderfully different retelling.

The decision to make Charlize Theron the key focus of the trailer is just right. This isn’t a film aimed at the traditional young Disney audience. Hence, the absence of elements that, quite frankly, I’m glad are nowhere to be found. Musical numbers are just one of them.

This tantalisingly dark 1-minute 54-second trailer arrests the senses and refuses to let go until the very last second. What a wonderful marriage of audio-visual delight delivered to perfection.

For many, Kristen Stuart is the big draw, which is unsurprising due to the success of The Twilight Saga. For me, though, without question, it’s Theron.

The tone and delivery of Theron’s performance is such a thrill to behold that to date, I’ve watched the trailer countless times.

The Snow White & The Huntsman trailer has a place in a compilation of my favourite film trailers of 2012. It also makes it on my list of favourite Charlize Theron performances; Monster (2003) is one other.

I can tell you’re also excited.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Adventure, Family, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

MALEFICENT (2014): Definitely Not Your Typical Disney Evil Queen

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Maleficent (2014)
Maleficent (2014)

Paragraph 5 (Spoiler Alert)

Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Maleficent has been criticised for not being evil enough. I think people of this opinion have missed the point of the film entirely.

Not to say that the movie is perfect because the pace did leave me wanting. Nevertheless,  it’s clear to me that for audiences to buy into the story, Jolie definitely couldn’t look for inspiration for her character from the likes of pre-existing Queens of pure evil. A perfect example being ‘Queen Revenna’ of Snow White And The Huntsman (2012) – wonderfully played by Charlize Theron.

No, no, no. Jolie would have to study characters far more complex. I imagine that she must have because Maleficent is absolutely unlike the traditional evil queen, and that doesn’t make for a lesser film, but a different one.

Besides my issues with the pace, there is one aspect of the story that  I found particularly hard to accept…

…now, I may be overthinking things since I’m not the film’s key demographic. But… with Maleficent being not just a fairy with powers, and instead ’the strongest of the fairies’, I expected that she would have the means to regenerate her wings. And if she couldn’t do this, I imagined she would at least use her magic to locate the wings – once she’d used the same special powers to learn that her wings had not been completely destroyed. Am I alone in this?

I have no regrets at all about watching the film. The difference was refreshing. Plus, I LOVE Angelina Jolie! She could lead me almost anywhere. Probably.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Action, Adventure, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

JAMES BOND – WHY CASINO ROYALE (2006) Is ‘THE ONE’

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James Bond (Daniel Craig), Casino Royal (2006)
James Bond (Daniel Craig), Casino Royal (2006)

Roger Moore was my favourite James Bond for a very long time. Mainly because he’s the star of the first Bond film I ever watched. However, absolutely everything changed when my dear Mr. Craig, Daniel Craig, came along.

I didn’t care that, at the time Craig was announced as the new Bond, most believed him to be the wrong choice. I was far too busy being excited about radical change was finally coming. Especially since, like many other fans, I had fallen out of love with what the franchise had become before Casino Royale.

Since Casino Royale is the very first James Bond book, one could surmise that, finally, audiences would get an insight into what it is that really makes 007 tick. The film certainly delivers in this regard and in several others, including all the elements that make for a great action movie. Namely, brilliant dialogue, to mention just one.

The unapologetic brute force of Craig’s Bond is a huge part of what makes Casino Royale such a memorable comeback for the franchise, and part of the reason why the film is my favourite Bond to date.

I will not drop any spoilers for those yet to watch the movie, but I will say this: ‘The first 20 minutes are brilliant, and you’ll be glad to learn that the rest of the movie continues, as such‘.

Have you seen it? If so, you know it’s the best, don’t you? Say it. Saay Ittt!

Happy Film Loving,

G