Tag Archives: Scarlett Johansson

Action, Adventure, No Spoiler Reviews, Sci-Fi, Thriller

JURASSIC WORLD – REBIRTH (2025): The Things I Liked… 

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I’m not a big enough fan of the Jurassic World films to have a favourite, but I did enjoy Jurassic World Rebirth. The biggest highlight for me was Scarlett Johansson as the leader in charge of keeping everyone physically safe.

Directed by Gareth Edwards, this instalment of the Jurassic World franchise is a movie that proved most exciting in the last third. The scares, monster special effects, and the action sequence were good. The latter, even more so whenever Johansson was at the centre of it all in her more than capable mercenary mode. 

Based on the trailers, I’d expected the dialogue in Jurassic World Rebirth to be memorable. Yet, outside of Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey’s) lines about intelligence, which I enjoyed quite a bit, I’d classify the dialogue in Edwards’s film as okay to good enough. My classification of the directing and story/script is similar.

I must admit that Bailey’s American accent was a tad spoty in parts. But, thankfully, nothing like Don Cheadle in Ocean’s Thirteen (2007), where the Cockney accent is butchered/ obliterated like never before. I tried to find a clip to share here, but YouTube sadly did not deliver. 

As for the all-important (to me) question that no one asked about: As stories about humans going where they don’t belong, into jungles occupied by monsters, do I like Jurassic World – Rebirth or Kong – Skull Island (2017) more? It’s simple. Which one stars Tom Hiddleston?

Watch Jurassic World Rebirth if you’re curious. It is quite the entertaining summer blockbuster. 

Happy Film Loving,

G

Action, Comedy, Crime

THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME (2025): New Trailer From Wes Anderson, Starring Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Bryan Cranston, Benedict Cumberbatch…

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Wes Anderson’s latest movie, The Phoenician Scheme is a crime/drama/comedy about a family and a family business.

Scarlett Johansson, Bryan Cranston, Tom Hanks, Benedict Cumberbatch and Benicio Del Toro are among the key cast.

I love the cast and I’m certainly not averse to Anderson’s visually pleasing and highly stylised aesthetic.

May the story be just as pleasing.

Richard Ayoade, Rupert Friend, Michael Cera, Jeffrey Wright, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Hope Davis, Mathieu Amalric, Antonia Desplat, Max Mauff, Milo James, Mia Threapleton, Jason Watkins and Riz Ahmed also star.

The Phoenician Scheme Release Dates: May 30th, 2025

Happy film Loving,

G

Action, Adventure, Animation, No Spoiler Reviews

TRANSFORMERS ONE (2024): The Things I Liked…

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I was never the biggest fan of Transformers (autobots/robots that can transform into other forms, such as vehicles and animals), except I did enjoy the 2007 movie starring Shia La Boef, Megan Fox and Josh Duhamel.

Since then, the Transformers movies that followed didn’t quite speak to me. That is until I learned that the cast of Transformers One, the latest film in the franchise includes Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Keegan Michael Key, Brian Tyree Henry, Laurence Fishburne, Jon Hamm and Steve Buscemi. 

Directed by Josh Cooley, Transformers One is an animated action/adventure film about the origin story of sworn enemies Optimus Prime and Megatron, two transformers who were once the best of friends.

I must admit to enjoying Transformers One more than I expected to. Cooley’s film is a well-structured story. One with engaging, fun characters, funny moments, plus, visuals that will have you locked in – adults and children alike. And you certainly don’t have to be a die-hard Transformers fan to have a good time.

When forced to pick one thing to improve Cooley’s film, it would be for Megatron’s turn to the dark side to feel less rushed.

Watch Transformers One if you’re curious. You’ll likely find yourself pleasantly surprised.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Drama, Romance

FLY ME TO THE MOON (2024): New Trailer From Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Woody Harrelson, Ray Romano…

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Fly Me to the Moon is a new comedy/romance starring Scarlett Johansson, Woody Harrelson, Channing Tatum and Ray Romano.

Directed by Greg Berlanti; Johansson is Kelly Jones, a fictional marketing maven hired to direct footage of a fake moon landing as a backup, after the White House deemed the real moon landing mission too important to fail.

Johansson is why I’m a little intrigued; more than the story or historical period. Fly Me to the Moon also has a certain Hail, Caesar! (2015) and Babylon (2022) quality – one that doesn’t necessarily elicit the highest confidence.

Perhaps it’s because the moon landing story has been told so many times, that this just feels repetitive. Still, how lovely it would be to find myself pleasantly surprised with the finished product.

Do you find yourself curious about this one? Harrelson is always fun and Tatum and Johansson should be interesting; both were in Hail, Caesar!

Jim Rash, Christian Clemenson, Peter Jacobson, Greg Kriek, Colin Woodell, Joe Chrest, Noah Robbins, Anna Garcia and Kylee Nicole Peck also star.

Fly Me to the Moon Release Dates: July 12th, 2024 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

BLACK WIDOW (2021): The Things I Liked…

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Focused on the story of Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, we get to learn plenty about the avenger’s complicated past in an engaging tale that features unhealthy family dynamics, secrets, lies and some impressive action/fight sequences.

The main stars, Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour and Rachel Weisz are great. And unsurprisingly, as is the case with most, if not all Marvel movies, the musical score is impressive.

In addition to the action and music, my favourite thing about Black Widow is the sisterly dynamic between Pugh and Johansson’s characters. So much so that I’m ready for more Johansson/Pugh movies.

In terms of where Black Widow sits in my list of favourite Marvel movies, the understandably seemingly abrupt ending aside, I can say that I liked this film more than I did Captain Marvel (2019). Which of the two films ranks higher for you? 

Your thoughts are very welcome in the comments below.

Happy Film Loving,

G