Month: November 2023

NEW MOVIES: Nov. 30 – Dec. 6, 2023, ” Godzilla Minus One,” “Renaissance: A Film by Beyonce,” “The Shift,” “Dream Scenario”

GODZILLA MINUS ONE

GODZILLA MINUS ONE

Godzilla Minus One (Japanese: ゴジラ-1.0マイナスワン, Hepburn: Gojira Mainasu Wan) is a 2023 Japanese kaiju film directed, written, and with visual effects by Takashi Yamazaki. Produced by Toho Studios and Robot Communications and distributed by Toho Co., Ltd.,[5] it is the 37th film in the Godzilla franchise, Toho’s 33rd Godzilla film, and the fifth film in the franchise’s Reiwa era.[b] The film stars Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Munetaka Aoki, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Sakura Ando, and Kuranosuke Sasaki. In the film, postwar Japan deals with the emergence of Godzilla.

Plot

In 1945, at the end of World War II, Kōichi Shikishima, a kamikaze pilot, feigns technical issues with his plane and lands on Odo Island. A dinosaur-like creature, Godzilla, appears during the night and attacks the island, killing everybody except Kōichi and the lead mechanic, Sōsaku Tachibana.

Two years later, following his return to Tokyo, Kōichi is plagued by survivor’s guilt. He has started a relationship with Noriko Ōishi, and they have adopted a child whose parents were lost in the bombing of Tokyo during World War II. Godzilla is mutated by the United States Operation Crossroads nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll, and it destroys several U.S. warships before heading for Japan. The United States refused to aid Japan owing to tensions with the USSR.

Cast

 

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RENAISSANCE: A FILM BY BEYONCE

RENAISSANCE: A FILM BY BEYONCE

Synopsis

RENAISSANCE: A FILM BY BEYONCÉ accentuates the journey of RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR, from its inception to the opening in Stockholm, Sweden, to the finale in Kansas City, Missouri. It is about Beyoncé’s intention, hard work, involvement in every aspect of the production, her inventive mind, and her purpose to create her legacy and master her craft. Received with extraordinary acclaim, Beyoncé’s RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR created a sanctuary for freedom and shared joy for more than 2.7 million fans.

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THE SHIFT

THE SHIFT

What is The Shift About?

The Shift follows a man named Kevin who finds himself in a dystopian world confronted by a mysterious stranger known as “The Benefactor” who presents him with challenges as he fights to shift realities and return to the woman he loves.

The Shift was created by first-time director and award-winning filmmaker Brock Heasley with Ken Carpenter (Finding You) as producer.

Casting Announcement

Kristoffer Polaha (Jurassic World: Dominion) will play the lead role of Kevin.

Neal McDonough (Yellowstone) will play The Benefactor.

Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy) will play Gabriel.

Polaha, McDonough, and Astin join an already star-studded cast including The Chosen’s Elizabeth Tabish, Paras Patel, and Jordan Walker Ross.

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DREAM SCENARIO

DREAM SCENARIO

Dream Scenario is a 2023 American black comedy fantasy film written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli. It is produced by Ari Aster and Lars Knudsen under their Square Peg banner, alongside Nicolas Cage, Jacob Jaffke, and Tyler Campellone. The film stars Cage, Julianne Nicholson, Michael Cera, Tim Meadows, Dylan Gelula, and Dylan Baker.

Plot

Biology professor Paul Matthews starts inexplicably appearing in the dreams of people around him, and his journalist ex-girlfriend asks to write an article about these occurrences. She links his Facebook profile to them when it is published, making Paul realize that people worldwide are dreaming of him. While Paul revels in the attention this brings, he is frustrated by his depiction of the dreams as passive and uninteresting.

Cast

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11/28/2023# ” Godzilla Minus One,” “Renaissance: A Film by Beyonce,” “The Shift,” “Dream Scenario”

 

NEW MOVIES: Nov. 23-29, 2023, “Wish,” “Saltburn,” “May December,” “American Symphony”

WISH

WISH

Wish is a 2023 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It was directed by Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn (in her feature directorial debut), from a screenplay by Jennifer Lee and Allison Moore, based on a story by Lee, Buck, Veerasunthorn, and Moore, and produced by Peter Del Vecho and Juan Pablo Reyes Lancaster-Jones. The art style combines computer animation with the look of Disney’s historical watercolor animation. The film stars the voices of Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine, Alan Tudyk, Angelique Cabral, Victor Garber, Natasha Rothwell, Jennifer Kumiyama, Harvey Guillén, Evan Peters, Ramy Youssef, and Jon Rudnitsky. The story focuses on a 17-year-old girl named Asha (DeBose), who makes a passionate plea to the stars in a moment of need after sensing a darkness in the Kingdom of Rosas that no one else does.

Voice cast

  • Ariana DeBose as Asha, a 17-year-old girl who wishes upon a star to help save Rosas after sensing a coming darkness.[6][7] Director Chris Buck says Asha is “energetic—an enthusiastic member of her community who proudly shows off this incredible place where she’s grown up”.[8]
  • Chris Pine as King Magnifico, the king of Rosas who is the sole keeper of peoples’ wishes. Writer Allison Moore says his motivations are not honorable, stating that “Magnifico seems to think wishes are just ideas. But they are a part of your heart—the very best part of your heart! Yet he’s holding them inside these wish bubbles—hundreds of them—and most will remain there forever because that’s how he controls the kingdom—by giving false hope.”[8][9]
  • Alan Tudyk as Valentino, a goat whose wish to communicate comes true after Star’s magic grants him the ability to talk.[6]
  • Angelique Cabral as Queen Amaya, King Magnifico’s wife and the queen of Rosas.[10]
  • Victor Garber as Sabino, Asha’s 100-year-old grandfather who is waiting to be granted his wish.[8][11][12]
  • Natasha Rothwell as Sakina, Asha’s mother.[11]
  • Jennifer Kumiyama as Dahlia, Asha’s disabled best friend who is the royal baker and the unofficial leader of the group. She was inspired by Doc from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.[12][11][8]
  • Harvey Guillén as Gabo, a boy who is cynical but has a heart of gold. He was inspired by Grumpy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.[8][11]
  • Niko Vargas as Hal, a joyful girl. She was inspired by Happy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.[11]
  • Evan Peters as Simon, a strong boy with a big heart. He was inspired by Sleepy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.[8][11][12]
  • Ramy Youssef as Safi, a boy who is plagued with allergies. He was inspired by Sneezy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.[11][8]
  • Jon Rudnitsky as Dario, Asha’s rosy-cheeked and wiggly-eared friend. He was inspired by Dopey from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.[11][8]
  • Della Saba as Bazeema, a shy girl. She was inspired by Bashful from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.[11]

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SALTBURN

SALTBURN

Saltburn is a 2023 black comedy psychological thriller written, directed and produced by Emerald Fennell. The film stars Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, and Archie Madekwe. Set in England in the mid-2000s, it follows a young university student who becomes infatuated with his wealthy schoolmate, who invites him to spend the summer at his eccentric family’s estate.[5]

Plot

In 2006, Oliver Quick begins attending Oxford University but struggles to fit in, as other students judge him for being poor. Oliver quickly notices Felix Catton, a charming, popular, rich student, who is attending Oxford with his American cousin, Farleigh. One day in 2007, Oliver loans Felix his bicycle so Felix can attend a class; Felix’s own bicycle has sprung a leak. The two begin a friendship, though Oliver becomes increasingly obsessed with Felix. Oliver tells Felix he is an only child with alcoholic parents and that his father has suddenly died. Oliver’s story earns Felix’s sympathy. Felix invites Oliver to spend the summer with him and Farleigh at Saltburn, his wealthy family’s sprawling estate. Oliver accepts.

Cast

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MAY DECEMBER

MAY DECEMBER

May December is a 2023 American drama film directed by Todd Haynes from a screenplay by Samy Burch, based on a story by Burch and Alex Mechanik. Loosely inspired by the story of Mary Kay Letourneau,[4] the film follows an actress (Natalie Portman) who travels to Georgia to meet and study the life of the controversial woman (Julianne Moore) she is set to play in a film; the woman being infamous for her 20-year-old relationship with a man (Charles Melton) whom she met as a minor.

Premise

Twenty years after their notorious tabloid romance gripped the nation, a married couple with a large age gap buckles under the pressure when an actress arrives to do research for a film about their past.[5]

Cast

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AMERICAN SYMPHONY

AMERICAN SYMPHONY

Jon Batiste, 37, has been on quite a roll lately. In 2022, he won Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards for his LP We Are. Two years prior, he won an Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe for his score on the Pixar movie Soul. Now, a year of the musician’s life has been chronicled in the new documentary American Symphony, which arrives to Netflix on November 29, and it’s already getting Oscars buzz.

As hinted by the title, American Symphony follows Batiste as he composes his first-ever original symphony, at a time when he felt on top of the world. However, everything comes crashing down when his wife, writer Suleika Jaouad, 35, realizes that her cancer—which she was diagnosed with in 2011—has returned.

In this emotional documentary from director Matthew Heineman, we watch as Batiste and Jaouad lean on each other and rely on their love to get through this difficult period of their lives. And at the center of it all is their art.

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11/21/2023#”Wish,” “Saltburn,” “May December,” “American Symphony”

 

NEW MOVIES: Nov. 16-22, 2023, “The Hunger Games: Songbirds & Snakes,” “Next Goal Wins,” “Napoleon,” “Medicine Man: Stan Brock Story”

THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES

THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is a 2023 American dystopian action film directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by Michael Lesslie and Michael Arndt. It is based on the 2020 novel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins, serves as a prequel to The Hunger Games (2012), and is the fifth installment in The Hunger Games film series. The film stars Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera, and Viola Davis.

Set 64 years before the events of the first film; its plot follows the events that eventually lead a young Coriolanus Snow on the path to becoming the tyrannical leader of Panem, including his relationship with the Hunger Games tribute Lucy Gray Baird during the year of the 10th Hunger Games.

Premise

“Years before he would become the tyrannical President of Panem, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is the last hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, the young Snow is alarmed when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird, the female tribute from impoverished District 12. But, after Lucy Gray commands all of Panem’s attention by defiantly singing during the reaping ceremony, Snow thinks he might be able to turn the odds in their favor. Uniting their instincts for showmanship and newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy Gray’s race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is a songbird, and who is a snake.”

— Lionsgate Films[4]

Cast

  • Tom Blyth as Coriolanus “Coryo” Snow: A mentor for the upcoming 10th Hunger Games and future President of Panem.
  • Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird: The female tribute from District 12 who forms a connection with Coriolanus, and a member of the Covey, a travelling musician group.
  • Josh Andrés Rivera as Sejanus Plinth: A classmate and friend of Snow, and the mentor to a tribute from District 2. He is from District 2 but now lives in the Capitol.
  • Hunter Schafer as Tigris Snow: Coriolanus’s older cousin and confidante, who advises him in everything. She would go on to become a stylist in the Games and an ally to Katniss Everdeen and the resistance against Panem.
  • Peter Dinklage as Casca “Cas” Highbottom: Dean of the Academy and intellectual author of the Hunger Games.
  • Jason Schwartzman as Lucretius “Lucky” Flickerman: The first television host for the 10th Hunger Games and assumed ancestor to Caesar Flickerman, who would host later editions of the Games.
  • Viola Davis as Dr. Volumnia Gaul: The head gamemaker of the 10th Hunger Games and the person who actually implemented them in the first place.
  • Fionnula Flanagan as Grandma’am: Coriolanus and Tigris’s strict grandmother.
  • Burn Gorman as Commander Hoff: The leader of the peacekeepers in District 12.
  • Ashley Liao as Clemensia Dovecote: A classmate and friend of Snow, and a mentor to a tribute from District 11.[5]
  • Max Raphael as Festus Creed: A classmate of Snow, and mentor to a tribute from District 4.[6]
  • Zoe Renee as Lysistrata Vickers: A classmate of Snow, and mentor of the other District 12 tribute, Jessup.[6]
  • Nick Benson as Jessup: The male tribute from District 12 alongside Lucy Gray.[7]
  • Isobel Jesper Jones as Mayfair Lipp: The daughter of District 12’s mayor and a rival of Lucy Gray.[8]
  • George Somner as Spruce: A citizen from District 12.[9]

The tributes for the 10th Hunger Games who form an alliance, known as “the Pack”, include: Mackenzie Lansing as Coral, the female tribute from District 4;[5] Cooper Dillon as Mizzen, the male tribute from District 4;[9][10] Hiroki Berrecloth as Treech, the male tribute from District 7; and Kjell Brutscheidt as Tanner, the male tribute from District 10.[9] Other members of Lucy Gray’s travelling musician group, the Covey, include: Dakota Shapiro as Billy Taupe, who is Lucy Gray’s former love interest,[9] Vaughan Reilly as Maude Ivory,[9] Honor Gillies as Barb Azure,[8] Eike Onyambu as Tam Amber,[8] and Konstantin Taffet as Clerk Carmine.[8] Additionally, Michael Greco and Daniela Grubert appear as Strabo Plinth and Mrs. Plinth, Sejanus’ parents,[8] while Carl Spencer and Scott Folan appear as Smiley and Beanpole, two peacekeepers sent by the Capitol to District 12.[8]

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NEXT GOAL WINS

NEXT GOAL WINS

Next Goal Wins is a 2023 American biographical sports comedy-drama film directed by Taika Waititi, who co-wrote the screenplay with Iain Morris. It is based on the 2014 documentary of the same name by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison about Dutch–American coach Thomas Rongen‘s efforts to lead the American Samoa national football team, considered one of the weakest football teams in the world, to qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The film stars Michael Fassbender as Rongen, alongside Oscar Kightley, Kaimana, David Fane, Rachel House, Beulah Koale, Will Arnett, and Elisabeth Moss.

Premise

Dutch American football coach Thomas Rongen faces the option of being fired or accepting an almost impossible task: to convert the American Samoa national team, considered one of the weakest football teams in the world, into an elite squad. The storyline also includes fa’afafine player Jaiyah Saelua, who was the first transgender player ever to compete in a World Cup game.[3]

Cast

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NAPOLEON

NAPOLEON

Napoleon is a 2023 epic historical drama film directed and produced by Ridley Scott and written by David Scarpa. Based on the true story of Napoleon Bonaparte, primarily depicting the French leader’s rise to power as well as his relationship with Empress Joséphine, the film stars Joaquin Phoenix (who is also a producer) as Napoleon and Vanessa Kirby as Joséphine.

Cast

Joaquin Phoenix at the 2018 Berlin International Film Festival in Berlin, Germany
Portrait of then Premier Consul Napoleon I painted by François Gérard, 1803.
Joaquin Phoenix (left) plays Napoleon (right)

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MEDICINE MAN: THE STAN BROCK STORY

MEDICINE MAN: THE STAN BROCK STORY

  • Director: Paul Michael Angell
  • Stars: Stan Brock
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release Date: 2023-11-14
  • Run Time: 96
A documentary adventure recounting the incredible life story of British-born Amazonian cowboy turned US TV star Stan Brock, who sacrificed everything for his unwavering mission to unite a nation and resolve the US healthcare crisis.

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11/14/2023# “The Hunger Games: Songbirds & Snakes,” “Next Goal Wins,” “Napoleon,” “Medicine Man: Stan Brock Story”

NEW MOVIES: Nov. 9-15, 2023, “The Marvels,” “Journey to Bethlehem,” “The Persian Version,” “Rustin”

THE MARVELS

THE MARVELS

The Marvels is an upcoming American superhero film based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is intended to be the sequel to the film Captain Marvel (2019), a continuation of the television miniseries Ms. Marvel (2022), and the 33rd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film is directed by Nia DaCosta, who co-wrote the screenplay with Megan McDonnell and Elissa Karasik. It stars Brie Larson as Carol Danvers, Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau, and Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan, alongside Zawe Ashton, Park Seo-joon, and Samuel L. Jackson. In the film, Danvers, Rambeau, and Kamala team up after they begin swapping places with each other every time they use their powers.

Premise

While investigating a wormhole linked to the Kree, Monica Rambeau‘s powers become entangled with those of Kamala Khan and Carol Danvers. The trio team up to determine why they are swapping places with each other every time they use their powers.[3][4]

Cast

Additionally, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, and Saagar Shaikh reprise their respective roles from the Disney+ miniseries Ms. Marvel (2022) as Kamala’s mother Muneeba, father, Yusuf, and older brother Aamir,[19][3] while Lashana Lynch, Randall Park, and Tessa Thompson reprise their respective roles from previous MCU media as Maria Rambeau, FBI agent Jimmy Woo,[20] and Valkyrie.[21] Daniel Ings portrays Ty-Rone,[22] Colin Stoneley portrays Papp-Tonn, a Kree scientist,[23][20] and Gary Lewis portrays Emperor Dro’ge, the leader of the Skulls,[16] while Shamier Anderson, Abraham Popoola, Ffion Jolly, Caroline Simonnet, and Jessica Zhou have been cast in undisclosed roles.[20][22] Goose, Carol’s pet Flerken, who resembles a cat, returns from the first film, played by cats Nemo and Tango, replacing previous actors Reggie, Archie, Rizzo, and Gonzo from that film.[6]

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JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM

JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM

This live-action Christmas musical adventure for the entire family weaves classic Christmas melodies with humor, faith, and new pop songs in a retelling of the most extraordinary story ever told, the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus.

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THE PERSIAN VERSION

THE PERSIAN VERSION

The Persian Version is a 2023 American comedy-drama film directed and written by Maryam Keshavarz. The film stars Layla Mohammadi, Niousha Noor, Bijan Daneshmand, Bella Warda, and Tom Byrne. It follows the struggles of a young Iranian-American woman who is often at odds with her family, particularly with her mother.

Premise

While her father recovers from a heart transplant, a young Iranian-American filmmaker clashes with her mother and learns of a family secret.[3]

Cast

  • Layla Mohammadi as Leila
    • Chiara Stella as young Leila
  • Niousha Noor as Shireen
    • Kamand Shafieisabet as young Shireen
  • Bijan Daneshmand as Ali Reza Jamshidpour
    • Shervin Alenabi as young Ali Reza Jamshidpour
  • Bella Warda as Mamanjoon
    • Sachli Gholamalizad as young Mamanjoon
  • Jerry Habibi as Abbas
  • Arty Froushan as Majid
  • Andrew Malik as Eman
  • Tom Byrne as Maximillian Balthazar
  • Samuel Tehrani as Shivaz

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RUSTIN

RUSTIN

Rustin is a 2023 American biographical drama film directed by George C. Wolfe, from a screenplay by Julian Breece and Dustin Lance Black, and a story by Breece about the life of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin.[2] Produced by Barack and Michelle Obama‘s production company Higher Ground, the film stars Colman Domingo in the title role, alongside Chris Rock, Jeffrey Wright and Audra McDonald. It is based on the true story of Rustin, who helped Martin Luther King Jr. and others organize the 1963 March on Washington.

Cast

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11/7/2023#”The Marvels,” “Journey to Bethlehem,” “The Persian Version,” “Rustin”

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