Tag Archives: Annette Bening

CAPTAIN MARVEL (2018): The Things I Liked…

Captain Marvel (2018), Brie Larson, Marvel Studios
Captain Marvel (2018), Brie Larson, Marvel Studios

The subject of Captain Marvel, Marvel Studios’s first superhero film with a female superhero as the main character is Carol Danvers (Brie Larson). Danvers is an officer of the United States Air Force who, following an accident, ends up becoming one of the universe’s most powerful heroes.

Also starring Lashana Lynch, Jude Law, Annette Bening and directed by Anna Boden plus Ryan Fleck, Captain Marvel features the classic elements of the superhero origin story. Yet it also has a couple of satisfying twists and turns I didn’t see coming, especially since I don’t read comic books.

Well acted, adequately engaging – both story-wise and visually, what will stay with me most about this movie is the moment I realised and saw just how powerful Captain Marvel really is. A truth that had me both wowed and wondering about who the most powerful avenger actually is. I also couldn’t help but be curious about the important role Captain Marvel would eventually play in Avengers Endgame (2019).

Having seen Wonder Woman (2017), DC Comic’s first female superhero movie months prior to the Captain Marvel release, part of the reason I was drawn to the latter film was to find out which of the two movies I’d find more entertaining. In short, the answer is Wonder woman. I’m not saying I think it’s a perfect film but I do remember enjoying the humour, story, action, musical score and visual effects that little bit more.

I’m now wondering if Wonder woman will still come out in front once I’ve seen the sequels for both films, when they eventually arrive.

I’d say watch Captain Marvel if you’re curious but you probably already have. So instead I’ll ask, which movie did you prefer and why? Captain Marvel or Wonder Woman?

Happy Film Loving

G

HOPE GAP (2019): New Trailer From Annette Bening, Bill Nighy, Josh O’Connor…

Hope Gap (2019), Annette Bening, Roadside Attractions
Hope Gap (2019), Annette Bening, Roadside Attractions

Written and directed by William Nicholson; starring Annette Bening, Bill Nighy and Josh O’Connor, Hope Gap is a new drama / romance about a husband who tells his wife that he’s leaving her during a visit with their son.

Additional key cast includes Aiysha Hart, Ryan McKen, Nicholas Burns, Rose Keegan, Steven Pacey…

Can I really take another divorce movie so soon after Marriage Story (2019)? My heart is unsure but my head is saying ‘Yes please! You love Bening and Nighy!’ And just like that I shall. I mean, it’s not released for another one and a half months afterall.

Also, does anyone else think that Bening’s English accent kind of sounds a lot like the ever delightful Emma Thompson?

Derren Litten, Nicholas Blane, Ninette Finch, Sally Rogers, Jason Lines and Steven Pacey also star.

Hope Gap Release Dates: March 6th, 2020 (US), June 12th, 2020 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

THE REPORT (2019): New Trailer From Adam Driver, Jon Hamm, Michael C. Hall, Annette Bening…

The Report (2019), Adam Driver
The Report (2019), Adam Driver

Adam Driver, Jon Hamm, Michael C. Hall and Annette Bening are the stars of The Report, a new drama set in the aftermath of 9/11.

Written / directed by Scott Z. Burns, the story is focused on the CIA agents involved in using extreme interrogation tactics as they try to find those responsible…

First of all, this is a perfectly edited trailer. Loving the sound, the voices, music and perhaps most of all, the dialogue. I couldn’t help but think of Aaron Sorkin as I listened.

Also, I’ve really been enjoying Driver’s movie choices recently. As such I can hardly wait to take in all greatness that this one seems to promise.

Corey Stoll, Michael C. Hall, Maura Tierney, Ben McKenzie, Matthew Rhys, Tim Blake Nelson and Ted Levine also star.

The Report Release Dates: November 15th, 2019 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

G

THE SEAGULL (2018): New Trailer From Saoirse Ronan, Anette Bening, Elisabeth Moss, Corey Stoll…

The seagull (2018), Saoirse Ronan
The seagull (2018), Saoirse Ronan

Based on Russian Playwright Anton Chekov’s famous play The Seagull. Saoirse Ronan, Anette Bening, Elisabeth Moss and Corey Stoll star while Michael Mayer directs.

The Seagull tells the story of ageing actress Irina who visits her brother Pjotr and her son Konstantin on a country estate and brings Trigorin, a successful novelist, with her. What follows is the chaos of romantic and artistic conflicts between four characters…

All I knew about The Seagull until now is that it’s a famous play by Anton Chekov, one that many great actors have been delighted about having a part in. Knowing that as I do, I find myself a little underwhelmed after seeing this trailer. I was perhaps expecting greater dramatics. Maybe the finished product will provide what I imagine to be missing.

Billy Howle, Michael Zegen and Jon Tenney also star.

The Seagull Release Dates: May 11th, 2018 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

G

FILMSTARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL (2017): New Trailer From Jamie Bell, Annette Bening, Vanessa Redgrave…

Filmstars Don't Die In Liverpool (2017), Annette Bening, Jamie Bell
Filmstars Don’t Die In Liverpool (2017), Annette Bening, Jamie Bell

Directed by Paul McGuigan; set in 1979 and starring  Jamie Bell, Annette Bening plus Vanessa Redgrave, Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool is the story of a romance between a young actor and a Hollywood leading lady…

All I needed to be convinced to watch this is to see Annette Bening’s name and face. She is one of my ‘acting queens,’ thanks to her brilliant performance in a true favourite of mine,  American Beauty (1999).

Filmstars Don’t Die In Liverpool Release Dates: November 17th, 2017 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

DANNY COLLINS (2015): A Memorable Bobby Cannavale Performance…

Danny Collins (2015), Bobby Cannavale, Al Pacino
Danny Collins (2015), Bobby Cannavale, Al Pacino

Danny Collins is a well told story of a less than ideal father/ son relationship. This is of course not all that the movie is about but it’s the part that appealed to me the most. The film is moving, engaging and for want of a better phrase, a relaxing watch thanks to the well played characters and the healthy sprinklings of humour.

Danny Collins (2015), Bobby Cannavale, Jennifer Garner
Danny Collins (2015), Bobby Cannavale, Jennifer Garner

Directed by Dan Fogelman of Crazy Stupid Love (2011)Bobby Cannavale’s part as the ‘abandoned son’ of a rockstar father is one of my favourites of his roles. Al Pacino is, as always very watchable,  as is Christopher Plummer and my dear ‘Lady Bening’. That’s Annette Bening to everyone else. I also really appreciated Jennifer Garner’s performance as the ‘very good wife.’

Since Pacino is a musician in this role, is the music any good..?, you may wonder. It’s by no means  a key reason for tuning in; though it isn’t completely terrible either. Watch it for the charm, humour, the story of a difficult father/ son relationship and that of an ageing rocker on a mission to change his life for the better.

Happy Film Loving

G

20TH CENTURY WOMEN (2017): New Trailer From Annette Bening, Elle Fanning, Alia Shawkat…

20th Century Women (2017), Annette Bening
20th Century Women (2017), Annette Bening

20th Century Women (not Fox – as I thought at first glance), is the latest comedy/ drama starring Annette Bening, Elle Fanning and Alia Shawkat. Written and directed by Mike Mills, the film looks at love and freedom as explored by three women in 1970s Southern California…

Annette Bening, the main if not only reason I’d watch this movie, is an actress I’ve appreciated since American Beauty (1999)I’m  hoping that that love only grows after this film – especially since I’m not exactly in love with this trailer at present. Though that may change tomorrow, maybe.

Additional cast includes Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup and Laura Wiggins.

20th Century Women Release Dates: January 20th, 2017 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

RULES DON’T APPLY (2016): New Trailer From Warren Beatty, Lily Collins, Alden Ehrenreich

Rules Don't Apply (2016), Lily Collins, Annette Bening
Rules Don’t Apply (2016), Lily Collins, Annette Bening

Set in Hollywood in 1958, Rules Don’t Apply focuses on the relationship between three key characters working in hollywood. Namely, an aspiring actress her driver and the eccentric billionaire that employs them. Alden Ehrenreich, Lilly Collins, and Warren Beatty play the main roles. Beatty is also the film’s writer and director…

After finding that I didn’t quite enjoy the last movie I saw about Hollywood in the 1950s (Hail, Caesar! (2015), as much as I hoped I would, I’m not sure how this is going to turn out. Though, Annette Bening is one of my favourite actresses s0 we’ll see.

Annette Bening, Alec Baldwin and Chace Crawford also feature.

Rules Don’t Apply Release Dates: November, 2016 (US)…

Happy Film Loving 🙂

G