Have I seen all of The Hunger Games movies? Yes and No. Not that I can remember all of them, but I am pretty sure I have seen all the ones with Katniss Everdeen, and while they were decent, they were nothing really to write home about for me. Because I have seen Battle Royale, which is essentially the same thing and that came out years ago, and nothing has really matched that energy, bar Squid Game. Squid Game was captivating, and although these types of films/shows are all essentially the same thing, you know what to expect and get. So the reason I say "No" to seeing all of The Hunger Games movies is because I did not see the last one, 'A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' or something like that, it was called, and I did not really have an interest in it. But funnily enough, seeing this trailer, it did make me rethink my thoughts on the franchise and consider if I should get back onto the continuation of this prequel to the original batch of films.
So this trailer starts off with a woman welcoming Panem to the Reaping of District 12, and the next shot is of a meadow with a structure in it and several people standing in a circle around it. We get a few quick shots of the main character and other characters with one woman who reminds me of an actress in Gen V (so I am going to look that up), and the little black boy was giving me vibes of the little black girl in the original series, I think her name was Rue. There is a countdown, and when the countdown reaches one, everybody in the circle runs towards the structure whilst trying to be first and also trying to take out one another. We get a shot of Ralph Fiennes, Jesse Plemons and more shots of the Rue boy and the main guy together. There is a quick shot of the Karate Kid: Legends actor I saw in The Long Walk. It looks like there may be a romance blooming if it hasn't already, since the first movie, and there are a couple of fight scenes, but at the very end, that sounded like Haymitch from the tones of Woody Harrelson. I think I need another trailer, to sell me, correction, have me a bit more intrigued and committed to actually wanting to watch it.
There was another trailer I saw a little while back last year and I made an attempt to cover it, I did but I didn't have a lot to say because although we saw a trailer, i was kind of expecting more. Then 2020 hit us with a pandemic and....silence. Seeing this trailer though from the stories I've heard regarding this movie, this is a Disney doing another movie based on a theme park ride, the same thing they did with Pirates of the Caribbean, however this doesn't look too bad, well from this trailer of course!
So, gone are the use of practical effects like in The Goonies, something of which this movie reminds me of, a cross between Indiana Jones, The Goonies, Pirates of the Caribbean and Tomb Raider (the games). Needless to say, as I like Indiana Jones and love the Tomb Raider games, The Goonies is a childhood favourite and Pirates has been decent for the most part, there is a chance, a slim chance that I might actually like this as well. Ah yes, it also reminds me of Jumanji: The next Level ALSO starring The Rock aka Dwayne Johnson. Emily Blunt is fab also, so, there is that!
Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and starring Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Édgar Ramírez, Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons & Paul Giamatti, You can comment down below to enter in discussions. Thank you for reading, Subscribe and Spread the word! - Get your ReelReeviews, right here!
This guy can do no wrong! To whom do I speak of? Ryan? Lakeith? Daniel? At this rate, it is a matter of rephrasing that sentence to, these guys can do no wrong! Although Ryan Coogler was not the director and he has been the director of such great, great movies like, Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther and these are the ONLY 3 movies he has directed, Ryan was the producer of this movie so he helped to make it happen. For only directing 3 short films then 3 major full-length films which have catapulted Ryan into the stratosphere to be approached and to sign a 5 year deal with Disney, speaks volumes even the deaf can hear. 3 for 3? Ryan is Talented! Lakeith, such a talented actor! First noted to me by his role in the film 'Get Out' ALSO starring Daniel Kaluuya, such a well written movie, well acted movie and not only did it put Lakeith more on the map, but also gave him more opportunities to act in more roles as this guy IS simply great at his job. Unfortunately where I hadn't seen Selma, Straight Outta Compton (although I heard 'the guy playing Snoop Doggy Dog is great'), his role in Purge: Anarchy didn't stick with me, but then again, nor did the film, but his role in Knives Out was great. Among an all-star cast, Lakeith held is own and well. Daniel! Daniel stuck out to me from a TV series called Black Mirror. His role in that show felt weird, but he was soo so good. I recognised him as Black Death in Kick-Ass 2 but it was his work on 'Get Out' that people were asking who this guy was. Daniel has been in great film after great film after great film. Sicario, Black Panther, Widows (although not so great but he was great in it), Queen and Slim and now this, Daniel is becoming a household name securing his spot in Black Hollywood. I'm guessing having said that, it goes without saying, this movie is a great watch...yes, of course it is!
Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya) was a real life person who was the Chairman of the Chicago Black Panther Party. In 1969, Fred Hampton was killed in his sleep in a secret Police raid in which a former head of security personnel for Fred, William O'Neal (Lakeith Stanfield), worked as an infiltrator and informant to FBI agent Roy Martin Mitchell. This film is a biographical Drama of the last 3 years before Fred Hampton's Murder at the age of 21. This movie explores the role of Fred Hampton in the Black Panther Party, his beliefs, his ideologies and what he wanted to do. This film also explores the role of William O'Neal and his infiltration into the party, how he gained trust and ultimately had Fred Hampton killed.
As long as I have been alive, the Black Panther Party has ALWAYS been shown as a black militia. My understanding has always been from what I had seen in pictures, videos and in film. Black men and women standing in formation brandishing entirely black clothing with black berets and holding guns. It was understood that the police did not like them and that they often caused trouble for the police. I understood they were a type of group of people, a political party who were for black people fighting against the injustices of black people in those hard times, but I was never taught in school about what they did, how they did it or why. Even if you wiki the Black Panther Party, it will tell you that they were Anti-fascism, Anti-imperialism, Anti-racism, Anti-capitalism and for African-American leftism, Black nationalism, Revolutionary socialism, Black pride & Gun rights (the last obviously for defence of self).
The acting is superb by both Lakeith and Daniel whilst Dominique Fishback supporting helped to ground the movie showing us the dynamics of life in that era, the politics and the love, passion and also the unselfish spirit of whom Fred was. A scene seen in the trailer, Fred is giving a speech, and while he is giving this speech as powerful as it is, Dominique sheds a tear as you fully understand as to why she is caught up in her feelings. Fred was a man for the people essentially by the people. If you are able to read between the lines, Roy (Jesse Plemons), along with William were simply puppets to a bigger agenda. Whilst one was simply doing his job, the other was doing for self. The film also highlights the callous behaviours of J.Edgar Hoover and the FBI at this time.
This film is heavy emotionally, but manages to ease the weight of digestion with the narrative, dialogue and performances. The performances were outstanding. I found myself often saying over and over in my head and sometimes out aloud about Daniel's performance, 'He's soo good'. They manage to get the point across without hitting you over the head with it, so well done Shaka King for the excellent Directing. By the end of the movie, you will understand that not all members of the Black Panther Party were militant and there were other factions out there of whom were or seemed a lot worse.
Writing this review was difficult for me because, being black and having not lived in that era but understanding the ordeals black people had to go through at that time AND because black people are still suffering to this very day in 2021, it hurts my soul. Granted, back then could be deemed more extreme, but I'm sure there is an argument to be made. During a pandemic in 2020, Black and non-black people alike came together to support one another on Police Brutality, on George Floyd who was killed on camera in front of people in the street like a dog. Breonna Taylor who was killed at her home in her sleep. Soo much injustice and to think that Black people, even having endured all they have endured across generations, whilst nothing can be said about jews and anti-semitism, at least they can come together as a community for their people, Fred and countless others have tried and tried to band us together, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King just to name a few, but just like Fred, they are killed. It's just upsetting. The film doesn't weigh you down like I probably have, so go watch it, it's a great film!
You can comment down below to enter in discussions. Thank you for reading, Subscribe and Spread the word! - Get your ReelReeviews, right here!
I swear this has to be one of the most humble guys I've seen in acting who is just AMAZING at his craft. Not to say that other actors are not amazing and/or humble, but I really do feel that Daniel brings a different kind of energy to his craftsmanship. He was in Kick Ass 2, he was in a Black Mirror Episode, starred in Get Out WITH Lakeith Stanfield, in Black Panther DIRECTED by Ryan Coogler (who also produces this movie) and also in Queen and Slim, a film that made me cry and angry and his performance was also great in that. he has been in other movies i haven't mentioned, but this trailer alone looks Award winning for this award nominated actor.
There's nothing much I can say in regards to this trailer as the trailer speaks volumes loud and clear, unless there will be some twists involved. Fred Hampton is set up by close ally and/or friend due to his co-operation with the police who are trying to take Fred down. I don't know the real life story along with countless others, so I'm totally unaware of how the story is meant to have gone but I'm sure it would be great to learn this story directed by Shaka King. I've watched this trailer like 3-4 times now and it just get's more powerful with every watch. I think, the movie being released now would be very poignant to what is happening in society right now and also brings me back to Umbrella Academy Season 2. 1963 and 1969 are only 6 years apart.
Directed by Shaka King and starring Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons, Dominique Fishback, Ashton Sanders, Martin Sheen, Algee Smith, Lil Rel Howery, Jermaine Fowler, Darrell Britt-Gibson,
It's funny, when I wrote my review of the first trailer, I said a number of things which were my first initial thoughts. Watching this trailer, I found it interesting that although I didn't think "How many movies will Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson be apart of with the word 'Jungle' in it?" Or "How many movies a year? 28? Whilst working on 35?" This guy stays working and I don't think I've see a bad Dwayne Johnson performance! The ratio probably balances our more IN his favour and considering he oozes charm, Dwayne is essentially a superstar and there is not many of them about. These days people go for the Director than the actor so with Jaume Collet-Serra, someone I am not that familiar with although I did watch The Orphan back in the day, it would be interesting to see how he pulls off this theme park ride.
For the most part this is looking decent but I think I for the most part I'm more shocked at how many movies Dwayne can find himself in with the word Jungle in it. Two talented actors though, maybe another trailer will sell me more.
Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and starring Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Édgar Ramírez, Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons & Paul Giamatti, You can comment down below to enter in discussions. Thank you for reading, Subscribe and Spread the word! - Get your ReelReeviews, right here!
Ok, so this film looks creepy. How kid they Littlegot turnsaway with sliding this past Disney, I don't know. gourmet chef and kills things to feed something he calls "Daddy". Shows his boy in the woods and Daddy stands, which looks like 10 feet tall (perspective). I mean, mum is sitting down at the kitchen table figuring out her child is a weirdo and he's into some shit. I'm interested in watching this as it looks like a nice little fright...not for me as I don't get scared easily, but creepy, I'm down for!
Directed by Scott Cooper and starring Keri Russell and Jesse Plemons
