News of the World - A Review

Whether you're a die-hard fan of Tom Hanks or just someone who enjoys a good western, news of the world is worth checking out. However, it's not quite the bombastic thrill ride you might expect.

Director Paul Greengrass reunites with Tom Hanks, who recently starred in Captain Phillips, for this modest but morally forceful Western. It's a welcome return to form for the award-winning filmmaker.

Story

If you’ve been looking for a good Tom Hanks movie, then news of the world is definitely worth checking out. This Paul Greengrass-directed western is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Paulette Jiles, and it stars Hanks and Helena Zengel as an aging Civil War veteran and an orphaned Kiowa girl who has been separated from her family.

The film centers around Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Tom Hanks) and his role as a newspaper distributor, traveling from town to town in the Texas frontier a few years after the Civil War. He collects major newspapers, which aren’t sold locally, and provides dramatic readings of the day’s news to his customers.

As a newsreader, Kidd has a powerful presence that can sway a crowd or calm a tense one. He’s a great storyteller, and that’s what makes this film so compelling: it’s about the power of the written word.

It’s also a deeply touching film about a young girl who isn’t always welcomed by the people she lives with. The film’s themes are a little bleak and grim, but they’re framed with a lightness of touch that doesn’t make it seem sour or cheesy.

If you’re interested in seeing the film, you can either rent it or purchase it from various VOD platforms. It’s available on AMC on Demand, DIRECTV, FlixFling, Google Play, iTunes, the Microsoft Store, Redbox, and Vudu.

You can find a lot of information about the movie on its official website, including a trailer and cast and crew bios. The film’s director, Paul Greengrass, is a veteran of several Hollywood blockbusters and is known for his work on such films as The Bourne Ultimatum and Captain Phillips.

While Hanks and Zengel are no doubt the stars of the film, there are a few other actors that stand out as well. The film is nominated for two Golden Globes, and Zengel is nominated for a SAG award for her work.

The film is a fantastic, heart-warming tale that is sure to impress even the most jaded cinemagoer. This is probably the best Greengrass-Hanks collaboration since 2007’s The Bourne Ultimatum, and it’s a must-see for fans of the genre.

Cast

News of the World is an American drama movie based on Paulette Jiles’ novel of the same name. The film features a cast of big names, including Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel. If you are interested in watching this film you can find it on Netflix and other streaming services.

Tom Hanks plays Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a Civil War veteran who makes his living by traveling across the wild West to deliver news of the world to local townspeople. On one of his journeys he meets a young girl who was taken in by Native Americans and decides to rescue her.

The two travel hundreds of miles to return her home to her aunt and uncle in Castroville, Texas. Along the way, they become friends and form an unlikely bond.

Director Paul Greengrass previously helmed Captain Phillips and The Bourne Ultimatum, both of which earned him Oscar nominations. In News of the World he returns to a similar style, with Hanks in peak paternal mode and Zengel as a young girl who becomes part of their family.

While Hanks and Zengel do their best work, the rest of the cast is also a fine ensemble. Michael Covino (The Climb), Bill Camp (The Queen’s Gambit) and Thomas Francis Murphy (The Walking Dead) round out the cast.

There are also several other big name actors in the film, including Fred Hechinger (Human Capital), Neil Sandilands (The Flash) and Winsome Brown (Supergirl). She is one of the oldest actresses in the cast.

This film is a bit predictable and slow-paced, but the subtle & graceful performance of Tom Hanks with his young co-star, Helena Zengel make it worth a watch. It’s Greengrass’ best effort since 2007’s The Bourne Ultimatum and the score by James Newton Howard is lovely too.

Despite the film’s slow pace, there’s plenty of excitement and intrigue throughout the film. It’s a classic old-fashioned Western with some interesting social commentary, and it’s also surprisingly timely for the time period in which it is set.

If you’re looking to watch news of the world then you can find it on most streaming platforms including Amazon Prime Video, DIRECTV, Redbox, Google Play Movies, Apple iTunes, Vudu, Spectrum On Demand and YouTube. If you are interested in renting it then it will cost you about $5.99 and it is available in 4K quality on most of these services.

Rating

A rousing, lyrical Western set in late 19th-century Texas, News of the World is a stirring story about the human spirit, and a surprisingly complex examination of the morals of journalism. It's based on Paulette Jiles' eponymous novel and stars Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel.

Hanks plays Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a Civil War veteran who travels the countryside reading newspapers and keeping everyone up to date on the news. He's also tasked with transporting an abandoned young girl, Johanna (Helena Zengel), back to her family in San Antonio.

As the pair journey through the rugged landscape, they're both impacted by their encounters with strangers in this sometimes bleak and dangerous time. A ruthless would-be leader (Thomas Francis Murphy) offers a stark parallel to modern times, asking Kidd to read his self-published newspaper, which details made-up accounts of Kidd's exploits. It's a terrifying scene, but one that sets up the film's most compelling moments.

Another striking aspect of the film is its underlying message: That it's never too late to reach out for help and kindness in the face of hardship. It's a lesson worth pondering for all of us, and it's one that the movie carries through to its heartrending conclusion.

Director Paul Greengrass lets his frenetic handheld camerawork slow down a bit for this stirring film, which captures the humanity that keeps our country moving forward in the face of tumult and turmoil. But he also doesn't let the script get too far off the rails, and the result is a sweeping historical drama that explores themes of responsibility, honor, and trust.

Hanks and Zengel's performances are especially strong, and their chemistry is a powerful highlight of this film. They're believable and engaging, and their interactions with each other flicker with honesty that doesn't require words.

But the best moments in this movie aren't just about the journey and the characters; they're also about how the two of them overcome the obstacles that arise along their way. A chase between Kidd and a group of kidnappers reveals that the pair can fight for each other in the most unexpected ways.

Trailer

Trailers are an important part of film marketing, primarily for feature films that will be shown in a movie theater. They are a product of creative and technical work and usually feature special effects and music. The best trailers are a montage of several key moments that tell the story of a film in a visually and emotionally compelling way.

The new full-length trailer for News of the World, starring Tom Hanks and directed by Paul Greengrass (the Bourne films and United 93), is a fine example of the latest in film advertising. It features a high-end 3D design, a large array of pyrotechnics and special effects and a plethora of stars.

Tom Hanks may be known for his awe-inspiring roles, but this film shows him at his very best as an action hero. The actor plays Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a Civil War veteran who travels the country spreading non-fiction tales of presidents, queens, international feuds, world disasters and other cool stuff to people in small towns across America.

One of the most exciting aspects of this new trailer is its use of three-dimensional technology to create a virtual reality effect. The result is a highly immersive experience that re-creates the movie’s tiniest details on the screen, making it feel like you’re right there in the action.

Other interesting elements of the new news of the world trailer include an impressively animated 3D sequence and a multichannel sound mix. The latter is especially apt since most cinemas have upgraded their in-house audio systems to support high-resolution digital sound, which is the perfect fit for the new video format. The old adage is true that audio quality is king, and in the case of trailers, it’s especially critical.