Tag Archives: Kate Winslet

AVATAR – THE WAY OF WATER (2022): New Trailer From James Cameron, Starring Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, Kate Winslet, Sigourney Weaver, Giovanni Ribisi…

Director James Cameron is properly back with the finished sequel to Avatar (2009).

Avatar – The Way of Water is set more than ten years after the events of the first film. Planet Pandora is under attack once more. And Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), plus his new-found family must do everything possible to keep each other safe.

Zoe Saldana, Kate Winslet, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang and Giovanni Ribisi are among the key cast.

To watch or not to watch Avatar – The Way of Water? Doesn’t that sound like the silliest question to ask a movie enthusiast? The answer is both yes and no. The former is true because all James Cameron movies are an event. A truth that arguably applies to him more than most.

Even though I may not be in the mood to watch a film about a family fighting for survival by the time this is released, I would be doing myself a disservice as a dedicated movie enthusiast by not watching it. Especially considering how impressive I found Avatar to be.

The reason the above question is not the silliest is this: No one thing is ever really loved by all, and that is the way of the human.

I’m curious, how highly anticipated is Avatar – The Way of Water for you? I haven’t been as excited as I ought to be because of all the release delays over the years. Yet, something tells me that will all change once the opening credits begin.

Jemaine Clement, Bailey Bass, Edie Falco, Joel David Moore, Chloe Coleman, Jack Champion, Cliff Curtis, Jamie Flatters, CCH Pounder, Britain Dalton, Matt Gerald and Trinity Jo-Li Bliss also star.

Avatar – The Way of Water Release Dates: December 16th, 2022 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

MARE OF EASTTOWN (2021): New Trailer From Kate Winslet, Guy Pearce, Evan Peters, Julianne Nicholson, Jean Smart…

Mare of Easttown (2021), Kate Winslet, HBO
Mare of Easttown (2021), Kate Winslet, HBO

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.

Mare of Easttown Release Dates: April 18th, 2021 (US); April 19th, 2021 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US (2017): The Things I Liked…

The Mountain Between Us (2017), Kate Winslet
The Mountain Between Us (2017), Kate Winslet

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
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 always  have 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.

Happy film Loving

G

CARNAGE (2011): The Things I Liked…

Carnage (2011), John C. Reilly, Jodie Foster, Christoph Waltz, Kate Winslet
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 film is 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. 

Watch it because it’s good and fun.

Happy Film loving

G

WONDER WHEEL (2017): New Trailer From Kate Winslet, Justin Timberlake, Jim Belushi, Juno Temple…

Wonder Wheel (2017), Kate Winslet
Wonder Wheel (2017), Kate Winslet

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.

Wonder Wheel Release Dates: December 1st, 2017 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

G

THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US (2017): New Trailer From Idris Elba, Kate Winslet, Dermot Mulroney, Beau Bridges…

The Mountain Between Us (2017), Idris Elba, Kate Winslet
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.

The Mountain Between Us Release Dates: October 20th, 2017 (US & UK); October 19th, 2017 (GER & AUS)…

Happy Film Loving

G

COLLATERAL BEAUTY (2016): The Thing I Liked…

Collateral Beauty (2016), Will Smith
Collateral Beauty (2016), Will Smith

I may have shed a tear or two because Collateral Beauty is a 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 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.

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 pretty taken at this point. Beyond these few brief moments where I’m really engaged, the only other aspect of Collateral Beauty that made me happy is the imagery of New York City. I really do miss that place.

Watch this movie if nothing will stop you, just don’t expect great things.

Happy Film Loving

G

COLLATERAL BEAUTY (2016) New Trailer From Will Smith, Kate Winslet, Keira Knightley, Helen Mirren…

Collateral Beauty (2016), Edward Norton, Will Smith
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!)

Michael Peña and Naomie Harris also star.

Collateral Beauty Release Dates: December 16th, 2016 (US); December 30th, 2016 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving 🙂

G