Action, Adventure, Comedy

ANT-MAN AND THE WASP – QUANTUMANIA (2023): New Trailer Starring Paul Rudd, Jonathan Majors, Evangeline Lily…

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Directed by Peyton Reed; Ant-Man and The Wasp – Quantumania has its key characters, including Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) exploring the Quantum Realm. A place where they encounter strange creatures, Kang The Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) and an adventure that goes beyond what they thought possible.

Here’s the thing; it’s doubtful that I’ll actually watch this movie. Especially since I’ve not been moved to watch a single Ant-Man film yet.

So, considering the above, why have I featured the film at all? I love the music and the ways it’s used in this trailer. Additionally, I’ve always enjoyed a deep-voiced villain – and third, the trailer gets more interesting and fun for me from 1:34 minutes onwards. Well, except for that part where Ant-Man’s daughter screams ‘Dad!‘ It just feels as though a more emotional version of that was needed for the moment. Luckily though, we end on a high with Kang The Conqueror’s magnificent scream.

Have you seen any Ant-Man movies? How much does this one appeal to you?

Randall Park, Michael Douglas, Kathryn Newton, Katy M. O’Brian, William Jackson Harper, Michelle Pfeiffer, Bill Murray, Corey Stoll and Leonardo Taiwo also star

Ant-Man and The Wasp – Quantumania Release Dates: February 17th, 2023 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

Action, Comedy, Crime, No Spoiler Reviews

VIOLENT NIGHT (2022): The Things I Liked…

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Violent Night (2022), David Harbour, Universal Pictures
Violent Night (2022), David Harbour, Universal Pictures

I found Violent Night, a movie about a group of robbers who attack the estate of a wealthy family on Christmas eve quite delightful. It put me in the best mood for at least twenty-four hours post-viewing.

I truly liked everything about director Tommy Wirkola’s film, including the fun, violent and Christmasy theme; a welcome difference when compared to the usual Christmas movie fair.

For me, the script, cinematography, fight sequences and overall performances delivered the promise made by the equally charming trailer months earlier. 

There’s no doubt that some people will find the violence too much. Still, I wouldn’t say that Violent Night meets the brutality and savagery levels achieved by Tarantino films.

I say give Wirkola’s film a chance if you’re curious. Several people have referred to it as a combination of Die Hard (1988) and Home Alone (1990). I don’t remember too much about the Die Hard films, but it sounds pretty accurate, no?

‘A perfect film’ is not the right phrase to describe Violent Night. But the imperfections are part of what made it so fun to me. There’s also the pleasant-to-watch pairing of David Harbour and John Leguizamo in one film together as adversaries.

Happy Film Loving

G

Comedy, Drama

YOUR PLACE OR MINE (2023): New Trailer From Reese Witherspoon, Jesse Williams, Ashton Kutcher, Zoe Chao…

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Two long-distance best friends change each other’s lives when she decides to pursue a lifelong dream and he volunteers to keep an eye on her teenage son.

Directed by Aline Brosh McKenna; Reese Witherspoon, Jesse Williams, Zoe Chao and Ashton Kutcher’s latest movie is a a drama/romance.

Also starring Steve Zahn, Wesley Kimmel and Rachel Bloom, Your Place or Mine is about two long-distance best friends (Debbie and Peter) whose lives change after Debbie decides to pursue a lifelong dream and Peter volunteers to keep an eye on her teenage son.

I’m so happy to see Resse in something light-hearted and fun. I’m also not mad at the involvement of Williams and Kutcher either.

I love the colours in this trailer. It has LA and New York looking mighty inviting. Yes, it looks quite predictable, but I just want to spend some screen time with these actors and their characters.

How intrigued are you this Your Place or Mine?

Steve Zahn, Tig Notaro, Griffin Matthews and Shiri Appleby also star.

Your Place or Mine Release Dates: February 10th, 2023 (UK & UK), Netflix…

Happy Film Loving

G

Comedy, Fantasy, Horror

RENFIELD (2023): New Trailer From Nicolas Cage, Nicholas Hoult, Ben Schwartz, Awkwafina…

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Starring Nicholas Hoult, Nicolas Cage, Ben Schwartz and Awkwafina; the trailer for director Chris McKay’s comedy/fantasy/horror Renfield is here.

The very promising story follows Renfield, the tortured aide to Dracula, history’s most narcissistic boss. 

After centuries of servitude, Renfield is now ready to see if there is life outside the shadow of The Prince of Darkness.

I like this angle on the Dracula story, especially considering that it’s a comedy. 

As for Hoult’s involvement, first he was ‘R’ in Warm Bodies (2013) and now he is Renfield. I just realised that, for me, there’s something about Hoult in ghostly face makeup that makes his characters that much more intriguing. I’m sure it’s more about his prowess at portraying vulnerability, or his facial features rather than the white face paint that draw me in. Either way, I’m excited and ready for the fun dialogue plus action that Renfield is promising to serve up. 

It will certainly be interesting to see the clever solution that Renfield settles on to end this unpleasant phase of his working life. Let’s wish the poor chap a lot of luck.

Shohreh Aghdashloo, Ben Schwartz, Brandon Scott Jones, Jenna Kanell, Caroline Williams, Adrian Martinez, Joshua Mikel, Choppy Guillotte, Dave Davis, Gissette Valentin, Taylor Shurte and Bess Rous also star.

Happy Film Loving

G

Comedy, Romance

YOU PEOPLE (2023): New Trailer From Kenya Barris, Starring Jonah Hill, Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Nia Long, Lauren London, David Duchovny…

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You People (2023), Lauren London, Jonah Hill, Netflix
You People (2023), Lauren London, Jonah Hill, Netflix

The latest from Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jonah Hill, Lauren London, Nia Long and David Duchovny is a comedy/Romance directed by and co-written by Kenya Barris.

You People is a story about modern love, family dynamics and clashing cultures through the experiences of a new couple as they get to know each other’s families.

The comedy talent is the main reason I need to see this. Especially the pairing of Eddie Murphey and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The latter happens to be my favourite comedic actress. And the former is responsible for my introduction to stand-up comedy as an art form, thanks to a smash hit comedy special called Raw (1987).

I’m expecting a handful of laughs and some tense but very entertaining dinner table moments. I can only imagine how much fun they all had filming this.

Will you be watching You People? Whose performance are you most interested in seeing?

Travis Bennett, Deon Cole, Elliott Gould, Mike Epps, Yung Miami, Bryan Greenberg, Khadijah Haqq, La La Anthony, Rhea Perlman and Molly Gordon also star.

You People Release Dates: January 27th, 2023 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

Action, Adventure, Fantasy, No Spoiler Reviews

AVATAR (2009): The Thing I Missed…

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I wasn’t sure what to expect when I decided to re-watch Avatar (2009), writer/director James Cameron’s action/adventure/fantasy about a paraplegic Marine dispatched on a unique mission to the moon Pandora.

Perhaps even more so than the impressive special effects Avatar is most known for, I particularly remember how strongly Cameron’s film reminded me of how easily evil wins when those who oppose it do nothing. And post second viewing, I can confirm that said message still rings clearly for me today. I mean, it is a recurrent theme in the human experience.

There is one other thing that stood out ever so clearly to me this time around. And it’s something that barely registered back in 2009, Zoe Saldana’s emotional performance as Neytiri. The visuals must have been too stunning for me to notice her contribution the first time around. But, as they say, better late than never, right? I certainly have a brand new respect for Saldana as an actor now.

As cliché as some feel the Avatar story is, for me, the thought never crossed my mind as I took in the movie. Perhaps I was too engaged with all the arresting audio-visual events happening before my eyes at the time. Whatever the case, I’m glad Avatar exists, and I was here to watch, even if Avatar may not end up in my list of top ten favourite movies.

I’m sure that by now, several of you have already re-watched Avatar and the follow-up Avatar – The Way of Water. And based on what many have said, both films are as impressive and epic as James Cameron movies are known to be. I’ll likely agree with this sentiment when I finally see The Way of Water before this month ends. I wonder what I’ll miss and only notice when I watch it again several years later. 

Did you also rewatch Avatar before the new release? And if so, how do you feel upon second viewing? Perhaps you also missed something the first time around.

Happy Film Loving

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

G

Comedy, Horror, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

THE MENU (2022): The Things I Liked…

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There are many good things about director Mark Mylod’s comedy/horror/thriller, The Menu. 

The cast is fantastic, and the performances faultless, which makes sense since one can hardly go wrong with John Leguizamo, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Feinnes, Hong Chau, Janet McTeer and Nicholas Hoult on the same call sheet. Especially considering the delightfully rhythmic dialogue plus the unexpected twists and turns.

Mylod’s story about a young couple who travel to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant, but end up faced with shocking surprises is fun and will leave you with plenty to talk about afterwards.

The topics I had to discuss immediately once the end credits rolled included Anya Taylor-Joy’s Margot character being my favourite. I enjoyed Margot’s disposition and every word that came out of her mouth. Hong Chau’s Elsa is also fun for similar reasons to Margot, but undoubtedly in part because of her memorable outfit.

The Menu (2022), Anya Taylor-Joy, Searchlight Pictures
The Menu (2022), Anya Taylor-Joy, Searchlight Pictures

The Menu does well at keeping the audience far from comfortable from the beginning because of the mystery surrounding what the evening has in store for both the audience and the characters. Yet, the part-horror characterisation is not nightmare-inducing. What it is, is a memorable movie experience.

I’m convinced that The Menu might have benefited from being a mini-series rather than a feature film. Specifically because some moments felt inadequately fleshed out, resulting in my inability to buy into a handful of the decisions made by some characters.

Admittedly, I also eventually tired of Feinnes’s Chef Slowik character, distinctly how his pretentious and subsequently unlikable qualities manifest when he demands the attention of his guests.

Watch The Menu because it’s fun. Lastly, the things it gets right will probably leave you feeling glad that the movie exists. 

Happy Film Loving

G

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