Movie Review - Everything Everytwhere All at Once

Director: Dan Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
Genre: Fantasy/ Action/ Comedy/ Adventure
Runtime: 139 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, James Hong, Jamie Lee Curtis
 
I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 36: A FANTASY MOVIE
 
Description: An aging Chinese immigrant (Michelle Yeoh) is swept up in an insane adventure, in which she alone can save the world by exploring other universes connecting with the lives she could have led.

Review: What do you do when you are suddenly confronted with a multiverse and the fact that there are hundreds or thousand of other versions of yourself? And in one of those universes and evil person is trying to destroy everything. It happens to Evelyn Wang and while trying to fight the evil she also learns a lot about herself and her daughter Joy.

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” is a lot. It is a comedy, a family story, fantasy and has great action scenes that are highly choreographed and edited. It also contains a whole host of references to other films. Think of “2001: A Space Odyssey’.

It’s one of the strangest films I have seen recent years, but with that also the most original, unique and mind-blowing film from the last years. And because of it, it is a movie that will not be to everyone’s liking. I happen to love it, but the more average and mainstream moviegoer would probably not love it as much.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Review - The Northman

Director: Robert Eggers
Genre: Drama/ Action/ Adventure
Runtime: 137 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Ethan Hawke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Claes Bang, Willem Dafoe
 
Description: Young Viking prince Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård) is on a quest to avenge his father’s (Ethan Hawke) murder)

Review: At an early age, the Viking prince Amleth witnesses a dramatic event: his father, King Aurvandil, is brutally murdered by Uncle Fjölnir. Crying and enraged at the same time, Amleth flees across the sea in a rowboat. And he has one goal: avenge his father by killing Fjölnir.

So begins “The Northman”, an unprecedentedly brutal revenge epic by director Robert Eggers. The American director and screenwriter previously made the arthouse gems “The Withc” and “The Lighthouse”, both movies I loved. And what was true for those film, is also true for “The Northman”: it’s not a movie for everyone and it’s not for the faint of heart.

“The Northman” has become, in every fiver, a faithful Eggers film, in which folklore, occultism, bloodshed, and other unmitigated horror merge like iron in a furnace of fire. The story is fairly straightforward and has its origins in exactly the same source as William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”: the Scandinavian legend “Amleth of Jutland”. But there are also echoes of movies like “Gladiator” and “Conan: The Barbarian”.

Alexander Skarsgård plays the main character Amleth and is clearly in his element here. Amleth’s quest for revenge begins at one point to take on such grotesque proportions that you gradually begin to wonder whether his mission is still justified. This is a very clever achievement, because judging from the king’s murder scene you would say: yes, of course. But it’s not quite as simple as that in the end in “The Northman”, as perspectives can be blurred. Nicole Kidman is the other actor to watch in this film. She plays Amleth’s mother and she is wicked! There is especially one scene that she was so good in, I was watching it with my jaw dropping to the floor. Such a strong performance.

So far, 2022 isn’t the best movie year. And I will be giving “The Northman” the first perfect rating of the year. This will definitely be on my favorites list at the end of the year. And even if it’s not your cup of tea, “The Northman” will be seen as one of the best films of 2022 by critics, and I totally agree.

Rating: 5/ 5

TV Show Review - Only Murders in the Buiding (Season 2)

Season: 2
Genre: Comedy/ Drama/ Crime/ Mystery
Number of episodes: 10
Year: 2021
Starring: Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez, Tina Fey, Amy Ryan, Nathan Lane, Amy Schumer, Michael Cyril Creighton, Jackie Hoffman, Jane Houdyshell, Cara Delevigne, Ryan Broussard, Adina Version, James Caverly, Jane Lynch

Description: Three strangers (Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez) who share an obsession with true crime suddenly find themselves caught up in one.
 
Review: At the beginning of the second season of “Only Murders in the Building”, things are not looking good for Charles, Oliver and Mabel. A new mystery presents itself when neighbor Bunny Folger is found dead in Mabel’s apartment and it seems this murder is meant to frame the latter. Where most people would choose to wait for it all to blow over, the three amateur detectives choose to take matter into their own hands to clear their names and find justice for Bunny.

It took some waiting to see if a second season of “Only Murders in the Building” would be able to live up to high expectations created by the successful first season. Bunny Folger’s death, at first glance, seems less interesting than the murder of Tim Kono. The motive seems obvious, as the victim was not well-liked, so the question is where this story could go from here. But with the introduction of new characters, secret passages through the Arconia building and once again a connection to one of the main characters, the formula manages to prove itself once again.

“Only Murders in the Building” is still the perfect combination of murder mystery and humor: a cozy mystery. The main characters are well fleshed out and their strong dynamics bring things to life. In the main plot of season 2, the focus shifts from Mabel to Charles, allowing us to learn more about his background. In addition, we are introduced to three important characters: Charles’ almost-daughter, a new date for Mabel and the assistant to podcast queen Cinda Canning. While they all contribute at some point in the investigation, they could have been better integrated into the story.

Everything comes together in the end. The solutions is clever and surprising. And we are also treated to a glimpse of another new season, where Oliver will be the main focus I assume. And Paul Rudd is going to be in season 3 as well, which makes me even more excited.

“Only Murders in the Building” is the perfect comfort watch, I love cozy mysteries. The dynamic between the three main characters is so unique and wholesome. I could watch this series all day.

00s Movie Review - Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

Director: Sidney Lumet
Genre: Crime/ Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 117 minutes
Year: 2007
Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Albert Finney, Marisa Tomei, Rosemary Harris, Michael Shannon, Amy Ryan

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 35: A CRIME THRILLER
 
Description: When two brothers (Philip Seymour Hofman, Ethan Hawke) organize the robbery of their parents’ jewelry store the job goes horribly wrong, triggering a series of events that sends them, their father (Albert Finney) and one brother’s wife (Marisa Tomei) barreling towards a shattering climax.

Review: Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke play two brothers in need of money. Hoffman’s Andy seems successful, but is struggling financially due to his drug addiction, among other things, while Hawke’s Hank can’t afford the alimony for his ex-wife and daughter. They decided to rob a small jewelry store. Not to mention that this store is owned by their own parents. Andy is the brains behind the operations and Hanks has to carry out the plan. Of course, this plan goes horribly wrong and only gets worse later.

It's a simple story and the details aren’t complicated either. But director Sidney Lumet decided to change the structure of the story. We are only following one character at a time, and go back in time to see the perspective of the other brother. I think this is what makes this movie better. There is no reason for using this structure, but I think it really adds to the story of the film. Otherwise, it would be pretty standard.

The performances are very good. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke both do a great job in their respective roles. The same goes for Albert Finney, who has a smaller role as their father. Marisa Tomei is a fantastic actress, but is demoted to a side character that seems to only be there as the beautiful wife that shows her boobs a bit too often. Tomei is underused and misused in this film, that was a big problem for me. Because she is so much more than this.

“Before the Devils Knows You’re Dead” is a strong crime thriller, with a cool storytelling structure.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Oldies Movie Review - Steamboat Willie

Director: Ub Iwerks
Genre: Animation/ Comedy/ Family
Runtime: 7 minutes
Year: 1928
Starring: Walt Disney, Charlotte Jamquie

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 34: A DISNEY ANIMATION
 
Description: Mickey Mouse si a mischievous deckhand on a riverboat that is under the command of the tyrannical Captain Pete.

Review: Let me just start with the fact that “Steamboat Willie” doesn’t stand the test of time when it comes to the themes and content.

“Steamboat Willie” is about Mickey Mouse who works on a riverboat, for a tyrannical captain. On this boat, he decided to make the best of it, by playing pranks and making music.

The animation itself is great, I love the black and white, old-school Mickey. But content-wise, this is just something you can’t laugh about these days. Am I the only one that thinks Mickey Mouse is kind of a dick in this short film? I mean, he pulls a gooses neck to make it sing and pulls and kicks baby pigs away from their mother, so he can use the pig as an accordion.

Style-wise, I like it, content-wise I hate it. So almost impossible to rate.

Rating: 2,5/ 5
 

Book Review - Final Girls by Riley Sager

Title: Final Girls
Series: -
Author: Riley Sager
 
Description: Ten years ago, college student Quincy Carpenter went on vacation with five friends and came back alone, the only survivor of a horror movie–scale massacre. In an instant, she became a member of a club no one wants to belong to—a group of similar survivors known in the press as the Final Girls. Lisa, who lost nine sorority sisters to a college dropout's knife; Sam, who went up against the Sack Man during her shift at the Nightlight Inn; and now Quincy, who ran bleeding through the woods to escape Pine Cottage and the man she refers to only as Him. The three girls are all attempting to put their nightmares behind them, and, with that, one another. Despite the media's attempts, they never meet.

Now, Quincy is doing well—maybe even great, thanks to her Xanax prescription. She has a caring almost-fiancé, Jeff; a popular baking blog; a beautiful apartment; and a therapeutic presence in Coop, the police officer who saved her life all those years ago. Her memory won’t even allow her to recall the events of that night; the past is in the past.

 That is, until Lisa, the first Final Girl, is found dead in her bathtub, wrists slit, and Sam, the second, appears on Quincy's doorstep. Blowing through Quincy's life like a whirlwind, Sam seems intent on making Quincy relive the past, with increasingly dire consequences, all of which makes Quincy question why Sam is really seeking her out. And when new details about Lisa's death come to light, Quincy's life becomes a race against time as she tries to unravel Sam's truths from her lies, evade the police and hungry reporters, and, most crucially, remember what really happened at Pine Cottage, before what was started ten years ago is finished.
 
Review: The term final girl comes from the horror genre. The last woman to survive a massacre. Quincy, Sam and Lisa are all final girls, they all survived their own worst nightmares, as the last girl standing. Because of their past, they are forever linked to each other.
 
Quincy is the main character in our story, we follow it mainly through her eyes. She has picked up her life, lives together with Jeff and has her own baking blog. Quincy is seemingly living a happy life. When she hears that Lisa, one of the other final girls, dies under suspicious circumstances, third final girl Sam is suddenly on Quincy’s doorstep. She has to admit that she actually barely knows Sam and Lisa. Should she trust Sam? Or can there be only one final girl?
 
“Final Girls” is Riley Sager’s debut thriller. I loved the two other books I read written by him, so I was very excited about this book and had high expectations as well.
 
Chapters in the book take place alternately in the present and past. The first 2/3 of the book is really slow, nothing really happens and it’s very repetitive. And I predicted the ‘big twist’ early on in the book. Even though Sager juggled around a handful of red herrings throughout, the actual reveal was disappointing.
 
Out of the three Riley Sager books I read, I only disliked one, so I will continue on reading his books. Because he is such a skillful thriller writer and I like his style. I just didn’t enjoy “Final Girls” that much, because it wasn’t as interesting and captivating as the other books I read by him.
 
Rating: 2,5/ 5

TV Show Review - Under the Banner of Heaven (Mini Series)

Season: Mini Series
Genre: Crime/ Drama/ Thriller
Number of episodes: 7
Year: 2022
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Wyatt Russell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Denise Gough, Gil Birmingham, Billy Howle     

Description: A devout detective’s (Andrew Garfield_ faith is tested as he investigates a brutal murder seemingly connected to an esteemed Utah family’s spiral into LDS fundamentalism and their distrust in the government.

Review: “Under the Banner of Heaven” tells the true story of the murder of Brenda Lafferty and her young daughter Erica. This horrific event took place against the backdrop of the Mormon faith, and the series shows us how fundamentalists wish to take the world of God especially “literally” when it benefits their own desires. When detective Jeb Pyre investigates the murder and sees how his faith is abused, he begins to doubt the Mormon community and his rock-solid faith in it.

This seven=part miniseries manages to unfold a complex psychological drama at an even pace. Jeb and his partner, Bill Taba, discover bit by bit who is driving the madness. Andrew Garfield convincingly portrays Jeb’s inner struggle. Bill offers some level-headedness and humor to compensate, making him a much-needed sidekick. The dynamic between the two is very interesting, but underlit.

At the beginning of the series, the focus is mostly on the life of the murdered Brenda. She is portrayed as a woman who will not let anyone tell her what she can and cannot do. She is a firm believer, but refuses to simply conform to bossy men and the entrenched patriarchy. Brenda has her own dreams and ambitions and stands by the other women in the Lafferty family. Daisy Edgar-Jones gives Brenda both strength and vulnerability, making her a nuanced and equally sympathetic character.

Then there are the Lafferty brothers. Throughout the series it becomes clear who played what role in the drama that unfolded. Strong is how seemingly good people slowly turn into monsters. Although religion condones their actions, it is a misplaced sense of power that really drives them. In doing so, the series does not condemn strict believers and religion, when it easily could have. It does, however, strongly show how a religious community can hold its hands over people who commit bad acts for the sake of its reputation.

The nuance the series brings to these issues makes you want to keep watching. Jeb is so sympathetic, the viewer can easily imagine the appeal of a solid faith, but also how its faltering can turn your whole life upside down. How Jeb deals with this is enough to hold the attention, and trying to find out what happened to Brenda. Even though the series is a slow burn.

In the end, Under the Banner of Heaven brings everything together nicely. There is a good balance between Jeb's disillusionment and the hopeful twist that is ultimately attached to the tragedy. The viewer is challenged to think about faith and crime and what the connection between them is. Above all, however, it is a deeply human story in which inhumane acts ensure that at times you are really grabbed by the throat.