Cord Jefferson is the writer/director behind Jeffrey Wright’s latest film, American Fiction; a comedy/drama that follows a black author who finds himself propelled to the depths of hypocrisy in order to secure literary success.
I’m currently in a phase of leaning towards comedy films more than any other genre, and American Fiction looks just right.
I say bring on all the fun, silliness and this wonderful cast. I’m particularly excited about the author/agent dynamic.
Skyler Wright, John Ortiz, Tracee Ellis Ross and Sterling K. Brown, Carmen Cusack, Joseph Marrella, John Ales, Stephen Burrell, Nicole Kempskie, Becki DennisBecki Dennis also star.
For those who read my Barbie movie trailer post, I must first confirm that I did not develop a greater love for pink as I imagined I might. I still like pink just fine, as always. What I do appreciate more now after seeing director Greta Gerwig’s rather fun Barbie film is the casting of Ryan Gosling as Ken.
To clarify, I was never against Gosling’s casting, nor did I read the details of why some believed it to be a mistake. I was curious about the story, especially once it became clear that an existential crisis would be at its core.
How Barbie’s aforementioned internal crisis plays out makes for a watchable emotional journey that starts with her seemingly perfect days in Barbie Land, to the discovery of a different life in the real world. Add to that some female empowerment plus Ken’s own crisis, and we have a script that balances both story arcs well while delivering a Barbie movie worth the heavily pink-hued adventure.
Barbie (2023), Margot Robbie, Warner Bros. Pictures
Barbie will almost certainly be enjoyed most by serious fans who grew up playing with and loving Barbie dolls. I do not fit neatly into that category, but enjoy myself I certainly did. I’m sure it helps that I found no fault with the film’s well-imagined set/costume design. Additionally, there’s Gosling and Margot Robbie’s believable portrayals of the doll experiences in both the real world and Barbie Land.
The characters played by Issa Rae, Kate Mckinnon and Michael Cera are notable additional highlights, not to forget the delightful dance numbers performed by all the Kens.
I recommend Barbie, a fun, light-hearted summer movie that stands firmly on its own, even though it is simultaneously a great antidote for Oppenheimer (2023).
Lastly, the following is more to do with my specific criteria for the kind of films I watch at home versus the theatre. But, as Barbie played, I remember thinking I could have easily watched it at home instead of at the cinema. Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to Barbie’s streaming release. Because it’s very clear to me that the rewatch value is decidedly strong with this one.
Have you already seen Barbie? And if you have, how perfect was that ending?
An unexpected existential crisis is at the heart of director Greta Gerwig’s long-awaited Barbie movie.
Set in a perfect world with perfect beings as neighbours, Gerwig’s film is a comedy/adventure/fantasy that stars Margot Robbie as the world’s most popular doll, along with Ryan Gosling in the role of Ken, Barbie’s best male friend.
I must admit that I’m someone for whom Barbie wasn’t a favourite toy. As such I was unsure I’d be interested in a movie about this particular pink-loving super popular children’s toy. Especially since the initial teaser trailer gave zero hints about the quite compelling core premise of Gerwig’s film.
Now, I find myself looking forward to seeing Barbie’s awakening and watching Robbie do her thing, as only she can. There’s also Will Ferrell’s guaranteed to be fun turn as the CEO of Barbie manufacturer, Mattel.
I’m curious, are you ruling out the potential of developing a newfound appreciation for pink after seeing this movie? I’m certainly not. After all, we all know to never say never, right?
Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, Ariana Greenblat, Helen Mirren, John Cena, Michael Cera, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, America Ferrera, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Alexandra Shipp, Rhea Perlman, Ritu Arya, Nicola Coughlan, Hari Nef, and Dua Lipa also star.
The Lovebirds (2020), Kumail Nanjiani, Issa Rae, Paramount Pictures
In new crime/comedy/drama The Lovebirds, Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani are a couple trying to clear their name after being pulled into a bizarre murder mystery. Will their relationship survive the night following the day’s unexpected events?
Directed by Michael Showalter (The Big Sick (2017); additional key cast includes Anna Camp, Paul Sparks and Kyle Bornheimer.
I’m not yet sure that I’m sold on the premise/believability of this movie just yet, but I do want it to be good.
Also, it’s probably safe to say at this point that Hollywood currently has a thing for murder mysteries. First Murder Mystery (2019), Then Knives Out (2019), now The Lovebirds, and I’m probably forgetting another one or two. Maybe.
Joe Chrest, Kenneth Kynt Bryan, Moses Storm, Blaine Kern III, Andrene Ward-Hammond, Jaren Mitchell, Matthew Rimmer, Catherine Cohen, Rebecca Chulew and Kelly Murtagh also star.
From Writer/director Stella Meghie, The Photograph is a new comedy/romance starring Issa Rae, Chelsea Peretti, LaKeith Stanfield and Y’lan Noel.
The Photograph is a series of intertwining love stories set in the past, the present and all about forgiveness and courage.
In the style of Joey Tribbiani at that Thanksgiving dinner in Friends: ‘Issa, good! LaKeith, Good! A very real looking depiction of a modern love story, good!’
Or, to put it another way, I can relate the more than one of the themes in this good looking trailer, and I like the cast.
Courtney B. Vance, Kenneth Kynt Bryan, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Teyonah Parris, Lil Rel Howery, Rob Morgan, Christopher Cassarino, Jamaal Burcher, Jasmine Cephas Jones, and Wakeema Hollis also star.
