Displaying items by tag: Nicholas Galatzine

MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE

US, 2026, 140 minutes, Colour.

Nicholas Galitzine, Camilla Mendez, Idris Elba, Jared Leto, Johannes Hauker Johannessen, Alison Brie, Charlotte Riley, James Purefoy, Dolph Lundgren.

Directed by Travis Knight.

In the 1980s, Masters of the Universe was a Saturday morning television show, a cartoon from Mattei. Then, early in his career, Dolph Lundgren played the central character in a live action version, He-Man.

With the 2020s popularity of remakes of popular shows of the past, here is quite a lavishly produced, 140 minutes version of the cartoon. It might be called a live cartoon version, emphasis on cartoon-styled characters and appearances, performances, idiosyncrasies, very basic dialogue, more than a touch of parody, often setting itself up and expecting the audience to enjoy this kind of adventure.

Masters of the Universe first emerged in the 1980s, the period of Sword and Sorcery adventures rather than an emphasis on superheroes. The hero was He-Man (and, as the new hero starts on his adventures, whom does he encounters but Dolph Lundgren offering advice and challenge!).

This is something of an origin story for He-Man, the background of the kingdom, Castle Greyskull, a very colourful place, some of the trappings gaudy and garish, a King, his queen and little son, Adam, and the expectations of the King that Adam train military fashion, helped by his young friend, Teela, under the command of Duncan, Idris Elba, training the troops.

Then, the invasion, disaster, villain, Skeletor, looking skeletal, played by Jared Leto with a rather rhetorical British accent, and his skeletal and monstrous Lourdes, King and queen, vanquishing the Castle.

The little boy, Adam, is thrust out of the kingdom with the kingdom’s all-powerful sword – but he drops it in a marsh, and finishes up in Oklahoma City, spending 15 years growing up and working in an office, involved in Human Resources, driving many berserk with his continual telling of his story about the search for the sword, threatened by his boss with being fired. But, Adam is now very much a touchy-feely character, pink shirt, a label He/Him on his desk, quietly genial if someone diffident.

But, for fans, all is not lost. Teela finds him, brings him back to the kingdom, training, finding the sword, experience its power, being transformed into a highly muscled and buffed warrior.

Adam is not immediately accepted by the imprisoned members of the kingdom but gradually proves himself, explains that from Human Resources he learned that teamwork is essential and so they prepare to confront Skeletal, lots of battles, Teela often to the rescue, Duncan reviving with energy and leadership, and Adam reconciled with his-father and reunited with his mother.

However, he is transformed and becomes the leader, He-Man, British actor Nicholas Galitzine throwing himself wholeheartedly into playing the genial Adam as well as the warrior He-Man.

This film is an appeal to the fans of old as well as reaching out to the younger generation – but, the scenario and dialogue, the in-jokey references, the touch of parody are very much at the level of enthusiastic 13 to 14-year-old boys.

THE SHEEP DETECTIVES

UK/Ireland, 2026, 109 minutes, Colour.

Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon, Emma Thompson, Hong Chau, Conleth Hill, Nicolas Braun, voices of: Brett Goldstein, Patrick Stewart, Regina Hall, Bella Ramsey, Chris O'Dowd, Rhys Darby, Bryan Cranston, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tommy Birchall.

Directed by Kyle Balda.

No, not inquiries about sheep difficulties. The sheep themselves are the detectives. And, very enjoyably so.

Shepherd George, living in a caravan outside a typical Miss Marple English village, reads detective stories to his sheep. Leader, Lily, usually solves the mystery while others always think it is the maid! They are an interesting flock, a range of different characters, some woolly eyes, some awkward, the aristocratic ram, two rams who like to butt themselves and vehicles, and an aloof leader, Sebastian, whom George has rescued from being the target of dogfights in a carnival. They speak, a range of star voices, varied personalities, some frisky young lambs, enjoying life, devoted to George.

George is genial – he is played by Hugh Jackman. And, then he is murdered.

The local policeman is a bit dimwitted, Nicolas Braun from Succession, but an eager young visitor, journalist, Nicholas Galitzine, ever-ready to help him. And there is the imperious lawyer who comes to read the will, Emma Thompson. Then George’s daughter from the US also turns up, Molly Gordon.

Of course, the sheep are determined to find out who killed George.

The enjoyment of the screenplay relies on the murder mystery, Agatha Christie-style scenario, the listing of suspects, presence, opportunity, profit from the murder. Lily takes charge, clues are found, and she finds all kinds of ways of trying to communicate with the policeman while unable to speak to him.

It is all very entertaining, the suspects, the local butcher, another Shepherd, hotel keeper, local vicar, all with motivations. But, eventually Lily works it out, find ways of communicating with the policeman, mystery solved! There are enough clues for audiences to work out who the murderer is – but probably a good enough mystery not to work out the actual identity of the murderer!

The sheep realise that they are often considered woolly-headed. This is a film to vindicate the sheep and their abilities, and a nice underlying moral, that the sheep reject winter sheep because normally they are all born in spring and summer. A little winter lamb is active in Lily’s manoeuvres – and, of course, welcomed finally into the flock.

Who would have thought that the sheep could have been so entertaining?

1. An entertaining murder mystery? Scenario, clues, based on popular novels, the victim, suspects, investigation? And the contribution of the sheep and the detective work?
2. The English village, the fields, the sheep, the caravan, shops, church, butcher’s, the hotel? The countryside? The musical score?
3. The humour, the MGM lion bleating, the sheep and their various characters, the butting twins, the conversations, jokes, the shepherd who read detective stories to the sheep, Lily’s solving them, the sheep and the murder investigation, fear at crossing the road, the chicken crossing the road, always present, Mopple and his accidents, collaboration with him?
4. George, Hugh Jackman and his charm, reading the detective stories, his invention to help the sheep, his naming all the sheep, Lily after his wife, Sebastian, their characteristics, encouraging them? His death? His reappearances, his ghost for Lily, for Rebecca?
5. The situation, Ham as the greedy butcher, Caleb the shepherd, plans to work with Ham, Beth, the hotel, stealing the letter, the Reverend and George’s donation of the money? The Reverend trying to track down George’s children?
6. The arrival of Elliott, young, enthusiastic, reporter, camera, all the photographs, the crash, returning, collaboration with Tim, and helpful, with the sheep, with the lawyer, ousted from the reading of the will? The sheep and the clues, the chemical on his hands, the hair for the DNA, the revelation, the son from South Africa, the phone call to the lawyer, his visiting his father, the murder? His trying to escape?
7. Rebecca, the daughter, the correspondence, arriving, at the hotel, the visit to her father, losing the hoop, the sheep finding it, leading Tim to find it in the field? Her lies, the visit to her father, the reading of the will, the alibi, her arrest? the winter lamb and the blue and the red on the hooves, Lily helping, the line floor?
8. Tim, the only policeman, slow, ambitious, dignity, procedures, searching, the return, with the sheep? Gradually improving? The collaboration with Elliot? Interrogation of Rebecca? Led by the sheep, working with the sheep, realisations, the arrest?
9. The sheep, the voices, the characters, colours, Lily, leader, solving the mysteries, the clues, prejudice against winter lambs, her judgements, providing the final clues? Sebastian, the Carnival, the brutal fight with the dogs, a winter lamb, alone, saved by George? His stern comments? Saving Lily and Mopple from the dogs, his death? (And the issues of death, forgetting deaths, thinking sheep became clouds, facing the reality of death?)
10. The range of sheep, their characters, the superior knight, the woolly sheep, the young sheep, the playful sheep, the comments and questions, wanting to forget? The little winter lamb and rejection, participating in the case, Lily welcoming him into the flock?
11. The film working well as a murder mystery, characters and suspects, presence, gains, opportunity? And the animation – and the rehabilitation of sheep as stupid animals!

THE IDEA OF YOU

US, 2024, 115 minutes, Colour.

Anne Hathaway, Nicholas Galitzine, Ella Rubin, Annie Mumolo, Reid Scott.

Directed by Michael Showalter.

This is a romantic comedy with a difference. Society has always accepted that older men can have romances, relationships, marriage with younger women. However, this is not the case with the older women and a relationship with a younger man, this variation on the May-December situation.

This is at the centre of this film, which makes more impact than might have been initially anticipated. There is the strength of the presence of Anne Hathaway as the Gallery owner turning 40, Solene, divorced, a sense of betrayal by her husband, and a teenage daughter to whom she is devoted. The other aspect of the casting is having British actor Nicholas Galitzine as a lead singer in a Boy Band. Anne Hathaway has a 20 year career in films, including an Academy award for her portrayal of 17 in Les Miserables. Nicholas Galitzine has shown quite an ability in diverse roles, a Marine in Purple Hearts, an American college jock in Bottoms, a British Prince in red, White  & Royal cope blue, as well as the ambiguous George in his relationship with James I in the television series, Mary and George.

The situation of the two meeting is credible enough, a mistake on the part of Solene, the interested response of Hayes and his singing for her at one of his performances.

From the point of view of the older woman, the film shows both risk and caution, hesitation and getting to know the young man better, very much attracted and making a life-changing decision. From the point of view of the young man, this is an opportunity to be taken seriously, to enter an adult relationship.

There are a pleasant aspects of the story, the touch of affluence, the art world and the Gallery, popular music and the band’s performances.

While there are idyllic scenes as Solene goes on European tour with Hayes, touristic glimpses as well as romantic episodes in famous cities, there is the inevitable opening up of consequences for each of the characters, their being photographed in Paris, the inevitable posting of photos on social media, the consequences, the exposure, and, very strikingly in this film, the extraordinary hostility and injustice of condemnations of the older woman, blaming her for the relationship, blackening her name, condemning her as a person.

Which means that the later part of the film shows this conflict, how each of the characters handles the situation and the consequences for themselves personally. Just as the film was about to end, there is a postscript, five years later, what the five years have meant and indications for the future.

1. Romantic comedy with a difference? The issue of age difference? Different attitudes for older men, for older women?
2. The Los Angeles settings, homes and families, rock concerts, art galleries, affluent society? The scenes in New York? The international travel and the key spots of Europe?
3. The musical score, the background, the range of songs, Boy Bands, performance, insertion of songs in the action, the lyrics?
4. The stage performances, the members of the group, Hayes and his style, the personalities of each of the members of the group?
5. Solene, Anne Hathaway’s performance, her career? Turning 40? The story of her life, studies, meeting Daniel, marriage, birth of the daughter, his infidelities, gossip and her humiliation, the divorce? Her love for her daughter? Her Gallery, her staff, clients, the works of art, sculpture, ceramics, paintings…? The plan to go off to camp? Daniel and his impositions, her going to the concert, the noise, the crowds, for the toilet, the caravan, the mistake, encountering Hayes?
6. Hayes, his age, story, family background, singing, auditions, the Boy Band, friends with the members of the group, the travelling lifestyle, the performances? His more serious approach?
7. The credibility of the May-December romance? His singing, her being in the audience, the dedication, turning up at the Gallery, the tour, offering to buy everything? The discussion of the art? Her special painting – and his later buying it and delivering it? The paparazzi outside, driving away and his concealing himself?
8. At the house, the talk, the attraction, cleaning the fridge, sandwiches, the attraction, the kiss, the reactions? Solene and her self-consciousness?
9. Izzy, her age, friends, the concerts, teenagers on pop culture, her relationship with her mother, with her father, going to the summer camp?
10. Hayes and his invitation for Solene to go to New York, her decision to go, the time together, the sexual relationship, falling in love, her return to LA? His invitation to her to accompany him, the hesitation, accepting, the plane, the other members of the group, the groupies, various cities, the concerts, the relationship, their time together? The different cities and their style, glamour, the couple kissing, the risk, the photographs?
11. The swimming pool scene with the young women, bikinis, Solene’s self-consciousness, the talk, humiliated, leaving, aggressive towards Hayes?
12. The return, Solene and her secrecy, her friends and wanting information? The warning about social media, her shock, the photos?
13. The impact of social media, audience response to the trolling, the vicious comments, the range, the effect for Solene? For Hayes? Her breaking with Hayes, regrets, his visits, the discussions?
14. Daniel and his confronting the couple? Izzy and her response?
15. The issues of the paparazzi, photographers, gossip magazines, social media, the viciousness of attitudes towards older women with younger men (and not with older men with younger women)?
16. The hard decision for Solene, the break, handling the situation, with Hayes? Her listening to his music – the seeming end of the film?
17. Then five years later, Hayes and his career, performances, on the Graham Norton show, Solene watching, the return? The future?

PURPLE HEARTS

US, 2022, 122 minutes, Colour.

Sofia Carson, Nicholas Galitzine, Chosen Jacobs, Linden Ashby, Anthony Ippolito.

Directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum.

Purple Hearts is a romance of the 2020s. It was particularly successful, large audiences, when the truth is released to streaming on Netflix.

What makes it distinctive is that the love story starts with quite some hostility, the romance between Luke, Nicholas Galitzine (Mary and George, Idea of You), from a military tradition family, letting loose, stealing and smashing cars, drug addiction, in debt, deciding to join the Marines but not telling his father, and Cassie, alienated from her mother, very independent, playing the piano and singing, composing songs, leading a successful group, suffering from type I diabetes.

Plenty of complications for the relationship.

While there has been overt hostility between Luke and Cassie, they come together with a plan, she having no insurance and incurring debt for her rent and diabetes medications, he having to pay back the thug from whom you borrowed the money. The plan is that they should marry, receive insurance benefits, he came back his loan. They marry, he goes off to war, there are communications, Cassie composing songs (with significant lyrics throughout the film, songs are true composed and sung by the star, Sofia Carson).

Action, an explosion, a friend killed, Luke’s leg injured, the return, his father discovering the truth, recuperation. And Cassie having more success with her group and songs and performance the Hollywood bowl.

Then, the arrest, the judgement, Luke exhilarating Cassie, is going to prison and the emitting their love for each other. And, something of an idyllic happy ending hopes for the future.

1. Themes of the wall? Action? Heroism? Love?
2. The California settings, the boot camp, apartments, musical beings, the Hollywood bowl…?
3. The musical score, composed by Sofia Carson, performance? The lyrics echoing the themes?
4. Cassie’s story, growing up, her relationship with the mother, her mother’s boyfriends? Rebelling against her mother? Her music, piano, composition, performance? Her friends in her band, The Loyal? Performances, response? Fans, agents, further opportunities? Significance of her diabetes, lack of money, no insurance, the medication and bills, not able to pay the rent, refusing help from her mother? The pharmacies, her pleas?
5. Luke, his story, the marine tradition, his father, stern, letter of the law, his mother’s death, his brother, going to pieces, drugs, rebellion, taking his father’s car, smashing it, the loan to repay, joining the Marines, not telling his father? The training? His friendship with Frankie? Relationship with the other men? Going to the bar, the initial counter with Cassie? Hostility? The encounters with Johnny, the violent threats?
6. The plane, tentative, the meetings between Luke and Cassie, the proposition, the marriage, the insurance, paying for the diabetes medication, and his money to pay off the debt? Against the law, the risks? The meetings, the agreement? Difficult in view of Cassie’s clashes with commando and the other men?
7. The ceremony, Frankie, going to Cassie’s apartment, the night together, wanting to ignore it? Luke and his straight up-and-down attitudes? Cassie and her independence, female assertion, critiques of men? Luke having to move out, the farewell, keeping up appearances?
8. The letters, the video links, Cassie and her compositions, playing for the men, their response? Luke, the interactions?
9. Action, with the children, on parole, stepping on the mine, Frankie’s death, funeral, Riley and her grief, his parents, the rituals, Cassie giving Riley the ring?
10. Luke, wounded, his leg, his career in running, hospital? Cassie, performance, success, phone call, her searching for Luke’s brothers number, going to the house, father and son having same name, the father’s reaction? Receiving the Purple Heart?
11. Hospital, the revelation of the truth? The father, his reactions? Jake and his wife, the support? Is father offering to take Luke for rehabilitation twice a week?
12. The return home, keeping up the appearances? Luke is trying to run? Cassie and her further success, the Hollywood bowl? The attack on Cassie’s mother’s house, John and his sending a message to Luke, Luke confronting him?
13. Luke, the arrest, the case, Luke’s speech, accepting responsibility, exonerating Cassie? His going to prison, Cassie and her performance, driving fast, the family’s relief at her turning up, the farewell, admission of love?
14. The aftermath, the two together, romantic, on the beach? The future?
15. A story of initial hostility, friendship, gradual falling in love, mutual understanding?