Tag Archives: Channing Tatum

SMALLFOOT (2018): The Thing I Liked…

Smallfoot (2018), Channing Tatum
Smallfoot (2018), Channing Tatum

After being told his whole life that humans don’t exist, young Yeti Migo (Channing Tatum) finds evidence to the contrary and wants all his people to know. Except that things don’t quite go as he expected.

Co-written and directed by Karey Kirkpatrick and Jason Reisig, I like the way Smallfoot flips the story of Yetis and humans by telling it from the perspective of Yetis. I also appreciate what Smallfoot has to say about the errors in how we tend to treat those we see as very different from us, and how counterproductive the lies we tell to protect can sometimes become.

With other key cast including Zendaya, Common, Danny DeVito, and James Corden, the film’s general execution is somewhere between OK and OK-ish, partly because I didn’t find the writing as fun/good as the trailer led me to expect. Furthermore, I wish that Smallfoot didn’t have the musical numbers. It would have been fine if I felt that most of the songs and singing were great. 

I was most engaged towards the end, and when the Yetis were being pursued. The most memorable moment for me is when a very everyday human item is amusingly referred to as ‘the scroll of invisible wisdom.’

Watch Smallfoot if you’re very, very curious.

Happy Film Loving,

G

SMALLFOOT (2018): New Trailer From Channing Tatum, Zendaya, Danny DeVito…

Smallfoot (2018), Channing Tatum
Smallfoot (2018), Channing Tatum

In Smallfoot, Channing Tatum plays Migo, a Yeti convinced that the elusive creatures known as ‘humans’ actually do exist.

Zendaya and Danny DeVito also star while Karey Kirkpatrick and Jason Reisig cowrite and direct.

As I watched this trailer, a few things went through my mind. Firstly, what a brilliant idea! I totally didn’t see the twist coming. Second, how nice for Tatum, finally a movie he’s made that his young daughter can watch all the way through.

Last but not least, of course, Tatum’s character had to have great dance moves.

I’m looking forward to this one, and I’ll be careful not to watch any more Smallfoot trailers because I just really want to be surprised and delighted on viewing day.

Additional cast includes Jimmy Tatro, Yara Shahidi, Gina Rodriguez, James Corden, LeBron James and Common.

Smallfoot Release Dates: September 28th, 2018 (US); October 5th, 2018 (UK)…

Read my spoiler free review of  Smallfoot.

Happy Film Loving,

G

21 JUMP STREET (2012): For the Fun Action & Bromance…

21 Jump Street (2012), Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum
21 Jump Street (2012), Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum

My favourite thing about directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s action/comedy 21 Jump Street is, I want to say ‘everything’ because I really had a great time watching this movie. Nevertheless, if I had to choose one thing, it’s of course the beautiful bromance between Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill’s characters. They play two underachieving cops who are sent back to high school to bring down a synthetic drug ring. It’s a good balance of comedy and action with a soft-ish centre of good old-fashioned brotherly bonding.

In addition to co-stars Ice Cube and Johnny Depp, another highlight for me was recognising a younger Brie Larson among the cast. Watch 21 Jump Street for the fun bromance. Though it’s definitely not number one on my top ten bromance movies list (because Pineapple Express (2008) rules); it is a fun and funny ‘adults back in high school’ movie experience, with a side of undercover cop action.

Happy Film Loving

G

LOGAN LUCKY (2017): New Trailer For Steven Soderbergh Movie Starring Channing Tatum, Daniel Craig, Adam Driver…

Logan Lucky (2017), Channing Tatum
Logan Lucky (2017), Channing Tatum

Director Steven Soderbergh’s new movie is a comedy starring Channing Tatum, Daniel Craig, Adam Driver and Hilary Swank –  to name just a few. The story centres around two brothers and their attempt to pull off a heist during a NASCAR race in North Carolina.

Such a pleasant surprise to see Craig’s face in this trailer. I imagine that the impressive cast list for this film was probably ready to do everything in their power to secure a chance to work with Soderbergh. You know, just in case he decides to retire from films one more time, right after this one.

Katie Holmes, Riley Keough, Katherine Waterston, Sebastian Stan, Katie Holmes, David Denman, and Jack Quaid make up some of the aforementioned impressive stars.

Logan Lucky Release Dates: August 18th, 2017 (US); August 25th, 2017 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

HAIL, CAESAR! (2015): The Thing I Liked…

Hail Caesar (2015), Tilda Swinton
Hail Caesar (2015), Tilda Swinton

I’m sad to say that Hail, Caesar! has proven to be quite the bore. Regrettably, I found the trailer far more entertaining than the movie.

The trailer is funny, filled with the glamour, colours and seemingly odd characters of 1950s Hollywood; all good things. I liked the fact that it didn’t give much away in terms of where the story was going or even who the key protagonist might be, and it moved at a more than reasonable pace.

Unfortunately,  a slow pace and an inadequately intriguing story that never goes anywhere are my biggest issues with Hail, Caesar! Part of the problem might be that there were too many stories trying to happen at the same time.

On the positive side, in addition to the humorous moments (the best of which you see in the trailer) what I do like about Hail, Caesar!  is the glamour and colourful attire worn by the film’s main female characters. Specifically, the characters played far too briefly by Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton and Veronica Osorio. Had it not been for these highlights, I’m not sure I’d have made it through to the end.

Hail, Caesar! (2015), Veronica Osorio
Hail, Caesar! (2015), Veronica Osorio

Overall, I think I’d have much preferred to see only the funny moments in this movie; something like a Saturday Night Live comedy sketch format. An outrageous suggestion I’m sure, but I really was hoping for more from a Coen brothers written/directed film. I guess I’ll always shave the costumes and glamour.

Needless to say, Hail, Caesar! is not my favourite film by the Coens. That title will probably always belong to the excellent, No Country For Old Men (2007), a  movie I’ll continue to recommend forever more.

Happy Film Loving,

G