Tag Archives: Tessa Thompson

Drama, Sport

CREED III (2023): New Trailer From Michael B. Jordan, Jonathan Majors, Tessa Thompson, Florian Munteanu…

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Creed III (2023), Jonathan Majors, MGM
Creed III (2023), Jonathan Majors, MGM

A new instalment of the Adonis Creed story is coming in 2023, and this time it’s a face-off between childhood friends.

Starring Michael B. Jordan (also the director), Tessa Thompson, Florian Munteanu and Jonathan Majors; Majors plays Creed’s childhood friend/former boxing prodigy with a point to make.

I don’t recall much about what happened in the last Creed movie, Well, except that a fight was very likely won by Jordan’s character. Still, I somehow wasn’t expecting a new instalment. How silly of me!

Since boxing doesn’t generally call to me, I’m drawn to watch this to experience what I believe to be Jordan’s directorial debut. I’m a fan of Thompson and Majors as well, so there’s also that.

Do you find yourself drawn to Creed III at all? If so, what are you most curious and or excited about?

Selenis Leyva, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Phylicia Rashad, Spence Moore II, Tony Bellew, Michelle Davidson, Jude Wells, Jessica McCaskill, Leah Haile and Candice Tracy Ross also star.

Creed III Release Dates: March 3rd, 2023 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

G

Drama, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

SYLVIE’S LOVE (2020): The Things I Liked…

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Sylvie's Love (2020), Tessa Thompson, Nnamdi Asomugha
Sylvie’s Love (2020), Tessa Thompson, Nnamdi Asomugha

I found plenty to enjoy in writer/director Eugene Ashe’s romance/drama Sylvie’s Love. A delightful movie that’s dreamy, stylish and romantic in a way that’s both old fashioned and modern; thanks to the visual style, costumes, lead character and the 1957 setting.

Starring Tessa Thompson, Nnamdi Asomugha, Aja Naomi King and Regé-Jean Page; Sylvie’s Love is just the kind of well-acted escape one needs from time to time. It’s a film that deals with the kind of predicaments/challenges most, if not all of us can relate to when it comes to friendships, romantic relationships, family and life, in general.

I enjoyed Sylvie’s Love as a story that happens to be about more than the romantic love between Sylvie and Robert (Nnamdi Asomugha), a young man with dreams of becoming a saxophone player. In my mind, the movie should almost be called ‘Sylvie’s Loves’ because it’s also, to a significant extent about her professional aspirations/love. For, she is a woman determined not to lose herself and what matters to her, regardless of external pressures from various angles.

Don’t be surprised if, by the end, Sylvie’s Love has you reflecting on just how helpful it is to have people in your circle looking out for your relationship.

For those who enjoy jazz music, like a little romance and or the costume design in shows such as The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, you’ll likely be glad you watched this one.

Lastly, if you’re wondering whether Sylvie’s Love shares strong similarities with the impressive If Beale Street Could Talk, (2018) the answer is ‘only in the sense that both stories feature the love stories of two young black Americans. Meaning, Sylvie’s Love isn’t going to completely shatter your heart due to a tragic and hugely unjust, racially motivated event.

Happy Film Loving

G

Drama, Romance

SYLVIE’S LOVE (2020): New Trailer Starring Tessa Thompson, Nnamdi Asomugha, Eva Longoria, Aja Naomi King…

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Sylvie's Love (2020), Tessa Thompson, Amazon Prime Video
Sylvie’s Love (2020), Tessa Thompson, Amazon Prime Video

Read my spoiler-free movie review of  Sylvie’s Love (2020).

Sylvie’s Love is a story of romance and music; combined with themes of changing times, a changing culture and the true price of love.

Set during a hot summer in 1957; writer/director Eugene Ashe’s film follows Sylvie (Tessa Thompson), a young woman who dreams of becoming a television producer, and aspiring saxophone player Robert (Nnamdi Asomugha) after they meet at Sylvie’s father’s record shop in Harlem, New York.

Doesn’t this one feel just right for the festive season? I want to spend time in the world of Ashe’s movie, and with all the beautiful music, costumes, colours, romantic dialogue and of course, all that love.

I’m also definitely in to watch people following their hearts and dreams.

Eva Longoria, Aja Naomi King, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Jemima Kirke, Tone Bell, Alano Miller, Regé-Jean Page, Lance Reddick, John Magaro, Ron Funches, Ryan Michelle Bathe, Erica Gimpel and MC Lyte also star.

Sylvie’s Love Release Dates: December 25th, 2020 (US), Amazon Prime Video…

Happy Film Loving

G

Action, Adventure, Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews

MEN IN BLACK – INTERNATIONAL (2019): The Things I Liked…

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Men In Black - International (2019), Emma Thompson, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Men In Black – International (2019), Emma Thompson, Sony Pictures Entertainment

Instead of the focus being solely on a big alien threat that needs eliminating, in Men In Black – International, there’s the pressing matter of a mole within the MIB organisation to deal with.

Starring Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson, my favourite thing about Men In Black – International is the visual effects and Emma Thompson’s character. All the other key characters weren’t terrible but unfortunately the script for director F. Gary Gray’s movie just seemed overly complicated and not as exciting as initially hoped. 

Hemsworth and T. Thompson’s chemistry did help matters. Nevertheless, approximately twenty minutes into the movie, I realised I was missing Will Smith’s Men In Black (1997) performance. There’s something about his comedic expertise that I feel would have added an extra layer of humour and fun to this film. To be clear, I’m definitely not saying ‘Put Smith in this movie and it would have been great overall’, because for that to be true, a much better story and script is required. I just think that Men In Black – International could have been better, more exciting and funny.

One other little highlight is the well choreographed fight scenes. They helped me to stop dwelling too much on some of the dodgy dialogue, my general disappointment and the cheap plastic toy gun noises made by some of the MIB weapons early on in the movie.

Watch Men In Black – International if you’re curious. It’s kind of fun. It’s just not especially good.

Happy Film Loving

G

Adventure, Animation, Family

LADY AND THE TRAMP (2019): New Trailer Starring Tessa Thompson, Justin Theroux, Sam Elliott, Kiersey Clemons…

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Lady And The Tramp (2019), Disney+, Walt Disney Studio
Lady And The Tramp (2019), Disney+, Walt Disney Studio

The time has come for Disney’s 1955 classic Lady And The Tramp to get the live-action treatment.

The Charlie Bean directed remake of a romantic tale about a sheltered uptown Cocker Spaniel dog, and a streetwise downtown Mutt stars Tessa Thompson, Justin Theroux, Sam Elliott, Kiersey Clemons…

When I think of Lady And The Tramp, I simply picture the iconic spaghetti scene. And since that’s almost the full extent of my knowledge of this story, I look forward watching it play out.

Are you excited about this remake? Maybe it’s your favourite. Share you thoughts in the comments below.

Yvette Nicole Brown, Janelle Monáe, Thomas Mann, Benedict Wong, Arturo Castro, Adrian Martinez, Jason Burkey, Parvesh Cheena and Michael Tourek also star.

Lady And The Tramp Release Dates: November 12th, 2019 US & UK), Disney+ / Internet…

Happy Film Loving

G

Action, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews, Sport

CREED II (2018): The Things I Liked…

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Creed II (2018), Michael B. Jordan, MGM
Creed II (2018), Michael B. Jordan, MGM

Creed II is a movie I watched because I was told it’s worthwhile. It certainly would have been a better experience overall if I were a serious boxing fan. Nevertheless, if like myself you’re just a fan of good movies, that too is enough. Because thanks to the story, dramatic performances and that rather great fight sequence near the end, I had a good time with director Steven Caple Jr.’s film.

Centred around what is arguably the most important fight of Adonis Creed’s life, I enjoyed the emotional journey and overarching tension as Creed grows into the man and the mindset required to get to where he needs to be. I also liked the rather moving moments in and outside of the boxing ring. From the time Creed learns of his opponent, to the required balancing act where his family life is concerned and the intense training in the desert which culminates in the all-important biggest fight of his life.

Regarding the question of whether Creed II is better than Creed, the good news is that they’re both worthy. As such, definitely watch it if you’re into boxing. For everyone else, it’s beautifully shot, particularly the training and fight scenes. Lastly, you will be moved and the cast is great.

Happy Film Loving 

G

Crime, Drama, Western

LITTLE WOODS (2018): New Trailer From Lily James, Tessa Thompson…

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Little Woods (2018), Lily James, Tessa Thompson

Little Woods is the latest from Tessa Thompson and Lily James.

Written / directed by  Nia DaCosta, it’s a modern western / crime / drama about sisters Ollie and Deb who are driven to work outside the law to better their lives.

Ollie has been helping people in her town to access Canadian health care and medication. Eventually the authorities sense that something’s going on and Ollie decides to quit, except, then comes a desperate plea for help from her sister…

I definitely didn’t see the interesting pairing of Thompson and James coming. I’m looking forward to seeing how the story plays because sibling dynamics are often intriguing and I could be wrong but something tells me that there might just be some tragedy in store.

Luke Kirby, James Badge Dale, Lance Reddick, Elizabeth Maxwell, Luci Christian, Lawrence Varnado, and Alexis West also star.

Little Woods Release Dates: April 19th, 2019 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

G

Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi

MEN IN BLACK INTERNATIONAL (2019): New Trailer From Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Liam Neeson, Rebecca Ferguson…

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Read my spoiler-free movie review of Men In Black – International (2019).

Protectors of Earth from the scum of the universe, the Men In Black are back with new F. Gary Gray directed sci-fi/action/comedy, Men In Black – International. 

Starring Tessa Thompson, Chris Hemsworth, Liam Neeson and Rebecca Ferguson; the focus this time is to deal with a new big threat, a mole in the Men in Black organisation.

The chemistry between Thompson and Hemsworth is just great. I can’t wait to see this new ‘international’ angle. It helps that it’s partly set in my beloved London town, but really, this trailer is pretty well done.

I’ve been a fan of Rebecca Ferguson as an action star since Mission – Impossible Rogue Nation (2015), and now based on this trailer, Tessa Thomson is definitely another new favourite.

Fingers crossed that Hemsworth’s seemingly British accent turns out great.

Emma Thompson, Rafe Spall, Kumail Nanjiani and Davina Sitaram also star.

Men In Black International Release Dates: June 14th, 2019 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G