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Sunday, March 24, 2024

4K Digital Review: All of Us Strangers

 


Adam (Andrew Scott) is a TV screenwriter living in London. He is not only struggling with his writing but still dealing with the loss of his parents at a very young age. One day the fire alarm goes off in his building and he makes eye contact with a handsome young neighbor named Harry (Paul Mescal). Shortly after this, Adam "sees" his parents. They see him as an adult but they appear to be the same age as when they died.

Adam then runs into Harry again and again. The two men spend quite a lot of time together and their relationship grows. At the same time Adam sees his parents more often and they get to know Adam as an adult. They accept him as a gay man, learn about his new love and help Adam learn to deal with his grief of losing them so many years ago.

Both Adam and Harry are lost souls that have found one another. Adam must learn to let go of his parents and live with that loss. Harry has his own secret and we may discover it by the end of the movie. 


Video:

The 4K digital streaming video is excellent. The colors are absolutely gorgeous here with beautiful details and true to life skin tones. 

Audio:

The audio mix is a solid 5.1 mix with very little surround activity. Dialogue is solid and the main part of the audio mix. 


Bonus Features:

Roots of The Story - taking a look at the creation of the film from book to screen and how the changes made for this version were personal to the director

Building Adam's World - adds to the first bonus feature by taking a look at scenes that were filmed in Haigh's childhood home


Conclusion:

Loss and grief play a huge part in this movie as does love and acceptance. This is a sad film and this film proves that loss has no timeline. But also in grief, you can  find beauty and this film proves it. 

All of Us Stranger is available now on digital and on HULU.


*The film was provided for review by Walt Disney Home Entertainment and my review is strictly my own opinion*

Saturday, March 9, 2024

ZOE SALDAÑA, SIGOURNEY WEAVER, AND KATE WINSLET FEATURED IN UNDERWATER ART CELEBRATING “AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER” AND SHOT BY CHRISTY LEE ROGERS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE NATURE CONSERVANCY

 


Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, and Kate Winslet, stars of 20th Century Studios’ “Avatar: The Way of Water,” posed for renowned underwater photographer Christy Lee Rogers for a series of photographs celebrating our oceans to raise funds to support The Nature Conservancy (TNC). 

 

James Cameron, the film’s producer/director/writer, is a long-time supporter of ocean conservation. Rogers created these artworks in her unique style, breaking usual conventions and shooting the actresses through the play of light refracting through the water to evoke the feel of a painting.

 

Cameron said: “I have long admired Christy’s art and began collecting her works several years ago. Her unique style of shooting her subjects underwater naturally inspired me to suggest she do a special shoot with our cast.”

 

The artwork will be launched online on March 8, 2024, as four  limited edition, museum quality photographs signed by Rogers, as well as a series of high-quality prints both signed by Rogers and unsigned, available for purchase through Fraser Scott at A Gallery Artists Ltd. via  Rogers’ website at  www.christyleerogers.com/avatar.


“Offering these unique pieces of art to benefit The Nature Conservancy through the “Avatar: The Way of Water’s” ‘Keep Our Oceans Amazing’ campaign is a perfect synergy, and we were excited to collaborate with Christy,” added producer Jon Landau.

 

In celebration of “Avatar: The Way of Water,” Disney and “Avatar” launched a global “Keep Our Oceans Amazing” campaign to raise awareness of the challenges facing oceans and marine life. The campaign supports TNC and its work to protect 10 of our oceans’ amazing animals and their habitats, connected to the beauty of Pandora. This art sale is one of many ways fans can help TNC reach its goal, as 100 percent of net proceeds from the art sales will go to TNC and help protect our oceans. To learn more, visit:  www.nature.org/disney

 

Christy Lee Rogers said: “Water is healing – it’s life itself. And as the provider of life – oxygen to all through tiny phytoplankton, our oceans need our care more than ever right now. It is a great honor to be able to help James Cameron, Jon Landau, and the ‘Avatar’ and Disney teams in realizing that dream of clean and protected world oceans – through the release of these images for The Nature Conservancy.” 


“Healthy oceans are vital to the health of the planet and all living things, including people. Oceans are 90 percent of the habitable planet and home to more than half of all life on earth; they provide livelihoods for billions of people, produce the food we eat and half the air we breathe,” said Melissa Garvey, global director of ocean protection at The Nature Conservancy. “Through the work of Christy Lee Rogers and the support of Disney and ‘Avatar,’ we can shape a brighter future where people and nature can thrive—ensuring healthier oceans for all.”

 

20th Century Studios’ “Avatar: The Way of Water,” nominated for four Academy Awards® including best picture, is filmmaker James Cameron’s highly acclaimed first follow-up to his 2009 blockbuster hit “Avatar.” Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, “Avatar: The Way of Water” begins to tell the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure. Directed by James Cameron and produced by Cameron and Jon Landau, the Lightstorm Entertainment Production stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, and Kate Winslet. The screenplay is by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver. The story is by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver & Josh Friedman & Shane Salerno. David Valdes and Richard Baneham serve as the film’s executive producers.



Trailer and Poster for Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2”— New Characters/Voice Cast Announced

 



A new trailer and poster are now available for Disney and Pixar’s upcoming theatrical release, “Inside Out 2,” which welcomes new Emotions to now-teenager Riley’s mind. Joining Joy (voice of Amy Poehler), Anger (voice of Lewis Black), Sadness (voice of Phyllis Smith), Fear (voice of Tony Hale) and Disgust (voice of Liza Lapira) is a group of Emotions perfectly suited for the teenage years. 

Maya Hawke voices Anxiety, the previously announced new arrival bound to shake up everything in headquarters and beyond. A bundle of frazzled energy, Anxiety enthusiastically ensures Riley’s prepared for every possible negative outcome. 

Envy, voice of Ayo Edebiri, may be small but she sure knows what she wants. She’s perpetually jealous of everything everyone else has, and she’s not afraid to pine over it. 

Ennui, who’s voiced by Adèle Exarchopoulos, couldn’t care less. Bored and lethargic with a well-practiced eye-roll, Ennui adds the perfect amount of teenage apathy to Riley’s personality, when she feels like it. 

Embarrassment, voiced by Paul Walter Hauser, likes to lay low, which isn’t easy for this burly guy with a bright blush-pink complexion. 

 

Additionally, Kensington Tallman lends her voice to Riley Andersen, who’s about to begin high school. Lilimar was called on to voice Valentina “Val” Ortiz, a high school hockey player who everyone, including Riley and her friends, looks up to. Diane Lane and Kyle MacLachlan return to voice Riley’s mom and dad; Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green and Grace Lu provide the voices for Riley’s besties; and Yvette Nicole Brown voices Coach Roberts, who heads up a summer hockey camp. The voice cast also includes Sarayu Blue, Flea, Ron Funches, Dave Goelz, James Austin Johnson, Bobby Moynihan, Frank Oz, Paula Pell, Paula Poundstone, John Ratzenberger, Kendall Coyne Schofield, June Squibb, Kirk Thatcher and Yong Yea.

TRAILER FOR “TAYLOR SWIFT | THE ERAS TOUR (TAYLOR’S VERSION) ” AVAILABLE NOW

 



The trailer for “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)” is here! The concert film from the 14-time GRAMMY®-winning artist in its entirety for the first time, which includes the song “cardigan” and four additional acoustic songs, will debut exclusively on Disney+ one day early, Thursday, March 14, at 6:00pm PT.

 

The history-making, cinematic experience, “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour” directed by Sam Wrench, grossed more than $260 million worldwide at the global box office, making it the top selling concert film of all-time.

4K Digital Review: Poor Things

 


Yorgos Lanthimos is known for making strange and quirky films and Poor Things is no exception. We meet Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), an adult who has been given the brain of a child. She was brought back to life by scientist Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe) who keeps her confined to his home. When Bella meets lawyer Duncan (Mark Ruffalo), she runs away with him to experience the world. 

Things happen to Bella, both spiritually as well as physically. The film dares you to expect the unexpected. The film will not be for everyone, so you will have to have a good mindset when watching it. Lanthimos always gets the most of his actors. Poor Things is definitely a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.  


Video Quality:

The video quality is not bursting with color but it is shot that way. The first half of the film is shot in black and white, but everything is sharp and vivid. Flesh tones, while washed out, still has amazing detail. You will not be disappointed in the video quality. 


Audio Quality:

The DTS HD Master Audio Mix is good. Just as the director doesn't try to go overboard on the colors in his films, the audio isn't over the top as well. Vocals are crisp and clean, surrounds are used at a minimum as the front channels handle most of the audio mix. A solid effort but not very memorable. 


Bonus Features:


Featurettes:


  • Possessing Beauty - The Making of Poor Things. Join Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone, cast and crew in the making of this fantastical film. Explore the costumes, makeup and prosthetics in detail. Take a tour with Willem Dafoe and see how Godwin and Bella’s home mirrors and accommodates them both.

Deleted Things

  • Brothel Doctor
  • Alfie’s Chapter
  • Bella’s Notebook

Conclusion:

Poor Things is a quirky, odd film. If you are a fan of the movies of Yorgos Lanthimos then you will be a fan of this one as well. Definitely a film that isn't for everyone, for if it is for you then you will be well rewarded. 

DISNEY UNVEILS FIRST LOOK FOR “TRON: ARES”—IN PRODUCTION NOW

 


Disney released the exciting first look at “TRON: Ares,” the highly anticipated, new installment in the groundbreaking “TRON” franchise. The film started production in January in Vancouver and is slated for release in 2025.

 

“TRON: Ares” is a follow-up to Disney’s 1982 seminal science fiction film “TRON” and the 2010 sequel, “TRON: Legacy.”

 

Joachim Rønning directs “TRON: Ares” and says, “I’m excited to be part of the TRON franchise and bring this new film to fans around the world. ‘TRON: Ares’ builds upon the legacy of cutting-edge design, technology and storytelling. Now more than ever, it feels like the right time to return to the Grid.” 

 

“TRON: Ares” follows a highly sophisticated Program, Ares, who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings.

 

The feature film stars Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Hasan Minhaj, Jodie Turner-Smith, Arturo Castro, Cameron Monaghan, with Gillian Anderson.

 

Sean Bailey, Jeffrey Silver, Justin Springer, Jared Leto, Emma Ludbrook and Steven Lisberger are the producers, with Russell Allen serving as executive producer.