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Movie reviews

Movie Trailers: Fall/Winter 2023 (Part 2)

EmmaLeave a comment

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

“Tequila Sunrise” (1988) starring Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, & Kurt Russell

Emma1 Comment

A dangerous mix. -Tagline

A former L.A. drug dealer tries to go straight but his past and his underworld connections bring him into the focus of the DEA, the Mexican feds and the Mexican drug cartels. -Synopsis

This is a neo noir (written/directed by Robert Towne) set in LA; it’s streaming on Max (formerly HBO Max). It was also shown on TCM’s Noir Alley. I must’ve seen it MANY yrs ago (maybe as a teen) b/c I recalled V little about it (aside from the hot/famous cast). It’s trying to be edgy, as the good guy is an ex-drug dealer and the cops/feds are baddies. There is a love triangle of 2 men (friends since HS) and one woman; this is unusual for mainstream Hollywood. Critics are mixed re: this movie; some enjoyed it, while others noticed the (many) flaws.

Jo Ann: I’m sorry. I was just joking. I didn’t mean to hurt you.

Mac: Aw, come on. It didn’t hurt that bad. Just looking at you hurts more.

What’s up w/ the odd title? When the DEA agent, Maguire (J.T. Walsh), is listening to surveillance tapes of restaurant owner, Jo Ann Vallenari (Michelle Pfeiffer), she’s heard offering Dale “Mac” McKussic (Mel Gibson) a cocktail (Tequila Sunrise). FYI: The drink consists of tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup. The producers wanted Harrison Ford and Jeff Bridges for the male co-leads; that could’ve been a better movie. Gibson was V popular then; he’d recently been in Lethal Weapon; Mac is more nuanced than Det. Riggs (trying to be a good father). Russell (acting since childhood) was known for his likeability and work in the action genre; Lt. Nick Frescia is NOT so nice though. Pat Riley (coach of the LA Lakers) provided the inspo for Nick’s look (suits and slicked-back hair).

Jo Ann: Mr. McKussic, it seems, has been engaged in his business for purely romantic reasons, whilst you have been engaged in romance for purely business reasons.
Nick: I’m not sure I understand.
Jo Ann: A little vague for you?
Nick: A little.
Jo Ann: Well, then, let me spell it out for you: you want to f**k your friend, then f**k him, not me!

Did these (mostly male) writers and producers have any (female) friends!? Mac’s ex-wife is depicted as vain/money-obsessed; she gets V little screen time. As some viewers noted, neither Nick not Mac is good enough for Jo Ann! Pfeiffer (in mostly cream-colored outfits) is doing her best w/ Jo Ann’s (shallow/contradictory) characterization. She didn’t get along w/ Towne; he called her “the most difficult actress I have ever worked with.” The actress was going through a divorce at this time. There is a (infamous) love scene; the hot tub was NOT built properly/chlorinated. Pfeiffer, her body double, and Gibson got skin rashes and splinters from the wood- ouch! Production shut down for a few days while they recovered.

Carlos [to Mac]: You son of a bitch! How could you do this? Friendship is the only choice in life you can make that’s yours! You can’t choose your family, God damn it – I’ve had to face that! And no man should be judged for whatever direction his d**k goes – that’s like blaming a compass for pointing north, for Christ’s sake! Friendship is all we have! We chose each other. How could you f**k it up? How could you make us look so bad?

The dialogue can be good (at times), BUT also quite cheesy/predictable. The plot and editing are often confusing; Roget Ebert commented: “It feels like there are chunks of the movie cut out.” The filmmakers could’ve made better (more nuanced) choices. I expected Mac to die at the end of the film; that would’ve made more sense! Towne wanted that ending also, BUT producers said Gibson had to be alive. Is there anything fun re: this movie? Well, Gibson is shirtless in several scenes (in FAB shape). The kid playing Mac’s son (Cody) does a good job in his small role. When the main villain, Carlos (Raul Julia), appears- he steals the movie! Julia (a trained singer) sings some; he does the best he can w/ what he has been given. A young Matt LeBlanc (Friends) appears on the TV; this was a real commercial for Heinz ketchup.

“Lawless” (2012) starring Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Guy Pearce, & Jason Clarke

Emma2 Comments

When the law became corrupt, outlaws became heroes. -Tagline

Tom is a big draw for actors, b/c people wanna work w/ him. Well, when you think about it, my character is a fan of his brother. He’s the leader, the shot-caller essentially. […] There’s a lot of my dichotomy w/ Tom in my life and btwn. Jack and Forrest. I look up to Tom as an actor, and I respect him as an actor. -Shia LaBeouf, during press tour for Lawless (Spring 2012)

In 1931, in Franklin Co, VA, Forrest Bondurant (Tom Hardy) is a legend among the locals. Together w/ his older brother, Howard (Jason Clarke), and younger brother, Jack (Shia LaBeouf), he runs a distillery/bootlegging biz. When the D.A. Mason Wardell arrives w/ Special Deputy Charles Rakes (Guy Pearce), the Bondurants refuse to pay the required bribes. Meanwhile, Forrest hires a waitress for their gas station/cafe, Maggie (Jessica Chastain), who has a mysterious past in Chicago. Jack becomes interested in a Mennonite preacher’s daughter, Bertha Minnix (Mia Wasikowska). Jack and his friend, Cricket (Dane DeHaan), deal a big load of liquor w/ a powerful gangster, Floyd Banner (Gary Oldman). Jack shows off w/ his new car/clothes, attracting the attention of Rakes.

Jack [in opening voiceover]: You can make moonshine whiskey from just about anything. Turnips, pumpkins, blackberries, cornmeal, tree bark. Anything.

This movie premiered at the Cannes Film Festival; it’s based on real events, as explained in the 2008 book The Wettest County in the World by Matt Bondurant (grandson of Jack). The timeline and sequence of events found in the book differs from the film. Chastain had her hair cut/dyed, as she didn’t want to wear a wig. Forrest was supposed to look slimmer, BUT Hardy had to bulk up for The Dark Knight Rises (2012). LaBeouf (who naturally has a slight build) gained 40 lbs. The 3 onscreen bros all lived in the same house while filming on location (in Georgia). Hardy and LaBeouf got into “a physical altercation” during the shoot. Hardy later said that LaBeouf “knocked me out;” the younger actor said that Hardy started aggressively wrestling w/ him (w/o warning). LaBeouf said he drank moonshine during filming (as part of his process). He admitted that his drinking and aggressive attitude caused Wasikowska to try and leave the film- wow! If you know re: LaBeouf’s (troubled) personal life, this won’t shock you.

Forrest: It is not the violence that sets men apart, alright, it is the distance that he is prepared to go.

There is much to admire re: Lawless, BUT it is an uneven movie. I liked the (unique) way that modern and period music were blended; it was quite effective. The movie drags on about 10-15 mins. TOO long and is light on character development (w/ an international ensemble cast). Warning: The blood and violence may be TOO much for sensitive viewers. The main villain (Pearce) is vain, sadistic, and prejudiced; as one journo at Cannes commented, this performance was “somewhat campy.” We know that Hardy is a strong screen presence, BUT could’ve had a few more lines; his character “talks” w/ his fists (like most of the men in this community). Much more could’ve been done w/ the 2 separate romances, esp. btwn. Hardy and Chastain (who had a LOT of chemistry on the promo tour). I was a BIT surprised that Maggie was the one who approached Forrest; he’d just been watching her for some time. As Chastain commented: “In some ways, he’s like a little boy.”

[1] This is a dark movie where it seems those out of the religious community live and survive by force. In comes law enforcers from outside led by a sadistic sergeant, and we have an explosive mix. […]

This film isn’t about gung-ho good v evil. This is a lot more. […]

Action comes generally in short sharp moments, but thankfully doesn’t detract from the rest of the movie. Surprisingly some great acting and great camera work.

[2] You are left with the impression that Hillcoat is pulling out all the stops to give this commercial appeal. Not only are the good guys a bit too good, the bad guys a bit too bad, leaving the audience in no doubt who to cheer for, but is also trying to make a film trying to appeal to both teenagers and a female audience. […] …the story loses focus and is trying to do too much.

[3] Unfortunately, Lawless is tedious through and through. It’s sequences go from bursts of heartless violence to development-less talking. The problem is its atmosphere, which could also be attributed to the choice of digital photography. It tries to be gritty, with its music hinting back to one of my favourite western TV shows, Deadwood, but the slick cinematography is just completely lifeless. […] It was a huge mistake to try and force some romance subplots in here. There’s nothing too bad about Lawless, besides its humourless and cold approach, it’s just disappointingly average given the talent.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

“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