Zoe Saldana, Yonas Kibreab, Brad Garrett and Jameela Jamil are the stars of Elio, an animated fantasy/adventure about a young space fanatic who ends up on the adventure of his dreams.
‘I like it. I’m hopeful‘
The above are my precise thoughts after watching this teaser trailer. The visuals certainly have my attention. I, too, have fantasised about being up far beyond the sky because of the beautiful sights on offer. However, since I’m not going to space travel and I have zero interest in being abducted by aliens, I’m happy to settle for NASA images, my vivid imagination and movies such as this one.
Does Elio have your imagination going too? And how soothing is Saldana’s voice? Suddenly, I want her to read a book to me.
Elio is directed by Adrian Molina, Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi; Shirley Henderson and Remy Edgerly also star.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I decided to re-watch Avatar (2009), writer/director James Cameron’s action/adventure/fantasy about a paraplegic Marine dispatched on a unique mission to the moon Pandora.
Perhaps even more so than the impressive special effects Avatar is most known for, I particularly remember how strongly Cameron’s film reminded me of how easily evil wins when those who oppose it do nothing. And post second viewing, I can confirm that said message still rings clearly for me today. I mean, it is a recurrent theme in the human experience.
There is one other thing that stood out ever so clearly to me this time around. And it’s something that barely registered back in 2009, Zoe Saldana’s emotional performance as Neytiri. The visuals must have been too stunning for me to notice her contribution the first time around. But, as they say, better late than never, right? I certainly have a brand new respect for Saldana as an actor now.
As cliché as some feel the Avatar story is, for me, the thought never crossed my mind as I took in the movie. Perhaps I was too engaged with all the arresting audio-visual events happening before my eyes at the time. Whatever the case, I’m glad Avatar exists, and I was here to watch, even if Avatar may not end up in my list of top ten favourite movies.
I’m sure that by now, several of you have already re-watched Avatar and the follow-up Avatar – The Way of Water. And based on what many have said, both films are as impressive and epic as James Cameron movies are known to be. I’ll likely agree with this sentiment when I finally see The Way of Water. I wonder what I’ll miss and only notice when I watch it again several years later.
Did you also rewatch Avatar before the new release? And if so, how do you feel upon second viewing? Perhaps you also missed something the first time around.
Director James Cameron is properly back with the finished sequel to Avatar (2009).
Avatar – The Way of Water is set more than ten years after the events of the first film. Planet Pandora is under attack once more. And Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), plus his new-found family must do everything possible to keep each other safe.
Zoe Saldana, Kate Winslet, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang and Giovanni Ribisi are among the key cast.
To watch or not to watch Avatar – The Way of Water? Doesn’t that sound like the silliest question to ask a movie enthusiast? The answer is both yes and no. The former is true because all James Cameron movies are an event. A truth that arguably applies to him more than most.
Even though I may not be in the mood to watch a film about a family fighting for survival by the time this is released, I would be doing myself a disservice as a dedicated movie enthusiast by not watching it. Especially considering how impressive I found Avatar to be.
The reason the above question is not the silliest is this: No one thing is ever really loved by all, and that is the way of the human.
I’m curious, how highly anticipated is Avatar – The Way of Water for you? I haven’t been as excited as I ought to be because of all the release delays over the years. Yet, something tells me that will all change once the opening credits begin.
Jemaine Clement, Bailey Bass, Edie Falco, Joel David Moore, Chloe Coleman, Jack Champion, Cliff Curtis, Jamie Flatters, CCH Pounder, Britain Dalton, Matt Gerald and Trinity Jo-Li Bliss also star.
Missing Link, the story of Mr Link (a Big-Foot-like character) and his adventures with explorer Sir Lionel Frost (Hugh Jackman), plus adventurer Adelina Fortnight is an animated movie I found to be fun in parts and watchable.
The reason I’m not more enthused by writer/director Chris Butler’s film is that story-wise, it felt oddly superficial and more basic than I expected.
What I did enjoy are the interactions between Lionel and Link, plus the moments of heart, most of which happen in the more engaging last quarter. Emma Thompson’s character is another welcome highlight, and it proved quite satisfying to see Lionel’s growth/evolution as the story continued.
I watched Missing Link because the cast which also includes Zoe Saldana and Zack Galifianakis intrigued me. Yet, overall, I wish I could include Butler’s film on my list of favourite animated movies I’ve seen in recent years, but I cannot. Nevertheless, I say give Missing Link a chance if you’re particularly curious. It may just be what you need when you’re after an easy-viewing animated film experience.
The Movie My Life 