Category Archives: History

OPPENHEIMER (2023): The Things I Liked…

My feelings about Oppenheimer are similar to how I felt about Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-nominated American Sniper (2014). By this, I mean that the key performances were fantastic. But, as for the question of whether I like either film as a whole, not really. Oppenheimer is my least favourite of Christopher Nolan’s movies to date.

I can’t say that I strongly dislike Oppenheimer because it does a number of things well. Nevertheless, the film isn’t the best example of Nolan’s capabilities. Especially considering none of his films has ever forced me to reach for my phone because the events on screen were inadequately engaging.

One hour into the movie, I took a nap. Ten minutes after that, things became exciting again. Sadly, the rest of the movie continued in this fashion of dipping in and out of being engaging and tedious until towards the end.

Oppenheimer (2023), Emily Blunt, Universal Pictures
Oppenheimer (2023), Emily Blunt, Universal Pictures

Of course, a three-hour feature film is too long. And even though I may have been a little tired that day, that fact doesn’t negate the need for better pacing and a tighter edit. There also wasn’t enough variety for me, visually speaking. The black-and-white scenes where Oppenheimer and his associates get interrogated, though those scenes had some engaging peaks, it felt repetitive and tedious in parts.

I guessed that Nolan’s latest film wouldn’t be as thrilling as Inception (2010), The Dark Knight (2008) or Interstellar (2014). After all, the film is limited by the fact that it’s a biography. And therefore, it can only focus on events that happened. Additionally, it’s a story about one of the darkest events in recent human history, meaning that fun is unlikely to be a word to describe the viewing experience. Even so, I thought I’d be engaged at least 90% of the time, as per the usual Nolan film experience.

A notable highlight of Oppenheimer is how, through stunning visuals, the sometimes jarringly loud sound and Murphy’s faultless portrayal, Nolan gives us glimpses into the inner workings of a genius mind, one haunted by a parasitic idea, dare I say.

I also appreciate that Oppenheimer had me thinking about the reality that humans will likely be responsible for whichever end-of-the-world scenario we find ourselves in. Largely thanks to the double-edged sword that is our compulsion to innovate.

Oppenheimer (2023), Emily Blunt, Universal Pictures
Oppenheimer (2023), Emily Blunt, Universal Pictures

The majority of memorable moments in Oppenheimer are thanks to brilliant performances and scenes with great dialogue. For example, all the scenes between Cillian Murphy and Matt Damon’s character, Casey Affleck’s brief but highly unsettling time on screen and each time that Emily Blunt and Murphy’s characters appear together. There’s also Robert Downey Jr.’s latter scenes and, last but not least, the perfection of the final scene.

I wish that I fully enjoyed the story edit along with the award-nomination-worthy performances. I suppose I’ll get over it at some point.

Have you seen Oppenheimer yet? If not, based on the whisperings you’ve heard so far, do you still think it’s big-screen worthy? If you’ve already seen it, where does it land in your list of favourites, a list that includes Inception and Tenet ?

Happy Film Loving

G

KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON (2023): New Trailer From Martin Scorsese, Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, Jesse Plemons…

A historical crime/drama set in the 1920s is the latest from Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Killers of the Flower Moon focuses on the relationship between the United States and its indigenous people, especially after members of the Osage tribe are mysteriously murdered, leading to an investigation involving F.B.I director J. Edgar Hoover.

I’ll start by addressing the humongous elephant in the room, following the above potentially confusing introductory paragraphs. Killers of the Flower Moon will not feature Dicaprio reprising his role as Hoover, as per the 2011 film, J. Edgar. He’s playing Ernest Burkhart and only Ernest Burkhart.

Now that we’ve cleared that up, and my giggles have dissipated, I’m intrigued by the smarts referred to at 0:22 in this trailer. I’m also very curious to see the evolution of Dicaprio and Gladstone’s characters.

Dark history is certainly what we’re in for with this one. As such, the question is, will you be ready to see this story told by such brilliant filmmakers? If so, how are you feeling about sitting through the 3.26-hour run time?

Lily Gladstone, Jesse Plemons, John Lithgow, Cara Jade Myers, Jillian Dion, Jason Isbell, Tantoo Cardinal, Brendan Fraser, Janae Collins, William Belleau, Sturgill Simpson, Louis Cancelmi, Jason Isbell and Scott Shepherd also star

Killers of the Flower Moon Release Dates: October 6th, 2023 (US); October 20th, 2023, UK…

Happy Film Loving

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OPPENHEIMER (2023): New Trailer Starring Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh and Rami Malek…

Read my spoiler-free movie review of  Oppenheimer (2023).


American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer‘s Christopher Nolan directed biography has a brand new trailer, and like all Nolan trailers, it does not disappoint.

Interesting and moving are the words for how it’s going to be to watch this while knowing what’s happening in the world right now. Yet, with such a magnificent Filmmaking team lead by Nolan, and starring Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Florence Pugh and Rami Malek, I say bring it on.

Bring on the audiovisual feast that is a Christopher Nolan film. I’m ready for my traditional pause for silent reflection at the end. Reflection on how grateful I am for film and its position as the perfect amalgamation of all the arts.

Robert Downey Jr., Gary Oldman, James Remar, Casey Affleck, Jack Quaid, David Krumholtz, Benny Safdie, Michael Angarano, Josh Hartnett and Kenneth Branagh also star.

Oppenheimer Release Dates: July 21st, 2023 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving 

G

QUEEN CHARLOTTE –  A BRIDGERTON STORY: Episode One, London Premiere…

Queen Charlotte - A Briderton Story, Corey Mylchreest, Netflix
Queen Charlotte – A Briderton Story, Corey Mylchreest, Netflix

Fans of the Bridgerton universe have been impatiently waiting for season three of Netflix’s popular regency era period drama. 

So far, each season has focused on the dramatic love story of one of the eight Bridgerton siblings, starting with Daphne, followed by her big brother Anthony. Each season has taken place against a colourful backdrop with sumptuous costume design and excellent adaptations of popular modern music to fit the period, to name just two highlights.

For those who didn’t already know, 2023 isn’t the year we get to watch Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington’s love story unfold. That’s on the agenda for 2024. Instead, 2023 is the year of Queen Charlotte, the most powerful, and certainly one of the most fun to watch characters of the Bridgerton stories. 

Queen Charlotte - A Briderton Story, Arsema Thomas (Young Lady Agatha Danbury), Netflix
Queen Charlotte – A Briderton Story, Arsema Thomas (Young Lady Agatha Danbury), Netflix

Starring India Amarteifio, Golda Rosheuvel, Corey Mylchreest and Arsema Thomas; Queen Charlotte – A Briderton Storywhich had its London premiere on April 21st 2023, in Leicester Square, is a six-episode prequel about the rise and love life of the young Queen. I had the pleasure of attending said premiere and watching the first episode of the new series. The good news is that much of what fans love about the first two seasons seems to be present in this prequel. Specifically, the intriguing love story, the often fun/funny dialogue and the memorable, well-styled musical score/soundtrack. Not to forget the colourful, stunningly designed world in which all these elements live.

One of the first things you notice while watching the trailer for Queen Charlotte – A Briderton Story is what a great job the casting director has done. Especially regarding the young versions of Queen Charlotte and Lady Agatha Danbury. As for how much I enjoyed episode one overall, I can say that I liked it most towards the end, after the wedding. I can also say that the way episode one concludes had my mind conjuring up the Netflix site as I saw myself immediately clicking the ‘Next Episode’ button, something all fans will have to patiently wait for until May 4th 2023. 

Queen Charlotte - A Briderton Story, Golda Rosheuvel, Netflix
Queen Charlotte – A Briderton Story, Golda Rosheuvel, Netflix

As for the elements of episode one that had me least enthused, personally, the shots of the wedding seemed too long. The story edit needed to do a little more to keep me fully locked in because the pace left me wanting in places. Also, there wasn’t quite enough going on for me to think, ‘My, my, this is super.’ That is, of course, until after the wedding. Hence my mind conjuring up said ‘Next Episode’ button. 

Overall, there is simply too much promise for me not to watch the remaining five episodes on May 4th. Particularly since since there are few things I love more than to watch any woman claim her power.

Queen Charlotte – A Briderton Story Release Dates: May 4th, 2023, Netflix.

Happy Film Loving,

G

OPPENHEIMER (2023): New Trailer From Christopher Nolan, Starring Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Rami Malek, Florence Pugh…

Christopher Nolan’s latest film stars Cillian Murphy, Rami Malek, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon and Florence Pugh.

Biography/historical drama Oppenheimer is the story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer. Specifically the part he played in the development of the atomic bomb.

My all-time favourite movie trailer happens to be for a Christopher Nolan Film. As such, it’s unsurprising that the long-awaited full trailer for his latest work also has me excited to the point I was moved to yelp joyfully as it played.

All my joyful yelping and excitement aside, brilliant and certainly chilling are two words that seem fitting regarding the energy and dialogue present in this trailer. And since Murphy is an actor who always delivers in his performances; if the transformation in his eyes is anything to go by, I can hardly wait to be moved in all the ways I’m bound to be.

Of course, there’s also the stunning cinematography courtesy of Hoyte van Hoytema, who most recently worked on Nope (2022), Tenet (2020) and, Dunkirk (2017).

Robert Downey Jr., Gary Oldman, James Remar, Casey Affleck, Jack Quaid, David Krumholtz, Benny Safdie, Michael Angarano, Josh Hartnett and Kenneth Branagh also star

Oppenheimer Release Dates: July 21st, 2023 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

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

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

G

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

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)…

Happy Film Loving

G

THE WOMAN KING (2022): New Trailer From Viola Davis, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Lashana Lynch, John Boyega…

The Woman King (2022), John Boyega, Sony Pictures Entertainment
The Woman King (2022), John Boyega, Sony Pictures Entertainment

Inspired by true events, The Woman King tells the story of one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. A place called The Kingdom of Dahomey.

Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood; Viola Davis, John Boyega, Sheila Atim, Hero Feinnes Tiffin and Shaina West star.

I happened to be familiar with the Dahomey before this trailer. And their story is certainly worthy of a historical epic.

I’m in for the impressive action in the above 2:35 seconds, a depiction of the courage it must have taken for the Dahomey to exist for as long as they did. Plus, Davis and Lynch, of course.

Thuso Mbedu, Jayme Lawson, Jordan Bolger, Adrienne Warren star. Masali Baduza, Makgotso M, Angélique Kidjo, Thando Dlomo and Jimmy Odukoya also star.

The Woman King Release Dates: September 16th, 2022 (US); October 7th, 2022 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G