Anna Sophia Heger as Polly and Taron Egerton as Nate, in SHE RIDES SHOTGUN. Courtesy of Lionsgate
To set the stage correctly, despite the inferences the title SHE RIDES SHOTGUN suggests, this is a contemporary crime flick, not a western. An 11-year-old girl Named Polly (Anna Sophia Heger) is picked up from school by a sketchy-looking stranger (Taron Egerton), claiming her mom had sent him to bring her home. She reluctantly gets in the car. But instead of taking her to the house, they hit the open road. We soon learn that Nate is her father, recently released from a prison term long enough for Polly not to recognize him. We next learn that Nate aligned himself with a skinhead gang while in the Big House for protection. Not a place to fly solo, as we all know from a slew of other films, if not from personal experience. But once he was released from the Graybar Hotel, he tried to quit, rather than continue doing their bidding.
Nobody quits the violent, meth-making (among other felonies) conglomerate without approval, which is never given. The prison “chapter” is just a small part of a large, well-connected entity, including cops and politicians among its ranks of members and allies, covering an undefined, but apparently extensive, chunk of the North American map. Nate is on the run because the vengeance payback for his disloyalty is not only to kill him, but everyone he cares about. They’ve already whacked his ex and her current beau, leaving Polly as the last one left to protect. That becomes his main mission.
There have been a plethora of bonding-on-the-run action flicks, ranging from buddies, to lovers to families. Many have ranged from effective to compelling. Not quite so, in this case. For a couple of seemingly interminable hours, we watch them scramble around an arid southwest landscape, desperately trying to wind up out of reach of the bad guys. All sorts of minions pursue them from one clash to the next. The pair steal cars, commit petty robberies and try everything they can to get far enough from the bad guys for safety.
The chasers aren’t just card-carrying skinheads. Cops and ordinary civilians are tied in with the gang for potential threats from whatever unlikely folk they meet along the way. Polly gradually learns to trust her dad, and picks up some survival skills in the process. All of this builds to the inevitable type of large-scale action sequence that is a climactic must for the genre. John Carroll Lynch heads the pursuers with a smugly cold determination worthy of a Bond villain.
On the plus side, seeing Welshman Egerton, best known here as Egsy from two excellent KINGSMEN movies, play a skinhead-adjacent American is intriguing. He looks and sounds the tattoo-laden part. Heger also fares well on the performance scale. The final battle is big, loud and bloody enough to reward one’s patience through the overlong, almost tedious, run-up. Director Nick Rowland makes good use of barren environs and seedy settings befitting the premise.
But the script by a trio of writers is severely lacking. The dialog – especially the talks between Egerton and Heger – is so bland and excessive that it dilutes the potential punch of their performances. There’s never one of those gratifying moments where they credibly click. Cutting 10-15 minutes of the blather would have resulted in a tighter, more suspenseful package. The film is further dinged by its illogical setup for the final confrontation. I can’t be more specific about that without spoiling it for those who choose to buy a ticket, or click on it upon home-market release, which shouldn’t be too long in coming. Bottom line – not as good as it could have been.
SHE RIDES SHOTGUN opens in theaters on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.
In the gritty, explosive action-thriller She Rides Shotgun, Taron Egerton stars as newly released ex-con Nate. Marked for death by unrelenting enemies, Nate must now protect his estranged 11-year-old daughter, Polly (Ana Sophia Heger) at all costs. Shy, precocious, and wary of her father, Polly is swept up in Nate’s dangerous plight as they flee to evade the corrupt sheriff and brutal leader of a gang who will stop at nothing to protect his criminal interests. With scant resources and no one to trust, Nate and Polly form a bond forged under fire as he shows her how to fight and survive — and she teaches him what unconditional love truly means in this intense, moving story about loyalty, strength, and redemption.
In theaters on August 1, check out the new trailer now.
Egerton is currently starring in Apple TV+’s series SMOKE as well as the Netflix film CARRY-ON.
Directed by Nick Rowland, the filmmaker has directed episodes of Cuffs, Ripper Street and Hard Sun for BBC One. His debut feature film, Calm With Horses, premiered at TIFF 2019 and went on to be nominated for the Sutherland award at the 2019 BFI London Film Festival, before its general theatrical release in 2020.
SHE RIDES SHOTGUN’s screenplay is byJordan Harper and Ben Collins & Luke Piotrowski and based on the book byJordan Harper.
Add this to your list of holiday films coming out in December – specifically December 13th, 2024 .
Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and written by T.J. Fixman (the Ratchet & Clank video games) & Michael Green (Logan, Blade Runner 2049), CARRY-ON follows a young TSA agent as he fights to outsmart a mysterious traveler who blackmails him into letting a dangerous package slip onto a Christmas Eve flight.
CARRY-ON director Jaume Collet-Serra specializes in this kind of one-location thriller; he previously directed Non-Stop and The Commuter.
The CARRY-ON cast had help keeping the film’s airport dynamic realistic: a pair of bona fide TSA agents. “We had two amazing LAX TSA advisors on this movie who gave us so much great information on anything we needed,” Collet-Serra told Netflix. “They put our actors through proper TSA training before we shot the movie, and they were on set to advise us if anything didn’t look realistic.”
The Netflix movie began production in October 2022.
For Collet-Serra, Egerton and Bateman were a match made in heaven. “We all wanted this to feel incredibly realistic, like the events of this movie could happen to any of us on any given day at any airport, and Jason and Taron delivered brilliant performances that helped ground our movie and make it feel real,” Collet-Serra tells Tudum.
Okay, so we’re mere days away from the release of an animated CGI feature based on one of the biggest video game properties. Y’know about the two plumber siblings? Perhaps you’re needing another big “game” dive, but don’t want to try and stream the recent Sonic flicks, or any of a dozen movies lifted from the very successful gaming franchises. Well. we’ve got a new film all about that late 80s game where you try to fill in a wall at the bottom of your screen with a series of four brightly colored blocks. Really, a flick of those downward-floating bricks? They couldn’t grab the rights to Pong? Oh no, this is all about the creation and marketing of that game, and it’s almost a cold war thriller. Don’t roll your eyes, because there was a lot of high-stakes intrigue in the story of TETRIS.
After a nifty 8-bit graphic intro, we’re transported to the “go-go” days of 1988, specifically Vegas, baby, for the big Consumer Electronics Show. Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton) isn’t seeing much traffic for the game he created for his own Bullet Proof software firm, “Go”. BTW, his name really is Henk, no typo, as he was born in Holland, raised in the USA, and now has his own family in Japan. Seems everybody is checking out Tetris, a computer game born in the Soviet Union. After trying it, Henk understands. Back in Japan, he tells his bank loan officer he needs more cash because he scooped up the right to distribute Tetris there. But Henk has bigger plans, and after securing another risky loan, he flies to Seattle to try to interest Nintendo. But they have a surprise for him. After Henk signs an NDA, the execs give him a test plan on a “hand-held’ video gaming system dubbed the “Gameboy”. And nobody’s nabbed the hand-held rights to Tetris. Since another “agent”, Robert Stein (Toby Jones), has wrapped up most of the rights for Britain’s Mirrorsoft owned by media magnate Robert maxwell (Roger Allam) and his son Kevin (Anthony Boyle), Henk has to get over to the USSR and strike a deal with the game’s creator Alexey Pajitnov (Nikita Yefremov). The trouble is, Laexey created the game while working for the government computer division, Elorg, so Henk has to get around his greedy supervisor Nikolai (Oleg Stefan) while evading sinister KGB enforcers, since he lied to get into the country, stating to officials that he’s a tourist. As he’s put everything on the line, can Henk strike a deal…with someone. But more importantly, can he get out of Mother Russia and back to his wife and kids in Japan in one piece? Or just …alive?
Though the title refers to the “object of desire”, the tale’s real focus is Rogers who is imbued by an almost foolhardy determination by the compelling Egerton, sporting a pin-point trimmed mustache. Henk will not let anything, not even the still ferocious Russian “bear”, deny him his “brass ring”. Through his expressive eyes Egerton shows us how this hard-charging software hustler, is always trying to stay two steps ahead of his rivals, and looking for the nearest exit. He’s always “in over his head”, but we can almost hear the gears clicking in his noggin in order to try another angle. But Egerton conveys his softer side as he regrets the broken promises made to his daughter. Oh, the main rival is the terrific Jones as Stein, who he portrays with a “Willy Loman-eque” pathos until his suppressed rage explodes. The “big boom” happens when dealing with the Maxwells. Allam as Maxwell senior is a “profit whale” looking to gobble up any item to satisfy his greed, while deflecting chaos by expert “record-juggling”, and never loosening that tight near-choking bowtie. His son Kevin, played with his own anger issues by Boyle, yearns to prove his worth and get the respect he thinks he deserves (“You will call me, sir!!”). Efremov as inventor Pajitnov may be the most sympathetic and tragic character in the saga as the mastermind behind the game who is denied any of his labor’s fruits, yet still, believes in his homeland’s original goals. Unfortunately, they’re now twisted by sadistic goons like the black-suited Valentin, whose constant caustic sneer is provided by the intimidating Igor Grabuzov. Happily the film showcases two great actresses: Sofya Lebedeva as Henk’s frazzled but supportive interpreter Sasha and Ayane Nagabuchi as Henk’s equally supportive but very frustrated wife and company partner Akemi.
Consider this quirky true (pretty much) tale an unexpected gem. Much of its impact comes from the tight confident directing of Jom S Baird, who also gave us a very different but equally excellent true tale a couple of years ago in the criminally underrated STAN & OLLIE. Who’d have thought that a story involving a video game could be a nail-biting cold war thriller? Really, instead of a micro file exposing double agents or a chemical weapon formula, the big goal is grabbing signatures to obtain usage rights to the wall-building “time-waster” (one supervisor bemoans all the work hours lost by his staff). The first act is fluffy fun, playing with 1980s fashions and excesses with treks to London, Seattle, Vegas, and Tokyo, but the tone quickly shifts in the USSR. Though we observe its slow crumble (long market lines), there’s still danger around every dark dreary corner (the color desaturation really works). We also see how the younger generation is straining to break out of their elder’s oppressive shadows. Hey, there’s even an engaging sequence involving the big May Day parade and then-leader Gorbachev. And somehow all the contract wrangling never gets confusing or dull, thanks in part to the cleaver screenplay by Noah Pink. Throw in the aforementioned fun 8-bit animated graphic establishing shots and “scene-bridgers’ with the appropriate techno-synth score, and we’ve got a surprisingly compelling pop culture thrill-ride that is just as engaging as any video game, including the original TETRIS.
3 Out of 4
TETRIS streams exclusively on AppleTV+ on Friday, March 31, 2023
Apple Original Films has released a fascinating new featurette for the highly anticipated thriller, “Tetris,” starring Taron Egerton. The actors and filmmakers discuss the unbelievable story of how one of the world’s most popular video games found its way to avid players around the globe.
Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton) discovers TETRIS in 1988, and then risks everything by traveling to the Soviet Union, where he joins forces with inventor Alexey Pajitnov (Nikita Efremov) to bring the game to the masses. Based on a true story, “Tetris” is a Cold War–era thriller on steroids, with double-crossing villains, unlikely heroes and a nail-biting race to the finish.
“Tetris” is directed by Jon S. Baird from a script by Noah Pink. The film is produced by Matthew Vaughn, Gillian Berrie, Claudia Vaughn, Len Blavatnik and Gregor Cameron, with Zygi Kamasa, Carlos Peres, Iain Mackenzie, Noah Pink, Taron Egerton, Danny Cohen, Amanda Ghost, Vince Holden, Henk Rogers, Alexey Pajitnov and Maya Rogers executive producing.
Check out the movie on Apple TV+, Friday, March 31. For an audio-described version, please visit http://apple.co/_AppleTVPlus
So, did you blow out your vocal cords when you went from house to house caroling this holiday season? Would you rather watch somebody else croon some tunes for your entertainment? And if they’re cute and fuzzy, why all the better! After you knock back some hot tea and lemon, head over to the multiplex because an encore concert is about to start. Encore? Yes, can you believe that it’s been five years and a day since a menagerie of cuddly critters warbled dozens of pop tunes and standards. Yes, that long ago! So take a break from the Christmas “crunch” and shuttle the whole family to the moves to tap your toes (but please refrain from joining vocally) along with the cartoon cast of SING 2.
During those years it appears that all’s going well at the New Moon Theatre. The current musical revue based on “Alice in Wonderland” produced by Buster Moon (voice of Matthew McConaughey) is a smash. He’s so confident that he invites a talent scout from The Crystal Tower Theatre in fabulous Redshore City to catch it, with hopes that her boss will pick them up for a residency. Unfortunately, Ms. Suki ( Chelsea Peretti) is unimpressed and heads to the lobby right after the big “Let’s Go Crazy” number. She tells the pleading Buster that they’re just not ready for the “big time”. But he and his troupe are not deterred, so Gunter (Nick Kroll) blurts out an idea for an outer space revue, and they soon pile into a bus for a road trip to Redshore. After a bit of subterfuge, they make it into the plush penthouse office of Mr. Crystal (Bobby Cannavale) himself. But he’s not interested until the cast guarantees that reclusive music superstar Clay Calloway will come out of retirement to be part of the cast. Crystal gives them a “go”, so now Buster and number one Clay fan Ash (Scarlett Johannson) have to convince the “legend” to perform again. And there’s still plenty of backstage drama to deal with. Male lead Johnny (Taron Eggerton) clashes with the impatient dance director Klaus (Adam Buxton), but he learns the “moves’ with help from street dancer Nooshy (Letitia Wright). Then Crystal insists that his talent-challenged daughter Porsha (Halsey) replace the nervous (afraid of heights) Rosita (Reese Witherspoon). Plus the female lead Meena (Tori Kelly)has no chemistry with vain Crystal Theatre star Darius (Eric Andre), as she’d rather spend time with dreamy ice cream vendor Alfonso (Pharrell Williams). Can Buster and his pals possibly pull everything together in order to avoid the wrath (and pointy fangs) of the vicious Mr. Crystal?
As is the case with many film sequels, I can say with confidence that if you enjoyed the first flick, then you’ll probably enjoy this one, too. I must admit that I’m not in that group. Watching a hundred or so minutes of “fuzzies’ and friends doing karaoke just wears thin on me. Now, you got each main character’s “origin” story last time, so this all hinges on the new plot or “show’ and all the new characters introduced. Buster’s got a pretty fearsome villain to butt heads with in Mr. Crystal, a snarling sociopath in the mode of Shere Khan or Scar, with street guy swagger. Kudos to the filmmakers for making him more dangerous than buffoon-ish, even at the risk of spooking the “wee ones”. And I like his daughter Porsha, who’s more dim than deadly, though she often enjoys flaunting her privilege. Plus Halsey and Carnavale do a great job as their respective “pipes”. But the best of the bunch is Clay, a slow-moving stoic silver lion with a surprisingly warm Texas drawl, considering his vocal “source” ( a true rock icon that I won’t spoil, though he’s on the poster). Also visually pleasing is the background design which makes Redshore a bright shiny pastel-colored near-mirror image of a certain gambling/entertainment mecca. Ditto for the forced perspectives of the outer-space show sets and auditorium with the singers and dancing zipping along on wires that dangle them dozens of stories above the adoring throngs. All this tries to make up for another fairly thin story and some tiresome slapstick bits. Recent films like the superb ENCANTO have set the bar very high for animated musical features, as the tunes reveal more info on the characters while pushing the plot forward, rather than stopping everything for a big brassy solo. And this flick’s hero, Buster, is just pleasant to the point of dull banality. Like its predecessor, it may make a good “first film” for toddlers with its tunes and soft colors. But for more discerning viewers, and fans of the talented folks at Illumination Animation, you may get more than a bit “fidgety’, and wish you were seeing another adventure of Gru and his Minions, rather than the simple show-biz shenanigans of SING 2.
1.5 Out of 4
SING 2 opens in theatres everywhere on Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Star of THE KINGSMAN and ROCKETMAN was recently interviewed by GQ where he discussed his friendship with Elton John, the upcoming movie TETRIS, the importance of family and how the pandemic has affected live theatre.
The most interesting takeaway was will or wont he do a Marvel movie?
He addressed the rumors about him taking on the role, which would be a perfect fit for him, of Wolverine.
Hugh Jackman, who Egerton became friends with when they filmed EDDIE THE EAGLE together, is a former ambassador for Montblanc. Did he pass on any advice? “He is happy to pass the baton or, indeed, pen over to me,” he says, laughing. Speaking of Wolverine, has Egerton seen artwork of himself as the X-Man, made by fans who want the 30-year-old to be the next to don the knuckle blades? He thinks carefully, so as not to rule out a future for which there is currently no present.
“That anyone thinks I would be good for the part is really flattering,” he says. “I love Marvel, but it’s just fan stuff. There is no grounding for those rumours.” Did he stick the drawing of himself in the suit up on the wall? “No. Surprisingly, I don’t have any pictures of myself up on the wall.”
In the article the 30 year old actor, who likes to write, would love to try his hand at directing.
What’s next for the Golden Globe winner with ROCKETMAN behind him:
It showed that the actor has depth and led to his next role as the man who took Tetris to the masses. “It’s definitely more Social Network than Lego Movie,” Egerton says, laughing, when I ask which shape he will be playing. “It’s about the rights to the game. It’s an insane true story.” At some point, the KGB were involved.
Egerton hopes it will start filming in January.
Taron Egerton as Elton John in Rocketman from Paramount Pictures.
However, the best part of the article shows who this young actor from Wales really is:
“It has felt like a nice antidote,” he argues. “As much as I enjoyed last year, with all the craziness, it’s nice to step away from the limelight. I’ve enjoyed being in my hometown. I feel like a member of a community. Rocketman was very exciting. I met Meryl Streep, Brad Pitt. But it’s good to get back to reality. I like being down the road from my mum. I like being down the road from my little sisters. It’s very important for my sanity. I love Hollywood, but I like to withdraw back to something that feels more normal.”
How has lockdown has changed him?
“What this incredible, terrible and very odd time has done,” he begins, “is to remind me the things that mean the most are family. I’ve probably spent more time with my sisters in the past six months than their entire lives. They’re eight and ten and those years have been my career. So, to let a relationship grow in a way that didn’t feel fleeting? That’s been moving for me. It’s a recalibration of my priorities.”
Hey hard-rockin’ film fans, better hope the sound system at your local multiplex goes well past eleven because it’s musical biography time once more. Sure popular musicians have been recreated on screen through the years, Surprisingly the lives of Al Jolson and Fanny Brice inspired two hit films and a couple of sequels (THE JOLSON STORY begat JOLSON SINGS AGAIN while the great Streisand starred in FUNNY GIRL then FUNNY LADY). Ah, but late 2018, a little over six months ago rock and roll ruled the box office (and garnered 4 Oscars) with the story of Queen in BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY. And a fictional music flick, the fourth iteration of A STAR IS BORN, inspired by real performers and showcasing the acting debut of a current music superstar, grabbed a gold statue and lots of filmgoers. Plus earlier this year Netflix got into the act with a “biopic” of those heavy metal hellions, Motley Crue, called THE DIRT. Now comes another “early Oscar contender” based on the life of a true rock and roll icon. But unlike Freddie Mercury (the main focus of BH), this is a still “ongoing” life. And he’s a producer of this work. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s make some noise (wait, this is a movie theatre, not an arena or stadium, so silence, please) for Sir Elton John, the ROCKETMAN.
As we first meet EJ (Taron Egerton), he’s in a full flamboyant Elton-style outfit (perhaps designed by Bob Mackie), but in a somber, unlikely setting. This is where he begins to tell his story, starting with the early fifties childhood of middle-class lad Reginald Dwight in Pinner, Middlesex. He’s raised mainly by his free-spirited mum Sheila (Bryce Dallas Howard) and his nurturing maternal ‘grandmum’ Ivy (Gemma Jones). Reg yearns for the attention of his long-absent military man dad Stanley (Steven Mackintosh), who is just as absent when he finally returns home, acting cold and aloof around his boy. Luckily Reg can concentrate on his love of music becoming a piano prodigy. And with the help of his ‘two mums’, he gets a scholarship at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music. In his teen years, Regs plays jazz and bebop down at the neighborhood pub. But he’s got bigger dreams, spurred by that new sensation Elvis, and answers a classified ad which leads him to Dick James Music. There a young ambitious assistant named Ray (Charlie Rowe) books him as a back-up keyboard for some touring US music groups. Later, in a bit of kismet, Ray gives Elton (much flashier than the name Reg) a batch of song lyrics by Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell). The two click immediately, but just professionally. Around this time Elton realizes that he’s gay, but tries to stay in the closet. Despite the grousing of Mr. James (Stephan Graham), the duo cut an album which begins to climb the record charts. The now supportive James books Elton and his band a gig…in America at LA’s Troubadour. It’s a sensation, to say the least. That night, at a wild 1970-style afterparty. Elton meets the enigmatic and handsome music producer John Reid (Richard Madden). Eventually they become business and romantic partners, with Reid running everything (even trying to arrange a “girlfriend/beard” for Elton). But with the pressure of stardom come the excesses of booze and drugs. As tensions mount between Elton and Reid, even alienating Taupin, will this new pop sensation survive his success, or will he be yet another victim of fast fame?
Though he’s known for his lead role in the KINGSMEN action franchise, this is the star-making dramatic role of a lifetime for the talented Egerton. He brings an exuberant infectious energy to the big musical numbers, whether it’s a flashy epic concert. a big set piece with gyrating extras, or an intimate duet. And yes, he does his own singing (sorry Rami), very well, even clearing up some of the often garbled lyrics (so the beloved TV star of “Taxi’ and “Who’s the Boss” is not name-checked in a pop ballad). Plus Egerton can more than handle the emotional demands, showing us a performer that’s pure confidence on stage who nearly breaks under the weight of a dark childhood and a toxic relationship. Elton lashes at in anger (especially at Taupin) ), but his real fury is directed inward as he gulps cases of booze and pills to deaden the pain. Speaking of Taupin, Bell brings a quiet dignity to the role of the “word-man”, often the voice of reason for Elton, sharing great mutual respect for the talents of each man. As for the other man in Elton’s life, Madden brings a silky sense of menace to the role of the lover we think our hero deserves, but who shows his true colors when given the “keys to the kingdom”. Dallas seems to be having some wicked fun as Elton’s “hot to trot” (in the words of Eric Idle, “Say no more, say no more”) outgoing mum, but she too possesses a casual cruelty toward the son whose talent provides her with everything (even a private island, since she’s embarrassed by him). Plus some great comic relief is provided by Graham as the coarse, vulgar James who has no taste for Elton and Bernie’s work, nearly withholding it from the public that will fill his pockets (shades of Mike Myers in BH). In one terrific scene, Elton begins playing soon-to-be hit singles from his new albums, but after a few notes, James cuts them short with insults (“That’s s#*t!! Next!!”). Plus American actor Tate Donovan scores some big laughs as the oh so mellow owner of the Troubador, being the right blend of hippy surfer dude and cut-throat capitalist (“Four shows! Four!”).
Actor turned director Dexter Fletcher, who worked with Egerton on the crowd-pleasing sports underdog bio EDDIE THE EAGLE, gets to step out of the shadows (he finished up the troubled BH last year…without credit) and delivers a bubbly nostalgic romp, at least in the film’s first two acts. He expertly establishes the decades, finding the right tone for the 50s through the early 80s. Fans of the rock and roll flicks mentioned earlier may be startled to discover that this is not merely a string of concert songs, but a true “old school” MGM-style musical with characters bursting into John/Taupin standards (hence the marketing phrase “musical fantasy”). These sequences almost feel lifted straight from recent hits like LA LA LAND and THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, though the choreography is often too “busy” with frenetic dancers doing intricate hand gestures and steps that distract rather than enhance the tunes. This made me wonder, several times, whether this was originally intended as a flashy Broadway extravaganza ala “The Jersey Boys” or “Beautiful: The Carol King Musical” (I imagined a truck just for Elton’s wardrobe for the touring company). One creative number just showcases Egerton as some neat CGI effects have him changing those incredible costumes as the camera spins around the piano (the lid takes up the screen, then…more crazy specs). But, much as with BH and ASIB, the fun screeches to halt as the substance abuse and hard-partying takes root, as Lee Hall’s screenplay covers some awfully familiar territory. Still, kudos to the filmmakers from not shying away from the main character’s struggles with his sexuality (no CRUISING-style montage, like BH). Plus his second marriage (to a woman) is covered (and dealt with dramatically). Unfortunately, BH takes the prize for the final act with the AIDS reveal and the triumph at Live Aid, since John’s tale finishes up with a shot-for-shot recreation of a 1983 MTV video (yes, it keys into his rehab, but just seems listless). This doesn’t take away from the stunning performances from the cast headed by Egerton, the sly bits of humor (Elton is needled about his receding hairline by his mum), and the amazing art direction and sets. And all in support of those timeless tunes. Those splendid songs are what make ROCKETMAN truly take flight.
ROCKETMAN is an epic musical fantasy about the incredible human story of Elton John’s breakthrough years. The film follows the fantastical journey of transformation from shy piano prodigy Reginald Dwight into international superstar Elton John. This inspirational story – set to Elton John’s most beloved songs and performed by star Taron Egerton – tells the universally relatable story of how a small-town boy became one of the most iconic figures in pop culture.
ROCKETMAN also stars Jamie Bell as Elton’s longtime lyricist and writing partner Bernie Taupin, Richard Madden as Elton’s first manager, John Reid, and Bryce Dallas Howard as Elton’s mother Sheila Farebrother.
Directed by Dexter Fletcher, ROCKETMAN opens in theaters on May 31.
Enter for your chance to win two free passes to the St. Louis advance screening of ROCKETMAN. The theatrical sneak preview will be on May 29 at 7pm.
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING:
When Elton is not recording or touring he devotes his efforts to a variety of charities, including his own Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has raised over $300 million and funded programs across four continents in the 24 years it has existed. https://www.eltonjohn.com/
John scored his first three GRAMMY nominations for the 13th GRAMMY Awards for 1970, including Album Of The Year and Best New Artist. He won his first career GRAMMY for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for 1986 for “That’s What Friends Are For,” with Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick and Stevie Wonder.
How many Grammys has Elton John won TOTAL?
Add you name, answer and email address in our comments section below.
NO PURCHASE REQUIRED. A pass does not guarantee a seat at a screening. Seating is on a first-come, first served basis. The theater is overbooked to assure a full house.
Rated R for language throughout, some drug use and sexual content.
Director Dexter Fletcher’s ROCKETMAN has had it’s premiere at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and is receiving positive reviews.
ROCKETMAN is an epic musical fantasy about the incredible human story of Elton John’s breakthrough years. The film follows the fantastical journey of transformation from shy piano prodigy Reginald Dwight into international superstar Elton John. This inspirational story – set to Elton John’s most beloved songs and performed by star Taron Egerton – tells the universally relatable story of how a small-town boy became one of the most iconic figures in pop culture.
ROCKETMAN also stars Jamie Bell as Elton’s longtime lyricist and writing partner Bernie Taupin, Richard Madden as Elton’s first manager, John Reid, and Bryce Dallas Howard as Elton’s mother Sheila Farebrother.
Watch Elton John and Bernie Taupin respond to seeing the film for the first time at Cannes.
Take a look at what the critics are saying on Twitter.
Hot damn, Taron Egerton is the real deal. #Rocketman is a musical about picking yourself up off your ass and Taron delivers the sweat, grit and vulnerability it needs.
Dexter Fletcher’s sexy dramatic and poignant Rocketman is an ambitious full-on bio musical with 20 songs—This Is Your Song got applause— sung by star Taron Egerton in a breakout performance. Watch for it to follow boffo global box office with a run on a roadway!
I’m not an objective viewer but I really enjoyed #Rocketman. It’s a lovely tribute to Elton’s partnership with Bernie & the fantastical tone suits his life perfectly. Oscar chances hinge on reviews & biz, but as a true musical it’s a great bet for picture & actor at the Globes. pic.twitter.com/e1AlNsqfvf
