Tag Archives: Josh Gad

FROZEN 2 (2019): The Things I Liked…

Frozen 2 (2019), Walt Disney Pictures
Frozen 2 (2019), Walt Disney Pictures

As a non-enthusiast when it comes to musical films, the main reason I wanted to see Frozen 2 had zero to do with the music. I was curious because of the animation style – especially when it comes to Elsa and her beautiful outfits. It turns out that both her style and the way she’s animated are two of my favourite things about Frozen 2.

Directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck’s film became most engaging for me approximately one hour in. This is precisely at the point when Elsa’s ’water action’ sequence begins. A time when I finally felt like something truly exciting to watch was actually happening. Before this point, I was feeling disappointed and a tad annoyed. I lie. I was more than a tad annoyed by the seemingly unexciting musical numbers and Anna’s ability to jump to conclusions when Kristoff was trying to ask her ‘the question.’

Frozen 2 (2019), Walt Disney Pictures
Frozen 2 (2019), Walt Disney Pictures

There are a few somewhat pleasant moments, plus moving moments, especially regarding Elsa and Anna’s sisterly relationship. Yet some of these scenes ended up feeling a little forced.

It’s after the one-hour mark that Frozen 2 becomes fun. Unsurprising, since my two favourite moments happen after the one-hour mark. One of them was the one musical moment that grabbed my attention in a good way, at precisely one minute into Iduna’s Scarf.

Disney and musical fans will have the best time with this. I’m only one of those things. I therefore find myself glad that Elsa and Iduna’s Scarf were there to get me through.

Watch it if you’re curious.

Happy Film Loving,

G

LITTLE MONSTERS (2019): New Trailer From Lupita Nyong’o, Josh Gad, Stephen Peacocke…

Little Monsters (2019), Lupita Nyong'o, Altitude Films
Little Monsters (2019), Lupita Nyong’o, Altitude Films

In new comedy/horror Little Monsters, protecting young children from a sudden outbreak of zombies is the job of a washed-up musician, a teacher and a kids’ show personality.

From writer/director, Abe Forsythe; key cast includes Lupita Nyong’o, Josh Gad, Stephen Peacocke…

The promise of humour has me interested. I also want to see how well Nyong’o does at selling her character. Then there’s the cuteness of the adorable little kids. I need to see how many of them will cry because I’m almost certain that I’d have been howling immediately.

Kat Stewart, Nadia Townsend, Alexander England, Marshall Napier, Henry Nixon, Rahel Romahn, Jason Chong, Adele Vuko and M.J. Kokolis also star.

Little Monsters Release Dates: November 15th, 2019 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

ARTEMIS FOWL (2020): New Trailer From Miranda Raison, Hong Chau, Judi Dench, Josh Gad, Ferdia Shaw…

Artemis Fowl is the new Kenneth Branagh-directed fantasy/adventure about young Irish criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl II.

Starring Ferdia Shaw, Hong Chau, Josh Gad and Judi Dench, Artemis kidnaps a fairy LEPRecon officer called Holly Short  for ransom; so he can fund the search for his missing father.

The name Artemis Fowl sounded familiar, yet until now, I hadn’t  a clue about this story. It’s a Disney film and directed by Branagh  (Cinderella (2015), so I have hope it’ll be worthy.

Nonso Anozie, Adrian Scarborough, Lara McDonnell and Nikesh Patel also star.

Artemis Fowl Release Dates: June 12th, 2020 (US &UK)…

Happy Film loving,

G

BEAUTY & THE BEAST (2017): The Thing I Liked…

Beauty & The Beast (2017), Emma Watson
Beauty & The Beast (2017), Emma Watson

The last time Disney had a live-action movie made of one of their fairy tales, I was beyond thrilled. Thrilled with the trailer, thrilled with the cast list and absolutely delighted with the end result. The movie I’m talking about is, of course, Kenneth Branagh’s Cinderella (2015), which was always going to be a hard act to follow.

Bill Condon’s Beauty & The Beast is a film I was also looking forward to. However, it doesn’t quite have the likes of acting queen Cate Blanchett on the cast list. As such, you can imagine that my enthusiasm just wasn’t the same.

Additionally, the acting and singing weren’t bad, but as a non-fan of musicals, all the singing probably didn’t help me appreciate the film more. 

I did enjoy the romance towards the end, and I think the film was alright, overall. Nevertheless, my preference remains Cinderella. Big fans of Beauty & The Beast and musicals will probably enjoy this remake of the fairy tale about a monstrous-looking prince and a young woman who fall in love. Perhaps they’ll like it as much as I do, Cinderella. I hope they do.

Aladdin 2019 is coming next, which I’ll eventually watch, maybe, even though it is a musical.

Happy Film Loving,

G

MARSHALL (2017): New Trailer From Chadwick Boseman, Dan Stevens, Josh Gad, Jussie Smollett, Kate Hudson…

Marshall (2017), Chadwick Boseman
Marshall (2017), Chadwick Boseman

Marshall is the story of Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice.

Starring Chadwick Boseman, Dan Stevens, Josh Gad, Jussie Smollett and Kate Hudson, director Reginald Hudlin takes us through one of Marshall’s career-defining cases.

I’m excited because Boseman is good, and Marshall the man is interesting because of his achievements.

Also, what I’ve seen so far in this trailer is reminding me of the undeniable cool factor as embodied by Denzel Washington’s character in American Gangster (2007) – a movie I need to re-watch again soon.

Marshall Release Dates: October 13th, 2017 (US)…

Keesha Sharp, James Croomwell, Sophia Bush and Barrett Doss also star.

Happy Film Loving,

G