Person To Person (2017), Michael Cera, Abbi Jacobson
Person To person is a new drama featuring various New York City based characters as they navigate personal relationships and unexpected problems over the course of a day. Written and directed by Dustin Guy Defa; Michael Cera, Abbi Jacobson plus Michaela Watkins are just three of the stars…
I’m curious about this because of Michael Cera, the seemingly quirky characters, the fact that it’s set in New York (a city I miss) but also because it reminds me of a 2015 comedy I loved called People Places Things.
Sally field and Max Greenfield are the stars of Hello, My Name Is Doris, the story of a mature woman who romantically pursues a much younger man. This kind of tale certainly isn’t the sort of thing you see in movies everyday, so, naturally I had to meet Doris for myself.
In meeting Doris, I got to learn about her story and how it relates to her current choices. There are a few dramatic and funny moments in this movie. However, what sticks most in my mind are the scenes that were so uncomfortable to watch that averting my gaze just had to happen. By uncomfortable, I’m referring to the situations the characters get themselves into as opposed to the films execution, which, overall is ok.
The actors did well with their performances but I didn’t like Hello, My Name Is Dorisenough for the uncomfortable moments to be worth it. What I did like a lot is the following quote because the meaning is just what a chronic procrastinator like myself needs to remember, always.
‘There are seven days in a week and someday isn’t one of them’
I also like that Hello My Name Is Doris helped me to conclude that essentially, we’re all stalkers when we find something /someone we like enough. But of course, as is the case with most things, there are levels and I for one am on the ‘no restraining order necessary’ category.
Directed by Rebecca Miller, Maggie’s Plan stars Julianne Moore, Ethan Hawke & Greta Gerwig in story that centres around a young woman who is eager to start a family on her own. The only thing is, she ends up becoming a mistress and breaking up the marriage of her professor lover and his wife (Moore)…
As you can tell from the trailer, there’s quite a lot going on. I like that Maggie’s Plan has been categorised as a comedy. Although, I don’t recall laughing, let alone smiling more than once during the trailer. The most exciting thing about this movie, for me is brilliant actress, Julianne Moore. Even more so because she’s sporting what sounds like a convincing European accent.
Travis Fimmel, Bill Hader, and Maya Rudolph make up other key supporting cast.
James White is a promising new movie starring Christopher Abbot, Cynthia Nixon, Ron Livingston and Scott Mescudi. The protagonist is a young man struggling with self destructive behaviour…
I, like many have enjoyed the work of both Abbott and Nixon in their previous hit TV shows, Girls and Sex And The City, respectively. That fact combined with this intriguing trailer and Josh Mond’s direction… Well…
Starring Chris Evans, an Actor best known for his role as Marvel’s Captain America and British Actress Alice Eve, Before We Go is a drama / romance about two people that meet on the subway in New York City.
Something reminiscent of Richard Linklater’s brilliant film, Before Sunrise (2004) is what I’m thinking after watching the trailer. As such, I look forward to seeing how this particular story unfolds. Even more so because this is Evans’ directorial debut.
For some time now I’ve been annoyed by the way some of the marketing people responsible for approving movie trailers have gone about their business. They have been happy to release film promos that reveal more of the story than many film fans care to see prior to release.
In the past, most of the films that have fallen victim to this ‘reveal virtually everything in the trailer’ movement have been movies I haven’t really been that interested in seeing. Today unfortunately, is a new day and I’ve just watched the so-called ‘trailer’ for Brooklyn (2015).
Starring Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson, Michael Zegan and Written by Nick Hornby, the John Crowley directed movie’s trailer reveals what looks like approximately 95% of the film’s plot in just 2.5 minutes.
What should have been a well executed trailer that reveals just the right amount to make you want to see the actual movie, was instead turned into what is essentially a very condensed short film sans the actual ending.
The feeling I got at the end is akin to how you might feel if a technical glitch occurred at the most inopportune moment, just before the big revelatory last scene of a movie. In such a situation, you might feel forced to immediately seek out the true ending. Perhaps ask someone that may have already seen it. Me? I felt forced to google the ending and I have no regrets.
The trailer has left me with completely no reason to want to watch the film. Why would the marketers do this? I just can’t believe it’s because the the film is based on a book that a lot of the audience would have already read. Money has to be behind it, along with laziness and a lack of imagination. What’s obvious is that there’s an opportunity for balance and compromise unless because trailers have been done well before without being turned into short films.
Go ahead and watch the trailer but only if you like spoilers.
That Awkward Moment (2014), Zac Efron, Michael B. Jordan, Miles Teller
The following are three of the best things about Zac Efron’s That Awkward Moment (2014). A story about twenty-something friends living and dating in New York. It’s definitely not a perfect movie – for reasons including, ironically, awkwardness. But these snippets of dialogue are indeed memorable. I’ve even found myself quoting one or two to friends.
1) ‘New York’s charm is that you’re surrounded by things you can’t have’. ‘New York’s charm is it makes you think you can have them’.
Having been there myself and experienced the energy, I can confirm that both statements are true.
2) ‘Jason. You weren’t there for me. On a day when I really, really needed you. And being there for someone when they need you, that’s all relationships are, Jason. That’s all they are’
Delivered whilst perfectly composed and with all pauses mid-sentence only working to make the statement more impactful in the moment – regardless of how simple the idea and words may be.
3) ‘Guys, in High School I was voted as most likely to have the best eyes’
My favourite! This one line makes me giggle every single time.
The Movie My Life 