Netflix Friday - Volume 67

Some Netflix film tips for the weekend! And there is something for everyone, since I picked a movie for all the different genres.
 

Action: Monster Hunter (2020)
When Lt. Artemis (Mila Jovovich) and her loyal soldiers are transported to a new world, they engage in a desperate battle for survival against enormous enemies with incredible powers.
 

Drama: Creed (2015)
The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.
 

Comedy: Bad Moms (2016)
When three overworked and under-appreciated moms (Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Katheryn Hahn) are pushed beyond their limits, they ditch their conventional responsibilities for a jolt of long overdue freedom, fun and comedic self-indulgence.
 

Animation: Vivo (2021)
“Vivo” will take audiences on an epic adventure to gorgeous and vibrant locations never before seen in animation.
 

Romance: The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996)
A shy, middle aged professor (Jeff Bridges) enters into a romantic but non-physical relationship with an unlucky-in-love colleague (Barbra Streisand).
 

Horror: The Shallows (2016)
A mere 200 yards from shore, surfer Nancy (Blake Lively) is attacked by a great white shark, with her short journey to safety becoming the ultimate contest of wills.
 

Science Fiction: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
When the island’s dormant volcano begins roaring to life, Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) mount a campaign to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from this extinction-level event.
 

Crime: Beckett (2021)
Following a tragic car accident in Greece, Beckett (John David Washington), and American tourist, finds himself at the center of a dangerous political conspiracy and on the run for his life.
 

Thriller: The Beguiled (2017)
The unexpected arrival of a wounded soldier (Colin Farrell) at a girls school in Virginia during the American Civil War leads to jealousy and betrayal.
 

Documentary: Athlete A (2020)
Follow the Indianapolis Star reporters that broke the story about USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar’s abuse and hear from gymnasts like Maggie Nichols.

Family: Shazam (2019)
A newly fostered boy in search of his mother instead finds unexpected super powers and soon gains a powerful enemy.

Top 5 Thursday: Movies I Watched for My Challenge (2016)

My last top 5 of the year is of course dedicated to the last month of my 100 Movie Challenge. I ranked the five best movies I saw this month. (Stay on the lookout for the best movies of the year 2016, best films I watched for my 2016 challenge and the worst of my 2016 challenge. )

5. Captain Fantastic
I love movies like this. A feel good mix of drama and comedy. It’s such an unconventional story, yet so heartwarming and endearing. This film has a lot of heart. And Viggo Mortensen is sublime.

4. Creed
A spin-off Rocky movie, that’s what this is called. But it’s so much more. What a fabulous film! Michael B. Jordan is so good and Sylvester Stallone should really have won that Oscar.

3. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
I didn’t expect to love this move as much as I did. The build up to “Star Wars: A New Hope” is great and that last scene with Carrie Fisher has an extra load now that she has passed. And the return of Darth Vader to the big screen is just epic. Thoses were the best moments for me.

2. Some Like It Hot
My mom loves this movie and I was so ashamed that I have never seen it before. And this movie was so funny. Especially because the men dressed as women are obviously men, but nobody sees it. Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis are a hilarious duo.

1. La La Land
I’m in love with this movie. Sometimes you just want to see a movie, you know you’re going to love it and you actually do. That’s what happened with “La La Land”. It’s been a while that I walked out of the theaters with such a big smile on my face. It’s a joy for every classic musical movie lover.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Nocturnal Animals, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Ghost World

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 159: Creed

Director: Ryan Coogler
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 133 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Andre Ward, Tony Bellew, Ritchie Coster, Jaco ‘Stitch’ Duran, Graham McTavish, Malik Bazille, Ricardo McGill, Gabe Rosado, Wood Harris, Buddy Osborn, Rupal Pujara

Description: The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan), the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.

Review: Sylvester Stallone turned 70 in 2016. The actor has a great career, but mostly two characters define it: John Rambo and Rocky Balboa. And that last character he reprises in the sequel/ spin-off “Creed”.
Michael B. Jordan plays Adonis Johnson, the son of Apollo Creed. Boxing rival and friend of Rocky. Adonis never knew his father, because he died before he was born. As a teenager, Adonis goes in and out of foster homes and prison. Apollo’s wife looks him up and decides to take him in. Although Adonis has a good job and just made a promotion, he is not happy there. He quits his job to become a boxer, like his father. He travels to Philadelphia to visit Rocky Balboa and asks him to train him.
“Creed” is directed and also partly written by Ryan Coogler, who worked with Jordan on “Fruitvale Station”. Coogler has to work hard to convince the viewers, because many scenes might remind you of other Rocky films or might feel cliché. But there are more layers and there is more to this film than meets the eye.
The challenging fights are what make this movie excel. The ring fights are shot perfectly and have some dramatic twists. Michael B. Jordan is really good in his role. And Stallone shines, in the role he was always meant to play.
“Creed” is a fantastic film, that grabs you and captivates.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Trailer Sunday (196)

Here are this weeks trailers.

Queen of the Desert

Description: A chronicle of Gertrude Bell's (Nicole Kidman) life, a traveler, writer, archaeologist, explorer, cartographer, and political attaché for the British Empire at the dawn of the twentieth century.

Director: Werner Herzog

Starring: Nicole Kidman, James Franco, Robert Pattinson, Damian Lewis

Trailer: Trailer "Queen of the Desert"

Comment: This looks gorgeous

Staten Island Summer

Description:

Director: Rhys Thomas

Starring: Ashley Green, Bobby Moynihan, Kate Walsh, Jim Caffigan, Gina Gershon, Graham Philips, Colin Jost, Cecily Strong

Trailer: Trailer "Staten Island Summer"

Comment: Filled with SNL stars!

London Has Fallen

Description: In London for the Prime Minister's funeral, Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) discovers a plot to assassinate all the attending world leaders.

Director: Babak Najafi

Starring: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, Melissa Leo, Radha Mitchell, Angela Bassett, Aaron Eckhart, Jackie Earle Haley

Trailer: Trailer "London Has Fallen"

Comment: Was the first one such a success?

Steve Jobs

Description: Follows the life and legacy of Steve Jobs (Michael Fassbender).

Director: Danny Boyle

Starring: Michael Fassbender, Seth Rogen, Kate Winslet, Jeff Daniels

Trailer: Trailer "Steve Jobs"

Comment: Hopefully it's better than that other biopic!

Creed

Description: The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.

Director: Ryan Coogler

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Michael B. Jordan

Trailer: Trailer "Creed"

Comment: Yeah, a spin-off!