Previews: Peter Rabbit Featurette, Ferdinand, More!

Lots to see in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including a new Peter Rabbit featurette, Ferdinand, Smallfoot, and more…

Peter Rabbit Featurette

This Peter Rabbit featurette wisely introduces the wider cast of the film. With James Corden receiving bad publicity recently, Sony uses this feature to shift focus to other cast members. Corden is joined by Daisy Ridley, Margot Robbie, and Domhnall Gleeson in this big-screen adaptation of Beatrix Potter’s work. Peter Rabbit will be released on 16th March 2018.

Ferdinand Clip

This is a clip from upcoming animated adventure Ferdinand. The film is about a bull who is mistaken for a dangerous beast, and taken from his home. The voice cast includes John Cena, Kate Kate McKinnon, and Gina Rodriguez. Ferdinand will hit the big screen on 9th December 2017.

The Greatest Showman Featurette

This featurette for The Greatest Showman focuses on Zac Efron, and what attracted him to work on the film. The Greatest Showman is an original musical about P.T. Barnum and the birth of show business. Hugh Jackman leads the cast, and is joined by Efron, Michelle Williams, and Zendaya. The Greatest Showman will be released in cinemas on 26th December 2017.

Smallfoot Poster

Here is the new poster for Smallfoot. The film is an animated adventure about a yeti who finds something he didn’t think existed – a human. The film is directed by Karey Kirkpatrick, director of Over the Hedge. Smallfoot features the voices of Channing Tatum, Zendaya, Common, and Danny DeVito. The film is set for release on 5th October 2018.

The Mercy Trailer

The Mercy is director James Marsh’s (The Theory of Everything) latest film. The film tells the true story of an amateur sailor in the late 1960s, who hopes to be the first person in history to single-handedly circumnavigate the globe without stopping. The film stars Colin Firth, Rachel Weisz, and David Thewlis. The Mercy will be released on 9th February 2018.

Film Review: American Made

Doug Liman’s American Made is an entertaining thriller which engages thanks to a charismatic performance from Tom Cruise, as well as an appealing style of storytelling.

The talents of Barry Seal, a domestic airline pilot, are recognised by a CIA agent, who wants Barry to use his skills to obtain information of the US’s adversaries in Central America. Barry uses this opportunity to simultaneously become a drug runner…

Doug Liman teams up with Tom Cruise once again (after Edge of Tomorrow) for American Made. The film is a biopic of pilot Barry Seal, focussing on the period when he begins working for the CIA. Although based on a true story, the film does not quite follow events precisely. Nevertheless, the timeline works to depict his life working for both the CIA and a notorious drug cartel.

The film begins with some archive news footage, immediately positioning the background for events. This is returned to later in the film for viewers to see how Seal’s story ties in to wider historical events. American Made is at once a character-driven piece and a commentary on US international politics in the late 1970s and 1980s. Director Liman and writer Gary Spinelli offer a pretty damning account of the higher echelons of US Government at this time. They even throw in a couple of name drops and brief appearances, ensuring that no one gets off unscathed.

The political climate made clear, the focus on the film is depicted in an engaging way. Barry is amoral, yet Liman gives viewers a protagonist they can root for. American Made is not a morality play; the protagonist has little guilt for his actions. In a way, the film suggests that he does what most people would do, given the opportunity.

It is refreshing to see Tom Cruise in a role which relies more on character than action, as has been the case of late. Whilst there is still sufficient action in this thriller, it is great to see Cruise as the antihero. Domhnall Gleeson and Sarah Wright are good in supporting roles, but really this is Cruise’s show.

American Made delivers a portrayal of what is perhaps the real American dream. One of the film’s strengths is its acknowledgement of this.

Previews: The Killing of a Sacred Deer Trailer, More!

Plenty to see in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including The Killing of a Sacred Deer trailer, Goodbye Christopher Robin, and more…

The Killing of a Sacred Deer Trailer

The Killing of a Sacred Deer is the latest film from Yorgos Lanthimos. Director Lanthimos follows The Lobster with this horror-thriller. The film stars Nicole Kidman, Colin Farrell, and Barry Keoghan. The Killing of a Sacred Deer is out in UK cinemas on 17th November 2017.

IT VR Experience

Adjust your headsets for this frightening journey into the world of IT. This VR experience gives a flavour of the film, which is based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel. It is pretty scary! Starring Bill Skarsgård, IT floats on to UK screens on 8th September 2017.

Goodbye Christopher Robin Poster

Here is the latest poster for the upcoming Goodbye Christopher Robin. The film is about the real life relationship between author A.A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin, whose toys inspired the world of Winnie the Pooh. The film stars Domhnall Gleeson, Margot Robbie, and Kelly Macdonald. Goodbye Christopher Robin is set for release on 29th September 2017.

Call Me By Your Name Trailer

Based on the novel of the same name, Call Me By Your Name is a drama from director Luca Guadagnino (A Bigger Splash). The film is about an Italian-American teenager whose head is turned when a twenty-four year old intern comes to stay with his family for the summer. Starring Armie Hammer, Timothée Chamalet, and Michael Stuhlbarg, Call Me By Your Name hits UK screens on 27th October 2017.

The Death of Stalin Trailer

The Death of Stalin is the latest film from writer-director Armando Iannucci. The film is a dark comedy which takes place in the days after the collapse of Soviet leader Stalin. The film features an enviable cast that includes Steve Buscemi, Paddy Considine, and Andrea Riseborough. The Death of Stalin is out in UK cinemas on 20th October 2017.

Previews: Dunkirk Poster, Baby Driver, More!

Plenty in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including the latest Dunkirk poster, plus Baby Driver, American Made, and more…

Dunkirk Poster

Here is the latest Dunkirk poster. Writer-director Christopher Nolan turns his attention to the war movie, after excelling in a number of other genres. The film stars Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, Cillian Murphy, and Kenneth Branagh. Dunkirk hits cinema and IMAX screens on 21st July 2017.

Baby Driver Clip

This clip sheds light on the central character in Edgar Wright’s upcoming Baby Driver. Starring Ansel Elgort, Jamie Foxx, and Lily James, the film is about a getaway driver who wishes to leave his criminal life behind. Baby Driver is out in UK cinemas on 28th June 2017.

American Made Trailer

Tom Cruise reunites with Edge of Tomorrow director Doug Liman for American Made. The film is based on the real-life exploits of pilot Barry Seal, who is recruited by the CIA to run a covert operation. Also starring Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Wright, and Caleb Landry Jones, American Made is due for release on 25th August 2017.

Goodbye Christopher Robin Poster

Here is the new poster for Goodbye Christopher Robin. The film is based on the family who created one of the world’s most beloved bear, Winnie the Pooh. It revolves around the relationship between writer A.A. Milne and his son Christopher. Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Margot Robbie, and Kelly Macdonald, Goodbye Christopher Robin will be out in cinemas on 29th September 2017.

Murder on the Orient Express Trailer

This trailer for Murder on the Orient Express looks sumptuous. The film looks to have one of the most star-studded casts of the year, with Penelope Cruz, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Judi Dench among some of the passengers on the fateful train. Director Kenneth Branagh stars as famous detective Hercule Poirot; comparisons to David Suchet will be inevitable. Based on one of Agatha Christie’s most famous novels, Murder on the Orient Express is set for release on 3rd November 2017.

Film Review: About Time

Richard Curtis’ About Time is a comedy drama which is both entertaining and affecting.

At the age of 21, Tim discovers from his father that all the men in his family have the ability to time travel. Tim can use this gift to travel back into his own life history. Tim decides to use the ability to help him find a girlfriend…

About Time is fairly typical of Richard Curtis’ output in terms of themes and style. The film works because the narrative and characters are strong enough to engage viewers.

The narrative utilises the time travel device, relying on it for comic effect for the most part. The characters are developed well enough to appear authentic and to persuade viewers to care about their outcomes. Similarly, the various relationships in the film have an air of authenticity to them; the family dynamics in particular are conveyed in a believable manner.

The themes that About Time revolves around are love, family and life choices. Curtis uses the science-fiction dynamic to convey the important aspects of life and the consequences of choices. The film is certainly a romantic comedy drama first and foremost; the sci-fi aspect is an add on to this.

Although About Time is successful for the most part, the montage at the very end is completely unnecessary. A motif of Richard Curtis, the very ending is cloying to the point of being unpalatable. Curtis makes his point effectively without the need for the device, which cheapens the overall film.

Performances in About Time are good overall. Bill Nighy is perfectly cast as the knowledgeable father. Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams have great chemistry, although it is difficult to believe that the characters have aged as much as they should have over the timespan the film covers.

A well-crafted narrative and three-dimensional characters make About Time an enjoyable watch. A tad too sentimental at times, the film is successful in its aims nevertheless.