Tag Archives: Max Minghella

SPIRAL (2021): New Trailer Starring Chris Rock, Samuel L. Jackson, Max Minghella, Morgan David Jones…

Spiral (2020), Samuel L. Jackson, Lionsgate Movies
Spiral (2020), Samuel L. Jackson, Lionsgate Movies

The book of Saw has a terrifying new chapter.

Staring Chris Rock, Samuel L. Jackson, Max Minghella and Morgan David Jones; crime/horror Spiral is about a criminal mastermind’s unleashing of a twisted form of justice.

I’m intrigued because I want to see Rock do well in this lead role. And I like the idea of one of my favourite comics sharing screen time with Jackson.

However, the reason I may not see Spiral includes the fact that I’m yet to watch a single movie in the Saw series; mainly on account of horror not being my favourite genre. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean I’m not excited for fans of Saw.

Ali Johnson, Dan Petronijevic, Edie Inksetter, Leila Leigh, Max Minghella, Christopher Tai, John Tokatlidis, Genelle Williams, and Leonidas Castrounis also star.

Spiral Release Dates: May 14th, 2021 (US); May 21st, 2021 (UK)…

Happy film Loving

G

TEEN SPIRIT (2018): The Things I Liked…

Teen Spirit (2018), Elle Fanning
Teen Spirit (2018), Elle Fanning, Interscope Films

Teen Spirit, the Max Minghella directed music / drama about a small town teenager with dreams of pop stardom is one I watched for two main reasons. The first being my curiosity about Minghella’s directing talents, especially since I’m such a fan of much of his late father‘s great works. The second reason is, I simply needed to hear Elle Fanning’s British accent. 

I’ll start by confirming that the talented young Fanning’s accent is of course good. In fact, I found it so convincing that I actually forgot to question it.

As for Minghella’s directing chops, there was a  period where the film’s great pacing slowed down in a noticeable way. The other moment I wasn’t delighted by is when the predictable exploitative love interest storyline took hold. Perhaps I’m just too avid a movie watcher to have not seen that coming but I definitely wish that particular scenario wasn’t so obvious to me, in effect making that moment of the film feel tedious.

Besides the above mentioned two instances, Teen Spirit is well acted and kept my full attention most of the time. Particularly since I very much connected with Violet’s (Fanning) hustle for a better reality. And as she made that final walk to the stage, it could not have been more intense and moving because of all it must have meant.

Watch it if you’re curious.

Happy Film Loving.

G

TEEN SPIRIT (2018): New Trailer From Elle Fanning, Rebecca Hall, Millie Brady…

Teen Spirit (2018), Elle Fanning
Teen Spirit (2018), Elle Fanning

Read my spoiler-free movie review of Teen Spirit (2018).


Teen Spirit is the story of a shy teenager who dreams of leaving behind her small town life in exchange for pop stardom. Her chance finally arrives in the shape of an unlikely mentor, and a talent, integrity and ambition testing international singing competition.

Directed by Max Minghella; Elle Fanning, Rebecca Hall and Millie Brady star…

I’m curious about Elle Fanning’s British accent and I want to find out how much Teen Spirit will remind me of Beyond The Lights (2014)if at all.

Elizabeth Berrington, Zlatko Buric, Jordan Atephens and Archie Madekwe also star.

Teen Spirit Release Dates: April 5th, 2019 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

G

THE 9TH LIFE OF LOUIS DRAX (2016): New Trailer From Jamie Dornan, Aaron Paul & Sarah Gadon

The 9th Life of Louis Drax (2016), Jamie Dornan
The 9th Life of Louis Drax (2016), Jamie Dornan

The 9th Life of Louis Drax is a new thriller starring Jamie Dornan, Aaron Paul and Sarah Gadon. Directed by Alexandre Aja and based on the novel by Liz Jensen, a young boy’s mysterious near fatal fall and what happens to the psychologist that works with him is at the centre of the story…

After watching the trailer, I really want to know if the boy was pushed or not. I’d also like to know who the bad guy really is – Aaron Paul’s character or Jamie Dornan’s? Or the mother played by Sarah Gadon?

Questions, questions…

The 9th Life of Louis Drax Release Dates: September 2nd, 2016 (US)…

Happy Film Loving 🙂

G

THE SOCIAL NETWORK (2010): The Dialogue & Jesse Eisenberg’s Performance Makes It

The Social Network (2010), Jesse Eisenberg
The Social Network (2010), Jesse Eisenberg

The actual Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of Facebook had zero involvement in the making of The Social Network. Still, considering how well publicised the legal drama around Facebook was at the time, one can imagine that there’s likely more truth in the movie than  fabrication.

With reputable names like screenwriter Aaron Sorkin and director David Fincher attached to the project, as a fan of great writing, not seeing The Social Network would have been, to put it inoffensively, most ill-advised. Sorkin’s dialogue is absolutely my favourite thing about this film, particularly everything that Jesse Eisenberg gets to say in his role as Zuckerberg. The words, rhythm and pace are really a thing to experience.

A reason to watch is the example of what good screenwriting can look like. Another reason is curiosity about the movie version of the Facebook story. As I watched The Social Network, I found myself thinking about how much truth there is in the idea that often, many high achievers tend not to be the most likeable people, personality-wise. Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs are two impressive people that come to mind.

The Social Network (2010), Rooney Mara
The Social Network (2010), Rooney Mara

Andrew Garfield, Max Minghella, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer and Rooney Mara feature as the more than competent supporting cast. Looking at the picture above, I can’t help but agree with the line in the movie that refers to the ‘niceness’ of the face of Erica Albright /Rooney Mara. It is quite the work of art.

Happy Film Loving 🙂

G

THE INTERNSHIP 2013: Better Than You Might Expect

The Internship (2013): Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson
The Internship (2013): Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson

Starring Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson and several other  known comic actors, I found The Internship to be good light-hearted fun – which also happens to highlight the importance of effective team work and being good with people.

The Internship is a movie that’ll speak to anyone who has ever had to start over as well as any underdog.

If all that still hasn’t convinced you, how about the fact that the setting is Google’s US Headquarters? Also the character played by Josh Gad was a pleasant surprise. However unsettling his facial hair.

Happy The Internship 🙂

G