Movie Review - The Thursday Murder Club

Director: Chris Columbus
Genre: Mystery/ Comedy/ Crime
Runtime: 118 minutes
Year: 2025
Starring: Helen Mirren, Celia Imrie, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, David Tennant, Naomi Ackie, Daniel Mays, Jonathan Pryce, Richard E. Grant
 
Description: Four irrepressible retirees spend their time solving cold case murders for fun, but their casual sleuthing takes a thrilling turn when they find themselves with a real whodunit on their hands.
 
Review: Anyone who has read the bestseller “The Thursday Murder Club”, knows the story: in the fictional English town Fairhaven, the elderly residents of Cooper’s Chase lead a peaceful existence. For some of the seniors, that is too boring, so they get together every Thursday to discuss unsolved murder cases.

To do this, they transform the puzzle room into a small office filled with crime scene photos and clues. As a former secret agent, Elizabeth Best is the natural leader, supported by union representative Ron Ritchie, psychiatrist Ibrahim Arif and nurse Joyce Meadowcroft.

They all have a specialism, which naturally comes in handy during the investigation. When their retirement home is shaken with a real murder of a real estate developer, the foursome suddenly find itself with a brand new murder case on its hands.

Helen Mirren and Ben Kingsley were kind of already in my mind, when I was reading the book (almost 5 books in the series now). Mirren is perfect as Elizabeth and so is Kingsley as Ibrahim. Wasn’t sold on Pierce Brosnan as Ron. I pictured someone like Ray Winstone, but Brosnan is good in his role. He plays his own version of Ron, he is not book Ron. My favorite character in the books is Joyce and Celia Imrie brought her to life in the most perfect way. I love Imrie as Joyce. Still my favorite character.

I love these books, would recommend them any time. And for the most part, Chris Columbus stays true to the source material. There have been changes made, which is always the case with a book to movie adaptation. And I’m fairly okay with them. I’m just not so happy with what they did with the character of Bogdan, towards the end. People who’ve read the book, will probably understand.

I really don’t understand why there are so many negative reviews out there. Many say the film is boring, but they probably found the book boring as well. This movie gave me the same vibe as the book did. The cozy mystery vibes are there. And the cast is amazing! I hope the do all the books (especially number 4), because I’m in!

Rating: 4/ 5

10s Movie Review - Mary, Queen of Scots

Director: Josie Rourke
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 124 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie, Guy Pearce, David Tennant, Jack Lowden, Joe Alwyn
 
Description: Mary Stuart’s (Saoirse Ronan) attempt to overthrow her cousin Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie), Queen of England, finds her condemned to years of imprisonment before facing execution.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 8: A FILM FROM A EUROPEAN COUNTRY
 
Review: There is a large group of Scots seeking independence from the British. In the sixteenth century, the two nations sharing an island were formally merged. This was preceded by a long difficult feud between two queens. The protestant Elizabeth preferred to see her northern neighbors fall under her empire, though she had no descendants to take the throne. Neighbor Mary Stuart was Catholic and led the Scots for nearly 15 years after claiming the throne from the English.

Mary had already been widowed after two years of marriage after her French husband lost his life. She returned to her homeland at eighteen, where her brother took over. Mary had no intention of getting married again. She extended an outstretched hand to Elizabeth to deal with each other in peace. In London, people thought very differently. Elizabeth even sent a possible suitor to Edinburgh in hopes of appeasing Mary Queen of Scots.

The film features two strong actresses in the main roles. But it’s a long wait to see Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie eventually share the screen. This encounter produces the most exciting verbal fireworks of this royal biopic. A lot of intrigue, secret agendas and scheming precede it.

You should see this film for the acting alone, Ronan and Robbie are amazing. And it’s a beautifully looking film with good political mindgames.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

10s Movie Review - What We Did On Our Holiday

Director: Andy Hamilton, Guy Jenkin
Genre: Comedy/ Dram
Runtime: 95 minutes
Year: 2014
Starring: David Tennant, Rosamund Pike, Billy Connelly, Ben Miller, Emilia Jones, Bobby Smalldridge, Harriet Turnbull, Amelia Bullmore, Celia Imre

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 29: A MOVIE SET IN THE SUMMER
 
Description: A family of five heads to Granddad’s nig 75^th-birthday party at an uncle’s estate in rural Scotland. The parents (Rosamund Pike, David Tennant) are separated and hope their three kids won’t mention it. The kids love, can talk with, and would do anything for Granddad.

Review: The marriage of Doug and Abi is on the verge of collapsing. But they have to keep it a secret for Doug’s dad Gordie, who is sick and might not have that long to live. That’s more difficult than it sounds, because Doug and Abi are visiting Gordie for his 75^th birthday in Scotland and are taking their three young children with them. And they need to keep the secret too.

I didn’t know much about this film, but it pleasantly surprised me. It takes some time to get going, but once we’re in the story it is such a fun film. The script is fresh and the setting is gorgeous.

Rosamune Pike, David Tennant and Billy Connolly are the big names, but it’s the three kids that steal the show. Such heartwarming and endearing performances by all three, especially in combination with Connolly, who is their granddad.

A good tragic-comedic film, perfect length and endearing roles for three talented children.

Rating: 4 / 5

10s Movie Review - Fright Night

Director: Craig Gillespie
Genre: Horror/ Comedy
Runtime: 120 minutes
Year: 2011
Starring: Colin Farrell, Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Toni Collette, David Tennant, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Dave Franco

Description: Teenager Charlie Brewster (Anton Yelchin( suspects that his new neighbor Jerry (Colin Farrell) is a vampire.

Review: The horror movie “Fright Night” from 1985 isn’t one of the most well known movies from the 80’s. On the contrary, it’s a typical, very underrated genre film that got a cult status from a limited group of fans. Building of the tension, the atmosphere and the traditional vampire mythology make the original “Fright Night” an enjoyable film.
So there was a lot of skepticism when they decided to remake this horror classic and give it a modern twist. Thankfully the makers of “Fright Night” don’t make the same mistakes as predecessors that decided to make a modern version of a classic horror flick. The original source material has been handled well. Off course the setting and characters are spiced up a bit and are translated to the 21st century. The neighborhood this movie is set on, is well chosen. A place where many people work nights, a perfect place for a modern vampire. Director Craig Gillespie also succeeds in combining horror and humor together.
The star of the film is Colin Farrell. The flamboyant Irishman easily creates a memorable movie vampire, that can’t be compared to any other vampire. Jerry is a seemingly charming guy, but also a very self-assured killing machine. Fun fact is that Chris Sarandon, who played the role in the original, has a cameo. The British David Tenant also has a remarkable role, as horror magician Peter Vincent. Sometimes mocking, but has enough charm to not overdo it. Only the transformation from cynic to vampire slayer is a bit unbelievable. The movie also loses its tension towards the end.
Aside from some small negatives, “Fright Night” is an above average horror film. It’s not a movie you’re constantly comparing its predecessor, it has enough power to stand on its own. Finally a remake that manages to succeed and has the perfect balance between horror and comedy.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 57: What We Did On Our Holiday

Director: Andy Hamilton, Guy Jenkin
Genre: Comedy/ Drama
Runtime: 95 minutes
Year: 2014
Starring: Rosamund Pike, David Tennant, Billy Connolly, Ben Miller, Celia Imrie, Amelia Bullmore, Bobby Smalldridge, Harriet Turnbull, Annette Crosbie, Lewis Davie, Ralph Riach, Ron Donachie

Description: Doug and Abi (David Tennant, Rosamund Pike) take their kids on a family vacation. Surrounded by relatives, the kids innocently reveal the ins and outs of their family life and many intimate details about their parents. It's soon clear that when it comes to keeping a big secret under wraps from the rest of the family, their children are their biggest liability... Find out how the rest of the family cope and see if the holiday will ever end.

Review: Gordie McLeod doesn’t hide that he has terminal cancer. His grandchildren aren’t supposed to know, but Gordie thinks they are old and wise enough to know the truth. These moral opposition are the most important theme of the film. “What We Did On Our Holiday” is a loveable family comedy, sort of the British answer to the American Indie “Little Miss Sunshine”. A dysfunctional family always works in a film.
Gordie is waiting for his death in Scotland. His two sons want to throw him a big 75th birthday party. With their wives and children, they travel to see him. But both sons have some troubles at home their selves.
It doesn’t sound like a comedy, but the jokes are perfect. And the fact that this dark theme doesn’t overshadow it all, is because we see it all through the eyes Doug and Abi’s kids. This is British comedy mixed with a little drama, the way I love it. The moral is not shoved in your face and the humor is sharp and not too subtle.
David Tennant, Rosamund Pike and Billy Connolly are all amazing. But it’s probably the three kids that steal the show.
I had never heard of this film before I saw it and that’s such a shame. This means that a lot of people won’t see it. Please, if you love Indie films and British humor, check out “What We Did On Our Holiday”. It’s a hidden gem.

Rating: 5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 119: The Pirates! Band of Misfits

Director: Peter Lord, Jeff Newitt

Genre: Animation/ Family/ Adventure

Runtime: 88 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Hugh Grant, Martin Freeman, Imelda Staunton, Jeremy Piven, Salma Hayek, David Tennant, Brendan Gleeson

Description: Pirate Captain (Hugh Grant) sets out on a mission to defeat his rivals Black Bellamy (Jeremy Piven) and Cutlass Liz (Salma Hayek) for the Pirate of the year Award. The quest takes Captain and his crew from the shores of Blood Island to the foggy streets of Victorian London.

Review: If you are a pirate or a scientist, eventually it’s all about the fame, the booty or the girl. At least, if we believe “The Pirates! Band of Misfits”. We see how a failed pirate tries to win the ‘Pirate of the Year Award’ and how Charles Darwin discovers a rare parrot.

“The Pirates! Band of Misfits” is a so-called Claymation, made by the companies Aardman and Sony. It gets an English touch because of the voice actors, the absurd humor and the atmospheric streets of 19th century London. The American touch is noticeable because of the movies moral and postmodern humor. Like a 19th century scientist playing around with a Rubik’s cube and funny remarks about the Academy Awards. With that the film is filled with physical jokes and word jokes.

The movie isn’t innovative, but it looks stunning. And “The Pirates! Band of Misfits” is a successful animation with a high entertainment level. That it never lives up to movies like “Chicken Run” and “Wallace and Grommit”, doesn’t matter. We weren’t expecting that.

Rating: 3/ 5