Tag: Marraige

Movie Trailers: Fall/Winter 2023 (Part 2)

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Hey y’all,

Here are some more trailers for movies which will be released in the next few mos. I learned a BIT re: these films from movie podcasts and media coverage of film fests (can view on YT). I’m most interested to see Fair Play, a relationship drama/thriller by (1st time director) Chloe Dumont set in NYC finance world. The movie’s leads are (up-and-coming/young) actors- Phoebe Dynevor (Bridgerton) and Alden Ehrenreich (recently seen in Oppenheimer). Fair Play was bought for $20M by Netflix- wow!

All the best,

EMMA.

Fair Play: SEPT (in select theaters); Netflix (OCT 13th)

The Royal Hotel: OCT 6th (US Release)

May December (Teaser Trailer): NOV (in select theaters); DEC 1st (Netflix)

The Killer: NOV 10th

Maestro (Teaser Trailer): DEC 20th

Movie Trailers: Fall/Winter 2023

Emma2 Comments

Hey y’all, thnx SO much for reading!

Wow, can you believe we are already in SEPT!? As it’s now Fall, MANY trailers for (potentially intelligent/interesting) movies are being released. It’s the time for film fests, incl. Venice, Telluride, and TIFF. If you follow me on any social media (knightleyemma), you’ve seen a BIT of the Venice Film Fest coverage. The WGA/SAG-AFTRA strikes are still going on (here in the US); however, a FEW actors (EX: Jessica Chastain, Adam Driver, Jacob Elordi, Peter Sarsgaard, and Cailee Spaeny) have been out promoting their new movies (under an interim agreement). Directors are NOT on strike, so you may’ve seen some on morning shows, entertainment podcasts, etc. What movie are you most looking forward to this season? Who is the best new actor/actress that you want to see more of in the future?

All the best,

EMMA.

FOE (OCT 6th): Official Trailer

Killers of the Flower Moon (OCT 20th): Official Trailers

Saltburn (NOV 17th): Official Trailer

Priscilla (NOV 3rd): Official Trailer

The Holdovers (NOV 10th): Official Trailer

The Bikeriders (DEC 1st): Official Trailer

Poor Things (DEC 8th): Official Trailer

Ferrari (Christmas Day: DEC 25th) : Official Teaser Trailer

“The Delinquent Season” (2018) starring Cillian Murphy, Catherine Walker, Eve Birthistle, & Andrew Scott

Emma2 Comments

Love is a dangerous game. -Tagline

Two friend couples, Jim (Cillian Murphy) and his wife Danielle (Eve Birthistle), and Yvonne (Catherine Walker) and her husband Chris (Andrew Scott), have 2 children each, and appear to live in marital bliss, until cracks start to appear in both seemingly-steady marriages. The film asks “How well do any of us really know each other?” and explores the ideas of love, lust, and family relationships. -Synopsis

Have you seen the new movie Oppenheimer (starring Murphy) yet? (I’ll have a spoiler-free review up soon). Perhaps you’re a fan of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s recent comedy series Fleabag (where Andrew Scott plays the “Hot Priest”). Or maybe you’re just looking for a smart/mature/modern drama (streaming for free on several platforms)? I came across this indie/Irish film (written/directed by Mark O’Rowe) while looking up Murphy’s work. It is mostly filmed like a play and centers on 4 characters; O’Rowe is known in Ireland for his work in the theater. Murphy (who was a musician before getting into acting) started out on the stage; he collaborated w/ O’Rowe in several plays. The more I see of his acting, the more I want to see!

Why can’t we (in U.S) make dramas like this!? I was pleasantly surprised by this film; I didn’t know what to expect beforehand. I thought it was quite true to life; the acting was terrific from all of the cast (incl. from the cute/tween kids). No one is depicted as a straight-up “villain” or a conventional “hero.” The characters look, dress, and speak like modern/middle-class folks w/ “everyday” problems (though the setting is suburban Ireland). This is the (perhaps rare) movie that doesn’t glamorize having an affair (unlike what is depicted in Adrian Lyne’s Unfaithful). The love scenes are shot in a matter-of-fact style, NOT to tittilate. I was reminded of David Lean’s Brief Encounter when it came to the tone (in certain scenes). The ending came as a BIT of a surprise to me (as it was un-Hollywood). Watch it for yourself- I don’t want to give away TOO many details!

Drama is conflict. I’m not interested in a good man’s life. I’m interested in contradiction, and pressure, and duress. All great works of art, or film or literature, in my opinion, have elements of those in them. Because who wants to write about happy people? -Cillian Murphy

[1] The film treats well the topic of middle-class malaise and ennui, deftly shifting the audience’s sympathy multiple times throughout.

[2] It was Cillian Murphy that attracted me to watch this movie. And I got so much more. Solid story with a presentation of moral dilemmas that have a lasting effect – both in thought and discussions

[3] At the end, I felt like I really knew these people, and I deeply felt for them. It’s such a small but perfect cast and such a tender and yet uncomfortable story.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

“Black Widow” (1987) starring Debra Winger & Theresa Russell

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She mates and she kills. No man can resist her. Only one woman can stop her. -Tagline

A tall/blonde/early 30s woman, Catharine Petersen (Theresa Russell), marries older (50-something) millionaires, waits until they’ve changed their wills (to leave all of their money to her), and murders them using clever methods. With each relationship, Catharine changes her appearance (hair/makeup/clothes) and personality to suit the man. Alexandra Barnes (Debra Winger) is a DOJ data analyst who finds links btwn several mysterious deaths. The more she learns of this woman, the more Alex becomes fascinated; she does field work on her own time (her co-workers and supervisor are V skeptical). Taking a wild chance, Alex flies to Hawaii to track the “black widow” (on her own)!

This (lesser known) neo noir was released about 6 mos. prior to the hit Fatal Attraction (1987). The director (Bob Rafelson) hadn’t worked on a movie since The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981); I’m NOT a fan of that remake (see the original B&W ver. instead). This movie could be a BIT shorter; there are also odd editing choices (some critics called it “choppy”). The dialogue is pretty good; the screenplay is by Ron Bass (Rain Man; My Best Friend’s Wedding). Winger (who had prior success w/ An Officer and a Gentleman and Terms of Endearment) was given the choice of the 2 co-leads; she chose Alex, b/c she didn’t understand why Catharine kills. One of the men in the poker game is David Mamet (in his 1st film); he’s best known as a director. Dennis Hopper has a small role (5 mins.) in the 1st act. We also see theater/movie veterans (Lois Smith and James Hong) in supporting roles.

Black Widow gives us a look into the (pre-internet) world of investigations; there was no facial recognition tech yet. Alex uses a slide projector to examine newspaper photos. Catharine borrows a VCR player (which is quite large) from the fancy Seattle hotel where she’s staying to watch a videotape. (I don’t think my family had a VCR then; we’d immigrated to the US in the Fall of 1986.) There is a LOT that is unsaid; there is “erotic tension” (as one astute reviewer said) btwn. the two women. Does Alex envy Catharine (who can get any man she wants)? Are the women attracted to each other? Early in the story, Alex shut down advances (gently) from her “right hand” (D.W. Moffett); there is also concern from her boss (Terry O’Quinn) who tells her (explicitly) to get a man. As Roger Ebert (who didn’t recommend it) said: “The acting is good. I expected more from this movie.” Gene Siskel liked it a LOT; he said: “Alex realized that Catharine could do something that she couldn’t- love!”

“Black Widow” (1954) starring Ginger Rogers, Van Heflin, Gene Tierney, & George Raft

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At a cocktail party thrown by nabes, a married Broadway writer/producer, Peter Denver (Van Heflin), meets a 20 y.o. young woman, Nancy “Nanny” Ordway (Peggy Ann Gardiner), an aspiring writer. He tells his actress/wife, Iris (Gene Tierney- in a small role), about this new acquaintance; she’s out of town helping her ailing mom. Peter decides to take her under his wing, giving her advice, and a bright place to write (his apt). A few weeks later, Nanny is found dead in his apt! At first thought to be a suicide, it is later discovered that she was murdered; suspicion falls on Peter. He begins his own investigation in order to clear his name; he discovers that Nanny wasn’t as naive/innocent as she appeared to be. The lead cop on the case, Lt. Bruce, is played by George Raft (in his gray-haired/character actor era). Classic film fans may know him from his leading roles (’30s-’40s).

Peter’s nabe/friend, Brian Mullen (Reginald Gardiner), started an affair w/ Nanny (who became pregnant) b/c she made him feel appreciated. This happened weeks before she met Peter. Brian (who has no current job) is married to a successful/glam Bdwy actress, Carlotta “Lottie” Marin (Ginger Rogers). From the early scenes, we see that Lottie is “the one that wears the pants” (and has a strong personality). Rogers uses a haughty/theatrical voice in her role; she wears several stylish outfits. Though Brian acts humble/self-deprecating in public re: being “a nobody,” Nanny realizes that it bothers him to be perceived of as less than his wife.

This is a movie that made me wonder: Are men doing OK? It seems that (even today), some men have a prob when gfs/wives make more money and/or have more power/influence than themselves. Actress Keke Palmer’s bf (w/ whom she had a baby recently) called her out (on Twitter) re: her outfit at an Usher concert. I don’t know what (IF anything) he does for a living; I’m guessing that Palmer is the breadwinner. Sarah Brady, a pro surfer/ex-gf of Jonah Hill, released texts (on IG) where the actor was trying to counsel her re: clothing and friendships when they were a couple. Were these actions (taken by Palmer’s bf and Hill’s ex) on social media in good taste? No, BUT they do reveal the insecurity some men feel when they can’t control the women in their lives. So why NOT pursue women who have more “regular” jobs or those who choose to dress “conservative?” Well, that wouldn’t be a challenge to men w/ this mindset! They want to tear down women that society puts above them (when it comes to money, status, looks, etc.)