Set during the Great Depression; Dreamland has Margot Robbie as Allison Wells, a seductive fugitive bank robber who’s hiding in a small town that’s occupied by a teenage bounty hunter named Eugene (Finn Cole). Young Eugene must decide between helping or capturing Allison.
Directed by Miles Joris-Peyrafitte; additional key cast includes Travis Fimmel, Garrett Hedlund, Lola Kirke and Kerry Condon.
I’m mostly in because of Robbie and also a little curious about the Bonnie and Clyde vibe.
Darby Camp, Ginger T. Rex, Grayson Berry, Krista Bradley, Jane Wilson, Hans Christopher, Tim D. Janis, Joe Berryman and Bruce McIntosh also star.
Directed by Cathy Yan and set just after Harley Quinn breaks up with the Joker – then ends up joining three other female superheroes, I have to admit that I was unconvinced by all the female solidarity. I’m not saying that all that happened isn’t very possible. It’s just that the way the stories of each of the characters played out and led to all four coming together for one cause didn’t feel as smooth / seamless and satisfying as I’d imagined.
After the disappointment of Suicide Squad back in 2016, I had feared that Birds of Prey would leave me wanting, and it seems my fears came true. It certainly doesn’t help that I didn’t quite like Ewan McGregor as the villain either. I’ve just seen more engaging and interesting superhero movie villains in other stories.
Overall, even though I appreciate the message behind the story, I didn’t fully enjoy the delivery. I only really made it to the end of Birds of Prey because of Robbie and all the hype about Harley Quinn.
As some of you may have gathered, I’m more of a Marvel fan when it comes to superhero films. I mean, I’ll take Batman (the Christian Bale era) and Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, but everything else, DC can keep.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), Brad Pitt, Sony Pictures Entertainment
I don’t remember the last time I sat down to watch a movie and thought to myself ‘Yep. This definitely wasn’t made for me’, but Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, 2019’s Quentin Tarantino film that landed the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Brad Pitt is one such film.
As a long time fan of Leonardo DiCaprio, Pitt and Tarantino, I knew, having seen the trailer months prior that Once Upon a Time in Hollywood would be technically good, but also different from Tarantino’s previous films.
What I didn’t know is that as much as I appreciate Pitt and DiCaprio’s acting, the pace of this new movie would prove quite the challenge at times. I actually had to reach for my phone (then put it back quickly because I must focus) once or twice as the film played. All in search of something that worked a little harder to keep my impatient brain engaged and entertained. I’m quite sure that the pace of all that happened made sense for the look, feel, and period of this movie. I simply wish that I could have forgotten that my phone existed during the viewing process.
Thankfully things did become more interesting once we hit the one hour, fifteen minute point. Besides the aforementioned pacing plus the one or two tension-filled moments that seemed to drag on for a little longer than necessary, all else was well with Tarantino’s movie. A story about a specific period in Hollywood (1969) where a TV actor (DiCaprio) and his stunt double (Pitt) go about their lives navigating their roles and place in the industry. We get to see an enviably close partnership / friendship captured in a way that gives the movie a kind of behind the scenes / documentary feel. One that shows us a glimpse into the middle aged actor experience; along with the experience of a few other Hollywood residents – unsavoury or otherwise.
In terms of great scenes, DiCaprio has some. Overall though, my favourites mostly feature Pitt’s Cliff Booth character. It makes sense since Pitt’s scenes contained a little more of what I love about Tarantino films. Including beautifully choreographed ‘badassery,’ undeniable cool, great dialogue, tension, music and so on.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is one to watch for fans of Tarantino, those curious about his creative evolution and fans of the great actors involved. Even though this one isn’t my favourite Tarantino film, there are scenes I’ll remember fondly. Especially the choreography of a specific scene involving a beautiful pit bull named Brandy.
The latest trailer for Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn in DC Universe’s Birds Of Preyjust arrived…
It’s a good looking trailer that certainly has me excited to experience the entirety of Robbie’s performance, both emotional and physical.
Chris Messina, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ewan McGregor, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Derek Wilson, Rosie Perez, Matthew Willig, Charlene Amoia, Isabel Pakzad and Ali Wong Also star.
The trailer for the long awaited DC Comics Harley Quinn movie, Birds Of Prey – And The Fantabulous Emancipation Of One Harley Quinn is finally here.
Directed by Cathy Yan, this new story starts after Quinn (Margot Robbie) splits up with the Joker and joins three female superheroes. Namely Black Canary, Huntress and Renee Montoya. Their mission being to save the life of a little girl from an evil crime lord…
I’m in because maybe finally all the excitement and yelping with delight that was a result of me seeing Quinn in the Suicide Squad trailer two years ago can deliver on its promise. Fingers, toes and everything crossed!
Derek Wilson, Matthew Willig, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Chris Messina, Rosie Perez, Charlene Amoia, Isabel Pakzad and Ali Wong Also star.
Bombshell is a new biography / drama starring Margot Robbie, Charlize Theron and Nicole Kidman.
Directed by Jay Roach, Bombshell is based on the true story of the women who decided to take on Fox News boss Roger Ailes and the toxic male culture he presided at the network…
As this trailer played, I thought… ‘That’s definitely Margot Robbie and I think that’s Charlize Theron. And look! Nicole Kidman?‘ In other words, well done to the makeup and prosthetics people.
I’m sure this will be great, though I imagine, also not the easiest to watch. Looking forward to hearing all the ladies speak in the accents of Megyn Kelly (Theron), Kayla Pospisil (Robbie) and Gretchen Carlson (Kidman).
Connie Britton, Allison Janney, Alice Eve, Kate McKinnon, Alanna Ubach, Stephen Root, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Nazanin Boniadi, John Lithgow and Elisabeth Röhm also star.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino’s latest film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Al Pacino and Margot Robbie has a new trailer.
Ready or not, here is a 2.5 minute tease of a crime / drama / thriller about a TV actor and his stunt double, as they embark on making a name for themselves in the film industry….
So far, I must admit that Once Upon A Time In Hollywood has not quite garnered the same kind of excitement within me as Tarantino’s previous films. I blame that on this trailer appearing to be a slight change of pace / style compared to Tarantino’s other movies. Nevertheless, I still can’t wait to see how he’ll keep things interesting. I mean, the man has never before let us down, right?
Mary Queen Of Scots (2018), Margot Robbie, Focus Features
There are a number of things including the history lesson that made me want to watch Mary Queen Of Scots; the story of the troubled relationship between Elizabeth I, Queen of England, and her cousin Mary Stuart.
Considering that director Josie Rourke’s film is a costume drama, I’d hoped to see lots of sumptuous clothing design, in addition to very well written dialogue delivered by great actors. The film’s trailer even had me expecting something not too far from as epic as director Shekhar Kapur and Cate Blanchett’s Elizabeth (1998).Unfortunately for me, things didn’t quite transpire that way.
Starring Margot Robbie, Saoirse Ronan, Joe Alwyn and Guy Pearce, there certainly were a handful of well designed costumes to enjoy. Yet it’s the few moments of beautiful visuals – especially outdoor cinematography that proved most arresting for me. Even more so than the dialogue and general story editing which I have to admit had me less engaged and interested than I envisioned I’d be.
Mary Queen Of Scots (2018), Saoirse Ronan, Focus Features
It’s likely that in addition to finding the story more dull than anticipated, my interest also started to diminish in part because of how distressing sitting through the sexism and misogyny proved to be.
Just like my recent review of On The Basis of Sex (2018), another historical drama, it’s the part near the very end that I liked most about Mary Queen Of Scots. Meaning, everything from the moment the two royals finally meet. Actually, even with that said, I still choose the few visually arresting moments over the dialogue and this telling of the Elizabeth I and Mary Stuart story.
Watch Mary Queen Of Scots if you absolutely must. As for myself, I think it’s time I re-watched the great Elizabeth (1998).
