In 2004, The Indian Ocean tsunami hit parts of Southeast Asia, claiming more than 227,898 lives and devastating countless families who were torn apart due to the environmental disaster. The story of María Belón, who was among several who experienced and survived the tsunami in Khao Lak, Thailand serves as the inspiration for Spanish filmmaker J. A. Bayona's disaster drama, "The Impossible." Belón herself was involved with the screenwriting process of the film to ensure the authenticity of the events, and apart from a few alterations made for dramatic effect, "The Impossible" captures the harrowing perspective of disaster survivors who often have to contend with the helpless despair of being separated from their loved ones.
Perhaps the appeal of this raw, vulnerable human sentiment is the reason why "The Impossible" has currently earned a place in the Top 10 Netflix Charts in the U.S. Released in 2012, "The Impossible" tells a story...
Perhaps the appeal of this raw, vulnerable human sentiment is the reason why "The Impossible" has currently earned a place in the Top 10 Netflix Charts in the U.S. Released in 2012, "The Impossible" tells a story...
- 11/14/2023
- by Debopriyaa Dutta
- Slash Film
From “Gravity ” and “Wild” to “The Way Back” and “Jaws,” the most compelling survival movies fearlessly examine characters’ will to live, imbuing their perilous struggles with the intensely personal motivations and desires that make every person unique. These stories allow audiences to consider what specific obstacles along one person’s quest for survival and happiness say about humanity writ large. What’s more, they challenge viewers to look inward and consider what truly matters when the chips are down.
The best survival films immerse viewers in life-or-death scenarios, balancing realism and believability with slow-burn suspense. Even in lighter survival fare, such as “Swiss Family Robinson,” filmmakers have to keep up the pace and pressure to deliver the subgenre’s characteristic urgency. Sure, “Cast Away,” “The Revenant,” and epic sagas like them are sweeping in scope with the lengthy running times to match. But survival stories work best when every frame...
The best survival films immerse viewers in life-or-death scenarios, balancing realism and believability with slow-burn suspense. Even in lighter survival fare, such as “Swiss Family Robinson,” filmmakers have to keep up the pace and pressure to deliver the subgenre’s characteristic urgency. Sure, “Cast Away,” “The Revenant,” and epic sagas like them are sweeping in scope with the lengthy running times to match. But survival stories work best when every frame...
- 8/24/2023
- by Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
Easily one of the best movies of its kind, J.A. Bayona’s minute-by-minute tale of survival poses an immediate challenge to audiences: could I survive that? The genuinely terrifying true story of one family lost in the middle of a devastating disaster is even more relevant now, with similar disasters seemingly happening daily. The near-flawless direction concentrates on the direct experience of a mother and son, who in just a couple of days learn the meaning of human concern and kindness. It’s a Spanish production (in English); Naomi Watts received an Oscar nomination and Ewan McGregor and young Tom Holland give strong performances. We reach back ten years for this review.
The Impossible
Blu-ray
Summit Entertainment
2012 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 114 min. / Lo imposible / Street Date April 23, 2013 / Available from Amazon / 19.99
Starring: Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland, Samuel Joslin, Oaklee Pendergast, Marta Etura, Sönke Möhring, Geraldine Chaplin, Ploy Jindachote, Jomjaoi Sae-Limh,...
The Impossible
Blu-ray
Summit Entertainment
2012 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 114 min. / Lo imposible / Street Date April 23, 2013 / Available from Amazon / 19.99
Starring: Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland, Samuel Joslin, Oaklee Pendergast, Marta Etura, Sönke Möhring, Geraldine Chaplin, Ploy Jindachote, Jomjaoi Sae-Limh,...
- 6/25/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Not every movie can be a winner. And not every actor can be Meryl Streep.
Even Oscar nominees make bad movies and sometimes, in an unfortunate twist of fate and bad timing, that bomb, that dud, that total and complete flop, comes out at the same time as some of the best work of their life. Here are 11 times that happened in the past 10 years:
Focus Features
1. Eddie Redmayne (2015)
Nominated Role: The Theory of Everything. Redmayne is the Best Actor favorite this year for this biopic about Stephen Hawking navigating black holes and Als.
Losing Role: Jupiter Ascending. This totally effing bonkers Wachowski sci-fi flick came out just before Oscar voting started. And once you see Redmayne as Bowie-esque space prince Balem Abrasax, it cannot be unseen.
The Weinstein Company
2. Jennifer Lawrence (2013)
Winning Role: Silver Linings Playbook. Lawrence took home Best Actress for her turn as a trouble townie named Tiffany in this dark spin on a rom-com...
Even Oscar nominees make bad movies and sometimes, in an unfortunate twist of fate and bad timing, that bomb, that dud, that total and complete flop, comes out at the same time as some of the best work of their life. Here are 11 times that happened in the past 10 years:
Focus Features
1. Eddie Redmayne (2015)
Nominated Role: The Theory of Everything. Redmayne is the Best Actor favorite this year for this biopic about Stephen Hawking navigating black holes and Als.
Losing Role: Jupiter Ascending. This totally effing bonkers Wachowski sci-fi flick came out just before Oscar voting started. And once you see Redmayne as Bowie-esque space prince Balem Abrasax, it cannot be unseen.
The Weinstein Company
2. Jennifer Lawrence (2013)
Winning Role: Silver Linings Playbook. Lawrence took home Best Actress for her turn as a trouble townie named Tiffany in this dark spin on a rom-com...
- 2/20/2015
- Entertainment Tonight
The European Film Academy will hold the 26th European Film Awards in Berlin on December 7th, 2013. To make fans part of the celebration every year the audience gets to choose the winner of the Efa People's Choice Award. This year one lucky fan will also have the chance to attend the awards ceremony and be part of a fantastic event that brings together Europe's greatest film stars, directors, actors and actresses.
Audiences in the past have awarded the honor to Jean-Pierre Jeunet's beloved Amelie, Lars von Trier's Dancer in the Dark, and incredibly 3 times to Spanish master Pedro Almodovar (All About My Mother, Talk to Her, Volver).
To vote and for a chance to win a trip to the 26th European Film Awards click Here
The Nominees Are:
Anna Karenina
UK, 124 min
Directed By: Joe Wright
Written By: Tom Stoppard
With: Keira Knightley, Aaron Johnson, Jude Law, Matthew Macfadyen, Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander
The Best Offer (La Migliore Offerta)
Italy, 130 min
Written & Directed by: Giuseppe Tornatore
With: Geoffrey Rush, Jim Sturgess, Sylvia Hoeks, Donald Sutherland
The Broken Circle Breakdown
Belgium, 100 min
Directed by: Felix van Groeningen
Written by: Carl Joos & Felix van Groeningen
With: Veerle Baetens, Johan Heldenbergh, Nell Cattrysse, Geert van Rampelberg, Nils de Caster
The Deep (Djúpið)
Iceland/Norway, 92 min
Directed by: Baltasar Kormákur
Written by: Jón Atli Jónasson & Baltasar Kormákur
With: Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Jóhann G. Jóhannsson, Stefán Hallur Stefánsson, Björn Thors, Thorbjorg H. Thorgilsdótir
The Gilded Cage (La Cage Dorée)
Portugal/France, 90 min
Directed by: Ruben Alves
Written by: Ruben Alves, Jean-André Yerlès, Hugo Gélin
With: Rita Blanco, Joaquim de Almeida, Roland Giraud, Chantal Lauby, Barbara Cabrita, Lannick Gautry
I'm So Excited (Los Amantes Pasajeros)
Spain, 90 min
Written & Directed by: Pedro Almodóvar
With: Javier Cámara, Carlos Areces, Raúl Arévalo, Lola Dueñas, Cecilia Roth
The Impossible (Lo Imposible)
Spain, 114 min
Directed by: J.A. Bayona
Written by: Sergio G. Sánchez & María Belón
With: Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland, Samuel Joslin, Oaklee Pendergast
Kon-Tiki
Norway, Denmark, UK, Germany, Sweden, 113 min
Directed by: Joachim Rønning & Espen Sandberg
Written by: Petter Skavlan
With: Pål Sverre Hagen, Anders Bassmo Christiansen, Tobias Santelmann, Gustaf Skarsgaard, Odd-Magnus Williamson, Jakob Oftebro, Agnes Kittelsen
Love Is All You Need (Den skaldede frisør)
Denmark, 111 min
Directed By: Susanne Bier
Written By: Anders Thomas Jensen & Susanne Bier
With: Pierce Brosnan, Trine Dyrholm, Paprika Steen, Kim Bodnia
Oh Boy
Germany, 83 min
Written & Directed by: Jan Ole Gerster
With: Tom Schilling, Marc Hosemann, Friederike Kempter, Michael Gwisdek
Searching for Sugar Man
UK/Sweden, 83 min
Directed by: Malik Bendjelloul...
Audiences in the past have awarded the honor to Jean-Pierre Jeunet's beloved Amelie, Lars von Trier's Dancer in the Dark, and incredibly 3 times to Spanish master Pedro Almodovar (All About My Mother, Talk to Her, Volver).
To vote and for a chance to win a trip to the 26th European Film Awards click Here
The Nominees Are:
Anna Karenina
UK, 124 min
Directed By: Joe Wright
Written By: Tom Stoppard
With: Keira Knightley, Aaron Johnson, Jude Law, Matthew Macfadyen, Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander
The Best Offer (La Migliore Offerta)
Italy, 130 min
Written & Directed by: Giuseppe Tornatore
With: Geoffrey Rush, Jim Sturgess, Sylvia Hoeks, Donald Sutherland
The Broken Circle Breakdown
Belgium, 100 min
Directed by: Felix van Groeningen
Written by: Carl Joos & Felix van Groeningen
With: Veerle Baetens, Johan Heldenbergh, Nell Cattrysse, Geert van Rampelberg, Nils de Caster
The Deep (Djúpið)
Iceland/Norway, 92 min
Directed by: Baltasar Kormákur
Written by: Jón Atli Jónasson & Baltasar Kormákur
With: Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Jóhann G. Jóhannsson, Stefán Hallur Stefánsson, Björn Thors, Thorbjorg H. Thorgilsdótir
The Gilded Cage (La Cage Dorée)
Portugal/France, 90 min
Directed by: Ruben Alves
Written by: Ruben Alves, Jean-André Yerlès, Hugo Gélin
With: Rita Blanco, Joaquim de Almeida, Roland Giraud, Chantal Lauby, Barbara Cabrita, Lannick Gautry
I'm So Excited (Los Amantes Pasajeros)
Spain, 90 min
Written & Directed by: Pedro Almodóvar
With: Javier Cámara, Carlos Areces, Raúl Arévalo, Lola Dueñas, Cecilia Roth
The Impossible (Lo Imposible)
Spain, 114 min
Directed by: J.A. Bayona
Written by: Sergio G. Sánchez & María Belón
With: Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland, Samuel Joslin, Oaklee Pendergast
Kon-Tiki
Norway, Denmark, UK, Germany, Sweden, 113 min
Directed by: Joachim Rønning & Espen Sandberg
Written by: Petter Skavlan
With: Pål Sverre Hagen, Anders Bassmo Christiansen, Tobias Santelmann, Gustaf Skarsgaard, Odd-Magnus Williamson, Jakob Oftebro, Agnes Kittelsen
Love Is All You Need (Den skaldede frisør)
Denmark, 111 min
Directed By: Susanne Bier
Written By: Anders Thomas Jensen & Susanne Bier
With: Pierce Brosnan, Trine Dyrholm, Paprika Steen, Kim Bodnia
Oh Boy
Germany, 83 min
Written & Directed by: Jan Ole Gerster
With: Tom Schilling, Marc Hosemann, Friederike Kempter, Michael Gwisdek
Searching for Sugar Man
UK/Sweden, 83 min
Directed by: Malik Bendjelloul...
- 9/10/2013
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
This week: Director J.A. Bayona's gut-wrenching "The Impossible" starring Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts in her Oscar-nominated role tells the true story of one family's struggle for survival after the 2004 tsunami that devastated Thailand and much of the surrounding region.
Also new this week is the troubled "Gangster Squad" with Sean Penn, Josh Brolin and Ryan Gosling; Gus Van Sant's "Promised Land" with Matt Damon and John Krasinski; and the Blu-ray 3D debut of the original "Jurassic Park."
'The Impossible'
Box Office: $19 million
Rotten Tomatoes: 81% Fresh
Storyline: Based on the true story of what befell one family during the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, "The Impossible" follows a married couple, Henry and Maria (Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts), and their three young sons who are staying at a Thai resort over the Christmas holidays. When the deadly wave abruptly hits their hotel complex, Maria and son Lucas (Tom Holland...
Also new this week is the troubled "Gangster Squad" with Sean Penn, Josh Brolin and Ryan Gosling; Gus Van Sant's "Promised Land" with Matt Damon and John Krasinski; and the Blu-ray 3D debut of the original "Jurassic Park."
'The Impossible'
Box Office: $19 million
Rotten Tomatoes: 81% Fresh
Storyline: Based on the true story of what befell one family during the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, "The Impossible" follows a married couple, Henry and Maria (Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts), and their three young sons who are staying at a Thai resort over the Christmas holidays. When the deadly wave abruptly hits their hotel complex, Maria and son Lucas (Tom Holland...
- 4/22/2013
- by Robert DeSalvo
- NextMovie
Summit Entertainment (a division of Liongsate) has announced Juan Antonio Bayona’s The Impossible for Blu-Ray in April. The film stars Ewan McGregor and Oscar-nominated Naomi Watts.
The 2004 Thailand tsunami is without a doubt of the biggest disasters in recent history. One that shocked the entire world. The Impossible is director Juan Antonio Bayona’s way of showing the very human side of such a natural disaster. He brilliantly captures both the terror and scale of something as big as a tsunami, while stripping the film down to its barest moments, exposing just how important family is in times like these.
I rarely get emotional while watching films, because I’ve seen ‘em all before, but The Impossible had me damn close to the edge of breaking down. J.A. Bayona gets such strong performances out of Ewan McGregor and more important Naomi Watts. The two completely steal the show and...
The 2004 Thailand tsunami is without a doubt of the biggest disasters in recent history. One that shocked the entire world. The Impossible is director Juan Antonio Bayona’s way of showing the very human side of such a natural disaster. He brilliantly captures both the terror and scale of something as big as a tsunami, while stripping the film down to its barest moments, exposing just how important family is in times like these.
I rarely get emotional while watching films, because I’ve seen ‘em all before, but The Impossible had me damn close to the edge of breaking down. J.A. Bayona gets such strong performances out of Ewan McGregor and more important Naomi Watts. The two completely steal the show and...
- 2/23/2013
- by Jeremy Lebens
- We Got This Covered
The Spanish Film Academy’s Goya Awards are announced, and Pablo Berger’s "Blancanieves" (a twist on the Snow White fairytale) took Best Picture and nine other awards. Juan Antonio Bayona won Best Director for "The Impossible," but handed the award over to María Belón at the awards ceremony; the film is based on her family's survival story during the 2004 Tsunami. "The Impossible"'s Naomi Watts (who plays Maria) is competing for the Best Actress Oscar. Our interview with her is here. "Blancanieves" was Spain's Oscar submission, but it did not make the shortlist. The full list of Goya winners is below. Film Blancanieves Director Juan Antonio Bayona for The Impossible Actor Jose Sacristan for The Dead Man and Being Happy Actress Maribel Verdu for Blancanieves Original Screenplay Pablo Berger for Blancanieves Adapted Screenplay Javier Barreira, Gorka Magallon, Ignacio...
- 2/19/2013
- by Sophia Savage
- Thompson on Hollywood
Blu-ray & DVD Release Date: April 23, 2013
Price: DVD $29.95, Blu-ray $39.99
Studio: Summit/Lionsgate
Tom Holland and Naomi Watts cling to their lives in The Impossible.
Naomi Watts (Fair Game) garnered her second Academy Award nomination for her starring role in the 2012 drama-thriller The Impossible.
The film offers an account of a family caught with tens of thousands of strangers in the mayhem of one of the worst natural catastrophes of the modern era: the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
In the film, Marie Bennett (Watts), her husband Henry (Ewan McGregor, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen) and their three sons Lucas (Tom Holland), Tomas and Simon are on Christmas holiday at a tropical resort Khao Lak, Thailand. A devastating tsunami hits on December 26, destroying the coastal zone and sweeping up everyone in the flood. Maria and Lucas are separated from the others and, with Maria’s leg badly injured, the two set out for help,...
Price: DVD $29.95, Blu-ray $39.99
Studio: Summit/Lionsgate
Tom Holland and Naomi Watts cling to their lives in The Impossible.
Naomi Watts (Fair Game) garnered her second Academy Award nomination for her starring role in the 2012 drama-thriller The Impossible.
The film offers an account of a family caught with tens of thousands of strangers in the mayhem of one of the worst natural catastrophes of the modern era: the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
In the film, Marie Bennett (Watts), her husband Henry (Ewan McGregor, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen) and their three sons Lucas (Tom Holland), Tomas and Simon are on Christmas holiday at a tropical resort Khao Lak, Thailand. A devastating tsunami hits on December 26, destroying the coastal zone and sweeping up everyone in the flood. Maria and Lucas are separated from the others and, with Maria’s leg badly injured, the two set out for help,...
- 2/4/2013
- by Laurence
- Disc Dish
Ja Bayona's disaster movie is accomplished, but overlooks the overwhelming majority of the 2004 disaster's victims
Director: Ja Bayona
Entertainment grade: B–
History grade: B+
On 26 December 2004, a massive earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra. The resulting series of tsunamis killed an estimated 230,000 people, mostly in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand, and displaced almost 1.7 million.
Nationality
The Bennett family – Henry (Ewan McGregor), Maria (Naomi Watts), and their three sons – travel to Thailand for a Christmas holiday. The real family on whose experiences the film is based is Spanish. Maria Bennett's real-life counterpart, María Belón, has a story credit on this production. Her husband Enrique Alvárez and their children have appeared at the film's premieres. Director J A Bayona has said that he changed their nationality because it was easier to secure a substantial budget with international stars McGregor and Watts on board. "International" means English-speaking. Historians do like primary sources,...
Director: Ja Bayona
Entertainment grade: B–
History grade: B+
On 26 December 2004, a massive earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra. The resulting series of tsunamis killed an estimated 230,000 people, mostly in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand, and displaced almost 1.7 million.
Nationality
The Bennett family – Henry (Ewan McGregor), Maria (Naomi Watts), and their three sons – travel to Thailand for a Christmas holiday. The real family on whose experiences the film is based is Spanish. Maria Bennett's real-life counterpart, María Belón, has a story credit on this production. Her husband Enrique Alvárez and their children have appeared at the film's premieres. Director J A Bayona has said that he changed their nationality because it was easier to secure a substantial budget with international stars McGregor and Watts on board. "International" means English-speaking. Historians do like primary sources,...
- 1/3/2013
- by Alex von Tunzelmann
- The Guardian - Film News
New Delhi, Jan 3: She fought hydrophobia to make "The Impossible" possible. Hollywood actress Naomi Watts, who plays the role of a real-life tsunami victim in her upcoming film, says it is one of her toughest roles in terms of its emotional and physical demands.
In the film based on the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Watts will be seen as a mother who is separated from her family during the tsunami. Her role is inspired by real life tsunami survivor Maria Belon from Spain.
"It (the film) was both physically and emotionally demanding. Maria has been in touch with me throughout the film. Originally when I met Maria I was incredibly nervous.
In the film based on the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Watts will be seen as a mother who is separated from her family during the tsunami. Her role is inspired by real life tsunami survivor Maria Belon from Spain.
"It (the film) was both physically and emotionally demanding. Maria has been in touch with me throughout the film. Originally when I met Maria I was incredibly nervous.
- 1/3/2013
- by Amith Ostwal
- RealBollywood.com
Naomi Watts shimmered in Jennifer Fisher jewelry yesterday as she celebrated the start of the new year with her family on the beach in St. Barts. The Golden Globe-nominated actress for Best Actress-Motion Picture Drama, for her portrayal of Maria Belon in ‘The Impossible,’ wore a custom Jennifer Fisher charm necklace. The 14k gold personalized necklace captured the sunlight on the beach, adding a sparkle to her boho beach look. Fisher started her line, Jennifer Fisher Jewelry, after the birth of her first child, Shane, as she created a personalized dog tag charm for him with his name. She then wanted to create jewelry that signifies her own personal style, [ Read More ]
The post Naomi Watts Shimmered in Jennifer Fisher Jewelry in St. Barts appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Naomi Watts Shimmered in Jennifer Fisher Jewelry in St. Barts appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 1/2/2013
- by Karen Benardello
- ShockYa
Yesterday we heard from the director Director Juan Antonio Bayona for his movie The Impossible and today we get to hear from real-life survivor Maria Belon as well as the woman who plays her so brilliantly in the movie, Naomi Watts.
Seeing the two ladies together in the same room was a real treat as you could tell that Naomi had a huge respect for Maria and what she and her family had been through back on Boxing Day 2004 when the huge tsunami hit the Indian Ocean tragically killing nearly 300 000 people. The Impossible does its best tell just one small part of what happened that day through the eyes Ewan McGregor (Henry) and Naomi Watts (Maria).
Usually in these junket interviews you know exactly what you’re getting before you arrive at the hotel but having Maria and Naomi paired was a last minute change but it such a wonderful pairing.
Seeing the two ladies together in the same room was a real treat as you could tell that Naomi had a huge respect for Maria and what she and her family had been through back on Boxing Day 2004 when the huge tsunami hit the Indian Ocean tragically killing nearly 300 000 people. The Impossible does its best tell just one small part of what happened that day through the eyes Ewan McGregor (Henry) and Naomi Watts (Maria).
Usually in these junket interviews you know exactly what you’re getting before you arrive at the hotel but having Maria and Naomi paired was a last minute change but it such a wonderful pairing.
- 12/28/2012
- by David Sztypuljak
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Earlier in the year, I got to interview Director Juan Antonio Bayona for his movie The Impossible. Starring Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts and Tom Holland, The Impossible tells the real-life story of a family who get caught in the 2004 tsunami which struck the Indian Ocean. The wave struck he coastline of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, the Maldives and Thailand where the movie is set. 300 000 people tragically lost their lives in what is still one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history.
The family in the movie are played by Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts and Tom Holland, Oaklee Pendergast and Samuel Joslin and is a story which will fail to leave an impression. I spoke with Juan about how the movie first came about, what it was like shooting in the actual location where the wave hit and how taking on this huge movie was such a logistical challenge.
The Impossible...
The family in the movie are played by Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts and Tom Holland, Oaklee Pendergast and Samuel Joslin and is a story which will fail to leave an impression. I spoke with Juan about how the movie first came about, what it was like shooting in the actual location where the wave hit and how taking on this huge movie was such a logistical challenge.
The Impossible...
- 12/27/2012
- by David Sztypuljak
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
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