Movies

Subterms

    More stories

    • 138 Shares139 Views

      in Movies

      ‘Citizen Penn’ Review: A Portrait of Sean Penn as an Advocate

      by

      The documentary follows the actor’s work helping Haiti, starting in 2011.Sean Penn’s work in Haiti after its devastating 2011 earthquake continues to this day. And this new documentary “Citizen Penn” is a revealing, engaging chronicle of the actor’s activism.One of the opening scenes of the movie, directed by Dan Hardy, is a mini-montage of its subject behaving like the tabloid fodder he was during the 1980s and 1990s. It culminates with a clip from Penn’s acceptance speech at the 2009 Academy Awards ceremony, where he took the best actor prize for his work in “Milk.” He tells the audience, “I know how hard I make it to appreciate me.”Hardy’s subsequent exercise in Penn-appreciation, focusing on Penn’s extraordinary and still-continuing philanthropic activism in Haiti, accepts that challenge, and overcomes it.Speaking with Hardy for this film, Penn reveals, among other things, his acute awareness of the interview as a mode of performance. Dressed in jeans and a denim shirt, an American Spirit cigarette almost ever-present in his hand, the often combative actor adopts a friendly mien and seems frank, engaging and unguarded. He speaks of wasting some time on nightlife in the aftermath of a divorce, and being galvanized by television coverage of the 2011 earthquake.After asking a physician friend down there what was needed, and being told “350,000 vials of morphine,” Penn got them. From the divisive president of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, as it happens. After assembling a volunteer force, Penn went to Haiti and was increasingly astonished at how devastated it was.The actor and filmmaker is the “star” here, yes, but Hardy also profiles Haitians and some expatriates in the medical field who were moved to go back to the country. Their commitment and insight fills out the chronicle. These days, the island country is increasingly hurricane battered. And Penn remains a fierce, and appreciated, advocate for its cause.Citizen PennNot rated. Running time: 1 hour 33 minutes. Watch on Discovery+. More

    • 150 Shares199 Views

      in Movies

      ‘The Boy From Medellín’ Review: A Dizzying Week in J Balvin’s World

      by

      A documentary about the reggaeton star from Colombia is a relatively sophisticated form of celebrity publicity.The year is 2019 and protests in Colombia — the largest the country has seen in decades — have erupted against the government of President Iván Duque. The killing of 18-year-old Dilan Cruz by a police projectile makes its way into the reggaeton star J Balvin’s Instagram feed, which exacerbates his individual crisis.It seems Balvin wasn’t sleeping well. In the days leading up to a sold-out concert on Nov. 30, 2019, in his hometown, Medellín, he begins to consider his responsibilities as a public figure. Social media users criticize his political disengagement, while uprisings in the city threaten to cancel his big night.In “The Boy from Medellín” on Amazon Prime Video, the director Matthew Heineman captures a week in the life of Balvin, the Prince of Reggaeton, a charismatic performer who appears to be privately diffident.Known for his gritty documentaries about international conflicts (“Cartel Land,” “City of Ghosts”), Heineman delivers a relatively sophisticated form of celebrity publicity in this film, armed with stunning concert footage but unoriginal insights into the burdens of modern fame, like the difficulty of balancing the expectations of fans with personal desires.At the very least, attending a J Balvin show looks like it would be great fun.Heineman weaves together clips from Balvin’s youth — his scrappy origins in the local music scene — with snapshots into his chaotic present. As the concert approaches, Balvin seems to be either on the verge of a panic attack or meditating with the help of his spiritual adviser. Destigmatizing mental illness is an important cause for Balvin, for reasons made intimately apparent.Similar recent mythmaking projects like Beyoncé’s “Homecoming” and Taylor Swift’s “Miss Americana” have generated their own publicity by giving access to curated versions of the personal lives of musicians, which makes them seem real and relatable. In “The Boy from Medellín,” this curation is obvious.Before Balvin hits the stage, his manager urges him to speak out and cites the activist roots of the American rap group N.W.A. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the comparison, since the artists responsible for explicit protest anthems probably didn’t need any encouragement to express their opinions. In “getting political,” Balvin risks alienating some fans, but he stands to win some as well — the viewers of this documentary, for instance.The Boy from MedellínRated R for language. In Spanish and English, with subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video. More

    • 88 Shares109 Views

      in Movies

      ‘Pink Skies Ahead’ Review: Partying Through Anxiety

      by

      Kelly Oxford’s ’90s-set coming-of-age story follows a college dropout as she navigates a new romance and a new medical diagnosis.A blue-haired ball of manic energy, the 20-year-old Winona (Jessica Barden) has dropped out of school and moved back home with her parents. In a crucial time for finding autonomy, Winona is stunted. She cannot, for the life of her, pass her driving test. Even though she has outgrown her longtime pediatrician (Henry Winkler), Winona still sees him and he tells her she has an anxiety disorder — a label she immediately rejects. She carries on with her life: partying, getting high, gorging on candy and dating. She meets a strait-laced Ph.D. student and things seem to go on track. But as can be expected, her life hurtles toward a crash.“Pink Skies Ahead” is set in 1998, when the writer/director Kelly Oxford would have been about Winona’s age. Oxford’s debut film is semi-autobiographical, adapted from an essay of hers, titled “No Real Danger,” and it mirrors the anxiety she struggled with as a young adult.But for being such a personal film, “Pink Skies Ahead” lacks a distinctive center; it feels more like an amalgamation of different coming-of-age movies over the years, from “Ghost World” to “Lady Bird.” It is not without tender or enjoyable moments — that’s the beauty of a formula — but there’s a tonal imbalance of comedy and drama. The two constantly deflate each other.The film takes a few distracting turns but rightfully comes back to Winona’s vulnerability. Though Barden is older than her under-drinking-age character, she effectively captures her immaturity and complexity. You may be left wishing she had more depth to work with.Pink Skies AheadNot rated. Running time: 1 hour 34 minutes. Watch on MTV beginning May 8. More

    • 113 Shares189 Views

      in Movies

      New 'The Batman' Leaked Video See Catwoman in Action

      by

      Warner Bros. Pictures

      Reportedly part of an upcoming Catwoman documentary, the footage also features Zoe Kravitz describing her iteration of the anti-hero in the Matt Reeves-directed movie.

      May 6, 2021

      AceShowbiz –
      Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Films have not released another official sneak-peek of “The Batman”, but a new look at the movie has landed online. A featurette centering on Selina Kyle a.k.a. Catwoman has made its way around the Internet, giving a look at Zoe Kravitz’s iteration of the anti-hero.

      In the scenes from the upcoming movie, Catwoman is seen in action. She suits up in her black leather suit complete with her mask on while seemingly trying to break into a vault. In another moment, she’s crouching on the floor while looking alert, while another scene briefly shows her in a duel with Batman.

      The video also features commentaries from the star and the crew about the character. “The villains are often some of the most, if not the most exciting part of the movies,” director Matt Reeves says of what to expect when watching the character in the movie.

      He goes on explaining, “I mean, the rogues gallery is incredible, and what I wanted to do was I wanted to see a Batman that wasn’t an origin tale, but was sort of in his early days, but that meant that a lot of the characters that are the rogues gallery of characters, are in their origins in a way. So we have a Selina Kyle who’s not yet Catwoman.”

        See also…

      Kravitz explains the nature of her character, “Selina can take care of herself. She really wants to fight for those that don’t have someone else to fight for them. I think that is where Batman and she really connect.”

      Producer Dylan Clark echoes the actress’ claims as he weighs in, “What’s really interesting about Selina Kyle is that she represents the savior for the ill-treated, the forgotten, the people that haven’t had anybody looking out for them. She’s also very complicated, you don’t quite know exactly where her loyalty or allegiance lies.”

      The leaked footage is reportedly taken from a documentary on iTunes called “Catwoman: The Feline Femme Fatale” that’s bundled with any of the four original Batman films.

      “The Batman” stars Robert Pattinson in the lead role, with Paul Dano as Riddler, Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon, John Turturro as Carmine Falcone, Peter Sarsgaard as Gil Colson, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth and Colin Farrell as Penguin. Filming wrapped in March and the movie is slated to arrive on March 4, 2022.

      You can share this post!

      Next article

      Lala Kent on Unfollowing Ariana Madix: ‘Let’s Not Pretend’ Caring for Each Other

      Related Posts More

    • 163 Shares189 Views

      in Movies

      WB 'Committed' to Hiring Black Director and Black Actor for New Superman Movie

      by

      DC Comics

      The upcoming Man of Steel project is said to be standalone like Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’ and Todd Phillips’ ‘Joker’, with a possibility of being a period piece.

      May 6, 2021

      AceShowbiz –
      A black Superman is apparently also on the brain of Warner Bros. execs. Amid social media’s chatters that tout Michael B. Jordan as the next incarnation of the superhero, the studio is reportedly considering to feature a black Man of Steel in the new movie.

      According to The Hollywood Reporter, WB is currently looking for a black actor to portray the titular character in its next Superman movie. No name is being mentioned as a possible candidate to take on the role, but the star could be a relative unknown.

      Additionally, sources tell the site that “Warners and DC are committed to hiring a black director to tackle what will be the first cinematic incarnation of Superman featuring a black actor.” With that in mind, one source notes that it would be “tone deaf” to put J.J. Abrams, who is also attached to produce, as the helmer.

      Steven Caple Jr. (“Creed II”), J.D. Dillard (“Sleight”, “Sweetheart”), Regina King (“One Night in Miami…”) and Shaka King (“Judas and the Black Messiah”) are allegedly among potential candidates to direct the movie. Some of them have reportedly met with the studio, while Marvel is said to be vying for same names on the list for its “Blade” movie.

        See also…

      The report further states that the new Superman movie will likely be standalone, much like Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” and Todd Phillips’ “Joker”. Thus, a period piece with a 20th century setting is said to be under consideration to separate it from other DC films.

      Ta-Nehisi Coates is currently penning the script and isn’t expected to deliver his script until mid-December. He is reportedly “crafting a Kal-El in the vein of the original Superman comics and will have the protagonist hail from Krypton and come to Earth.”

      Abrams and Coates have previously spoken up on being tapped to revamp the Superman franchise. “There is a new, powerful and moving Superman story yet to be told. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with the brilliant Mr. Coates to help bring that story to the big screen, and we’re beyond thankful to the team at Warner Bros. for the opportunity,” the “Lost” co-creator said in February.

      Coates added, “To be invited into the DC Extended Universe by Warner Bros., DC Films and Bad Robot is an honor. I look forward to meaningfully adding to the legacy of America’s most iconic mythic hero.”

      You can share this post!

      Next article

      Get the Official First Look at Cast of HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon’

      Related Posts More

    • 175 Shares159 Views

      in Movies

      Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal Team Up for True-Story Movie 'Finding the Mother Tree'

      by

      WENN

      The ‘American Hustle’ actress and the ‘Brokeback Mountain’ actor are joining forces to develop a new feature film about real-life scientist Suzanne Simard.

      May 6, 2021

      AceShowbiz –
      Amy Adams is joining forces with Jake Gyllenhaal to turn the new memoir of world-famous scientist and ecologist Suzanne Simard into a movie.

      “American Hustle” star Adams will also take on the lead role as Simard in “Finding the Mother Tree”, which the actress will produce for her Bond Group Entertainment company, alongside Gyllenhaal and Riva Marker for his Nine Stories firm.

      In the book, published on Tuesday (04May21), Simard shares her story as a former logger and enthusiastic scientist, who first discovered how trees evolved over the years to communicate underground through a complex web of fungi.

      Her findings were initially dismissed by her peers, but have since been backed up by a wealth of research and data, and have even inspired the work of stars like director James Cameron, who based his Tree of Souls in “Avatar” on her research, reports Deadline.

        See also…

      In a statement, Gyllenhaal and Marker write, “Finding the Mother Tree is a rare and moving book – part charming memoir, part crash course in forest ecology. And yet, it manages to be about the things that matter most: the ways we care for each other, fail each other and listen to each other.”

      “After the last year and a half, its lessons about motherhood, connection and the natural world are more timely than ever, and we are thrilled to partner with Amy, Stacy (O’Neil) and their company, and Suzanne Simard to adapt this majestic story to film.”

      “Suzanne’s novel has been an inspiration,” add Adams and O’Neil. “Creatively, it excited us with a narrative about the awe-invoking power of nature and the compelling parallels in Suzanne’s personal life. It forever transformed our views of the world and the interconnectivity of our environment.”

      “Finding the Mother Tree is not only a deeply beautiful memoir about one woman’s impactful life, it’s also a call to action to protect, understand and connect with the natural world. We’re thrilled to partner with Jake & Riva to bring Suzanne’s important life story to screen and expand the reach of her groundbreaking work.”

      A production start date has yet to be set.

      You can share this post!

      Next article

      Pete Davidson Gets His Tattoos Removed to Win More Movie Roles More

    • 138 Shares189 Views

      in Movies

      Pete Davidson Gets His Tattoos Removed to Win More Movie Roles

      by

      WENN

      The ‘Saturday Night Live’ member decides to ‘burn off’ his body inks because he’s worried they would keep him from landing the onscreen roles that he wanted.

      May 6, 2021

      AceShowbiz –
      Pete Davidson is “burning off” his tattoos in an effort to win more film roles.

      The funnyman fears his skin art is hampering his career after landing roles in “The King of Staten Island” and “The Suicide Squad”, and he’s sick of spending hours in makeup every day getting his ink covered up.

      “I honestly never thought that I would get the opportunity to act and I love it a lot,” he said during an appearance on “Late Night With Seth Meyers”. “You have to get there three hours earlier to cover all your tattoos, because for some reason, people in movies, they don’t have them that much.”

        See also…

      But Pete admitted the process of getting his ink removed is worse than the pain that comes with the tattoo itself.

      “Burning them (tattoos) off is worse than getting them, because not only are they, like, burning off your skin, but you’re wearing these big goggles, right? So you can’t see anything and the doctor’s in there with you.

      “Before he goes to laser each tattoo, you have to hear him announce what the tattoo is to make sure if you want to keep it or not. So I’ll just be sitting there all high off of the (nitrous oxide)… and then all of a sudden I’ll just hear, ‘Are we keeping the Stewie Griffin smoking a blunt?’ And then I have to sit there and be like, ‘No, Dr. G.’ ”

      You can share this post!

      Next article

      Kate Hudson and Her Sportswear Brand Cut Ties With Taiwanese Company Amid Abuse Allegations

      Related Posts More

    • 88 Shares159 Views

      in Movies

      Smithsonian Will Display Star Wars X-Wing Fighter

      by

      Starting late next year, an X-wing from “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” will go on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington.The National Air and Space Museum holds some of the most hallowed objects of the aerial age.Visitors can marvel at the 1903 Wright Flyer that skimmed over Kitty Hawk, N.C., the bright red Lockheed 5B Vega that Amelia Earhart piloted alone across the Atlantic Ocean and the bell-shaped Friendship 7 capsule that made John H. Glenn Jr. the first American to orbit the Earth.Now, the museum said, it will display a spacecraft that has flown only onscreen, in an entirely fictional galaxy where good and evil seem locked in eternal battle.That’s right: An X-wing Starfighter will grace the museum’s newly renovated building on the National Mall sometime late next year, the museum said on Tuesday, which was celebrated by “Star Wars” fans as a holiday because it was May 4 (May the 4th be with you).The Hollywood prop, with a wingspan of 37 feet, appeared in “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” in 2019 and is on long-term loan from Lucasfilm, the movie’s production company.While air and space purists may grumble about precious exhibition space being turned over to a pretend craft that played no role in advancing actual space travel, the exhibition is not the first time the museum has allied itself with the franchise’s crowd-pleasing power. In the late 1990s, it presented “Star Wars: The Magic of Myth,” a show based on the original “Star Wars” trilogy; that show went on tour across the country.“Despite taking place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, ‘Star Wars’ introduced generations of fans here on Earth to outer space as a setting for adventure and exploration,” Margaret Weitekamp, the museum’s space history chairwoman, said in a statement. “All air and space milestones begin with inspiration, and science fiction so often provides that spark.” She added that “the X-wing displayed amid our other spacecraft celebrates the journey from imagination to achievement.”Designed as the nimble fighter that Luke Skywalker used to destroy the Death Star in the original 1977 “Star Wars” movie, the X-wing was named for the distinctive shape of its “strike foils when in attack position,” the museum said.Artists at Industrial Light & Magic, the special-effects studio founded by George Lucas, the movies’ creator, depicted X-wings and other “Star Wars” spacecraft with miniatures as well as full-size models and cockpits, enhanced with visual effects, the museum said.This particular X-wing will undergo “conservation” — also known as cleanup and prep work — in the Restoration Hangar at the museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., where it will be visible to the public before it goes on display at the museum next year.While this will be the first “Star Wars” prop on long-term display at the museum since the “Magic of Myth” exhibit in 1997, the museum has also displayed a studio model of the starship Enterprise from the original 1960s “Star Trek” series as well a Buzz Lightyear toy, from the animated “Toy Story” films, that was flown to the International Space Station in 2008.A photo released by the museum showed the orange X-wing in a hangar next to a real twin-engine bomber, nicknamed Flak-Bait, that survived more than 200 missions over Europe, more than any other existing American aircraft during World War II.“Look what’s arrived in the shop for a tune up,” the museum said on Twitter. “If you see Poe Dameron around, let him know work on his X-wing is coming along nicely, and it’ll be ready for display soon.” More