If you’ve been following the news in any form in the past couple of years, you’ll probably know that the actor and musician, Robert Pattinson has been in the spotlight a lot recently. Most notably he’s been in a string of Hollywood blockbusters, which have helped make him one of the most in-demand actors of our time. He’s currently working on the next instalment of the Twilight franchise which is due out later this year.
And what a performance to top off his incredible year! Just check out some of these latest media hits:
The Walking Dead Season Five
If you’ve been following the news in any form in the past couple of years, you’ll probably know that AMC’s The Walking Dead has been one of the most popular and acclaimed television series of all time. It was first aired in 2010 and went on to become the highest-rated series in the history of cable television. In the show, a group of survivors live in a post-apocalyptic world where flesh-eating zombies roam the roads. The actors wear costumes and make-up to resemble zombies and the sets and costume design are all part of the show’s unique aesthetic. Basically, if you like zombies and you haven’t watched it, you’re in for a treat.
This season’s cast additions include Emma Bennett as the show’s lead female character, Clementine. If you thought that zombies were scary before, then brace yourself for what’s coming next! Not only is she extremely dangerous and unpredictable, but she has a child-like intelligence which is very unsettling to see. She’s clearly not to be messed with, especially when you consider that her parents were also killed by the hands of the undead.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
What we have here is a beautifully-acted space epic which doesn’t suck! Starring Chris Pratt as the titular character, who’s discovering his power after being subjected to a life-threatening experiment as a child, it’s a must-see for anyone who loves sci-fi or just wants to see a more comedic take on superheroes.
Pratt’s character, Peter Quill, is the most interesting part of the film. He’s much more sophisticated and responsible than the usual superhero, with several layers which the audience gets to explore. The villain of the story, Yondu (voiced by Michael Rooker) is also a multi-dimensional character who you’ll love or hate depending on your point of view. To put it simply, Guardians of the Galaxy is another must-see for anyone who loves superheroes or sci-fi. And it makes you wonder, what would Superman look like today if he was forced to watch his fellow heroes fight against aliens and monsters instead of the usual criminals?
The Great Gatsby (2013)
The Great Gatsby is widely considered to be one of the greatest American novels of all time. Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in the early 20th century, it’s been hailed as the “Ode to Hollywood” and the “Great American Novel”.
Based on the seminal work, one of Fitzgerald’s most famous stories follows the tumultuous life of Jay Gatsby (played by the always-wonderful Leonardo DiCaprio), as he tries to ascend the social ladder and become fully integrated into the upper-class community of New York City. Like many of his other novels, The Great Gatsby is a tragic tale set in the golden era of Hollywood, telling the story of a man whose obsession with fame and fortune causes him to lose sight of his loved ones and the people who truly matter most in his life. The novel is told through lengthy, digressive narrative sections which are often laced with colourful description and sumptuous, impressionistic detail. It’s a style which has drawn comparisons to William Shakespeare’s work and which makes for compulsive reading. As with many of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novels, the writing is vivid and richly evocative, while the dialogue is witty and perceptive. The Great Gatsby is an absolute must-read for anyone looking to explore the Jazz Age, the golden era of Hollywood, or just want to see Leonardo DiCaprio in drag.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is the latest blockbuster adaptation of the popular Spider-Man comic book series. It’s sequel to the 2008 film The Incredible Spider-Man and follows the story of Peter Parker, who has become a high-profile superhero and experienced extraordinary personal growth since the events of his first movie. The film also features the return of Andrew Garfield as the titular character and introduces the world to two new Spidey-like characters: Miles Morales (Black Panther) and Donald Glover’s Spider-Man (Tyrannosaur).
Garfield reprises his role as Peter Parker/Spider-Man for the majority of the film, which focuses on his life as a superhero and his relationships with those closest to him. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was directed by Sam Raimi (A Simple Plan, The Hunchback of Notre Dame) and scripted by Alex Kurtzman (Transformers), who co-wrote the screenplay with Roberto Orci (The Rise of Prometheus, Star Trek). Like many of the other films mentioned so far, the dialogue is snappy and to the point, while the action is fast-paced and unpredictable.
The Grand Tour (2013)
The Grand Tour is a road trip film directed by George Tillman and starring Robert Pattinson as the male lead, Jake. Along with his best friend, Joe (played by Matt Smith), he sets out on a cross-country journey during which they visit various iconic American locations. The inspiration for the film came from a trip taken by director George Tillman and actress/musician Pattinson which saw them visit over 20 locations across the United States of America.
The locations include Niagara Falls, the Great Wall of China, Alcatraz Island, Death Valley and more. The soundtrack includes the songs of Bruce Springsteen, among others, and was composed by legendary film composer, Maurice Richard. The Grand Tour is one of the finest American road trip movies of all time and is packed with memorable scenes and exciting, scenic drives which you’ll want to share with your friends. It has a quirky, offbeat humour and a superb soundtrack which has drawn comparisons to Quentin Tarantulinu’s Reservoir Dogs.
Dunkirk (2016)
Warner Bros.’ Dunkirk is loosely adapted from the acclaimed 2001 novel, The Kindness of Strangers, by Michael Ondaatzz. The story follows a group of children who escape the destruction of their home city, during the Second World War, and make their way to Britain, where they start a new life. The children are led by two youngsters: Tom (Hunter Parrish) and Edie (Sophie Rundle), who protect and look out for one another as they navigate the daunting landscape which is now their new home. The story is set in the summer of 1944 and centres around the evacuation of Londoners during the Blitz. This is one of the most extraordinary war films ever made!
The screenplay was written by Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects, The Way of the Warrior) and Mark Fergus (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Brave, Valkyrie). The film also features an original score by Hans Zimmer (The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, Pirates of the Caribbean) and John Powell (Avengers: Infinity War, Captain America: The Winter Soldier).
Jobs (2015)
Angelina Jolie’s directorial debut, Jobs, follows the travails of various employees at the titular company as they negotiate their way through life and work in the 21st century. It’s an extremely impressive accomplishment which makes for an interesting companion piece to the equally impressive Grand Tour.