Category Archives: Drama

Comedy, Drama

MAGIC MIKE’S LAST DANCE (2022): New Trailer Starring Salma Hayek, Channing Tatum, Caitlin Gerard…

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It’s been nearly eight years since the second Magic Mike movie, Magic Mike XXL (2015) and 11 years since Magic Mike (2012). This time the original director Steven Soderbergh is back with Channing Tatum for Magic Mike’s Last Dance.

Also starring Salma Hayek and Caitlin Gerard; we catch up with Mike following a business deal that went bust. Mike heads to London with a wealthy socialite (Hayek) who lures him with an offer he can’t refuse.

I’m not quite sure how worthwhile I’ll feel this third instalment of the Magic Mike films is by the end. But I do love Salma Hayek, impressive dance moves, the London setting, and how fun this all looks. Plus, what a great way to promote Magic Mike Live, which has existed in London for some years now.

So, fans of Tatum, Hayek, Soderbergh, dance and London; are you intrigued?

Gavin Spokes, Christie-Leigh Emby, Nas Ganev, Ayub Khan-Din, Christie-Leigh Emby, Barbara Ryan and Daniel Llaca also star.

Magic Mike’s Last Dance Release Dates: February 10th, 2023 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving

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Comedy, Drama

A MAN CALLED OTTO (2022): New Trailer From Tom Hanks, Kailey Hyman, Rachel Keller, Alessandra Perez, Christiana Montoya…

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Directed by Marc Forster; Tom Hanks, Alessandra Perez, Christiana Montoya, Kailey Hyman and Rachel Keller are the stars of A Man Called Otto. A comedy/drama about a grumpy widower who finally meets his match when he gets new neighbours.

Isn’t this just the type of Tom Hanks movie we’ve been waiting for?

I’m certainly ready for all the inevitable heartwarming goodness coming our way, especially during the festive season.

Grumpy Otto is clearly due to learn some important lessons, and I’m more than happy to watch him thaw as he does so.

Now, only if the thawing of all grumpy neighbours was as guaranteed as that of Otto. We can all dream, can’t we?

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Cameron Britton, Mike Birbiglia, Mariana Treviño, Lavel Schley, Elle Chapman, Kelly Lamor Wilson, Josefine Lindegaard, Juanita Jennings, on Donahue, Kirk Kelly, Phil Nardozzi, and Spenser Granese also star.

A Man Callo Otto Release Dates: January 6th 2023 (UK); January 13th, 2023 (US)…

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Comedy, Drama, History

BABYLON (2022): New Trailer Starring Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Samara Weaving, Tobey Mcquire, Olivia Wilde…

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Lal La land (2016) and Whiplash (2014) director Damien Chazelle’s latest film is set in early Hollywood and stars Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Samara Weaving, Tobey Mcquire and Olivia Wilde.

Babylon is a historical comedy/drama that follows the rise and fall of multiple characters, as a result of outsized ambition and outrageous excess.

Even though this trailer was released back in September 2022, I hadn’t featured it sooner because it reminded me a little too much of Hail, Caesar!, a 2015 movie also set during the earlier Hollywood years. And as excited as I was for the film, it turned out to be quite a major disappointment.

Babylon‘s filmmaking team is what has me most interested; more so than the themes. And now that September is long gone, I’ve gotten over the Hail, Caesar! issue a little more, which means I’ll probably give Babylon a fair chance.

How about you? What are your thoughts on this trailer? Are you also curious about how Pitt’s character compares to his turn as the undeniably cool Cliff Booth in Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood?

Jean Smart, Eric Roberts, Lukas Haas, Jeff Garlin, Spike Jonze, Phoebe Tonkin, Katherine Waterston, Max Minghella, Todd Giebenhain, Chloe Fineman, Jennifer Grant, Rhian Rees and Flea also star.

Babylon Release Dates: December 23rd, 2022 (US); January 20th, 2022 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving

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Action, Adventure, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

BLACK PANTHER – WAKANDA FOREVER (2022): The Things I Liked…

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Black Panther - Wakanda Forever (2022), Letitia Wright, Marvel Entertainment
Black Panther – Wakanda Forever (2022), Letitia Wright, Marvel Entertainment

I knew I would cry while watching the latest Black Panther movie. And flow those tears certainly did. Not too much, mind you. I couldn’t have my vision obstructed while a stunning visual spectacle was happening before me.

Director Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther – Wakanda Forever is a very engaging story with memorable performances. My favourite is delivered unsurprisingly, by Angela Basset (Queen Ramonda). Especially during the confrontation with Dana Gurira’s Okoye. I loved the framing, costume and camera work in those moments! So much so that I will be replaying that scene repeatedly once the movie is available on Disney+.

I love how the Black Panther films have been a welcome reminder of what is possible when all the elements that make a movie very entertaining come together beautifully. The dialogue, costume, music and cinematography combined for a truly memorable experience.

I admit that there was a point in the film where I became aware it was still playing, meaning the movie could have benefited from slightly tighter editing towards the end. Nevertheless, in addition to Coogler’s film being highly engaging and as epic as hoped, Black Panther – Wakanda Forever is simultaneously a perfect additional opportunity for fans to bid farewell to the man who so impressively represented when he donned the suit for Black Panther (2018). The images of Chadwick Boseman shining in the role are some of the most moving moments for me, especially towards the end. 

If you’re yet to do so, watch Black Panther – Wakanda Forever. You’ll most likely be glad you did.

Happy Film Loving

G

Drama, Horror, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

NANNY (2022): The Things I Liked…

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Nanny (2022), Anna Diop, Prime Video
Nanny (2022), Anna Diop, Prime Video

Sometimes you watch a movie that tells its story so refreshingly well, that you want to talk to someone about it immediately. You want to discuss the parts that thrilled, delighted and surprised you. But then you remember that you watched the movie all by yourself, which means that unless you want to strike up a conversation with the stranger next to you once the movie is over, you can’t. You also remember that you write spoiler-free movie reviews; meaning you still can’t mention the most fun specific details.

Written/directed by Nikyatu Jusu; the film in question that proved to be a rather pleasant surprise is Nanny; a drama/horror/thriller starring Anna Diop, Michelle Monaghan, Sinqua Walls and Leslie Uggams.

Nanny tells the story of Aisha, a Senegalese immigrant who takes care of the child of an Upper East Side American family. As Aisha goes about her days working and trying to piece together a life of her own in New York City, she starts having some not-so-easily explainable experiences.

I’ve mentioned a few times before that I don’t typically watch scary movies, particularly since a peaceful nightmare-free sleep is one of my favourite things. The great news here is that Nanny is more creepy than scary. It features well-executed special effects that I appreciated, even more, when the impressive reveal at the end came to light. There are beautiful shots, great lighting and a generally well-structured story to enjoy. One that hints perfectly at what is to come, but without spoiling the very worth-it ending.

I say give Nanny a chance and let the story surprise you. Though not perfect, mostly because of the rushed last five minutes, it’s certainly in the top two of my favourite movies I watched at the BFI London Film Festival this October.

Nanny Release Dates: 23rd November 2022 (Limited theatre release, US); 25th November 2022 (Limited cinema release, UK); Amazon Prime Video release, 16th December 2022 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

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Biography, Drama, History

CHEVALIER (2022): New Trailer Starring Kelvin Harrison Jr., Samara Weaving, Minnie Driver, Lucy Boynton…

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Kelvin Harrison Jr., Samara Weaving, Lucy Boynton and Minnie Driver are the stars of new biographical drama, Chevalier. A Stephen Williams-directed story about the illegitimate son of a slave and a plantation owner who rises to unexpected heights in French society as a composer.

The composer is Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges.

At least two audible yelps of excitement escaped my lips as I watched this trailer. And the reasons are as follows. I am a bigger fan of Kelvin Harrison Jr. than I realised. Particularly after his work in Waves (2019). Secondly, this clever trailer edit grabbed my attention, refused to let go, and I’m not mad about it. Thirdly, hello, compelling true story about an underdog making all his doubters choke almost violently on their words. (admittedly, one of my favourite things in any story). There’s also the charismatic Samara Weaving. 

And last but in no way least, the music, of course, the music. I can’t wait to see all the performances. Especially the musical face-off that happens at 0:35 seconds into the trailer.

Marton Csokas, Sian Clifford, Alec Newman, Alex Fitzalan, Ronke Adekoluejo, Jessica Boone, Jim High, Ben Bradshaw and Sam Barlien also star.

Chevalier Release Dates: AprIl 7th, 2023 (US)…

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Drama, Sport

CREED III (2023): New Trailer From Michael B. Jordan, Jonathan Majors, Tessa Thompson, Florian Munteanu…

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Creed III (2023), Jonathan Majors, MGM
Creed III (2023), Jonathan Majors, MGM

A new instalment of the Adonis Creed story is coming in 2023, and this time it’s a face-off between childhood friends.

Starring Michael B. Jordan (also the director), Tessa Thompson, Florian Munteanu and Jonathan Majors; Majors plays Creed’s childhood friend/former boxing prodigy with a point to make.

I don’t recall much about what happened in the last Creed movie, Well, except that a fight was very likely won by Jordan’s character. Still, I somehow wasn’t expecting a new instalment. How silly of me!

Since boxing doesn’t generally call to me, I’m drawn to watch this to experience what I believe to be Jordan’s directorial debut. I’m a fan of Thompson and Majors as well, so there’s also that.

Do you find yourself drawn to Creed III at all? If so, what are you most curious and or excited about?

Selenis Leyva, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Phylicia Rashad, Spence Moore II, Tony Bellew, Michelle Davidson, Jude Wells, Jessica McCaskill, Leah Haile and Candice Tracy Ross also star.

Creed III Release Dates: March 3rd, 2023 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

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Biography, Crime, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

THE GOOD NURSE (2022): The Things I Liked…

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Often when movies are described as a slow burn, my heart sinks a little because it can mean that the pace is lacking in the most unsatisfying way. Luckily, it just so happens that The Good Nurse, the latest biography/crime/drama from Danish director Tobias Lindholm is the kind of slow burn you want people to mean when they describe a movie as such.

Smartly shot, well-edited and acted, Lindholm’s movie is based on a true story about an infamous caregiver who is linked to the deaths of hundreds of hospital patients. 

Oscar winners Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne both deliver notable performances. Additional highlights include the camera work, how dramatic and quieter moments are captured, plus the pairing of Noah Emmerich and Nnamdi Asomugha in their specific roles.

Watch The Good Nurse for a welcome reminder of how highly engaging a film described as a slow burn can be.

The God Nurse Release Dates: October 26th, 2022 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

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