10s Movie Review - From Up On Poppy Hill

Director: Gorô Miyazaki
Genre: Animation/ Drama/ Family
Runtime: 91 minutes
Year: 2011
Starring: Sarah Bolger, Anton Yelchin, Gillian Anderson, Chris Noth,
Alex Wolff, Beau Bridges, Bruce Dern, Christina Hendricks, Ron Howard, Aubrey Plaza

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2020 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 49: AN ANIME

Description: A group of Yokohama teens look to save their school’s clubhouse from the wrecking ball in preparations for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
 
Review: “From Up On Poppy Hill” is yet another great animated film by Studio Ghibli. This time not by Hayao Miyazaki, but by his son Gorô Miyazaki.
This animated film is striking because it doesn’t contain any magical or fantasy elements like we are used from the Studio Ghibli movies. So it is a more realistic animation, similar to “Whisper of the Heart”. 

The story takes place in the harbor of Yokohama in the year 1964. 16-year-old Umi lives and works in her grandmother’s boarding house, together with her younger sister and brother. Her mother is a doctor and studies in America and het father died as a sailor during the Korean War. 
Every day Umi still raises a flag for her father, the guesthouse is located on the highest point of the harbor town. 
During a school day Umi is confronted with the boy Shun who, together with his clubmates, take action against demolition of the old and dilapidated school clubhouse. The two bond and start working together. However, pas events put their friendship to the test. 
As usual, this Studio Ghibli film contains beautiful animations and landscapes. Visually there is nothing wrong with this film. And I loved the soundtrack, which is similar to that of “Kiki’s Delivery Service”. The characters are captivating and the story is beautiful. 
“From Up On Poppy Hill” is probably one of the most overlooked films by Studio Ghibli, because it’s so simple in its premise, but it will certainly not disappoint. I even think this is one of my favorites. I loved the images, characters and the story. 

Rating: 4,5/ 5

80s Movie Review - The 'Burbs

Director: Joe Dante
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 102 minutes
Year: 1989
Starring: Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher, Rick Ducommun, Corey Feldman, Bruce Dern, Wendy Schaal, Henry Gibson, Brother Theodore, Courtney Gains, Gale Gordon, Dick miller, Robert Picardo, Cory Danzinger, Franklyn Ajaye, Rance Howard

Description: An overstressed suburbanite (Tom Hanks) and his paramilitaric neighbor (Bruce Dern) struggle to prove their paranoid theory that the new family in town is a front for a cannibalistic cult.

Review: Before Tom Hanks got his fame and showed his acting talent in movies like “Saving Private Ryan”, “Forrest Gump” and “The Green Mile”, he was known for his comedies. “The ‘Burbs” is a typical example. It’s a light somewhat dark comedy, with themes like xenophobia, suburbia and neighborly fights. The movie is set in the American suburbs. It’s a quiet street, almost idyllic. But that peace is disturbed when the mysterious Klopek family moves in. Some of the neighbors don’t trust the Klopeks and decide to investigate it.
The story is simple and not spectacular. But the movie has more to offer than meets the eye. The power is in the lively characters. They all look like ordinary people, living their life in the suburbs. The arrival of the Klopeks, who have a different way of life, show us the true colors of the other neighbors. It all starts with the always hungry Art Weingartner and the eccentric and patriotic soldier Mark Rumsfeld. They drag Ray Peterson (Tom Hanks), the most sceptic of the three, into this too. Soon they don’t only see the Klopeks as strange and eccentric, but also as devil worshippers and killers who bury people in their yard. The fun thing is that as a viewer you’re constantly shifting between two thoughts: Are the Klopeks really murderers or are they just a little different from the rest and need their privacy.
The humor is hilarious and sometimes even in the category slapstick. But thanks to Tom Hanks it’s never absurd.
“The ‘Burbs” is a fun and very good comedy, that I can enjoy over and over again. It’s an underestimated movie and probably also overlooked. Definitely the funniest movie Tom Hanks has been in.

Rating: 5/ 5

10s Movie Review - The Peanut Butter Falcon

Director: Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz
Genre: Adventure/ Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 93 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Zack Gottsagen, Dakota Johnson, Bruce Dern, John Hawkes, Thomas Haden Church, Jake Roberts, Jon Bernthal, Mick Foley

Description: Zak (Zack Gottsagen) runs away from his care home to make his dream of becoming a wrestler come true.

Review: Coming up with an original road movie isn’t an easy task, because it often comes to two total opposites during a trip from A to B. In “The Peanut Butter Falcon” a fugitive fisherman is stuck with escapee Zak, who has down syndrome. The ‘Southern’ atmosphere and the chemistry and dynamic between the two leads make this a loveable feel good film.
Zak has no family that can take care of him. Because there is not place for him, he lives in a retirement home. Zak constantly tries to break out, to find his idol Salt Water Redneck and become a wrestler. His caretaker Eleanor tries everything to make him feel at home, but Zak manages to break out anyway.
A few miles ahead, fisherman Tyler gets in a dispute with the people he works with. Out of revenge, Tyler burns their warehouse and flees on a boat. And it just happens that Zak was hiding on this boat. Tyler isn’t really in the mood to have a traveling partner, but the two develop a special friendship and help each other.
“The Peanut Butter Falcon” is an atmospheric, modern scoundrel tale, set in the Southern part of the US. Shia LaBeouf is fantastic, but Zack Gottslagen is the real star in the film. The chemistry between the two is amazing and that is what makes this film so great, heartwarming and unforgettable. Without a strong cast like this, the film would easily have been standard.

Rating: 4 / 5

Movie Reviews - Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Director: Quentin Tarantino
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 161 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Bradd Pitt, Margot Robbie, Emile Hirsch, Timothy Olyphant, Dakota Fanning, Al Pacino, Luke Perry, Kurt Russell, Scoot McNairy, Clifton Collins Jr. Rumer Willis, Zoë Bell, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern

Description: A faded television star (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his stunt double (Brad Pitt) strive to achieve fame and success in the film industry during the final years of Hollywood’s Golden Age in 1969 Los Angeles.

Review: It’s the end of the 60s and we meet television actor Rick Dalton and his stunt double Cliff Booth. Dalton sees his career fade and has to deal with the villain roles in cheap TV pilots.
Dalton’s next door neighbors are director Roman Polanski and his beautiful wife Sharon Tate. And when you think of Hollywood in 1969, you think of Charles Manson and his cult, who left a trail of blood in L.A. at the time.
When Tarantino’s ninth film was announced, and it became clear that the ‘Manson family’ was a part of it, people were afraid that he was going to exploit the murder of Sharon Tate. But Tarantino wouldn’t be Tarantino, if he didn’t use his revisionary spin on it and mix fiction with reality.
If you would ask anyone what “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” is about, I don’t think many people could give you an exact answer. Because it’s mostly people talking and it’s more ‘a day in the life’ kind of story. We follow Cliff who is on his way to feed his dog, we see how Sharon Tate visits who visit a theater to watch her own movie. It’s a hangout-film, who can mostly be compared to Tarantino’s “Jacki Brown”. But even better.
Most of Tarantino’s movies are very violent. And overall, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” isn’t a very violent film. But when you get to the final twenty minutes, the violence gets really violent! And this scene is simply brilliant.
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” is definitely Tarantino’s funniest film, it can in fact be called a comedy. Even Leonardo DiCaprio is funny here. He shows great and awkward moments, where he feels an insecurity inside thinking his hay days are over. But the best part of the film is definitely Brad Pitt, as Cliff Booth, who I will say is one of Tarantino’s best characters. At first he seems like just a stunt double to DiCaprio’s Rick Dalton, but digging deeper he is a more complex character. And Pitt is hilarious in his role. Margot Robbie, who plays Sharon Tate, doesn’t get that much to do. And I would say that some of her scene could have been cut, without it having any effect on the story.
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” definitely didn’t disappoint and it’s up there on my favorites list of best Tarantino movies. A great portrait of the golden days in Hollywood and in my eyes the most beautifully shot Tarantino movie.

Rating: 5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 216 - # 10: The Hateful Eight

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Genre: Drama/ Thriller

Runtime: 167 minutes

Year: 2015

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Channing Tatum, Demian Bichir, Walton Goggins, Zoë Bell, James Parks

Description: In the dead of a Wyoming winter, a bounty hunter and his prisoner find shelter in a cabin currently inhabited by a collection of nefarious characters.

Review: “The Hateful Eight” is Quentin Tarantino’s eight film and his second official western. At the same time it’s a return to his first film from the nineties, with Samuel L. Jackson leading an ensemble cast and almost every scene takes place in one location.

Samuel L. Jackson and Kurt Russell are the leading men. They play two bounty hunters who are stuck in a snow storm somewhere in Wyoming. Russsel’s John Ruth delivers a life one, Daisy Domergue, who is going to be hanged, while Jackson’s Marquis Warren delivers his bounties dead. Because of the weather, they have to stop at Minnie’s Haberdashery. They are not the only guests there.

“The Hateful Eight” is one of Tarantino’s meanest films. Lots of racism and violence, which gives us both entertaining and uneasy moments. Tarantino’s dialogues are good as always and all the actors seem to enjoy being in the film.

“The Hateful Eight” is very violent and bloody, but when you’re familiar with Quentin Tarantino’s work it comes as no surprise. What makes it a bit different is that the film is not stuffed with pop songs or references to other movies. The music was composed by Ennio Morricone. This all makes it surprising.

The movie starts a bit slow, but be patient. It will get a lot better.

Tarantino used 70 mm film, something that hasn’t been used since 1996. It’s an unique, very wide format. The snowy landscapes and the interior of Minnie’s Haberdashery get an extra dimension. You’re sometimes so close to the characters, that you can experience how small the room is they are in. This wide screen really does make a different. the lighting is also warm and more subtle.

“The Hateful Eight” is a true show, with great dialogues and performances. It’s not one of his best, but still a very Tarantino like film for any Tarantino fan.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 87: Nebraska

Director: Alexander Payne

Genre: Comedy/ Drama

Runtime: 115 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb, Bob Odenkirk, Stacey Keach

Description: Woody (Bruce Dern) is an aging, booze-addled father who makes the trip from Montana to Nebraska with his estranged son David (Will Forte) in order to claim a million-dollar Mega Sweepstakes Marketing prize.

Review: We go on another trip with director Alexander Payne. This time we travel to Lincoln, Nebraska, where the elderly Woody thinks a million dollars is waiting for him. After getting a letter, he seriously thinks he has won a million dollars. Woody is determined to get that money and because no one can change his mind, his son David takes him there. On the way there, they make a stop in Hawthorne, where Woody’s family lives.

This film fits Payne’s oeuvre perfectly. Humor and melancholy alternate. Father and son grow closer during the road trip together. Although the movie shows some similarities with Payne’s previous film “Sideways”, “About Schmidt” and “The Descendants”, it dares to be different because it was filmed in black and white. This gives the film a timeless quality.

The acting is fantastic. Bruce Dern really carries the film as Woody. That Oscar nomination should have been a win. And Will Forte, who is mostly known for little roles in silly comedies, really surprised. His performance is vulnerable and touching. And June Squibb, as Woody’s wife Kate, is hilarious.

Alexander Payne managed to make another great movie, it’s moving and full of heart.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Oscar Predictions 2014

I'm going to predict the winners for this years Oscars again. I have no idea! I'm super excited about Ellen Degeneres hosting, she amakes me laugh. Here is my list of who should and would win.

Best Motion Picture of the Year
Should Win: "12 Years a Slave"
Would Win: "American Hustle"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Should Win: Bruce Dern for "Nebraska" (actually Tom Hanks for "Captain Phillips", but no nomination!
Would Win: Matthew McConaughey for "Dallas Buyers Club"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Should Win: Amy Adams for "American Hustle"
Would Win: Cate Blanchett for "Blue Jasmin"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Should Win: Michael Fassbender for "12 Years a Slave"
Would Win: Jared Leto for "Dallas Buyers Club"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Should Win: Lupita Nyong'o for "12 Years a Slave"
Would Win: Lupita Nyong'o for "12 Years a Slave"

Best Achievement in Directing
Should Win: Alexander Payne for "Nebraska"
Would Win: Alfonso Cuarón for "Gravity"

Movie Moments: "The 'Burbs"

This movie is so underrated, because it's hilarious even after watching it like a hundred times. It's definitely Tom Hanks' funniest movie ever made. here are the best scenes from "The 'Burbs".

Moment # 1: Opening scene
We enter Mayfield Place, a nice suburban street. Ray gets his paper thrown at him and he responds by emptying his coffee cup towards the paperboy. Ricky puts on some heavy metal before he starts to paint his house. Walters dog Queenie poops on Rumsfields lawn. Rumsfield and Bonnie raise the American flag. We meet the people in Mayfield Place.

Moment # 2: Bees
One of the mysterious Klopek men leaves the house and Ray and Art see him. When he gets back in the house, the guys decide to go over. When they step on their porch, Art’s legg falls through and makes a hole in the porch. When Ray knocks on the door, a hole in the wall releases a swarm of bees. Ray and Art start running and Rumsfield wants to save them with his hose. When he’s running towards them, the hose is to short and Rumsfield falls. He eventually saves Ray and Art from the bees by hosing them down with water.

Moment # 3: Walters house
Bonnie finds Queenie walking around on the street. When Walter isn’t opening the door Ray, Art, Rumsfield, Bonnie and Ricky break in to his house. Bonnie is looking for some food for Queenie, when she starts screaming. She claims it’s a dead rat, when Rumsfield tells her it’s Walters hair piece. Art, off course, goes through Walters food supplies and finds cookies. He holds up the plate, but than Ricky enters the kitchen and breaks the plate.

Moment # 4: Satan is our pal
Ray and Art are in the basement reading a book about demonology. Art thinks the Klopeks are Satanists and Ray doesn’t want to hear about it. He covers his ears and starts humming a song. Art tells him he’s chanting ‘I want to kill everyone, Satan is good, Satan is our pal’.

Moment # 5: Ray’s dream
Ray goes to bed and wakes up. He’s looking for Carol and all of a sudden a chainsaw comes through the wall. He sees Carol and she tells Ray how nice it was to invite the neighbors for a barbecue. Ray is on that barbecue and about to be sacrificed by the Klopeks. Right before one of them is about to run a knife through his heart, he wakes up.

Moment # 6: The bone
Ray wants some peace and is trying to get rest when Art is trying to talk to him about the Klopeks again. When Ray’s dog Vince finds a bone, they see that he got it near the fence that connects Ray’s yard with the Klopeks. Art realizes that the bone belongs to Walter and both men start screaming. When Ray wants to run inside, Carol opens the door and accidentaly smashes it in to Ray’s face. Out of frustration he crushes a soda can.

Moment # 7: Visiting the Klopeks
Carol is sick of the guys spying on the Klopeks. She and Bonnie decide it’s a better idea to visit the Klopeks and have a chat. Ray, Rumsfield, Carol and Bonnie go over to the Klopeks. They meet Hans, Rueben and Werner Klopek and everything goes wrong: Rumsfield falls through the porch just like Art did before, he rips wallpaper of the wall, Ray almost chokes on sardines and later spills coffee into his lap, the giant dog is released and attacks Art who’s investigating the perimeter.

Moment # 8: Rumsfield falls of the roof
When Art and Ray are investigating the Klopek house when they’re gone, Rumsfield is on the look out on his roof. When Ricky is trying to warn him, Rumsfield falls of the roof.

Moment # 9: The house explodes
Art is running back into the Klopek house to tell Ray Walter is back. Ray hit a gasline and they have to get out as fast as possible. Art gets out in time, but the house explodes with Ray still in it. when all the neighbour are watching the house burn, Ray gets out in shock.

Moment # 10: Ray attacks Art
After everything that happened and not finding any evidence of murder in the Klopek house, Art still tells Ray that they will find something Ray gets mad and attacks Art. (Sorry, no picture)

Moment: 11: Hey Pinocchio!
It turns out that the Klopeks are killers and Hans wants to escape. Rumsfield sees it and yells: “Hey Pinocchio, where do you think you’re going?” He runs after him and Hans falls down. So does Rumsfield, but he does get him.

Favorite Moment: Moment # 8: Visiting the Klopeks