Director: Jordan Peele
Genre: Thriller/ Horror
Runtime: 116 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Anna Diop, Cali Sheldon, Noelle Sheldon, Madison Curry
Description: A family's serenity turns to chaos when a group of doppelgängers begins to terrorize them.
Review: With the psychological thriller “Get Out”, comedian Jordan Peele made one of the most praised directorial debuts ever. But it’s not always a guarantee for a great second film. The expectations were sky high and over-ambitious plots have ruined directors before. But not Jordan Peele. “Us” is another fantastic film.
“Us” focusses on the Wilson family, who are terrorized by a group of doppelgängers during their summer vacation in Santa Cruz. They don’t only look the same, but also think the same. And they want to end the Wilsons. Peele doesn’t only bring an original twist to the standard home invasion story. But it’s best to view this film without too much information.
It’s tempting to compare “Us” to “Get Out”, but they definitely have one thing in common: originality. Peele does have other ambitions then for his debut and chooses a different approach. The biggest difference is that “Us” is pure horror. It circles around the terror and chaos the Wilson go through. The story is less structured and the viewer is constantly being scared.
But this is exactly where Peele shines. He is a visually skilled director and his writing is excellent. It’s all about suspense here. Peele manages to create uncomfortable tension. He learned a lot from John Carpenter and Alfred Hitchcock.
Peele didn’t completely let his roots go, because he used his comedic talent as well. “Us” has humor and it’s mostly Winston Duke that lets us laugh. He plays dad Drew and manages to not overdo it with the comedy and keep it perfectly balanced. And the entire Winston family does a fantastic job. Because they all have to play two roles, who are very different from each other. But the real star is Lupita Nyong’o, without a doubt. She is mother Adelaide, but also the leader of the creepy doppelgängers. Nyong’o is intense, touching, tough and it’s a phenomenal performance.
“Us” maybe not as subtle as “Get Out”, but overall it’s just as good. And the climax is really strong and unexpected. Just like I wanted it. I hope that Jordan Peele can keep up this level and keeps on making strong, original horror films like this. Because originality is very rare in Hollywood these days.
Rating: 5/ 5
donderdag 28 maart 2019
10s Movie Review - Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Director: David Yates
Genre: Adventure/ Fantasy/ Family
Runtime: 134 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Zoë Kravitz, Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Katherine Waterstone
Description: The second installment of the "Fantastic Beasts" series featuring the adventures of Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne).
Review: In 2016 Warner Bros. and director David Yates brought us a spin-off for the Harry Potter Franchise: “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”. J.K. Rowling wrote the screenplay and situated the Harry Potter universe in 1920s New York. I worked and Newt Scamander was an interesting and loveable character.
At the start of “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”, wizard Grindelwald has been in prison for six months. With his charm, he manages to escape the prison. He travels to Paris and starts to recruit followers. The government wants to catch him as soon as possible, so a true cat and mouse game unfolds.
In the first film, Grindelwald was after Credence Barebone. He appeared to be an extreme powerful wizard that Grindelwald wanted on his side. At the end of that film, everyone thought he died. But Credence is in Paris, looking for his parents. And Grindelwald is looking for Credence. To stop Grindelwald from his evil plans, Albus Dumbledore sends former student Newt Scamander to find Credence. But Newt and Grindelwald aren’t the only ones looking for him. A lot happening in the sequel.
And that’s the problem with this film. Although it’s amazing to step into the magical, wonderful fantasy of J.K. Rowling and to get to know the Parisian wizarding world, there is too much going on. Newt doesn’t feel like the main character anymore, while the franchise is set around him. If they used less storylines, it would have been better.
But there is enough to enjoy. New fable animals, like the Chinese Zouwu. A big lion dragon, who looks amazing and has a great role in the film. The action is spectacular and the finale is satisfying. It’s mainly all those storylines that make it too heavy.
Rating: 3 / 5
Genre: Adventure/ Fantasy/ Family
Runtime: 134 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Zoë Kravitz, Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Katherine Waterstone
Description: The second installment of the "Fantastic Beasts" series featuring the adventures of Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne).
Review: In 2016 Warner Bros. and director David Yates brought us a spin-off for the Harry Potter Franchise: “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”. J.K. Rowling wrote the screenplay and situated the Harry Potter universe in 1920s New York. I worked and Newt Scamander was an interesting and loveable character.
At the start of “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”, wizard Grindelwald has been in prison for six months. With his charm, he manages to escape the prison. He travels to Paris and starts to recruit followers. The government wants to catch him as soon as possible, so a true cat and mouse game unfolds.
In the first film, Grindelwald was after Credence Barebone. He appeared to be an extreme powerful wizard that Grindelwald wanted on his side. At the end of that film, everyone thought he died. But Credence is in Paris, looking for his parents. And Grindelwald is looking for Credence. To stop Grindelwald from his evil plans, Albus Dumbledore sends former student Newt Scamander to find Credence. But Newt and Grindelwald aren’t the only ones looking for him. A lot happening in the sequel.
And that’s the problem with this film. Although it’s amazing to step into the magical, wonderful fantasy of J.K. Rowling and to get to know the Parisian wizarding world, there is too much going on. Newt doesn’t feel like the main character anymore, while the franchise is set around him. If they used less storylines, it would have been better.
But there is enough to enjoy. New fable animals, like the Chinese Zouwu. A big lion dragon, who looks amazing and has a great role in the film. The action is spectacular and the finale is satisfying. It’s mainly all those storylines that make it too heavy.
Rating: 3 / 5
maandag 25 maart 2019
10s Movie Review - Blockers
Director: Kay Cannon
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 102 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Leslie Mann, John Cena, Ike Barinholtz, Kathryn Newton, Geraldine Viswanathan, Ramona Young, Gina Gershon, Gary Cole
Description: Three parents try to stop their daughters from losing their virginity on prom night.
Review: Blockers is short for cockblockers, an American term that people use when they want to stop someone from having sex. According to Wikipedia the term became popular due to the movie “Superbad”. And like in “Superbad”, teenagers made a pact to lose their virginity at the end of the school year. In “Blockers” it’s about three girls though and the ‘blockers’ are their parents who try to prevent their daughters to make a mistake.
Julie, Kayla and Sam are three best friends that are about to graduate. Julie decides she wants to use her virginity on prom night, to her boyfriend Austin. Kayla wants to join in and picks her lab partner as her date. Sam wants in, because she feels left out and she is secretly a lesbian. When Julie’s mom and Kayla and Sam’s fathers find out about their ‘sex pact’, they try to stop the girls.
The film has some really funny moments, but it also has some typical juvenile comedy like we are used to in films with this theme. John Cena is actually really funny, as the big sportsfanatic dad with an emotional side. And I also liked Ike Barinholtz. The three parents don’t have a lot of chemistry though.
“Blockers” is more fun then I expected.
Rating: 3/ 5
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 102 minutes
Starring: Leslie Mann, John Cena, Ike Barinholtz, Kathryn Newton, Geraldine Viswanathan, Ramona Young, Gina Gershon, Gary Cole
Description: Three parents try to stop their daughters from losing their virginity on prom night.
Review: Blockers is short for cockblockers, an American term that people use when they want to stop someone from having sex. According to Wikipedia the term became popular due to the movie “Superbad”. And like in “Superbad”, teenagers made a pact to lose their virginity at the end of the school year. In “Blockers” it’s about three girls though and the ‘blockers’ are their parents who try to prevent their daughters to make a mistake.
Julie, Kayla and Sam are three best friends that are about to graduate. Julie decides she wants to use her virginity on prom night, to her boyfriend Austin. Kayla wants to join in and picks her lab partner as her date. Sam wants in, because she feels left out and she is secretly a lesbian. When Julie’s mom and Kayla and Sam’s fathers find out about their ‘sex pact’, they try to stop the girls.
The film has some really funny moments, but it also has some typical juvenile comedy like we are used to in films with this theme. John Cena is actually really funny, as the big sportsfanatic dad with an emotional side. And I also liked Ike Barinholtz. The three parents don’t have a lot of chemistry though.
“Blockers” is more fun then I expected.
Rating: 3/ 5
zondag 24 maart 2019
Movies to Look Forward To - April 2019
I'm so ready for April to arrive. It has some of my most anticipated films and I can't wait to see them!
April 4th – Fighting with My Family
Director: Stephen Merchant
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Lena Heady, Nick Frost
Description: A former wrestler and his family make a living performing at small venues around the country while his kids dream of joining World Wrestling Entertainment.
April 4th – Hotel Mumbai
Director: Anthony Maras
Starring: Dev Patel, Armie Hammer, Jason Isaacs
Description: The true story of the Taj Hotel terrorist attack in Mumbai. Hotel staff risk their lives to keep everyone safe as people make unthinkable sacrifices to protect themselves and their families.
April 4th – Pet Semetary
Director: Kevin Kölsch, Dennis Widmyer
Starring: Jason Clarke, John Lithgow, Amy Seimetz
Description: Louis Creed, his wife Rachel and their two children Gage and Ellie move to a rural home where they are welcomed and enlightened about the eerie 'Pet Sematary' located nearby. After the tragedy of their cat being killed by a truck, Louis resorts to burying it in the mysterious pet cemetery, which is definitely not as it seems, as it proves to the Creeds that sometimes, dead is better.
April 4th – Shazam!
Director: David F. Sandberg
Starring: Zachary Levi, Mark Strong Description: We all have a superhero inside us, it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In Billy Batson's case, by shouting out one word - SHAZAM! - this streetwise 14-year-old foster kid can turn into the adult superhero Shazam (Zachary Levi).
April 11th – Captive State
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Starring: Vera Farmiga, John Goodman
Description: Set in a Chicago neighborhood nearly a decade after an occupation by an extra-terrestrial force, Captive State explores the lives on both sides of the conflict - the collaborators and dissidents.
April 11th – Hellboy
Director: Neil Marshall
Starring: David Harbour, Mila Jovovich, Thomas Hade Church, Ian McShane, Daniel Dae Kim
Description: Based on the graphic novels by Mike Mignola, Hellboy (David Harbour), caught between the worlds of the supernatural and human, battles an ancient sorceress bent on revenge.
April 24th – Avengers: Endgame
Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Brie Larsson, Josh Brolin, Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Bradley Cooper, Elizabeth Olsen, Karen Gillan, Michelle Pfeiffer, Tom Holland, Sebastian Stan, Pm Klementieff, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Jeremy Renner, Tilda Swinton, Jon Favreau, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mark Ruffalo, Chadwick Boseman, Don Cheadle, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Benedict Cumberbatch
Description: After the devastating events, the universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more in order to undo Thanos' (Josh Brolin) actions and restore order to the universe.
April 4th – Fighting with My Family
Director: Stephen Merchant
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Lena Heady, Nick Frost
Description: A former wrestler and his family make a living performing at small venues around the country while his kids dream of joining World Wrestling Entertainment.
April 4th – Hotel Mumbai
Director: Anthony Maras
Starring: Dev Patel, Armie Hammer, Jason Isaacs
Description: The true story of the Taj Hotel terrorist attack in Mumbai. Hotel staff risk their lives to keep everyone safe as people make unthinkable sacrifices to protect themselves and their families.
April 4th – Pet Semetary
Director: Kevin Kölsch, Dennis Widmyer
Starring: Jason Clarke, John Lithgow, Amy Seimetz
Description: Louis Creed, his wife Rachel and their two children Gage and Ellie move to a rural home where they are welcomed and enlightened about the eerie 'Pet Sematary' located nearby. After the tragedy of their cat being killed by a truck, Louis resorts to burying it in the mysterious pet cemetery, which is definitely not as it seems, as it proves to the Creeds that sometimes, dead is better.
April 4th – Shazam!
Director: David F. Sandberg
Starring: Zachary Levi, Mark Strong Description: We all have a superhero inside us, it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In Billy Batson's case, by shouting out one word - SHAZAM! - this streetwise 14-year-old foster kid can turn into the adult superhero Shazam (Zachary Levi).
April 11th – Captive State
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Starring: Vera Farmiga, John Goodman
Description: Set in a Chicago neighborhood nearly a decade after an occupation by an extra-terrestrial force, Captive State explores the lives on both sides of the conflict - the collaborators and dissidents.
April 11th – Hellboy
Director: Neil Marshall
Starring: David Harbour, Mila Jovovich, Thomas Hade Church, Ian McShane, Daniel Dae Kim
Description: Based on the graphic novels by Mike Mignola, Hellboy (David Harbour), caught between the worlds of the supernatural and human, battles an ancient sorceress bent on revenge.
April 24th – Avengers: Endgame
Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Brie Larsson, Josh Brolin, Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Bradley Cooper, Elizabeth Olsen, Karen Gillan, Michelle Pfeiffer, Tom Holland, Sebastian Stan, Pm Klementieff, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Jeremy Renner, Tilda Swinton, Jon Favreau, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mark Ruffalo, Chadwick Boseman, Don Cheadle, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Benedict Cumberbatch
Description: After the devastating events, the universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more in order to undo Thanos' (Josh Brolin) actions and restore order to the universe.
10s Movie Review - Bloedlink
Director: Joram Lürsen
Genre: Thriller/ Crime/ Drama
Runtime: 90 minutes
Year: 2014
Starring: Marwan Kenzari, Tygo Gernandt, Sarah Chronis
Description: Two ex-cons kidnap (Marwan Kenzari, Tygo Gernandt) a millionaire's daughter (Sarah Chronis) and hold her for ransom, only to see their scheme go awry when she proves herself to be more cunning than expected.
Review: Director Joram Lürsen decided to remake the British Indie film “The Disappearance of Alice Creed”, from 2009. The film is exactly the same, but this time in Dutch with Dutch actors.
“Bloedlink” starts strong. Rich man’s daughter Laura is being kidnapped in broad day light, by two men. She is tied up to a bed and has no idea why they took her. The kidnappers, Victor and Rico, want her father’s money.
The plot sounds simple, but it has some surprising moments.
The strongest element of the film is the acting. Especially Tygo Gernandt as Victor and Sarah Chronis as Laura are very strong. The first half of the film is great, but the further we get into the story, the more unbelievable it gets.
A thriller with a strong cast of three and a fantastic first half. But it sadly couldn’t keep that same level of excitement through the entire runtime.
Rating: 3 / 5
Genre: Thriller/ Crime/ Drama
Runtime: 90 minutes
Year: 2014
Starring: Marwan Kenzari, Tygo Gernandt, Sarah Chronis
Description: Two ex-cons kidnap (Marwan Kenzari, Tygo Gernandt) a millionaire's daughter (Sarah Chronis) and hold her for ransom, only to see their scheme go awry when she proves herself to be more cunning than expected.
Review: Director Joram Lürsen decided to remake the British Indie film “The Disappearance of Alice Creed”, from 2009. The film is exactly the same, but this time in Dutch with Dutch actors.
“Bloedlink” starts strong. Rich man’s daughter Laura is being kidnapped in broad day light, by two men. She is tied up to a bed and has no idea why they took her. The kidnappers, Victor and Rico, want her father’s money.
The plot sounds simple, but it has some surprising moments.
The strongest element of the film is the acting. Especially Tygo Gernandt as Victor and Sarah Chronis as Laura are very strong. The first half of the film is great, but the further we get into the story, the more unbelievable it gets.
A thriller with a strong cast of three and a fantastic first half. But it sadly couldn’t keep that same level of excitement through the entire runtime.
Rating: 3 / 5
90s Movie Review - Saving Private Ryan
Director: Steven Spielberg
Genre: Drama/ Action
Runtime: 170 minutes
Year: 1998
Starring: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Adam Goldberg, Vin Diesel, Giovanni Ribisi, Jeremy Davies, Paul Giamatti, Ted Danson, Dennis Farina
Description: Following the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper (Matt Damon) whose brothers have been killed in action.
Review: Director Steven Spielberg proofs again why he is one of the best directors in Hollywood, with this strong war movie. When three brothers of the Ryan family have died in battle, it’s decided that the fourth brother can go home. Problem is that this soldier is somewhere in France. To find Ryan, Captain John Miller is the person to find him, together with a team of eight men.
The movie is divided in three parts: the first part is the landing of the American troops on Omaha Beach on june 6th 1944, D-Day. The second part is the search for private Ryan. The third part is what the soldiers do when they have actually found Ryan.
Especially that opening scene is very violent and shocking and it’s definitely one of the best opening scenes in movie history. Not only that first scene makes this movie good. The screenplay is intelligent and the camera work is fantastic. And also the acting. Tom Hanks does exactly what we expect from him: an excellent job! The interaction between him and his team and later also with Damon’s characters is impressive and believable. Smaller roles by Dennis Farina, Vin Diesel, Ted Danson and Paul Giamatti are also worth mentioning.
The movie won several Academy Awards, one being best director. Totally deserved. It’s a fact that “Saving Private Ryan” is one of Spielberg’s best, and he already made so many great ones.
Rating: 4,5/ 5
Genre: Drama/ Action
Runtime: 170 minutes
Year: 1998
Starring: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Adam Goldberg, Vin Diesel, Giovanni Ribisi, Jeremy Davies, Paul Giamatti, Ted Danson, Dennis Farina
Description: Following the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper (Matt Damon) whose brothers have been killed in action.
Review: Director Steven Spielberg proofs again why he is one of the best directors in Hollywood, with this strong war movie. When three brothers of the Ryan family have died in battle, it’s decided that the fourth brother can go home. Problem is that this soldier is somewhere in France. To find Ryan, Captain John Miller is the person to find him, together with a team of eight men.
The movie is divided in three parts: the first part is the landing of the American troops on Omaha Beach on june 6th 1944, D-Day. The second part is the search for private Ryan. The third part is what the soldiers do when they have actually found Ryan.
Especially that opening scene is very violent and shocking and it’s definitely one of the best opening scenes in movie history. Not only that first scene makes this movie good. The screenplay is intelligent and the camera work is fantastic. And also the acting. Tom Hanks does exactly what we expect from him: an excellent job! The interaction between him and his team and later also with Damon’s characters is impressive and believable. Smaller roles by Dennis Farina, Vin Diesel, Ted Danson and Paul Giamatti are also worth mentioning.
The movie won several Academy Awards, one being best director. Totally deserved. It’s a fact that “Saving Private Ryan” is one of Spielberg’s best, and he already made so many great ones.
Rating: 4,5/ 5
10s Movie Review - Widows
Director: Steve McQueen
Genre: Thriller/ Crime/ Drama
Runtime: 130 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Viola Davis, Liam Neeson, Jon Bernthal, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Coburn Ross, Michelle Rodriguez, Alejandro Verdin, Baily Rhyse Walters, Elizabeth Debicki, Carrie Coon, Robert Duvall, Colin Farrell, Jacki Weaver, Molly Kunz, James Vincent Meredith, Brian Tyree Henry, Daniel Kaluuya, Cynthia Erivo
Description: Set in contemporary Chicago, amid a time of turmoil, four women with nothing in common except a debt left behind by their dead husbands' criminal activities, take fate into their own hands, and conspire to forge a future on their own terms.
Review: The plot sounds a bit like “Ocean’s Eleven” or “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”. But it’s a heist movie, with a twist. After a group of robbers were killed, their wives team up to steal millions of dollars.
With director Steve McQueen being involved, you already know it’s not going to be a light film. He also directed heavy themed films like “Hunger”, “Shame” and “12 Years a Slave”.
Where in most heist film the testosterone is fed by greed, “Widows” changes it up a bit. Here the women have a necessity, they need to do it for their own safety. The three women don’t want to step in their husband’s footsteps, they simply have no other choice. One of the men left a ‘script’ which they women use to plan the job.
Steve McQueen is known for his fantastic camerawork and he uses it here too. But it doesn’t always work. In the opening scene, the traditional getaway is shot completely from the getaway van. This is original, minimalistic and works great. But a scene where we see the outside of a driving car, while the frustrated politician inside is arguing with his assistant, doesn’t work as well. I fit was a disposable scene, it didn’t bother me. But it’s an important scene with great acting, which you don’t see. It doesn’t make as much of an impact this way.
Viola Davis is the star of the film. Her icy focus is amazing to watch. Sadly, her character is the most developed and the other women don’t get as much attention.
The interaction between the women is strong, but there is also a lot of attention for the political games played in the city of Chicago.
“Widows” is a good crime thriller, but it has more potential.
Rating: 3 / 5
Genre: Thriller/ Crime/ Drama
Runtime: 130 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Viola Davis, Liam Neeson, Jon Bernthal, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Coburn Ross, Michelle Rodriguez, Alejandro Verdin, Baily Rhyse Walters, Elizabeth Debicki, Carrie Coon, Robert Duvall, Colin Farrell, Jacki Weaver, Molly Kunz, James Vincent Meredith, Brian Tyree Henry, Daniel Kaluuya, Cynthia Erivo
Description: Set in contemporary Chicago, amid a time of turmoil, four women with nothing in common except a debt left behind by their dead husbands' criminal activities, take fate into their own hands, and conspire to forge a future on their own terms.
Review: The plot sounds a bit like “Ocean’s Eleven” or “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”. But it’s a heist movie, with a twist. After a group of robbers were killed, their wives team up to steal millions of dollars.
With director Steve McQueen being involved, you already know it’s not going to be a light film. He also directed heavy themed films like “Hunger”, “Shame” and “12 Years a Slave”.
Where in most heist film the testosterone is fed by greed, “Widows” changes it up a bit. Here the women have a necessity, they need to do it for their own safety. The three women don’t want to step in their husband’s footsteps, they simply have no other choice. One of the men left a ‘script’ which they women use to plan the job.
Steve McQueen is known for his fantastic camerawork and he uses it here too. But it doesn’t always work. In the opening scene, the traditional getaway is shot completely from the getaway van. This is original, minimalistic and works great. But a scene where we see the outside of a driving car, while the frustrated politician inside is arguing with his assistant, doesn’t work as well. I fit was a disposable scene, it didn’t bother me. But it’s an important scene with great acting, which you don’t see. It doesn’t make as much of an impact this way.
Viola Davis is the star of the film. Her icy focus is amazing to watch. Sadly, her character is the most developed and the other women don’t get as much attention.
The interaction between the women is strong, but there is also a lot of attention for the political games played in the city of Chicago.
“Widows” is a good crime thriller, but it has more potential.
Rating: 3 / 5
zaterdag 16 maart 2019
10s Movie Review - Destination Wedding
Director: Victor Levin
Genre: Comedy/ Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 90 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder
Description: The story of two miserable and unpleasant wedding guests, Lindsay (Winona Ryder) and Frank (Keanu Reeves), who develop a mutual affection despite themselves.
Review: There is a spark when Frank and Lindsay first meet, but mostly because they are both spitting fire. In the line at the airport, the two meet and already start bickering. The two of them are seated next to each other on the plane and they also happen to be traveling to the same wedding.
Frank feels obligated to go, because the groom is his half-brother. And Lindsay is only going because her ex wanted her to come. Maybe she can finally move on. And although the two completely despise each other, they are each other;s perfect company at a wedding they are dreading to go to.
It’s basically Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder talking their way through the wedding activities. Not only do they hate the wedding, but people, mankind and life in general. The dialogues are funny, they reminded me of a Woody Allen film.
It’s that Reeves and Ryder work so well together, else it would be a pretty boring movie.
Rating: 3/ 5
Genre: Comedy/ Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 90 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder
Description: The story of two miserable and unpleasant wedding guests, Lindsay (Winona Ryder) and Frank (Keanu Reeves), who develop a mutual affection despite themselves.
Review: There is a spark when Frank and Lindsay first meet, but mostly because they are both spitting fire. In the line at the airport, the two meet and already start bickering. The two of them are seated next to each other on the plane and they also happen to be traveling to the same wedding.
Frank feels obligated to go, because the groom is his half-brother. And Lindsay is only going because her ex wanted her to come. Maybe she can finally move on. And although the two completely despise each other, they are each other;s perfect company at a wedding they are dreading to go to.
It’s basically Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder talking their way through the wedding activities. Not only do they hate the wedding, but people, mankind and life in general. The dialogues are funny, they reminded me of a Woody Allen film.
It’s that Reeves and Ryder work so well together, else it would be a pretty boring movie.
Rating: 3/ 5
Movie Reviews - Triple Frontier
Director: J.C. Chandor
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Crime
Runtime: 125 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Ben Affleck, Charlie Hunnam, Pedro Pascal, Oscar Isaac, Garrett Hedlund
Description: 5 ex special forces soldiers plan to rob a cocaine cartel boss of all his cash $$$ at his house in the Amazon jungle area of the triple borders - Peru, Brazil and Colombia. Problems arise after the plan's initiated.
Review: Tom, also known as Redfly, has a hard time settling down in the suburban life as a veteran. He fails at being a father and as a realtor. His veteran friends aren’t doing better. Ben is an MMA fighter, his brother William ‘Ironhead’ speeches about PTTS and Francisco ‘Catfish’ lost his license to fly after a cocaine fiasco. Time for a last mission. Former colleague Santiage ‘Pope’ Garcia brings all of them together to travel to the Amazone and investigate the mansion of drug lord Lorea. They find millions of dollars in the walls of the house and decided to keep it all themselves. After all they’ve sacrificed, they have the right to keep. At least that’s what they say. But how do you get that much money through the jungle? And from that moment on, the action turns into a survival film.
“Triple Frontier” has been drifting through Hollywood for years and many names have been attached to the project. Eventually it was Netflix that showed the cash.
As an action film, “Triple Frontier” is pretty successful. The tone is somewhere between realism and heroic. The team is charismatic, but the characters are a bit cliché: the brain, the leader, the trusted sidekick, the jokes and the dumbass.
Tom tells the men that this time, they are no better than murderers or robbers. Greed eventually gets the better of them.
The film has a great cast and the story is strong, but it could have been more. There could have been conflict between the men, struggling with the morals. It’s not a bad movie, definitely not. But it’s good and it could have been great.
Rating: 3/ 5
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Crime
Runtime: 125 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Ben Affleck, Charlie Hunnam, Pedro Pascal, Oscar Isaac, Garrett Hedlund
Description: 5 ex special forces soldiers plan to rob a cocaine cartel boss of all his cash $$$ at his house in the Amazon jungle area of the triple borders - Peru, Brazil and Colombia. Problems arise after the plan's initiated.
Review: Tom, also known as Redfly, has a hard time settling down in the suburban life as a veteran. He fails at being a father and as a realtor. His veteran friends aren’t doing better. Ben is an MMA fighter, his brother William ‘Ironhead’ speeches about PTTS and Francisco ‘Catfish’ lost his license to fly after a cocaine fiasco. Time for a last mission. Former colleague Santiage ‘Pope’ Garcia brings all of them together to travel to the Amazone and investigate the mansion of drug lord Lorea. They find millions of dollars in the walls of the house and decided to keep it all themselves. After all they’ve sacrificed, they have the right to keep. At least that’s what they say. But how do you get that much money through the jungle? And from that moment on, the action turns into a survival film.
“Triple Frontier” has been drifting through Hollywood for years and many names have been attached to the project. Eventually it was Netflix that showed the cash.
As an action film, “Triple Frontier” is pretty successful. The tone is somewhere between realism and heroic. The team is charismatic, but the characters are a bit cliché: the brain, the leader, the trusted sidekick, the jokes and the dumbass.
Tom tells the men that this time, they are no better than murderers or robbers. Greed eventually gets the better of them.
The film has a great cast and the story is strong, but it could have been more. There could have been conflict between the men, struggling with the morals. It’s not a bad movie, definitely not. But it’s good and it could have been great.
Rating: 3/ 5
dinsdag 12 maart 2019
TV Show Review - Riverdale (Season 2)
Season: 2
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Number of episodes: 22
Year: 2017/ 2018
Starring: K.J. Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Cole Sprouse, Casey Cott, Madelaine Petsch, Marisol Nichols, Luke Perry, Mädchen Amick, Skeet Ulrich, Ashleigh Murray, Lochlyn Munro, Nathalie Boltt, Barclay Hope, Tiera Skovbye, Trevor Stines, Molly Ringwald, Shannon Purser, Martin Cummins
Description: While navigating the troubled waters of romance, school and family, Archie (K.J. Apa) and his gang become entangled in dark Riverdale mysteries.
Review: Season 1 left us with a new mystery: who shot Archie’s father? And it’s not the only crime he commits. The so-called “black hood” is on a killing-spree and the question is: whodunit?
Like the first season, each episodes ends with tension and you find a reason to click on the next episode. And the mystery is still strong in the series. But some storylines don’t work as well. The ‘Red Circle’ is just very unbelievable and Veronica as a mobster daughter just doesn’t work. And that thing with Kevin, meeting up with strangers in the woods. What was that all about?
Betty and Jughead are still the couple to love. They are the interesting characters on the show. So is Cheryl, but her dialogue is sometimes very annoying. No one talks like that!
Now, “Riverdale” has become more of a guilty-pleasure and season 2 isn’t as strong as season 1. Especially because it’s not as surprising anymore. And Archie is the main character, but he is just not that interesting and kind of stupid actually.
At this point, I’m not sure if I will check out season 3. Somethings are just too ridiculous.
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Number of episodes: 22
Year: 2017/ 2018
Starring: K.J. Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Cole Sprouse, Casey Cott, Madelaine Petsch, Marisol Nichols, Luke Perry, Mädchen Amick, Skeet Ulrich, Ashleigh Murray, Lochlyn Munro, Nathalie Boltt, Barclay Hope, Tiera Skovbye, Trevor Stines, Molly Ringwald, Shannon Purser, Martin Cummins
Description: While navigating the troubled waters of romance, school and family, Archie (K.J. Apa) and his gang become entangled in dark Riverdale mysteries.
Review: Season 1 left us with a new mystery: who shot Archie’s father? And it’s not the only crime he commits. The so-called “black hood” is on a killing-spree and the question is: whodunit?
Like the first season, each episodes ends with tension and you find a reason to click on the next episode. And the mystery is still strong in the series. But some storylines don’t work as well. The ‘Red Circle’ is just very unbelievable and Veronica as a mobster daughter just doesn’t work. And that thing with Kevin, meeting up with strangers in the woods. What was that all about?
Betty and Jughead are still the couple to love. They are the interesting characters on the show. So is Cheryl, but her dialogue is sometimes very annoying. No one talks like that!
Now, “Riverdale” has become more of a guilty-pleasure and season 2 isn’t as strong as season 1. Especially because it’s not as surprising anymore. And Archie is the main character, but he is just not that interesting and kind of stupid actually.
At this point, I’m not sure if I will check out season 3. Somethings are just too ridiculous.
10s Movie Review - Fifty Shades Freed
WARNING: IF YOU'RE A FAN, YOU MIGHT GET HURT!
Director: James Foley
Genre: Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Rita Ora, Marcia Gay Harden, Luke Grimes, Jennifer Ehle, Eric Johnson
Description: Anastasia (Dakota Johnson) and Christian (Jamie Dornan) get married, but Jack Hyde (Eric Johnson) continues to threaten their relationship.
Review: The opening scene of “Fifty Shades Freed”, the third film based on the bestselling trilogy by author E.L. James, sets the tone for the film. Anastasia and Christian get married and fly to Paris together for their honeymoon. It’s not your erotic thriller, it’s a sugar sweet romance film with absolutely no plot. Because the sex is pretty standard, they do things many couples in love do and IT SUCKS!!!!
Anastasia has to get used to her new life. And the possessive, controlling and jealous Christian has to get used to the married life. And I seriously don’t understand why anyone wants to be with Christian Grey, because he is POSSESSIVE, CONTROLLING AND JEALOUS! When Anastasia does so much as just talk to a semi-attractive man, he is raged with jealousy. And if she doesn’t go home straight from work, she gets punished. And it’s weird that Anastasia still gets shocked about the fact that Christian has handcuffs or that she doesn’t know he has an airplane is beyond me. Plus the fact that they never talked about having children before they got married. WHY ARE THEY TOGETHER (a lot of frustration as you can read).
To spice up the non-existent plot, they bring back Jack Hyde, for some thriller elements. Which brings no tension whatsoever. Oh, and did I mention those horrible scenes that are practically commercials for Audi. Or that every word spoken is cringeworthy. And they are straight from the ‘best-selling’ novels. The fact that they are best-selling kind of worries me. Or to be more specific, people actually like this. How?
The acting is awful. Even Dakota Johnson isn’t even trying anymore. And Jamie Dornan has the charisma of a doorknob (because that’s what his last name sounds like).
These films are all atrocious and I never want to see them ever again!
Rating: 0,5 / 5
Director: James Foley
Genre: Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Rita Ora, Marcia Gay Harden, Luke Grimes, Jennifer Ehle, Eric Johnson
Description: Anastasia (Dakota Johnson) and Christian (Jamie Dornan) get married, but Jack Hyde (Eric Johnson) continues to threaten their relationship.
Review: The opening scene of “Fifty Shades Freed”, the third film based on the bestselling trilogy by author E.L. James, sets the tone for the film. Anastasia and Christian get married and fly to Paris together for their honeymoon. It’s not your erotic thriller, it’s a sugar sweet romance film with absolutely no plot. Because the sex is pretty standard, they do things many couples in love do and IT SUCKS!!!!
Anastasia has to get used to her new life. And the possessive, controlling and jealous Christian has to get used to the married life. And I seriously don’t understand why anyone wants to be with Christian Grey, because he is POSSESSIVE, CONTROLLING AND JEALOUS! When Anastasia does so much as just talk to a semi-attractive man, he is raged with jealousy. And if she doesn’t go home straight from work, she gets punished. And it’s weird that Anastasia still gets shocked about the fact that Christian has handcuffs or that she doesn’t know he has an airplane is beyond me. Plus the fact that they never talked about having children before they got married. WHY ARE THEY TOGETHER (a lot of frustration as you can read).
To spice up the non-existent plot, they bring back Jack Hyde, for some thriller elements. Which brings no tension whatsoever. Oh, and did I mention those horrible scenes that are practically commercials for Audi. Or that every word spoken is cringeworthy. And they are straight from the ‘best-selling’ novels. The fact that they are best-selling kind of worries me. Or to be more specific, people actually like this. How?
The acting is awful. Even Dakota Johnson isn’t even trying anymore. And Jamie Dornan has the charisma of a doorknob (because that’s what his last name sounds like).
These films are all atrocious and I never want to see them ever again!
Rating: 0,5 / 5
maandag 11 maart 2019
10s Movie Review - Halloween
Director: David Gordon Green
Genre: Thriller/ Horror
Runtime: 106 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Will Patton
Description: Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) confronts her long-time foe Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago.
Review: The term retcon means retroactive continuity. Which means that events in sequels and prequels never happened. With that in mind, “Halloween” is the direct sequel to the 1978 version by John Carpenter. Forgetting that character Laurie Strode had a son in “Halloween H20” and died in “Halloween: Resurrection”.
Laurie Strode is alive and well and completely prepared on another confrontation with the boogey man. Forty years after Michael Myers murdered his sister and four other teenagers with a kitchen knife, the psychopath was send to prison. In the highly secured institute he is staying, he hasn’t said a word since.
Laurie has been traumatized by the events that happened forty Halloweens ago. She saw two marriages fail and her relationship with her daughter and granddaughter is anything but good. Her house is a fort filled with booby traps and Laurie is a well trained sniper. When Michael Myers manages to escape during transportation, Laurie is ready for him.
Director David Gordon Green is obviously a fan of the original, because he has tried to capture the same atmosphere and style. Some scenes reminded me of the other film. And he also manages to minimalize the fake jump scares and he builds up the tension. The highlight of the film is without a doubt Jamie Lee Curtis, who reprises her role s Laurie Strode. But there isn’t enough Laurie in it, what I didn’t expect. The focus is more on the granddaughter, which is something I didn’t really like.
The film has some unnecessary scenes. Like a Halloween party scene, that really belongs in a teen drama film, and a scene with two cops talking about a sandwich.
The final scene is really strong, that was the best moment of the film. I hope they leave it with this, because the “Halloween” ended well this way.
Rating: 3 / 5
Genre: Thriller/ Horror
Runtime: 106 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Will Patton
Description: Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) confronts her long-time foe Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago.
Review: The term retcon means retroactive continuity. Which means that events in sequels and prequels never happened. With that in mind, “Halloween” is the direct sequel to the 1978 version by John Carpenter. Forgetting that character Laurie Strode had a son in “Halloween H20” and died in “Halloween: Resurrection”.
Laurie Strode is alive and well and completely prepared on another confrontation with the boogey man. Forty years after Michael Myers murdered his sister and four other teenagers with a kitchen knife, the psychopath was send to prison. In the highly secured institute he is staying, he hasn’t said a word since.
Laurie has been traumatized by the events that happened forty Halloweens ago. She saw two marriages fail and her relationship with her daughter and granddaughter is anything but good. Her house is a fort filled with booby traps and Laurie is a well trained sniper. When Michael Myers manages to escape during transportation, Laurie is ready for him.
Director David Gordon Green is obviously a fan of the original, because he has tried to capture the same atmosphere and style. Some scenes reminded me of the other film. And he also manages to minimalize the fake jump scares and he builds up the tension. The highlight of the film is without a doubt Jamie Lee Curtis, who reprises her role s Laurie Strode. But there isn’t enough Laurie in it, what I didn’t expect. The focus is more on the granddaughter, which is something I didn’t really like.
The film has some unnecessary scenes. Like a Halloween party scene, that really belongs in a teen drama film, and a scene with two cops talking about a sandwich.
The final scene is really strong, that was the best moment of the film. I hope they leave it with this, because the “Halloween” ended well this way.
Rating: 3 / 5
maandag 4 maart 2019
TV Show Review - Riverdale (Season 1)
Season: 1
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Number of episodes: 14
Year: 2017
Starring: K.J. Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Cole Sprouse, Casey Cott, Madelaine Petsch, Marisol Nichols, Luke Perry, Mädchen Amick, Skeet Ulrich, Ashleigh Murray, Lochlyn Munro, Nathalie Boltt, Barclay Hope, Tiera Skovbye, Trevor Stines, Molly Ringwald, Shannon Purser, Martin Cummins
Description: While navigating the troubled waters of romance, school and family, Archie (K.J. Apa) and his gang become entangled in dark Riverdale mysteries.
Review: Riverdale is a simple town, a typical American town. But when teenager Jason Blossom is found murdered, the whole town turns upside down. Who did it and why?
“Riverdale” is your typical teen show. A bunch of teens, with your stereotypes, growing up in a small town. Teen drama, I love it. But there is some mystery and crime drama added to the mix. Which makes it a bit different.
The actors are fairly unknown. Cole Sprouse might be a familiar face, who used to shine in “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” with his twin brother. His role of Jughead Jones is easily my favorite character of the show so far. But as I am a thirty-something woman, my heart skipped a beat when I saw Luke Perry! He was one of my crushes in my teen years. I also love Lili Reinhart, as the ‘Nancy Drew’ of Riverdale, playing Betty Cooper.
“Riverdale” is a perfect binge-watch show. After each episode, you just can’t wait to watch the next. When the body of Jason Blossom is found, the series turns into a whodunit and I love those. You start to tag along with the characters in their search for Jason’s killer.
I’m glad this season didn’t have that many episodes and it wraps up a lot of the answers at the end. So that it’s time for another mystery. Which it does. It ends with a tragic happening, which will obviously set the second season.
The series isn’t original. This type of story has been done so many times. But it’s really enjoyable and easy to watch.
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Number of episodes: 14
Year: 2017
Starring: K.J. Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Cole Sprouse, Casey Cott, Madelaine Petsch, Marisol Nichols, Luke Perry, Mädchen Amick, Skeet Ulrich, Ashleigh Murray, Lochlyn Munro, Nathalie Boltt, Barclay Hope, Tiera Skovbye, Trevor Stines, Molly Ringwald, Shannon Purser, Martin Cummins
Description: While navigating the troubled waters of romance, school and family, Archie (K.J. Apa) and his gang become entangled in dark Riverdale mysteries.
Review: Riverdale is a simple town, a typical American town. But when teenager Jason Blossom is found murdered, the whole town turns upside down. Who did it and why?
“Riverdale” is your typical teen show. A bunch of teens, with your stereotypes, growing up in a small town. Teen drama, I love it. But there is some mystery and crime drama added to the mix. Which makes it a bit different.
The actors are fairly unknown. Cole Sprouse might be a familiar face, who used to shine in “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” with his twin brother. His role of Jughead Jones is easily my favorite character of the show so far. But as I am a thirty-something woman, my heart skipped a beat when I saw Luke Perry! He was one of my crushes in my teen years. I also love Lili Reinhart, as the ‘Nancy Drew’ of Riverdale, playing Betty Cooper.
“Riverdale” is a perfect binge-watch show. After each episode, you just can’t wait to watch the next. When the body of Jason Blossom is found, the series turns into a whodunit and I love those. You start to tag along with the characters in their search for Jason’s killer.
I’m glad this season didn’t have that many episodes and it wraps up a lot of the answers at the end. So that it’s time for another mystery. Which it does. It ends with a tragic happening, which will obviously set the second season.
The series isn’t original. This type of story has been done so many times. But it’s really enjoyable and easy to watch.
vrijdag 1 maart 2019
TV Show Review - Luther (Season 3)
Season: 3
Genre: Thriller/ Drama
Number of episodes: 4
Year: 2013
Starring: Idris Elba, Ruth Wilson, Dermot Crowley, Warren Brown, Michael Smiley, Paul McGann, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Sienna Guillory, David O’Hara
Description: DCI John Luther (Idris Elba) is a near-genius murder detective whose brilliant mind can't always save him from the dangerous violence of his passions.
Review: In the third season of “Luther”, John Luther is secretly investigated by his former colleague Erin Gray and her new partner George Stark. They try to get Luther’s loyal partner Justin Ripley to get on board with them.
Like season 2, this season only had four episode and it deals with two cases. The first case follows a serial killer, who copies the murders from the Shereditch Keeper that happened 30 years ago. This is case has some real scary moments, because the killer is pretty creepy During this investigation, Luther is also asked to look into another case. What he doesn’t know is, that Luther was requested by Stark and Gray do investigate this case. This way they want to catch him red handed when he makes a mistake or he shows his unorthodox methods.
The second case deals with a man who suffers from ‘hero complex’. At least that’s what Luther thinks. The suspects murders criminals like pedophiles, who he believes didn’t get the right punishment for the crime.
Luther is also getting a bit of romance in this season, in the form of Mary. Luther gets to know her, when he accidentally hits her car.
The show had a very good finale, mostly thanks to Idris Elba and a surprising return of a beloved character. But overall, this was so far my least favorite season. I loved how they did it in the first season, one case per episode.
Genre: Thriller/ Drama
Number of episodes: 4
Year: 2013
Starring: Idris Elba, Ruth Wilson, Dermot Crowley, Warren Brown, Michael Smiley, Paul McGann, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Sienna Guillory, David O’Hara
Description: DCI John Luther (Idris Elba) is a near-genius murder detective whose brilliant mind can't always save him from the dangerous violence of his passions.
Review: In the third season of “Luther”, John Luther is secretly investigated by his former colleague Erin Gray and her new partner George Stark. They try to get Luther’s loyal partner Justin Ripley to get on board with them.
Like season 2, this season only had four episode and it deals with two cases. The first case follows a serial killer, who copies the murders from the Shereditch Keeper that happened 30 years ago. This is case has some real scary moments, because the killer is pretty creepy During this investigation, Luther is also asked to look into another case. What he doesn’t know is, that Luther was requested by Stark and Gray do investigate this case. This way they want to catch him red handed when he makes a mistake or he shows his unorthodox methods.
The second case deals with a man who suffers from ‘hero complex’. At least that’s what Luther thinks. The suspects murders criminals like pedophiles, who he believes didn’t get the right punishment for the crime.
Luther is also getting a bit of romance in this season, in the form of Mary. Luther gets to know her, when he accidentally hits her car.
The show had a very good finale, mostly thanks to Idris Elba and a surprising return of a beloved character. But overall, this was so far my least favorite season. I loved how they did it in the first season, one case per episode.