A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker (Dakota Johnson) finds herself torn between the perfect match (Pedro Pascal) and her imperfect ex (Chris Evans).

As a cinematic feature, Materialists is hands down the most original film we’ve seen in a very long time, and this is a romantic drama unlike any other you’ve witnessed before. Filmmaker Celine Song’s thoughts and feelings on the subject matter of dating, relationships and romance in relation to Materialists are informed by her past as a matchmaker, and she’s far and away one of the smartest working directors at the moment. There’s a deep sense of thought and whipsmart intellect present in Materialists, and it’s almost like you’ve walked in expecting some kind of run-of-the-mill romance film but instead have been treated to a thought-provoking narrative that examines the idea of human worth when it comes to marriage and connection and just where love fits into all of it.

While not wanting to divulge specific plot points or narrative features, as Materialists is best viewed when going into it with the mystery still in tack, this film takes you in many different directions, and its’ narrative, which is extremely character-driven, will keep you primed thanks to some interesting choices on behalf of Song, and a few shock revelations.

While some will believe that Materialists is your standard romantic comedy, it is rather a deeply thought-provoking drama examining themes of connection, worth, dating as a numbers game, and just what place romance and love have in relation to a world that has now come to commoditise and gamify every interaction we now engage in within our modern world. As an audience member who was seeking a fresh hook and looking for the unexpected, this really spoke to me.

Song’s approach to the romance genre as delivered through Materialists was utterly original and different, and the beats and structure of this story keep you engaged and dialled in all the way through. While this is a story of deep emotional complexity and dramatic tension, there is also an unexpected comedy that speaks softly and provides much-needed levity when you least expect it. It also must be said that this is romance filtered through the A24 lens, and this adds to the intricacy of the whole experience of Materialists and is a major driver of the original feeling and experience of the film for audiences.

Cast as the central character of Lucy is Dakota Johnson, and she perfectly embodies her character as the girl in control who, through the beats of this story, has to take a very big look at herself and the life she’s chosen to lead. For Johnson’s Lucy, everything, but especially dating and relationships, comes down to the math. And she has it all figured out. Like a cross between a claims adjuster, banker and mortician, Lucy’s job as a top matchmaker causes her to see people as nothing more than numbers and data points, and all of it in the context of our most important human connection: love. And this is where things get interesting.

Lucy hasn’t given up on love; in fact, she believes wholeheartedly in the joys of marriage and sharing a life with a significant other. However, her quest for self-acceptance and a fulfilling love is intricately tied to her clients’ needs and desires. In Materialists, she embarks on a journey to discover what will truly make her happy. Throughout the story, Johnson faces numerous choices and emotional challenges, and Song’s narrative unfolds with plenty of twists and surprises that will keep the audience engaged in her performance.

Caught up in a very intriguing love triangle in Materialists is Chris Evans as John, Lucy’s ex, who doesn’t even have the luxury of being an everyman but is simply just imperfect. As a part-time waiter and full-time struggling actor, John is a man whose life has gone nowhere and who, in Lucy’s data-driven, economic dating pool, doesn’t even get a look in. As one of Hollywood’s most handsome faces, Materialists and the role of John allow Evans to play completely against type, and there’s a raw sincerity in his character. While the word struggle seems to be synonymous with him, his intentions are above board, and he is genuinely trying throughout this narrative to prove his worth; and he has to confront his feelings and his past in order to move on from his present and into his future. What we get with Evans’ John is a very different type of performance from the actor, and he has an interesting place within this narrative.

Completing the triangle is the man of the moment, Pedro Pascal, and he brings a complete swooning charm as the seemingly perfect New York bachelor, Harry. Handsome, charming, elegant, cultured, fit, tall and most importantly, obscenely wealthy, Harry is a ‘unicorn’, and he soon catches the eye of Lucy, but in a surprise, it’s him giving the chase, and again, this is where the interest builds. As Harry, Pascal appears as his most open and inviting in any of the roles he plays, and while from the film’s marketing materials, you feel Harry’s character is going to move one way, he actually goes in the complete opposite direction. There’s an openness and introspection present within Harry’s character, and his interactions with Lucy, although deeply romantic and bubbly, also present a different type of romantic lead. Materialists see Pascal at his most attractive in the whole context, from appearance to character, and he’ll spark the interest of audience members.

As a cinema experience, Materialists is an utterly gorgeous picture to witness, and this is a film event that manifests itself as a love letter to New York and its community, vibe and atmosphere. Beautifully shot with crisp attention to light and colour by cinematographer Shabier Kirchner on 35mm film stock, there’s a crispness to the imagery, and the experience of seeing Materialists up on the big screen makes for an experience you’ll truly cherish. Materialists builds an atmosphere about it, and from lavish Manhatten penthouses to charming East Village streets to the grungy Brooklyn Burroughs, the very spirit of the New York character is carried into Materialists, and this is a film dripping with authenticity that celebrates not only an environment that never stops moving but that also draws many lovers to it.

Materialists offers a true cinematic experience, showcasing Celine Song’s remarkable talent and deep understanding of storytelling. One of the central themes of the film is the concept of value, which the characters repeatedly confront. This theme is not only explored through the competitive New York dating scene, where money often dictates worth, but also through the reduction of people, and even the idea of love, to mere numbers. This reduction is accompanied by a long list of unrealistic expectations for an ideal partner, which few can ever fulfil.

Song encourages audiences to look beyond superficial appearances. By exploring both desire and honesty, she highlights how recognising intrinsic value and seeking genuine connections can lead to more fulfilling relationships. The film prompts us to question whether, in our fast-paced, modern age — where dating has become a gamified ‘market system’ — we might be better off by opening ourselves up to love and acknowledging the inherent worth we each possess, as well as the worth we can offer others.

Celine Song’s Materialists is a captivating exploration of three characters navigating the complexities of modern dating. The film illustrates how intrinsic worth and genuine connection ultimately outweigh mere data, and it stands out as one of the most clever and original pieces of cinema released this year, showcasing the unique talent of Celine Song. Audiences are sure to fall in love with this Materialists.

Image: Sony Pictures

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The buzz is building for Celine Song’s romantic drama Materialists, which also happens to be a forthcoming release from A24. With its rom-com vibes and a principal cast that includes Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, it’s becoming a must-watch for audiences! A new trailer has just arrived, which gives audiences a deeper look into what we can expect from it.

Watch the brand new trailer for Materialists below:

Here’s the official synopsis:

A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker (Dakota Johnson) finds herself torn between the perfect match (Pedro Pascal) and her imperfect ex (Chris Evans).

Drawing from her own past as a matchmaker, Song has crafted a film that examines ideas of connection and romance, and looks into just why, for many of us, love is now just a numbers game, rather than actually one of emotions. Her back-and-forth drama with Johnson’s Lucy, who is caught in a love triangle between John (Evans) and Harry (Pascal), will definitely keep audiences guessing, and it’s clear that Song is asking audiences to examine their own relationship to romance with this release.

Adding to buzz of it, and building off of the film’s recent trailers, is the nostalgic rom-com vibes of the early-2000s that Materialists is aligning itself with, especially in its most recent trailer, and for audiences who have felt starved of the rom-com bug for some time, this makes it that much more of an exciting release. The film also happens to be beautifully shot by cinematographer Shabier Kirchner, and it’s all making for a very special cinematic experience for audiences.

Get ready to make a match when Materialists arrives in cinemas on June 12.

Image: Sony Pictures

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Watch the brand new ‘True Romance’ trailer for Materialists below:

Here’s the official synopsis:

A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker (Dakota Johnson) finds herself torn between the perfect match (Pedro Pascal) and her imperfect ex (Chris Evans).

Complete with a distinctive 2000-era voiceover and a magical, almost ethereal rendition of Madonna’s classic pop ballad, ‘Material Girl,’ this new trailer for Materialists is giving us all the feels. It’s got the flavour and energy of the romantic dramas and rom-coms that used to be such a staple of modern cinema and are now starting to make a great comeback to cinema, especially following the smash-hit success of Anyone But You.

This new trailer digs deep into the nostalgic vibes that the Millennial set is aching for. Song’s perfectly crafted narrative and beautiful image-making completely wash over the audience. The cast for this one is an absolute knockout thanks to the presence of Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal. For those looking for perfect cinematic bliss, well, you’ll get it here in Materialists.

Filmed exclusively in New York City, and shot exclusively on 35mm film, Materialists has an energy and life about it that utterly draws you in, and with a talent as fresh and impressive as Song behind the camera who is able to lean heavily into the drama of human emotions, this one will really hit home.

Prepare yourself for an exploration of what true love is really worth when Materialists arrives in cinemas on June 12.

Image: Sony Pictures

The post Romance blossoms in Celine Song’s ‘Materialists’ appeared first on SpicyPulp.

Watch the brand new trailer for Celine Song’s Materialists below:

Here’s the official synopsis:

A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker (Dakota Johnson) finds herself torn between the perfect match (Pedro Pascal) and her imperfect ex (Chris Evans).

This first trailer for Materialists promises a richly textured character study of love and relationships as expert matchmaker Lucy (Johnson), begins to question her own talents for love, when she is suddenly in a clash of desire and heart after she runs into former flame John (Evans), even though she’s pursuing the hunky and seemingly perfect Randy (Pascal).

The film crackles with easy flirtations, and Song’s fantastic use of dialogue and setting build out the intrigue in the first trailer, while also allowing her to keep her cards close to the chest in relation to narrative and motivation, and there’s definitely a hearty dose of intrigue present within the picture itself.

Stylistically, Materialists looks like one of the slickest, grooviest watches of the year. There’s an easy-going, laid-back cool about the production, with a touch of effortless glamour that is sure to woo audiences and make this one a must-watch on the big screen.

 

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Materialists has plenty of charm and charisma about it and driven by Celine Song’s one-of-a-kind cinematic voice and the fantastic core trio of Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal will make it must-watch in cinemas when it arrives in cinemas on June 12.

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Following the events of Avengers: Infinity War, with half of the universe killed in an event dubbed “The Decimation”, the universe lies in shambles and the remaining Avengers and their allies must reassemble to repair the damage caused by Thanos and bring harmony back to the universe

Be forewarned. This review will be written to be completely spoiler free and so in keeping with this I will not be delving into any specific plot points. As an experience, it’s far better to go into Avengers: Endgame completely blind and just let the entire film experience wash over you with it’s amazing collection of characters who find themselves facing the biggest fight of their lives.

For Joe and Anthony Russo, Avengers: Endgame is the culmination of a journey that has been a long time in the making and it completely takes you by surprise. There’s no way that you can expect what is coming here and the narrative is particularly clever. Weaving in and out of the events of a post Infinity War universe, while also calling back to the past 21 MCU films that have come before it. All of it makes Avengers: Endgame a very seamless watch and you’ll be absolutely wired into the events that play out on screen.

One thing that I absolutely loved about Avengers: Endgame was how we were witnessing the way in which the events of Infinity War changed the core Avengers roster of Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), Captain America (Chris Evans), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), and just how each of these individuals reacted to Thanos’ (Josh Brolin) mighty snap. The growth and change in our heroes is definitely interesting, and their new status in a changed universe provides an interesting foundation for their heroism to grow from again.

The Russo’s pack this film to the brim with incredible action sequences and some astounding visual effects that really bring out the inner-Marvelness of Endgame, but through all of this the film feels like a distinctly character driven drama. While I would use the word epic to describe the events of Avengers: Endgame in detail, it was great to go on this journey with these characters as their heroism is tested to the limit and together this combination of epic visual spectacle, and intimate character storytelling makes for a very beautiful film to watch.

Narrative, spectacle and character are all parts of the filmmaking process, and Avengers: Endgame is the ultimate example of this art form coming together in perfect symphony. Cast and crew give their all to this production and it shows in every single frame of film. From the Russo Brothers narrative and direction to the cast’s commitment to performance to the gorgeous cinematography of Trent Opaloch, the kinetic pacing of editing by Jeffrey Ford and Matthew Schmidt and the heart pounding and emotive score provided by the great Alan Silvestri, Avengers: Endgame comes together perfectly and the result is simply incredible to behold. This film is a true testament to to the passion and energy of so many people with a desire to deliver something truly marvelous.

Avengers: Endgame is a film heavy with emotions and it touches on many important themes throughout its narrative. Love, loss, family and above all else heroism are explored to their fullest in this three hour long extravaganza and the Russo Brothers really deliver on the depth of the MCU, along with all the visual fanfare that we’ve come to expect from Marvel. The core idea at the heart of Avengers: Endgame is heroism and how no matter how broken or beaten down we may be we can always rise to the challenge when we are called upon, just as the Avengers do time and time again. While we thought that Infinity War would have been their greatest test, it is in Endgame that they really find their strength most challenged and their will to meet it and do the right thing is an extremely powerful message. With each new Marvel film we find out just what it means to be a hero and Avengers: Endgame is the ultimate thesis on this idea.

I never thought I could see a film bigger than Avengers: Infinity War. Well I did and that film was Avengers: Endgame. A true cinematic marvel that delivers on every single level and provides a fitting closure to Marvel Studios Phase Three and the past 11 years. This is the film that every single Marvel fan has long waited for and everyone involved in it delivers a hundred and ten percent to its success. They don’t get much better than this. Excelsior.

Image: Walt Disney Pictures

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Picking up the actin of both of the first teaser and this year’s Super Bowl spot, the action moves both backwards and forwards as our heroes trace both their pasts and their new mission to re-write what Thanos did and save the universe for good.

Watch this amazing new trailer below:

Here’s the full synopsis:

Following the events of Avengers: Infinity War, with half of the universe killed in an event dubbed “The Decimation”, the universe lies in shambles and the remaining Avengers and their allies must reassemble to repair the damage caused by Thanos and bring harmony back to the universe

This new trailer really gets to the heart of who the Avengers are and how their heroic nature cannot be tamed and now more than ever these heroes are ready to stand up and fight for what is right.

The new footage on display is just amazing, not only do we see the return of the original core Avengers who include Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), and the likes of Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper), Nebula (Karen Gillan), War Machine (Don Cheadle), Okoye (Danai Gurira), Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) and Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) now also join their ranks. And this time they’re coming for Thanos with a fury to avenge the universe, as well as sporting all-new white and red suits, which has me thinking that our heroes might be taking their fight to the cosmos.

Get ready for the epic final showdown that is Avengers: Endgame where our heroes will do whatever it takes to save the universe, and which will arrive in cinemas on April 24.

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Check out the official teaser trailer below:

Here’s the synopsis:

Following the events of Captain America: Civil War, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) are broken and disbanded. Earth’s greatest heroes have fallen by the wayside, and now a great darkness is growing. That darkness is Thanos (Josh Brolin), a celestial titan bent on control of the entire universe and who has come to collect the remaining Infinity Stones to do it. With the threat of extinction imminent Stark, Rogers and their allies, both old and new, will have to come together in order to battle Thanos and stop him before it’s too late!

This new trailer is simply glorious, and it definitely leaves long-time Marvel fans, myself included, salivating at the thought of how amazing it is!

While there is an abundance of footage featuring characters such as Iron Man, Captain America, Thanos and what looks likes like one epic final stand on the fields of Wakanda, directors The Russo Brothers are clearly keeping their cards close to their chest.

While we get a taste, there’s more still to come, and this will certainly keep long-time fans guessing. Of particular interest is Josh Brolin’s performance as Thanos with the actor now taking centre stage. Should the Avengers be worried about him? You betcha, because this titan is coming for the Universe.

Check out my full initial reaction to the new trailer below with after-thought trailer commentary, and let me know what you thought of the trailer.

Avengers: Infinity War will be released in cinemas on April 25, 2018.

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