Tag Archives: Julianne Moore

Comedy, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

CRAZY STUPID LOVE (2011): Steve Carell & Ryan Gosling comedy…

1 Comment
Crazy Stupid Love (2011), Steve Carell, Julianne Moore
Crazy Stupid Love (2011), Steve Carell, Julianne Moore

Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone and Julianne Moore are the stars of drama/romance/comedy Crazy Stupid Love. A story about a man whose world is altered after what should have been a romantic dinner date with his wife becomes something else entirely.

Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, I tuned in because of Carell and Moore’s reputations; luckily, I found myself pleasantly surprised.

A big highlight for me is the scene with the valedictorian speech. That, and Gosling’s character, Jacob’s fashion sense.

I say watch Crazy Stupid Love for a reminder that humour is tragedy plus time. You’ll go through some emotions, but you will certainly laugh as well.

Crazy Stupid Love (2011), Ryan Gosling
Crazy Stupid Love (2011), Ryan Gosling

Along with The Notebook (2004), Crazy, Stupid, Love is without a doubt responsible for a good number of Ryan Gosling crushes.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Adventure, Sci-Fi

THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 2 (2015): A Full Trailer Has Landed…

Leave a comment
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (2015), Jennifer Lawrence
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (2015), Jennifer Lawrence

Trailer 1 of The Hunger Games – Mocking Jay Part 2 arrives and it’s clear that the makers had the word ‘epic.’ in mind.

Huge fans of the franchise will be overjoyed and might even scream. I’m not the biggest fan so I didn’t, but I’s fully understand.

The Hunger Games – Mocking Jay Part 2 Release Dates: November 18th, 2015 (US); November 19th, 2015 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Adventure, Sci-Fi

THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 2 (2015): A Second Teaser Trailer

2 Comments
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (2015), Jennifer Lawrence
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (2015), Jennifer Lawrence

After last month’s release of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 teaser trailer, I thought we’d see approximately 2 more trailers before the November release date. Not so, because here comes, yes, another teaser.

No one is going to blame you if the following thoughts went through your head as you watched.

  1. Whose music video is this? 
  2. Really? Another teaser?
  3. Ok. I want that red suit!
  4. Is white really the best colour for combat gear?

Before deciding to patiently (not so patiently) wait for November, you first need to stop imagining the people in white performing a very impressive street dance routine and Katniss Everdeen lip synching lyrics that include the words, ‘red’, ‘white’ and ‘unite’.

Good luck with that.

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

STILL ALICE (2014): Julianne Moore Is Super, If You Didn’t Already Know

3 Comments
Still Alice (2014), Julianne Moore
Still Alice (2014), Julianne Moore

I was always going to watch the 2015 Best Actress Oscar winning film, Still Alice. The Academy Award certainly made that more likely. But really, it’s the film’s talented star, Julianne Moore – an actor I’ve appreciated immensely since Magnolia (1999).

Moore’s portrayal of the heartbreaking stages of her character’s degenerative condition will remind audiences of why she is so celebrated.

Directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland, Still Alice also delivers memorable supporting performances from Kate Bosworth, Alec Baldwin and Kristen Stewart.

It’s a film for anyone curious about how the diagnosis of early onset Alzheimers might affect a patient’s life and that of their family.

Still Alice (2014), Alec Baldwin
Still Alice (2014), Alec Baldwin

Watch it for all the reasons mentioned, plus the pleasant surprise of seeing Alec Baldwin playing a more likeable character, Kristen Stewart continuing to make good project choices, post The Twilight Saga and the highlight that is the great speech at the Alzheimers Association.

Well-paced and acted, in Still Alice, you’ll also find an uplifting reminder to do as much living as possible.

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

MAGNOLIA (1999): Chaos Masterfully Organised

9 Comments
Magnolia (1999), Philip Seymour Hoffman
Magnolia (1999), Philip Seymour Hoffman

Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia is the reason the name ‘Denise’ will never be the same for me again. It’s all thanks to a memorable line delivered by Tom Cruise as the infamous misogynist, Frank T.J. Mackey.

The delivery of the ‘Denise, Denise, Denise the piece‘ line may be somewhat comical, but the comedy of it is in no way the only thing that stays with you once the film ends.

Cruise’s performance was so good that it resulted in a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe win. Add Philip Seymour Hoffman, William H. Macy, plus so many other great talents to the cast list of this very well-written piece, and we have a winner in more ways than one.

Magnolia (1999), Julianne Moore
Magnolia (1999), Julianne Moore

Magnolia is the first film that really made me pay attention to all the times in the future when the highly skilled Julianne Moore is listed as a cast member. There are plenty of great scenes to enjoy. I particularly love the drugstore scene from which the above still was captured. So good!

Magnolia (1999), Tom Cruise
Magnolia (1999), Tom Cruise

Anderson’s movie is very well-executed and focuses on several relatable life themes, including one that reveals what can happen in adulthood when a young person’s support system fails them badly.

The theme that resonated most with me is regret. An important topic so expertly explored that Magnolia is a brilliant reminder for me to do all that I can to avoid regret.

I recommend making time for this affecting work of narrative artistry, so you’ll see precisely why it’s been described as epic.

Happy Film Loving,

G