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 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 definitely fun but it’s also more moving than you may anticipate and 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 watching, the very talented Mr. Seth Rogen has only ever let me down one time. I’m of course speaking in terms of his involvement in a movie that turned out to be quite the disappointment. The really great news today though, is this: That absolute letdown of a movie  I’m referring to is definitely 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 who decides to pursue his childhood crush. Particularly considering that his crush just happens to be one of the world’s most powerful and unattainable women. 

My initial lack of confidence probably also had something to do with the trailer somehow not being able to truly convey – for me at least, just how the movie was going to play. Luckily, to my very pleasant surprise, I had a great time. The dialogue, pace, story and tone all added 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).

In terms of what I liked a little less, I vaguely recall the laughs slowing down a tad past the half way point, but that’s barely a complaint now, is it? 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;’ 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, any time soon.

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 in order to survive. The first is Charlize Theron, her general awesomeness and her characters beautiful style. The second is the way Gringo is concluded; the ending is kind of surprising but also not, at the same time. I was surprised because I didn’t fully expect the turn the story took but I wasn’t surprised because it was 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 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 definitely watch Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

Happy Film Loving

G

Action, Comedy, Family

THE ADDAMS FAMILY (2019): New Trailer From Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Oscar Isaac, Allison Janney…

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The Addams Family (2019), MGM
The Addams Family (2019), MGM

Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz , Oscar Isaac and Allison Janney are the stars of the remake of the story of a peculiar, ghoulish family known as The Addams Family .

Directed by  Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon, the story is based on the much loved characters created by Charles Addams…

I’m definitely not mad that this remake exists. However, I can’t help but feel disappointed because this is animated rather than a live action version. I’d just have loved seeing the real Charlize Theron dressed up as Morticia Addams. I’d simply have absolutely loved it!

Lastly, seeing the strangeness of the Addams family has reminded me of the almost equally strange main family in the Hotel Transylvania movies. Anyone else?

Nick Kroll, Aimee Garcia, Finn Wolfhard, Scott Underwood, Bette Midler and Elsie Fisher also star.

The Addams Family Release Dates: October 11th, 2019 (US); October 25th, 2019 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

Comedy

LONG SHOT (2019): New Trailer From Charlize Theron, Seth Rogen, Alexander Skarsgård…

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Long Shot (2019), Charlize Theron

Read my spoiler-free movie review of Long Shot (2019).

Long Shot is the latest comedy starring Seth Rogen, Charlize Theron and Alexander Skarsgård.

Directed by Jonathan Levine, Rogen is Fred Flarsky, an unemployed journalist who decides to pursue his childhood crush. The only thing is, his childhood crush is Charlotte Field, one of the most powerful and unattainable women on the planet.

Rogen and Theron together seems surprising somehow, yet I definitely do love them both separately so I hope this really works.

Andy Serkis, Randall Park, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Aviva Mongillo, James Saito and Ravi Patel also star.

Long Shot Release Dates: May 3rd, 2019 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

Action, Mystery, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

ATOMIC BLONDE (2017) : The ThingS I Liked…

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Atomic Blonde (2017), Charlize Theron
Atomic Blonde (2017), Charlize Theron

Atomic Blonde, an action / thriller about an undercover MI6 agent on a mission to investigate the murder of a fellow agent, and recover a missing list of double agents is arguably an adequately thrilling experience.

Starring Charlize Theron, and James McAvoy, what stood out most for me about director David Leitch’s film is the style – and by ‘style’ I mean the general look and feel, the colours, clothing, the exciting fight sequences, the way specific moments are shot at a particular angle, making for a more satisfying visual experience. One such example would be the way Leitch captures the scene near the start when McAvoy’s character walks up to the car that just crashed with his colleague (Theron) inside.

Watching a very capable, well-dressed female character in charge of herself and her surroundings was fun. It was an inspiring vision that quickly brought to mind another fictional character with impressive abilities and great style. Namely Sylvia Hoeks’s highly memorable work as Luv in Blade Runner 2049 (2017).

Atomic Blonde is a movie you watch for the thrilling action and mystery. It may not have you megaphone in hand – post viewing and trying to gather everyone to watch it immediately. Nevertheless, by the end you may, like myself find yourself thinking, ‘yeah, that wasn’t terrible. Nor was it exceptionally memorable either but I have no regrets.’

Lastly, when it comes to the question of Theron’s British accent, I don’t think that she did terribly but my ‘expert ear’ did notice a few inconsistencies. Nothing too laughable, mind you.

Watch it for the colours, fights and style. It’s even possibly, quite fun.

Happy Film loving 

G