In new HBO crime/drama Mare of Easttown, detective Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet) is trying to do her job while attempting to stop her own life from falling apart.
Set in a small Pennsylvania town, additional key cast includes Guy Pearce, Evan Peters, Julianne Nicholson, Jean Smart
My interest levels were immediately high because it’s Winslet. Then lines like ‘Mare, I know what you’ve been through. And I know you’re worth saving.‘ happened. Now I’m extra curious. Especially since this trailer cleverly reveals very little.
Lastly, bring on the winning Winslet’s transformation, for I am ready.
Angourie Rice, Sosie Bacon, Izzy King, David Denman, Neal Huff, Cameron Mann, James McArdle, Kassie Mundhenk and Ben Miles also star.
The Mountain Between Us, a story about two strangers whose plane crashes into a remote snow covered mountain is a movie I tuned into to find out if and how the strangers survive. I also just had see Idris Elba and Kate Winslet on screen together.
Directed by Hany Abu-Assad, The Mountain Between Us did enough to keep my attention, especially during the first four fifths of the film. I specify four fifths because the last fifth leading up to the final conclusion moved slower than my impatient self would have liked.
As for the onscreen chemistry between Elba and Winslet, any sparks that flew certainly weren’t bright enough to blind me for a second. As such, I’d say that the chemistry was adequate at best. Perhaps I know too much about the actors to buy their characters fully as a couple. It could also have been the semi- awkward love scene. On the other hand, perhaps the story somehow just didn’t give me all that I needed to believe in the central relationship. Whatever the answer, something was a little off for me.
The Mountain Between Us (2017), Idris Elba
If I were to watch The Mountain Between Us again, it’d probably be just a little chunk or two to remind me of Elba and Winslet’s chemistry. A second reason might be the beautiful shots of the snow covered mountain and surrounding landscape. Additionally, I may not have loved the song choice for when the credits started to role (ZAYN – Dusk Till Dawn ft. Sia), but I’ll alwayshave time for another glimpse of the way Elba’s surgeon character is dressed when we first meet him. Two thumbs up to that look, ALWAYS!
Applause to the film’s costume department aside, the moment that impressed me the most in The Mountain Between Us is actually the inevitable plane crash scene. It just felt so believable to me. More so than most, I think.
Overall, I see Abu-Assad’s movie as an OK film that’s worth seeing if something about it appeals enough. It’s also a movie that forced me to contemplate the benefits of having a dog… someday, probably.
Carnage (2011), John C. Reilly, Jodie Foster, Christoph Waltz, Kate Winslet
After seeing the trailer for Roman Polanski’s Carnage, I immediately had high hopes because of the exceptional cast. Namely, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, John C. Reilly and Jodie Foster. These seasoned performers play two sets of parents who decide to meet at one of their homes after their sons are involved in a fight. Before too long, as you can imagine, things get pretty dramatic… and amusing.
Based on the play by Yasmina Reza, understandably 98% of this filmis set in one room. This is far from a bad thing because at no point did I yearn for different scenery; everything that happened was just that engaging.
The dialogue in Carnage is beautifully written and delivered. The lines spoken by Waltz’s character made me laugh the most, thanks in part to his character’s highly committed relationship with his phone. One might even argue that though uncredited, that phone is very much a key member of the cast.
There’s also the highlight that’s the seriously uptight and judgemental mother played by Foster. I confess that I saw a little bit of myself in all the four main people in this story. However, I shan’t divulge which one person in particular.
I really enjoyed this movie. In some ways more so because I’ve never seen the play. I therefore don’t have anything to compare it to. Besides amusing me, Carnage highlighted the fact that the cause of most, if not all personal conflict is judgement. Particularly judgement of the blatant and unapologetic variety.
Woody Allen’s latest film stars Kate Winslet, Jim Belushi, Justin Timberlake and Juno Temple. Set on Coney Island in the 1950s, Timberlake plays a lifeguard who tells the story of a middle-aged carousel operator and his wife…
Kate Winslet is the main reason I’ll be watching. I’m also curious about whether Wonder Wheel has what it takes to challenge the place of my favourite Woody Allen Movie, Blue Jasmine (2013). I’m thinking no. But we’ll see.
The Mountain Between Us (2017), Idris Elba, Kate Winslet
The Mountain Between Us is a new Hany Abu-Assad directed drama / adventure about two strangers stranded after a tragic plane crash. Starring Kate Winslet, Idris Elba, Beau Bridges and Dermot Mulroney, the strangers are faced with the extreme conditions of a remote snow covered mountain, they must find a way to survive knowing that help isn’t coming…
As a big fan of ‘acting queen’ Kate Winslet and the wonderful talents of Idris Elba, I can’t wait to see this; especially considering how very promising it looks in this trailer. I confess that my heart is pretty much aching already – not because I know how the movie ends, I have no idea – but because of all the very big and important plans both characters had at their intended destinations. It’s just a shame that they only had access to that rickety looking plane.
Beau Bridges, Lucia Walters, Waleed Zuaiter, Marci T. House and Lee Majdoub also star.
I may have shed a tear or two because Collateral Beauty isa story about a father unable to function after his six year old daughter passes, but that doesn’t mean it was a ‘weepy’ holiday film done well.
Starring Will Smith, Kate Winslet, Helen Mirren, Keira Knightley, Edward Norton, Naomie Harris and Jacob Latimore, the signs that the David Frankel directed movie wasn’t going to be the best experience overall, started with me finding myself irritated by Will Smith’s mourning face – within the first 20 minutes. Not really great since he spends at least 95% of the film wearing said face.
In addition to my apparent impatience with seemingly prolonged periods of misery, I was disappointed that Collateral Beauty didn’t come together as well as I’d hoped. There’s something about the pace and edit that didn’t sit well with me. Mainly however, I find myself leaning towards the quality of the story as another reason for why my experience was underwhelming. Perhaps I didn’t get to spend enough time with Howard (Smith) before his tragedy. Had I done so, I may have cared more deeply about his distress. Most of the cast if not all are almost too talented for their performances to be the problem.
Collateral Beauty (2016), Edward Norton, Kate Winslet, Michael Peńa
The few moments of humour between Winslet, Norton and Pena’s characters is my main highlight. I also liked the dialogue when Keira Knightly’s character is literally on stage and reading her lines to the young man played by Latimore. I was quite taken at this point. Beyond these few brief moments where I’m really engaged, the only other aspect of Collateral Beauty that made me happyis the imagery of New York City. I really do miss that place.
Watch this movie if nothing will stop you but I’d say don’t expect great things.
Collateral Beauty (2016), Edward Norton, Will Smith
Collateral Beauty is a movie all about how one man makes it back after a tragedy sets him off on a downward spiral. Directed by David Frankel, the talented cast includes Will Smith, Kate Winslet, Helen Mirren, Keira Knightley, Edward Norton…
I can’t wait because I love ‘Lady Winslet’ That’s how I like to refer to my favourite actresses and generally any inspiring female. I’d say Lady Mirren too but she’s already a Dame, you see.
This movie is definitely going to make some people cry. Not me though. (LIES!)
The Dressmaker is a fun revenge drama set in a rural small town in Australia. I use the word ‘fun’ because of the dialogue, characters, cinematography and the haute couture fashion and colours of the 1950s.
The character played by Hugo Weaving is the source of several laughs and a definite highlight. As always, the film’s star, Kate Winslet delivers a wonderful performance. The movie’s beautiful soundtrack, courtesy of composer, David Hirschfelder is also another plus.
The Dressmaker (2015), Kate winslet, Liam Hemsworth
Directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse and based on the novel by Rosalie Ham, watch The Dressmaker because it’s good and you probably won’t be able to guess how things are going to unfold until they do.
Sarah Snook, Judy Davis, and Liam Hemsworth also star. Here’s the trailer for a taster.
The Movie My Life 