1917: Sam Mendes, Roger Deakins and Others on Bringing WWI Back to Life
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1917: Sam Mendes, Roger Deakins and Others on Bringing WWI Back to Life

Last week, Vital Thrills attended a special New York Comic Con panel held by Universal Pictures to preview Sam Mendes’ upcoming World War I film 1917, which will be released on Christmas Day. Mendes was joined on the panel by co-writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns, producer Pippa Harris, cinematographer Roger Deakins and two of the primary cast: George…

The Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Cast and Director on the Oct. 18 Release
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The Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Cast and Director on the Oct. 18 Release

Disney’s Maleficent: Mistress of Evil opens in theaters next week, and we recently got a chance to attend the press conference for the film. Participating were director Joachim Rønning and Mistress of Evil cast members Angelina Jolie, Michelle Pfeiffer, Elle Fanning, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sam Riley, Harris Dickinson, and Ed Skrein. Opening in theaters on October 18, Maleficent:…

Will Smith Times Two in the Gemini Man Press Conference
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Will Smith Times Two in the Gemini Man Press Conference

Gemini Man, starring Will Smith, Clive Owen, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead, opens in theaters on October 11, and we got a chance to check out the press conference featuring director Ang Lee, Smith, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, Owen, Weta VFX supervisor Guy Williams, and VFX supervisor Bill Westenhofer. Gemini Man is an innovative action-thriller starring Will Smith (Disney’s Aladdin, Suicide…

Knives Out Review - Fantastic Fest 2019

Knives Out Review – Fantastic Fest 2019

Rian Johnson’s Knives Out is an engine of perfect entertainment. From the opening moments, we are swept into the story and characters, and it feels completely confident and effortless. It’s old-fashioned in all the best ways but it also has modern sensibilities and themes that give the film weight and substance. The murder mystery, as a…

Synchronic Review - Fantastic Fest 2019

Synchronic Review – Fantastic Fest 2019

These days, science fiction films aren’t necessarily about the ideas but the spectacle.  Many have several hundred-million-dollar budgets, gigantic CGI moments, and actors who work against green screens all day playing pretend on a wide scale. And while those films done right are perfectly enjoyable, it feels like something has been lost. Great character work,…

Ad Astra Review: Startlingly Beautiful with one of Pitt’s Best Performances

Ad Astra Review: Startlingly Beautiful with One of Pitt’s Best Performances

Man is a solitary creature. If there is anything to take from James Gray’s loving and lovingly strange 2001: A Space Odyssey hat tap, it’s the aching hole inside individuals that no amount of exploration or discovery can fill. That may not be particularly comforting to fans of human scientific advancement, but its combination of…

Downton Abbey Review: Continuation, Repetition, Encapsulation

Downton Abbey Review: Continuation, Repetition, Encapsulation

Continuation. Repetition. Encapsulation. In the realm of TV translation to film, these are the three potential options for what the audience will receive. A continuation of the story from its last episode, potentially with greater stakes and changes to the status quo on offer. A repetition of the most loved storylines in order to achieve…

It Chapter Two Review

It Chapter Two Review

It Chapter Two is a glorious mess. When the decision was made to split Stephen King’s It into two films, it seemed a sensible choice. The novel is over 1,100 pages long, and even the space of two lengthy films couldn’t possibly cover everything. King’s novel not only dives into the characters of the Loser’s Club…

Joker Review: Joaquin Phoenix Astounds in Todd Phillips Film

Joker Review: Joaquin Phoenix Astounds in Todd Phillips Film

It’s a rare occurrence when you watch a film and realize that you’ve spoken out loud about it before it’s over. I apologize to the person sitting next to me, but I think he totally understood. There was a moment while watching Joker when the screen went black and a breathless “wow” came out of my…

NBC Previews Perfect Harmony, Sunnyside, Bluff City Law & The Good Place

NBC Previews Perfect Harmony, Sunnyside, Bluff City Law & The Good Place

The Television Critics Association (TCA) Summer Press Tour is a two-week long event that takes place in Los Angeles and where networks bring the cast members from their new and top-rated shows to promote. Journalists attend panels with the talent and mingle with the stars to learn about their latest projects. Vital Thrills got a…

Bradley Whitford on The Handmaid's Tale and a West Wing Reboot
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Bradley Whitford on The Handmaid’s Tale and a West Wing Reboot

With his unforgettable performances, quotable characters, and interesting career choices, Bradley Whitford remains one of the greatest actors in Hollywood today. From his award-winning portrayal of Josh Lyman on The West Wing to Hulu’s drama The Handmaid’s Tale, which has earned him another Emmy nom, he’s continued to wow audiences for two decades. While promoting…