Tag Archives: new movies

Seen/Heard/Read

Beauty and the Beast Teaser Trailer

“For who could ever learn to love a beast?”

As far as I’m concerned, the feverish anticipation phase of waiting for Disney’s further upcoming live-action remake of well-known and well-watched animated classic Beauty and the Beast has officially begun. And it began for me the moment I read yesterday that the teaser trailer for the movie was out. A glimpse it is, but oh, what a glimpse!

As far as teaser trailers go, it is gorgeous. A hint of stunning, sweeping cinematography, and doesn’t that castle in the beginning, with the snow swirling around it, remind you just a bit of scenes with Hogwarts in the winter time in the Harry Potter films? I don’t mind at all. And then the sounds from the piano keys one knows so well from the opening score of the soundtrack begin to weave around the images, and my heart almost skips a beat. Such a illuminating blend of the sure-to-come drama, the sadness in the sleeping grandeur of the castle and Belle’s mix of curiousity and caution as she steps inside.

Nothing will ever be the same!

To say I’m looking forward to this is an understatement. To say I’m wildly curious myself doesn’t begin to describe my feelings. One thing is for sure – Emma Watson is one of her generation’s best actresses to portray a young woman with “her nose stuck in a book”, and she is certainly well on her way to creating memorable film portrayals of iconic characters. She can also hold her own with acting based on material that has won millions of fans the world over and continues to endure through time. Playing Hermione, and now Belle, is more than enough pressure. But Hermione is firmly established as a character in her own right, and I hope the same will be true for this new Belle. Emma Watson’s own attentiveness and intelligence will hopefully contribute in the best way to put her own stamp on Belle, yet keep the essential qualities which make Belle who she is.

Remembering Dan Steven’s piercing blue eyes and wonderful diction in Downton Abbey, I also have high hopes for the Beast, aka Prince Adam.

To be released in spring 2017…

 

 

 

 

Standard
Seen/Heard/Read

The Shallows

“Help me!”

Maybe this is just the kind of female-powered shark movie I might tentatively check out. Filmed in Australia, The Shallows should certainly boast some impressive beach scenes, though judging by the trailer, maybe most of the action will play out in and on the water – also promisingly spectacular. The main heroine,  played by Blake Lively, is grieving after a loss and finds herself confronted against nature. Or rather, one of its creations giving her a hard time.

“What was once in the deep is now in the shallows.” Not bad, not bad. Not that it’s entirely atypical that sharks suddenly appear in shallow waters, unfortunately, but hey, sell it like a menacing, one-of-a-kind situation. What exactly was once in the deep? How did it get to the shallows? How big is it? Make the viewer ask questions! This could be a standard one-night entertainer that will make me close my eyes in the process or even jump once or twice, but in the end I will probably shake it off as quickly as Taylor Swift in the song with that very name. Only one way to find out, though. THIS SUMMER.

 

Standard