I’d call this the ‘final’ Respect trailer, but that would be silly. There’s at least 2 more to go, probably. I’m not necessarily complaining because I do like this edit.
Starring Jennifer Hudson, Tate Donovan, Mary J. Blige, Marc Maron, Forest Whitaker and Marlon Wayans; Respect, the life story of Aretha Franklin is directed by Liesl Tommy.
I’m excited to watch the young Franklin grow up to find her voice, and see the kindness of the people who helped her along the way. I also can’t wait to expereinec the way Franklin’s most iconic song, Respect came to life. Especially after having seen how beautifully the inception of Elton John’s ‘Your Song‘ is captured in Rocketman (2019).
Bring on the music and great performances, because I’m ready for my appreciation for Franklin, Hudson and everyone else involved to grow.
Lodric D. Collins, Joshua Mikel, Marc Maron, Jamaal Burcher, Tituss Burgess, Victoria Paige Watkins and Saycon Sengbloh also star.
Starring Jennifer Hudson, Kelvin Harrison Jr and Jeffrey Wright; Monster follows the dramatic journey of a smart, likeable film student whose world comes crashing down after he’s charged with felony murder.
Directed by Anthony Mandler, additional key cast includes Nasir Jones, John David Washington and Tim Blake Nelson.
This movie has thatWaves(2019) feel. Particularly the way that it’s about a young man with plenty of promise. One whose life suddenly takes a seriously tragic turn.
It was so comforting to see Wright’s face in this trailer. I look forward to learning more about his character’s experience of parenthood.
Rakim Mayers, Jharrel Jerome, Jennifer Ehle and Paul Ben-Victor also star.
Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special (2020), Mariah Carey, Apple TV+
Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special has Christmas music, seasonal cheer and beautiful decorations. Yet, the main reason it left me disappointed is, I’d been mistakenly expecting a party. A get up and dance because the beat is irresistible kind of party.
It may well be that I simply wasn’t fully paying attention to the trailer. Or, maybe I can blame the presence of Snoop Dogg and Jermaine Dupri (two of hip/hop’s greatest), for my confusion about the special. I’m sure that seeing Dupri and Snoop simply took me back to a time when they ruled the charts with well-produced party music. I digress.
Visually speaking, the production quality of Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special is beautiful. I enjoyed the costumes and Christmas-rich surroundings. I even appreciated the one or two moments when Carey’s lesser-known but anecdotally ‘great sense of humour’ surfaced, but for a second.
Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special (2020), Ariana Grande, Apple TV+
Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special is supposed to be a universally heartwarming story designed to bring us all together in 2020. Only, the story element is the ‘barely there’ kind. Meaning, don’t go expecting anything too sophisticated, because what you’ll get feels more like a bunch of Christmas themed music videos, many of which you’ll enjoy if you’re into Christmas and or Carey.
As for what’s in between the music, you’re unlikely to miss it if it weren’t there. That is except Tiffany Haddish’s spirited narration and Heidi Klum’s perfectly delivered comedy line: ‘Gone out? Out of the house? I don’t understand.’
Upon a second viewing of the special, I gladly skipped to my favourite four/five Christmas songs, which of course includes Carey’s super famous classic All I want for Christmas is you.
A few other things I enjoyed include Carey’s super glamorous appearance in the gold sequin dress and the unexpected animation based on themes that speak to how many of us may approach the festive season in 2020. Then there’s the performance that included Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson. It would have been great if they performed in more than one song. But, I’ve decided to stop fantasising about what Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special could have been and instead keep on skipping to my favourite moments within it.
Give directors Roman Coppola and Hamish Hamilton’s special a chance if you’re curious. Also do so if you’re a Carey fan, enjoy Christmassy surroundings/classic Christmas songs you can sing along to. You may just love it even though I didn’t completely.
Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special is a Holiday special that promises music, dancing and animation. All of which is driven by a universally heartwarming story to bring us all together in 2020.
Directed by Roman Coppola and Hamish Hamilton; Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special also stars, to name just a few, Jennifer Hudson, Snoop Dogg, Tiffany Haddish, Ariana Grande and Jermain Dupri.
I’ve personally been in the Christmas spirit for a while now, and this film right here is going to send me right over the edge. And I’m not mad about it.
As a Carey, Snoop, Haddish, Grande, Dupri and Hudson fan, I can’t wait to experience the seasonal spectacle, humour and oh, so beautiful voices.
Cats, the story of a tribe of cats who must decide yearly which one will ascend to the ‘Heaviside Layer’ and come back to a new life is here in animated movie form.
Directed by Tom Hooper; key cast includes Idris Elba, Rebel Wilson,Taylor Swift, Judi Dench, Jennifer Hudson…
I’m not overly familiar with the musical Cats but I do know that it has both fans and those who can’t stand it. I’ll be watching for the special effects and what sounds like good music. What wonderfully eclectic cast.
Ray Winstone, Jason Derulo, Daniela Norman, Laurent Bourgeois, Laurie Davidson, Mette Towley, Larry Bourgeois, Robbie Fairchild, Zizi Strallen and Melissa Madden-Gray also star.
Sandy Wexler (2017), Jennifer Hudson, Aadam Sandler
Starring Adam Sandler, Jennifer Hudson, Terry Crews and directed by Steven Brill, Sandy Wexler is a 1990s set star-crossed love story, where a devoted talent agent who manages several eccentric clients falls in love with his latest signing, a very talented singer played by Jennifer Hudson…
I’m not one of those people who isn’t an Adam Sandler fan. Granted I don’t love all of his movies but since I enjoyed most of his earlier ones and I didn’t hate Funny People (2009) or Blended (2014), I tend to give him the benefit of the doubt. Fingers crossed that we all enjoy this new one.
Chris Rock, Conan O’brien, Jane Seymour, Kevin James and Vanilla Ice also star.
The Movie My Life 