Tag Archives: Michael Keaton

SPOTLIGHT (2015): Great Cast, Good Movie…

Spotlight (2015), Mark Ruffalo
Spotlight (2015), Mark Ruffalo

Directed and co-written by Tom McCarthy; Spotlight simply and effectively tells the true story of the Boston Globe’s uncovering of a huge child molestation scandal within the local Catholic Archdiocese.

McCarthy’s film is a moving story that deals with the abuse of societies most vulnerable and one that rightly shook the entire Catholic Church to its core.

The main focus of Spotlight is the work of the Globe’s Spotlight team and the people they encounter as a result of their investigations. It’s through their hard work that we get to learn about what happened once they dedicated themselves to the child molestation case. The obstacles they encountered and what it took to get the truth to print. All of this comes together well to create a good mix of tense, suspenseful dramatic and emotional moments.

I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking that Journalists as a group can be quite the irritant at the best of times. But then I encounter a bunch as passionate and dedicated to a worthy cause as the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team and I’m reminded afresh that the heart of the journalist is almost always in the right place.

Being a winner of Best Picture at the 2016 Academy Awards is one reason I had to watch Spotlight. The others include the important story and the excellent cast attached. There’s Stanley Tucci, Rachel McAdams, Michael Keaton, John Slattery and of course, Mark Ruffalo, an actor who always seems to make great choices.

In short, Spotlight is worthy of your attention.

Happy Film Loving,

G

THE FOUNDER (2016): New Trailer From Michael Keaton, Laura Dern, Nick Offerman…

The Founder (2016), Michael Keaton
The Founder (2016), Michael Keaton

It is time for the movie adaptation of the story of McDonald’s, a.k.a, ‘the golden arches’, a.k.a, ‘Macca’s’,  a.k.a, ‘Macci D’s’ a.k.a, fill in the gap.

I’ll be watching especially for all the business stuff, for there is an entrepreneurial spirit deep within yours truly.

The Founder Release Dates: January 20th, 2017 (US); February 17th, 2017 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

SPOTLIGHT (2015): Time To Watch The Good Guys Win…

Spotlight (2015), Mark Ruffalo
Spotlight (2015), Mark Ruffalo

Read my spoiler-free movie review of Spotlight (2015).


Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery and Stanley Tucci are the stars of Spotlight, a true story about abuse and a gross coverup.

This trailer has me thinking about why empathy and love are key to the eradication of the ills.

I’ll be watching because the cast is brilliant. Plus, I desperately want to see the good guys win.

Release Date(s): November 6th, 2015 (US), January 29th 2016 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

BIRDMAN 2014): Dark And Different

Birdman (2014), Zack Galifianakis, Michael Keaton
Birdman (2014), Zack Galifianakis, Michael Keaton

My favourite thing about Birdman is the pleasant surprise of Zach Galifianakis in a serious dramatic role. Though not a particularly sizeable one, he does a brilliant job.

Directed by the apparently unpronounceably named Alejandro González Iñárritu, the acting, dialogue and distinct style of shooting are impressive.

It’s clear why critics love Birdman and equally so, why some of the general film watching public don’t. Something to do with the film not being quite ‘traditional.’

Birdman (2014), Michael Keaton
Birdman (2014), Michael Keaton

Regret about familial relationships and difficulty adapting to the changing environment are two of the key themes Iñárritu’s Oscar winning film explores.

The film is dark, both thematically and aesthetically. As such, ‘cheered up’ is unlikely to be how you feel as you watch. That said, however, you’ll be entertained because all the actors deliver very noteworthy performances that result in Oscar nominations for Michael Keaton, Emma Stone and Edward Norton.

Audiences will get insight into what it can be like behind the scenes of a highly anticipated theatre production. Especially how peculiar things can become when said production is the responsibility of a formerly successful actor who also happens to be extremely desperate for a comeback.

I particularly love the Time Square scene. Not because of its comedic value, but as commentary on how even when things still continue to go wrong after a long obstacle-filled struggle, you can find a way for the show to go on.

Happy Film Loving, 

G