20s Movie Review - Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Director: John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein
Genre: Fantasy/ Adventure/ Action/ Comedy
Runtime: 134 minutes
Year: 2023
Starring: Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Sophia Lillis, Justice Smith, Hugh Grant, Regé-Jean Page

Description: A charming thief (Chris Pine) and a band of unlikely adventurers embark on an epic quest to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they tun afoul of the wrong people.

Review: After a theft that went wrong, Edgin and Holga try to get their lives back on track. This is harder than expected, as one of their friends seems to have betrayed them. To set things right and prove himself to his daughter, Edgin joins Holga and other magical misfits on an epic adventure full of bizarre monsters and plans that don’t always go according to plan.

“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” is a blockbuster the way we know them: special effects, action spectacle, funny main characters and an okay story. Yet the film distinguishes itself by cleverly making fun of both the game on which it is based on and the fantasy genre. The simplicity of the story and characters are also a definite plus.

Although a wide audience can enjoy this film, fans of the original game are rearded. Many typical things from the game occur: spells, failed plans and unnecessarily long backstories give the film a fairly authentic tone. But the writers took some creative liberties and this worked really well.

The magical side of the world where the story takes place is used in the craziest way. It gives the film a refreshing quirkiness. Aside from the CGI, there are also lots of practical effects and remarkable costumes.

“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” makes for a great viewing experience, which I now wished I had seen in the cinema. A strong cast portraying fun characters, and enjoyable world and setting with an entertaining story. A movie I will definitely rewatch at some point.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Review - Don't Worry Darling

Director: Olivia Wilde
Genre: Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 123 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Florence Pugh, Olivia Wilde, Harry Styles, Chris Pine, Kiki Layne, Gemma Chan, Nick Kroll
 
Description: A 1950s housewife (Florence Pugh) living with her husband (Harry Styles) in an utopian experimental community begins to worry that his glamorous company could be hiding disturbing secrets.

Review: Almost nothing more iconic than the suburb of an American city in the 1950s. industrious housewives wave their husbands off each morning as they head off to work in their shiny cars. In the evening, a sumptuous meal is on the table. During the day, the women gossip and chat, in between cleaning their houses, ballet class and taking care of the children. the American dream in a nutshell, but we all know the dark side.

The perfect families, always smiling, never troubles and always neat and tidy. The families who have moved into the suburbs of the thriller “Don’t Worry Darling” van flawlessly go along with the ideal image. What exactly their husbands do in the Californian desert is a mystery to the wives, but they aren’t allowed to ask either. The families are part of the utopian Victory project, started by their employer who also lives in this neighborhood. Jack and his wife Alice are one of the couples. Their perfect life is in danger when Alice does the very thing she is not supposed to do: ask questions.

The second directorial project for Olivia Wilde, who also has a supporting role, had quite a few issues. After Wilde’s debut movie, studios fought over het next project. The casting was anything but flawless: Shia LeBeouf was fired after misconduct and apparently Wilde did not get along with leading lady Florence Pugh. None of this shows. For a long time, this suspenseful drama is driven by a pleasant sense of alienation and mystery. It all begins after Alice makes a curious observation in the desert and goes to investigate. And why is the neighbor behaving so hysterically?

Then there is the benefactor of the project who is bursting with charm and charisma but in the meantime wants to control everything. Wilde plays the entrenched image od the American middle class in the 1950s complete with its attendant gender roles. No man van excel without a woman by his side. That the latter must above all meekly keep her mouth shut and follow order in an environment of narrow-mindedness is conveniently omitted.

These circumstances combined with Alice’s curious nature are bound to cause problems. The unhappy housewife, who maintains a passionate relationship with her husband Jack, undergoes the usual patterns of her own disbelief, not being believed herself and facing opposition from those around her. We have seen this pattern passed by before, but it’s embedded in unusual circumstances and performed by a downright heroine whose resistance she experiences only makes her more combative.

That something is quite wrong in peaceful Victory is obvious, and along with Alice, the viewer sets out to investigate. The film is not at all predictable, even though you know something bad is going to happen.

Wilde directs tightly but vividly, with the bright colors of the 1950s and the sweltering desert heat becoming increasingly stifling.

Once unfolded, “Don’t Worry Darling” evokes a host of comparisons to other films, which I will not list to avoid spoilers. The excellent acting completes the picture. even former One Direction star Harry Styles does a fine job. Not genius, but certainly a refreshingly unconventional mindfuck.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Review - Wonder Woman 1984

Director: Patty jenkins
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ science Fiction
Runtime: 151 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig, Pedro Pascal, Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen

Description: Diana (Gal Gadot) must contend with a work colleague (Kristen Wiig) and businessman (Pedro Pascal), whose desire for extreme wealth sends the world down a path of destruction, after an ancient artifact that grants wishes goes missing.

Review: Compared to the first theatrical adventure revolving around superheroine Wonder Woman, the sequel offers mostly repetition. Despite the generous running time, the filmmakers never make it clear why the film had to be set in the year 1984. Where the first “Wonder Woman” film had us all applauding DC again, “Wonder Woman 1984” sadly doesn’t.
“Wonder Woman 1984” revolves around Diana Prince, aka Wonder Woman. This superheroine lives an anonymous life, trying to forget her late love Steve Trevor. When she hears about the Dreamstone, a relic that allows dreams to come true, she wishes her great love would come alive. The financially troubled Maxwell Lord also covets this stone. Meanwhile, Diana’s shy and geeky co-worker Barbara Ann Minerva also makes use of the magical object and transforms into the monstrous Cheetah. However, the Dreamstone has a dangerous side and takes its toll on all its users.
Director Patty Jenkins unfortunately failed to meet the success of the 2017’s “Wonder Woman”. This is due to several factors. First, the story. “Wonder Woman 1984” tries to be more light-hearted and comedic, and in that Jenkins fails quite a bit. The choice was made to set the story in 1980’s, but I believe the sole purpose is just the fashion and neon colors. Chris Pine is a great example, as he is mainly used to walk around dressed in strange clothes. He is supposed to be the comedic note and has little depth, whereas his return is supposed to be emotional.
Cheetah’s origins is also a negative. The caricatured Barbara, stereotypical geeky girl with glasses and frizzy hair. She wishes to be as strong and confident as Diana, and after losing the glasses and changing her outfits, all of a sudden all heads turn and she is smoking hot. Jenkins doesn’t manage to avoid clichés here. And when Barbara eventually turns into Cheetah, it doesn’t look great either.
“Wonder Woman 1984” lacks heart. But Gal Gadot is still a perfect Diana Prince. Her charm, charisma and warmth are what somewhat save the film from being a total fail. She makes Diana sympathetic. However, this isn’t enough to captivate for the full runtime.

Rating: 2,5 / 5

10s Movie Review - Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Director: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman
Genre: Animation, Action
Runtime: 117 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Magershala Ali, Bryan Tyree Henry, Lily Tomlin, Zoë Kravitz, Nicolas Cage, Katheryn Hahn, Liev Schreiber, Chris Pine, Oscar Isaac, Stan Lee, Lake Bell, John Mulaney

Description: Teen Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) becomes Spider-Man of his reality, crossing his path with five counterparts from other dimensions to stop a threat for all realities.

Review: It’s pretty shocking that the movies “Venom” and “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” come from the same studio. Even though Tom Hardy plays a fun double role in a pretty standard superhero film, is “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” a perfect love letter to Spider-Man, his comics, his fans and everything that has to do with the character. No useless action sequences, predictable plot points or forced humor, but stunning animation, incredible style and an authentic comic book feel that you will find nowhere else. Ever Spider-Man fan, Marvel geek or animation enthusiast can expect a fantastic film adventure.
Where to begin? “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” tells a story, the way Edgar Wright did it with movies like “Hot Fuzz”. Constantly there are creative switched, comic book styles, great effects and characters that narrate the movie in their own way. It’s intense, stylish and a joy to watch.
It’s quite a challenge and a great accomplishment, because the stories of many iconic characters cross. We are talking about several ‘spider heroes’ in one animation. And each has a unique personality, animation style and life story. Without having to receive a load of information at the start of the film. Different universes clash and that’s how they meet. With this, the story is pretty surprising.
You think you know what’s will happen with Spider-Man. Phil Lord and Rodney Rothman managed to create a fantastic screenplay to write this original film. The clashing dimensions lack structure and give the well-known story some dramatic moments, nice surprises and smart plot twists.
Outside the fact that you have to be a fan to love this film, there is no critical note from my side. Film, comics and the superhero genre melt together to this unique story. It’s the best Spider-Man film ever made. Sadly enough I never saw it in theaters.

Rating: 5 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 78: Wonder Woman

Director: Patty Jenkins
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 133 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Ewen Bremner, Lucy Davis

Description: Before she was Wonder Woman she was Diana (Gal Gadot), princess of the Amazons, trained warrior. When a pilot (Chris Pine) crashes and tells of conflict in the outside world, she leaves home to fight a war to end all wars, discovering her full powers and true destiny.

Review: DC isn’t doing as well as Marvel at the moment. “Batman V Superman” and “Suicide Squad” both disappointed, and “Man of Steel” got mixed reviews. Well, leave up to the women, because “Wonder Woman” is an amazing film. Director Patty Jenkins didn’t have an easy task, but she did a fantastic job.
The biggest strength of “Wonder Woman” is portraying believable, human heroes in an extravagant world.
Gal Gadot has a lot of room to develop Diana Prince. She grows up as a strong woman, wanting to fight for justice. A bit naïve she goes into the world to end World War I. Gadot is very charismatic, gorgeous and impressive in her role as Diana Prince. Chris Pine is her love interest and the two have amazing chemistry. The dialogues between the two are great and the romantic elements are kept to a minimal. And the humor is subtle.
The film is action packed, but it’s the right amount of action we get. There is only violence when it really matters. There is more room for character development. But whenever there is an action sequence, it impresses. Sometimes you see Zack Snyder’s influence, especially in those slow-motion moments.
Did I like “Wonder Woman”? No. I loved it. I always love watching strong female characters come to life on the big screen, it just happens that this one is also physically strong. And that a film like this is directed by a woman is also something that makes me happy. “Wonder Woman” is what DC needed right now and what I needed.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 41: Star Trek Beyond

Director: Justin Lin
Genre: Science Fiction/ Action/ Adventure
Runtime: 122 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, Idris Elba, Sofia Boutella, Deep Roy, John Cho

Description: The USS Enterprise crew explores the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a new ruthless enemy who puts them and everything the Federation stands for to the test.

Review: It took director Justin Lin a while to turn the “Fast & Furious” series into the success it is now. For the “Star Trek” series it was a little easier, because Lin taking over for “Star Trek Beyond” is an instant success. It’s a great follow up and doesn’t constantly reference the old films and the TV show.
“Star Trek” from 2009 and “Star Trek Into Darkness” from 2013 were trying to build the new Star Trek universe and to reintroduce the characters. Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Sulu, Uhura, Scotty and Chekov finally get to go on their first long space mission in “Star Trek Beyond”, to discover new worlds, civilizations and people.
During a stop, they get a call from the nebula, an unknown part of space where there is no communication possible with the Starfleet. It is a bit suspicious, but the heroes from the Enterprise can’t ignore the call and decide to help them. But they are ambushed and end up on an unknown planet.
The villain is played by Idris Elba, who is unrecognizable but still manages to show his charisma through layers of make-up. Another newcomer is Sofia Boutella as Jaylah.
The film has a high tempo, which makes it feel rushed at times. But the action scenes are great, never over the top. I was sceptic about this film, “Star Trek Beyond” is a really good movie. I didn’t expect that. This “Star Trek” series is very solid.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 147: Hell or High Water

Director: David Mackenzie
Genre: Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 102 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Ben Foster, Chris Pine, Jeff Bridges, Dale Dickey, William Sterchi, Gil Birmingham, Keith Meriweather, Jackamoe Buzzell, Katy Mixon, Amber Midthunder, Joe Berryman, Taylor Sheridaon, Howard Ferguson Jr., Debrianna Mansini

Description: A divorced father (Chris Pine) and his ex-con older brother (Ben Foster) resort to a desperate scheme in order to save their family's ranch in West Texas.

Review: We follow two brothers that want to keep their family ranch. To buy it back from the bank, they decide to rob banks. In the opening, Tanner and Toby rob two banks in a row and drive off. Their plans are pretty solid. But cop Marcus, who is almost retiring, is determined to find them.
Toby wants a better future for his ex-wife and kids. And he also tries to tame his reckless brother Tanner, who just got out of jail. On the other side there is Marcus and his partner Alberto, who are trying to find the robbers.
“Hell or High Water” is a modern western, that balances between violent scenes and chases, but also moments of awareness and and critical look on the American society. At one moment it’s a family drama and then it’s cynical humor.
The atmosphere sometimes reminded me of “No Country for Old Men”, but there is more room for optimism in “Hell or High Water”. The band between the two brothers is the heart of the film. With violence and tension added, there is still a little bit of hope left for a better future.
The acting by Ben Foster, Chris Pine and Jeff Bridges is phenomenal. All three of them perform equally as good, without overdoing it.
“Hell or High Water” is one of those movies tha gets a lot of praise, but it’s flying pretty much under the radar. Which is a shame, because more people really need to see this film.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: Hollywood's Best Chris

My favorite Chris is my friend Chris, but when it comes to Hollywood, there are a lot of men called Chris that I really like and love. Here is a list of my favorites (not including Christian, Christopher, etc.).

 

5. Chris O’Dowd

I first saw him on “The IT-Crowd” and I thought he was hilarious. Now he’s getting more movie roles like in “The Boat that Rocked”, “Bridesmaids” and “Cuban Fury”. Still waiting for that leading role though.

 

 

4. Chris Pine

Now he has played Prince Charming in ”Into the Woods”, he’s definitely one of the most desirable men in Hollywood. But he has been in some amazing movies. Off course as Captain James T. Kirk in the “Star Trek” reboot, but also in action movies ”Unstoppable” and “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” and I loved the pretty unknown “People Like Us”.

 

 

3. Chris Evans

Chris Evans plays my favourite Marvel superhero and I loved both Captain America movies. And what about “The Avengers”. And wasn’t “Snowpiercer” a very underrated movie? And Chris Evans has a killer smile!

 

 

2. Chris Pratt

Chris Pratt is all over the place. We already loved him in “Parks & Recreation”, but he has done some great movies. “Zero Dark Thirty”, “Her”, “The Lego Movie” and of course “Guardians of the Galaxy”. Can’t wait to see him in “Jurassic World and he is even rumoured to play Indiana Jones.

 

 

1. Chris Hemsworth

Chris Hemsworth is my favourite Chris for so many reasons. He is Thor, which is awesome. He was in one of the most surprising horror movies f the past 10 years, being “Cabin in the Woods”. His performance in “Rush” was award worthy and it was one of my favourite movies of 2013. He was also in “The Avengers” and I actually liked “Snow White and the Huntsman”. Can’t wait to see him in “In the Heart of the Sea”. And off course Chris Hemsworth is super-hot!

 

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: Chris Rock

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 19: Into the Woods

Director: Rob Marshall

Genre: Comedy/ Adventure/ Musical/ Fantasy

Runtime: 117 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Anna Kendrick, James Corden, Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep, Chris Pine, Johnny Depp, Tracey Ullman, Lucy Punch, Christine Baranski, Tammy Blanchard, Daniel Huttlestone, Lilla Crawford, Simon Russell Beale, Joanna Riding, Billy Magnussen, Mackenzie Mauzy, Annette Brosbie, Richard Glover, Frances de la Tour

Description: A witch (Meryl Streep) tasks a childless baker (James Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt) with procuring magical items from classic fairy tales to reverse the curse put on their family tree.

Review: When you mix up the stories of ‘Little Red Riding Hood’, ‘Cinderella’, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk' and ‘Rapunzel’, you get “Into the Woods”. James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim did that already in 1986, not without success. And when you’re a big hit on West End, we off course need a movie version of it. Disney managed to get “Into the Woods” to the big screen. And Rob Marshall, who also directed “Chicago”, decided to direct.

“Into the Woods” is a mix of different fairytales by the brothers Grimm, with a little twist here and there and a lot darker. The story starts with a simple baker and his wife. The witch who lives next door has cast a spell on their house, a reason why the couple can’t have children. To lift that spell, the baker and his wife have to deliver a couple of items to the witch. In their search for those ingredients in the woods, the couple bumps into several interesting characters.

The fact that Disney produced this movie, doesn’t mean it has lost its dark edge. A true relief for Sondheim fans, because when the lines ‘and they lived happily ever after’ are spoken, the movie is only halfway. For people that get nervous when actors suddenly burst into song, don’t worry. It’s part of a musical, but the songs fit the story perfectly and form one. It’s not just a story build around the songs.

“Into the Woods” is a spectacle, with some dark tones and sometimes bombastic. The décor is stunning and the cast manages to win you over. Especially Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt shine. If you like musicals, you shouldn’t miss “Into the Woods”.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 117: Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

Director: Kenneth Branagh
Genre: Thriller/ Crime/ Action
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 2014
Starring: Chris Pine, Kevin Costner, Keira Knightley, Kenneth Branagh

Description: Jack Ryan (Chris Pine), as a young covert CIA analyst, uncovers a Russian plot to crash the U.S. economy with a terrorist attack.

Review: Jack Ryan is the most well-known character developed by author Tom Clancy. Alec Baldwin portrayed him in “The Hunt for Red October”, Harrison Ford did it in “Patriot Games” and Ben Affleck also played the CIA agent in the movie “The Sum of All Fears”. Now, over ten years later, Chris Pine has the honors to take over the role of CIA analist Jack Ryan. He has proven before that he can give a beloved character a new life, just look at Captain Kirk in the “Star Trek” reboot. Kevin Costner, Keira Knightley and Kenneth Branagh join him. Branagh is also responsible for directing the flick.
Jack Ryan decides to join the military after seeing the 9/11 footage. During his service, Ryan is injured and during rehabilitation he’s recruited by CIA agent Thomas Harper. A few years later we see that Ryan works on Wall Street as a CIA mole. Some suspicious transactions lead him to the Russian Victor Cheverin.
Unlike James Bond and Ethan Hunt from “Mission Impossible”, Jack Ryan isn’t an action hero. He’s is an intellectual who has to take the role of hero against his will. In “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” that intellect is hardly present and a lot of physical action shows us that we are dealing with a reboot hoping to be a blockbuster. You also notice it’s not a direct adaptation of the first Tom Clancy novel; the character is a bit superficial. The story misses intrigue, but is fluent and doesn’t bore you.
The choice for Chris Pine is successful. His presents is fresh and Keira Knightley, with a doubtful American accent, is also solid. Kenneth Branagh’s accent is a bit over the top, but his performance as villain is really good. Then it’s easy to ignore that cheesy accent. Kevin Costner has the most pleasant role, as the wry CIA agent harper. He’s often the viewers perspective.
Not great, but pretty good, that’s what “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” is.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 10: People Like Us

Director: Alex Kurtzman
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 114 minutes
Year: 2012
Starring: Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Michelle Pfeifer, Olivia Wild, Philip Baker Hall, Jon Favreau

Description: While settling his recently deceased father's estate, Sam (Chris Pine) discovers he has a sister (Elizabeth Banks) whom he never knew about, leading both siblings to re-examine their perceptions about family and life choices.

Review: Director Alex Kurtzman is known for his production work, this is the first movie he directed. And it’s one to be proud of.
We meet Sam, a salesman with talented and he lives a happy life with his girlfriend. When his father dies, whom he never really connected with, he has to face his mom again. While settling his father’s estate Sam finds out that he has a sister, Frankie, and he wants to get to know her. Sam’s view on life changes and he soon realizes what the important things in life are.
Chris Pine always was an actor who was just nice to look at. This movie changed that for me, because his performance is strong, convincing and heartfelt. Same goes for Elizabeth Banks, who has a fantastic connection with Pine. Michelle Pfeifer, one of my favorites, is very solid and proofs that she still belongs with the best.
The story sounds a bit mundane, but it’s very well executed. Because of the interesting characters, you can relate to them and you are with them every step of the way. The ending scene gave me goose bumps, in a good way.
“People Like Us” is an overlooked movie, I don’t think many people have seen it. It’s definitely worth watching.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 3: Star Trek Into Darkness

Director: J.J. Abrams
Genre: Actie/ Science Fiction/ Avontuur
Runtime: 132 minutes
Year: 2013
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban, Bendict Cumberbatch, Alice Eve, Anton Yelchin, John Cho, Bruce Greenwood, Peter Weller

Description: When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one-man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

Review: You can easily trust J.J. Abrams with a good action movie, because he did a great job on the reboot of “Star Trek”. Now, four years later, you wouldn’t expect it to reach that same level of surprise. Well, think again!
“Star Trek Into Darkness” contains some of the same ingredients we saw in the first, some action sequences are very similar. But with the humor, action and excitement it keeps your attention at all times.
Most humor comes from the interaction between Kirk and Spock. This is a strong and solid base for this franchise. Especially Zachary Quinto’s timing and dry humor is fabulous, he’s a great Spock. But the movie shouldn’t be called “Star Trek Into Darkness” if there wasn’t a dark side to this film. That comes from the character John Harrison, who is out for revenge. My problem with the first film was the villain, but that’s exactly the strongest point of the second installment. And we have Benedict Cumberbatch to thank. He is a fantastic actor and is probably one of the most convincing villains of 2013. His voice alone makes you shiver, Cumberbatch can make anything sound sinister. He gives his character extra depth, which makes him unpredictable. I’m also glad to see Simon Pegg in a bigger role, but the two female characters played by Alice Eve and Zoe Saldana are underused.
“Star Trek Into Darkness” is a true action fest, even if you’re not a Trekkie.

Rating: 4/ 5

Pic Spam: Chris Pine

Chris Pine is going to star in "This Mean War", which also stars Tom Hardy. They both play spies fighting over the same woman, played by Reese Witherspoon. A woman could be in worse situations... Here are Chris' best pictures. And look at the fifth picture, doesn't Chris look like a young Paul Newman?