Disney times two: in «Maleficent: Mistress of Evil», Angelina Jolie shows off her evil side while «Mulan» is all about hardcore martial arts action instead of musical songs. Speaking of hardcore: «Midway» depicts the most famous naval battle in history.
Disney dominated last week’s newly released trailers. I’m expecting the first official teaser of the live-action adaptation of Disney’s «Mulan» to be especially controversial – share your opinion in the comment section or take part in the survey below.
But there’s more than Disney this week. Read on to find out more.
That’s one hell of a night: Melinda (Tilda Cobham-Hervey) – inconspicuous, awkward and young – works at a petrol station. One night, a desperate man (Josh Hutcherson) tries to rob the petrol station. His plan fails. Melinda sees her chance to turn the tables. And so she does.
Wow. My first impression of the trailer was just as insignificant as the main female character appears to be. I almost switched it off. But then the trailer captured me more and more with every second. My advice: watch it. Until the very end. It’s absolutely worth it.
Release date in Swiss cinemas: 23 August 2019
Okay. In the first «Maleficent» movie, we learned that the evil witch (Angelina Jolie) isn't as evil as in the 1959 classic cartoon. The trailer for the second part seems to show another side of her again: Aurora’s wish is to get married, Maleficent is against this plan and gets mad as hell. A war breaks out.
Is the trailer trying to mislead us? There are some shots of the stepmother (Michelle Pfeiffer) with a rather evil look on her face. Maybe Maleficent is good after all and just trying to protect Aurora? Besides, there’s a twist at the end of the trailer. What's going on here?
Release date in Swiss cinemas: 17 October 2019
December 1941: The Japanese Empire invades the Hawaiian port of Pearl Harbor, where the American navy is anchoring. There’s no previous declaration of war. The attack, which is regarded as particularly insidious, is considered to be the trigger for the USA's entry into the Pacific War and World War II.
Six months later: the Pacific war has claimed devastating losses on both sides. The Battle of Midway is meant to turn the tide in favour of the Allies. It’s the start of a historic naval battle. Will Roland Emmerich's film with star cast Patrick Wilson, Luke Evans, Aaron Eckhart and Woody Harrelson impress? At least the trailer looks promising.
Release date in Swiss cinemas: 8 November 2019
After «Star Wars: The Last Jedi», director Rian Johnson seemed to have disappeared. Two years later he’s back with an adaptation of Agatha Christies novel «Knives Out». Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) tries to solve the murder of Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer). The suspects? Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon and Toni Collette.
Release date in Swiss cinemas: 27 November 2019
Lanterns. Green meadows. Japan in feudal times. The soft sounds of «Reflections» from Disney's animated film are playing in the background. The teaser trailer of the «Mulan» live-action adaptation has a atmospheric beginning. But then: no songs. Mulan's later husband Li Shang is missing. And so is the guardian dragon Mushu. Originally spoken by Eddie Murphy, in the German version by Otto Waalkes.
It soon becomes clear that director Niki Caro isn't planning a 1:1 remake of the Disney classic as with the upcoming «Aladdin» and «The Lion King». In 2017, she described her version of the old Chinese folk poem as a «girly martial arts extravaganza».
A quick look at the poster is all I need to know this movie is going to be good.
Release date in Swiss cinemas: 27 March 2020
The live-action adaptation of Disney’s «Mulan» is missing songs and the dagon Mushu. What's your take on it?
The competition has ended.
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I'm an outdoorsy guy and enjoy sports that push me to the limit – now that’s what I call comfort zone! But I'm also about curling up in an armchair with books about ugly intrigue and sinister kingkillers. Being an avid cinema-goer, I’ve been known to rave about film scores for hours on end. I’ve always wanted to say: «I am Groot.»