Movie Review - The Whisper Man

Director: James Ashcroft
Genre: Thriller/ Crime
Runtime: 111 minutes
Year: 2026
Starring: Adam Scott, Michelle Monaghan, Robert De Niro, Hamish Linklater, Michael Keaton,
 
Description: A grieving father (Adam Scott) and his young son relocate to the quiet town of Featherbank, which was terrorized by a serial killer known as The Whisper Man 15 years earlier, while rumors circulate that Whisper man worked with an accomplice.
 
Review: With “The Whisper Man”, director James Ashcroft and his cast aim to create a chilling psychological thriller. The film succeeds in evoking an oppressive and gloomy atmosphere from the very first moment. Unfortunately, the production fails to sustain this carefully built tension until the end. The result is an entertaining but ultimately predictable thriller that ends up falling somewhere in the middle of the pack.

After the sudden death of his wife, Tom decides to move with his young son Jake to the quiet town of Featherbank. They hope to make a fresh start there. However, for decades the town has been haunted by the shadow of a notorious serial  killer known as The Whisper Man. When another boy goes missing and Jake begins to hear strange voices by his bedroom window, it becomes painfully clear that the danger is far from over. Tom must do everything in his power to protect his son from an elusive evil.

“The Whisper man” excels in cinematography and atmosphere; the somber visuals and ominous soundtrack immediately get under your skin. A definite highlights is Michael Keaton’s strong, albeit small, role. He commands attention in every scene and brings much-needed depth to the story. Michaelle Monaghan is also very solid as detective Amanda Beck.

For the seasoned thriller fan, the plot is too predictable, which allowed me to correctly predict the culprit’s identity very early on in the story. This takes the edge off the final and makes the climax rather clichéd. It’s an atmospheric, easy-to-watch film, with a great performance by Michael Keaton, but without any real surprises. I still enjoyed it and would recommend it though.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Review - The Monkey

Director: Osgood Perkins
Genre: Horror
Runtime: 98 minutes
Year: 2025
Starring: Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Adam Scott, Elijah Wood, Sarah Levy, Colin O’Brien
 
Description: When twin brothers Bill and Hal (Theo James) find their father’s old monkey toy in the attic, a series of gruesome deaths starts. The siblings decide to throw the toy away and move on with their lives, growing apart over the years.
 
Review: As a child, Hal finds a toy money with a drum. He winds it up and shortly afterwards someone dies. He quickly realizes that there is a connection, but even if he wanted to, he cannot control it; the monkey decides who dies. Together with his twin brother Bill, he throws the thing away. Years later, Hal is now an adult, and mysterious deaths occur again in his hometown.

The opening scene, starring Adam Scott, shows u exactly what the tone of the film is. A comedic horror film. And the start of the film, when Hal and Bill were just kids, is the strongest. The first half hour maintains an excellent balance between suspense and humor.

“The Monkey” is based on a short story by Stephen King from 1980, but is reminiscent of the movie “Final Destination”. Death is inevitable and always very bloody.

After a strong first act, the film shifts to the present. Hal and twin brother Bill are portrayed by Theo James. He is fine, not always credible, but okay. And the film goes downhill here. The humor largely disappears, and in the absence of the monkey, the tension comes mainly from the forced dream sequences.

Director and screenwriter Osgood Perkins made “Longlegs” in 2024, which was one of the better horror films I had seen in a long time. “The Monkey” is more mainstream, but not really that good.
Even though the film had a very strong start, “The Monkey” doesn’t deliver in the end.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

00s Movie Review - High Crimes

Director: Carl Franklin
Genre: Crime/ Thriller/ Mystery/ Drama
Runtime: 115 minutes
Year: 2002
Starring: Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman, Jim Caviezel, Amanda Peet, Adam Scott, Bruce Davison, Emilio Rivera, Michael Shannon

Description: A successful lawyer’s (Ashley Judd) husband (Jim Caviezel) is arrested for murdering 9 villagers in El Salvador in 1988 as US soldier under a different name. She defends him in military court and investigates. Framed?

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 22: A MOVIE BASED ON A BOOK
 
Review: The first scene in “High Crimes” shows us a battlefield in El Salvador. Not your typical start for a courtroom drama. But “this film isn’t your typical courtroom drama.

Claire Kubik is a successful lawyer in Marin Country. She is married to Tom, a self-employed entrepreneur. They seem to be living a very happy life. But this happiness is brutally disturbed when one evening the F.B.I. arrest Tom. The accusations against Tom are shocking: He is accused of killing 9 people in El Salvador, 15 years ago, when his name was still Ron Chapman and he was in the military. Tom goes to jail and might be looking at the death penalty, but Claire believes in his innocence. Because the lawyer appointed to Tom is still a rookie, Claire wants to work the case herself. Because military law is different from what she knows, Claire calls the help of the experiences Charlie Grimes.

It sounds like your standard story about a man being accused of a crime which he didn’t commit, but there is much more to it. It has some interesting twists and reveals, which made the film pretty exciting. You’re constantly wondering if Tom really committed this crime or not, you’re never really sure until the very end.

The movie is based on the book by Joseph Finder and it’s clear that the story is very strong. I never read the book, so I can’t compare. I enjoyed the cast, Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman teaming up again after “Kiss the Girls”, which was an even better thriller. But I highly enjoyed “High Crimes”.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

TV Show Review - Big Little Lies (Season 2)

Season: 2
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Number of episodes: 7
Year: 2019
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz, Laura Dern, Meryl Streep, Adam Scott, Alexander Skarsgård, James Tupper

Description: After the death of Perry, the five women involved are all dealing with it in their own way. And new problems form for each of them.

Review: What can you say about an unnecessary second season to a good show, that got so many nominations and prizes. How can I explain to you that the second season of “Big Little Lies” didn’t need to happen, but was so good that it really doesn’t matter. The second season is really good and Meryl Streep steals the show.
Streep does everything well, as Celeste’s mother-in-law, with her snappy returns and sharp one-liners. Her Mary Louise Wright has a sad background and this reflects on her and the people around her. The mother of the deceased Perry moves in with Celeste, to help her with the twins. But she is actually there to find out what really happened to Perry. And when she finds out about Ziggy, who is also Perry’s son, Mary Louise doesn’t go easy on Jane either.
It’s off course not just Streep, the rest of the cast is sublime as well. The storylines are good, as are the scripts and the direction. Bonnie is going through an emotional rollercoaster, Renata has to deal with bankruptcy and Madeline and Ed are facing a rough patch. But what this season is mostly about is dealing with loss, the past, the present and pain.
The first season was good and it ended well. It was good the way it was, so it didn’t need a second season. But now I am very happy that there is a second season, because it’s such a joy to watch all those strong actresses perform at their very best.
The ending could suggest a third season, but that is very unlikely.

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 106: Little Evil

Director: Eli Craig
Genre: Comedy/ Horror
Runtime: 95 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Adam Scott, Evangeline Lilly, Clancy Brown, Sally Field, Donald Faison

Description: Gary (Adam Scott), who has just married Samantha (Evangeline Lilly), the woman of his dreams, discovers that her six-year-old son may be the Antichrist.

Review: “Little Evil” follows Gary, who just married the woman of his dreams Samantha. She has a son, who Gary never really bonded with. Because he thinks Lucas is the antichrist.
“Little Evil” is a mix of comedy and horror, but it’s more comedy than it is horror. A movie like “This is the End” had the same set up, but is a lot more clever and sharp then this movie. The first half of the film is funny, I really liked that part. But towards the end I didn’t enjoy it as much.
Adam Scott is really fun, I always enjoy watching him in movies. In “Krampus”, which was also a horror and comedy mix, I liked him a bit more.
“Little Evil” is still fun to watch, but don’t expect too much.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 166: Krampus

Director: Michael Dougherty

Genre: Horror/ Comedy

Runtime: 98 minutes

Year: 2015

Starring: Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koechner, Allison Tolman, Conchata Ferrell

Description: A boy who has a bad Christmas ends up accidentally summoning a Christmas demon to his family home.

Review: ‘Tis the season. Getting ready for the holidays, spending time with your family, Christmas gifts. But in this film Santa isn’t coming to town. There is a myth that tells us about a creature named Krampus. He comes to punish you. Krampus is a beast with big horns and hooves. He’s not alone, because he has some little helpers. And they are no cute elves.

The film starts with the theme solidarity, or actually the lack of it. Aggressive shoppers, unthankful children and an anti-social family. There is a big contrast between the family whose house we’re visiting, and the family that is coming over for Christmas. One is very sympathetic, the other really unlikeable.

The film introduces us to the characters and then Krampus arrives and all hell breaks loose. The visual effects are very good. Only impossible shots are made with the help of a computer. There aren’t a lot of digital touches.

Director Michael Dougherty made the small Halloween film “Trick ‘r Treat”, a horror comedy. “Krampus” is in that same genre. The film has a strong fundament, is original and sometimes a bit gory. It doesn’t shy away from controversy, because even kids aren’t safe in this horror film. The movie is never scary though. I can best describe the film as “Christmas Vacation” meets “Gremlins”.

The movie is called “Krampus”, but Krampus himself isn’t in the film that much. His helpers are more present and cause more damage than Krampus. There is also one point in the movie where I thought the movie ended. That was actually the perfect ending. Sadly that’s not the issue here, because there were two more scenes. One of them was not necessary.

Overall “Krampus” was a fun horror comedy that I highly enjoyed. Maybe this will be the go to movie for the next Christmases.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 127: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Director: Ben Stiller

Genre: Drama/ Comedy/ Fantasy/ Adventure

Runtime: 115 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott, Sean Penn, Patton Oswalt, Katherine Hahn, Shirley Maclaine

Description: When his job along with that of his co-worker are threatened, Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) takes action in the real world embarking on a global journey that turns into an adventure more extraordinary than anything he could have ever imagined.

Review: It started as a short story in The New Yorker in 1939 and this is the second movie based on this story. The first adaptation dates from 1947, so it’s not strange to see “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” with a more modern touch.

Ben Stiller plays the leading role, but also directed the film. Walter Mitty leads an unremarkable life. He has been working for LIFE magazine as a photo developer. He is a daydreamer, where he sees himself as a mountain climber and a hero. Collegue Cheryl is often the leading lady in his day dreams. Walter’s secure life is about to collapse when the magazine decides to only publish digitally. With that he also has to find the negative of the photo that’s supposed to go on the last issue of LIFE. From that moment on Walter is determined to find its photographer Sean O’Connell.

“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” has some good dry humor. Here you see that Ben Stiller has a comedic background, but not of the silly category. The film often has a melancholic feel to it. The desire for the seemingly unattainable, lamenting missed opportunities, craving the past; all feelings that many people recognize. The visuals are stunning and that in combination with the music make “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” a true cinematic adventure. The film has a clean style, seamless transitions and beautiful graphics.

Ben Stiller is really good in this film both as Walter and as a director. Kristen Wiig was the perfect choice to play the natural charming Cheryl. Sean Penn is cool as ever and Adam Scott is a very convincing douchebag.

Even the biggest cynic would have trouble to keep that smile of his face while watching “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 96: A.C.O.D.

Director: Stu Zicherman

Genre: Comedy

Runtime: 90 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Adam Scott, Richard Jenkins, Catherine O’Hara, Jane Lynch, Amy Poehler, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jessica Alba

Description: Carter (Adam Scott) is a grown man caught in the crossfire of his parents' 15-year divorce discovers he was unknowingly part of a study on divorced children and is enlisted in a follow-up years later, which wreaks new havoc on his family.

Review: In America the chance of a marriage ending is fifty percent. At least that’s what the beginning of this movie tells us. A.C.O.D. stands for Adult Children of Divorce and the successful Carter is the classic example of that. Always the mediator between his parents, trying to get their approval and always insecure. Then he discovers a book written by a child psychologist, and he is one of the subjects. When Carter’s brother is getting married, he needs his parents to act civil around each other.

Carter’s personality crisis is told in a light fashion and is never dull. This is director Stu Zicherman’s debut film and scenarist Ben Karlin wrote episodes of “Modern Family”. Together they manage to get some good jokes and funny dialogues. Adam Scott fulfills his leading role very well, but it’s his on screen parents Richard Jenkins and Catherine O’Hara that give “A.C.O.D.” the living color. And also Jane Lynch, as psychologist Dr. Judith, steals the show.

There is a good balance between comedy and drama, but towards the end it’s losing that balance. It gets more serious and is trying to go a bit deeper. The humor doesn’t have the edge like a satire, so it doesn’t work.

“A.C.O.D.” is an enjoyable film, a pretty good debut by Stu Zicherman. Sadly it didn’t manage to keep that same level the entire runtime, but it’s still a fun film.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 56: Bachelorette

Director: Leslye Headland
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 94 minutes
Year: 2012
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Lizzy Caplan, Isla Fisher, Rebel Wilson, James Marsden, Adam Scott

Description: Three friends are asked to be bridesmaids at a wedding of a woman they used to ridicule back in high school.

Review: Three unstable, crazy bridesmaids and a lot of booze and drugs aren’t exactly the ingredients for a perfect wedding. That’s what bride Becky is dealing with in “Bachelorette”. Her maid of honor is Regan, an ambitious career woman who doesn’t want anything unless it’s perfect. Gena, the cynical and indifferent joker who does everything that God forbids. And then we have Katie, who isn’t very smart.
“Bachelorette” isn’t your sweet and cheesy chick flick, it manages to avoid clichés. But it turns into a slightly obscene comedy. Because the leading characters are very extreme, it makes them very unpleasant and highly unlikeable. It heads more in the direction of being caricatures instead of characters that you can relate too. They take it a bit too far, which makes it everything but funny. The only one I really liked was Clyde, played by Adam Scott, but maybe that’s because I genuinely like this actor.
“Bachelorette” didn’t succeed in what it was trying to achieve. I prefer “Bridesmaids”, a comedy that did get it right

Rating: 1,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 36: The Guilt Trip

Director: Anne Fletcher
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 95 minutes
Year: 2012
Starring: Seth Rogen, Barbra Streisand, Yvonne Strahovski, Colin Hanks, Adam Scott

Description: As inventor Andy Brewster (Seth Rogen) is about to embark on the road trip of a lifetime, a quick stop at his mom's (Barbra Streisand) house turns into an unexpected cross-country voyage with her along for the ride.

Review: Barbra Streisand plays Joyce Brewster, a typical Jewish-American mother who is always clearly present and doesn’t keep her opinion to herself. To make it more cliché she is very focused on money, counts every penny. Seth Rogen plays her schlemiel of a son, who’s still single and is trying to sell his environmental friendly cleaning product.
“The Guilt Trip” is referred to as a comedic road movie, but that is misleading. You don’t really get to see much of the environment.
Seth Rogen is very introvert in his role, which gives Streisand the room to flourish. But all the jokes are seldom funny. All I felt was this awkward feeling towards Streisand’s role. There isn’t even room for fun supporting roles, which could have saved this film a bit. If Rogen wasn’t in it, “The Guilt Trip” would’ve been even more uneventful.
The reason I watched this film was Seth Rogen, because I really like his humor. But I was warned, because a movie with the word guilt in its title makes you feel that when the end credits turn up.

Rating: 2/ 5