It’s the classic Hollywood love story – famous man meets aspiring woman, they fall in love, and her career takes off as his goes downhill. The vague outline of A Star Is Born is just broad enough to easily slot into any time period or culture, indicating some sort of universal identification with the story that compels us to keep returning to it. In fact this is the fifth time we have seen it done on the big screen, the other times being in 1937, 1954, 1976, and Bollywood’s 2013 remake Aashiqui 2. But this time, Bradley Cooper’s spin on it delves into the country and pop music industries, and asks how it’s possible to stay relevant in an age of disposability.

Cooper’s passion for this project bleeds through every moment of his performance and direction. Everything in his portrayal of Jackson Maine embodies the shabby, drug-fuelled persona of the typical aged country star, living from one hazy concert to the next with barely a moment to sleep. His slip into self-loathing manifests through a series of embarrassing public accidents and private moments of failing to come through in his relationship with Ally. Cooper plays into the “jerk with a heart of gold” trope here, but at times he simply comes off as just being a jerk with his own interests at heart. As a result it can be difficult to buy into the chemistry between Jackson and Ally, despite both actors delivering performances that are otherwise thoughtful and nuanced.

Matthew Libatique’s cinematography is reminiscent of the live concert recordings of folk musicians – handheld cameras, shallow focus, close-ups, and hazy, vibrant lighting come together to create a dreamlike atmosphere where raw, mutual attraction seems like the only thing that matters. But like those nights of adrenaline and elation spent at music festivals and parties, these things don’t last. The real world gradually seeps in and drags us down from our high, and we can do nothing but watch Jackson and Ally fight against the detrimental effects of drug addiction, celebrity gossip, and the pressure to compromise their public and self-image.

Ally’s rise and Jackson’s fall are intertwined, both pulling each other in opposite directions. But even though Jackson’s failures constantly override Ally’s successes she barely flinches from their commitment, further propelling his destructive self-loathing and guilt. This all culminates in his tragic suicide, and Ally’s commemoration of him in her new career direction.

While moving, this ending struggles to reconcile the themes that the film plays with – specifically what constitutes “real” music, if selling out can be justified, and the simple dichotomy of pop vs country. Sometimes it seems to side with Jackson’s disdain for the shallowness of contemporary music, while at other times Ally is in the right for taking advantage of every opportunity that comes her way. There is also an argument for poptimism, a belief that pop music is as deserving of professional critique as more refined forms of music, but even this is undercut in other parts in the screenplay. A Star Is Born doesn’t end up settling on any one conclusive point, prioritising emotional impact over thematic resolution.

Bradley Cooper’s Best Director snub was surprising, but A Star Is Born more than makes up for it in its other nominated categories. There is no surprise that the film’s music has gone down so well, with its single “Shallow” being the frontrunner for Best Original Song. Aside from its awards for music and sound, the rest of the movie has been pretty unrecognised this awards season, claiming a lot of nominations but not many wins. While this could be an unfortunate indication of its chances at the Oscars, its dedicated fanbase and roots in Hollywood history could give it that extra push it needs to pick up a few extra awards here and there.

Do you think A Star Is Born will grab Best Picture? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Oscars 2019 Countdown: A Star Is Born appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

In the movie, it explores the ups and downs within the dream of being the next big superstar. Ally (Lady Gaga) is working as a waitress and in her free time, she writes songs which she never sings. Jackson Mayham (Bradley Cooper) is a singer who struggles with his physical as well as mental health and numbs them under a lot of alcohol and drugs.

On the day Ally sings “La Vie en Rose” at a drag club, Jack drives by after his latest concert to drinks himself to sleep when he sees her on stage.

You can say it was love at the first note, because he felt for her right in this moment. They talk the whole night and he invites Ally to his next concert, which she at first refuses but later accepts because she realises that she want to achieve more in life and live in the moment.

Leaving her dad for whom she took care of behind, she flies to his concert where Jack surprises her with an invitation to come on stage and sing her song with him. And so the emotional music rollercoaster begins….

Cooper constantly looks for a challenge to show another side of what he can do as an actor. This time, he does not only play the leading role, but also sits in the director’s chair of the remake. He portrays Jack authentically that you cannot stop feeling what he is going through. If you’ve seen Silver Linings Playbook, you know what I mean, plus holy guacamole, the man can sing!

Lady Gaga is the perfect fit for Ally. Not only can she sing acoustic like a goddess, she really is quite the talented actress. Surprisingly for me, she really opened up herself to this role which was not easy for her as I assume. What I love about this movie is, that it does not only show all the happy things about following your dream. Every decision may come with a price.

Jack gave her a chance and let her evolve. The second a manager discovers her, she starts to change in tiny steps. While she says no at first, she later does not dare because she is afraid that she could lose everything she wanted for such a long time. So a new hair colour, short dresses, and the deep emotion that were in her lyrics, lost to the beat of pop music.

While she is at the top of her career, Jack starts to fall apart. He drinks more, takes more drugs, and his health deteriorates. Jack is suffering from his tinnitus, which is getting worse and will end in losing his hearing completely. Later, it is revealed that he has been suicidal for almost all his life.

Personally, this confession hit me like a bus because it is an important part for the movie in the end. A word can make a difference. Being with the person you care about for a moment longer and asking her or him if they are okay can make a big difference. It is a small line we are moving on every day. Follow your dreams, live your life, but never forget to turn to the person next to you and give him a bit of your attention and time.

This movie truly shows how we all wish for a dream-come-true situation in our lives, but if we are not careful, it can turn into your worst nightmare. I do not want to give too much away because it would be a shame. This movie is filled with emotion and features such a beautiful soundtrack.

What did you think of A Star Is Born? Tell us in the comments below?

The post Movie Review: A Star Is Born appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover what’s coming out this month and tell us what you are most excited for!

Venom

One of Marvel’s most enigmatic, complex and badass characters comes to the big screen, starring Academy Award® nominated actor Tom Hardy as the lethal protector Venom. Starring Tom Hardy (Mad Max: Fury Road), Michelle Williams (My Week With Marilyn), and Woody Harrelson (True Detective).

A Star Is Born

A musician helps a young singer and actress find fame, even as age and alcoholism send his own career into a downward spiral. Starring Lady Gaga (American Horror Story), Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook), Sam Elliott (The Ranch), and Dave Chappelle.

The Happy Prince

The untold story of the last days in the tragic times of Oscar Wilde, a person who observes his own failure with ironic distance and regards the difficulties that beset his life with detachment and humour. Starring Rupert Everett (My Best Friend’s Wedding), Colin Firth (The King’s Speech), Emily Watson (The Book Thief), and Colin Morgan (Merlin).

First Man

A look at the life of the astronaut, Neil Armstrong, and the legendary space mission that led him to become the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969. Starring Ryan Gosling (La La Land), Claire Foy (The Crown), Pablo Schreiber (American Gods), Ciarán Hinds (Red Sparrow), and Christopher Abbott (The Sinner).

Bad Times at the El Royale

Seven strangers, each with a secret to bury, meet at Lake Tahoe’s El Royale, a rundown hotel with a dark past. Over the course of one fateful night, everyone will have a last shot at redemption – before everything goes to hell. Starring Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Dakota Johnson (Fifty Shades of Grey), Jeff Bridges (True Grit), and Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation).

The Hate U Give

Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Now, facing pressures from all sides of the community, Starr must find her voice and stand up for what’s right. Starring Amandla Stenberg (Everything Everything), Regina Hall (Scary Movie), Russell Hornsby (Grimm), Issa Rae (Insecure), KJ Apa (Riverdale), Algee Smith (The New Edition Story), Sabrina Carpenter (Girl Meets World), Common (Suicide Squad), Megan Lawless (Table 19), and Anthony Mackie (Avengers: Infinity War).

Beautiful Boy

Based on the best-selling pair of memoirs from father and son David and Nic Sheff, Beautiful Boy chronicles the heartbreaking and inspiring experience of survival, relapse, and recovery in a family coping with addiction over many years. Starring Steve Carell (The Office), Timothée Chalamet (Call Me By Your Name), Maura Tierney (The Affair), and Amy Ryan (Birdman).

Halloween

Laurie Strode comes to her final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago. Starring Jamie Lee Curtis (Freaky Friday), Judy Greer (Ant-Man), Andi Matichak (Underground), and Willl Patton (Falling Skies).

Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween

Two boys face an onslaught from witches, monsters, ghouls and a talking dummy after they discover a mysterious book by author R.L. Stine. Starring Caleel Harris (Castle Rock), Jeremy Ray Taylor (IT), Madison Iseman (Still The King), Chris Parnell (21 Jump Street), and Ken Jeong (Community).

What movie are you most excited to see? Tell us in the comments below!

The post October Movies appeared first on The Nerd Daily.