100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 103: The BFG

Director: Steven Spielberg
Genre: Adventure/ Fantasy
Runtime: 117 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton, Rebecca Hall, Rafe Spall, Bill Hader

Description: A girl named Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) encounters the Big Friendly Giant (Mark Rylance) who, despite his intimidating appearance, turns out to be a kindhearted soul who is considered an outcast by the other giants because, unlike them, he refuses to eat children.

Review: I grew up with Roald Dahl books and when I was a teacher I read his stories a lot too. For his 30th film, Steven Spielberg made this genre film filled with children’s fantasy. Finally “The BFG”, one of Dahl’s best stories, is brought to the big screen.
Little Sophie lives in an orphanage and sees a giant in the middle of the night. This giant, the BFG, takes her into the world of giants.
This type of film really has to rely on the chemistry between the fable like creatures and the little admires. Ruby Barnhill, who plays Sophie, does an excellent job. With both the charisma of an adult and the amazement of a little girl, she is believable. Mark Rylance is a charming BFG, heartwarming and just loveable.
The animation is amazing, it looks really impressive. The expressions on the face of the BFG are so realistic. This film is jawdropping, when it comes to its techniques. And the chemistry between Sophie and the BFG is so good, especially in the more quiet scenes.
“The BFG” is bit lighter then the book and a little less complex. It was a film I really looked forward to and it brought back the little girl in me that loved this book. It didn’t disappoint, Spielberg hardly ever does that.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Trailer Sunday (249)

Here are this week's trailers.

Blair Witch
Director: Adam Wingard
Description: After discovering a video showing what he believes to be his sister's experiences in the demonic woods of the Blair Witch, Blane and a group of friends head to the forest in search of his lost sibling.
Starring: Corbin Reid, Wes Robinson, Valorie Curry
Trailer: Trailer "Blair Witch"
Comment: Really....

Office Christmas Party
Director: Josh Gordon, Will Speck
Description: When his uptight CEO sister threatens to shut down his branch, the branch manager throws an epic Christmas party in order to land a big client and save the day, but the party gets way out of hand...
Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Kate McKinnon, Olivia Munn, Rob Corddry, Courtney B. Vance, Vanessa Bayer
Trailer: Trailer "Office Christmas Party"
Comment: A little too soon for an office Christmas party.

Split
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Description: Kevin (James McAvoy), a man with at least 23 different personalities, is compelled to abduct three teenage girls. As they are held captive, a final personality - "The Beast" - begins to materialize.
Starring: James McAvoy
Trailer: Trailer "Split"
Comment: I really want to see this.

The Great Wall
Director: Yimou Zhang
Description: A mystery centered around the construction of the Great Wall of China.
Starring: Matt Damon, Willem Dafoe, Pedro Pascal
Trailer: Trailer "The Great Wall"
Comment: I love Matt Damon in action movies!

Hacksaw Ridge
Director: Mel Gibson
Description: WWII American Army Medic Desmond T. Doss, who served during the Battle of Okinawa, refuses to kill people and becomes the first Conscientious Objector in American history to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Teresa Palmer, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Vince Vaughn, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, Richard Roxburgh
Trailer: Trailer "Hacksaw Ridge"
Comment: An uber patriotic story.

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 102: Jason Bourne

Director: Paul Greengrass
Genre: Action/ Thriller
Runtime: 123 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones, Alicia Vikander, Vincent Cassel, Julia Stiles, Bill Camp

Description: Jason Bourne (Matt Damon), the most dangerous former operative of the CIA is drawn out of hiding to uncover hidden truths about his past.

Review: Jason Bourne is back. After a spin-off with Jeremy Renner and almost 10 years without Jason Bourne, director Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon joined forces again and brought him back to the big screen. Bourne knows about his past, but there are still hidden truths to uncover.
The return of Matt Damon as Jason Bourne is so pleasant. The film starts with an amazing chase scene. Fast paced and it gets your immediate attention. The rebelling of the Greek citizens against the government is a perfect theme, but they stay with referecenses to recent happenings. The plot goes over to a subplot that isn’t as compelling.
Nicky Parsons introduces a new mystery in Bourne’s past by leaking important information. And then there is also Aaron Kalloor, who gives information to the new CIA boss. There is this whole social media thing going on. This subplot is not interesting at all. Because of this, Jason Bourne almost becomes a supporting character in his own film.
The acting is great. Matt Damon proof he hasn’t lost it yet and Tommy Lee Jones does a solid job as the CIA boss. Vincent Cassel is a convincing villain, but Alicia Vikander probably plays the best part.
Luckily for us the action is still there and very well done. And “Jason Bourne” is by no means a bad movie. It’s just the least of all the Bourne movies and the story isn’t as compelling.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: Epic Moments from "Game of Thrones" Season 4

Because we have to wait a year for new “Game of Thrones” episodes, I decided to rewatch all the old episodes. I’m going to create a series of top fives, where I will share with you the most epic moments in every season. This week, season 4.

5. Ygritte’s Death
It was bound to happen from the first moment they crossed swords, but that didn’t make it any easier. Jon Snow bid a bittersweet farewell to his wildling sweetheart Ygritte. They should have stayed in the cave.

4. The Red Viper Gets Popped
Ellaria Sand’s face was mirrored by countless viewers at home. If “Game of Thrones” taught us anything, it’s that there is no such thing as justice and victory is never assured.

3. Shae’s Betrayal
Shae’s falsified confession during the trial of Tyrion served up one of the season’s saddest moments. Faced with the betrayal of his former lover, Tyrion finally broke down in court after endurinf a lifetime of senseless prejudice. It was a heartbreaking moment.

2. Lysa Arryn is Thrown Out of the Moon Door
Littlefinger is one of those characters you love to hate, but I never liked him more than that moment where he shoved Lysa Arryn into the moon door. And right before he proclaims his love to her sister Catelyn Stark.

1. Joffrey’s Death
I think I never cheered as loudly as I did this episode when an important character died. Finally the bratty boy-king, who has cause so much pain and misery, is dead. Let’s not forget, he has threatened to rape Sansa, killed a prostitute with his crossbow and ordered Ned Stark’s head to be chopped off. It was just a pity that Tyrion couldn’t slap him one last time before Joffrey was poisoned.

They Almost Made the Top 5: The Death of Tywin Lannister, Ygritte’s Death, The Judgment of Jorah

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 101: 10 Cloverfield Lane

Director: Dan Trachtenberg
Genre: Drama/ Thriller/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 103 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Gallagher Jr., Bradley Cooper, Suzanne Cryer

Description: After getting in a car accident, a woman (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is held in a shelter with two men (John Goodman, John Gallagher Jr.), who claim the outside world is affected by a widespread chemical attack.

Review: If there is one filmmaker that knows how to keep a secret, it’s J.J. Abrams. Look at “Cloverfield” which came out in 2008. Eight years later there is “10 Cloverfield Lane”, a movie no one saw coming. Only two months before the movie was released, the mysterious trailer appeared on the internet. Three people are seeking shelter in an underground room. More you don’t want to know before seeing the film.
Dan Trachtenberg is the director and this is his directorial debut. He mixes claustrophobic suspense with a little bit of humor and a story that gets you curious. The shelter is filled with canned food, outdated boardgames, old videotapes, a jukebox and magazines.
Of the three actors, who are all very good, its John Goodman that steals the show. And the scenes in the shelter are all great. It’s afterwords, when one of the characters leaves the shelter, when it gets a little less surprising. Because the title already suggests that the film is set in the same universe as “Cloverfield”, you already kinda know what’s going on outside the shelter. This sort of spoils it all a little bit. That doesn’t make this movie bad, because it’s ana excellent film. Very different from “Cloverfield”, because it’s more of a psychological thriller mostly set in one room.
“10 Cloverfield Lane” is not as surprising as the trailer let us think. It is a first class suspense film, with humor and great performances by the three leads.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 100: Ghostbusters

Director: Paul Feig
Genre: Comedy/ Action/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 116 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Chris Hemsworth, Ed Begley Jr., Bill Murray, Andy Garcia, Cecily Strong, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, Steve Higgins, Zach Woods, Charles Dance

Description: Following a ghost invasion of Manhattan, paranormal enthusiasts Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig) and Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy), nuclear engineer Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon), and subway worker Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones) band together to stop the otherworldly threat.

Review: The movie got a lot of negative critique, even before the movie was released. A new “Ghostbusters” movie with an all-female cast. Director Paul Feig never intended to do a remake or to copy the eighties version of the film. This movie breathes new life into the concept. In 2016 Venkman, Stanz, Spengler and Zeddmore never existed. Bill Murray even has a small cameo as a scientist that doesn’t believe in ghosts. The Ghostbusters from the 1984 and 1989 movies are not a part of Feig’s universe.
Physicist Erin Gilbert is trying to make a career at a prestigious university, but is reminded of the book she once wrote with her friend Abby Yates. A book about ghosts. Abby is still seriously investigating the paranormal, with her engineer friend Jillian Holtzmann. When there is a ghost sighting in the city, the three check it out and realize that they were right all along. When also Patty Tolan joins them, who knows a lot about the city, the four women get an office, hire the very dumb secretary Kevin and try to catch ghosts for a living.
The plot is not that different from the original film. The story is a bit bland. But the film is supposed to be a comedy. And it is a really funny film, all thanks to the great women. Melissa McCarthy is really on a roll with both physical and verbal humor. Kristen Wiig is really strong, Leslie Jones is hilarious and Kate McKinnon is crazy. I also loved Chris Hemsworth, as the dumb (yet hot) secretary Kevin. But there is also the problem. It’s definitely a women’s film, because every male character is either a douchebag or very stupid.
There are many nods to the original film and I really liked that. “Ghostbusters” got a lot of crap and not all deserved. Is it better than the original? No. It does look better, but that’s logical because of today’s techniques. I really enjoyed the film and I thought it was very funny. Sceptic at first, a little surprised and very entertained.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 99: Wet Hot American Summer

Director: David Wain
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 97 minutes
Year: 2001
Starring: Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Molly Shannon, Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Christopher Meloni, Ken Marino, Joe Lo Truglio, Marguerite Moreau

Description: Set on the last day of camp, in the hot summer of 1981, a group of counselors try to complete their unfinished business before the day ends.

Review: It’s August 1981. The campleaders at Camp Firewood are trying to make the best of the last day of summer camp.
The movies has some big names: Paul Rudd, Janeane Garofalo, Elizabeth Banks, Bradley Cooper, Amy Poehler. And they all have done some really funny things. Well, this is not one one of those movies. I love a good satire and spoof when done well, but “Wet Hot American Summer” is just not funny and sometimes it goes a little too far into the absurdism that it’s just not funny anymore.
I did like Paul Rudd and Christopher Meloni though, but overall the movie is not that interesting and there is some really bad acting in it. “Wet Hot American Summer” is not a good comedy, because it isn’t funny enough.

Rating: 2/ 5

Movie Trailer Sunday (248)

Here are this week's trailers.

Justice League
Director: Zack Snyder
Description: Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman's (Henry Cavill) selfless act, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince (Gal Gadot), to face an even greater enemy.
Starring: Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Henry Cavill, Amber Heard, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Ezra Miller, J.K. Simmons, Willem Dafoe, Jeremy Irons
Trailer: Trailer "Justice League"
Comment: Wasn't a fan of "Batman V. Superman".

Wonder Woman
Director: Patty Jenkins
Description: An Amazon princess (Gal Gadot) leaves her island home to explore the world, and becomes the greatest of its heroes.
Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen, Danny Huston
Trailer: Trailer "Wonder Woman"
Comment: Looks more interesting then "Justice League".

Kong: Skull Island
Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Description: An action/adventure story centered on King Kong's origins.
Starring: Brie Larson, Tom Hiddleston, Toby Kebell, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, John C. Reilly
Trailer: Trailer "Kong: Skull Island"
Comment: This excited me more than all the DC stuff.

Doctor Strange
Director: Scott Derickson
Description: After his career is destroyed, a brilliant but arrogant and conceited surgeon gets a new lease on life when a sorcerer takes him under her wing and trains him to defend the world against evil.
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, Tilda Swinton, Mads Mikkelsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Trailer: Trailer "Doctor Strange"
Comment: Looks fantastic!

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
Director: Guy Ritchie
Description: Feature film version of the classic King Arthur story.
Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Dhimon Hounsou, Jude Law, Aiden Gillen, Eric Bana, David Beckham
Trailer:
Comment: Ikay, this looks like it's going to suck.

Top 5 Thursday: Epic Moments from "Game of Thrones" Season 3

Because we have to wait a year for new “Game of Thrones” episodes, I decided to rewatch all the old episodes. I’m going to create a series of top fives, where I will share with you the most epic moments in every season. This week, season 3.

5. Theon Gets Cut
An entire season of torture reached a new disgusting level, when two naked women get Theon all excited. And then the Boy, later know as Ramsay, removes the women and announces his intention of cutting off Theon’s manhood. Auch…

4. The Red Wedding
The once who read the books were looking forward to this scene, the once who didn’t read the books were shocked. The blood-soaked celebration took away some important and well-known characters away from us. Robb Stark, his wife Talisa and off course Catelyn Stark.

3. Daenerys’ Double Cross
Probably the best ‘Hell yeah’ moment o the season, is the one in which Daenerys takes control of the Unsullied army. She reveals she speaks Valyrian and then informs her ‘business associate’ that dragons cannot be traded or owned. She then proceeds to have the dragon cook him on the spot and unleashed her new army upon the other slaves.

2. Jaime Loses His Hand
For the first two season, we wanted nothing more than for cocku Jaime Lannister to be killed. But thanks to this one scene, in which Jaime loses his sword hand and along with it his identity, the character is propelled down a new path. One that makes him incredeibly more accessible and interesting.

1. Jon Snow Breaks His Oath
The chemistry between Jon Snow and fierce Ygritte is terrific, but it’s the scene in the cave that gives the audience one of the best quotes of the season. After shedding her clothes, virgin Jon Snow (“You know nothing Jon Snow”) gives Ygritte the best night of her life.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Swordfight on the Bridge, How Jaime Became the Kingslayer, Jon Snow and Ygritte on Top of the Wall, Samwell Kills a Walker, Ygritte shoots Jon Snow

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 98: Sexy Beast

Director: Jonathan Glazer
Genre: Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 89 minutes
Year: 2000
Starring: Ray Winstone, Ben Kingsley, Ian McShane, Amanda Redman, James Fox, Cavan Kendall, Julianne White, Álvaro Monje, Robert Atiko, Nives del Amo Oruet, Enrique Alemán Fabrega, Gérard Barray, José Maria Cano Ramos, Desirée Erasmus, Santiago Frias Munoz

Description: Brutal gangster Don Logan (Ben Kingsley) recruits "retired" safecracker Gal (Ray Winstone) for one last job, but it goes badly for both of them.

Review: Some movies have a villain you will remember fort he rest of your life. “Star Wars” had Darth Vader, “Batman” had the Joker and “The Silence of the Lambs” had Hannibal Lecter. Well, “Sexy Beast" also has a villain like that: Don Logan, brilliantly portrayed by Ben Kingsley. Don is from England and travels to Spain to visit Gal. Gal is a retired gangster, who is now enjoying the sun, his wife and Spanish food. In the first scene we see Gal baking in the sun, at the edge of his pool. When he gets up a giant boulder roles down a hill and nearly hits him. This boulder is a metaphore for Don coming into his life. Don tries to convince Gal to do one more job back in England. Well, convince, Don tells him he has to do it. The fact that Gal is retired and doesn’t want to, doesn’t matter to Don. And Don is not the kind of man you say no to.
What makes “Sexy Beast” so great is the threat of violence, instead of the vilence itself. Without even touching a gun, Don is capable of terrorizing a room filled with people. Simply with a cold look and unpredictable attitude. At one point Don seems rational and has it all under control, but in an instant he explodes in anger. Don is a ticking timebomb. Ben Kingsley does a fantastic job. But also Ray Winstone, who is actually the leading man in “Sexy Beast”. He is more timid, but forms a great contrast with Don’s character.
The script is strong and has some dark humor here and there. But it’s mostly the great acting by Ben Kingsley that stays with you.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 97: The Legend of Tarzan

Director: David Yates
Genre: Action/ Adventure
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Alexander Skarsgård, Margot Robbie, Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson, Djimon Hounsou

Description: Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgård), having acclimated to life in London, is called back to his former home in the jungle to investigate the activities at a mining encampment.

Review: “The Legend of Tarzan” is the newest film directed by David Yates, whom we mostly know for his “Harry Potter” films. This is the first film since and before he returns to the wizard world with “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”. Can Yates make this other book series into a success? Personally, I wasn’t very excited about this film.
Leon Rom works for the Belgian king Leopold. In his name he is send to Africa to find valuable diamonds. Unfortunately for Rom, Mbonga, the leader of an African tribe isn’t, planning on handing these diamonds over to him. Mbonga does want to make a deal: when Rom can deliver him Tarzan, he is willing to give the diamons to him.
“The Legend of Tarzan” isn’t an origian story. We meet Tarzan when he has already left the jungle and leads a life in England as John Clayton, with his wife Jane. Under false pretenses, the couple is lured to Africa. They immediately fall into the trap of Rom, where Jane is abdicted and Tarzan has to save her.
There have been many movies about Tarzan, even a Disney film and a couple of tv shows. But in 2016 Africa isn’t as mysterious as it was a hundred years ago, when these stories were released. This somewhat old fashioned story of a man between wild animals, will it still speak to the audience? Yates tried to add a little more depth to the script, themes like slavery, colonization and racism. A brave try to make Tarzan a bit more political correct.
Although they tried to add more depth, “The Legend of Tarzan” is still a basic story about a damsell in distress waiting fort he hero toe save her. And although the action scenes are spectacular, there is only a handful of action sequences and it’s nothing that we haven’t seen before.
Alexander Skarsgård has the looks fort he role, but is missing the charisma to convince me. His cool, distant behaviour fit him perfectly as vampire in “True Blood”, but not so much as Tarzan. Margot Robbie gave her character a little bit more spice, but her role is a bit thankless. She can do more then this. Christoph Waltz plays the villain, but he is doing a routine job. Samuel L. Jackson is the best part of the film, although he only has the role of the sidekick.
“The Legend of Tarzan” isn’t a terrible film. The film starts off slow, but eventually does have some entertaining elements and is sometimes even funny. It’s a straight forward adventure film, a light film that won’t stay with you for very long. Overall “The Legend of Tarzan” is okay, but nothing special.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

Movie Trailer Sunday (247)

Here are this week's trailers.

The Intervention
Director: Clea DuVall
Description: A weekend getaway for four couples takes a sharp turn when one of the couples discovers the entire trip was orchestrated to host an intervention on their marriage.
Starring: Cobie Smulders, Melanie Lynskey, Jason Ritter, Clea DuVall, Alia Shawkat, Natasha Lyonne, Ben Schwartz, Vincent Piazza
Trailer: Trailer "The Intervention"
Comment: Clea DuVall as a director, interesting.

Loving
Director: Jeff Nichols
Description: Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple, are sentenced to prison in Virginia in 1958 for getting married.
Starring: Joel Edgerton, Ruth Negga, Michael Shannon, Marton Csokas, Nick Kroll
Trailer: Trailer "Loving"
Comment: This looks beautiful, I really want to see this movie.

A Monster Calls
Director: J.A. Bayona
Description: A boy seeks the help of a tree monster to cope with his single mom's terminal illness.
Starring: Felicity Jones, Sigourney Weaver, Toby Kebbell, Liam Neeson
Trailer: Trailer "A Monster Calls"
Comment: It looks fantastic!

La La Land
Director: Damien Chazelle
Description: A jazz pianist (Ryan Gosling) falls for an aspiring actress (Emma Stone) in Los Angeles.
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, J.K. Simmons, Rosemarie DeWitt
Trailer: Trailer "La La Land"
Comment: Can't wait to see "La La Land"!!!

The Hollars
Director: John Krasinski
Description: A man (John Krasinski) returns to his small hometown after learning that his mother has fallen ill and is about to undergo surgery.
Starring: John Krasinski, Anna Kendrick, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Sharlto Copley, Charlie Day, Richard Jenkins, JOsh Groban
Trailer: Trailer "The Hollars"
Comment: I'm a sucker for movies like this.

Top 5 Thursday: Epic Moments from “Game of Thrones” Season 2

Because we have to wait a year for new “Game of Thrones” episodes, I decided to rewatch all the old episodes. I’m going to create a series of top fives, where I will share with you the most epic moments in every season. This week, season 2.

5. Jon Snow meets Ygritte
Jon Snow encounters Wildlings and loses his group of Night’s Watch men. Finding out one of the Wildlings is a woman, he decides to behead her. Jon Snow wouldn’t be Jon Snow is his heart spoke. He can’t kill her and he takes her, Ygritte, as his prisoner.

4. Jaime’s Great Escape
Jaime Lannister spent most of the season as a prisoner of war, bound in Robb Stark’s stockade. Then, Jaime found himself in the company of his distant cousin, Alton Lannister. They have a chat, where Alton reminded Jaime that they had met before and Jaime reminisced about this time spent winning tournament and fighting wars. It’s a long, quiet scene that concludes with Jaime accepting that he’s only good at one thing: killing. He proves this to Alton firsthand by strangling him to death and escaping. Jaime may be a charming, hilariously sarcastic rogue who we love to hate, but he’s also a deeply damaged man.

3. The Wildfire
The entire battle of Blackwater is epic, but this particular moment made the most jaws drop. Vastly outnumbered by Stannis’, Tyrion gambles big and fills an entire ship with the highly flammable Wildfire. This causes a huge explosion and a flash of green light.

2. Tyrion puts Joffrey in His Place
Any scene with Tyrion Lannister could be put on this list and no one would complain. The same goes for King Joffrey, who is one of the most fun-to-hate villains in television history. When a riot breaks out in King’s Landing while Joffrey and his escort are returning to the castle, the entire party suddenly finds themselves in mortal danger. Once they’ve taken cover, Tyrion confronts the king, rightfully blaming him for the riot: “We’ve had vicious kings and we’ve had idiot kings, but I don’t know if we’ve ever been cursed with a vicious idiot king!” The Tyrion gives his nephew one of the most satisfying slaps we’ve ever seen. It’s a fist pumping moment, there is nothing like one of our favorite characters punching our least favorite.

1. Three Blasts
Samwell Tarly and his Night’s Watch buddies are collecting scattered feces to burn for warmth, when they hear the blast from the horn. But then they hear three blasts, that hasn’t been heard for thousands of years. Sam, unable to keep up with his friends, takes refuge behind a boulder and watches an army of walking corpses.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Robb Stark’s Wedding, Cersei Almost Kills Her son, Gendry Learns the Truth About Arya, Fire Breathing Dragons, Jon Snow Snuggles with Ygritte, Daenerys Teaches her Baby Dragon to Breathe Fire, Tywin and Arya, Theon Seals His Fate, The Birth of the Shadow Baby, Sansa and the Hound, The Beheading of Rodrik

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 96: Frankenweenie

Director: Tim Burton
Genre: Comedy/ Animation/ Horror
Runtime: 88 minutes
Year: 2012
Starring: Martin Landau, Christopher Lee, Martin Short, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Atticus Shaffer

Description: Young Victor conducts a science experiment to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life, only to face unintended, sometimes monstrous, consequences.

Review: Making a stop-motion animation asks a lot of a person: decication, time and patience. If I would make a film myself, I would love to try stop-motion, it always amazes me. And Tim Burton is a fan too.
“Frankenweenie” is a story about a boy and his dog Sparky. This is also secretly an ode to classic horror films. Victor is a nice boy who only has one real friend: his dog Sparky. Victor lives in the suburbs. He makes his own horror films, staaring Sparky, but also has a passion for science. When his beloved pet is hit by a car and dies, he just simply doesn’t like life anymore. When a new science teacher tells him about the power of electricity, Victor tries to bring Sparky back to life. And it works. But Victor has to keep it a secret from everyone.
“Frankenweenie” is typical Burton. All the characters look like they came from a horror film and are all weird. They aren’t just macabre, but also have an endearing feel to it. Especially Victor and Sparky.
For film fans it’s great to see all the classic horror movie references. The film is in black an white and this adds to the atmosphere and the ode to the classic horror films. The film looks fantastic and I think it’s one of Tim Burton’s better films.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 95: Get Hard

Director: Etan Cohen
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 100 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Will Ferrell, Kevin hart, Craig T. Nelson, Alison Brie

Description: When millionaire James King (Will Ferrell) is jailed for fraud and bound for San Quentin, he turns to Darnell Lewis (Kevin Hart) to prep him to go behind bars.

Review: A die hard street criminial would have a tough time in San Quentin prison, but it’s really going to be hard for the softy business man James King. He is worried, after he is accused of fraude, he won’t make it in jail. James asks Darnell Lewis for help, to get him ready for jail, because he thinks Darnell went to jail. He didn’t, which of course gives us some hilarious moments. And the title, “Get Hard”, has a double meaning.
Almost every joke in “Get Hard” is based on clichés or stereotypes. And we don’t get any further then how dangerous jail is and all its gang and that men rape their celmates in jail.
The fact that this movie is funny, is because of Will Ferrell. I think he is one of the funniest actors out there. Kevin Hart, I just can’t get used to. His humor is pretty one sided, not very versatile.
“Get Hard” isn’t great, but it is funny enough to keep me entertained the entire runtime.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 94: Hotel Transylvania 2

Director: Genndy Tartakovsky
Genre: Animation/ Comedy/ Fantasy/ Adventure
Runtime: 89 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Steve Buscemi, David Spade, Keegan-Michael Key, Fran Drescher, Molly Shannon, Megan Mullally, Nick Offerman, Dana Carvey, Rob Riggle, Mel Brooks, Chris Kattan, Jon Lovitz

Description: Dracula (Adam Sandler) and his friends try to bring out the monster in his half human, half vampire grandson in order to keep Mavis (Selene Gomez) from leaving the hotel.

Review: A couple of years ago Sony brought us “Hotel Transylvania”, not one of the best animations, but successful and very enjoyable. And because the young audience liked it, the inevitable happened: a sequel.
At the end of “Hotel Transylvania” hotel ownder Dracula realizes that he has to let his daughter go and let her live her own life. In this second film, it looks like he has taken a step back. Mavis marries Johnny and together they have a son. Dracula doesn’t want little Dennis to grow up in the ‘normal’ world, but as a monster.
The opening of the film is a bit rushed, a lot happens in the first half hour. The film is beautifully animated and has some really good jokes. And although “Hotel Transalvania 2” is entertaining, it brings us nothing really new or memorable.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016: # 93: 300

Director: Zack Snyder
Genre: Action/ Adventure
Runtime: 117 minutes
Year: 2006
Starring: Gerard Butler, Lena Heady, Dominic West, David Wenham, Michael Fassbender, Rodrigo Santoro

Description: King Leonidas of Sparta (Gerard Butler) and a force of 300 men fight the Persians at Thermopylae in 480 B.C.

Review: The Spartans: brutal, big and without any fear. With only 300 men they went to battle with the Persians. This heroic chapter of the Greek history, inspired Frank Miller to a graphic novel: “300”. Drector Zack Snyder wanted to bring this to life on the big screen. Result: a two hour event that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Future king Leonidas is taken from his mother at age 7. He has to undergo a very tough training to get him ready for the future. To proof that he can be the kinf of the Spartans he doesn’t only hsve to be strong, also smart and brave. Twenty years after defeating a big beast, he is ruling as king. And a bigger enemy is coming, an army of a million men.
The movie was entire filmed in front of a green screen, so it took about 60 days to finish that. But everything looks so good. The fighting scenes are amazing, they have a gret dramatic effect to them. And Gerard Butler is very strong as King Leonidas.
“300” is a great adaptation of a graphic novel and very well made. Although the movie is pretty brutal, I think this movie will be liked by people who normally don’t like this type of film.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Trailer Sunday (246)

Here are this week's trailers.

Goat
Director: Andrew Neel
Description: Reeling from a terrifying assault, a 19 year-old boy enrolls into college with his brother and pledges the same fraternity. What happens there, in the name of "brotherhood" tests the boy and his loyalty to his brother in brutal ways.
Starring: Nick Jones, James Franco
Trailer: Trailer "Goat"
Comment: Freakin' fraternaties....

Imperium
Director: Daniel Ragusses
Description: Nate Foster (Daniel Radcliffe), a young, idealistic FBI agent, goes undercover to take down a radical white supremacy terrorist group. The bright up-and-coming analyst must confront the challenge of sticking to a new identity while maintaining his real principles as he navigates the dangerous underworld of white supremacy.
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Toni Collette
Trailer: Trailer "Imperium"
Comment: He's no Harry Potter anymore.

The Girl with All the Gifts
Director: Colm McCarthy
Description: A scientist and a teacher living in a dystopian future embark on a journey of survival with a special young girl named Melanie.
Starring: Gemma Arterton, Glenn Close, Paddy Considine
Trailer: Trailer "The Girl with All the Gifts"
Comment: This looks amazing!!!

Table 19
Director: Jeffrey Blitz
Description: Ex-maid of honor Eloise (Anna Kendrick) - having been relieved of her duties after being unceremoniously dumped by the best man via text- decides to attend the wedding anyway only to find herself seated with 5 "random" guests at the dreaded Table 19.
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Stephen Merchant, Lisa Kudrow, Craig Robinson, June Squibb
Trailer: Trailer "Table 19"
Comment: I'm really looking forward to seeing this film.

Sing
Director: Garth Jennings
Description: A koala named Buster (Matthew McConaughey) recruits his best friend to help him drum up business for his theater by hosting a singing competition.
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson, Taron Edgerton, Leslie Jones, Nick Offerman, Peter Serafinowicz, Jay Pharaoh, Beck Bennett
Trailer: Trailer "Sing"
Comment: I can't get enough of these trailers for "Sing".

Top 5 Thursday: Epic Moments from "Game of Thrones" Season 1

Because we have to wait a year for new “Game of Thrones” episodes, I decided to rewatch all the old episodes. I’m going to create a series of top fives, where I will share with you the most epic moments in every season. Starting with season 1.

5. The Fall of Bran
Although Catelyn Stark thinks Tyrion Lannister is responsible for the attack on her son Bran, it was actually the older brother, Ser Jaime Lannister who pushed him. Bran was spying on Queen Cersie Lannister, who was intimate with Jaime, who are also siblings. Neither Lannister could afford their secret relationship to get out. So Jaime decided to push Bran out of the tower window. This crippled Bran for life.

4. The Golden Crown
Viserys Targaryen traded his sister Daenerys to Khal Drogo in exchange for an army to conquer the seven kingdoms. And Drogo didn’t exactly seem eager to keep his end of the bargain. It might have been because Drogo Recognized that Viserys was both foolish and insane. And when Viserys threatened the life od Daenerys and Drogo’s unborn child, he went too far. Drogo kept his promise to give Viserys a crown of gold, but in the form of molten gold poured over his head.

3. The White Walker Attacks Jon Snow
After remaining offscreen for most of the season, the White Walkers attempted to make a bold move and assassinate the leader of the Night’s Watch. For Jon Snow this probably couldn’t have come at a better time. With his father accused of treason and his own standing within the Watch also in question, Jon needed some way to prove himself. After stabbing the undead man, the Walker pursued on him again. Thanks to fire, he burned the walker and Jon survived. He earned a new respect from the men on the wall.

2. The Dragons Rise Again
Daenerys lost nearly everything to the witch Mirri Maz Duur. Her son was still born, her Dothraki horde abandoned her and her beloved Khal Drogo lived on only in a vegative state. At the end of the season Daenerys emerges from the flames, nakes and unharmed. And she is also joined by three new born dragons.

1. The Execution of Ned Stark
Readers of the novels knew that this was coming, as did I, but this is definitely the most memorable moment of the first season. Faced with the difficult choice of maintaining his honor in death or attempting to save his daughter Sansa, Ned confesses his imagined crimes in public and declared Joffrey to be the true king. However, this horrible boy king rejected the clemency plans offered to Ned an ordered him immediately beheaded.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Stark Vs. Lannister, The Direwolf saves Bran, The Last Stand of Syrio Forel, Tyrion’s Trial by Combat, Littlefinger Betrays Ned Stark