Category Archives: Drama

Drama, Romance

WE LIVE IN TIME (2024): New Trailer From Florence Pugh, Andrew Garfield, Aoife Hinds…

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Read my spoiler-free movie review of We Live in Time (2024).

John Crowley is the director of We Live in Time, the latest drama/romance starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield.

It all starts with a chance encounter that leads to the decade-long love story of an up-and-coming chef and a recent divorcée.

Several thoughts: I love their meet cute. This trailer edit and use of music are beautiful. But, I’m not necessarily sure I’ll watch it and that’s largely because I’m guaranteed to boohoo if I do and I’m just not looking for that right now. Additionally, The Fault In Our Stars (2024) still feels fresh to me and the two films seem to have some commonalities.

Conversely, with trailer moments like the one that starts at 1:34 seconds and beautiful words such as ‘I’m guilty of looking ahead instead of, right in front of me, at you;’ maybe I’ll get over my hesitations. After all, I am a big fan of ‘the Pugh’, especially since her work in Midsommar (2019).

How do you feel about the We Live in Time trailer?

Aoife Hinds, Marama Corlett, Nikhil Parmar, Kevin Brewer, Adam James, Grace Molony, Gianni Calchetti, Heather Craney, Laura Guest, Daniel Bowerbank and Roe Haven also star.

We Live In Time Release Dates: October 11th, 2024 (US)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

THE BEAR (2022): The Things I Liked…

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I recently watched the first two seasons of The Bear on Disney+. It’s a comedy/drama about a young chef with a fine dining past who returns to Chicago to take over his family’s sandwich shop, the perfect setting for power struggles, unresolved familial issues and much more.

The first episode of The Bear is a great one. It’s the kind that captures what it must be like to work in a professional kitchen so well, that I couldn’t help but wonder about how much work it took to make those first scenes look so good. I’m talking about super-engaging dialogue, well-choreographed movement/camera work and a skilled and charismatic lead actor (Jeremy Allen White) who inspires just the right amount of curiosity about his character.

The Bear (2024), Jeremy Allen White, Disney+
The Bear (2024), Jeremy Allen White, Disney+

In truth, all the actors in The Bear are great, including Ayo Edebiri, Jamie Lee Curtis, Liza Colón-Zayas, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Lionel Boyce, to name just a few.

You may already know that creator Christopher Storer’s show has been quite the hit, with several award nominations and wins, including Golden Globes and Emmys. It’s no wonder that seasons two and three feature a fun selection of A-lister guest stars. 

The Bear is generally well-written, acted and shot with some specific standout scenes that will stay with you for a while. 

The Bear (2024), Ayo Edebiri, Disney+

Seasons one and two are good, even though it did become difficult for me to watch and endure the shenanigans of the older ‘cousin.’ However, the recently released season three is where I must admit that I can now see myself being less excited about the next season. For me, I think I’ve spent enough time in the kitchen. I’ve seen enough of what I wasn’t aware I was curious about. I’m done with the super long shots of specific characters that linger long enough to test my patience. There seem to be plenty of those in season three. It’s all starting to feel too pretentious and self-indulgent, unfortunately. 

It’s clear that I’m very likely falling out of love with The Bear. Yet, I’d still say give it a chance if you’re curious. Particularly because of all it does well that you may also enjoy. 

Have you seen The Bear? Are you at all curious?

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Action, Crime, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

THE CROW (1994): The Things I Liked…

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The Crow is one of those movies I’ve heard about often over the years. Now that I’ve finally seen it, more than the subject matter, my knowledge of director Alex Proyas’s film was limited to the fact that lead actor Brandon Lee was tragically killed on set.

The story of The Crow centres around Eric Draven (Lee), a man who comes back to life after being brutally murdered, along with his girlfriend; his sole mission being to avenge their deaths.

As an action/crime/drama which was largely well-received by audiences, my favourite thing about The Crow is Lee’s stunt work and the engaging way he moved as Eric, especially after his death.

It may be the case that, for the 90s, The Crow was groundbreaking and impressive. But for me, everything outside of Lee’s performance didn’t prove especially memorable or particularly noteworthy, even as someone who appreciates a good vengeance movie. As such, I’m curious about what you think of The Crow. Are you a big fan and therefore, excited about the upcoming remake starring Bill Skarsgard?

Perhaps there’s something about the 1994 movie that I missed. Do share in the comments below.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Action, Adventure, Drama

GLADIATOR II (2024): New Trailer Starring Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, Pedro, Joseph Quinn, Connie Nielsen…

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Ridley Scott’s epic Gladiator (2000) finally has a sequel and it stars Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, Joseph Quinn, Pedro Pascal and Connie Nielsen.

Following Maximus’s death, the story picks up with Lucius, the son of Maximus’s love Lucilla.

I’ll start by saying that the original Gladiator film is the first movie I watched that was so impressive that it left me speechless. Now that I have seen the trailer for the follow-up, as harsh as it sounds, it appears I may be wise to lower my expectations.

Much of this trailer just isn’t clicking for me right now, and that’s before mentioning the ill-advised soundtrack.

As wonderful as the actors are, I’m not getting the expected epic vibe as I watch this. Dare I say, so far, Gladiator II is feeling oddly lower budget. Plus, I already miss Russell Crowe’s Maximus Decimus Meridius.

It also looks like I’ll have to see one more Pedro Pascal character slain in another one-on-one battle, just like his much-loved Oberyn (my favourite character) in Game of Thrones. That’s not necessarily something I want to see again.

With all the above in mind, I may have to hold back before I buy my ticket. I hope I’m wrong – and may well be. But what do you think?

Fred Hechinger, Alexander Karim, Derek Jacobi, Chidi Ajufo, Peter Mensah, Rory McCann, Riana Duce, May Calamawy, Tim McInnerny, Alec Utgoff and Matt Lucas also star.

Gladiator II Release Dates: November 15th 2024 (UK); November 22nd, 2024 (US)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Drama, Sport

F1 (2025): New Teaser Trailer Starring Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon…

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Read my spoiler-free movie review of F1-The Movie (2025).

Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Javier Bardem and Kerry Condon are the stars of F1, a new drama/sport film directed by Joseph Kosinski.

The story follows Formula One driver Sonny Hayes (Pitt) who ends his retirement to mentor and team with younger driver, Joshua Pearce (Idris).

I don’t generally watch Formula One, but I am impressed by Lewis Hamilton, who will appear in this film at least once.

The story of greatness and the Pitt/Idris dynamic are the elements that have me most interested. Also, it appears we have plenty of exhilarating driving footage coming our way.

Are you an F1 fan? It’s certainly not a prerequisite in order to find this movie intriguing.

Tobias Menzies, Callie Cooke, Sarah Niles, Samson Kayo, Kim Bodnia, Lewis Hamilton, Joseph Balderrama, Will Merrick, Abdul Salis and Rachel Walters also star.

F1 Release Dates: June 25th, 2025 (UK); June 27th, 2025 (US)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Source: JustWatch