Archives for : Naomi Watts
THE WATCHER Interview – Naomi Watts, Jennifer Coolidge, Mia Farrow, Margo Martindale, Noma Dumezweni
“Infinite Storm” tells the powerful, true story of Pam Bales, a climber who encounters a stranded stranger during a blizzard and must get them both down a mountain before they freeze to death. I got the chance to speak with the star of the film, Naomi Watts and director Malgortzata Szumowska about the movie. They discuss why an act of kindness from strangers can have a lasting effect, the person in their life that had the biggest positive impact, and more.
“Infinite Storm” opens in theaters on March 25, 2022.
For those who didn’t like the film adaptation of Veronica Roth’s young adult novel, Divergent, I advise you stop reading this review and don’t bother wasting your time watching this sequel. I highly doubt you’ll find Insurgent to your liking as the first film provided more thought and care into its story-line. Though Insurgent supplies much more action, this movie comes off as a fun-filler until its anticipated conclusion.
The film is still set in a futuristic Chicago society, where people are divided into five factions based on skill and aptitude (Abnegation = selfless; Erudite = intelligent; Candor = honest; Dauntless = brave; Amity = peaceful). And as we found out from the last film, Tris (Shailene Woodley) and her brooding, tatted boyfriend, Four (Theo James) are “divergent,” meaning they don’t conform into any category and are considered extremely dangerous.
Insurgent picks up right where Divergent left off. Tris, her brother Caleb (Ansel Elgort), Four, and Peter (Miles Teller) are on the run from the evil, Erudite leader Jeanine (Kate Winslet) and are now hiding out in the Amity faction. However, this safe house doesn’t last long, Jeanine is hell bent on hunting down every Divergent her squad can get their hands on, and unfortunately for Tris, she’s the “special one” that’s capable of opening up a magical box that supposedly will help Euridites rule the world and get rid of the Divergents forever.
The action sequences may feel forced at times, but that doesn’t make them any less enjoyable to watch. The first half of Divergent focused on Tris’ training and the real action in that film didn’t happen till the end. It’s nice to jump right into the excitement and watch some entertaining fight scenes. Like the first film, this sequel shows off some breathtaking visual effects, especially when we delve into Tris’ subconscious and try to decipher whether her visions are real or fake.
Insurgent may get criticized for its cheesiness and at times the confusing plot, but just like Jennifer Lawrence in Hunger Games, Shailene Woodley transcends with her compelling performance as the kick ass heroine. Woodley’s co-stars are adequate. But, even with the addition of Naomi Watts, it’s Miles Teller who shines as the mischievous Peter, providing some much needed comic relief. I do wish we got to dig deeper with Caleb. He is clearly a significant character, but yet I feel no attachment or interest towards him. Keep in mind that Caleb is being played by the same guy who had us bawling our eyes out in The Fault In Our Stars. Hopefully we get know and understand Caleb a little better in the next film.
It is possible that I am still reeling off the first film. Divergent was a great movie and took time to really develop the characters which had me already caring for Tris and Four before the movie started. It’s doubtful that Insurgent will be as memorable as the previous film. The premise is simple and is only stretched out by romance and numerous amounts of action. Fans of the series should be satisfied with this sequel, at least for its entertainment value.
The final book, Allegiant will of course be split into two films. Part 1 of this final installment is set to be released in theaters on March 18, 2016.
Insurgent opens in theaters on March 20, 2015.
Rating: 3/5
First off, Diana is not as bad as some critics have made it out to be. I mean I did see The Counselor last week so I’m still more scarred from that disaster. The idea of seeing the way Diana lived the last two year of her life was a good one, however the script in which they told her story for it, was not.
The film begins on that tragic Paris night, at the Ritz Hotel. As Diana (Naomi Watts), her lover at the time, Dodi Fayed, and a small security detail enter the elevator to leave after dinner. We watch through a security camera as they go down the elevator in silence. We know what is about to happen next but we don’t see it. Instead the movie rewinds two years before her death. Princess Diana is separated from Charles and living in Kensington Palace.
While visiting a friend in the hospital she encounters, Hasnat Khan (Naveen Andrews), to whom she gets an immediate attraction too. “The most beautiful thing she has seen,” to put it in her own words. He seems to have barely noticed her, making Diana want him more. Sound like a Rom-Com yet? Thus begins the infamous secret love affair with the Pakistani heart surgeon. From that point on we have an almost cliché romantic comedy, filled with break ups and makes up. Diana is portrayed more like a desperate teenager who will stop at nothing (even stalker procedures) to get the man she wants. And like she says in the film, “I’m a princess and I always get what I want.” Yes, she actually said that, but sadly that was not the corniest line.
Like any good rom-com, when the couple breaks up for good, the girl must breakdown. Time to party, meet a new guy, and make sure it is all photographed so your ex can get jealous.
It is too bad the film was focusing primarily on her love story with Khan. The best parts of the movie are when we get to see Diana do all her charitable work. Including the actions she took to support the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.
On a good note, Naomi Watts did a great job. She looked so much like Diana. Watts wears a prosthetic nose, and works eagerly to capture Diana’s modest expressions and body language. And she nails it! It is just too bad she could not have been given a more powerful script. As for Naveen Andrews, he might have done better if the real Hasnat would have been involved in the making of this film. Instead, he seemed more confused about how he should feel about her in this movie than I did.
Diana has its entertaining moments and could be a guilty pleasure for some, but it might not have been the best way to bring back the memory of Princess Di.
Rated PG-13 for brief strong language, some sensuality and smoking.
Diana hits theaters November 1st.
Originally posted on RedCarpetCrash.com