Movie Review - Paddington in Peru

Director: Dougal Wilson
Genre: Adventure/ Comedy/ Family
Runtime: 106 minutes
Year: 2025
Starring: Ben Wishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Imelda Staunton, Antonio Banderas Olivia Colman, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin
 
Description: Paddington returns to Pery to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey.
 
Review: Paddington has been living with the Brown family for several years. The children are almost young adults. Mother Mary worries about the inevitable empty nest as daughter and son increasingly live their own lives. But then a disturbing message arrives from Paddington’s homeland in Pery. For one last family adventure, the Browns travel to the Peruvian jungle, where they come face to face with crazy villains, spikey plants and singing nuns. Like its predecessors, “Paddington in Peru” is a dryly comic, slightly wacky and heartwarming film for all ages.

When the family arrives in Pery, Aunt Lucy is missing. So the Brown head into the jungle to find her. Paddington’s clumsiness and enthusiasm is still the root of it. His politeness and marmalade sandwiches are again his main weapon. Along with his new umbrella. A true British gentleman, of course, cannot do without one.  

Although still a writer on the project, Paul King did not direct the third film in the series. Dougal Wilson takes over. And it’s all a little bigger and brighter for this one. Even though I still highly enjoyed this film, I prefer the smaller take on the story in previous films (especially the second one).

I like all the Paddington films, because Paddington himself is just the most adorable character. You have to be completely heartless to not be affected by his kindness. The film is funny, witty, charming, heartwarming and adventurous and this is the perfect family film.

Rating: 4/ 5

TV Show Review - Black Doves (Season 1)

Season: 1
Genre: Action/ Crime/ Drama/ Thriller
Number of episodes: 6
Year: 2024
Starring: Keira Knightley, Ben Wishaw, Andrew Buchan, Sarah Lancashire, Ella Lily Hyland

Description: Helen (Keira Knightley) embarks on a passionate affair with a man who has no idea what her secret identity is. Caught in the crosshairs when her lover falls victim to the dangerous London underworld, Helen's employers call in Sam (Ben Wishaw) to protect her.

Review: In this six-part spy series, we follow London housewife Helen Webb, who is moonlighting as a secret agent. This double life is going well for Helen, until her lover is suddenly murdered. During the search of the culprit, she uncovers a plot.

The series is set during Christmas, with the Christmas music and everything. But if you can see passed that, you can watch this show at any time.

The story revolves around Helen Webb. She is married to the Secretary of State for Defense Wallace Webb. Together they have five-year-old twins and she is the perfect wife, mother and homemaker. But she is also a secret agent, with emphasis on secret. She worsk for an agency, the so-called Black Doves. Helen is a valuable Dove, because her marriage allows her to get to the most powerful people in the country. Still, the lying and cheating doesn’t quite bother her.

The man Helen was having an affair with is killed and she seeks revenge. But she soon realizes this a more difficult and dangerous task that she expected. She gets help from Sam, an assassin who Helen worked with in the past.

“Black Doves” is fifty percent action. It’s done in an eloquent, intelligent and with pleasantly dry humor. And the strong cast ensure sharp and excellent dialogue. Both Keira Knightley and Ben Wishaw are fantastic in the series and very believable as spies, but also in their other role they are portraying for the outside world.

“Black Doves” is an entertaining, well-made series. And it feels like a second season is coming. Would recommend.

10s Movie Review - Mary Poppins Returns

Director: Rob Marshall
Genre: Comedy/ Musical/ Family/ Adventure
Runtime: 130 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Wishaw, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Pixie Davis, Colin Firth, Meryl Streep, Nathanael Saleh, Joel Dawson,

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 31: A DISNEY LIVE-ACTION MOVIE
 
Description: A few decades after her original visit, Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt), the magical nanny, returns to help the Banks siblings (Ben Wishaw, Emily Mortimer) and Michael’s children through a difficult time in their lives.

Review: Brother and sister Jane and Michael Banks agree. They nod in agreement when the strange antics they pulled with nanny Mary Poppins years ago, when they were children, are brought up. It was a nice fantasy, because those experiences couldn’t possibly be real.

Adults want to rationalize everything. That was precisely the problem with Jane and Michael’s father, an inveterate banker who would rather count money than take his kids to the park. Mary Poppins didn’t have to raise his children, but rather explain to George Banks what the fun of life was and how to reconnect with his family.

More than 50 years after the original, there is a sequel with “Mary Poppins Returns”. For Emily Blunt, the nearly impossible task of following in the footsteps of the legendary Julie Andrews.

We are now in 1930s crisis London. Jane and Michael are adults and have a strong bond. Michael’s wife died earlier in the year and he is trying to make the best of it with his three children. the disaster almost literally knocks on the door of 17 Cherry Tree Lane. Michael is behind on repaying a loan from his late father’s bank, where he now works himself. He is given five days pay or his family will have to move out of their home.

In the attic Michael and Jane are looking for stock certificates, because that would be the solution to their problems. But they can’t seem to find it. When the kids are playing in the park in the meantime, a very special passenger comes down from the sky: Mary Poppins is back!

Emily does the well-nigh impossible: she manages to make Andrews’ iconic rendition disappear within seconds. Her version of Mary Poppins is also a bit more in line with the one in the books. She is a bit stricter, even a bit catty and self-righteous at times, but still undeniably charming.

Back in the days, the original showed a groundbreaking blend of animation and live action. That is not only duplicated here, but surpassed, although it has become a bit easier with modern techniques. The animation sequences is truly magically done. And no Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious this time, but a wise lesson about never judging a book by its cover. Mary Poppins switches effortlessly to unadulterated Cockney for the showstopper.

Marc Shaiman is responsible for the music and he has written a lush score with beautiful timeless melodies that never feel corny or dated anywhere. “Mary Poppins Returns” is packed with catchy performances and a fine cast. Directly opposing Blunt is Lin-Manuel Miranda, who plays a lamp lighter, similar to the role of Dick van Dyke who was a chimney sweeper. In addition we see Ben Wishaw and Emily Mortimer as the adult Michael and Jane, Julie Walters as the housekeeper and Colin Firth as a shrewd banker. Meryl Streep is in only one scene, with a super catchy and fun song. 

 
I not ashamed to say that I absolutely loved this movie from start to finish and I even prefer it over the original. And that is first and foremost thanks to Emily Blunt, who is practically perfect in her role as Mary Poppins. An absolute new favorite movie musical.

Rating: 5 / 5

20s Movie Review - No Time to Die

Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga
Genre: Action/ Thriller/ Adventure
Runtime: 163 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes, Ana De Armas, Jeffrey Wright, Ben Wishaw, Naomie Harris, Lashana Lynch, Billy Magnussen, Christoph Waltz

Description: James Bond (Daniel Craig) has left active service. His peace is short-lived when Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright), an old friend from the CIA, turns up asking for help, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.

Review: Much has been said and written about the new Bond film. The press is praising “No Time to Die”. Many even claim it to be the best Bond-film ever. I’m not with them, at all.
With “No Time to Die”, Daniel Crag’s story in the 007 saga comes to an end. For the actor, who first appeared in “Casino Royale”, the 25^th Bond movie had to become the crown jewel after his five film portraying the secret agent.
“No Time to Die” kicks off with a downright terrifying opening scene where this films main villain Lyutsifer Safin shows up at a lake house terrorizing a family, who he claimed has killed his. At least the father did.
This installment of the immense popular James Bond franchise aims more at the heart than at action-packed scenes. Which makes it different. But not at all something I expect or want when I choose to watch a film about 007. The film does have some amazing action sequences, but when not “No Time to Die” can be a bit boring at times. I’m not really interested in a heartfelt James Bond to be honest.
Apart from that opening scene, Rami Malek as the Bond-villain, doesn’t really impress. I also believe his motives are a bit weird. He wants revenge for something that has been done to him, but eventually does the same. And Ana de Armas, who has a small role as secret agent Paloma, is highly underused. She had great chemistry with Daniel Craig and I wished she was in the film more.  
Cinematographically, there is nothing to criticize. All the scenes were beautiful made and the film looks stunning. Daniel Craig, reprising his role as James Bond for the last time, is also great. He is one of the best James Bonds ever.
“No Time to Die” is by no means a bad movie, but is definitely not the best or even one of the best James Bond films. Craig had his highlight with “Casino Royale” and “Skyfall”. I think it’s still a worthy goodbye to him as the iconic special agent, but I wasn’t a fan.

Rating: 3/ 5 

Movie Reviews - Paddington 2

Director: Paul King
Genre: Adventure/ Family/ Comedy/ Fantasy
Runtime: 103 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Ben Wishaw, Sally Hawkins, Hugh Bonneville, Imelda Staunton, Michael Gambon, Peter Capaldi, Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent

Description: Paddington (Ben Wishaw), now happily settled with the Brown family and a popular member of the local community, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen.

Review: The British have a thing for bears, at least when it comes to children’s literature. Pooh, Rupert, SuperTed, Baloo. And they also have a special place for Paddington, with his signature red hat and blue coat. The first film, I liked very much. It was loveable and heartwarming. But “Paddington 2” I absolutely love and is even more loveable and heartwarming!!!
Paddington lives a happy life with the Brown family and puts a smile on all his neighbor’s faces. His wish is to find the perfect gift for his aunt Lucy, who lives in South America. Because aunt Lucy also dreams of a trip to London, Paddington finds an antique pop-up book about the British capitol. He gets a job to earn money to buy this gift.
If you don’t like this movie, you seriously suck! It’s only the British that can manage to add so much humor and warmth to a film like this. There is a good mix of adventure, tension, slapstick humor and tenderness. Even the extreme situation of Paddington going to jail, is brought to us with warmth and heart. Paddington is an example for us, he stays polite in every situation, without being annoying or sugar sweet.
Hugh Grant plays the villain in this second film. He is a egotistical, self-loving actor, who has his eyes on the same book as Paddington. But for other reasons. And Grant is really solid as the bad guy.
You don’t have to be a kid to love this film. “Paddington 2” puts an instant smile on your face. I love this film!

Rating: 5 / 5

10s Movie Review - In the Heart of the Sea

Director: Ron Howard
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Drama
Runtime: 122 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy, Benjamin Walker, Tom Holland, Ben Wishaw, Brendan Gleeson, Michelle Fairley

Description: A recounting of a New England whaling ship's sinking by a giant whale in 1820, an experience that later inspired the great novel Moby-Dick.

Review: “In the Heart of the Sea” tells the true story of the Essex, a ship under attack of a giant sperm whale. The story inspired the literary classic “Moby Dick”. In this film, author Herman Melville is still looking for inspiration for his novel. He finds one of the survivors in a small village and asks for his story.
The film convinces at the start, with a very realistic setting and the 19th century pioneers who want to sail to the end of the world to collect whale oil. The adventure at sea looks amazing.
The story starts with George Pollard and Owen Chase. The two have to form a team while at sea. Chase is the most capable man to be captain, but Pollard gets it due to his family name. When they set sails, it is clear that Pollard isn’t a good leader.
The scenes with the whale are the best, but sadly there aren’t a lot of those. The whale isn’t present that much anyway. In the end, “In the Heart of the Sea” is more of a survival movie.
The film has a really strong start, but eventually misses depth and didn’t give me what I expected.

Rating: 3 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 52: Suffragette

Director: Sarah Gavron
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 106 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, Ben Wishaw, Brendan Gleeson, Anne-Marie Duff, Romola Garai, Meryl Streep

Description: The foot soldiers of the early feminist movement, women who were forced underground to pursue a dangerous game of cat and mouse with an increasingly brutal State.

Review: In “Suffragette” we go back in time and see how the battle for equal rights for women began.
At the end of the nineteenth century, women in England wanted to be more than just the wife of a husband. They protested, but nothing happened. Men nodded their heads and hoped for this nonsense to pass. But instead of that, a group of women decided to take a different path. Their movement, the Suffragettes, did everything to get women to vote. In this story, Maud Watts joins the Suffragettes, because she wants to fight for the same right.
The film has some big names: Helena Bonham Carter, Brendan Gleeson and a small part for Meryl Streep. But this movie belongs to Carey Mulligan. She plays Maud Watts and has to carry this film. And she can. She makes the film effective, touching and matter. It’s stories like this that make me appreciate what people did for human rights in world history.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 131: The Danish Girl

Director: Tom Hooper
Genre: Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 120 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Alicia Vikander, Eddie Redmayne, Amber Heard, Ben Wishaw, Matthias Schoenaerts, Sebastian Koch

Description: A fictitious love story loosely inspired by the lives of Danish artists Lili Elbe (Eddie Redmayne) and Gerda Wegener (Alicia Vikander). Lili and Gerda's marriage and work evolve as they navigate Lili's groundbreaking journey as a transgender pioneer.

Review: “The Danish Girl” starts in 1926, where we meet Einar and Gerda Wegener. Einar is a very successful painter, Gerda’s work isn’t as popular. When Gerda asks Einar to dress up as a woman, because her model is absent, it’s the beginning of a big change in their lives. Einar feels surprisingly comfortable in woman’s clothing. When the two plan on a joke, where Einar dresses up as a woman and pretending to be Lili, the long way from man to woman starts for Einar. He isn’t Einar anymore, he is Lili.
What I find conspicious is that the radical transformation hardly gets any social resistance. The film is set in the twenties/ thirties and this is a pretty shocking and groundbreaking action. It’s not very realistic. What we see is a melodramatic story where Lili struggles with her identity an Gerda stays by her side.
The actors make this movie good. Eddie Redmayne is really strong, but it’s Alicia Vikander that steals the show. She is sublime and manages to lift the film to a higher level. The chemistry between the two is very good.
The film looks fantastic, the ydillic shots of Denmark, the costumes, paintings and décor. But the movie is simply a melodramatic story with great actors.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 167: The Lobster

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

Genre: Comedy/ Drama/ Romance/ Science Fiction

Runtime: 118 minutes

Year: 2015

Starring: Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, Ben Wishaw, Léa Seydoux, John C. Reilly, Olivia Colman, Ashley Jensen

Description: In a dystopian near future, single people, according to the laws of The City, are taken to The Hotel, where they are obliged to find a romantic partner in forty-five days or are transformed into beasts and sent off into The Woods.

Review: “The Lobster” tells the story of a near future, where singles are taken to a hotel. Here they have to find a life partner within 45 days. If they fail, the guests are transformed into an animal of their choice. The choice of newly divorced David is a lobster.

The hotel has lots of rules, one even stranger than the other. With “The Lobster” you can count on a big dose of absurdism, dark comedy and pessimism. Is a strange film, but so good.

The acting is phenomenal. Colin Farrell is an actor I either love or hate in a movie. In “The Lobster” he is brilliant. This also goes for Rachel Weisz, John C. Reilly, Léa Seydoux, Ben Wishaw and Olivia Colman.

“The Lobster” is an unique movie, not only because of the bizarre theme but also how director and writer Lanthimos mixes so many different genres. From light sci-fi to dark comedy, satire and a little bit of romance. And the cinematography is amazing. Lathimos also makes you think, because even if it might sound absurd, is our society really that different from the people in the hotel? There are many people desperately seeking for a partner, what makes it that two people spend the rest of their lives together? Are we looking for a relationship because others expect us to or because of love?

“The Lobster” is a movie that exceeded my expectations and us one of the best movies of 2015.

Rating: 4,5/ 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

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 88: Paddington

Director: Paul King

Genre: Comedy/ Family

Runtime: 95 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Ben Wishaw, Imelda Staunton, Michael Gambon, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walter, Nicole Kidman, Jim Broadbent, Matt Lucas

Description: A young Peruvian bear (Ben Wishaw) travels to London in search of a home. Finding himself lost and alone at Paddington Station, he meets the kindly Brown family, who offer him a temporary haven.

Review: A movie about a talking bear. Is it like “Ted”? NO! “Paddington” is a family film, based on the stories of Michael Bond.

Paddington is a young Peruvian bear, who travels to London. He is taken in by the Brown family. Paddington is ready for a new adventure, but there is also a woman after him to put him in a museum.

The story follows the classic good versus bad routine, but this works especially for the younger viewers. The movie has great (visual) humor and a very strong cast. And Paddington bear himself looks amazing and recognizable.

“Paddington” is a real fun family film. It’s heartwarming, funny, adventurous and entertaining. It’s really worth every minute of your time.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 3: Skyfall

Director: Sam Mendes

Genre: Action/ Crime/ Thriller

Runtime: 142 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Bérénice Marlohe, Helen McCroy, Javier Bardem, Naomie Harris, Judi Dench, Ben Wishaw, Albert Finney, Ola Rapace

Description: Bond's (Daniel Craig) loyalty to M (Judi Dench) is tested when her past comes back to haunt her. Whilst MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

Review: Fifty years before “Skyfall”, the first James Bond movie came out: “Dr. No”. That this franchise would become the longest running movie series ever, no one expected that in the sixties. With “Skyfall” we have 23 movies and six different men who played James Bond. And the end is very far away.

“Skyfall” is a treat. The previous two movies, “Casino Royale” and “Quantum of Solace” had connections, but “Skyfall” is a completely new story. The movie opens with a spectacular chase, that ends in James Bond getting shot. The MI6 organization thinks he is dead. When he returns after six months, MI6 is under attack of cyberterrorists and M’s position is in danger as well.

After the opening scene, you know “Skyfall” will not disappoint. The action is spectacular and it’s all filmed beautifully. However, “Skyfall” isn’t just an action movie. The focus is on the relationship between Bond and M. Especially the middle part, in Shanghai and Macau, does the spy thriller justice. But how gorgeous those scenes look, they make you wait for action a tad to long.

  Where Daniel Craig proofs again that he’s a great James Bond, it’s Javier Bardem that steals the show as villain Silva. The eccentric character is a pleasant addition to the film, in combination with the somewhat cold Bond. And also Judi Dench does a great job, as usual.

If “Skyfall” is the best Bond movie, I don’t know. But it is definitely recommended for both Bond fans and the ordinary movie fan. And even if the runtime of the film is a bit too long, it’s an entertaining movie. “Skyfall” makes you forget about the mediocre “Quantum of Solace” and shows you James Bond is not going to retire any time soon.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 41: Cloud Atlas

Director: Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
Genre: Drama/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 164 minutes
Year: 2012
Starring: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Jim Sturgess, Hugo Weaving, Hugh Grant, James D’Arcy, Ben Wishaw, Susan Sarandon, Doona Bae, Keith David

Description: An exploration of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future, as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and an act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution.

Review: I finished the book by David Mitchell in 2011 and I remember thinking this would be impossible to make into a film. The book has six separate stories, all in different eras and told in its own unique way. Directors Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski and Lana Wachoswki decided to give it a go.
The stories in “Clous Atlas” shift in time, where some elements from one story return in the other. The makers took a huge risk to change one important element . The book has five unfinished stories and the sixth is told completely. Then the other five stories are completed. De movie shifts between those stories in pretty much every scene. It’s a miracle that this doesn’t bother you, because you’re literally going from one point to another very abruptly.
Another risk is the cast. The most important actors play five or six different roles. Ýou can easily trust actors like Tom Hanks, Jim Broadbent and Hugo Weaving with that task, because they did a great job. The décor and make-up is just sublime.
“Cloud Atlas” could have been a masterpiece, but I stand with my first thought: It’s really hard to turn this magnificent book into a film. It didn’t capture the power of the novel. But that doesn’t take away that you can’t miss “Cloud Atlas”.

Rating: 4/ 5