Movie Night - Fairytales

If dragons weren’t magical enough, I decided to stick with the fantasy theme but specified it with fairytales.
 
I watched all three movies on my own.
 

The first film I watched was a rewatch: the live-action version of “Beauty and the Beast”. I really love this film, even though the classic Disney animation is still much better and my absolute favorite when it comes to Disney films. I did like some of the new songs they added and I believe Emma Watson did a great job as Belle. The only thing I didn’t like was how they made Lumiere look. So weird. Check my review HERE
 

Number two was a Disney animation, that has been on my watch list for a long time. And I don’t know why I waited so long to watch this, because I loved it. It’s “Tangled” and it’s a classic tale, with a satirical tone. And I love the bright colors. The songs are really good and my favorite scene is the one where Rapunzel and Flynn are in the boat with all those lanterns. Gorgeous! Check my review HERE
 

The final film is another live-action Disney film. And it’s more of a fairytale retelling. “Maleficent” already has a sequel, which I don’t think I will ever watch. I did enjoy this movie, mainly because Angeline Jolie is so fantastic. But other than that, the film could have been so much better I wished Disney had taken more risk by making the film way darker. Check out my review HERE
 
I enjoyed watching all three film, but “Tangled” was my definite favorite of this movie night.  

Movie Review - A Quiet Place Part II

Director: John Krasinski
Genre: Horror
Runtime: 97 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, John Krasinski, Scoot McNairy, Djimon Hounsou

Description: Following the events at home, the Abbott family now face the terrors of the outside world. Forced to venture into the unknown, they realize the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threat lurking beyond the sand path.
 
Review: Where in “A Quiet Place” we followed the Abbott family within the ‘safety’ of their own home, they now have to leave their home and face the dangers of the outside world. And “A Quiet Place Part II”, picks up, after a fantastic opening sequence showing us what happened on day 1, right after the first film. When Evelyn and her children leave the house, they find out that there is more danger then just the creatures that hunt by sound.
Making a sequel to such an amazing horror film, is a daunting task. The first film was very tense and suspenseful all throughout. The whole concept of the monsters that hunt by sound and you have to be very quiet, or it will literally kill you, is such a genius and original idea for a horror film. And once again, that is executed extremely well in “A Quiet Place Part II”. The film is very tension based and John Krasinski pulls off what I believe is one of the best horror sequels I have ever seen. It is exactly the kind of movie I wanted it to be. It surprised me.
The performances were once again magnificent. Emily Blunt can do no wrong, she is one of my favorites for a reason. Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe, who play her children, are fantastic. Especially Simmonds, who has a very featured role in the sequel. And I knew Cillian Murphy was in it, but never expected him to have such an important and significant role. And he is phenomenal. The reason why these actors are so good in both of these movies, is because they rely on silent communication and visual storytelling.
But John Krasinski is the real star, because his direction is masterful. He made yet another movie he can be very proud of and happy with. The film keeps the tension constantly and has some really intense and scary scenes.
I loved this movie, just as much as the first. Watching these two movies back to back would be a great three hours of suspense. I hope John Krasinski keeps making movies like this, he did such a great job.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

10s Movie Review - Maleficent

Director: Robert Stromberg
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy/ Family
Runtime: 97 minutes
Year: 2014
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, Lesley Manville, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple, Sam Riley, Brenton Thwaites, Michael Higgins

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2021 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 26: A MOVIE WITH AN ANTI-HERO
 
Description: A vengeful fairy (Angelina Jolie) is driven to curse an infant princess, only to discover that the child may be the one person who can restore peace to their troubled land.

Review: “Sleeping Beauty” is a classic Disney animation that was screaming for a new interpretation. The classic may be beloved worldwide; there are also a few things to be said about it. The story is very thin and the characters are hardly given any depth. However, with  the evil witch Maleficent it does have one of the scariest Disney villains of all time. Memorably terrifying because there was no glimmer of compassion or humanity in this mistress of evil.  
So, with “Maleficent” the infamous shrew is given her own full movie. And Disney could have gone either way: work out the creepy cold-bloodedness even more or add more nuance. Debuting director Robert Stromberg goes full for the nuance, making “Maleficent” primarily a breezy family film.
It is the safer choice of the two, but also the dullest. Maleficent is transformed from a terrifying demoness into a nature-loving fairy who fights to preserve her magical forest, while people from the surrounding areas want to destroy it. She becomes the victim of deep betrayal and is not the same from that point on. Revenge she wants, and she gets it.
But soon she regrets it when it turns out that the baby she cursed grows up to be a very sweet girl. Perhaps even a little too sweet for the sober observer. Princess Aurora is played by Elle Fanning, one of the most talented actresses of her age, but her puzzled look and cheerful giggles quickly get on your nerves. Maleficent’s elaboration is better. The creators have given her a background that, for the most part, fits nicely with the 1959 classis. But otherwise, it’s all fat from original and surprising.
Fortunately, there are also plenty of things to enjoy. In the first place, the leading rol of Angelina Jolie, who plays her character with visible pleasure. She is at her best in the famous scene of the christening party: delightfully diabolical. And then there is the visual aspect of the film, which isn’t bad. Only he three fairies look pretty horrible.
I would have wanted a more dark version of the tale, but “Maleficent” is, mostly thanks to Jolie, still an entertaining film.

Rating: 3/ 5

10s Movie Review - Tangled

Director: Nathan Greno, Byron Howard
Genre: Animation/ Fantasy/ Family/ Adventure
Runtime: 90 minutes
Year: 2010
Starring: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy, Ron Perlman, Brad Garrett, Jeffrey Tambor

Description: The magically long-haired Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) has spent her entire life in a tower, but now that a runaway thief (Zachary Levi) has stumbled upon her, she is about to discover the world for the first time, and who she really is.

Review: With “Tangled” Disney seemed to be going for the classic Disney story, including magic, a captured princess, a thief with a heart of gold, a castle and great songs.  
“Tangled” is based on the fairytale of Rapunzel and not exactly the textbook example of a literal fairytale adaptation. The creators have rearranged and adapted elements in such a way as o create a pleasant balance between a classic fairytale and a modern adventure, seasoned with a large dose of satire.
As a baby, Princess Rapunzel is kidnapped by an old woman and locked into a tower because of the magical effects of her hair. Growing up in captivity with extremely long hair, young Rapunzel dreams of a life fir herself. That more or less offers itself when bandit Flynn Ryder comes to hide from the authorities in her tower. Together they venture to escape, where they are hunted by the royal guard, a vengeful horse, a pair of Ryder’s former colleagues and, of course, the evil ‘mother’.
The fleshing out of the characters is refreshing. Although the princess is not as otherworldly as one might expect, her innocence and girlish enthusiasm work disarmingly. The newfound freedoms drive Rapunzel to euphoria, but meanwhile she frets like a small child over her supposed betrayal of the person for whom she harbors a somewhat bizarre maternal love. The protagonist is not the usual nasty witch either, but primarily a highly narcissistic, meddlesome mother who is blind to her less beautiful traits. Observing her obsession with eternal youthfulness, it is probably no coincidence that she resembles Cher. Flynn Ryser, who is not a prince, but a thief) delightfully counterparts Rapunzel’s neuroses, but the absolute starring role is reserved for Rapunzel’s pet Pascal: a silent chameleon with a genius facial expression.
“Tangled” is not animated in the traditional way, but uses modern computer animations. Its all beautiful, very colorful and overwhelming at times. But never impose themselves in an effort to be the best in show. Because of its satirical tone and humor, the film feels more like a Pixar film, but with the fairytale theme it is most definitely a Disney movie. And it will also be a classic one over time.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Review - Luca

Director: Emrico Casarosa
Genre: Animation/ Family/ Adventure
Runtime: 95 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma Berman, Maya Rudolph, Jim Gaffigan, Sacha Baron Cohen

Description: On the Italian Riviera, an unlikely but strong friendship grows between a human being and a sea monster disguised as a human.

Review: Luca is a sea monster who lives on the bottom of the ocean under the strict supervision of his parents. When he meets fellow sea monster Alberto, they transform into humans together and explore an Italian village where their friendship blossoms.
Like Pixar’s previous film, “Soul” (2020), “Luca” is now appearing exclusively on Disney + and unfortunately skipping cinemas.
“Luca” is a lighthearted film, not an outright tearjerker. No big risks were taken and the topic is simple. Just two boys who find support in each other, push their limits and have fun during the summer. It’s so pure, simply enjoying life together. Pixar does add a magical touch to it by making the two boys sea monsters who turn into human boys whenever the step onto the dry land.
“Luca” is refreshingly ‘simple’ in its execution compared to other Pixar films. Which is not to say that there isn’t a deeper meaning behind certain subject. Hidden beneath the surface may be a message that is very relevant today. And when it comes to visuals, it looks stunning as always. The colors are so vibrant, bold and bright.
“Luca” is a fun adventure to dream away with.

Rating: 4/ 5

Netflix Friday - Volume 60

Some Netflix film tips for the weekend! And there is something for everyone, since I picked a movie for all the different genres.
 

Action: The Outpost (2019)
A small team of U.S. soldiers battle against hundreds of Taliban fighters in Afghanistan.
 

Drama: The Pianist (2002)
A Polish Jewish musician (Adrien Brody) struggles to survive the destruction of the Warsaw ghetto of World War II.

Comedy: Fatherhood (2021)
A father (Kevin Hart) brings up his baby girl as a single dad after the unexpected death of his wife, who died a day after their daughter’s birth.
 

Animation: How to Train You Dragon (2010)
A hapless young Viking (Jay Baruchel) who aspires to hunt dragons becomes the unlikely friend of a dragon himself, and learns there may be more to the creatures than he assumed.
 

Romance: Blue Jay (2016)
Meeting by chance when they return to their tiny California hometown, two former high-school sweethearts (Mark Duplass, Sarah Paulson) reflect on their shared past.
 

Horror: Happy Death Day (2017)
College student Tree (Jessica Rothe) must relive the day of her murder over and over again, in a loop that will end only when she discovers her killer’s identity.
 

Science Fiction: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
When their relationship turns sour, a couple (Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet) undergoes a medical procedure to have each other erased from their memories.
 

Crime: Sicario (2015)
An idealistic FBI agent (Emily Blunt) is enlisted by a government task force to aid in the escalating wat against drugs at the border area between the U.S. and Mexico.
 

Thriller: Split (2016)
Three girls are kidnapped by a man (James McAvoy) with a diagnosed 23 distinct personalities. They must try to escape before the apparent emergence of a frightful new 24^th.
 

Documentary: Sophie: A Murder in West Cork (2021)
The documentary follows the investigation of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier, a French film and TV producer who was killed while at her isolated holiday cottage in West Cork, Ireland, in 1996.
 

Family: Dennis the Menace (1993)
When his parents have to go out of town, Dennis stays with Mr. and Mrs. Wilson. The little menace is driving Mr. Wilson (Walter Matthau) crazy, but Dennis is just trying to be helpful. Even to the thief who’s arrived in town.

10s Movie Review - The Witch

Director: Robert Eggers
Genre: Horror
Runtime: 92 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Harvey Scrimshaw, Ellie Grainger, Lucas Dawson

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2021 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 25: A MOVIE THAT IS A DIRECTORIAL DEBUT
 
Description: A family in 1630s New England is torn apart by the forces of witchcraft, black magic and possession.

Review: The film opens in the middle of a court case. It’s 1630, somewhere in New England. The village leaders of a Puritan community decide to exile a strict believer father and his family. At the edge of an obscure forest, the family members take up residence in a small farmhouse. But soon things go horribly wrong there: the corn harvest fails and to make matters worse, the baby disappears without a trace during an innocent game of peekaboo. Thomasin, the eldest daughter, is blamed and the ‘evidence’ for her alleged witchcraft seemingly begins to pile up.
“The Witch” is the debut of American screenwriter/ director Robert Eggers and one of the best horror films of the past decade. Absolutely everything falls into place here: the strong ensemble of actors, the creepy locations, the beautiful cinematography, the gray color palette, the ominous soundtrack and the beautiful dialogue in Old English. It is important to know that Eggers based his screenplay on a whole range of historical sources, from diary excerpts to court records from the seventeenth century, and his results in a film exudes a completely authentic atmosphere.
You can feel in everything that the makers of “The Witch” are drawing from a rich, century-old story tradition, in which witchcraft and black magic play a crucial role. Moreover Eggers’ film regularly lets the blood congeal, especially in the scenes where the main character become victims of their own paranoid feelings and outbursts of rage.
“The Witch” does what a horror movie needs to do: scare you, disturb you and get under your skin. Well done!

Rating: 4,5 / 5

90s Movie Review - The Rainmaker

Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Genre: Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 135 minutes
Year: 1997
Starring: Matt Damon, Danny DeVito, Jon Voight, Mickey Rourke, Danny Glover, Roy Scheider, Claire Danes, Dean Stockwell, Andrew Shue, Mary Kay Place, Virginia Madsen

Description: An underdog lawyer (Matt Damon) takes on a fraudulent insurance company.  

Review: Writer John Grisham is a star. A film adaptation of one of his legal thrillers guarantees commercial success. That must have been the motivation for Francis Ford Coppola. But with “The Rainmaker” he delivers a pretty standard courtroom drama.
John Grisham’s books have sold millions of copies worldwide, he is a very successful author. And many of his films have been turned into movies, also successfully. Films like “The Firm”, “The Client” and “The Chamber” are all movie I personally enjoyed, just as much as the books.
“The Rainmaker” centers around Rudy Baylor, a nearly graduated lawyer who haas the best interests of the correct person at heart. He is looking for work in Memphis, hoping to become a so-called ‘rainmaker’: a lawyer who makes the money. Both for the client and for himself, because in the U.S.A. a third of the compensation goes to the lawyer. Rudy initially starts at a little law firm ran by a freebooter who doesn’t take the law too seriously. as so-called ‘ambulance-chasers’, they sour hospitals looking for victims who might want to file a lawsuit against the instigators of the harm.
One of them is Mrs. Black, the mother of a young leukemia patient. She files a lawsuit against the insurance company Great Benefit, because it refuses to pay for an operation that could save her son’s life. Meanwhile Rudy decides to set up his own firm, along with colleague Deck Shifflet, a unlicensed lawyer who has failed his court exam several times. a battle ensues between Rudy and Great Benefit.
The film is structured very standard. There are some strong performances, because “The Rainmaker” has a great cast. But overall the film doesn’t have anything special to offer. It’s a solid film, just not the exciting.

Rating: 3/ 5

Movie Night - Dragon Movies

Since I finally wanted to check out “Raya and the Last Dragon” I decided to make it a dragon themed movie night.
 
I watched all three movies on my own.
 

The first film I watched was the “Raya and the last Dragon”. And I loved it. Disney didn’t disappoint. It has been streaming on Disney+ for a while, but we had to wait to watch it for free. And it was worth the wait. Tuk Tuk was such a cute character and Raya is yet another strong female Disney character that isn’t a damsel in distress. Check out my review HERE
 

Number two was a rewatch. A movie from my childhood: “The NeverEnding Story”. A movie that both traumatized me and gave me good memories as a child. I used to refer to it as ‘that movie with the flying dog’, which we all know is a luck dragon. The film isn’t timeless, it hasn’t aged well. But for nostalgia sake it’s still one of my favorites. Check out my review HERE
 

The last movie was one brought by Netflix. “Wish Dragon”, doesn’t stand out as original, because it has many similarities with “Aladdin”. But it didn’t bother me, since I never really liked Aladdin anyways. “Wish Dragon” I did enjoy, I really loved the friendship between Din and Li Na and also Din and the dragon Long. Check out my review HERE
 
I liked all three films and I really liked doing a more specific theme for a movie night this time.

Five to Watch - Movies with Flowers in the Title

Since it’s Spring/ Summer and flowers are in bloom, I decided to do it a bit different. I picked five films, with a flower in the title.  Here are five films I think are not as well-known or deserve more attention. And I think you should definitely give them a shot.

Blue Jasmine (2013)
A tragic comedy about snobby millionaire wife Jasmine, who after her husband’s exposure as a fraud moves into the apartment of her sister Ginger, a cashier with a soft spot for tattoeed auto mechanics and handymen. In  a sequence of bittersweet romance and downright painful skits, director Woody Allen conjured up a beautifully contemporary  “A Streetcar named Desire” type of film, with Cate Blanchett shining as a self-talking neurotic wreck.
 

The War of the Roses (1989)
Oliver and Barbara Rose’s marriage is in u rut. Not that anyone can say what’s going wrong right now, but from the moment the kids are in college, Barbara feels a deep dislike for husband. They start bullying each other and the situation becomes more and more dramatic, so that at one point all they can do is hate each other. It’s a black comedy that shows how far people can go in their drive to destroy another psychologically and physically. Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner were cast against their image, but what they deliver is great class. Danny DeVito portrays a wonderful supporting role.
 

The Name of the Rose (1986)
When mysterious murders are committed in a monastery in northern Italy in the late Middle Ages, the Franciscan monk William of Baskerville, travels to the scene of the calamity to bring light into the darkness with an uncharacteristically rational eye. His assistant Adso observes, learns and shudders at the sight of the deformed monastics with their lousy manners. It might not be a very special film, but it somehow always stayed with me.  
 

Broken Flowers (2005)
A melancholic road movie starring Bill Murray as a Don Johnston, who has made his fortune in the IT business. After getting kicked out by his latest girlfriend, he receives a letter in which the anonymous sender reports that Don has had a son for nineteen years. Stimulated by his neighbor, a self-proclaimed detective who also writes thrillers, Don embarks on a tour of some of his ex-lovers.
 

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)
The fact that hardly anything happens in this feel-good film is not bad at all: the ensemble cast is unanimously up to speed and the subject matter is quite original. A group of British seniors travel to India to spend their last days in an exclusive resort for the elderly. Once they arrive they discover that the resort is not quite falling apart apart from misery. But soon the group are having a great time together. It’s a heartwarming movie.
 

80s Movie Review - Raiders of the Lost Ark

Director: Steven Spielberg
Genre: Actie/ Thriller/ Adventure/ Romance
Runtime: 115 minutes
Year: 1981
Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Ronald Lacey, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliott, Alfred Molina, Wolf Kahler, Anthony Higgins, Vic Tablian, Don Fellows, William Hootkins, Bill Reimbold, Fred Sorenson, Patrick Durkin

Description: Archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is hired by the US government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis.

Review: When you think of adventure and action, you automatically think of Indiana Jones. The first installment, “Raiders of the Lost Ark” is still the best in the franchise and also the best adventure movie ever made.
Indiana Jones is an archeologist who is hired by the US government to find the Ark of the Covenant, before the Nazis do. Director Steven Spielberg and his companion George Lucas, who came up with Indiana Jones, aren’t the only reasons for the success of this film. Harrison Ford’s portrayal of Indiana Jones is perfect. Charismatic, tough, funny. With that he has created my favorite movie character of all-time.
“Raiders of the Lost Ark” is a perfect movie. It has it all: adventure, action, humor, romance. It’s a movie you just can’t hate, that’s impossible. Everyone loves this film!  The film is filled with memorable and iconic scenes. The boobytraps at the start, the monkey, the drinking game, shooting the guy with the sword, the fight between Indy and the mechanic and the opening of the Ark.
“Raiders of the Lost Ark” is a timeless adventure, that I still enjoy to this day.

 Rating: 5/ 5

80s Movie Review - The NeverEnding Story

Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Genre: Action/ Drama/ Adventure/ Fantasy
Runtime: 94 minutes
Year: 1984
Starring: Barret Oliver, Gerald McRaney, Drum Garrett, Darryl Cooksey, Nicholas Gilbert, Thomas Hill, Deep Roy, Tilo Prückner, Moses Gunn, Noah Hathaway, Alan Oppenheimer, Sydney Bromley, Patricia Hayes, Tami Stronach

Description: A troubled boy (Barret Oliver) dives into a wonderous fantasy world through the pages of a mysterious book.

Review: Wolfgang Petersen, known for his epic films “Troy”, “The Perfect Storm” and “Das Boot”, was also responsible for the fantasy film from the ‘80s. “The NeverEnding Story” is based on the book by Michael Ende. A movie that impressed and mesmerized me as a kid.
“The NeverEnding Story” is made for a younger audience, but for the small ones it’s pretty scary. With that, the message and the way the story is told is probably too complicated for little kids.  There are plenty of creatures in the film that will entertain us all and the kids can identify with the children in the movie, who are the actual heroes.
The beauty of “The NeverEnding Story” is that the story inspires you to new ideas. Petersen does wat Tim Burton later did with “Big Fish”, make up and tell stories to keep the fantasy alive. This is actually also the main theme of the film. Fantasia is world made up by people, in this case Bastian, who is stuck in the real world. This world is threatened to disappear because of the  lack of hope and fantasy of mankind. It’s original. Both worlds eventually come together, where Bastian who is bullied can play the role of the hero.
The film is filled with beautiful creatures, like the evil wolf Gmork or the talking rock, but most memorable will always be Falkor the luck dragon. As a kid I always referred to him as the flying dog.
“The NeverEnding Story” is an unique film that I loved as a child, but unfortunately won’t be appreciated as much by kids today.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Review - Wish Dragon

Director: Chris Appelhans
Genre: Animation/ Fantasy/ Adventure/ Family
Runtime: 98 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: John Cho, Constance Wu, Bobby Lee, Jimmy Wong, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Aaron Yoo, Ronny Chieng

Description: Determined teen Din (Jimmy Wong) is longing to reconnect with his childhood best friend (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) when he meets a wish-granting dragon (John Cho) who shows him the magic of possibilities.

Review: It’s almost a deadly sin to compare this film to a Disney classic. It’s unfair too, because most other studios lose out to Disney. But I’m doing it anyway: “Wish Dragon” feels an awful lot like “Aladdin”.
Like “Aladdin”, the main character in “Wish Dragon” is a simple guy, who grew up in a small home with not much money. He wants to impress a girl who lives a better life in terms of wealth. Din, our hero, gets the help of the Long, a wacky pink and purple dragon who can grant wishes. Three to be exact.
Din is hopelessly naïve. He doesn’t want to show off Rolexes, sports cars or an expensive tailored suit, he just wants to give a present to his childhood friend Li Na. Friend, not sweetheart. This is where “Wish Dragon” differs from the other story. There is no romance involved. I loved that about this film. And it works well.
Given the many similarities with “Aladdin”, “Wish Dragon” is not likely to win the originality award. But it doesn’t matter, because it is still a catch adventure with beautiful animations. I’m not a fan of “Aladdin” anyway (one of the many unpopular opinions I have :D )

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movei Review - Raya and the Last Dragon

Director: Don Hall, Carlos López Estrada, Paul Briggs, John Ripa
Genre: Animation/ Fantasy/ Adventure/ Family
Runtime: 107 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Daniel Dae Kim, Benedict Wong, Gemma Chan, Izaac Wang, Sandra Oh, Alan Tudyk

Description: In a realm known as Kumandra, a re-imagined Earth inhabited by an ancient civilization, a warrior named Raya is determined to find the last dragon.

Review: Kumandra is plagued by Druun: an evil entity who steals the life force of the inhabitants and then turns them into stone. As a result, the Druun becomes stronger, while the number of people decreases. Raya is on a quest to find Kumandra’s last hope: the dragon Sisu, who has the power to stop the Druun.
“Raya and the last Dragon” is beautifully animated, but it’s Disney so that’s no surprise. I love how they also added some simple animations, when they explain a story from the past.
Raya lives in Kumandra, a land which is divided into several pieces. It is placed around a dragon-shaped river - and all five tribes are named after the place where their home is located; Heart, Tallon, Tail, Fang and Spine. This is incredibly cleverly done and adds extra elements to the story that gives it that extra bit of depth.
The feud between the five tribes, who all think they are the best and most important, is a good story element. Raya, who is from Heart, is mostly in ‘war’ with Namaari from Fang, who is the reason the Druun came back. Raya wants nothing more then to get all the tribes together again.
Sisu, the dragon in the story, is not your typical dragon. Normally they are associated with dangerous, fire-breathing and terrifying creatures. But Sisu is mostly a funny and cute dragon. Originall, but it might disappoint some people.
I loved “Raya and the Last Dragon’, where there is yet another strong female lead without her being the damsel in distress.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Review - Jungleland

Director: Max Winkler
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 90 minutes
Year: 2020
Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Jack O’Connell, Jessica Barden, Jonathan Majors

Description: Two brothers (Charlie Hunnam, Jack O’Connell) try to escape their circumstances by traveling across the country for a no holds barred boxing match that becomes a fight for their lives.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2021 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 24: A MOVIE WITH A ONE-WORD TITLE
 
Review: We meet two brothers: Stan, a man who once had a charming charisma, but lost it and owes some shady characters a lot of money. And Lion, a boxer who seems to be depending on Stan. But little by little it becomes clear that it’s probably the other way around.
The poster and synopsis of the film make you think it’s yet another boxing movie. It technically is, but the focus is much more on the two brother then on the actual sporting event they are trying get to. We see their lives togethers, how they are always together. Their lives have never been easy, they had to be on their own when they were very young. The result is that they never really got to the point they wanted to be at. It looks like Lion can’t be without Stan, but it’s actually Stan that can live without Lion. Everything Lion does, is because of Stan. Most situations and problems they get into, are due to Stan. Lion’s life would probably be better without him. And a girl named Sky entering his life, makes him disconnect from Stan for the first time.
Charlie Hunnam plays Stan and is the highlight of the film. His performance is powerful and he knocks it out of the park. He doesn’t overshadow Jack O’Connell, who I strong too, but he has the upper hand.
Missed opportunity though is not using the song “Jungleland” by Bruce Springsteen, when there is another song by the Boss playing at the end.
“Jungleland” is a solid drama, carried by Charlie Hunnam.

Rating: 3,5 / 5