New and Upcoming Films

The LEGO NINJAGO Movie

I watched three new(ish) films in the cinema this week.

• Hidden Figures
  Based on true events, the film takes place in 1961 and is about three African-American women, Katherine (Taraji P. Henson) Dorothy (Octavia Spencer) and Mary (Janelle Monae) who all go to work for NASA in the beginning of the space program, when they are trying to get a man in space. The woman are all very smart, but struggle to deal with racism and sexism.
  
  Taraji P. Henson was superb in the film and the performances by Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, and Kevin Costner were compelling. I thought it was well made, had a strong storyline and fantastic chemistry between the main characters, and the soundtrack is absolutely marvellous. This is an incredibly inspiring and uplifting film. Definitely not one to miss!

• Sing
  I really enjoyed it! The film had current songs and some older songs during the audition part of the film but I believe that was truly catering to the film's audience and they hit the nail on the head with that one, as it's enjoyable for both kids and adults. Each actor/actress delivered for their character immensely and I was shocked to see that a few of them knew how to sing!
  
  Big dreams and hard work are themes that are woven throughout the films, and lessons in it include never be afraid of doing what you are good at or what you enjoy, and some people will do whatever they want to do, whatever the consequence. The pacing and directing are also very well done, I highly recommend this awesome musical animated film.

• The Space Between Us
  It was okay, it's def a young adult/teen romance film about self discovery. Asa Butterfield, is amazing as always, as the main character. I enjoyed his soft but sure performance as an innocent and fragile person braving the world unknown to him. I think he has found a seemingly perfect balance between strange, childlike and soulful that the role asks of him. He is a really gifted actor.

Just got home from seeing John Wick: Chapter 2. IF You liked the first one you should not be disappointed with this one. Sequels are always a challenge to make. Some become just a regurgitation of the first. Others stray too far from the first one's theme. Some are slapped together too quickly on a small budget.
This one was just as impressive as the first. The look, the feel, the style...all unique and creative. The story surprisingly gripping and the ending is to die for...good job to Keanu, the director and all the cast and crew. Two thumps up!

I didn't actually like John Wick that much, I got the idea it just fell flat for me.
Buuuuuut I loved Keanu soo much!

I saw Hacksaw Ridge this week and it is utterly compelling and brilliant.
The assault scenes are brutal in their depiction of what that sort of combat was really like, I could not believe that people actually volunteered to go back having experienced it and survived. I am not squeamish at all but found myself wincing at many points.

The story grabs your attention right from the start with superb performances from all.Garfield was excellent, good to see Vince Vaughn in a serious role as the drill sergeant, and a terrific supporting performance from Hugo Weaving as Doss' alcoholic father wrestling his own post-war demons.

Ultimately its the fascination and admiration for the character and story of Desmond Doss and the acting that lift it above your average war movie. You cannot walk away saying that you enjoyed this film but it is one that will stay in the memory a very long time.

Oscar winners 2017: the full list FYI

• Best Picture: “Moonlight”
• Best Actor: Casey Affleck, “Manchester by the Sea”
• Best Actress: Emma Stone, “La La Land”
• Best Supporting Actor: Mahershala Ali, “Moonlight”
• Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis, “Fences”
• Best Director: Damien Chazelle, “La La Land”
• Best Original Screenplay: Kenneth Lonergan, “Manchester by the Sea”
• Best Adapted Screenplay: Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney, “Moonlight.”
• Best Cinematography: “La La Land”
• Best Original Song: “City of Stars,” “La La Land”
• Best Original Score: “La La Land”
• Best Sound Editing: “Arrival”
• Best Sound Mixing: “Hacksaw Ridge”
• Best Film Editing: “Hacksaw Ridge”
• Best Costume Design: “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”
• Best Production Design: “La La Land”
• Best Foreign Language Film: “The Salesman”
• Best Live Action Short Film: “Sing”
• Best Animated Feature Film: “Zootopia”
• Best Animated Short Film: “Piper”
• Best Documentary Feature: “O.J.: Made in America”
• Best Documentary Short Subject: “The White Helmets”
• Best Makeup and Hairstyling: “Suicide Squad” WTF!!
• Best Visual Effects: “The Jungle Book”

SS91 wrote:• Best Makeup and Hairstyling: “Suicide Squad” WTF!!

Come on, the makeup and hairstyling was actually good!

Kinda bummed out that Moana got snubbed. I really liked Zootopia as well, so I can live with the fact that it won Best animated feature film, but Moana reeaaaaally deserved that Best original song award.

YAAAAASSSSSSS! This movie got me hyped in all the ways On Stranger Tides didn't.

This movie looks like it's gonna be pretty good.

Plus Ryan Reynolds is in it so....... there's that too

Newest Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Trailer



New poster for the film

Really enjoyed Viceroy's House. Quite educational for someone like me who knew nothing about the subject prior to watching the film. I find sometimes you enjoy something more if it is of a subject that you know nothing about.

I'd watch it if someone else pays





Otherwise I feel I'm growing a bit old for superhero movies. Do appreciate the work that goes in making them and they're not unentertaining.

I'm tired of superhero movies too they're just way too meh these days. DC movies though, suck even harder these days.
I mean they peaked at The Dark Knight and it all went downhill after.

Mod wrote:I'm tired of superhero movies too they're just way too meh these days. DC movies though, suck even harder these days.
I mean they peaked at The Dark Knight and it all went downhill after.

I know! Just like rom-coms, there's a formula, and we all know what happens. But they do have a purpose. Like, if you're with a group of friends and just want to entertain yourself, superhero movies are a good choice.
I liked Man of Steel too.

The Justice League trailer looks like Zack Snyder hasn't learned anything from Batman v Superman, which has me slightly worried, but I'll go see the movie anyways. I know the DCEU films haven't been stellar so far, but I still enjoy them anyway. Wonderwoman is looking pretty good so far.

I don't think I'll ever get tired of Marvel/DC films, but it is getting way harder to get myself hyped for them.

Severelius wrote:Still want to do unspeakably dirty things with Tom Holland.

Don't we all?