10s Movie Review - The Report

Director: Scott Z. Burns
Genre: Crime/ Drama
Runtime: 119 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Adam Driver, Annette Bening, John Hamm, Ted Levine, Tim Blake Nelson, Maura Tierney, Corey Stoll, Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Morrison

Description: Idealistic Senate staffer Daniel J. Jones (Adam Driver), tasked by his boss to lead an investigation into the CIA’s post 9/11 Detention and Interrogation Program, uncovers shocking secrets.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 20: A FILM WITH A STRON POLITICAL OR SOCIAL MESSAGE
 
Review: In the years following the 9/ 11 attacks, it slowly but surely became clear that the US had little to fear in the war on terrorism. The CIA engaged in gross torture techniques on a large scale in order to extract information from often innocent suspects. “The Report” shows how one drive investigator brought the world’s most advanced intelligence agency to its knees.

Dan Jones is a young man with sky-high ambitions. When Senator Dianne Feinstein gives him the task of working with an independent team to investigate the CIA’s post-9/11 interrogation techniques, he bites the bullet. What he discovers bit by bit is unsettling and not for the faint of heart. The CIA saw little in the conventional interrogation techniques of Arabic-speaking agents who slowly tried to gain the trust of suspects. Two psychologists introduce new techniques, that they claim are scientific proof of more effective interrogating methods.

This is just the beginning. Whereas the CIA was initially cooperative, as Jones discovers more, of course, more and more doors are closing. Meanwhile, the investigative team he started with is thinning out. His colleagues no longer see any point in a mission doomed to failure. But Jones continues stoically.  

Adam Driver has already shown that he can play a wide range of roles. But he was made for this film. I think the film could have turned out a lot different with another lead actor. “The Report” may feel a bit ‘dry’ sometimes. It’s a lot of facts. Driver manages to create a character that you really want to succeed, even though he doesn’t show a lot of emotions. At least at first. Jones is a very stoic, pragmatic man, but when he gets deeper in the investigation, emotions do arise and that makes Driver’s performance even more impressive.

Unlike many American political films, for once it does not point exclusively at the Republicans. “The Report” is a very anti-America film if I may say so. But it’s still a political drama of integrity in the tradition of films like “All the President’s Men” and “Spotlight”.

The political drama is a sub-genre that might not speak to everyone. I happen to be drawn to it. Political intrigue keeps my attention and with “The Report” I was invested from start to finish. I can’t believe nobody talked about this film when it came out. At least, I didn’t hear a lot about it.

Rating: 4,5 / 5

Movie Review - Nyad

Director: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 121 minutes
Year: 2023
Starring: Annette Bening, Jodie Foster, Rhys Ifans
 
Description: The remarkable true story of athlete Diana Nyad (Annette Bening) who, at age 60 and with the help of her best friend and coach (Jodie Foster), commits to achieving her life-long dream: a 110-mile open sea swim from Cuba to Florida.

Review: Diana Nyad is a woman who at sixty-four overcame her greatest challenge: swimming from Cuba to Florida (over one hundred and sixty kilometers). She failed at this attempt when she was 28. It’s more than a two day swim, with a lot of obstacles on her way: staying awake constantly, trying to eat, sharks, jelly fish, the cold, the weather.

Annette Bening plays the role of Diana Nyad convincingly. At her side is Jodie Foster, who plays her best friend and coach Bonnie. Also wonderful Both characters are easy to empathize with, even though Diana can be unsufferable at times.

The film is nicely shot, with sometimes adding images from the actual events with the real Diana. And there is room for Diana’s early life as well, which gives her challenge some extra weight on an emotional level.

It is admirable how determined Diana is and how she never gives up. Because she tried many times before actually succeeding. Most people would have already give up. Diana truly is an inspiration.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Review - Death on the Nile

Director: Kenneth Branagh
Genre: Drama/ Crime/ Thriller/ Mystery
Runtime: 127 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Gal Gadot, Tom Bateman, Annette Bening, Russel Brand, Emma Mackey, Armie Hammer, Rose Leslie, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Letitia Wright, Sophie Okonedo
 
    
Description: While on vacation on the Nile, Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh_ must investigate the murder of a young heiress (Gal Gadot).

Review: Detective Hercule Poirot attends a cruise of a newlywed coupe on the Nile River. During this cruise, someone is mysteriously murdered. Who is the culprit?
“Murder on the Orient Express”(2017) was an enjoyable detective-thriller. Based on the book of the same name, director Kenneth Branagh managed to keep the story engaging. It was a solid whodunnit. This stand-alone sequel, “Death on the Nile”, once again features Poirot as a detective (also portrayed by director Branagh) who must solve a new case. This time on the river Nile.
We know what to expect thanks to “Murder on the Orient Express”, so the wait until something actual happens now feels longer. It takes over an hour for the first murder to occur. Before this, the films makes an attempt at character development, but because of the many characters, they all remain superficial. Added to this is the fact that the cast of its predecessor was many times stronger. Unfortunately, the cast of “Death on the Nile” cannot match this.
The film gets off to a slows tart and the final murder mystery is not as strong. One wise choice was to focus on detective Poirot. We see a glimpse of his backstory and tries to highlight the sympathetic side of the man. Kenneth Branagh is also the highlight of the film, because he shines as Poirot. And he also very well directed this film.
“Death on the Nile” is a bit long, the build-up is a slow and the final murder mystery is not as strong as in its predecessor. As a viewer you are also puzzling for answers and these are fairly predictable and obvious. Fun to watch once, but that’s all it is.
Death on the Nile is a bit long, the build-up is slow and the final murder mystery is not as strong as in its predecessor. As a viewer you are also puzzling for answers and these are fairly predictable and obvious, if I say so myself. This is a typical case of a film that is fun to watch once, but that's all it is.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

Movie Review - Georgetown

Director: Christoph Waltz
Genre: Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Vanessa Redgrave, Christoph Waltz, Annette Bening

Description: Ulrich Mott (Christoph Waltz), an ambitious social climber, marries a wealthy widow (Vanessa Redgrave) in Washington D.C. in order to mix with powerful political players.

I WATCHED THIS FOR MY 2021 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 32: A MOVIE WITH A NAME IN THE TITLE
 
Review: Christoph Waltz plays the charming Ulrich Mott, an ambitious social climber, who marries the much older Elsa. This way he can come in contact with powerful political players. Elsa’s daughter Amanda doesn’t trust Ulrich. With “Georgetown”, Waltz debuts as a director.
I was really interested when I read the plot, but the film is not that memorable. It has some twists, but nothing surprising. And Waltz’s character is not that different from most characters  he plays. I was actually kind of bored with this film.
“Georgetown” is an easy forgettable film, with fine actors and performances and an okay plot, but doesn’t offer us anything new or special.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

10s Movie Review - Captain Marvel

Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
Genre: Action/ Adventure
Runtime: 124 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Jude Law, Annette Bening, Lashana Lynch, Clark Gregg, Djimon Hounsou, Gemma Chan, Lee Pace

Description: Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races.

Review: In 2017 there was “Wonder Woman” and we finally got a good movie starring a female superhero. And it was directed by a woman. It was an easy watch without being too feminist. But this was DC. Marvel has been overshadowing DC for years now, but here DC beat them. But Marvel has an answer, in the form of “Captain Marvel”.
We know her as Miss Marvel in the comics, but was promoted to Captain Marvel (which is a man in the comics). Born as Carol Danvers, we see her as a member of an intergalactic taskforce fighting against the Skrulls, a shape-shifting rase who is at war with her people, the Kree. When Carol crashes on Planet Earth in the mid-90s, she has to fight the Skrulls on her own. Carol meets S.H.I.E.L.D.-agent Nick Fury, who she teams up with.
Having Fury in this film is a big win. Played by Samuel L. Jackson in several other Marvel films, he finally gets a more substantial part in one. And I love him in “Captain Marvel”. He also has great chemistry and interaction with Brie Larson, who plays the titular character very well.
The film has a great 90s vibe, and not only due to the setting, clothes and music. Also when you look at the action scenes.
I’m a little late to the party, seeing “Captain Marvel” just now. I expected something completely different, but was pleasantly surprised. I highly enjoyed “Captain Marvel”.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Reviews - Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool

Director: Paul McGuigan
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Jamie Bell, Annette Bening, Julie Walter, Stephen Graham

Description: A romance sparks between a young actor (Jamie Bell) and a Hollywood leading lady (Annette Bening).

Review: For a second, Gloria Grahame was one of the familiar faces in Hollywood. Especially in film noirs her talented really showed. She starred opposite of Humphrey Bogart in “In a Lonely Place” and she shined in “The Big Heat”. She even won an Acadmey Award for “The Bad and the Beautiful”. And still Grahame was forgotten. I think, many people won’t even remember her by hearing her name. “Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool” is about Gloria’s life, years after she turned her back to Hollywood.
This part of her life, we see through the eyes of Peter Turner. He was a young actor, who happened to rent a room in the same building as Gloria, when she took on a role in a theater in England. She is many years older then Peter, but the two hit it off right away. The start a passionate relationship, Peter’s family love her and he even moves in with her in America.
The two break it off, which we see in flashbacks. But it’s Peter she calls, when Gloria is back in Liverpool again. She is sick and Peter and his family take her in.
Annette Being didn’t try to look like Gloria, but she does have some characteristics in common with her. Especially the voice. Jamie Bell was also perfectly cast for his role. And Julie Walters’ role is beautiful.
The film feels like a play. It’s only set in a few locations and the way they show us flashbacks is for example like walking through a door right into the flashback situation. Really clever. I can understand that this might get a bit dull for people. But the film is so interesting because Gloria is such a mystery. If you know the real Gloria Grahame, you would know that she was ‘banished’ from Hollywood because of some scandals in her private life. They hardly bring this up in the movie. I think that was a good choice. This way you can completely focus on Gloria and Peter’s story.
It’s mostly an acting movie with good cinematography. But I really liked “Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool”.

Rating: 4 / 5

Top 5 Thursday: Movie Moms

Sunday is Mother’s Day and I thought it would be fun to share the best movie moms with you. Here are my favorite mothers in movies (not necessarily good moms, but very iconic).

5. Jules & Nic (Julianne Moore and Annette Bening in “The Kids Are All Right”)
Two moms, lesbian moms, who have two kids together. Super cool. One relaxed and a younger soul, the other serious and strict.

4. Mom (Kathleen Turner in “Serial Mom”)
Probably the worst mom to have, because whenever you do something to her kids or family, she will kill you. Literally!

3. Rosemary Penderghast (Patricia Clarkson in “Easy A”)
For me, Rosemary Pendergast is iconic, because of her parenting style. She is modern, hip, sometimes a bit awkward yet a chill mom to have.

2. The Bride/ Beatrix Kiddo (Uma Thurman in “Kill Bill Vol.2”)
Thinking her daughter has died, after she was in a coma for four years, motherhood eventually comes natural to her when Bride first meets her daughter Bebe.

1. Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton in “Terminator 2: Judgment Day”)
Sarah Connor is traumatized by something nobody believes really happened. She is estranged from her son John, who brings her right back into that nightmare she once fled. But this time the Terminator is here to help Sarah. And Sarah does everything to save her son.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Betty Mahmoody (Sally Field in “Not Without My Daughter”), Helen Parr/ Elastigirl (Holly Hunter in “The Incredibles”), Eva Khatchadourian (Tilda Swinton in “We Need to Talk About Kevin”), Sophie (Meryl Streep in “Sophie’s Choice”)

Movie Battle: (500) Days of Summer Vs. Ruby Sparks

I’m not a very big fan of romantic comedies, unless they are a bit unconventional. The two I can think of are going to battle it out in today’s movie battle: “(500) Days of Summer” Vs. “Ruby Sparks”

ACTORS

(500) Days of Summer: This was one of the films that brought us back Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who is now one of the more successful actors in Hollywood. Together with Zooey Deschanel he forms an amazing couple. Their performances are amazing.

Ruby Sparks: Paul Dano is an extraordinary actor, I really like him. He does a great job in “Ruby Sparks”. And Zoe Kazan, as Ruby Sparks, is amazing! Fun supporting roles by Annette Bening, Antonio Banderas, Chris Messina and Steve Coogan.

STORY

(500) Days of Summer: When Tom meets Summer, he falls far her immediately. Summer doesn’t believe true love exists, Tom does. We see the 500 days Summer is in Tom’s life. It sounds like your average rom com, but it’s anything but that.

Ruby Sparks: The story doesn’t sound straight forward and isn’t. It’s about a struggling writer, who writes about a woman who can love him and actually coming to life. It’s an original story (written by Zoe Kazan) and executed very well.

EFFECTS

(500) Days of Summer: The cinematography of “(500) Days of Summer” is magnificent. First off, the story isn’t told chronologically, but there are also some great effects used. Like the split screen, where we see Tom’s expectations and reality of a moment.

Ruby Sparks: The film looks beautiful, but more straight forward then “(500) Days of Summer”.

WINNER

Although I really loved “Ruby Sparks”, “(500) Days of Summer” has been one of my all-time favorites ever since I first saw it

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 91: Ruby Sparks

Director: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris

Genre: Comedy/ Romance/ Drama

Runtime: 106 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Chris Messina, Annette Bening, Antonio Banderas, Steve Coogan, Elliot Gould, Wallce Langham, Alia Shawkat

Description: A novelist (Paul Dano) struggling with writer's block finds romance in a most unusual way: by creating a female character he thinks will love him, then willing her into existence.

Review: Make up your ideal woman and then all of a sudden she is in standing in your house. This is the story in “Ruby Sparks”. Calvin is an ordinary young man who wrote a successful book in his high school years. He lives in a beautiful apartment and still holds lectures and presentations about that book. Everyone is waiting for his next novel, but Calvin is struggling with writer’s block. When he dreams about a beautiful girl, his psychologist advices Calvin to write about her. He names her Ruby Sparks and starts writing about her. And she comes to live. Calvin starts a romance with Ruby and whenever he wants something from Ruby, he just writes it down. It looks like the ideal situation, but it isn’t.

Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris already made “Little Miss Sunshine” together, a movie that won over a lot of hearts. This time the duo creates another comedy, with a romantic touch. The script is by Zoe Kazan, who plays Ruby.

Zoe Kazan and Paul Dano form a great couple with great chemistry. In the first hour of the film it’s more comedic and Dano shows of his comedic talent. Kazan didn’t only write a fun and original script, but she is also a really pleasant actress to watch. Chris Messina, as Calvin’s brother Harry, is also great in his role and has some great scenes. With them there is also Annette Bening, Antonio Banderas, Elliot Gould and Steve Coogan, all in relatively small roles.

The high level the movie has the first hour, gets lost a bit in the second half, because the comedy has to make room for more drama. That drama doesn’t work as well as the comedy. It feels forced. In “Little Miss Sunshine” it did work.

“Ruby Sparks” is a fun and sweet film, that sometimes feel like a fairytale. It’s never overly sweet or cliché and it is very original. An unconventional love story.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 82: Girl Most Likely

Director: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini

Genre: Comedy

Runtime: 103 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Kristen Wiig, Annette Bening, Matt Dillon, Darren Criss, Christopher Fitzgerald

Description: Imogene (Kristen Wiig) is a failed New York playwright awkwardly navigating the transition from Next Big Thing to Last Year's News. After both her career and relationship hit the skids, she's forced to make the humiliating move back home to New Jersey with her eccentric mother and younger brother (Annette Bening, Christopher Fitzgerald). Adding further insult to injury, there's a strange man sleeping in her old bedroom (Darren Criss) and an even stranger man sleeping in her mother's bed (Matt Dillon).

Review: Poor Imogene. The heroine of the American comedy “Girl Most Likely” has a lot to deal with. after being dumped by her boyfriend and getting fired from her job, Imogene doesn’t see a silver lining anymore. At least not the way things are going now. So she decides to pretend committing suicide, so her ex-boyfriend comes crawling back. The plan doesn’t work and she is forced to move in with her eccentric mother. Poor Imogene.

The comedy is likeable because the characters aren’t taken too seriously. Imogene is a bit of a loser, brother Ralph is still a little kid inside, their mother wants to gamble away everything she has and mom’s boyfriend George works for the CIA, although Imogene doubts that. Does this bring us anything good? Some jokes are lame, but most of them succeed pretty well. And they are all so quirky. The story isn’t topnotch, but the acting is on a very high level. Especially Kristen Wiig excels.

“Girl Most Likely” is a film which is balanced by the positives and negatives. What keeps it on the good side is the fact it doesn’t give in to sentimentality and clichés. A light comedy, with a quirky side.

Rating: 3/ 5

In the Picture: The Characters from "The Kids Are All Right"

I only saw this movie recently for the first time. I loved it right away and I was really impressed with how well all the actors portrayed the characters. I real clever film and both funny and dramatic.

Nicole "Nic" Allgood
Played by: Annette Bening
Nic is a succesful doctor and has a serious view on life. She is happy with life the way it is and doesn't like change. So when her children let Paul in to their life, Nic is really hurt and worried that he will disrupt the family dynamic. Especially when the kids and her wife seem to like Paul.

Jules Allgood
Played by: Julianne Moore
Jules is Nic's wife and a bit more free spirited than Nic. Jules never cared much for a career, but has always been interested in landscaping. She is trying to realize that dream and becomes closer to Paul. In him she finds someone who respects her and gives her the attention she needs.

Paul Hatfield
Played by: Mark Ruffalo
Paul is a man who loves women but is also very attached to his freedom. In the early ninetees he donated sperm to a sperm bank and Jules and Nic were the receivers. Although Paul never aspired to become a father, he's very open to the idea of meeting the kids. And he likes being around them and changes the world of the whole Allgood family.

Joni Allgood
Played by: Mia Wasikowska
Joni has just turned 18 and is in a turning point of her life. She is about to leave for college but indifferent about a lot of things. There's this boy she likes, but Joni is too shy to give in to that. Meeting her biological father changes a lot for her, although she wasn't the one who initially wanted to meet him. She connects with him very easily and opens up to him.

Laser Allgood
Played by: Josh Hutcherson
Because Laser is only 15, he can not contact his biological father yet, so he sets up his older sister Joni to do it for him. At first, Laser wasn't all that impressed with Paul. He becomes very close with Paul and even takes his advice on ending his friendship with friend Clay, even though his mothers gave him the same advice.

Favorite Character: Paul Hatfield