Tag Archives: Linda Cardellini

Comedy, Drama

NUTCRACKERS (2024): The Things I Liked…

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Directed by David Gordon Green of Pineapple Express (2008), Nutcrackers is a comedy/drama that follows a single, child-free uncle (Ben Stiller) whose life changes completely after his four unruly nephews are unexpectedly orphaned. 

The trailer for Nutcrackers featured well-edited clips with some promising comic timing and talented young performers. Unfortunately, the finished product felt forced. It also contained super long cuts of dancing towards the end that tested my patience instead of giving me that heartwarming moment it tried to induce. 

I stayed watching Nutcrackers past the twenty-minute mark because it gave me glimpses of Ben Stiller at the height of his comedic powers. The period when hits such as There’s Something About Mary (1998), Meet the Parents (2000) and Zoolander (2001) were released.

Nutcrackers attempted a few more moments of emotional depth outside of the aforementioned dancing scenes. However, those, too, read as manufactured, and poorly so, because it felt like I saw all the beats coming.

One more positive thing? Linda Cardellini is always a pleasant surprise on any cast list. My only wish is that Nutcrackers had been a more successful option outside of the usual, super cheesy romantic Christmas films of the season, which, as cheesy as they may be, have their rightful place.

Watch Nutcrackers, only if you absolutely must.

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Comedy

DEAD TO ME (2019): New Trailer From Christina Applegate, Linda Cardellini, Edward Asner, James Marsden…

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Dead To Me (2019): Linda Cardellini, Christina Applegate, Netflix
Dead To Me (2019): Linda Cardellini, Christina Applegate, Netflix

Dead To Me is a new comedy series starring  Christina Applegate, Linda Cardellini, Edward Asner and James Marsden.

Created by Liz Feldman, at the heart of the story is the powerful friendship that grows between a free spirit with an unexpected secret and a tightly wound widow.

I really like it when filmmakers put together two actors I had no idea I wanted to see in the same production. I’m in for the story, humour, mystery and certainly the sisterhood.

Tiffany Yvonne Cox, Sam McCarthy, Felice Heather Monteith, Luke Roessler, Diana Maria Riva, Adora Soleil Bricher, Nayeli Esparza and Gloria Calderon Kellett also star.

Dead To Me Release Dates: May 3rd, 2019 (US)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Horror, Mystery, Thriller

THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA (2019): New Trailer From Linda Cardellini, Patricia Velasquez, Raymond Cruz…

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The Curse Of La Llorina (2019), Linda Cardellini
The Curse Of La Llorina (2019), Linda Cardellini

Linda Cardellini, Patricia Velasquez and Raymond Cruz are the stars of The Curse of La Llorona, a new Michael Chaves-directed horror/mystery.

Set in 1970s Los Angeles. One in which a social worker and her small children are drawn into a frightening supernatural realm after they ignore the warnings of a troubled mother.

In the name of my mission to watch more scary movies this year, I’m drawn to this one because of Cardellini. I mean, did you see how well she sold the moment that happens soon after 1:00 into this trailer? Wonderful actress!

Sean Patrick Thomas, Tony Amendola and Madeleine McGraw also star.

The Curse of La Llorona Release Dates: April 19, 2019 (US); Mar 3rd 2019 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

GREEN BOOK (2018): The Things I Liked…

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Green Book (2018), Mahershala Ali, Viggo Mortensen
Green Book (2018), Mahershala Ali, Viggo Mortensen

Directed by Peter Farrelly and starring Mahershala Ali, Viggo Mortensen and Linda Cardellini, Green Book tells the story of the great friendship between a working-class Italian-American bouncer/driver and an African-American classical pianist. Since Farrelly’s story is set in 1960s America, racial tensions play a significant part in the movie. Nevertheless, the main focus is very much on the developing friendship between the two men.

There’s a number of heartbreaking scenes in Green Book but there are definitely far more that’ll make you smile and have you thinking about the great friends you have and/or want in your life. You may also be moved to be even kinder than I’m certain you already are.

What stands out most for me about Green Book, in addition to the great performances, is the realisation that Green Book is one of those movies with a rhythm so perfect that there wasn’t a single moment when I questioned any of the director/editor’s choices. Everything just flowed beautifully, as I let myself be led by the eyes without hesitation or resistance, until the very end.

Some of the music in Green Book definitely had me contemplating dressing up and showing up at the nearest jazz venue, not that the main music featured is jazz, mind you. I also thoroughly enjoyed Mortensen’s performance as one of the most convincing non-Italians to play an Italian-American that I’ve ever seen on screen. 

Watch Green Book because it’s good, and to see an example of an inspiring, growing friendship/respect between two men. One that alters them both.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, Crime, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

A SIMPLE FAVOR (2018): The Thing I Liked…

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A Simple Favor (2018): Blake Lively
A Simple Favor (2018): Blake Lively

Director Paul Feig’s crime/thriller about a mommy vlogger trying to find out the real reason behind her new best friend’s sudden disappearance is a movie I liked less than I expected to. 

Starring Blake Lively, Henry Golding and Anna Kendrick, what I appreciated most about A Simple Favor, besides Lively’s character Emily’s great sense of style, is her embodiment of a young woman in charge who refuses to take nonsense from anyone.

It’s therefore no wonder then that Kendrick’s outwardly super sweet Stephanie was very much drawn to the clearly inspiring and very fun to watch Emily.

There was a moment after all the key characters seemed to have been established that I wondered where the story was really going. What I most certainly didn’t expect was that I’d find A Simple Favor to be rather unsatisfying overall.

Having never read the book on which this movie is based, I’d prepared myself for a different kind of experience; one that was a fun mystery with entertaining dialogue, but without things taking quite the dark turn that they did. And when I say ‘dark,’ I’m really mostly referring to the truth behind Emily, her true nature. It’s clear to me now that I simply wanted to like her but couldn’t

The last time a movie did something similar to me, almost like a bait and switch was The Lobster (2015). And just like the Lobster, I liked the earlier half of A Simple Favor more.

Watch it if you’re so curious, maybe you’ll enjoy the darkness.

Happy Film Loving,

G