Category Archives: Crime

Crime, Drama, Musical

WEST SIDE STORY (2021): New Trailer From Steven Spielberg, Starring Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose…

11 Comments
West Side Story (2021), Ansel Elgort, 20th Century Studios
West Side Story (2021), Ansel Elgort, 20th Century Studios

Starring Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose; Steven Spielberg brings us an adaptation of 1957’s West Side Story. A musical that explores forbidden love and the rivalry between two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds.

Just as I’d started to think that these days, Lin-Manuel Miranda is the only big name attached to hit musical movies; Steven Spielberg brings us a remake of West Side Story, the 1967 Oscar winning musical.

I watched the older movie in high school and I don’t recall disliking it as much as I do most musicals. For that reason and general curiosity, I’ll be watching this one. I also just love all the bright colours in this trailer.

David Alvarez, Rita Moreno, Mike Faist, Curtiss Cook, Brian d’Arcy James, Corey Stoll, Ezra Menas, Ben Cook, Sean Harrison Jones, Patrick Higgins, Paloma Garcia Lee and Maddie Ziegler also star.

West Side Story Release Dates: December 10th, 2021 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

Action, Crime, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

NOBODY (2021): The Things I Liked…

5 Comments
Nobody (2021), Bob Odenkirk, Universal Pictures
Nobody (2021), Bob Odenkirk, Universal Pictures

From the writer of John Wick (2014), Derek Kolstad; action/crime/thriller Nobody is a movie that has some notable scenes. Yet, overall, unpopular opinion as it might be, I didn’t find it close to equally as good/fun as John Wick. Instead, Nobody felt more like a John Wick ‘spinoff.’ Only it’s less cool, less stylish, less fun, and unfortunately a lesser story.

Even with the moments I felt stood out most; specifically the opening song, the brief but cool scene involving Bob Odenkirk’s character’s seated father, and the dialogue, plus the set-up during the all-important meeting at the Russian club, Nobody still had me feeling far from satisfied.

Director Ilya Naishuller’s vengeance story about a man who is forced to return to his past dangerous activities isn’t exactly new. Furthermore, the way the story is written/delivered didn’t leave me feeling emotionally connected enough to all that was happening. I’d hoped that once the fight sequences began, at least they would be so cool and fun – the way much of John Wick is. I was wrong.

Watch Nobody if you’re curious. It looks like a lot of people enjoyed it. Just don’t be surprised if you like John Wick more. I consider Keanu Reeves’s movie to be more impressive in every way that matters to me. 

Happy Film Loving,

G

Action, Crime, Horror

ARMY OF THE DEAD (2021): nEW trailer From Zack Snyder, Starring Garret Dillahunt, Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick…

6 Comments
Army of the Dead (2021), Dave Bautista, Netflix
Army of the Dead (2021), Dave Bautista, Netflix

The new trailer for Zack Snyder’s zombie outbreak in Las Vegas movie, Army of the Dead has landed, and it’s looking like a lot of fun.

Omari Hardwick, Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell and Garret Dillahunt are among the key cast.

I find myself far more excited than I expected to be. Unsurprising with such a good trailer edit and well-chosen music. I particularly can’t wait to see the ways that this new age of zombies are smarter, faster, etc.

I’m also very interested in the unexpected cast. There are so many faces I hadn’t pictured together, but suddenly it all seems to make sense. 

Lastly, doesn’t it feel just right that the movie title is about the smart zombies and not the other guys? I guess it’s about time we had a smart, extra capable bunch of the undead. Full disclosure, I’m speaking as someone whose experience of zombie films largely starts and ends with the rather impressive Train to Busan (2016). So, feel free to correct me. 

Ana de la Reguera, Tig Notaro, Nora Arnezeder, Lora Martinez-Cunningham, Samantha Win, Matthias Schweighöfer, Lyon Beckwith, Theo Rossi, Michael Cassidy and Raúl Castillo also star.

Army of the Dead Release Dates: May 21st, 2021 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

G

Source: JustWatch
Action, Adventure, Crime

F9 (2021): New Fast & Furious 9 Trailer Starring John Cena, Charlize Theron, Vin Diesel, Helen Mirren…

10 Comments
F9 (2021), Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson
F9 (2021), Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson

F9, the latest instalment in the Fast & Furious franchise finally has a release date that looks as though it’s going to stick. And to celebrate, a new trailer starring John Cena, Vin Diesel, Charlize THeron, Helen Mirren and many more has been released.

I’m mostly curious about the Cena/Diesel dynamic, and maybe a little of the far from realistic action and stunt sequences.

Also, it only just occurred to me how much the Fast and Furious movies seem to feature the kind of action you might expect when two four/five year old boys are playing together with all their toy cars. I’m not saying the stunts are terrible, mind you. Just that the sort of vehicular activity in this trailer is very reminiscent of my brothers and cousins happily playing when they were five.

Lucas Black, Jordana Brewster, Nathalie Emmanuel, Michael Rooker, Finn Cole, Cardi B, Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris, Jim Parrack, Tyrese Gibson and Anna Sawai also star.

Fast & Furious 9 Release Dates: June 25th, 2021 (US); July 8th, 2021 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

Comedy, Crime, No Spoiler Reviews

MY COUSIN VINNY (1992): The Things I Liked…

13 Comments
My Cousin Vinny (1992), Joe Pesci
My Cousin Vinny (1992), Joe Pesci

My Cousin Vinny is one of those movies I’ve heard people reference several times over the years. And finally, a few nights ago, the mood hit just right for a classic 90s movie session. Especially after I heard a popular podcaster mention how great Oscar-winning actor Marisa Tomei is in the movie.

My Cousin Vinny, a comedy/crime movie directed by Jonathan Lynn is the story of two New Yorkers, Bill (Ralph Macchio) and Stan (Mitchell Whitfield). Two young men who contact Vinny (Joe Pesci), a loudmouth lawyer with zero trial experience, after they find themselves accused of murder in rural Alabama.  

I’ve been a fan of good courtroom scenes for a long time. And luckily for me, My Cousin Vinny captures those moments well. To the point where the courtroom scenes are my favourite thing about the movie. There are also some amusing scenes to enjoy and good performances by all, including Tomei who is as good and gorgeous as the podcaster insisted.

What I like least about Lynn’s film happens near the start. Particularly when one of my least favourite comedy tropes is used. The one where two people don’t realise that they’re talking about two completely different things. I haven’t found the use of said trope funny since the first time I saw it in a film, TV or stage production. It’s the reason I had to quit watching the cult comedy series Arrested Development. They shamelessly overused it, completely to death! I mean, full disclosure, I did binge-watch a bunch of episodes in one sitting. But surely, the writing formula shouldn’t be that obvious.

I say watch My Cousin Vinny if you’re especially curious. It’s certainly not a bad movie. And it has some highlights. Just don’t be surprised if you don’t love it. Or maybe you will.

Happy Film Loving

G

Source: JustWatch