20s Movie Review - Heretic

Director: Scott Beck, Bryan Woods
Genre: Horror/ Thriller
Runtime: 111 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East, Hugh Grant, Topher Grace

Description: Two young religious women (Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East) are drawn into a game of cat-and-mouse in the house of a strange man (Hugh Grant).

Review: Two young women go door to door to spread their religion. Many people do no appreciate such practices, let alone take them seriously. Consequently, the task of sisters Barnes and Paxton is difficult. Who would allow themselves to be convinced of a controversial faith in an afternoon? Yet that doesn’t stop the women from passionately proclaiming their beliefs.

In the pouring rain, sisters Barnes and Paxton finally knock on the door of Mr. Reed. He seems to be the only one open to their story. Mr. Reed is not easily persuaded, however; he has done thorough research on several religions.

The whole setting creates a strong sense of unease. Although Barnes and Paxton calmly answer the critical questions, the atmosphere is uncomfortable. Mr. Reed says his wife is baking a cake, but she never shows; Reef himself does not have the best social skills and asks some sensitive questions.

Hugh Grant, as Reid, undoubtedly steals the show. He has a perfect balance of charisma, charm and obnoxiousness. Despite his likeable demeanor, he is intimidating and convincing as a psychopathic bad guy.

The concept of “Heretic” is entertaining, but lacks some depth. Directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods attempt to provide profound insights into religious dogma via Reed’s sadistic cat-and-mouse game, but unfortunately don’t get beyond surface level.  

The cinematography stood out to me, especially an impressive shot in which one of the sisters appears to be running through a miniature version of the house. That was phenomenal. And the psychological element is quite good, but the pretentious undertone doesn’t work in its favor. Moreover, Chloe East and Sophie Thatcher are completely overshadowed by Hugh Grant. It’s his movie and the focus is on his role. And the conclustion was a little bit of a let down. 

I have mixed feelings about “Heretic”.

Rating: 3/ 5

10s Movie Review - The Hunger Games

Director: Gary Ross
Genre: Adventure/ Action/ Dystopia/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 142 minutes
Year: 2012
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Wes Bently, Donald Sutherland, Toby Jones

Description: Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) voluntarily takes her younger sister's place in the Hunger Games: a televised competition in which two teenagers from each of the twelve Districts of Panem are chosen at random to fight to the death.

Review: The plot of the by Suzanne Collins written book is promising. Lead character is Katniss Everdeen, who lives in Panem, the new name for the completely destructed North America in a near future. Panem is divided in districts, where the 13th district is already gone. As a punishment, the twelve districts have to deliver one boy and girl to attend the Hunger Games. In this battle only one will come out alive, everyone will literally fight ‘till the death. When Katniss’ sister Primrose is the chosen one for the 74^th Hunger Games, Katniss volunteers to go herself.

All the tributes are dropped in a forest and the people of Panem are watching them every move. The Hunger Games are a big event. It all starts even before the games, where all the tributes have to win over the audience in order to get sponsors.

Jennifer Lawrence is a worthy leading lady and she carries this film easily. She is an underdog, yet a fantastic heroine. Katniss doesn’t want to be a hero though, she is just as afraid as everyone else. But she chooses to fight for her life, without having to kill everyone in sight.

The plot is pretty cruel, but it’s softened a bit to make it more appropriate for a broader audience. That’s okay, because the film’s story is still pretty disturbing.

“The Hunger Games” is a good book to movie adaptation and a great start to a strong franchise.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

10s Movie Review - Like Crazy

Director: Drake Doremus
Genre: Romance
Runtime: 86 minutes
Year: 2011
Starring: Anton Yelchin, Felicity Jones, Jennifer Lawrence, Charlie Bewley, Alex Kingston, Chris Messina
Description: A British college student (Felicity Jones) falls for an American student (Anton Yelchin), only to be separated from him when she's banned from the U.S. after overstaying her visa.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2025 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 14: A FILM WITH JENNIFER LAWRENCE
 
Review: We meet Anna and Jacob when there are in college. The fall in love and spend every waking hour with each other. When Anna’s visa expires, she is forced to go back to England, leaving Jacob behind in the US. They try to make it work long distance, but both of them soon realize that it might be better to see other people. How strong is their love for each other really?

It's a beautiful story, on paper. But I didn’t really enjoy this film. I never really believed Anna and Jacob; Felicity Jones and Anton Yelchin were missing the chemistry. And I felt like, especially Jacob, was happier in the other relationship.

Jones and Yelchin were good in their roles. And Jennifer Lawrence didn’t really have a lot to do in her role as the other woman. But then again, together Jones and Yelchin never managed to convinced me.
It’s not even an hour-and-a-half long, but it felt much longer. And that is never a good sign. I did not hate “Like Crazy”, but I didn’t particularly enjoyed it either.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

00s Movie Review - Snatch

Director: Guy Ritchie
Genre: Comedy/ Crime
Runtime: 104 minutes
Year: 2000
Starring: Jason Statham, Stephen Graham, Brad Pitt, Dennis Farina, Vinnie jones, Benicio Del Toro, Jason Flemyng

Description: Unscrupulous boxing promoters, violent bookmakers, a Russian gangster, incompetent amateur robbers and supposedly Jewish jewelers fight to track down a priceless stolen diamond.

Review: The British director Guy Ritchie has an amazing international debut with “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”. His flashy and energetic way of filming and the fun characters in combination with rough action scenes made us think of Quentin Tarantino. Ritchie has a lot of fans. The movie “Snatch” is also a gem and he managed to get some bigger names like Brad Pitt, Benicio del Toro and Dennis Farina for this project.

“Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” with a modern and more expensive touch, that’s what you could call “Snatch”. Not only the multiple storylines that intertwine, but also some known faces. Jason Statham, Vinnie Jones, Jason Flemyng and Alan Ford. It’s visible that everyone had fun making “Snatch” and I think I even prefer it over “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”.

It all starts in a diamond shop in Antwerp, where a big diamond is stolen by a gang lead by Franky Four Fingers (Benicio del Toro). The diamond is supposed to be delivered to Avi (Dennis Farina) in New York. But Franky makes a stop in London, where his poker addiction gets him into trouble. The criminal Boris ‘The Blade’, for whom the diamond was meant, goes after Franky. Boris hires some thieves; Vinny, Sol and Tyrone. During a boxing match Franky will be robbed by one of them and they will bring the diamond to Boris. At the same time Turkish (Jason Statham) and Tommy (Stephen Graham), two small time thieves, are involved with that same boxing match because one of their boxers was knocked out by gypsy Mickey (Brad Pitt). While buying a caravan they run into Mickey, because promotor Brick Top (Alan Ford) needs a replacement boxer. Because Brick has some bets going on, Mickey has to go down in the fourth round. Off course Mickey won’t and all hell breaks loose.

“Snatch” follows the same story structure as “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”, has hard action and dark humor. Not for everyone, but I love it. The acting is good. Brad Pitt is hilarious as boxer Mickey, who you can hardly understand. And Vinnie Jones is perfect for the role of Bullet Tooth Tony. And Benicio de Toro, who only has a small role, shows us again why he is one of the best actor of his generation. Jason Statham and Stephen Graham form a fun, not so lucky, duo.

For the fans of “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”, this is a must see. It’s hilarious, tough and an absolute recommendation.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Book Review - The Hunger Games (REREAD)

Title: The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games # 1)
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: Dystopian/ Young Adult/ Reread/ Science Fiction
Published: 2008
 
Description: In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying Districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing  them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
 
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
 
Review: Deciding to dedicate the month of April to rereading the entire “The Hunger Games” series, before diving into the newest book, is the best decision. I read it first in 2011, I believe, and I really loved it. But I have never read it since. And, from chapter one, I remember why I loved this series so much.
 
Panem is what used to be North America. It was divided into 13 District, with only 12 left. The Capitol is holding all the Districts under a strict regime and they make each District send one boy and one girl, between the ages of 12 and eighteen, to compete in the Hunger Games. A game, on live TV, that makes 24 youngster fight to death, until there is only one left. Katniss Everdeen lives in District 12 and sees her sister Primrose being the chosen one for this year’s Hunger Games. But out of love for her young sister, 16-year-old Katniss volunteers to take her place to fight in the 74^th annual Hunger Games.
 
I remember, when reading it the first time, Katniss won me over from the start. She is a strong character, easy to relate to and to root for. And I believe that she still is, for people reading it now for the first time.
 
The story deals with serious issues like political corruption, violence, survival, love and sacrifice. The world Suzanne Collins created is really dark, it feels like there is no hope whatsoever. The story is compelling, exciting, tense, dark and it’s really a book you can’t put down. It kept me reading for hours that first time and it did it again while rereading it.
 
I’m so happy that I reread it and that I will be immersed into this world for the entirety of April. It’s such a good series, and “The Hunger Games” is an amazing first in that series.
 
Rating: 5/ 5