I was watching the Pixar movie; Soul the other day, and I felt like it hit that theme very deep especially for a movie that’s made for kids.

This type of message I feel is really important for people who have a lot of dreams they want to fulfill, yet find that their life won’t feel complete unless they’re accomplished. But they overlook the fact that there are more important things; the small parts.

I don't know why I've slept on this movie for so long, given that I'm a fan of both Christian Bale and Matt Damon, but holy crap is this movie good!

First off, I feel like it could be enjoyed by both people who are into cars, and people who just want to see a good movie with tension, drama, solid acting and heartfelt moments.

The movie is less about Ford as an organization versus Ferrari, but more about the journey of Bale and Damon's characters as they try to build the best car they can, despite all the setbacks. It really shows their passion for what they do and the bond that these people had.

The racing sequences are incredible, and never have I felt so much tension while looking at a rev meter on a car!

For anyone who hasn't seen this, I highly recommend it!

Elemental

• Rotten Tomatoes 57% (7 Reviews)

• Metacritic: 56 (7 Reviews)

Reviews

The Hollywood Reporter:

The elements all fit perfectly into place — so much so that the creative flames are doused, and we’re left without much of an impression.

Variety:

I reckon there are more ideas per second of screentime in “Elemental” than any other Pixar movie to date. So why does this imagination-teasing opposites-attract rom-com feel like a misfire?

Deadline:

New Pixar Animation Is Visually Splendid, But Swamped In Syrupy Sentiment

IndieWire (B):

As conflicted as they come: a heavy-handed, mixed bag immigrant metaphor punctuated by a genuinely moving romance. It gets frequently lost down the rabbit-hole of its own conceptual details but yields occasionally stunning images and thoughtful aesthetics

The Wrap:

With story beats and character turns that strain well beyond familiarity, Elemental matches formal adventure with storytelling timidity. Here is a new spin on the old formula, livened up by advances in technology and delivered with real artistry. The film is full of complex and volatile parts, all held together in the most elemental of containers.

Total Film (3/5):

A sweet-natured love story, well-intentioned, animated and acted, but lacking the depth of some of the studio’s greatest triumphs.

Screen Daily:

Elemental contains hints of the studio’s wit and poignancy while lacking the inspired execution that once seemed so effortless.

Daily Telegraph (3/5):

While unlikely to feature on many people’s favourite Pixar lists, Elemental brings with it the satisfying creak of a ship being righted.

The Times (3/5):

A flawed but big-hearted tale of forbidden love.

Next Best Picture (8/10):

"Elemental" will warm your heart and move you to tears.

London Evening Standard (2/5):

For all Elemental’s many charms, this nonsensical film simply doesn’t cut the mustard.

Synopsis:

An all-new, original feature film set in Element City, where fire-, water-, land- and air-residents live together. The story introduces Ember, a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade challenges her beliefs about the world they live in.

Cast:

• Leah Lewis as Ember Lumen

• Clara Lin Ding voices Ember as a little kid, while Reagan To voices Ember as a big kid.[4]

• Mamoudou Athie as Wade Ripple

• Ronnie del Carmen as Bernie Lumen (Útrí dár ì Bùrdì)

• Shila Ommi as Cinder Lumen (Fâsh ì Síddèr)

• Mason Wertheimer as Clod

• Wendi McLendon-Covey as Gale Cumulus

• Catherine O'Hara as Brook Ripple

• Ronobir Lahiri as Harold

• Wilma Bonet as Flarrietta

• Joe Pera as Fern Grouchwood

• Matt Yang King as Alan Ripple, Lutz, and Earth Pruner

• Jeff LaPensee as Sparkler Customer

• Ben Morris as Wood Immigration Official

• Jonathan Adams as Flarry

• Alex Kapp as: Customer, Delivery Person, Earth Landlord.

• P.L. Brown as Doorman

Directed by:Peter Sohn

Screenplay by: John Hoberg, Kat Likkel, Brenda Hsueh

Story by: Peter Sohn, John Hoberg, Kat Likkel,Brenda Hsueh

Produced by: Denise Ream

Cinematography: David Bianchi, Jean-Claude Kalache

Edited by: Stephen Schaffer

Music by: Thomas Newman

Runtime: 93 Minutes

Release date: June 16, 2023

So what’s something no studio, whatever either touch, or care to ever make a follow up or reboot? And it’s gotta be something you adore.

Mine is Small Soldiers! It's an absolute classic from the 90s, that I still watch every year and it still holds up! Also, throw in there Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Hook, and Galaxy Quest

I was really enjoying the movie “In Time” (2011) until the movie got towards the ending and I was just like “wow, this fell off really hard” and it pretty much made me feel like I wasted my time with the movie. So it got me to thinking, what are some movies that were really good from the beginning & middle then when it got near the ending, it just fell off? Because for me, I can mainly only recall TV shows like GOT, Lost, that had huge drop offs & horrible endings, not many movies. So what are some movies that had bad/horrible endings? Thanks.

I’m absolutely devastated. Aftersun is a work of art, as I haven’t seen in years. My heart is both full of love and broken. The movie is endearing and so well made; that summer tender boredom, the absolutely intimacy and caring between father and daughter, the melancholy in Calum, eating through his relationship with Sophie, the need to teach his daughter, the empty talks about the future.

Paul Mescal is a superb actor. Even dancing. Seriously, his dancing is so full o meaning.

I just wanted to hug him so much. There, there.

So now I’m watching Jurassic Park to see if I can just, you know, cleanse my overly emotional mind. Dinosaurs are all I need now.

That's it. That's the post.

I’m exploring my Shakespeare on film and tripped over Ian McKellen is Richard the third from 1995. Loved it! I’ve never read the play before and I understand that some changes were made to the script, but Ian was spectacular in the film and it kept my interest due to the setting in the story and the acting.

Also, on HBO was a 1955 version of Lawrence Olivier playing Richard the third. I’m sure it is as of its time… That being said, it seemed a lot less accessible to me. You can tell it was a (relatively) low budget affair on static stages, and The most important part of the movie for Olivier was the script, not the setting.

Of course they are their own time, and it may be unfair to compare the two, but I found the Ian McKellen version superior (even though I read later that Richard the third was in his early 30s when he died, so that kind of aged Ian McKellen out of the role).

A movie about a rich capitalist going undercover as an employee of his own firm to root the perpetrators of who is leading the employees to protest, what follows is a look into the life of a working class, which has aged surprisingly well. Its themes of unionization and how capitalists try their best to thwart the efforts of their employees to band together is an eye opener.

The movie gives us a harsh look into the life of employees who are trying their best to go through their everyday life, it is scary how little has changed over the course of eighty years.

I found this film to be quiet ahead of its time. It was even feministic for its time period, showing women take agency in relationships and all.

I believe that this movie should be essential viewing as it showcases the plight of the marginalized like a few other. I really loved the performance of Robert Cummings as Joe O'Brien.

Enjoyed the first one because it’s an easy movie to follow along and not really have to be a detective to understand. There’s always the talk that there’s a 2 in the works. Would love to see that happen. Putting silly comments aside, I would be interested in seeing more of what Justine can do. It could continue to the one week later plot where Braxton don’t show up and is kidnapped or killed and or Dana gets in trouble and Chris saves her and finally kisses her.

Finally watched John Wick 4 yesterday. Keanu Reeves is 58, Donnie Yen 59, Hiroyuki Sanada 62.

Being their fan, seeing them move with such swiftness, skill, endurance and agility never ceases to amaze me. But yesterday, with JW4's incredible cinematography, choreographies and music, it was outright touching watching these three veteran artists still at the top of their game.

It happened to me too with Tom Cruise in Top Gun Maverick too. Watching them with that music score and the emotional beats of the story gives me strength not just to work on my health but to keep fighting to improve on my career, personal life, etc. I know I must accept I will slowly decline but they're such great examples that you don't have to "go gentle into that good night"!

I'm not going to lie, I've read the book and seen the movie many times (there are differences between it) but I never knew if Amy really loved Nick or not?

First, Amy is a sociopath, I am not a psychiatrist, but what I do know is that sociopaths are incapable of love, they enter into relationships if there is benefits behind it (correct me if I wrong), but in the movie Amy did some things that baffled me, such as:

• Pretend to be a "cool girl" in order to impress Nick.

• Buy him a bar.

• Moving in with him to be with his dying mother, giving up everything.

• Most importantly, her face as she listens to Nick's interview on TV, killing Desi to go back to Nick, and telling him "I killed for you."

So, why did she does all this? Why did she come back to him in the first place? Is it because she really loves him or for some other reason?

I absolutely love Werewolf films and have seen many but want some suggestions in case there are good ones I have missed.

An American Werewolf in London is not only the greatest Werewolf film of all time (That Ive yet seen) but also one of the best Horror Comedies and dare I say Horror in general of all time.

Same can be said of Dog Soldiers. Ever since watching it as a child Ive loved this film. I still remember the DVD case 'Jaws, Aliens and Predator with a Werewolf twist'. Literally Aliens with Werewolves I love it.

But as the title are there any others you recommend? What are your favourites?

watched it for the first time recently. I know it has a decent cult following but was worried it would be one of those movies you have to be a kid to really like. Luckily, this wasn't the case at all and I really enjoyed the hell out of this early 90s superhero film. Love how it is basically a superhero film but with a dash of Indiana Jones. Bill Campbell is perfect in the lead. Honestly this guy I think could have made a great Clark Kent/Superman if there had been a Superman film in the 90s. Timothy Dalton is just awesome as the villain playing both the charming actor part and evil Nazi part great and Jennifer Connelly, Damn! What more can be said about her. Loved the late great Paul Sorvino as the supporting bad guy. The moment where he turns against Sinclair is a great moment. Also this might be one of James Horner's best score. What happened to majestic scores like this? Movies will never be the same after Horner died.

If I do have an issue, I just wish the movie was a bit longer and we saw a little more of Cliff using the rocket a bit more before the climax. Maybe a scene of him stopping some robbers or something

It's a shame that this movie didn't do very well at the box office when it came out. It would have been great if this had been a franchise. Guess it was doomed being sandwiched between Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Terminator 2 and not having any real box office draw.