Netflix Friday - Volume 104

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

Action: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
The dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen), continue their quest to reclaim Erebor, their homeland, from Smaug. Bilbo Baggins is in possession of a mysterious and magical ring.
 

Drama: The Founder (2016)
The story of Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton), a salesman who turned two brothers’ innovative fast food eatery, McDonalds’, into the biggest restaurant business in the world, with a combination of ambition, persistence, and ruthlessness.
 

Comedy: Drinking Buddies (2013)
Luke (Jake Johnson) and Kate (Olivia Wilde) are coworkers at a brewery who spend their nights drinking and flirting heavily. One weekend away together with their significant others proves who really belongs together and who doesn’t.
 

Animation: Pom Poko (1994)
A community of magical shape-shifting raccoon dogs struggle to prevent their forest home from being destroyed by urban development.
 

Romance: The Vow (2012)
A car accident puts Paige (Rachel McAdams) in a coma, and when she wakes up with severe memory loss, her husband Leo (Channing Tatum) works to win her heart again.
 

Horror: Escape Room: Tournament of Champions (2019)
Six people unwillingly find themselves locked in another series of escape rooms, slowly uncovering what they have in common to survive. Joining forces with two of the original survivors, they soon discover they’ve all played the game before.
 

Science Fiction: Boss Level (2020)
Trapped in a time loop that constantly repeats the day of his murder, a former special forces agent (Frank Grillo) must unlock the mystery behind his untimely demise.
 

Crime: Clear and Present Danger (1994)
CIA Analyst Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford) is drawn into an illegal war fought by the US government against a Colombian drug cartel.
 

Thriller: The Missing (2003)
In 1885 New Mexico, a frontier medicine woman (Cate Blanchett) forms an uneasy alliance with her estranged father when her daughter is kidnapped by an Apache brujo.
 

Documentary: A Lion in the House (2006)
Five families struggle with the ups and down of cancer treatment over the course of six years
 

Family: Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)
The gang is back but the game has changed. As they return to rescue one of their own, the players will have to brave parts unknown from arid deserts to snowy mountains, to escape the world’s most dangerous game.

20s Movie Review - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Genre: Action/ Science Fiction/ Fantasy/ Adventure
Runtime: 132 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Chiu-Wan Leung, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Yeoh, Meng’er Zhang, Benedict Wong

Description: Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), the master of weaponry-based Kung Fu, is forced to confront his past after being drawn into the Ten Rings organization.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 17: A SCIENCE FICTION MOVIE
 
Review: When he was young, Shang-Chi turned his back on the evil deeds of his father Wenwu. Now in the present, Wenwu, the leader of the terrorist organization the Ten Rings, is searching for Shang-Chi to join him in finding a magical village that holds secret powers.
 
When he was young, Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) turned his back on the evil deeds of his father Wenwu (Tony Leung). Now in the present, Wenwu, the leader of the terrorist organization the Ten Rings, is searching for Shang-Chi to join him in finding a magical village that holds secret powers.

It’s time for marvel to introduce a new generation of heroes. Shang-Chi is a fresh face and a character I knew nothing about. “Shang-Chi” is reminiscent of the great success of “Black Panther”(2018), a film that consisted primarily of a cast of dark-skinned people and clearly showcased their African roots. “Shang-Chi” contains a similar respectful approach. The film shows that representation of different cultures is important.

The fight scenes were the ones that stood out in this film. Clearly inspired by fighting legends Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, the hand-to-hand combat are dynamically portrayed thanks to the camera work and the level of creativity. The film mixes different martial arts styles with fantasy elements.

The film does follow a pretty standard pattern and fits right in with other Marvel films. And it’s definitely not one of the best films within the MCU, but is above average and does what is needs to do and positively stands out thanks to the Asian influence.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Review - The Batman

Director: Matt Reeves
Genre: Action/ Crime/ Drama
Runtime: 176 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Colin Farrell, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, Andy Serkis, John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard,
 
Description: When the Riddler (Paul Dano), a sadistic serial killer, begins murdering key political figures in Gotham, Batman (Robert Pattinson) is forced to investigate the city’s hidden corruption and question his family’s involvement.

Review: Did we really need yet another Batman movie? It looks like we do, because “The Batman” is fantastic. Director and screenwriter Matt Reeves made a dead serious, stylish and intriguing drama.
What is he still fighting for? Fighting evil is a hopeless task in Gotham City. Crime rates are only increasing. Corruption seems to be inextinguishable. Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, sees no more bright spots.

“The Batman” is yet another film adaptation of DC Comics’ graphic novels about the dark knight. Dozens of Batman films and series have been made. With Tim Burton’s “Batman”(1989), Christpher Nolan’s impressive trilogy and even the animated “The Lego Batman Movie’ as major successes, failures like “Batman & Robin” (1997) and less popular films like “Batman V. Superman” (2016).
“The Batman” is an entirely new reboot and it does separate itself from the rest. Because it’s a complete new take on Batman and Bruce Wayne. Reeves vision is closest to that op Christopher Nolan, who around 2005 stripped the superhero film of its innocent image, without self-mockery of later Marvel films. “The Batman” is even darker and never cartoonish. In the process, Reeves exploits the specifics of the character well. Batman is one of the few superheroes without super strength, relying on gadgets, money and his own two fists. A lonely, elitist hero he is, with his butler Alfred as his only trustee.

Reeves emphasizes Batman’s humanity. Heroics are less important, though of course the action scenes are not lacking, culminating in a fine car chase. In addition the film spends a lot of time sleuthing. Grim detective films from the 1970s, but also modern versions like David Fincher’s “Zodiac” and “Seven”, served as inspiration.

Batman’s antagonist is The Riddler (Paul Dano), who sets out on a grim quest through various political assassinations. Very far from the portrayal of Jim Carrey’s Riddler in “Batman Forever” (1995). Dano’s depiction of The Riddler is psychotic and he is a truly scary and disturbing villain. Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz) also makes an appearance, as does the Penguin (an unrecognizable Colin Farrell) and mob boss Falcone (John Turturro). As far as casting goes, they did a fantastic job and the actors are all solid. Robert Pattinson foremost. I had doubts, but over the years Pattinson had his fair share of great roles and he made you forget about his awful “Twilight” period. As Batman, Pattinson doesn’t have a lot of dialogue. It’s the look, his walk, the way he is intimidating without saying a word. No cheesy one-liners or cliché dialogue. And I loved how they portrayed Bruce Wayne this time: not the playboy he is mostly known for in the other films. Here he is a broken man, lonely and struggling with his family’s legacy.

There is only one thing I didn’t like. It’s at the end of the film. Without giving any spoilers, it involves a certain character that is introduced, but barely seen. That was unnecessary and added nothing to he plot.

“The Batman” is low-key but incisive, without leaden symbolism or showy digital effects. I loved the dark and grim atmosphere and the casting was nearly perfect. For true Batman fans, “The Batman” is a definite must-see. It’s going on my 2022 favorites list, that’s for sure.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Review - The Lost City

Director: Aaron Nee, Adam Nee
Genre: Comedy/ Adventure/ Action
Runtime: 112 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe, Brad Pitt, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Oscar Nuñuz, Bowen Yang, Patti Harrison
 
Description: A reclusive romance novelist (Sandra Bullock) on a book tour with her cover model (Channing Tatum) gets swept up in a kidnapping attempt that lands them both in a cutthroat jungle adventure.

Review: Adventurers Lovemore and Dash are in deep trouble. Tied up, surrounded by snakes and villains. It’s a scene from Loretta Sage’s new romantic adventure novel, that she soon deletes. People love Loretta’s books and are waiting for the newest Lovemore and Dash adventure. Loretta herself is done with the series, but has to go on a book tour for her newest novel. Everyone visits these readings primarily because of the handsome cover model. This Alan, who is supposed to be Dash from the stories, is a muscular guy with long, blond hair and a smoldering look.  

It's your stereotypical opposites attract type of story. When Loretta is kidnapped by a rich industrialist, she ends up on a remote island in the Atlantic Ocean where she must decipher a hieroglyphic code that may lead to a treasure. Alan has to take action, but he is not the most heroic person. At least not as heroic as his character Dash. He sends in help.

The movie reminded me a lot of “Romancing the Stone” and its sequel “Jewel of the Nile’, which have similarities in theme and character types. In “The Lost City” the romance element is more in the background and not as big a part of the film as with the 80s films. Which is a good thing, because that’s the weakest point in the film. Bullock and Tatum are great apart and work well as a team, but not as a romantic couple.

Visually, “The Lost City” is all right. It looks good and the action sequences work well. It has a good adventure comedy mix. Plot-wise, there is not much to it. But the creators know that too. The film is self-conscious and they hint at that in their dialogues.

“The Lost City” is a fun and enjoyable film, pure popcorn entertainment.

Rating: 3/ 5

20s Movie Review - Last Night in Soho

Director: Edgar Wright
Genre: Drama/ Horror/ Mystery
Runtime: 118 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Thomasin McKenzie, Anya Taylor-Joy, Matt Smith, Diana Rigg, Terence Stamp, Sam Claflin

Description: An aspiring fashion designer (Thomasin McKenzie) is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s where she encounters a dazzling wannabe singer (Anya Taylor-Joy). But the glamour is not all it appears to be and the dreams of the past start to crack and splinter into something darker.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE

WEEK 16: A MOVIE STARRING AN ACTOR/ACTRESS WHO IS NO LONGER ALIVE

Review: If only she had lived in the 1960s, Eloise knows. She is about to movie to London to study to be a fashion designer. Her grandmother wasn’t Eloise, that London can be a bit much.

Once in the capital, things soon turn out not to be what she expected. Soon she disappears at night in her dreams to the London of the 1960s. She puts herself in the shoes of Sandie, a young woman who wants to become a famous singer. But are they really dreams, or does she really go through time? With a director like Edgar Wright, the cinematic bag of tricks is open and what you get is a stylish affair.

Take for example a, at first sight, simple romantic dance scene between Sandie and the charismatic talent scout Jack. One moment we see he has Sandie in his arms, ant then he’s spinning Eloise around. When Sandie passes a mirror, we see Eloise in it. Something that flows together so well, takes some insane planning skills. On a story level, Wright always stuffs his films full of hints, rewarding re-watching double-time.

 It's a very different film from Wright, because the humor that we are used from his earlier work, is completely absent here. It’s a serious film with horror elements. And I praise Wright for exploring different genres, because he did an amazing job, yet again.

Thomasin Mackenzie plays Eloise and starts strongly as a grey mouse who is out of place. Later in the film she has Anya Taylor-Joy opposite her, who plays Sandie, and together they must portray a band. Both women portray their characters very well.

Edgar Wright’s take on a serious horror works very well and I’m super impressed. This shows again why he is one of my favorite directors

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Netflix Friday - Volume 103

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

Action: The Hurt Locker (2008)
During the Iraq War, a Sergeant (Jeremy Renner) recently assigned to an army bomb is put at odds with his squad mates due to his maverick way of handling his work.
 

Drama: Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
The true story of Heinrich Harrer (Brad Pitt), an Austrian mountain climber who became friends with the Dalai Lama at the time of China’s takeover of Tibet.
 

Comedy: 28 Days (2000)
A big-city newspaper columnist (Sandra Bullock) is forced to enter a drug and alcohol rehab center after ruining her sister’s wedding and crashing a stolen limousine.
 

Animation: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
Warrior and pacifist Princes Nausicaä desperately struggles to prevent two warring nations from destroying themselves and their dying planet.
 

Romance: The Best of Me (2014)
A pair of former high school sweethearts (James Marsden, Michelle Monaghan) reunite after many years when they return to visit their small hometown.
 

Horror: The Ritual (2017)
A group of old college friends reunite for a trip to a forest in Sweden, but encounter a menacing presence there stalking them.
 

Science Fiction: Anon (2018)
In a world without anonymity of crime, a detective (Clive Owen) meets a woman (Amanda Seyfried) who threatens their security.
 

Crime: The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Two imprisoned men (Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman) bond over a number of years, finding solace and eventual redemption through acts of common decency.
 

Thriller: Calibre (2018)
A shocking deed turned their weekend trip into a nightmare. Now their only hope is to swallow their paranoia and act normal.
 

Documentary: Modern Slavery (2009)
There’s 27 million slaves in the world today. We find them in the sex industry, as child soldiers, as unpaid housekeepers and in production and as shop workers. We have all a responsibility for this.
 

Family: Ponyo (2008)
A five-year-old boy develops a relationship with Ponyo, a young goldfish princess who longs to become human after falling in love with him.

Rewatching my 100 Favorite Movies - Update 17

I decided to rewatch my 100 favorite movies of all-time. What those are, you can check HERE. I watch them in random order, there is no rhyme or reason there, just watching those movies I love so much.
 

58/ 100: A Beautiful Mind (2001)
The true story of mathematician John Nash, who developed amazing mathematical insights early in his career. However, his career was stalled for years due to his battle with schizophrenia. It’s a well-crafter drama directed by Ron Howard. The best role Russell Crowe ever played. Check out my full review HERE.
 

59/ 100: Jagten (2012)
Toddler Klara feels rejected by kindergarten teacher Lucas, her father’s best friend, and claims he abused her. After which the world of Lucas collapses. Director Thomas Vinterberg stays close to Lucas, showing in completely believable steps how his friends slowly but surely push him away. Everyone just takes Klaras word and no one seems to want to hear Lucas’ side. The story starts to live its own life, followed by a witch hunt. Mads Mikkelsen plays Lucas and impresses with his gripping performance. A movie that left me breathless the first time I saw it and it really gets under your skin. HERE you can read my full review.
 

60/ 100: Avatar (2009)
Private Jake is in a wheelchair. Bit then he gets an offer: he can serve as the host of an avatar on the planet Pandora, his brain in his sleeping body then in control of a body grown from genetically engineered cells that looks, walks and runs just like the Na’vi, the inhabitants of the planet. James Cameron’s groundbreaking use of 3D turned this average adventure film into an eye-opening and exhilarating spectacle. But it’s more than that: it has a clear message which is still topical today. Please read my full review HERE.
 
Still to watch: 40

Movie Review: Scream

Director: Matt Bettenelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillet
Genre: Horror/ Thriller
Runtime: 114 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, David Arquette, Melissa Barrera, Jack Quaid, Jenna Ortega, Mikey Maddison, Dylan Minnetti, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Sonia Amar, Marley Shelton, Skeet Ulrich
 
Description: 25 years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, California, a new killer dons the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town’s deadly past.

Review: I was thinking it with the fourth film, thought it with the fifth as well: we really don’t need this (and I don’t understand the title, why isn’t it “Scream 5”?). Where I really like the original film, also liked number 2 and even enjoyed 3 even with it not being that great, number 4 just wasn’t good. It was a simple cash grab. But this fifth installment is different.

A requel, as one of the characters in the film explains it, is both a reboot and a sequel. You introduce a whole slew of characters and supplement them with the original ones. The idea is that the original characters don’t survive and the newcomers continue the franchise. Whether all these rules always apply remains to be seen. But the fact is that 25 years after the first “Scream” film renewed the horror genre, this fifth film is constantly self-deprecating. But I still would have named it “Scream 5”.  

This time, main character Sidney Prescott is replaced by Sam Carpenter (honoring director John Carpenter in a way). She hasn’t spoken to her sister Tara for a few years, but she resurfaces after Tara falls victim of a new Ghostface killer, in a somewhat lackluster opening scene. It’s no spoiler that Tara’s group of friends then run into the killer one by one. Sam and her boyfriend Richie would prefer to escape the situation but decide to track down the killer. They seek help from former sheriff Dewey Riley, living alone after his now ex-wife Gale Weathers is the host of a morning show. Sidney has put all the traumatic experiences behind her.

For the most part, we follow the new characters. It takes a while for the old characters to enter the stage. And of those three, it’s David Arquette’s Dewey that gets the biggest and best part. He is excellent.
In putting those new characters at the front, directors Matt Bettenelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillet don’t shy away from bold plot twists and choices, without omitting the humor. Constantly, they play with the conventions of the genre, delaying jump scares and having the characters slam doors of kitchen cabinets of refrigerators with the expectations that there is a murderous creep behind them. In addition, many of the newcomers have links to the original characters. And of those new characters Jenny Ortega and Melissa Barrera, as sisters Tara and Sam, are the strongest and most interesting.

This is the first “Scream” film not directed by Wes Craven, since he passed away in 2015 and I think he would look at this movie with a smile (the even named a character after him). Even though “Scream” can’t avoid some clichés, the film (as are all the others) is very self-aware and does a lot of things right too. And when I thought it was going to be un unneeded terrible sequel, “Scream” is by no means a bad movie. I really enjoyed it.

Rating: 3/ 5

Movie Review - Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

Director: David Yates
Genre: Adventure/ Family/ Fantasy
Runtime: 143 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Jude Law, Eddie Redmayne, Mads Mikkelsen, Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Katherine Waterston, Richard Coyle, Jessica Williams, Alison Sudol, Callum Turner
 
Description: Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) assigns Newt (Eddie Redmayne) and his allies with a mission related to the rising power of Grindelwald.

Review: In 2001, J.K. Rowling released two booklets with proceeds going to charity. “Quidditch Through the Ages” and “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” where two fictional school books. The latter was written by an alter ego of Rowling: Newt Scamander. As the best and also only magizoologist, Scamander knew how to deal with magical creatures hidden from muggles.

Due to the immense success of the eight Harry Potter movies, film studio Warner Bros. went looking for a new way to continue the series. Rowling came up with the idea of writing a film series based around the adventures of Scamander and including the rise and fall of Voldemort’s predecessor Grindelwald. Three films eventually became five. the first one I loved, the second a little less, but it was still highly enjoyable. I was excited for part three. Maybe even especially because Mads Mikkelsen took over the role of Grindelwald from Johnny Depp. Mikkelsen eventually became the highlight of this film.

Part three, as the title suggests, revolves largely around Dumbledore, who in his younger years is played by Jude Law. The wizarding world is at a major turning point when a new leader of the International Wizarding Association must be chosen. Leader Vogel thinks he has found two excellent candidates in the Brazilian and Chinese Ministers of Magic, when Grindelwald also applies for the post. Dumbledore and Grindelwald share a troubled and emotional past but have also sworn a blood oath preventing them from harming each other.

Grindelwald however, is planning to take over the wizarding world and is working hard to win souls to do so. He has managed to get his hands on an extremely rare Qilin, an creature with special abilities. Not only can you see the future in the creatures blood, but a living Qilin is able to point out the candidate who has a pure, honest soul. Newt, along with his brother and friends, is sent by Dumbledore on a mission where a confrontation with Grindelwald will be inevitable.

The film is dark and at times even dreary due to its hidden subtext. Without mentioning it, a strong parallel is drawn between the rise of Grindelwald in the 1930s and the rise of Adolf Hitler. Nazis are not mentioned, but that Grindelwald has fascist tendencies is obvious. It is a villain who is more sibtle and sophisticated than his later successor Voldemort. With his charm and patience he seems less straightforward, but it is abundantly clear that he ruthlessly eliminates anything and anyone who stands in his way.  

The recasting of Mikkelsen proves to be a golden touch. The Dane is more subdued, more subtle and doesn’t employ the manufactured mannerisms of Depp. His interaction with Jude Law, in particular, pack an exciting punch from the start, due to the various kinds of tension that hangs between the two wizards. Eddie Redmayne, as Newt Scamander, is once again a charming presence, but his character seems increasingly relegated to the sidelines. Unlike the previous installment, the sequences in which his magical beasts are brought from the stables serve the story. It certainly makes for both comical and nail-biting scenes when a liberation attempt is made.

It is also a strong move that Rowling is increasingly working towards the wizarding world and the Hogwarts we already know from the earlier films. For example, the characters visit the school several times and we see a young Minerva McConagall. “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” excels especially in complex, ambiguous characters. Ezra Miller impresses as Credence (who reminds me of a young Snape) who must choose between loyalty to Grindelwald and his family.

“Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” makes some bold choices. And it works out. I really enjoyed this film and can’t wait for the next.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

10s Movie Review - Forgotten

Director: Hang-Jun Jang
Genre: Thriller/ Horror/ Mystery
Runtime: 108 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Kang Ha-Neul, Mu-Yeul Kim, Moon-Sung Keun, Na Young-hee

Description: When his abducted bother returns seemingly a different man with no memory of the past 19 days, Jin-Seok chases after the truth behind the kidnapping.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 15: AN ASIAN MOVIE
 
Review: “Forgotten” is a cleverly constructed thriller, in which you as a viewer spend the first hour constantly trying to fathom how the plot is put together. But there is no way you can predict what is really going on in Jin-Seok’s life.

We meet Jin-Seok, who lives a happy life with his parents and brother, about to move into a new house. When his brother is abducted and returns after 19 days, Jin-Seok notices his brother is different and he doesn’t remember anything from what has happened.

What is pretty extraordinary about this film, is that the reveal of what is going on, isn’t at the end of the movie. But halfway. Although that’s a daring choice, it doesn’t work completely. The film loses its tension a bit and becomes less interesting. Logic is hard to find and events become less and less credible. Too bad, because until then this is a compelling story that successfully combines elements from several genres.

Rating: 3/ 5
 

00s Movie Review - Avatar

Director: James Cameron
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 161 minutes
Year: 2009
Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Stephen Lang, CCH Pounder, Joel David Moore, Dileep Rao

Description: Paraplegic Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home..

Review: “Avatar” had to be a movie that would start a small revolution within the film industry. Our movie experience would change. Hundreds of millions of dollars were spend to create a new technology, with 3D and motion capture. Because of that, “Avatar” is the most expensive movie ever made. 

Ex-marine and paraplegic Jake Sully is send to the moon Pandora to be part of a big scientific project. He is there to replace his twin brother, who died. Because they share a DNA profile, Jake is the only one that can control the avatar created for his brother. Through a link Jake can control the body and brain of the avatar, which resembles one of the Na’vi, the folk that inhabits Pandora.

The project is led by doctor Grace Augustine. Jake has to collect samples from Pandora, but accidentally meets Neytiri, a female Na’vi. She starts to welcome Jake to her world and his mission changes. Colonel Miles Quaritch wants Jake to infiltrate the Na’vi and make them find a new location to live. The tree they live under is filled with Unobtainium, something that will sell for lots of money. But the closer Jake gets to the Na’vi, the more he adapts to their way of life and he wants to help them fight Quaritch and his men.

It’s a modern ecological fairytale that should teach us about the love for nature. The world of Pandora is totally credible, which is interesting because the entire world is completely computer generated. And the world has a breathtaking beauty. The movie and story have many layers and there are several lessons to be learned.

Because of motion capture, the Na’vi also look very realistic. This technique offers us many possibilities. And because it’s not just animation, the actors really need to act. Especially Zoe Saldana is a breath of fresh air. Her performance is fantastic. 

“Avatar” is not just another movie, it’s an experience. One of those movies that is even better on the big screen.

Rating: 5/ 5

Netflix Friday - Volume 102

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

Action: Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and his stalwart partner Watson (Jude Law) engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England.
 

Drama: Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
World War II American Army Medic Desmond T. Doss (Andrew Garfield), who served during the Battle of Okinawa, refuses to kill people and becomes the first man in American history to receive the Medal of Honor without firing a hot.
 

Comedy: Julie & Julia (2009)
Julia Child’s (Meryl Streep) story of her start in the cooking profession is intertwined with blogger Julie Powell’s (Amy Adams) 2022 challenge to cook all the recipes in Child’s first book.
 

Animation: My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
When two girls move to the country to be near their ailing mother, they have adventures with the wondrous forest spirits who live nearby.
 

Romance: The In Between (2022)
After surviving a car accident that took the life of her boyfriend (Kyle Allen), a teenage girl Joey King) believes he’s attempting to reconnect with her from the after world.
 

Horror: Choose or Die (2022)
After firing up a lost 80s survival horror game, a young decoder unleashes a hidden curse that tears reality apart, forcing her to make terrifying decisions and face deadly consequences.
 

Science Fiction: Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
A soldier (Tom Cruise) fighting aliens gets to relive the same day over and over again, the day restarting every time he dies.
 

Crime: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)
Detective Sherlock Holmes is on the trail of criminal mastermind Professor Moriarty, who is carrying out a string of random crimes across Europe.
 

Thriller: Forgotten (2017)
When his abducted brother returns seemingly a different man with no memory of the past 19 days, Jin-seok chases after the truth behind the kidnapping.
 

Documentary: Our Great National Parks (2022)
A five-part documentary series about the world’s most breathtaking national parks and the wildlife that live there.
 

Family: Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
After discovering a small, blue, fast hedgehog, a small-town police officer (James Marsden) must help him defeat an evil genius (Jim Carrey) who want to do experiments on him.