The Good Lie (2014), Ger Duony, Emmanuel Jal, Kuoth Wiel
Set in Sudan and the United States, director Philippe Falardeau’s The Good Lie follows the journey of Sudanese refugees given the chance to resettle in America, away from civil war in their home country.
Carrie (Reese Witherspoon), a feisty, strong and fiercely independent employment agency counsellor is one of the first people they meet when they arrive in the US, and you’ll be glad they did.
This is a beautiful, dramatic and humorous tale about friendship, survival, sacrifice, and family. There’s a chance that The Good Lie will have you reflecting upon the true value of unexpected kindness from perfect strangers.
The result of Bradley Cooper’s emotional transformation to play real-life US Sniper Chris Kyle is probably as impressive as the physical change he had to undergo. All so he can play the lead in Clint Eastwood’s latest, biography/drama, American Sniper (2014).
To say that based on the below trailer, the film looks great is just right. Sienna Miller, Owain Yeoman and Luke Grimes also star but what I’m really most curious about is the adventure into the psyche of the Sniper. Especially since such a job is so far from anything most of us could ever imagine choosing to do.
On a side note, watching this trailer definitely makes me want to re-watch The Hurt Locker (2008). Anyone else?
Knight Of Cups (2015), Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett
If you’ve glanced upon a few of my posts, you may know that I adore the work of Cate Blanchett. But what I’m yet to properly express is my appreciation for the talents of Christian Bale. To talk about that I need another post.
Today however, I sat at my computer as usual, hopeful for some new trailer delights – when Knight of Cups (2015) happened.
First I saw director Terrence Malick’s name, and like a good and loyal canine, up my ears went. Then Christian Bale and Cate Blanchett’s faces appeared. (Yes and yes!) By this point I was sure that my excitement had peaked. But then…
Natalie Portman! I haven’t seen my dear ‘Lady Portman’ in something amazing since Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan (2010). So, right now, happiness is most definitely me.
The idea that I’ll be able to maintain any semblance of calm on the day I go see Knight of Cups is very, very wrong. Until then though, I have this…
It’s not particularly the best/most thrilling trailer I’ve ever seen, but the talent… Oh, the talent!
I love the music in the new trailer for San Andreas (2015) (nothing to do with the Grand Theft Auto video games).
The general pace and rhythm of this preview provides a welcome contrast to the chaos of the film’s reality.
When I like a trailer, I always really hope that the film is equally good, if not better. To this end, seeing Paul Giamatti’s face helped provide some reassurance. In the meantime, I’ll cross my fingers for the end result.
One more thing, you don’t see her face in the trailer, (at least I didn’t) but this film is additional evidence of pop singer Kylie Minogue’s return to acting.
For those wondering, the song is a version/sample of The Mamas & Papas ‘California Dreaming…’ by Robot Koch & Delhia de France
Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia is the reason the name ‘Denise’ will never be the same for me again. It’s all thanks to a memorable line delivered by Tom Cruise as the infamous misogynist, Frank T.J. Mackey.
The delivery of the ‘Denise, Denise, Denise the piece‘ line may be somewhat comical, but the comedy of it is in no way the only thing that stays with you once the film ends.
Cruise’s performance was so good that it resulted in a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe win. Add Philip Seymour Hoffman, William H. Macy, plus so many other great talents to the cast list of this very well-written piece, and we have a winner in more ways than one.
Magnolia (1999), Julianne Moore
Magnolia is the first film that really made me pay attention to all the times in the future when the highly skilled Julianne Moore is listed as a cast member. There are plenty of great scenes to enjoy. I particularly love the drugstore scene from which the above still was captured. So good!
Magnolia (1999), Tom Cruise
Anderson’s movie is very well-executed and focuses on several relatable life themes, including one that reveals what can happen in adulthood when a young person’s support system fails them badly.
The theme that resonated most with me is regret. An important topic so expertly explored that Magnolia is a brilliant reminder for me to do all that I can to avoid regret.
I recommend making time for this affecting work of narrative artistry, so you’ll see precisely why it’s been described as epic.
