10s Movie Review - Dark Places

Director: Gilles Paquet-Brenner
Genre: Drama/ Crime/ Mystery
Runtime: 113 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Chloë Grace Moretz, Christina Hendricks, Corey Stoll, Drea De Matteo, Tye Sheridan

Description: Libby Day (Charlize Theron) was only eight years old when her family was brutally murdered in their rural Kansas farmhouse. Almost thirty years later, she reluctantly agrees to revisit the crime and uncovers the wrenching truths that led up to that tragic night.

Review: In 1985, 8-year-old Libby Day witnesses the murder of her mother and sisters. Her brother Ben is identified as the culprit and disappears behind bars. 30 years later, an amateur investigator convinces Libby to delve once again into the evens of that horrific night.

Charlize Theron plays Libby as an unmotivated loner. This makes it very difficult to feel sympathy for her in the first half of the film. Fortunately, Libby as a character begins to come alive more as she confronts her past.

The film uses flashbacks to portray the perspectives of Libby, her mother and her brother. Because of Tye Sheridan’s strong acting, ben’s flashbacks stand out. The transitions are sometimes too abrupt, so the film often jumps into one timeline quickly.

“Dark Places” is based on the book by Gillian Flynn, whose “Gone Girl” was also adapted for film. That film was more successful, both as a book and as a movie. I believe the storytelling in the Flynn’s book works, but in the movie adaptation it is a bit lost.

I believe that “Gone Girl” was mostly more successful because of the director. David Fincher's "Gone Girl" is extremely stylish and atmospheric. That does not mean “Dark Places” is not an entertaining film, and it’s by no means bad. I enjoyed it, it just felt flat at times.

Rating: 3/ 5

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

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - !37: The Neon Demon

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
Genre: Horror/ Thriller/ Drama
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Elle Fanning, Jena Malone, Christine Hendricks, Keanu Reeves, Alessandro Nivola, Desmond Harrington

Description: When aspiring model Jesse (Elle Fanning) moves to Los Angeles, her youth and vitality are devoured by a group of beauty-obsessed women who will take any means necessary to get what she has.

Review: Director Nicolas Winding Refn was really successful with “Drive” in 2011, with which he won at the Cannes Filmfestival. Two years later “Only God Forgives” was critized more, because of the excessive violence and the lack of narrative. “The Neon Demon”, his newest film, got both applaus and boohs at the festival.
The very young and somewhat naïve Jesse moved to Los Angeles by herself, to become a model. Photographers and designers are lining up for her extraordinary beauty and her collegues aren’t happy about it.
“The Neon Demon” is a dark and twisted story about temptation and power. A film about obsession and madness. I once read that it’s “Black Swan” meets “American Psycho”. I can see that.
“The Neon Demon” looks stunning and intrigues the viewer with hypnotizing images and music. The movie has a disturbing twist and it’s a film that will get under your skin.
Elle Fanning does a great job as the leading character. Many scenes in the movie have an artificial feel, but it fits the theme perfectly. “The Neon Demon” never tops “Drive” or even equalizes it, but it’s an original thriller with horror elements.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Favorites: Drive

Synopsis: A mysterious man (Ryan Gosling) who has multiple jobs as a garage mechanic, a Hollywood stuntman and a getaway driver seems to be trying to escape his shady past as he falls for his neighbor Irene (Carey Mulligan) - whose husband is in prison and who's looking after her child alone. Meanwhile, his garage mechanic boss is trying to set up a race team using gangland money, which implicates our driver as he is to be used as the race team's main driver. Our hero gets more than he bargained for when he meets the man who is married to the woman he loves.

 

 

Unique Selling Point: Magnificent montage, great camera work. An easy switch between fast action sequences and slower scenes. Sharp dialogues and on edge humor. The acting is strong, the movie is visually stunning, this is powerful cinema. Very impressive and intriguing.

Most Valuable Player: Cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel, it’s pure art.

Best Moment: The elevator scene. Driver and Irene are in the elevator when he sees the other passenger is carrying a gun. Driver wants to protect Irene and he pushes her back, kisses her and then he smashes up the guys face.