Tag Archives: Kate Mara

FRIENDSHIP (2024): The Things I…

Friendship (2024), Tim Robinson, A24
Friendship (2024), Tim Robinson, A24

Friendship (2024), that  Andrew DeYoung-directed comedy starring Paul Rudd and Tim Robinson, is a film I’d hoped to find deliciously awkward and fun.

Unfortunately, as I started to watch the story about a man’s friendship with his neighbour taking some unexpected turns, ‘fun’ was not the word because I felt compelled to quit within ten minutes.

Many may rightly argue that ten minutes is not enough time to know what a film could be. But Friendship was too awkward, and sort of in a college film assignment kind of way. Additionally, I found that Tim Robinson’s character’s reactions in a couple of situations read as too big for the moment, and that was the final nail.

I can’t deny that my patience for awkwardness may need more work, as further exemplified by my recent initial reaction to Pugsley Addams in Wednesday Season 2 (2025). And, I may well be missing out. However, everything cannot be for everyone. As such, I’ll continue to lean on I Love You, Man (2009), The Hangover (2009) and The Best Man (1999) for comedies about male friendship.

Green Book (2018) isn’t a comedy, but it does showcase a truly beautiful friendship.

Have you watched Friendship? Am I missing out? And, which titles come to mind for you when thinking about films that focus on friendship among men?

Happy Film Loving,

G

FRIENDSHIP (2024): New Trailer From Paul Rudd, Tim Robinson, Kate Mara…

Read my spoiler-free movie review of Friendship (2024).


New Andrew DeYoung-directed comedy Friendship has Tim Robinson as Craig, a man whose friendship with his neighbour Brian (Paul Rudd) takes more than one unexpected turn.

What did he do?

That’s what I need to find out. Equally, I’m drawn to the male friendship dynamic and the promise of humour.

And, there’s no watching this trailer without one of Rudd’s most iconic films coming to mind. I’m, of course, talking about I Love, You Man (2009). A film I suddenly want to rewatch right this minute but my to-do list says ‘NO!’

Will you also be watching Friendship?

Kate Mara, Jason Veasey, Rick Worthy, Meredith Garretson, Raphael Sbarge, Josh Segarra, Jack Dylan Grazer, Billy Bryk, Conner O’Malley and Daniel London also star.

Friendship Release Dates: May, 2025 (US)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

CHAPPAQUIDDICK (2017): New Trailer From Jason Clarke, Kate Mara, Ed Helms…

Chappaquiddick (2017), Jason Clarke
Chappaquiddick (2017), Jason Clarke

Jason Clarke, Kate Mara and Ed Helms are the stars of Chappaquiddick, the John Curran-directed biography of Ted Kennedy’s life and political career.

Kennedy’s career and life became derailed after his involvement in a fatal car accident that killed a young campaign strategist named Mary Jo Kopechne.

I’m intrigued because I want to see Clarke in a leading role, and Helms excel in a dramatic, non-comedic one. Two great reasons, if you ask me.

Chappaquiddick Release Dates: April 6th, 2018 (US)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

MORGAN (2016): New Trailer From Paul Giamatti, Kate Mara, Jennifer Jason Leigh…

Anya Taylor Joy (Morgan)
Anya Taylor Joy (Morgan)

Starring Kate Mara, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Paul Giamatti and Boyd Holbrook, Morgan is the story of an artificial being whose continued existence is to be decided by a corporate risk-management consultant.

I’m a fan of Alex Garland’s Ex Machina (2015), and as I watched the above trailer, it occurred to me that this movie may just be the closest that Ex Machina fans will ever get to a sequel. Not ideal, of course, but I’ll take it.

Morgan Release Dates: September 2nd, 2016 (US & UK); September 21st, 2016 (FR); November 24th, 2016 (GER)…

Directed by Luke Scott; Michael Yare and Anya Taylor Joy also star.

Happy Film Loving,

G

THE MARTIAN (2015): For The Time-Sensitive Problem Solving Fun…

The Martian (2015) Matt Damon
The Martian (2015) Matt Damon

I myself would never want to typecast anybody against their will, but I did find myself  very glad to learn that in The Martian, Matt Damon gets to play the role of a hero once more. Having to ‘hate him’ in Interstellar (2014) proved more challenging than expected.

Directed by the rightfully celebrated Ridley Scott, and based on Andy Weir’s best selling book of the same name, The Martian is a predominantly Mars-based adventure with a sprinkle of funny moments.

As you might imagine, similar to Interstellar (2014), there’s a fair amount of ‘science speak’ in the film. Most of it I personally will probably never understand, but you don’t need to in order to have a good time. The movie works, thanks to the story and the likability of its star.

The thing I enjoyed most about The Martian is all the scientific problem solving that Damon’s character, astronaut Mark Watney and the wider NASA team do in the effort to bring him home in one piece. I like the movie for this reason and as a story of teamwork and survival. I’ll also confess to getting quite a kick from seeing the female commander, played by Jessica Chastain take charge.

You may have heard that a few awards bodies placed The Martian in the comedy category. About that, there are a few funny quips here and there – and by ‘a few’ I don’t mean ‘a good few’ in the way that some people use the phrase to mean ‘a lot’. I do actually mean ‘a few,’ meaning no more than 5 laughs/giggles at most – which, in my mind doesn’t equal to a comedy. But, hey, trust the studios to find loopholes so that their film gets a chance at an award.

Science fans will likely enjoy this movie most, but everyone else will be pleased also, for the topic of surviving on Mars is a relevant and interesting one at this time. With that said, watch it because it’s good. Another reason would be to find out for yourself whether categorising The Martian as a comedy is at all justified. I remain unconvinced.

Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kate Mara, Donald Glover, Sebastian Stan, Mackenzie Davis and Benedict Wong also star.

Happy Film Loving,

G