Video of the Week (22)

Jeff Goldblum isn't just one of the talest Hollywood stars, he's also one of the coolest. He can make anything sound cool somehow. Even lighting. Just watch this commercial.

 

 

Movie Battle: The Avengers Vs. Guardians of the Galaxy

I already know this is going to be one tough battle. Both movies are incredibly kick ass. They are both based on Marvel comics and it’s about superheroes. I’m a huge fan of both movies, so it’s going to be hard to pick a favourite in the end. To battle it out, here is “The Avengers” Vs. “Guardians of the Galaxy”.

 

 

 

CAST

The Avengers: It’s filled with big stars, and most of them already had their own movie as this superhero. We have Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Mark Ruffalo as Hulk, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Jeremy Renner as Hawke Eye. And not to mention Samuel L. Jackson and Tom Hiddleston.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista aren’t as known as the guys from “The Avengers”, but stand their ground. The biggest names, Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel, only provided voices. I really loved all five of these characters.

STORY

The Avengers: Nick Shield wants to assemble a team, to take a fierce demigod. He wants to take over New York and the world.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Peter Quill finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser. He gets help from assassin Gamora, bounty hunters Rocket and Groot and muscular Drax.

EFFECTS

The Avengers: This movie look stunning, great visuals and special effects. The biggest part of the movie is set in a big city, so for that they didn't need any CGI.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Same here, “Guardians of the Galaxy” looks amazing. Everything looks great, so detailed. The set is amazing! And how they made Rocket and Groot so live like. They easily could have been the Jar Jar Binks of this film.

WINNER

After thinking it over and over and over I’ve come to the conclusion that I prefer “Guardians of the Galaxy”. But only a little bit. I love both movies, but I fell in love with “Guardians of the Galaxy”.

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 115: Unforgiven

Director: Clint Eastwood

Genre: Western/ Drama

Runtime: 131 minutes

Year: 1992

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Gene Hackman, Jaimz Woolvett, Saul Rubinek, Richard Harris, Francis Fisher

Description: Retired Old West gunslinger William Munny (Clint Eastwood) reluctantly takes on one last job, with the help of his old partner (Morgan Freeman) and a young man (Jaimz Woolvett).

Review: In 1992 the genre western was bleeding to death. “Dances with Wolves” was the last big western in 1990. But thank God Clint Eastwood brought us “Unforgiven”.

Eastwood directs and as an actor he made the genre to what it is now. He also stars and big names like Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman join him. It was a huge success, because “Unforgiven” won four Academy Awards in 1993.

Leaving the cinematic qualities to the side, “Unforgiven” is notable because of its theme: no forgiveness in a situation of friction makes violence inevitable. In the film, a nasty incident erupts in revenge attacks. It’s great to see Eastwood, Freeman and Hackman together in a film like this. You’re not even surprised to see them do this well. All the characters feel like real people, not just black and white. Good and evil lies in everyone.

As a director, Clint Eastwood didn’t have many successes in the 90s. But “Unforgiven” is, together with “Dances with Wolves” the best western of this decade.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Trailer Sunday (157)

Here are this weeks trailers.

John Wick

Description: Ex-hitman John Wick (Keanu Reeves) comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him. With New York City as his bullet-riddled playground

Director: Chad Stahelski, David Leitch

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Adrianne Palicki, Dean Winters, Bridget Moynahan, Ian McShane, John Leguizmo, Willem Dafoe

Trailer: Trailer "John Wick"

Comment: I Always had a thing for Keanu Reeves.

Blackhat

Description: Nicholas Hathaway (Chris Hemsworth) is released from prison to help American and Chinese authorities pursue a mysterious cyber criminal. The dangerous search leads them from Chicago to Hong Kong.

Director: Michael Mann

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Viola Davis, Tang Wei, Wang Leehom

Trailer: Trailer "Blackhat"

Comment: Chris Hemsworth..... *sigh*

Stretch

Description: When a limo driver (Patrick Wilson) discovers that he only has one shift left to pay off a big debt, he goes from worried to hell-with-it-all daring. When the chauffer picks up a reclusive billionaire (Chris Pine) with some deviant appetites, he vows to fulfill the guy's every request, no matter how weird, to score the big tip that could settle his score. But as the night grows stranger and the driver is pushed into some very dangerous encounters, he worries that the freak in his back seat might just be his final fare.

Director: Joe Carnahan

Starring: Patrick Wilson, Ed Helms, Chris Pine, Brooklyn Decker, James Badge Dale, David Hasselhoff, Ray Liotta, Shaun Toub, Norman Reedus, Jessica Alba

Trailer: Trailer "Stretch"

Comment: Great cast, minus Brooklyn Decker. She isn't a very good actress.

You're Not You

Description: Classical pianist Kate (Hilary Swank) has been diagnosed with ALS. The brash college student Bec (Emmy Rossum) becomes her caregiver.

Director: George C. Wolf

Starring: Hilary Swank, Emmy Rossum, Josh Duhamel, Ali Larter, Marcia Hay Harden, Jason Ritter, Loretta Devina

Trailer: Trailer "You're Not You"

Comment: It's like "Intouchables" with women.

Big Hero 6

Description: The special bond that develops between plus-sized inflatable robot Baymax (Scott Adsit), and prodigy Hiro Hamada (Ryan Potter), who team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes.

Director: Don Hall, Chris Williams

Starring: Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, TJ Miller, Jamie Chung, Damon Wayans Jr., Genesis Rodriguez, Daniel Henney, Maya Rudolph, James Cromwell and Alan Tudyk

Trailer: Trailer "Big Hero 6"

Comment: Disney never disappoints.

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 114: Bro's Before Ho's

Director: Steffen Haars, Flip van der Kuil

Genre: Comedy/ Romance

Runtime: 88 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Tim Haars, Daniël Arends, Sylvia Hoeks, Henry van Loon, Jennifer Hoffman, Theo Maassen

Description: Because of a bad marriage of their parents, two brothers Jules (Daniel Arends) en Max (Tim Haars) made a pact never to get into a relationship with a woman. Therefore, they live a party-life in which they sleep with a different girl every day. However this changes when Jules starts to date Anna (Sylvia Hoeks) and Max falls in love with her. Can their bromance overcome this love triangle.

Review: When they could play Duckhunt for hours, life wasn’t that difficult for brothers Jules and Max. Their father tells them never to get into a relationship with a woman. The brothers decide to live by that life lesson.

Max wakes up ten minutes before work, gets into his outfit without showering and slowly shuffles to the video store next door. His diet: coffee, candy and chocolate. He hardly has any clients, but Max likes the life. His adopted brother Jules isn’t doing any better. He is an assistant manager at a local supermarket, but instead of managing the place, he bangs every female co-worker. Jules and Max live together with their roommate Rene. Rene acts like a ‘bad ass gangsta’, but is in a relationship with his stuck up girlfriend and he’s whipped. A life that Max and Jules despise. At night the brothers go out and take home girls. Max always settles for the ‘less pretty friend’, because Max always gets the hot chicks. But then the beautiful Anna walk into hi video store. Their brotherly bond is tested when he falls in love with Anna, but she starts dating Jules.

Directors Steffen Haars and Flip van der Kuil brought us “New Kids Turbo” and “New Kids Nitro”. The decision to make a romcom is a pleasant surprise, but I can understand the male fans weren’t jumping of joy. With “Bro’s Before Ho’s” they made a romcom that is also watchable for guys. It’s filled with crude jokes, bad language and sex.

Tim Haars plays the likeable Max, not spectacular but he wins over your sympathy easily. Comedian Daniël Arends, as brother Jules, is more solid with his arrogant attitude and dry humor. Henry van Loon play roommate Rene. Sadly it’s only a supporting role, because he is hilarious. It sometimes feels awkward and uncomfortable, but he’s a guarantee for laughs. Sylvia Hoeks, as Anna, adds some feminine spice to the film. Which is needed, because the movie has a high testosterone level and is very juvenile. The biggest problem of the film is the lack of originality and a cliché overkill.

For a Dutch comedy “Bro’s Before Ho’s” was better than expected, but it’s nothing new.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 113: The Look of Love

Director: Michael Winterbottom

Genre: Drama/ Comedy

Runtime: 101 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Steve Coogan, Anna Friel, Imogen Poots, Tamsin Egerton

Description: The life of Paul Raymond (Steve Coogan), the controversial entrepreneur who became Britain's richest man.

Review: “The Look of Love” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in januari 2013. It’s a visually good looking movie, a light biopic that is enjoyable even without knowing about Paul Raymond. The lightness of the film is both its strength and weakness. Raymond is portrayed by Steve Coogan, a role perfect for the comedian. The comedy part is solid, Coogan doesn’t disappoint. It’s the dramatic side of the film that doesn’t have enough depth. The sparkle of the first half is totally lost in the second half.

Imogen Poots, who plays Raymond’s daughter Debbie, isn’t experienced enough to give “The Look of Love” the balance between drama and comedy. And even Steve Coogan struggles more with the more dramatic scenes, while he sets the tone for the film very well.

“The Look of Love” reminds you of movies with a similar theme like “Boogie Nights”. Off course you can’t compare them, because “The Look of Love” isn’t anywhere near the success “Boogie Nights” had. A fun film, basically thanks to Steve Coogan, but not very memorable.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: Tom Hanks Performaces

You might already know that Tom Hanks is my favourite actor. He can practically do anything. He amazes me every time and many of his films belong in my all-time favourites list. And sometimes it’s Tom Hanks we have to thank, because his performance was so awesome. Here are the five best performances by Tom Hanks, according to me.

5. Captain Miller in “Saving Private Ryan”

Tom Hanks is fantastic here as a normal man who has found himself in an abnormal situation. Whatever I did, I just couldn’t ignore this performance for this list.

 

4. Josh in “Big”

This movie changed everything for Tom Hanks. Robert De Niro and Harisson Ford turned down the role, but it was Hanks’ escape plan from the silly comedies. He found the human heart to make it work, when he became a thirteen year old boy in an adult man’s body.

 

3. Chuck Noland in “Cast Away”

Only Tom Hanks can make us care about a volleyball. It’s technically just him and a volleyball that keep our attention the entire runtime. You have to be a master to achieve that.

 

2. Captain Richard Phillips in “Captain Phillips”

I don’t think I would have bought this DVD if Tom Hanks wasn’t in it. It’s as a minute study in physical and emotional collapse that the performance is so compelling. Hanks was never this defenceless on screen and that stunning final scene really hit every nerve in my body. Some of the best minutes of his movie career.

 

1. Forrest Gump in “Forrest Gump”

This still hasn’t been topped by Hanks. It earned him his second Academy Award and it was well deserved. Hanks had the difficult task of playing a man with what can best be described as significantly mentally impaired without turning him into a negative stereotype.

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: Jim Lovell in “Apollo 13”, Jimmy Dugan in “A League of Their Own”, Andrew Beckett in “Philadelphia”

Best & Worst: Gary Oldman

I think Gary Oldman picks his roles very carefully, because he doesn’t have a lot of bad movies.

 

 

 

This is one gem, directed by Luc Besson. It’s a great story, but with three amazing performances. Off course Jean Reno and Natalie Portman shine, but Gary Oldman is really creepy and convincing as the villain. Honorable Mentions: “True Romance”, “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”, “The Fifth Element”, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”, “Batman Begins”, “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”

 

 

A very recent movie. And it wasn’t because of him, Oldman was probably the best bit of the film. “Paranoia” just didn’t do it for me. It was boring.

Dishonorable Mentions: “Red Riding Hood”

Video of the Week (21)

This Saturday the 40th season of "Saturday Night Live" will kick off. Host is Chris Pratt. Togehter with "SNL" cast member Kate McKinnon he made a promo. Or several promos. All compiled in this hilarious clip.

 

 

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 112: War Horse

Director: Steven Spielberg

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 140 minutes

Year: 2011

Starring: Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston, David Thewlis, Eddie Marsan, Peter Mullan

Description: Young Albert enlists to serve in World War I after his beloved horse is sold to the cavalry. Albert's hopeful journey takes him out of England and to the front lines as the war rages on.

Review: Like dogs, in the history of film horses have proven to be excellent actors. “War Horse” is an epic story that shows World War I through the eyes of a horse. Off course not an ordinary horse, this one is very special. Everyone that encounters him, is mesmerized by him.

“War Horse” starts with the birth of a young horse The young Albert witnesses it and from that moment on, Albert is fascinated by the creature. When his father buys the horse, Albert wants to train him. He calls him Joey. But then there is war. Albert’s family has to sell Joey to the army. Albert is sure that the two will meet again someday.

Director Steven Spielberg didn’t budget on the making of “War Horse”. It’s a nostalgic spectacle. Visually this movie has no faults. The story itself is a bit predictable, but the good performances make up for it. Tears will definitely flow, especially in combination with a beautiful soundtrack by John Williams.

In the end it’s not the story that will stick, but the visual beauty of this film. From big battle scenes to more intimate moments, it’s all very impressive and touching.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 111: We Need to Talk About Kevin

Director: Lynn Ramsay

Genre: Thriller/ Drama

Runtime: 112 minutes

Year: 2011

Starring: Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly, Ezra Miller

Description: Eva (Tilda Swinton) struggles to love her strange child Kevin, despite the increasingly vicious things he says and does as he grows up. But Kevin (Ezra Miller) is just getting started, and his final act will be beyond anything anyone imagined.

Review: Could she have prevented is? Does she feel guilty? Could she have seen it coming? These are the questions Eva Katchadourian asks herself. Her son Kevin was a troubled child. When he gets older, his behavior becomes unmanageable, manipulative and obstinate. At age sixteen he kills nine classmates and the families despise Eva ever since that event.

“We Need to Talk About Kevin” is based on a novel written by Lionel Shriver. It shows the battle Eva is fighting with her own demons, but also how she’s trying to deal with society. It’s hard to translate the story to film, because the book is told through letters from Evan to her husband Franklin. Director Lynn Ramsay uses flashbacks and the story isn’t told chronologically. She mixes the events and trusts on the intelligence of the audience to put the pieces of the puzzle together. You feel her fear, sorrow and tension, Eva is a wreck. From the moment she finds out she is pregnant, she is filled with doubts. There are plenty of moments where we can see how she is struggling as a mother and that Eva doesn’t always make the right decisions. As Kevin grows older, Eva even feels fear of her own son.

Teenager Kevin is played by Ezra Miller, and very convincing may I say. He is also very scary and manages to keep up with veteran Tilda Swinton. Swinton however is the star of the film. It doesn’t take long before she wins over your sympathy. But the further you get dragged into the family history, you start doubting her innocence.

The movie is pretty heavy and disturbing. Ramsay’s approach is brave and could seem a bit pretentious. “We Need to Talk About Kevin” gets its power not just from its complexity, but also from the great performances by Miller and Swinton. It’s a beautiful movie that gets under your skin. Fascinating and disturbing all together.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Trailer Sunday (156)

Here are this weeks trailers.

The Hunger Games: Mockinjay Part 1

Description: Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence)finds herself in District 13 after she literally shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin (Julianne Moore) and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) and a nation moved by her courage.

Director: Frances Lawrence

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Sam Claflin, Jena Malone, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland

Trailer: Trailer "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

Comment: I already posted the teaser, but a full lenght trailer has arrived. CAN'T WAIT!!!!

Listen Up Philip

Description: Philip (Jason Schwartzman) awaits the publication of his second novel and his anger rages. He feels pushed out of his adopted home city by the constant crowds and noise, a deteriorating relationship with his photographer girlfriend Ashley (Elisabeth Moss), and his own indifference to promoting the novel. When Philip's idol Ike Zimmerman (Jonathan Pryce) offers his isolated summer home as a refuge, he finally gets the peace and quiet to focus on his favorite subject: himself.

Director: Alex Ross Perry

Starring: Jason Schwartzman, Elisabeth Moss, Krysten Ritter, Jonathan Pryce

Trailer: Trailer "Listen Up Philip"

Comment: I like Jason Schwartzman, because of he is so quirky.

A Most Violent Year

Description: The film follows the lives of an immigrant and his family as they attempt to capitalize on the American Dream, while the rampant violence, decay, and corruption of the day drag them in and threaten to destroy all they have built.

Director: J.C. Chandor

Starring: Oscar ISaacs, Jessica Chastain, ALbert Brooks

Trailer:Trailer "A Most Violent Year"

Comment: Jessica Chastain is having a good year, great movies coming out starring her.

Big Eyes

Description: A drama centered on the awakening of the painter Margaret Keane (Amy Adams), her phenomenal success in the 1950s, and the subsequent legal difficulties she had with her husband (Christoph Waltz), who claimed credit for her works in the 1960s

Director: Tim Burton

Starring: Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz, Danny Huston, Krysten Ritter, Jason Schwartzman, Terence Stamp

Trailer: Trailer "Big Eyes"

Comment: Not a very Tim Burtonesk movie, but that makes me extra excited about this film.

Low Down

Description: Based on the memoir by Amy-Jo Albany, the film is a compassionate, tender look at the complex relationship between Amy-Jo (Elle Fanning) and her father Joe (John Hawkes), a man torn between his musical ambition, his love for his daughter, and his suffocating heroin addiction. Set against a sensuously textured 1970s Hollywood, the film beautifully evokes a colorful, seedy world of struggling musicians, artists, and vagabonds, in which Joe and Amy-Jo strive to live the lives they want against seemingly insurmountable odds.

Director: Jeff Preiss

Starring: John Hawkes, Elle Fanning, Taryn Manning, Glenn Close, Peter Dinklage, Flea, Lena Heady, Caleb Landry-Jones, Tim Daly

Trailer: Trailer "Low Down"

Comment: Good cast, great lookng film.

Video of the Week (20)

It's Jimmy Fallon's 40th birthday and there is a big surprise waiting for him behind the blue curtain. And nothing anyone would expect. But, stay tuned, it's a double feature!

 

Top 5 Thursday: Movie-Making Cliques

There are lots of directors and actors that love working together so much, they often collaborate. And we don’t get sick and tired of it, because we know it works every time! Here are my favorites.

5. The Tim Burton Gang

Tim Burton always creates the most amazing sets and worlds in movies. When you are a bit crazy as a director, you need crazy actors, like Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. They can easily adapt to Burton’s ideas.

 

4. The Apatow Gang

Judd Apatow is one of the better American comedy directors/ writers/ producers. His comedies are often raunchy, but not tasteless and almost every time memorable. He loves working with Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, Leslie Mann (off course), Paul Rudd, Bill Hader, James Franco, Jay Baruchel and Kristen Wiig.

 

3. The Scorsese Gang

Martin Scorsese worked with Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci a lot in the past. Some of movie history’s best were made with these guys. Think of “Taxi Driver”, “Raging Bull”, “Goodfellas” and “Casino”. Later De Niro was exchanged for Leonardo DiCaprio. “The Departed”, “Gangs of New York”, “Shutter Island” and “The Aviator” were all great movies!

 

2. The Wes Anderson Gang

Wes Anderson’s movies are just a work of art, every single time. And you only want your best actors in there. Like Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, Adrien Brody, Jeff Goldblum, Anjelica Huston, Willen Dafoe, Tilda Swinton and Edward Norton. And the list doesn’t even end here.

 

1. The Cornetto Gang

Do you think Edgar Wright knew he had found gold when he teamed up with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost for “Shaun of the Dead”? One of the best comedies ever. And then he made “Hot Fuzz” and “The World’s End”, which are also great, and one even better! It was meant to be a trilogy, but I just hope this isn’t the end of their collaboration. Other people often in these films are Bill Nighy, Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine and Rafe Spall.

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: The Ben Stiller Gang, The Tarantino Gang, The Coen Brothers Gang

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 110: North By Northwest

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Genre: Thriller/ Mystery/ Misdaad

Runtime: 136 minutes

Year: 1959

Starring: Cary Grant, Eve Marie Saint, James Mason

Description: The hapless New York advertising executive Roger O. Thornhill (Cary Grant) is mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies, and is pursued across the country while he looks for a way to survive.

Review: “North By Northwest” might not be as well-known as “Psycho” or “Vertigo”, but it’s again a fantastic film by Alfred Hitchcock. Very accessible and humoristic, yet successful. It has nostalgic, but also feel timeless. And this movie was obviously the inspiration for the James Bond movies.

Hitchcock uses his usual ingredients: a perfected plot, symmetrical shots, a femme fatale and a likeable anti-hero. This time there is also room for some humor, which is very risky for a thriller. But it works perfectly.

The movie is a bit long, that’s the only problem I had with it. Because the rest is just wonderful. An absolute classic, with that unforgettable airplane chase as my personal highlight.

Rating: 4/ 5

In the Picture: The Characters from "American Hustle"

“American Hustle” is a movie filled with interesting characters. Seductive, sleezy, crazy, sly, beautiful, you name it. So this movie is perfect for my item “In the Picture”. Here are the characters from “American Hustle”.

Irving Rosenfeld

Played by: Christian Bale

Irving Rosenfeld is a con artist. He is married and has adopted his wife’s son Danny. Even though he once loved his wife, his heart lies with Sydney.

Sydney Prosser

Played by: Amy Adams

Sydney Prosser is also a con artist and she works together with Irving. Sydney has improved Irving’s scams. She loves Irving, even though he isn’t the best looking man. Sydney is smart and she can be seductive to get what she wants. She also tries to manipulate Richie, distancing herself from Irving.

Richie DiMaso

Played by: Bradley Cooper

Richie is an FBI agent and catches Irving and Sydney in a loan scam. He offers to release them if Irving can line up for additional arrests. Richie starts working with Irving and Sydney and get a bit overeager.

Rosalyn Rosenfeld

Played by: Jennifer Lawrence

Rosalyn is Irving’s wife. She doesn’t work and is a bit crazy. Rosalyn has threatened Irving to tell everything to the cops if he ever left her. She know Irving has a thing for Sydney, but believes he would never leave her for Sydney.

Mayor Carmine Polito

Played by: Jeremy Renner

Carmine Polito is the Mayor and he befriends Irving. What he doesn’t know is that he’s being set up by him, Sydney and Richie. Carmine is a real family man and has never done anything to hurt his family.

 

 

Favorite Character: Carmine Polito

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 109: Cuban Fury

Director: James Griffiths

Genre: Comedy

Runtime: 98 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Nick Frost, Rashida Jones, Chris O’Dowd, Olivia Colman, Ian McShane

Description: Beneath Bruce Garrett's (Nick Frost) under-confident, overweight exterior, the passionate heart of a salsa king lies dormant. Now, one woman (Rashida Jones) is about to reignite his Latin fire.

Review: Sometimes you’re just looking for a fun movie, but you get a lot more. Something unexpected. “Cuban Fury” has a lot of clichés, but because of its energy and the endearing Nick Frost, the movie gives smiles from ear to ear.

Nick Frost plays Bruce, who was a successful salsa dancer as a child. Because of an unpleasant encounter with bullies, Bruce had sworn off dancing forever. Now, as an adult, he meets his beautiful new boss Julia. He finds out she has a passion for salsa dancing. Reason enough for Bruce to put on his dancing shoes again and win over her heart.

It’s fantastic how director Griffiths and his crew managed to turn this mediocre story into an enjoyable flick. De music is catchy, de montage is slick and the cinematography of the dance scenes is nicely done. But it’s the actors that make you love this movie. Nick Frost proofs that he doesn’t always need his buddy Simon Pegg to shine. He never overacts, while this normally would be the kind of movie for overacting. Rival Drew, played by Chris O’Dowd, and fellow salsa dancer Bejan are on the edge of overdoing it. Thanks to Frost.

The entertainment is there, it’s a lot of fun to watch Nick Frost shake his booty. Perfect movie for a fun night with your friends.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 108: Hateship Loveship

Director: Liza Johnson

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 104 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Kristen Wiig, Guy Pearce, Hailee Steinfeld, Nick Nolte

Description: Sabitha (Hailee Steinfeld) is a wild teenage girl who orchestrates a romance between her nanny Johanna (Kristen Wiig) and her father Ken (Guy Pearce), who is a recovering addict.

Review: Kristen Wiig is known for her humor, but lately she has shown us her dramatic side. And not without success, because she is fantastic at playing this vulnerable, plain Jane. In “Hateship Loveship” she plays caretaker Johanna, who is appointed to help out the elderly Mr. McCauley with his granddaughter Sabitha. Together with her friend Edith, Sabitha starts a correspondence between Johanna and her estranged father Ken, so Johanna thinks he’s interested in her.

The story is simple and simple stories often make the best movies. The acting by Wiig is very timid and the movie is pretty silent and uneventful. You don’t need much to make a good movie, but “Hateship Loveship” does need a bit more. The start of the film is great, but in the second half it focuses more on Johanna and Ken, instead of Johanna and Sabitha. Eventually the story ups its tempo and a lot happens within a short period of time. Like they wanted to stuff all of it in a certain amount of time. The story wasn’t treated with the respect it deserved.

This all makes “Hateship Loveship” just an average flick, where it could have been so much more. We certainly can’t blame Kristen Wiig.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

Me & 3 Joseph Gordon-Levitt Movies

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is such a talented actor, who started out as a child star. He actually stars in some of my favourite movies, like “(500) Days of Summer” and “50/ 50”. I didn’t pick those films, so here are the three film with Joseph Gordon-Levitt I watched.

Don Jon

Genre: Drama/ Comedy

Year: 2013

Director: Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Tony Danza

Description: Jon (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a New Jersey guy dedicated to his family, friends, and church, develops unrealistic expectations from watching porn and works to find happiness and intimacy with his potential true love.Opninion: It could have been a lot better, but what I loved the most is the father/ daughter relationship between Eastwood and Adam’s characters.

Opinion: I already knew that Joseph Gordon-Levitt was a great actor, but he has also proven to be an amazing writer and director. I hope he will do this more often.

Favorite character: Esther (Julianne Moore)

Most memorable quote: “There's only a few things I really care about in life. My body. My pad. My ride. My family. My church. My boys. My girls. My porn.“ –Jon-

Best scene: The discussion between Jon and Barbra about Swiffer pads. It really cracked me up.

Premium Rush

Genre: Thriller/ Action

Year: 2012

Director: David Koepp

Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Dania Ramirez, Michael Shannon, Wolé Parks, Jamie Chung, Aasif Mandvi

Description: In Manhattan, bike messenger Wilee (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) picks up an envelope that attracts the interest of a dirty cop (Michael Shannon), who pursues the cyclist throughout the city.

Opinion: Very original, pumping adrenaline, a good thrill ride. Enjoyed it very much.

Favorite character: Wilee (Joseph Gordon-Levitt)

Most memorable quote: “I like to ride. Fixed gear. No brakes. Can't stop. Don't want to, either.” –Wilee-

Best scene: Where Wilee is trying to shake off a biker cop, who is chasing him.

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

Genre: Crime/ Thriller

Year: 2014

Director: Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller

Cast: Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Josh Brolin, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rosario Dawson, Bruce Willis, Eva Green, Powers Boothe, Dennis Haysbert, Ray Liotta, Christopher Meloni, Jeremy Piven, Christopher Lloyd, Jamie King, Juno Temple, Stacy Keach, Marton Csokas, Jamie Chung

Description: Some of Sin City's most hard-boiled citizens cross paths with a few of its more reviled inhabitants.

Opinion: Not as good as “Sin City”, but I didn’t expect that. It’s amazing, looks familiar and amazed me again. Wonderful film

Favorite character: Nancy Callahan (Jessica Alba)

Most memorable quote: “Death is just like life in Sin City. It always wins.” –John Hartigan-

Best scene: The opening scene with Marv, we’re back in Sin City.

Favorite of the 3: “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For”

Movie Trailer Sunday (155)

Here are this weeks trailers.

The Boy Next Door

Description: Shortly after her divorce, Claire (Jennifer Lopez) falls for the handsome but younger Noah (Ryan Guzman) who just moved in across the street, though their torrid affair that takes an obsessive, dangerous turn.

Director: Rob Cohen

Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Guzman, John Corbett, Kristin Chenoweth

Trailer: Trailer "The Boy Next Door"

Comment: I'm not a Jennifer Lopez fan and this movie is probably not very good. But it does look exciting.

The Homesman

Description: When three women living on the edge of the American frontier are driven mad by harsh pioneer life, the task of saving them falls to the pious, independent-minded Mary Bee Cuddy (Hilary Swank). Transporting the women by covered wagon to Iowa, she soon realizes just how daunting the journey will be, and employs a low-life drifter, George Briggs (Tommy Lee Jones), to join her. The unlikely pair and the three women (Grace Gummer, Miranda Otto, Sonja Richter) head east, where a waiting minister and his wife (Meryl Streep) have offered to take the women in. But the group first must traverse the harsh Nebraska Territories marked by stark beauty, psychological peril and constant threat.

Director: Tommy Lee Jones

Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Hilary Swank, Meryl Streep, James Spader, John Lithgow, Tim Blake Nelson, David Dencik, Hailee Steinfeld, Jesse Plemons

Trailer: Trailer "The Homesman"

Comment: Great cast, look amazing.

Days and Nights

Description: Rural New England in the 1980s. The film centers around Elizabeth (Allison Janney), a movie star, who brings her paramour Peter to her lakeside estate to visit her family on Memorial Day weekend. The household includes her ailing brother (William Hurt), her artist son (Ben Whishaw), his ethereal muse (Juliet Rylance), the family doctor (Jean Reno) and the estate's custodian (Russell Means), the careless caretaker (Michael Nyqvist) and his wife (Cherry Jones), their temperamental daughter (Katie Holmes) and her long suffering ornithologist husband (Mark Rylance) -- the keeper of the sacred land where a bald eagle is trying to raise its young. During the weekend a disastrous turn of events leads the family from dysfunction to heartbreak and, ultimately, salvation.

Director: Christian Camargo's

Starring: Allison Janney, Ben Wishaw, Michael Nyqvist, Cherry Jones, Katie Holmes, Jean Reno, Mark Rylance, Juliet Rylance, Russell Means, William Hurt

Trailer: Trailer "Days and Nights"

Comment: I just love Allison Janney.

Serena

Description: George and Serena Pemberton (Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence), love-struck newly-weds, begin to build a timber empire. Serena soon proves herself to be equal to any man: overseeing loggers, hunting rattle-snakes, even saving a man's life in the wilderness. With power and influence now in their hands, the Pembertons refuse to let anyone stand in the way of their inflated love and ambitions. However, once Serena discovers George's hidden past and faces an unchangeable fate of her own, the Pembertons' passionate marriage begins to unravel leading toward a dramatic reckoning.

Director: Susanne Bier

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Toby Jones, Rhys Ifans

Trailer: Trailer "Serena"

Comment: We know Lawrence and Cooper work well together, can't wait to see this.

Fury

Description: As the Allies make their final push in the European Theatre, a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy (Brad Pitt) commands a Sherman tank and her five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Outnumbered and outgunned, and with a rookie soldier thrust into their platoon, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany.

Director: David Ayer

Starring: Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Pena, Jon Bernthal, Jason Isaacs

Trailer: Trailer "Fury"

Comment: Really looking forward to seeing this! Loving this poster by the way.

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 107: The Counselor

Director: Ridley Scott

Genre: Crime/ Thriller/ Drama

Runtime: 118 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Michael Fassbender, Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Cameron Diaz, Brad Pitt

Description: A rich and successful lawyer, the Counselor (Michael Fassbender), is about to get married to his fiancée (Penélope Cruz) but soon becomes entangled in a complex drug plot with a middle-man known as Westray (Brad Pitt). The plan ends up taking a horrible twist and he must protect himself and his soon to be bride as the truth of the drug business is uncovered and targets are eliminated.

Review: With “The Counselor”, writer Cormac McCarthy delivers his first film scenario. The author is known for movie adaptations of his novels “No Country for Old Men” and “The Road”. His work seems to lend itself perfectly for the big screen, but it doesn’t necessary lead to success. That’s what is proved with “The Counselor”.

The movie takes us to the dark world of drug trafficking between Mexico and the United States. A business filled with greed and decadence and a world that’s hard to escape from. Counselor experiences that himself, when he chooses money over honor. He wants to secure his future with his fiancé Laura, so he decides to get involved. His eccentric business partners Reiner and Westray make a deal, that could eventually get them 20 million dollars. Off course nothing goes according to plan.

The failure of the plan is very predictable. The biggest problem is the dialogue. Every action, plot twist and progression happens during a dialogue. It gets a bit unilateral, but also results in unsurprising progression. Strangely enough sex is a big theme in many of the conversations, which also gives us a weird scene of Cameron Diaz on a windshield. Because of all this, the character’s motives are never really clear. It makes everything very incoherent. This might work in a novel, but the movie needs more than the spoken word.

Director Ridley Scott tries to put movement in the stiff scenes, and he succeeds. The montage is great and the trouble at the borders is clearly present. The acting is fine. Javier Bardem, with again a very weird look, is most enjoyable. Because “The Counselor” is so focused on dialogue, the conclusion of this film never sticks. It’s not all bad, but “The Counselor” could have been a lot better. One missed shot.

Rating: 2/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 106: Scarecrow

Director: Sheldon Wilson

Genre: Horror

Runtime: 86 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Lacey Chabert, Richard Harmon, Nicole Muñoz, Robin Dunn, Brittney Wilson, Julia Maxwell, Iain Belcher, Kevin O’Grady, Reilly Dolman

Description: For generations, it was an urban legend that lived in the nightmares of children. Now, the season to rejuvenate the tale will revive a town's darkest fears. With the Scarecrow Festival on the horizon, school teacher Aaron Harris (Richard Harmon) is doling out punishment for six students serving detention. Their task: help Aaron's ex-girlfriend Kristen (Lacey Chabert) fix her family farm before it's sold. But the cornfields circling the farm come with a legend-and Tyler takes macabre delight in recounting the tale: It never sleeps, it never dies, it can't be stopped, hear their cries. The Scarecrow lives to kill us all. Keep it buried in the fall...

Review: Sometimes there is this horror movie that, when you read its synopsis, you know your expectations are low. But there are also times that you’re just in the mood for a bad horror movie. If you’re looking for that, “Scarecrow” is the right movie.

A teacher is driving six of his student to a farm, where they have to help fix it before it’s sold, as part of their detention. The cornfield comes with a legend: the scarecrow has killed people. Off course no one believes it, until it is actually happening.

I actually got what I expected: bad acting, cheesy and unintelligent dialogues, stereotypes and a lot of clichés. “Scarecrow” isn’t scary at all. When I’m watching a horror movie, I’m always on edge, because I scare easily. Not once did it scare me, not once! Well, to me that’s a bad horror movie. But a different kind of bad, because other bad scary films entertain you at least because it’s so silly. “Scarecrow” takes itself way too seriously.

“Scarecrow” is not worth your time.

Rating: 0,5 / 5

Marry, Kiss, Cliff - Round 5

Round 5: Jerry Maguire (“Jerry Maguire”), Ted Stroehmann (“There’s Something About Mary”) and Patrick Bateman (“American Psycho”)

Marry: I think you could call yourself very lucky if Ted Stroehmann is your husband. Although he isn’t always very lucky himself. Well, neither am I so we would understand each other. Ted is such a sweet man.

Kiss: Jerry Maguire is kind of a player, but also has a soft side. If he would tell me “you complete me”, I would melt…

Cliff: I would easily push Patrick Bateman of a cliff. He’s a yuppie, obsessed with his own appearance and, oh yeah, he’s insane! I wouldn’t want him to chase me with a chainsaw.

Top 5 Thursday: Saturday Night Live Cast Members

“Saturday Night Live” is still the most popular sketch show in America and it has brought us some of today’s favourite comedians and actors. Here are my favourite SNL Cast member of all time.

5. Jason Sudeikis

I don’t know why, but he always stuck. He didn’t really cross any lines, but he was always present and hard to overlook somehow. I especially liked him in combination with Kristen Wiig.

 

4. Adam Sandler

Maybe not the best actor, but a great comedian. I especially loved him as Opera Man, where he sang the most ridiculous songs about even more ridiculous subjects.

 

3. Dan Aykroyd

Dan Aykroyd was a part of the cast in the first four seasons. His humor was intelligent, he could easily join the Monty Python crew. He was one of the Coneheads, the Blues Brothers and off course his perfect impersonation of Julia Child.

 

 

2. Will Ferrell

Will Ferrell is very versatile. He could play characters from George W. Bush, to Alex Trebek and Steve Butabi. And don’t forget the cheerleader and the cowbell guy.

 

 

 

1. Kristen Wiig

Kristen Wiig was one of the most vital females of SNL history. She could be glamorous, over the top and often very awkward. As the female A-hole and one of the Fingerlakes siters, but also very annoying and absurd characters like Penelope, Gilly and the Target lady. Who doesn’t love Kristen?

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: John Belushi, Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, Steve Martin, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Chris Farley