Movie Review - The Hunt

Director: Craig Zobel
Genre: Action/ Horror/ Thriller
Runtime: 90 minutes
Year: 2020
Starring: Betty Gilpin, Hilary Swank, Ike Barinholtz, Ethan Suplee, Emma Roberts, Justin Hartley, Wayne Duvall, Amy Madigan

Description: Twelve strangers wake up in a clearing. They don’t know were they are, or how they got there. They don’t know they’ve been chose, for a specific purpose: The Hunt.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2020 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 42: A MOVIE RATED FRESH ON ROTTEN TOMATOES

Review: To start it off: “The Hunt” is not for the faint of heart, since it’s very violent and there is a lot of bloodshed. Already in the opening phase, it becomes clear that a group of rich and influential people with a private jet are on their way to an unknown location to hunt down and kill innocent people. Once on location, the potential victims are dumped in the woods and then, one by one, fall prey to the trigger-happy hunters. The massacres are colorful, explicit and body parts fly all over the place.
Although the story seems to be secondary to all that bloodshed, after a bloody opening phase attention is paid to the characters and the motives of the elite group to hunt down innocent people. In the first part of the film, you’re not really sure who the main character is, because we follow several. When it’s eventually clear who we will stick with, this character is one of the most likeable ones.
“The Hunt” is a satire. I think that’s the reason why the audience is so divided in opinion. I think many people take it too seriously and don’t even get that it’s meant to be a satire. I think the scene where the first people are hunted makes it very clear.
I think “The Hunt” is a lot better than it gets credit for. The runtime is short, never drags and there isn’t a dull moment. The character development does suffer from that short runtime, because other then our main character, we don’t really get to know any of them. Their motives are explained, but only very briefly and not enough to actually care.
“The Hunt” is a very enjoyable action/ horror movie.  

Rating: 3,5 / 5

10s Movie Review - I Am Michael

Director: Justin Kelly
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 98 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: James Franco, Zachary Quinto, Emma Roberts, Charlie Carver, Daryl Hannah, Ahna O’Reilly

Description: Based on the fascination true-life story of Michael Glatze (James Franco), a gay activist who becomes a Christian pastor after identifying as a heterosexual.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2020 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 11: A LGBTQ MOVIE

Review: In the late 2000s Michael Glatze, gay activist and co-founder of the magazine Young Gay America, announced that he embraced Christianity and no longer identified as homosexual. He even claimed that it was a bad thing. “I Am Michael” focuses on Michael’s change of paths and this somewhat incredible true story.
When we meet Michael, he is the editor of XY, a magazine for gay men stationed in San Francisco. He and his boyfriend Bennett seem to enjoy their life and seemingly perfect relationship. It’s so perfect that they even invite a third man, Tyler.
But deep inside Michael is in pain. He suffers from his mother’s death and becomes obsessed with questions about life after death. He drifts further apart from Bennett. Michael discovers that there is more love and truth in the bible then he initially thought and eventually devotes himself to God. Michael decides he no longer identifies as homosexual. He goes to bible school and meets a young woman there, whom he falls in love with.
Director Justin Kelly and all the actors seem not to be judging Glatze, but they can't downplay the sharp nature of his betrayal.
“I Am Michael” is a beautiful film without any technical fuss, which managed to keep my attention for the entire runtime. Maybe a bit fragmented, but because I didn’t know the original story it didn’t bother me. I found James Franco, who portrayed Glatze, very strong in his role and his character development was very interesting. Zachary Quinto, as Bennet, also did a good job. I liked the calm nature of his character and it felt like he somewhat served as Michael’s conscience.

Rating: 3/ 5

10s Movie Review - Scream 4

Director: Wes Craven
Genre: Horror/ Thriller
Runtime: 111 minutes
Year: 2011
Starring: Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Courtney Cox, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Rory Culkin, Marley Shelton, Mary McDonnell, Adam Brody, Anthony Anderson, Alison Brie

Description: Ten years have passed, and Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), who has put herself back together thanks in part to her writing, is visited by the Ghostface Killer.

Review: Wes Craven couldn’t take all the endless remakes of his own classics, like “House of Wax”, “The Hills Have Eyes” and “Last House on the Left”. Craven wanted to make a fourth installment, only if Kevin Williamson would write the script.
Sidney has finally put her past behind her by writing a book. She visits Woodsboro to promote the book. But with her return, a killer also strikes. With ‘oldies’ Neve Campbell, David Arquette and Courtney Cox as the only surviving characters, there is room for a bunch of new ones. There is hardly any character development and it’s predictable who will make it to the end and who will die before the end credits role.
The “Scream” movies are good because they don’t take themselves very seriously. The opening sequence of “Scream 4” is the perfect example. Craven and Williamson have some new tricks up their sleeves, but most of it is still very unoriginal. And the ending is, like “Scream 3”, a bit far-fetched and not satisfying at all.
All the movies in this series are very entertaining, but I really hope this is the end of it.

Rating: 2/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 124: Empire State

Director: Dito Montiel

Genre: Action/ Crime/ Thriller

Runtime: 90 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Liam Hemsworth, Dwayne Johnson, Michael Angarano, Emma Roberts, Paul Ben-Victor, Jerry Ferrara, Nikki Reed, Michael Rispoli

Description: Two childhood friends (Liam Hemsworth and Michael Angarano) plan to rob an armored car depository. Detective Ransone (Dwayne Johnson) stands in their way.

Review: Apparently the robbery in the movie actually happened, the way it happened in “Empire State”. Sadly enough the movie is, despite of the source material, a very plane and bland movie.

In “Empire State” we follow Chris. His shady friend Eddie always pulls him into the bad business, while Chris wants to live an honest life. He even wants to become a cop. After he has been rejected to join the academy, Chris takes a job as a security guard. He has to protect a huge amount of money, but sees how poorly it is secured. Chris and Eddie decide to steal the money, but detective James Ransone is watching closely.

It’s actually very shocking to see how easy it is to get to the money and how they eventually steal it. Like I said before, the source material is strong. Director Dito Montiel didn’t make a spectacular film with this material. Not only the movie is plane, the acting isn’t all that great either. Liam Hemsworth could have done more than this, but it’s basically his character that’s in his way.

My biggest problem was how annoying I found the characters, especially Eddie. I didn’t feel a grind of sympathy and it was just predictable that everything was going ape shit.

“Empire State” is a film that you should probably ignore. Maybe for a rainy Sunday afternoon.

Rating: 1,5/ 5