Tag Archives: New Zazie Beetz Movie

BULLET TRAIN (2022): The Things I Liked…

Brad Pitt rarely letting his audience down with his movie choices is a major reason I watched director David Leitch’s latest, Bullet Train.

Also starring Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry and Sandra Bullock, the story of five assassins aboard a fast-moving bullet train proved too intriguing to resist. You can therefore imagine my disappointment when I realised that Leitch’s movie was not going to deliver. 

Despite some funny scenes, a handful of visually beautiful shots and camera angles, the story edit left me desperately wanting. I found the pace slow, tedious and inadequately engaging. 

The dialogue between Taylor-Johnson and Bryan Tyree Henry’s characters is the thing that made me realise the inspiration that seems to have come from Guy Ritchie and Quentin Tarantino’s best work. Unfortunately, however, the film does not work as well as those classic examples of filmmaking excellence. And finding myself not liking much of the music featured only made matters worse.

Despite my obvious disappointment, I do have a couple of highlights to point out. Firstly, every scene with Hiroyuki Sanada as The Elder. Joey King’s character, even though she isn’t particularly likeable. Channing Tatum; what a welcome addition he proved to be. 

Lastly, Brad Pitt. He is always good, right? It’s the script and overall execution that let everyone down.

Even after all the above, if you still find yourself super curious about Bullet Train, watch it. There’s always a chance you’ll have more fun than I could.

Happy Film Loving

G

WOUNDS (2019): The Thing I Liked…

Wounds (2019), Armie Hammer
Wounds (2019), Armie Hammer

My favourite thing about the latest Dakota Johnson, Zazie Beetz and Armmie Hammer horror / mystery Wounds is how well writer / director  Babak Anvari captured the tension; especially in the first thirty minutes.

All about the the strange things that start happening to a bartender after he picks up a phone left at his bar, I found that things started to go wrong for me when Hammer’s character made / didn’t make a decision that seemed so obvious to me. And because the rest of the story hung ever so loosely on his character’s decision – one that I did not buy, the film simply lost me and my trust.

In light of this, the real main issue with Wounds is that it barely makes sense. By the very end, I decided that Anvari’s movie is based on a script that needed much more work. Yes, there are moments that were well written and acted but the glaring gaps in the script were simply that, far too glaring. 

If you’re a die-hard Hammer and Johnson fan, then sure give it a chance if you’re especially curious, and also if you don’t mind swarming bugs. I definitely watched the swarming bugs scenes through my fingers. Otherwise, it’s very much the tension in the first half of the film that’s most notable. 

Have you seen Wounds, the film with the ‘very appealing’ name? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Happy Film Loving

G

WOUNDS (2019): New Trailer From Dakota Johnson, Armie Hammer, Zazie Beetz…

Wounds (2019), Armie Hammer
Wounds (2019), Armie Hammer

Read my spoiler-free movie review of Wounds (2019).


From writer / director  Babak Anvari, Wounds is a new horror / mystery starring Dakota Johnson, Armie Hammer and Zazie Beetz.

At the heart of the story is the strange things that start happening to a bartender after he picks up a phone left at his bar…

I’m curious because I like the cast – but then there’s the bugs. The many many bugs and those flesh wounds – with bugs in them!

Brad William Henke, Karl Glusman, Kerry Cahill, Kenneth Kynt Bryan, Jim Klock, Ritchie Montgomery and Terence Rosemore also star.

Wounds Release Dates: October 18th, 2019 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

G

JOKER (2019): New Trailer From Joaquin Phoenix, Zazie Beetz, Robert De Niro…

Joker (2019), Joaquin Phoenix, Warner Bros. Pictures
Joker (2019), Joaquin Phoenix, Warner Bros. Pictures

Read my spoiler-free movie review of Joker (2019).


Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Zazie Beetz and Robert De Niro, Joker is an exploration of Aurthur Fleck, a man disregarded by society and eventually driven insane until he become’s Gotham City’s best known psychopathic murderer.

Directed by Todd Phillips (The Hangover (2009), other key cast includes Bryan Callen, Shea Whigham, Frances Conroy…

I’m going to start by addressing the rather humongous and certainly beautiful elephant in the room. ‘Heath Ledger, Heath Ledger, Heath Ledger, Heath Ledger. The Dark Knight , The Dark Knight , The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight.’ OK. I’m done.

To clarify, my intention is certainly not to take anything away from Phoenix who I also appreciate, especially since his great work in Gladiator (2000). However, I just had to do the above because Ledger’s performance was pure magic and permanently fixed in my memory as one of the best performances I’ve ever seen.

I’m still definitely looking forward to watching this deep-dive into Joker’s journey, from failed comic to psychopathic murderer. Additionally, I actually can’t wait to compare both Phoenix and Ledger’s performances – just to see which I prefer.

Glenn Fleshler, Brett Cullen, Marc Maron, Douglas Hodge and Josh Pais also star.

Joker Release Dates: October 4th, 2019 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

HIGH FLYING BIRD (2019): New Trailer From Zazie Beetz, Zachary Quinto, André Holland, Melvin Gregg…

High Flying Bird (2019), André Holland

Zazie Beetz, Zachary Quinto, André Holland and Melvin Gregg are the stars of director Steven Soderbergh’s new drama, High Flying Bird.

At the centre of the story is a sports agent who pitches a rookie basketball client an intriguing and controversial business opportunity during an NBA lockout / shutdown

Right away, I like the rhythm and flow of this trailer edit. It’s giving me HBO’s Ballers vibes and a little hint of Entourage – another HBO show. I guess that’s why I first thought this was a TV series.

I want to see precisely what the intriguing yet controversial opportunity is and how far it gets. I also just really like the title, ‘High Flying Bird’.

Lastly, in reference to 0:19 in this trailer, when was it agreed that Basketball was the ‘sexiest sport?’ Surely football / soccer is the one.

Kyle MacLachlan, Michelle Ang, Bill Duke, Glenn Fleshler, Sonja Sohn, Caleb McLaughlin also star.

High Flying Bird Release Dates: February 8th, 2019 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

G