Rocketman (2019) stars Taron Egerton as Elton John in the biopic of the singer’s life. It is directed by Dexter Fletcher, who famously stepped in for Brian Singer to finish directing last year’s Bohemian Rhapsody, a film that is sure to draw comparisons to this one. It this the next crowd-pleaser that could crack the Oscars?
Cannes Film Festival is perhaps the most prestigious awards circuit stop on the planet, and it just closed its doors on the 2019 season. Some high-profile films made their much-anticipated debuts there this year, while some under-the-radar picks surprised many, including the ultimate winner. What did critics have to say about the big contenders, and what does it mean for the Oscar race?
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Booksmart (2019) is the directorial debut of actress Olivia Wilde, and stars Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein as two straight-A students who decide to have one wild night of partying before graduation. It comes after a long lineage of similar comedy movies, from Superbad to Bridesmaids to Lady Bird and more. How does this film distinguish itself from the pack?
Long Shot (2019) is the latest Seth Rogen comedy vehicle, starring himself as Fred Flarsky, a political journalist who falls for sitting Secretary of State Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron). It was originally written by Dan Sterling, a sitcom writer best known for Rogen’s earlier film The Interview, and subsequently re-written by Liz Hannah of The Post fame. Is this yet another stoner-slacker comedy destined for the bulk bin, or a legitimate piece of cinema worth our time in its own right?
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) stars Zac Efron as infamous serial killer Ted Bundy, chronicling the events leading up to his arrest and conviction. Lily Collins co-stars as his longtime girlfriend who grapples with the truth, unable to comprehend that he is capable of such crimes. Director Joe Berlinger is no stranger to crime docu-dramas, nor is Netflix a stranger to Ted Bundy, having released the popular Ted Bundy Tapes series earlier this year (also directed by Berlinger). Can lightning strike twice?
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