Tag Archives: Octavia Spencer

Drama, Fantasy, Romance

THE SHAPE OF WATER (2017): New Trailer From Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon, Sally Hawkins, Michael Stuhlbarg…

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The shape Of Water (2017), Michael Shannon
The shape Of Water (2017), Michael Shannon

Read my spoiler-free movie review of The Shape of Water (2017).

Lonely Elisa (Sally Hawkins) works in a hidden high-security government laboratory and is trapped in a life of silence and isolation. Her life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda (Octavia Spencer) discover a secret classified experiment.

Also starring Michael Shannon, Michael Stuhlbarg and Doug Jones, The Shape Of Water is an other-worldly fairy tale set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1963.

Director Guillermo del Toro is all the reason I need to watch this one, but I’ll add the cast and the intriguing ‘secret experiment’ to the list of motivators.

For some reason, when I read the words ‘high-security government laboratory’ and ‘secret classified experiment,’ Captain America – The First Avenger (2011) came to mind. Anyone else? Just me? Ok.

The Shape Of Water Release Dates: December 8th, 2017 (US)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Biography, Drama, History

HIDDEN FIGURES (2016): For The Sisterhood, Strength & Determination

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Hidden Figures (2016): Taraji P. Henson, Mahershala Ali
Hidden Figures (2016): Taraji P. Henson, Mahershala Ali

Hidden Figures, the movie about the three African American women whose mathematical contributions led to NASA’s first successful space missions, is a film that did two important things for me. First, it gave me and many others a long overdue history lesson. Second, it reminded me that even though there’s still a considerable way to go, humanity really has come quite a distance in terms of equality and civil rights.

Seeing the challenges faced by the film’s main characters, the ways they dealt with the obstacles they encountered is really a great and empowering thing for anyone to witness. I particularly adore the sisterhood, strength, determination and good humour between the women. I of course mean Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. I see these ladies as the kind of women with personal attributes that many would  probably want for the women and young girls in their life. And I’m certainly not talking about the mathematical genius, not that that wouldn’t be welcome.

Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae, there really is no faulting any of the performances in Hidden Figures. Director Theodore Melfi’s movie is a good example of what a well-put-together film can look like. 

I say watch it because it’s thoroughly deserving of all its success. It’s also a beautiful celebration of truly great women, and the people good and brave enough to do what was necessary to help them shine.

Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Glen Powell and Mahershala Ali also star.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Source: JustWatch
Drama

THE SHACK (2016): New Trailer From Sam Worthington, Octavia Spencer, Tim McGraw…

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The Shack (2016), Sam Worthington
The Shack (2016), Sam Worthington

Starring Sam Worthington, Tim McGraw, Octavia Spencer and Radha Mitchell; director Stuart Hazeldine’s The Shack tells the story of a grieving man who’s invited to meet with God.

Going by this trailer, it looks as though Spencer is playing God herself. Wanting to find out how that plays out is reason enough for me to watch.

I also definitely want to see the film’s depiction of heaven. If you’ve read the book by William P. Young on which this movie is based, you likely already have a good idea.

The Shack Release Dates: March 3rd, 2017 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

G

Adventure, Animation, Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews

ZOOTOPIA (2016): Good Movie, Beautiful Message…

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Zootopia (2016), Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin)
Zootopia (2016), Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin)

My favourite types of Disney animated movies are the ones that do a great job of highlighting the importance of self belief  and following your heart; especially in the face of great opposition. Ratatouille (2007) is my favourite of this genre; then came Brave (2012) and now Zootopia.

Starring the voices of Idris Elba, Ginnifer Goodwin, Jenny Slate and Jason Bateman, there is plenty to adore besides the well-delivered positive messages. For one, that brilliant DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) scene. To say more about the scene would be to spoil, so refrain I must.

I love the story, the very-well imagined city of Zootopia and everything in it – including the design and all the little touches of humour that have nothing to do with dialogue. There’s also the classic Disney animated cuteness and a great main song for the soundtrack – Shakira’s ‘Try Everything‘

You probably have already, but, I say watch Zootopia again. I’ve seen it twice and will again to remind myself to keep my inner Judy Hopps at  the ready, always.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Source: JustWatch
Drama

THE FREE WORLD (2016): New Trailer From Elisabeth Moss, Boyd Holbrook, Octavia Spencer…

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The Free World (2016), Elisabeth Moss, Boyd Holbrook
The Free World (2016), Elisabeth Moss, Boyd Holbrook

In director Jason Lew’s latest movie The Free world, Boyd Holbrook is a recently released former convict and Elisabeth Moss, a married woman with an abusive husband. One fateful day, the two meet and a connection ensues.

Chances are that things aren’t going to end very well for both characters. The move from an abusive husband to a recent former convict isn’t exactly the the best trajectory for any woman, but I am looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds.

The Free World Release Dates: September 23rd, 2016 (US)…

Happy Film Loving,

G