Movie Review – Mamma Mia! Here we go again

mammamiamovie.com

About the movie:

magazinmannschaft.de

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is a 2018 jukebox musical romantic comedy film directed and written by Ol Parker, from a story by Parker, Catherine Johnson, and Richard Curtis. It is a follow-up to the 2008 film Mamma Mia!, which in turn is based on the musical of the same name. The film debuts Legendary Entertainment's new fanfare, composed by Frank Ilfman in 2015. The film stars Lily James, Amanda Seyfried, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Pierce Brosnan, Dominic Cooper, Andy García, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Cher, and Meryl Streep. Both a prequel and a sequel, the plot is set after the events of the first film, and also features flashbacks to 1979, telling the story of Donna Sheridan's arrival on the island of Kalokairi and her first meetings with her daughter Sophie's three possible fathers.

Due to the financial success of the first film, Universal Pictures had long been interested in a sequel. Here We Go Again was officially announced in May 2017, with Parker hired to write and direct. In June 2017, many of the original cast confirmed their involvement, and James was cast as a young Donna that July. Filming took place from August to December 2017 in Croatia, and at Shepperton Studios in Surrey, England.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again was released in the United Kingdom and the United States on July 20, 2018, ten years to the week of the original film's release. It has grossed over $167 million worldwide and received generally favorable reviews from critics, who, while calling the film itself just a "so-so romantic-comedy", praised the cast and musical numbers

More information: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamma_Mia!_Here_We_Go_Again

My opinion:

theplaylist.com

I LOVE Abba!!!! I loved the previous Mamma Mia movie and of course I also love the musical, so yay!!!!

It was clear to me that I have to go see this movie, especially because the old cast is still part of it. I was really excited after watching the trailer. However, I was really surprised with the storyline after seeing the trailer and then the actual movie. It was not in a bad way though, actually in a positive way. 

The movie plays five years after the first one and a lot has changed. Sophie has build up the hotel again, to make her mother proud. Her husband Sky is not always around, it’s hard for her, because he is the love of her life. Sam, one of her three dads is there for here and of course the other two dynamos Rosie and Tanya. Sophie is kind of in the same position Donna was in all these years ago. So we go back in time and find out how she met Harry; Bill and Sam. 

indiewire.com

Lily James, does a fantastic jobs playing young Donna. She is full of life and really got into character. Her voice is great and together with the other two young dynamos she put on a really great show. Also her acting was on point. I struggled a bit with the young Harry and Bill, the one playing Sam was good. I felt though that they didn’t seem very authentic and their singing was not that great. Of course the singing thing also also a bit true for Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgård. I really adored Pierce Brosnan in this movie! Fab acting. 

Amanda Seyfried really sticks out. She has the voice of an angel and her acting is on point. I loved that she got to perform with the dynamos. I also really liked the way her story developed in the movie. 

This movie is definitely a feel good movie, full of love, fun, friendship, music, passion, but also grief and loneliness. The music is of course fabulous and just makes you happy. They also included some not that well known songs, which was fabulous. 

The setting on this Greek island is absolutely gorgeous (I know it’s actually Croatia). They captured it beautifully. The dancing queen scene is absolutely magnificent!!!

There are several cameo appearances as well, like the two guys from Abba. I loved, how they included the greek locals as well. Oh and then there is Cher, I don't need to say more. 

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.