Skip to main content

New Release Birb: Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool

Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool
Starring: Annette Benning and Jamie Bell
Directed By: Paul McGuigan
US Release Date: December 15th, 2017
My First Viewing: January 26th, 2018
Image Credit

 Annette Benning (20th Century Women, American Beauty) and Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot) star in the romantic drama Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool, which follows Benning's portrayal of actress Gloria Grahame in the last few years of her life. 

 Based on the memoir by Peter Turner (who Bell portrays in the film), the story follows Turner and Grahame's relationship in a non-linear style. Jumping between the past and the present, we see the highs and lows of the relationship, the underlying stories, and what one will do to not hurt the ones they love. Benning's version of Grahame is near spot-on, down to the soft pouty voice, movements, and lip curls. Bell and Benning have great chemistry together, but the story overall for some reason felt safe and a little by-the-numbers. 

 Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool is rated R for language and sexual content. Have you seen the film? Please post your comments below and as always, be civil. 
-birb 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Movie Birb Presents: My 18 Favorite Films of 2018- Part One

Movie Birb Presents:  My 18 Favorite Films of 2018 Part One- Honorable Mentions 2018 has been an amazing year for film, and for myself personally. By years end I will have seen over 160 motion pictures released in the 2018 calendar year, by far the most I have seen in one year. Being able to see so many films, write this blog, and communicate with everyone on social media has given me perspectives on films that I may not have seen previously, the way I watch films, and how to voice my opinion. This list is my personal opinion of what are my   favorite  films of 2018 are, and not what I think are the   best.  The list of honorable mentions is all of the films that I rated four-stars or higher that did not make my top 18. Without further ado, here are my honorable mentions for my favorite films of 2018. Four-Star Honorable Mentions Shoplifters-  Hirokazu Koreeda, Director Aquaman-  James Wan, Director Mary Poppins Returns-  Rob Marsha...
Post a Comment
Read more

Best Picture Birb- Get Out

Get Out Starring: Daniel Kaluuya and Allison Williams Written and Directed by Jordan Peele US Release Date: February 24, 2017 Most Recent Viewing: March 3, 2018 Image Credit: movieposter.com Nominated for four Academy Awards (including Best Actor and Best Picture), Get Out is the directorial debut of Key & Peele star Jordan Peele, who also produced and wrote the screenplay.  Part horror-thriller, part social commentary on race in our society, Get Out  tells the story of the relationship between Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) and Rose (Allison Williams), and their dynamic when Rose brings Chris to meet her family for the first time. Bradley Whitford, Catherine Keener, and Caleb Landry Jones play Rose's parents and siblings.  This is so much more than your standard horror fare, and I am so happy that the Academy honored this film with as many nominations as it did. Blumhouse Productions, who have their hands in many of the big horror franchises on the last decade p...
Post a Comment
Read more

New Release Birb: First Reformed

First Reformed Starring: Ethan Hawke and Amanda Seyfried Written and Directed by Paul Schrader US Release Date: May 18th, 2018 My First Viewing: May 30th, 2018 A former military officer turned Reverend deals with the struggles of guilt and despair in his own life as well as the world around us in First Reformed, starring Ethan Hawke and Amanda Seyfried.  Hawke plays Reverend Toller, who at the beginning of the film starts a one-year journal exercise to write his thoughts in the truest way possible, by putting pen to paper. In his small congregation (which is run by a superchurch run by Cedric "The Entertainer" Kyles) is Mary (Seyfried) and her husband Michael (Philip Ettinger). Mary wants to set Michael up with Reverend Toller because he is depressed about global warming and he wants her to get rid of their unborn child because he doesn't want to bring another life into this world.  This is a very deliberately paced film, but it keeps you invested. Hawke's...
Post a Comment
Read more