Movie Muser

Have your say about cinema

New Mary Poppins Returns Trailer – The magical nanny is back in the form of Emily Blunt

By

It’s fair to day there are still plenty of people who are unsure whether Disney should be making a belated sequel to one of the true classics of family cinema, Mary Poppins. However, a new trailer has arrived to try and convince us it’ll be worth having the magical nanny back, in the form of Emily Blunt this time – and it has to be said, it does a good job.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘“Mary Poppins Returns” stars: Emily Blunt as the practically-perfect nanny with unique magical skills who can turn any task into an unforgettable, fantastic adventure; Lin-Manuel Miranda as her friend Jack, an optimistic street lamplighter who helps bring light—and life—to the streets of London; Ben Whishaw as Michael Banks; Emily Mortimer as Jane Banks; and Julie Walters as the Banks’ housekeeper Ellen; with Colin Firth as Fidelity Fiduciary Bank’s William Weatherall Wilkins; and Meryl Streep as Mary’s eccentric cousin, Topsy. The film also introduces three new Banks’ children played by Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh and newcomer Joel Dawson. Angela Lansbury appears as the Balloon Lady, a treasured character from the PL Travers books and Dick Van Dyke is Mr. Dawes Jr., the retired chairman of the bank now run by Firth’s character.

‘The film is directed by Rob Marshall from a screenplay by David Magee and screen story by Magee & Marshall & John DeLuca based upon The Mary Poppins Stories by PL Travers. The producers are Marshall, DeLuca and Marc Platt with Callum McDougall serving as executive producer and the music is by Marc Shaiman with songs by Shaiman and Scott Wittman.’

Take a look at the teaser trailer and poster below. The film will be in cinemas in December. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: , , , , ,   DIRECTORS:   FILMS:   

Paddington 2 (Blu-ray Review)

By

Starring: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson
Directed By: Paul King
Running Time: 104 mins
BBFC Certificate: PG
UK Release Date: March 12th 2018 (UK)

Our Score

Before the first Paddington movie, a lot of people were convinced Michael Bond’s classic character couldn’t work as a live-action film. Not only was it a major success, but the sequel was even better received, with Paddington 2 becoming the first film ever to get more than 190 ‘Fresh’ reviews on RottenTomatoes, without a single negative notice. That doesn’t mean it’s the best film ever made, but it does mean it’s one that’s very difficult not to be charmed by.

Paddington (Ben Whishaw) is happily living in London with the Brown family. He wants to get his beloved Aunt Lucy a special 90th Birthday present, and sets his sights on a unique pop-up book. Just when he’s nearly got enough cash, the book is stolen and the police think the small bear is the one who took it. As a result, Paddington ends up in prison, at the mercy of a scary brute known as Knuckles (Brendan Gleeson).

Meanwhile the Browns, led by mother Mary (Sally Hawkins), know that Paddington must be innocent and so set out to prove it, even if father Henry (Hugh Bonneville) is initially a little preoccupied with his midlife crisis. The real villain is snooty actor Phoenix Buchanan (Hugh Grant), who’s convinced the pop-up book is his ticket to riches and doesn’t care if he destroys Paddington to get them.

The best family films manage to be fun and exciting while exuding a real warmth and optimism, and that’s exactly what Paddington 2 does. From the opening moments it sets out to put a smile of the viewer’s face and keep it there. It presents us with a fantasy version of London that’s all bright colours and with one foot still in the Victorian era, and where pretty much everyone has the face of a well-known British actor – from Peter Capaldi and Ben Miller to Jim Broadbent and Richard Ayoade.

It’s all done with a wink and both sets and acting that is deliberately pushed just a little bigger than reality, with the result that the CGI bear at the centre of the film is the most down-to-earth and normal character in the movie. It’s a deliberate reversal that works extremely well, helped by Ben Whishaw’s earnest vocals and strong comic timing. Hugh Grant is also a great addition, as he revels in playing what is in essence an over-the-top panto villain.

Ultimately the whole thing is a giant wad of warm and fuzzy fluff, underpinned by the expected platitudes about being positive and accepting others, but it’s extremely well done. If you just want to smile for 100 minutes, Paddington 2 is the movie for you.

Overall Verdict: A real charmer that just wants audiences of all ages to have a good time, and which succeeds admirably.

Reviewer: Tim Isaac

Special Features:
Director’s commentary
‘Rain on the Roof’ with Phoenix Buchanan (Full Screen)
Paddington 2: The Challenges of Making the Film
BAFTA Q&A with David Heyman, Paul King, Simon Farnaby, Hugh Grant and Pablo Grillo

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: , , , ,   DIRECTORS:   

Mary Poppins Returns Trailer – The magical nanny is back in the form of Emily Blunt

By

It’s fair to day there are still plenty of people who are unsure whether Disney should be making a belated sequel to one of the true classics of family cinema, Mary Poppins. However, the first teaser trailer has arrived to try and convince us it’ll be worth having the magical nanny back, in the form of Emily Blunt this time – and it has to be said, it does a good job.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘“Mary Poppins Returns” stars: Emily Blunt as the practically-perfect nanny with unique magical skills who can turn any task into an unforgettable, fantastic adventure; Lin-Manuel Miranda as her friend Jack, an optimistic street lamplighter who helps bring light—and life—to the streets of London; Ben Whishaw as Michael Banks; Emily Mortimer as Jane Banks; and Julie Walters as the Banks’ housekeeper Ellen; with Colin Firth as Fidelity Fiduciary Bank’s William Weatherall Wilkins; and Meryl Streep as Mary’s eccentric cousin, Topsy. The film also introduces three new Banks’ children played by Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh and newcomer Joel Dawson. Angela Lansbury appears as the Balloon Lady, a treasured character from the PL Travers books and Dick Van Dyke is Mr. Dawes Jr., the retired chairman of the bank now run by Firth’s character.

‘The film is directed by Rob Marshall from a screenplay by David Magee and screen story by Magee & Marshall & John DeLuca based upon The Mary Poppins Stories by PL Travers. The producers are Marshall, DeLuca and Marc Platt with Callum McDougall serving as executive producer and the music is by Marc Shaiman with songs by Shaiman and Scott Wittman.’

Take a look at the teaser trailer and poster below. The film will be in cinemas in December. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: , , , , ,   DIRECTORS:   FILMS:   

New Paddington 2 Trailer – Ben Whishaw’s little bear is back and having a new adventure

By

When Paddington was first announced, many were sceptical that Michael Bond’s peruvian bear could make a successful transfer to the big screen. However, the resulting movie grossed almsot $270 million around the world and is now getting a sequel.

Here’s the synopsis for Paddington 2: ‘The much-anticipated sequel to the worldwide hit family film finds Paddington happily settled with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens, where he has become a popular member of the community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes. While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s hundredth birthday, Paddington spots a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it’s up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief…’

The returning cast included Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin, with Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington and Imelda Staunton as Aunt Lucy. The are joined by new cast members such as Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson. Paddington 2 will be released in UK cinemas on 10 November 2017. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: , , , , , ,   DIRECTORS:   

Mary Poppins Returns (In The Form Of Emily Blunt) In Some New Pics From The Sequel

By

There are as many people who seem to be excited about a new Mary Poppins movie as there are people who think the whole thing is sacrilege. Indeed, it’s probably the movie in Disney’s new age of new takes on their classics that’s caused the most comment.

A new set of pics from the movie have now arrived, via EW, which suggest that Rob Marshall’s new Poppins will be both the same and different to the legendary 1964 movie. And part of that difference is that the setting has jumped forawrd a few decades.

EW also has the best description yet of what the movie is going to be about, saying, ‘Mary Poppins Returns, directed by Rob Marshall (Into the Woods), picks up 25 years after the events of the first film, fast-forwarding to London’s mid-1930s economic slump, the actual time period of Travers’ books. Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane has become the warm, loving home that banker and artist Michael Banks (Ben Whishaw) shares with his wife and three children. But after the sudden death of Michael’s wife, the Banks family is shattered — even enthusiastic aunt Jane (Emily Mortimer), now a fervent union organizer, and long-time housemaid Ellen (Julie Walters) can’t help lift spirits — and so in time, the once-blossoming home is on the verge of foreclosure.

Cue the arrival of prim and peculiar Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt), who leads Michael’s wayward children (and Jane and Michael themselves) on a series of unbelievable adventures — to the top of Big Ben, the bottom of the ocean, into magical encounters with animated dancing penguins and upside-down cousins (hey, Meryl Streep!). If anyone can help this family find the light they’ve lost, it’s Mary Poppins.’

Mary Poppins Returns will once more be a musical, with new tunes from Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the Musical). It’ll be in cinemas in December 2018.

Take a look at the new pics below. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: , , , , ,   DIRECTORS:   FILMS:   

Paddington 2 Trailer – The little bear is back and having a new adventure

By

When Paddington was first announced, many were sceptical that Michael Bond’s peruvian bear could make a successful transfer to the big screen. However, the resulting movie grossed almsot $270 million around the world and is now getting a sequel.

Here’s the synopsis for Paddington 2: ‘The much-anticipated sequel to the worldwide hit family film finds Paddington happily settled with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens, where he has become a popular member of the community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes. While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s hundredth birthday, Paddington spots a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it’s up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief…’

The returning cast included Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin, with Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington and Imelda Staunton as Aunt Lucy. The are joined by new cast members such as Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson. Paddington 2 will be released in UK cinemas on 10 November 2017. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: , , , , , ,   DIRECTORS: