Movie Review – The Greatest Showman

About the movie:

The Greatest Showman is a 2017 American period musical drama film directed by Michael Gracey, and written by Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon. The film stars Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya. The film is inspired by the story of P. T. Barnum's creation of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, and the lives of its star attractions.

Principal photography on the film began in New York City in November 2016, and it premiered on December 8, 2017 aboard the RMS Queen Mary 2. It was theatrically released in the United States on December 20, 2017 by 20th Century Fox, seven months after the circus stopped operating, and has grossed $102 million worldwide.

The Greatest Showman received mixed reviews with praise for the cast (particularly Jackman), music, and production values, but criticism for the artistic license taken, with some reviewers calling it "faux-inspiring and shallow".^[4][5] At the 75th Golden Globe Awards, the film received three nominations: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Actor – Musical or Comedy (Jackman), and Best Original Song ("This Is Me").

More information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greatest_Showman

My opinion:

When we walked out of the movie theatre in the end, I heard people say that they didn’t know it was a musical. For me this fact was one oft he main reasons to actually go see the movie. Of course Hugh Jackman sold it to me ;). Being a huge musical theatre fan, I knew a Barnum musical exists, but it’s not related to this movie. The songs are totally different and some characters were just added for the movie. The storyline seems to be similar though.

The story follows PT Barnum (Hugh Jackman) and his dream to be successful with his “circus”. He tries to find unique artists to perform in his show and he finds them. The journey to success is not easy though and he suddenly wants more, forgetting what is all about. The storyline is very simple, but I think the message behind it is very important and it really comes through.

I loved seeing Barnum with his family. Michelle Williams is a great actress (wife) and the two daughters were absolutely adorable. They added a lot of cuteness and sparks to the story. Obviously Hugh Jackman was brilliant! He is a wonderful actor, a very talented singer and just perfect for the role. Rebecca Ferguson played Jenny Lind, I was really impressed with her singing, but she is actually not singing herself, it’s Loren Allred. Zac Efron and Zendaya had great chemistry and I really loved their song. The girl playing young Charity Barnum was also very cute and talented. It0s a fantastic cast, I really have to say and they work really well as a group.

My absolute highlight was the music! The songs are just magnificent and I listen to them all the time now. They help to portray the message and they really add a lot to the story. The choreography is on point as well and I just love all the colours, animals and the shows they put on.

It might not be historically accurate and Barnum was actually a bit different, but I don’t care. IT’S A FABUOUS MUSICAL FILM!

Movie Review – Gifted

About the movie:

Gifted is a 2017 U.S. drama film directed by Marc Webb and written by Tom Flynn. It stars Chris Evans, Mckenna Grace, Lindsay Duncan, Jenny Slate, and Octavia Spencer. The plot follows an intellectually gifted 7-year-old who becomes the subject of a custody battle between her uncle and grandmother. The film was released on April 7, 2017, by Fox Searchlight Pictures, and grossed $40 million worldwide.

More info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gifted_(film)

My opinion:

My students at school told me about this movie and also showed me the trailer. As soon as I watched it, I knew I had to watch it. They all really liked it as well, so of course I did.

The whole storyline is based around the seven year old girl called Mary (Mckenna Grace, I already knew her from Fuller House and was really excited to see her in a movie), who is very bright and a genius at Maths. She lives with her uncle Frank (Chris Evans). Her mother did years ago. It’s not easy for both oft hem and when Frank sends her to school things get very complicated.

Mary’s first grade teacher (Jenny Slate) sees her talent immediately, but Mary is not an easy student and things get very dramatic fast. Mary has problems socializing with kids her age. Her best friend is neighbour Roberta (Octavia Spencer).

Mary’s grandmother comes into the picture as well and wants Mary to live with her in Boston.

Of course the whole plot fascinated me a lot, because it’s based around school. Mckenna is a brilliant actress, she did such an incredible job, playing this role. Of course I also really liked Chris Evans, his acting is on point and his characters goes through a real transformation, this was great to see develop. The teacher and neighbour Roberta added extra sparks tot he movie.

The scenes are wonderfully shut and the chemistry between Chris Evans and Mckenna Grace is perfect. I absolutely adored their scenes.

It’s a very emotional movie and full of heart and passion. I loved every minute of it and I also had to cry, several times.

This is such a beautiful movie! It’s full of drama, excitement, family, friendship, love, passion and so much more. 

My Life in Movies Tag!

I found this post on lovely Danielle’s blog, I really enjoyed her post and it looked like a lot of fun, so I thought I’d give it a go. Here is here post: Underland to Wonderland - My Life in Movies Tag!

1)    First Steps: The first film you remember seeing as a kid.

Hmmm, that’s a very difficult one, i can’t say for sure. Among the first ones were for sure: The Lion King, The Jungle Book, Pinocchio, and Pippi Longstocking movies.

2)    Teenage crush: Which actor/actress did you have a crush on?

That’s easy, I fell in love with Daniel Radcliffe in the first Harry Potter movie and also really adored him in the second one. Then I switched to Tom Felton ;) Don’t ask me why though.

3)    Bad Choices, Good Outcome: A movie you watched and ended up enjoying, even though you wanted to hate it.

The Lord of the Rings. I was never really interested in the series, it didn’t sound like my cup of tea, but I loved these movies, still do.

4)    First Date: When you went on a first date what movie did you see?

First Dates and movies don’t really match for me, never did it.

5)    Home Comforts: What movie reminds you of time with your family?

I remember watching The Parent Trap together as a family, that was a lot of fun and I still think of from time to time. Also: Mrs Doubtfire, we watched that one together as well, several times.

6)    First Heartbreak: What movie really upset you or hit you more than you thought?

Hmmm, that’s another toughie. I pretty sure I cried through A Walk to Remember, such an emotional movie, I loved it, but it’s really sad.

7)    Leaving home: What movie was the first you watched without your family?

Hmmm, I think probably Pirates oft he Caribbean, I’m not sure though.

8)    Good Times: What movie do you watch most and why?

Easy, the Harry Potter series!

9)    Learn a new language: What is your favourite non-English language movie?

German is my mother tongue, so I watch a lot of German movies. I have also watched some French ones and some Italian ones. My favourite is Les Choristes, I adore that one.

10) Can't leave the sofa: What series on TV got you hooked?

I think you goes will be hear for a while, I’m addicted to TV series. My absolute fave is One Tree Hill! Others include: Charmed, The Vampire Diaries, Hart of Dixie, Glee, Smash, Gossip Girl, Suits, Gilmore Girls, The OC, Full(er) House etc.

11) Sick day: What movie do you watch if you don't feel well to cheer you up?

Here I go with rom-coms all the way. Raise Your Voice for example, a Hallmark movie, Love Actually or a Bridget Jones movie.

12) Looking to the future: What movies are you looking forward to seeing?

The next ones oft he Fantastic Beasts series, finally watching Beauty and the Beast and Pitch Perfect 3.

13) If only: What old movie do you want to see re-made?

Some of the Disney movies would be fab. The Sound of Music, Singing in the Rain or some other musical movies.

14) End of the road: What 3 films do you think you think will always enjoy watching?

Only three?! That’s going to be hard.

1 – Les Mis

2 – the Harry Potter movies

3 – 10 Things I Hate About You

That was harder than I thought ;). 

I’m tagging:

-       Maryline

-       Jenny

And everyone else, who wants to do it. Have fun! :)