Movie Review - Wake Up Dead Man

Director: Rian Johnson
Genre: Mystery/ Thriller
Runtime: 144 minutes
Year: 2025
Starring: Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Josh Brolin, Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Jeremy Renner, Thomas Haden Church, Mila Kunis, Cailee Spaeny, Jeffrey Wright, Daryl McCormack
 
Description: Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) returns for his most dangerous case yet.
 
Review: Director Rian Johnson has never made a secret of his deep-rooted love for old-fashioned murder mysteries. That make two of us. His “Knives Out” films, this being the third in the series, are a clear tribute to Agatha Christie, with the only regular being Benoit Blanc, as a contemporary Hercule Poiroit.

“Knives Out” became an instant all-time favorite, having rewatched it many times already. The second film, “Glass Onion”, took some time to get used to, mainly because the setting felt less Christie-esk, but loved the mystery jus as much. And I absolutely loved “Wake Up Dead Man”. This film feels a bit more like “Knives Out”, when it comes to vibes and atmosphere, and yet again a clever whodunnit with a stellar cast and lots of humor.

The atmosphere is grim and leans towards a gothic mystery, with a church in New York State as a setting. The script is great, full of humor, witty dialogue and social commentary (the Christian right wing and tolerance being highlighted).

That Daniel Craig is great as Benoit Blanc, is a given by now. I actually think this is his best role ever, and not James Bond. I know, a hot take. The star-studded cast deliver solid performances, such as Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Jeremy Renner and Kerry Washington. But Josh O’Connor as priest Jud is particularly noteworthy. His complex characters often steals the show and he forms a great duo with Blanc.

Some critics say it’s the best film in the franchise, or at least almost as good as the first film. Well, I am officially giving this film a 5-star rating, just like the other two. Making it a strong, solid, amazing murder mystery series. And I will be rewatching this film many time over.

Rating: 5/ 5

10s Movie Review - Pride

Director: Matthew Warchus
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 120 minutes
Year: 2014
Starring: Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West, Paddy Considine, George McKay, Andrew Scott, Russell Tovey

Description: U.K. gay activists work to help miners during their lengthy strike of the National Union of Mineworkers in the summer of 1984.

Review: Most British citizens are familiar with the miner’s strike in 1984, as a protest to the announced closing of the mines. People who went through this period remember it very well and it’s a story that has been told to children and grandchildren. It’s a very sensitive topic, still for many people. But one special occurrence during these strikes never got a lot of publicity, which is the focus of the film “Pride”.
During the strike, the miners and their families were struggling, because they had no income. That’s why fundraising campaigns were held. The in London based ‘Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners’ (LGSM) decide to also campaign for them and raise money to support them. But when they want to hand the union the money, that’s a problem. Because taking money from gays, that’s unheard of. They eventually find a union in Wales, that does say yes. The LGSM travel to a little town in Wales, but most citizens aren’t happy about them. They have prejudices and don’t really welcome them with open arms. But the two very different groups connect.
That “Pride” is based on real-life events makes this film extra strong. With that, many ingredients of a feel-good movie are present. The combination of emotional elements, humor and personal development of the characters make you think about films like “Billy Elliot” and “The Full Monty”. And since both those films are amazing, “Pride” can certainly be added to this line-up.
The screenplay is very strong but the fantastic cast also lifts this film to a higher level. Imelda Staunton and Bill Nighy can’t do wrong off course, but also the young George MacKay, who has the biggest part of the ensemble, manages to show of his talent. The journey of his character Joe, from being a shy guy growing to be confident man comfortable with who he is, is really strong. But the actor that steals the show is Dominic West, as the flamboyant Jonathan, who you can simple not dislike. His dance scene is one of the highlights of the film.
“Pride” is one of the rare films that has substance, entertainment and soul.

Rating: 5 / 5

Movie Review - 1917

Director: Sam Mendes
Genre: Drama/ Action
Runtime: 119 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Mark Strong, Richard Madden, Andrew Scott, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch

Description: April 6th 1917. As a regiment assembles to wage war deep in enemy territory, two soldiers are assigned to race against time and deliver a message that will stop 1600 men from walking into a deadly trap.

Review: Anyone who watched that minute tracking shot in “Atonement”, on the beach of Dunkirk, watched it with jaw dropping amazement. And all those people will be in for a treat for “1917”. In this sweltering film, the camera follows two soldiers in one long shot, while being sent on a life-threatening mission behind enemy lines during World War I. A masterpiece by Sam Mendes, where the technique is fully at the service of the story. One of the most impressive war movies since “Saving Private Ryan”.
On a deceptively calm morning in the spring of 1917, the British soldiers Schofield and Blake are called to their sergeant for a risky mission. A few kilometers further, a British battalion thinks it can attack the retreating Germans. It appears to be an ambush. Communication between the two camps is no longer possible, so Schofield and Blake are sent to deliver the message in person. Within a couple of hours, otherwise it will be too late.
The two clamber over the barbed wire and start, on foot, a mission that seems to be doomed to fail. It’s awfully quiet in and around the German trenches, behind every rustle there’s a threat. Wonderful how the camera wanders around the two men, it glides past craters full of limbs, dives under water, then searches the sky for hostile planes. Whereas in other films the ‘long take’ can feel like a trick after a while, here it works brilliantly. The feeling of unrelenting threat is enormous, precisely because perspective is never changed. The camera is like the third soldier through whose eyes you watch this desperate mission. In reality, the camera is operated by master cinematographer Roger Deakins (“Blade Runner 2049”, “Sicario”, “Prisoners”), who always guarantees visual fireworks.
The fact that the film is somewhat schematic (obstacle-resting point-obstacle, etc.) is not a problem at all. For that, each scene on its own is too compelling or exciting. Lead actors Dean-Charles Chapman and George MacKay delicately give shape to their characters, flesh-and-blood soldiers, not the overly fearless types who appear so often in war films. The camaraderie between the two forms the leading beating heart of the story.
The clever thing about “1917” is that is combines the gripping art of storytelling with overwhelming experiential cinema. Christopher Nolan’s WOII epos “Dunkirk”, which stylistically shows some common ground, mainly fell into that second category. That film, too succeeded in conveying the raw reality of the battlefield, was brilliantly photographed, but lacked emotional depth. During the credits it can be read that “1917” is based on the war experiences of director Sam Mendes’ grandfather, who knows. Maybe it’s that what makes it so gripping.
I think I can say that “1917” is Sam Mendes’ best film so far.

Rating: 5 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 152: Spectre

Director: Sam Mendes

Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Thriller

Runtime: 148 minutes

Year: 2015

Starring: Daniel Craig, Monica Bellucci, Dave Bautista, Léa Seydoux, Christoph Waltz, Ben Wishaw, Naomie Harris, Rory Kinnear, Andrew Scott

Description: A cryptic message from Bond's (Daniel Craig) past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M (Ralph Fiennes) battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.

Review: James Bond goes on a mission to Mexico, without the permission of the MI6, to end the mysterious Sciarra. There he learns about a secret organization SPECTRE, who wants to rule the world. Together with the beautiful Madeline Swann he tries to stop SPECTRE. The many obstacles lead him to the sinister leader of SPECTRE who is somehow connected to Bond’s past.

The previous Bond film, “Skyfall”, broke records worldwide. There was never a Bond movie that brought in so much money and even got two Academy Awards. The expectations for “Spectre”, which is directed by the same guy Sam Mendes, were immense high. That’s why I think this movie got so many mixed reviews. Please, never go in with such high expectations. I didn’t and I really liked “Spectre”.

“Spectre” starts with an amazing opening scene in Mexico, on the national day of the dead. Many typical Bond elements are in this first scene: an exotic location, a beautiful woman and a very confident James Bond in his slick suit. After his mission, Bond is suspended by M. But James Bond wouldn’t be James Bond if he didn’t start his own mission. With the help of Q and Moneypenny he starts his search for SPECTRE. We get spectacular action scenes, funny one liners, car chases, great camera work. “Spectre” is fairly long, but I never felt that. That’s always a good sign

Daniel Craig has always been a good Bond and he doesn’t disappoint in “Spectre”. He is so darn charming! And even physically he manages to be convincing as an action hero. But he isn’t as rough as he was in “Casino Royale”.

There was a lot of controversy about Bond girl Monica Belluci, who is with her 50 years the oldest Bond girl ever. Who cares, there is a lot of chemistry between her and Craig and she is still sexy enough to pull it off. But main Bond girl is Léa Seydoux as the smart Madeline Swann. Seydoux is good in her role and also has chemistry with Craig, but she is more the ‘damsel in distress’. Madeline could have been more than that.

Christoph Waltz plays the villain, something everyone was excited for. Waltz does more of the same, but not as intense and more timid. The big twist that his character got, wasn’t that surprising for me. This thanks to all the speculation and rumors, which can obviously ruin a movie experience.

“Spectre” is a good Bond movie. Daniel Craig in, wat probably is, his last Bond film. His series of Bond movies is very successful and I really enjoyed “Spectre”. I really don’t see the problem a lot of people had with it.

Rating: 4/ 5