Tag Archives: Aubrey Plaza

MY OLD ASS (2024): The Things I Liked… 

My Old Ass (2024), Aubrey Plaza, Maisy Stella, Amazon MGM Studios
My Old Ass (2024), Aubrey Plaza, Maisy Stella, Amazon MGM Studios

Admittedly, there were a few moments within the first 20 minutes of My Old Ass, Aubrey Plaza and Maisy Stella’s latest movie, where I thought: ‘What kind of silliness is this?’ But, thankfully, I made it through what happens in the woods, and writer/director Megan Park’s coming-of-age comedy/drama/romance about love, family and life soon finds its rhythm and cleverly lands its message.

The story focuses on Stella’s character, Elliott, who’s about to leave for college in a few weeks, however, not before a mushroom trip in the woods with friends – one that leads to a change in focus for the rest of summer.

If you’re very wise, like me, you too may figure out the central mystery in the story before it’s solved/revealed. But don’t worry if you do, because it won’t detract from your experience. Instead, it’ll likely make you feel any feelings that arise more deeply. For My Old Ass is relatable on several levels and handles its subject matter – the transition from youth to adulthood, but with a special twist well. 

Additionally, Plaza is great in her role. Stella is good too, and, she has notably beautiful teeth.

That last point isn’t exactly a reason to watch. Nevertheless, it is undeniable.

Happy Film Loving,

G

MEGALOPOLIS (2024): New Trailer Starring Aubrey Plaza, Adam Driver, Chloe Fineman, Giancarlo Esposito…

Quite a bit has happened since May 14th, 2024, when I posted the teaser trailer for Megalopolis, the Francis Ford Coppola film about an architect (Adam Driver) who, after a devastating disaster, has ideas of rebuilding New York City as a utopia.

What followed a few weeks ago was the release and almost immediate ban of the next Megalopolis trailer. It turns out you can’t just attribute quotes to well-known movie critics if they never actually said the words. Something Lionsgate Movies must have known, but ‘one mustn’t let some blowback get in the way of some good PR.’

What we have now is essentially the same trailer minus the fake reviews used to make audiences believe this movie will likely be as epic as Coppola’s previous cinema-ticket-worthy films (Apocalypse Now (1979), The Godfather (1972), Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992), The Rainmaker (1997). In other words, ‘Don’t hesitate. Be ahead of the game and see Megalopolis immediately upon release.

I’ll admit that this trailer is better executed than the teaser months earlier. However, not because of the ‘Coppola is ahead of his time‘ rhetoric. I’m mainly curious about the special effects, Aubrey Plaza’s character and the architect’s ideas.

What are your thoughts on Megalopolis now? So far, many reviews from the film festival screenings appear negative. But, I remain curious to see what the general audience decides.

Chloe Fineman, Giancarlo Esposito, Shia LaBeouf, Jason Schwartzman, D.B. Sweeney, Kathryn Hunter, Balthazar Getty, Sonia Ammar, Jon Voight, Dustin Hoffman, Laurence Fishburne, Nathalie Emmanuel, James Remar, Talia Shire, Charlene Amoia and Grace VanderWaal also star.

Megalopolis Release Dates: September 27th, 2024 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

MEGALOPOLIS (2024): New Trailer From Francis Ford Coppola, Starring Adam Driver, Shia LaBeouf, Giancarlo Esposito, Aubrey Plaza, Chloe Fineman…

Megalopolis (2024), Adam Driver
Megalopolis (2024), Adam Driver

The latest from Francis Ford Coppola is a crime/drama film titled Megalopolis.

Starring Adam Driver, Aubrey Plaza, Chloe Fineman, Shia LaBeouf, and Giancarlo Esposito; we’re in for a fable about an architect (Driver) who wants to rebuild New York City as a utopia, following a devastating disaster.

This one I’m interested in because it’s Coppola, director of the highly rated The Godfather (1972). Nevertheless, based on this trailer, there’s plenty going on. Fingers crossed that it comes together well and becomes another Coppola epic.

The title is a peculiar word, isn’t it? That precise thought had me saying Megalopolis three times fast, assuming it would be quite the tongue twister. Turns out Megalopolis is actually very easy to say, for me at least. As such, I’m likely just ignorant of the type of words and letter arrangements that make for the toughest of tongue twisters

How do you feel about this trailer and our hopeful protagonist’s lofty goals? Additionally, are you also able to easily say Megalopolis three times fast?

Nathalie Emmanuel, James Remar, Talia Shire, D.B. Sweeney, Kathryn Hunter, Balthazar Getty, Sonia Ammar, Jon Voight, Dustin Hoffman, Laurence Fishburne, Jason Schwartzman, Charlene Amoia and Grace VanderWaal also star.

Megalopolis Release Dates: September 27th, 2024 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

CALLS (2021): New Trailer From Pedro Pascal, Rosario Dawson, Lily Collins, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Aubrey Plaza…

Calls (2021), Apple TV+
Calls (2021), Apple TV+

Based on creator Timothée Hochet’s French series of the same name, Calls is a new show that tells the mysterious story of a group of strangers who’s lives are thrown into disarray, in the lead-up to an apocalyptic event.

Told through real-life audio sources and minimal visuals, Calls stars Pedro Pascal, Rosario Dawson, Lily Collins, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Aubrey Plaza.

I’ll give this a chance to find out if it actually works. Because something tells me I might miss seeing the person/people on at least one side of the conversation.

Remember Tom Hardy’s very impressive Locke (2013); when we could see his character but only hear the people he was speaking to on the phone; yet it worked perfectly? Perhaps this too will surprise us all and exceed all expectations.

Directed by Fede Álvarez; additional key cast includes Nick Jonas, Jennifer Tilly, Ben Schwartz, Jaeden Martell, Riley Keough and Joey King.

Calls Release Dates: March 19th, Apple TV+

Happy Film Loving

G

BLACK BEAR (2020): New Trailer From Aubrey Plaza, Sarah Gadon, Christopher Abbott…

Black Bear (2020), Aubrey Plaza, Momentum Pictures

From writer/director Lawrence Michael Levine; Black Bear stars Aubrey Plaza as a filmmaker at a creative impasse. One who seeks solace from her tumultuous past at a rural retreat, only for her to find that the woods summon her inner demons.

Additional cast includes Sarah Gadon, Christopher Abbott and Alexander Koch.

Plaza’s character looks like quite the manipulator. In which case I sure hope that the seemingly innocent character played by Gadon gets out of there in one piece. I mean, my favourite line in this trailer did come out of her mouth: ‘No! It’s that I can’t stand the thoughts about the world that you have!’

Excited for a good, dramatic example of the experience of movie making.

Paola Lázaro, Lindsay Burdge, Jennifer Kim, Shannon O’Neill, Grantham Coleman and Lou Gonzalez also star.

Black Bear Release Dates: December 4th, 2020 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

G