Sara Hemrajani on the rise of Ryan Gosling… La La Land, the award-tipped ode to musicals from Hollywood’s Golden Age, sees Ryan Gosling dance, sing, wax lyrical about jazz and woo Emma Stone’s aspiring actress in modern day Los Angeles. It’s a terrific performance and the 36-year-old seems to be a lock for one of […]
Star Wars’ John Boyega among nominees for BAFTA Rising Star Award
As Star Wars: The Force Awakens continues to smash box office records, one of the film’s breakout actors is also generating award buzz. John Boyega, who plays Finn – the Stormtrooper on the run, has been nominated for the BAFTA Rising Star Award. The 23-year-old’s previous credits include Attack the Block and Half of a […]
69th Cannes Film Festival Review – The BFG (2016)
The BFG. 2016 Directed by Steven Spielberg Starring Ruby Barnhill, Mark Rylance, Bill Hader, Jemaine Clement, Penelope Wilton, Rebecca Hall and Rafe Spall SYNOPSIS: Sophie, a young orphan, encounters the Big Friendly Giant who takes her to his magical homeland. But as the duo bond, Sophie’s life – and the fate of other children – […]
69th Cannes Film Festival Review – Toni Erdmann (2016)
Toni Erdmann, 2016. Directed by Maren Ade. Starring Peter Simonischek, Sandra Hüller, Thomas Loibl, Trystan Puetter and Hadewych Minis. SYNOPSIS: A bittersweet German comedy about a prankster father who disguises himself as a man named ‘Toni Erdmann’ in a bid to get the attention of his serious, business executive daughter. Parents and adult children struggling to […]
69th Cannes Film Festival Review – Mal de Pierres (2016)
Mal de Pierres (From the Land of the Moon), 2016. Directed by Nicole Garcia. Starring Marion Cotillard, Alex Brendemühl and Louis Garrel. SYNOPSIS: A spirited but delusional young woman in post-war France ends up in a marriage of convenience. When an illness takes her to a retreat in the Alps, she meets and falls in […]
69th Cannes Film Festival Review – Money Monster (2016)
Money Monster, 2016 Directed by Jodie Foster Starring George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Jack O’Connell, Caitriona Balfe and Dominic West SYNOPSIS: The presenter and producer of a flamboyant financial news TV show finds themselves in a hostage situation when a young, working class investor decides to take revenge for the tumbling share price of a major […]
69th Cannes Film Festival Review – Cafe Society (2016)
Café Society, 2016. Directed by Woody Allen. Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Steve Carell, Parker Posey, Paul Schneider, Corey Stoll, Blake Lively and Anna Camp. SYNOPSIS: A 1930s-inspired comedy about a native New Yorker who transfers to glamorous Hollywood and finds himself in a love triangle with a secretary and a powerful married man. The […]
Movie Review – Born to Be Blue (2015)
Born to Be Blue. 2015. Directed by Robert Budreau Starring Ethan Hawke, Carmen Ejogo, Callum Keith Rennie and Kevin Hanchard SYNOPSIS: A period biopic – which openly takes liberties with the truth – on jazz musician Chet Baker’s addictions, love affairs and struggles with creativity. There’s a moment in Born to Be Blue when […]
Movie Review – Elvis & Nixon (2016)
Elvis & Nixon, 2016. Directed by Liza Johnson Starring: Kevin Spacey, Michael Shannon, Alex Pettyfer, Johnny Knoxville, Colin Hanks and Evan Peters. SYNOPSIS: A comedic what-if story spun out of a real life meeting between Elvis Presley and President Nixon in the White House in December 1970. The King and the U.S. President have a […]
Movie Review – Ma ma (2015)
Ma ma, 2015. Directed by Julio Medem. Starring Penelope Cruz, Luis Tosar, Asier Etxeandia and Teo Planell. SYNOPSIS: An upbeat single mother tackles love and mortality after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Besides her appearances in Pedro Almodovar’s films, Penelope Cruz’s potential as a serious actress remains largely untapped. On paper, Ma Ma is the […]
