Previews: Ad Astra Poster, The Current War, More!

Lots to see in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including the new Ad Astra poster, The Current War, Pain And Glory, and more…

Ad Astra Poster

Here is the brand new Ad Astra poster. The film, directed by James Gray, is about an astronaut who travels to the edge of the solar system to find his missing father. Brad Pitt heads the cast, and is joined by Tommy Lee Jones and Ruth Negga. Ad Astra launches onto UK screens on 18th September 2019.

The Current War Trailer

Above is the trailer for the forthcoming The Current War. Set in the late 19th century, the film is about the rivalry between Thomas Edison and entrepreneur George Westinghouse. The enviable cast includes Michael Shannon, Benedict Cumberbatch, Katherine Waterston, Nicholas Hoult, and Tom Holland. Counting Martin Scorsese as an executive producer, The Current War hits UK cinemas on 26th July 2019.

Pain And Glory Trailer

Here is the latest trailer for Pain And Glory. Directed by Pedro Almodóvar (The Skin I Live In, I’m So Excited), the film is about an ageing film director and a series of re-encounters. The film, which stars Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz, will be released in UK cinemas on 23rd August 2019.

21 Bridges Poster

21 Bridges is an upcoming thriller with quite a cast. The film stars Chadwick Boseman, Sienna Miller, Taylor Kitsch, Stephan James, and J.K. Simmons. 21 Bridges is a thriller about a New York detective involved in a city-wide manhunt for a pair of cop killers. The film is set for release in UK cinemas on 27th September 2019.

BFI August Season

There is plenty to look forward to at the BFI Southbank this August, leading with a season of Cary Grant films. Classics such as The Philadelphia Story, His Girl Friday, and Notorious will be screened in August. Other highlights include a preview of Pain And Glory and a Q&A with Pedro Almodóvar, and a preview of Netflix’s upcoming The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance television series. More details of the full programme can be found here.

Film Review: I’m So Excited

The colourful title sequence sets the tone for the entire film. I’m So Excited is certainly fun.

A technical failure puts the lives of passengers onboard Peninsula Flight 2549 in danger. Aware of their perilous position, the crew aboard the flight attempt to distract their passengers by entertaining them…

The premise of I’m So Excited is actually rather dark. Nevertheless, it is handled with humour. Pedro Almodóvar’s film could have easily played out as a drama.

The writer-director eschews drama or black comedy however, plumping instead for a camp fiesta. The humour is frequent, and sometimes outlandish. The dance number typifies the style of the entire film. The camp factor will mean the audience cannot help smiling.

Although the comedy does work, I’m So Excited could have done with some more belly laughs. However, there is a positive nature to the film that gives it a sense of buoyancy. The humour aligns itself with the style of camp that is often lewd and silly.

There are two underlying themes to I’m So Excited that dominate proceedings. Primarily, the film does become serious when it considers the most important wishes of passengers when they think they might not survive. This sits a little uncomfortably with the aforementioned camp humour. This is not to say that it doesn’t work, but merely that it almost signals out a reflective time.

The other aspect that becomes apparent is a slight preoccupation with the financial crisis. This gives I’m So Excited a contemporary feel. It almost seems as if Almodóvar is suggesting the situation should be handled with a sense of lightness. Nonetheless, this is never dealt with in great detail.

With decent performances, and some rather unnecessary cameos, I’m So Excited may be a bit divisive given that not all viewers will give in to the high camp. Those that do should enjoy Almodóvar’s latest effort.