Category Archives: History

Biography, Drama, History

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

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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

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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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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)…

Happy Film Loving

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Action, Drama, History

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

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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)…

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Documentary, History

AMEND – THE FIGHT FOR AMERICA (2021): New Trailer For Documentary About The 14th Amendment, and Starring Will Smith, Diane Lane, Joshua Jackson…

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Amend - The Fight for America (2021), Will Smith, Netflix
Amend – The Fight for America (2021), Will Smith, Netflix

Hosted by Will Smith, Amend – The Fight for America is a new series that offers a look at the evolving, often lethal, fight for equal rights in America; through the lens of the US Constitution’s 14th Amendment.

Created by Robe Imbriano and Tom Yellin; additional key cast includes Diane Lane, Mahershala Ali, Laverne Cox, Joshua Jackson, Samuel L. Jackson and Aja Naomi King.

I couldn’t help but think of Ava DuVernay’s 13th (2016) as this played. For it’s a very informative and useful documentary about the history of racial inequality in the the United States prison system.

I’m not expecting this to be quite as eye-opening as 13th, but I am looking forward to learning a thing or two, and seeing the various ways all the famous people involved will be contributing. 

Randall Park, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Sterling K. Brown, Bobby Cannavale, Rafael Casal, Whitney Cummings and many more also star. 

Amend – The Fight for America Release Dates: February 17th, 2021, Netflix, (US)…

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Biography, Drama, History

JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH (2021): Trailer 2 Starring Daniel Kaluuya, LaKeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons, Dominique Fishback…

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Judas and The Black Messiah (2020), Daniel Kaluuya, Warner Bros. Pictures
Judas and The Black Messiah (2021), Daniel Kaluuya, Warner Bros. Pictures

Producer Ryan Coogler and director Shaka King’s biography, Judas and the Black Messiah has a second trailer.

Starring Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons and Dominique Fishback; Judas and the Black Messiah is the story of the fateful betrayal of Fred Hampton, Chairman of the Illinois Black Panther Party.

I’m going to need a box of tissues with this one. And this magnificent cast; Stanfield, Kaluuya, Fishback and Plemons; I cannot wait.

If it wasn’t already clear, because of all the movies that had to be moved from last year to this one, 2021 is going to be quite the year for film. I hope you’re ready.

Lil Rel Howery, Algee Smith, Jermaine Fowler, Martin Sheen, Ashton Sanders, Robert Longstreet, Dominique Fishback, Nick Fink and Darrell Britt-Gibson also star.

Judas and The Black Messiah Release Dates: February 12th, 2021, (US); February 26th, 2021 (UK)…

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Biography, Drama, History

THE DIG (2021): New Trailer From Carey Mulligan, Lily James, Ralph Fiennes, Johnny Flynn…

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The Dig (2021), Ralph Fiennes
The Dig (2021), Ralph Fiennes

In new drama/biography The Dig, Carey Mulligan is a wealthy widow who hires an amateur archaeologist (Ralph Fiennes) to excavate the burial mounds on her estate, when they make a historic discovery, all while WWII is looming.

Directed by Simon Stone; additional key cast includes Lily James and Johnny Flynn.

I’m not particularly into archeology but the cast is good; James (My favourite Cinderella (2015) and Mulligan who’s simply great in everything.

Ken Stott, Ben Chaplin, Monica Dolan, Arsher Ali, Joe Hurst, Chris Wilson, Eileen Davies, Grant Crookes, Jane Fowler, James Dryden and Ellie Piercy also star.

The Dig Release Dates: January 29th, 2021 (US), Netflix…

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Drama, History

THE CROWN – Season 4 (2020): New Trailer Starring Olivia Colman, Emma Corrin, Gillian Anderson…

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The Crown – Season 4 (2020), Gillian Anderson, Netflix
The Crown – Season 4 (2020), Gillian Anderson, Netflix

The 1970s are drawing to a close and securing an appropriate bride for Prince Charles (Josh O’Connor), who still happens to be unmarried at 30 is a key focus in season 4 of The Crown.

There’s also the divisive policies introduced by Britain’s first female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (Gillian Anderson). Tensions arise between her and the Queen (Olivia Colman) as Britain begins to feel the impact of Thatcher’s policies and the Prime Minister leads the country into the Falklands War.

I’m still yet to watch a single episode of The Crown and it’s mainly due to lack of time. I’ll have to see it eventually though, even if it’s just to experience fully the acting power in this trailer.

I particularly can’t wait to watch Anderson’s turn as Margaret Thatcher, a.k.a The Iron Lady. The dynamic and dialogue between her and Queen Elizabeth II looks like a lot of fun to watch. I

‘m also curious about Corrin who’ll be playing Princess Diana; a very important role indeed. I’d have been quite happy if the lady in this video got that part. I’m not even sure she auditioned, but she sure does look like her, no?

The Crown – Season 4 Release Dates: November 15th, 2020 (US & UK), Netflix…

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