100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 121: Murder On the Orient Express

Director: Kenneth Branagh
Genre: Crime/ Drama
Runtime: 114 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Josh Gad, Olivia Colman, Derek Jacobi

Description: When a murder occurs on the train he's travelling on, celebrated detective Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) is recruited to solve the case.

Review: This is maybe the 6th book to movie adaptation for “Murder On the Orient Express”, I think, The book was released in 1934 and is probably her most known book. And because Agatha Christie’s novel is such a masterpiece when it comes to murder mysteries, many want to turn it into film. It’s a perfect whodunit. In 1974 Albert Finney played the role of Hercule Poirot in Sidney Lumet’s version of the story. Now, 2017, Kenneth Branagh directs and also decided to portray the infamous detective.
Kenneth Branagh has a dramatic style when it comes to acting. It’s perfect for Shakespeare films. And I have to say, his performance as Hercule Poirot is really good.
We know the story. Detective Hercule Poirot is on the Orient Express, enjoying a holiday, when one of the passengers is murdered. One of the twelve passengers is the killer. Time for Poirot to solve the case, while the train is unable to move on due to a snow storm.
Lots of details, trying to find the killer. It’s close to the original, but some things go a bit too fast because they have to stay within the duration of 2 hours. There is also not enough time to develop all the twelve suspected characters. Some we get to know better than others.
Branagh really managed to get a fantastic cast together. Judi Dench, Michelle Pfeifer, Johnny Depp, Willem Dafoe, Penélope Cruz and Daisy Ridley. And they are all solid, but no one really shines. Branagh’s interpretation of Poirot is good, the movie is not great. But very enjoyable and it looks stunning.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 125: Cinderella

Director: Kenneth Branagh
Genre: Adventure/ Drama/ Romance/ Fantasy
Runtime: 113 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Lily James, Richard Madden, Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, Hayley Atwell, Ben Chaplin, Stellan Skarsgård, Derek Jacobi, Holliday Grainger, Sophie McShera

Description: When her father unexpectedly passes away, young Ella (Lily James) finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her scheming step-sisters (Holliday Grainger, Sophie McShera). Never one to give up hope, Ella's fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger (Richard Madden).

Review: In 1950 Disney came with the animated musical “Cinderella” and 65 years later the studios turn it into a live action film. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, “Cinderella” is a surprisingly good fairytale.
Disney always gives us heroes, beautiful costumes, emotion, morals, villains and depth. And although “Cinderella” is sugar sweet, it’s a delightful film for the whole family. And for the hopeless romantics among us.
Cinderella is played by Lily James, who isn’t an extraordinary actress but manages to make her character charming and very likeable. The prince is played by Richard Madden, who we know as Robb Stark from “Game of Thrones”. The stars are actually the bigger names in the cast: Cate Blanchett as the evil stepmother and Helena Bonham Carter as the fairy godmother. These great actresses support “Cinderella” well.
“Cinderella” is filled with great décor and scenery, but also gorgeous costumes. Really something from a fairytale. But it’s not a film that hides behind all the beauty it shows. There is a moral and it’s supposed to inspire, escepcially young girls. “Cinderella” touches you and is really easu to watch. A guarantee to put a smile on your face. I didn’t expect to like it this much. It’s an enchanting film.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 84: Dead Again

Director: Kenneth Branagh
Genre: Drama/ Thriller/ Romance
Runtime: 107 minutes
Year: 1991
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Andy Garcia, Robin Williams, Wayne Knight, Derek Jacobi

Description: An amnesiac (Emma Thompson) and a private eye (Kenneth Branagh) find they might have a past life connection.

Review: In a convent nearby Los Angeles, an unknown woman is brought in. she doesn’t know who she is, doesn’t speak and has the most terrible nightmares. Private detective Mike Church is called to find out who this woman is. Because Mike can’t find any lead, he decides to put her picture in the paper. The only one that responds is an eccentric antique store owner, who says he can discover her past by hypnotizing her. And it works.
“Dead Again” was the first Hollywood production by director Kenneth Branagh. He mixed up romance, thriller and humor. And he gathered a good cast. Branagh himself takes the lead with his then girlfriend Emma Thompson. We also see Andy Garcia, who is underused by the way, and a smaller role for Robin Williams.
The film has an interesting plot, but somehow the movie comes off as somewhat cheesy. And the music, which should add some tension to it, is way too present. Even in scenes where hardly anything exciting happens, there is this bombastic and overwhelming music. I just didn’t love “Dead Again” as much as most people did.

Rating: 2,5/ 5