Tag Archives: Charlize Theron

Action, Adventure, Crime

F9 (2021): New Fast & Furious 9 Trailer Starring John Cena, Charlize Theron, Vin Diesel, Helen Mirren…

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F9 (2021), Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson
F9 (2021), Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson

F9, the latest instalment in the Fast & Furious franchise finally has a release date that looks as though it’s going to stick. And to celebrate, a new trailer starring John Cena, Vin Diesel, Charlize THeron, Helen Mirren and many more has been released.

I’m mostly curious about the Cena/Diesel dynamic, and maybe a little of the far from realistic action and stunt sequences.

Also, it only just occurred to me how much the Fast and Furious movies seem to feature the kind of action you might expect when two four/five year old boys are playing together with all their toy cars. I’m not saying the stunts are terrible, mind you. Just that the sort of vehicular activity in this trailer is very reminiscent of my brothers and cousins happily playing when they were five.

Lucas Black, Jordana Brewster, Nathalie Emmanuel, Michael Rooker, Finn Cole, Cardi B, Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris, Jim Parrack, Tyrese Gibson and Anna Sawai also star.

Fast & Furious 9 Release Dates: June 25th, 2021 (US); July 8th, 2021 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

Action, Fantasy, No Spoiler Reviews

THE OLD GUARD (2020): The Things I Liked…

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The Old Guard (2020), Charlize Theron
The Old Guard (2020), Charlize Theron

The Old Guard, an action/fantasy film about a covert team of immortal mercenaries, is not a bad film. However, though everyone performed well, for me, the movie tended to shine best when the camera was on its main character, Andy (Charlize Theron).

Another thing that director Gina Prince-Bythewood’s movie does well is the fight choreography; the kind that had me wanting to see the behind the scenes rehearsals as soon as possible. Especially for the major sequence towards the end.

As far as action/fantasies go, The Old Guard’s story is a good one and perfect for a sequel which I’d watch right away if it were possible. As you watch Theron, KiKi Layne, and Matthias Schoenaerts’s, another bit of good news is that it gets better as you continue to watch and it’s unlikely you’ll be able to guess everything that’s going to happen as the story unfolds.

What you probably should expect, though, is to be moved, because The Old Guard is fun, but it’s also more affecting than you may anticipate, plus, there’s certainly a lot more to love than not.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Action, Fantasy

THE OLD GUARD (2020): New Trailer Starring Charlize Theron, Matthias Schoenaerts, Chiwetel Ejiofor, KiKi Lane…

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The Old Guard (2020), Charlize Theron
The Old Guard (2020), Charlize Theron

Read my spoiler-free movie review of The Old Guard (2020).

Charlize Theron, Matthias Schoenaerts, Chiwetel Ejiofor and KiKi Lane are the stars of The Old Guard, a new fantasy/action movie directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood.

Theron plays the leader of a covert team of immortal mercenaries who are suddenly exposed, just as an unexpected new member is discovered. And so begins the fight to keep their identity a secret.

All this business of rapid healing has me intrigued, and I also find myself suddenly suspicious of Lane’s character.

I already know that Schoenaerts and Theron will be great. Fingers crossed for another good mercenary action movie from Netflix, especially considering the fun I had with Chris Hemsworth’s Extraction (2020).

Harry Melling, Natacha Karam, Marwan Kenzari, Van Veronica Ngo, Anamaria Marinca, Luca Marinelli, Adam Collins, Joey Ansah, Tuncay Gunes and Russell Balogh also star.

The Old Guard Release Dates: July 10th, 2020, Netflix/ Internet…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

LONG SHOT (2019): The Things I Loved…

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Long Shot (2019), O'Shea Jackson Jr., Seth Rogen
Long Shot (2019), O’Shea Jackson Jr., Seth Rogen

In my entire history of film-loving, the very talented Mr Seth Rogen has only ever let me down one time. I’m of course speaking of his involvement in a movie that turned out to be quite the disappointment. The really great news today is this: said movie is not director Jonathan Levine’s latest comedy/romance, Long Shot.

Starring Rogen, Charlize Theron, Alexander Skarsgård and O’Shea Jackson Jr., Long Shot is a film I was always going to see because the cast are among my favourite filmmakers. I just wasn’t sure how the finished product would turn out, considering the somewhat unexpected pairing of Rogen and Theron, in a story about an unemployed journalist. One who decides to pursue his childhood crush. Particularly considering that his crush happens to be one of the world’s most powerful and unattainable women. 

My initial lack of confidence has a little something to do with the trailer failing to accurately convey how the movie would play. Luckily, I had a great time. The dialogue, pace, story and tone all add up to a beautifully choreographed film that delighted me. I liked it so much it almost made me feel as happy as I was when I first discovered the magic that is Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008).

As for what I liked a little less, I vaguely recall the laughs slowing down a tad past the halfway point, but that’s barely a complaint, right? The bond between Jackson Jr. and Rogen’s characters, Skarsgård’s Prime Minister character, the role played by Andy Serkis and of course ‘Queen Theron’ are all just wonderful. 

Definitely, definitely watch Long Shot if you haven’t already. I certainly won’t be forgetting all the elements it got just right, in the near future.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Action, Comedy, Crime, No Spoiler Reviews

GRINGO (2018): The Things I Liked…

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Gringo (2018), Charlize Theron, Joel Edgerton, Amazon Studios
Gringo (2018), Charlize Theron, Joel Edgerton, Amazon Studios

There are three things I like about Gringo, director Nash Edgerton’s action/comedy about a former law-abiding citizen (David Oyelowo) who’s turned to crime to survive.

The first is Charlize Theron, her general awesomeness and her character’s beautiful style. The second is the way Gringo is concluded. The ending is surprising and simultaneously unsurprising. I didn’t fully expect the turn the story took, but I also wasn’t surprised because it was still clichéd.

The last thing I like about Gringo is how the movie appears to be a little inspired by one of my all-time favourite films, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998). Though I certainly wouldn’t say that Gringo is as smart and as well-written as my beloved Lock Stock, it did, however, deliver some laughs. It’s just disappointing that I didn’t find the whole experience as amusing, engaging or exciting as the trailer hinted. 

Watch Gringo if you’re curious. Or, if you haven’t already, definitely watch Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

Happy Film Loving,

G