Movie Review - Poor Things

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Genre: Comedy/ Drama
Runtime: 141 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Mark Ruffalo, Ramy Youssef
 
Description: An account of the fantastical evolutions of Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe).

Review: The intense cinematography takes some getting used to. The Victorian world in which monstrous Dr. Godwin Baxter conducts scientific experiments. There are all sorts of strange creatures running around that he has pieced together himself. His latest creation is Bella, brought to life, stomping around the house adrift and throwing everything around like a toddler. Everything is painfully sharp and oppressively portrayed.

Bella is a child inside a grown woman’s body, literally. She develops from a little girl to an adult in a very short period of time, has no understanding about social conventions, has to refine her motor skills. A toddler in a grown woman’s body is frightening and disruptive to watch, but Emma Stone at the same time makes her completely disarming in her dumbfounding looks when she is not allowed to do or say something. Stone won an Academy Award for her role as Bella, which makes perfect sense. She master the art of portraying Bella, she keeps you completely enthralled. She puts everything in her facial expressions and motor skills. It’s also a very daring role for Stone. She was already my favorite, but no one can beat her now. Stone is fantastic in “Poor Things”.

Willem Dafoe plays Bella’s father/ creator. For some reason Dafoe fits this film and its style perfectly. Mark Ruffalo plays the scummy lawyer Duncan Wedderburn, a completely different role for Ruffalo. He is also really strong.

“Poor Things” is wonderfully directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. His previous works, such as “The Killing of a Sacred Deer”, The Favourite” and “The Lobster” are also masterful pieces of art. But “Poor Things” will most likely become a new classic. For the average moviegoer this will be way too weird, because it’s a very weird film. But the good kind and I absolutely loved “Poor Things”. I already had high expectations, but it exceeded them.

Rating: 5/ 5

10s Movie Review - Magic in the Moonlight

Director: Woody Allen
Genre: Comedy/ Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 97 minutes
Year: 2014
Starring: Colin Firth, Emma Stone, Marcia Gay Harden, Simon McBurney, Hamish Linklater

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 40: A MOVIE WITH YOUR FAVORITE ACTRESS/ ACTOR
 
Description: A romantic comedy about an Englishman (Colin Firth) brought in to help unmask a possible swindle. Personal and professional complications ensue.

Review: Woody Allen is most often either a hit or miss for me. “Magic in the Moonlight” falls somewhere in between.

This movie follows Stanley, a British illusionist, who is given the task to unmask the medium Sophie. Stanley himself is a master of deceit, since in his act he performs as an Asian man. He seems the perfect man to pierce through Sophie’s scheme. Sophie knows from the start Stanely is skeptic about her job, but he can also not resist her charm.  

Nothing really happens in this movie. It is for Emma Stone and Colin Firth that it works. Although they don’t always seem to be believable as love interests. It’s a tale of opposites attract that has been done some many times and so much better.

“Magic in the Moonlight” is not a movie I would remember for long.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

10s Movie Review - Easy A

Director: Will Gluck
Genre: Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 92 minutes
Year: 2010
Starring: Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes, Dan Byrd, Thomas Haden Church, Patricia Clarkson, Stanley Tucci, Cam Gigandet, Lisa Kudrow, Malcolm McDowell, Fred Armisen

Description: A clean-ct high school student relies on the school’s rumor mill to advance her social and financial standing.

Review: High School student Olive is a wallflower and is pretty much invisible. Her best friend Rihannon gets more attention after she told everyone she had sex. Olive thinks it wouldn’t harm anyone if she starts a rumor herself, about losing her virginity. This rumor spreads faster than she could have ever imagined.
The story doesn’t sound all that special, but it’s the execution of this story that is almost brilliant. And Emma Stone is fabulous in “Easy A”. This is the movie that introduced me to her and I have been a major fan ever since. Her portrayal of Olive is just great and she is actually one of my favorite female movie characters. Her parents, played by Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson, are great too. They are so funny, I love them in this film. And Amanda Bynes, as Jesus freak Marianne, is really funny as well.
I’m not a fan of romantic comedies, but when there is more com then rom, I tend to like them more. “Easy A” is one of those films, I love this movie! “Easy A” gets an A+!

Rating: 5/ 5

Movie Review - Cruella

Director: Craig Gillespie
Genre: Crime/ Comedy
Runtime: 134 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser, Mark Strong, John McCrea

I WATCHED THIS FOR MY 2021 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 41: A MOVIE WITH AN ACTOR/ ACTRESS YOU LOVE
 
Description: A live-action prequel feature film following a young Cruella de Vil (Emma Stone)

Review: Cruella is not only a biography of one of Disney’s coolest creeps, but also a demonstration of the political power of fashion.
She’s every dog’s fear: if you’re not careful, you’ll become a coat. It’s a great premise for a bad guy. In the animated film “101 Dalmatians”, Cruella de Vil is at least as memorable as all those spotted puppies. In the late 90s there was a live-action remake, with Glenn Close as Cruella. Now the villain gets her own movie, which focuses on her rise as a gifted fashion designer. In the hands of Australian director Craig Gillespie, the dalmatians are just a footnote. Central to the film is the expressiveness of fashion.
“From a young age I was all about making a statement”, Cruella tells u in a voice-over. Those who wondered about dyed half-and-half hair need no longer doubt; that’s how she was born. In a jam-packed plot, her personal journey of discovery unfolds. “Cruella” is set in London mid-1970s, where anarchic punk fashion originated. Cruella grows up as Estella and is urged to put away her “psycho” side. She hides her distinctive hair with a red wig. She earns a living as a thief and sews disguises for her team of villains.
Estella’s sense of style leads logically to the world of fashion. When she joins the leading couturier ‘the Baroness’, her alter ego and sky-rocket Cruella gets wide open access. The Baroness is a symbol of the establishments. Her classic dresses clash with Cruella’s punk designs.
Fans of the cartoon will recognize some Cruella de Vil quotes and her characteristic driving style. And this movie shows what formed her and how she eventually became the bad woman she is in “101 Dalmatians”. Emma Stone is phenomenal as Cruella, perfect choice for the role. Another reason why I love her so much.

Rating: 4/ 5

Current Celebrity Crushes

A girl can dream and everyone has them: celebrity crushes. Mine change from time to time, but some always stick around. I decided to create a list of my current celebrity crushes.
 

Chris Hemsworth
He is, and probably always will be, my number one. I have never seen a more perfect man than Chris Hemsworth. He simply is perfection.
 

Henry Cavill
I’m not a fan of “The Witcher”, but when I saw him as Sherlock Holmes in “Enola Holmes” last year, I was totally swept of my feet. He looked so gorgeous. So I went through a Henry Cavill phase for a short while. I love him in “The Man From U.N.C.L.E” and he is a really good Clark Kent/ Superman.
 

Pedro Pascal
He already played one of my favorites on “Game of Thrones”, and he’s only in 7 episodes. And the way he died there, gruesome! That’s one of my all-time favorite shows. He is also in my most favorite series of the moment: “The Mandalorian”, where he plays the title character. We hardly see his face, but just hearing his voice is enough for me. And I’m currently watching “Narcos”, where he is smoking hot. Usually someone who looks like Pedro Pascal would never catch my eye, but he is just irresistible for some reason. Love him.
 

Emma Stone
Like Chris Hemsworth, she will always be one of my main crushes. Stone is already my most favorite actress of the moment. Everything she does is just amazing and I love her so much. Her voice, her big eyes, her humor, her emotion. And with that, she is also one of the kindest celebs out there.
 

Keanu Reeves
I already had a crush on him when I was a teen. I think it never went away. But since he returned strongly with the “John Wick” movies, I fell in love with him al over again. Reeves is probably one of the nicest people in Hollywood too, since there is a lot of proof from fans that he is really kind and considerate.
 

  

10s Movie Review - Aloha

Director: Cameron Crowe
Genre: Drama/ Romance/ Comedy
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, John Krasinski, Bill Murray, Danny McBride, Alec Baldwin, Bill Camp, Jaeden Martell

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2020 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 21: A MOVIE WITH YOUR FAVORITE ACTRESS

Description: A celebrated military contractor (Bradley Cooper) returns to the site of his greatest career triumphs and reconnects with a long-ago love (Rachel McAdams) while unexpectedly falling for the hard-charging Air Force watch-dog (Emma Stone) assigned to him.

Review: Cameron Crowe directed movies like “Jerry Maguire” and “Almost Famous”, which were both great successes. He got together a fabulous cast for “Aloha”, including Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, Bill Murray, John Krasinski and Danny McBride. But this film proofs that a strong cast doesn’t necessarily make a great movie.
Brian Gilcrest used to be a much celebrated fighter pilot and astronomer, but after an incident in Kabul he can’t work in the field anymore. He now uses his expertise while working at Global One, a private company lead by billionaire Carson Welch, who wants to help the America army. Welch wants the entire world to have free access to the internet and Gilcrest is send to Hawaii, to get the blessing from an officious king. Together with his liaison Captain Allison Ng he has to make sure the natives aren’t going to be any trouble. And then there is Gilcrest’s ex Tracy, now married to another pilot Woody and mother of two kids. It’s clear their relationship didn’t end well, but there is also something between Gilcrest and Allison.
It's not really clear what the movie is trying to tell you. What is clear is the lack of knowledge of the Hawaiian culture.
The cast is fine, it does what it needs to do. But with such a big group of names, you except more. Bradley Cooper isn’t challenged enough in his role and Emma Stone has been better. Rachel McAdams does fit her role and her role is convincing enough. John Krasinksi can do much more than this and Bill Murray was probably just added to draw attention. He doesn’t get that much to do.
“Aloha” is not a terrible movie, but the film lacks logic and meaning. It sometimes even drags. And such a talented group of actors deserved a better script.

Rating: 2,5 / 5

TV Show Review - The Mind, Explained (Season 1)

Season: 1
Genre: Documentary
Number of episodes: 5
Year: 2019
Starring: Emma Stone

Description: Ever wonder what’s happening inside your head? From dreaming to anxiety disorders, discover how your brain works with this illuminating series.

Review: In the mini-series with five episodes of an average of twenty minutes, the makers show in scenes how each part of the brain works. Themes like memory, dreams, anxiety, mindfulness and psychedelics are spotlighted. The documentary series originated from a collaboration between Netflix and Vox, an American news and opinion website.
The purpose of memories is to preserve the past. Then why are they so unreliable? That’s the key question in the first episode: Memory. The episode focuses on how memory works. From the opening scene, several recognizable moments in global history are shown: from the moon landing, the knocking down of the Berlin Wall and the death of Princess Diana to 9/ 11.
The episode shows how fragments locked up in people’s brains about where they were and what they did on September 11th 2001, are actually not accurate at all. Our memories are sometimes inaccurate because different parts of our brain merge memories with different pieces of information. A champion of global memory competitions discusses the technique she uses to study, for example, a series of hundred numbers.
The second episode “Dreams”, focuses on whether our dreams have a real meaning, and whether or not they serve a purpose. During our sleep, our emotional brain is active, while the rational brain is switched off. In addition, we only dream a fifth of the time we sleep. It may not be new information for many, but it is brought in an entertaining way.
The first two episodes are the most interesting, but getting deeper into themes like anxiety, mindfulness and Psychedelics is also very interesting.
Emma stone narrates it and she has a very pleasant voice to listen to. And she does enough to enthuse the viewers about the subject and to lead them through each episode. It’s a but dry material, but through personal interviews, studies, graphs, archive footage and hand-drawn cartoons, the series manages to stimulate curiosity about how our brains work. “The Mind, Explained” is a simplistic but clear documentary series.

Movie Review - Zombieland: Double Tap

Director: Ruben Fleischer
Genre: Comedy/ Action/ Horror
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Zoey Deutch, Rosario Dawson, Luke Wilson, Bill Murray, Thomas Middleditch

Description: Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) move to the American heartland as they face off against evolved zombies, fellow survivors, and the growing pains of the snarky makeshift family.

Review: The subgenre, horror comedy, is one of my personal favorites. Especially when it has to do with zombies. When “Zombieland” came out in 2009, it was a surprising, fresh and hilarious film that really impressed. It mocks itself and is creative. Ten years later, director Ruben Fleisher comes with the sequel. Maybe a little late, but better late than never. Because, did we need it? Not really. Did I enjoy it? Hell yeah!
In 2009, besides Woody Harrelson, all actors were fairly new to Hollywood. Now, it stars Oscar nominees and even one winner, being Emma Stone. Besides this difference, the cast hasn’t changed a bit and the chemistry is still a strong element in the film. The bickering between Columbus and Tallahassee, the creative ways to kill a zombie, sharp dialogue. Off course it doesn’t reach the same level as “Zombieland”, but “Zombieland: Double Tap” comes awfully close.
“Zombieland: Double Tap” is more of the same, but we loved the first so why change the formula? It’s not as original as the first, but it’s a great sequel. And if you’re a fan of the original film, you will enjoy this one as well.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

10s Movie Review - Crazy Stupid Love

Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Genre: Drama/ Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 118 minutes
Year: 2011
Starring: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Julianne Moore, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Bacon, John Carroll Lynch, Analeigh Tipton, Joey King

Description: A middle-aged husband's (Steve Carell) life changes dramatically when his wife (Julianne Moore) asks him for a divorce. He seeks to rediscover his manhood with the help of a newfound friend, Jacob (Ryan Gosling), learning to pick up girls at bars.

Review: Filmmakers have tried so many times to create a romantic comedy that is liked by women and men. But they have only managed to succeed a couple of times. “Crazy Stupid Love” is one of them.
Cal is a decent, good 40 something guy, with a solid job, nice kids and a beautiful wife. During a nice dinner with his wife Emily, she surprises him with a request for a divorce. Because she slept with someone and they have drifted apart. Cal doesn’t know how to handle the situation and goes to bars, sobbing about his failed marriage. In that bar there also happens to be Jacob, a handsome, smooth talker that can score any woman any night. The two meet each other and Jacob decides to help Cal rediscover his manhood.
Cal and Jacob are the central figures in “Crazy Stupid Love”, but there are other characters struggling with love in many shapes and forms. And it’s one of the strongest elements of the film. All those different characters and their different feelings and emotions, they make sure everyone can relate to someone in this film. “Crazy Stupid Love” is fresh and has some surprising moments.
Every member of this cast seems perfect for their role. There is not one star, they are all equally good. And the humor and drama is in perfect balance.
“Crazy Stupid Love” is probably one of the best film to watch on a date.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

00s Movie Review - Superbad

Director: Greg Mottola
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 114 minutes
Year: 2007
Starring: Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bill Hader, Seth Rogen, Emma Stone, Joe Lo Truglio, Dave Franco

Description: Two co-dependent high school seniors (Jonah Hill, Michael Cera) are forced to deal with separation anxiety after their plan to stage a booze-soaked party goes awry.

Review: “Superbad” is a harsh comedy, about teens trying to get laid before school ends. It sounds lame and unoriginal, but “Superbad” is much more original and honest than you would expect.
Jonah Hill plays the foulmouthed teenager Seth. All he wants is for the pretty Jules to be his girlfriend. His plan is to get her drunk at a party. He convinces his friend Evan that this is the way to get the girl he likes, Becca, to fall in love with him too.
The only problem is the booze. They are under 21 and can’t buy it. The solution: their nerdy friend Fogell, who just got a fake ID, that says he is a 25 year old organ donor called McLovin. Their quest to get alcohol begins.
The harsh dialogues and remarks are fired in speed tempo, by both Jonah Hill and Michael Cera. The timing of both actors is perfect and they both do a great job. But it’s Christoph Mintz-Plasse that steals the show, together with the two crazy cops, portrayed by Bill Hader and Seth Rogen.
“Superbad” is filled with original and hilarious moments. The film also has heart and turns cartoonish characters into real people. Not that the movie has any depth, but it’s a great study of the teenage psyche. “Superbad” has realism and honesty, something that a lot of teen comedies don’t have.
“Superbad” is super funny!

Rating: 5/ 5

Movie Reviews - The Favourite

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 120 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone, Nicholas Hoult

Description: In early 18th century England, a frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) occupies the throne and her close friend, Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz), governs the country in her stead. When a new servant, Abigail (Emma Stone), arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah.

Review: Women in costume dramas are mostly sweet damsels in distress with deer eyes. Films like “Love and Friendship”, “Lady Macbeth” and “The Beguiled” changed that format and showed us powerful women undermining the patriarchal system. Using two things: their intelligence and their sexuality. We can add “The Favourite” to that list too. It’s a sharp and vile costume drama, where three women fight for power.
At the start of the 18th century in rural England: Queen Anne sits on the throne, but struggles with her physical and mental health. She has rage outburst and nobody seems to find a cure for her skin condition. She puts her trust in Lady Sarah, who ambitiously focusses on the war situation with France.
At that same time, Abigail enters the court, as a maid. Because Abigail found a herb that can heal the queen, she becomes a new lady of interest for Queen Anne. Which makes Lady Sarah very jealous.
“The Favourite” is not a righteous costume drama. Words like ‘fuck’ and ‘cunt’ are used quite frequently and the women are extremely vile towards each other. But this all doesn’t lower the class of the film.
The writing is masterful and the way they handle the concept of victim and suspect is exceptional. In all characters you can see both a victim and a suspect. Which makes it hard to feel more sympathy for one character over another. The characters sort of move like pieces on a chess board, constantly changing position on the hierarchical pyramid.
Director Yorgos Lanthimos, who also made “The Lobster” and “The Killing of a Sacred Deer”, is a director you either love or hate. I was a big fan of his previous films and again he amazed me with his style. I like a good costume drama, but this is so different from others in the genre.
The three women, played by Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz, are all excellent. No one steals the spotlight, they are all in that spotlight.
As all of Lanthimos’ movies, “The Favourite” is not for everyone. I loved it!

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Oscar Predictions 2017

A bit late to the party, by here are my 2017 Oscar predictions.

Best Motion Picture of the Year
Should Win: "La La Land"
Will Win: "La La Land"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Should Win: Ryan Gosling for "La La Land"
Will Win: Denzel Washington for "Fences"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Should Win: Emma Stone for "La La Land"
Will Win: Emma Stone for "La La Land"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Should Win: Michael Shannon for "Nocturnal Animals"
Will Win: Mahershala Ali for "Moonlight"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Should Win: Viola Davis for "Fences"
Will Win: Viola Davis for "Fences"

Best Achievement in Directing
Should Win: Damien Chazelle for "La La Land"
Will Win: Damien Chazelle for "La La Land"

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 167: La La Land

Director: Damien Chazelle
Genre: Drama/ Comedy/ Romance/ Musical
Runtime: 128 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend, J.K. Simmons, Rosemarie DeWitt

Description: A jazz pianist (Ryan Gosling) falls for an aspiring actress (Emma Stone) in Los Angeles

Review: Even if you’re not a fan of musicals, “La La Land” will mesmerize you. The ode to love, passion, creativity and dreams by director Damie Chazelle stands out and manages never to fall into clichés.
Chazelle uses two characters to tell the story about people who desperately want to make it in Hollywood. Emma Stone plays Mia, a waitress who wants to be an actress. But she is dealing with disappointments and rejections. Ryan Gosling has an even bigger goal as Sebastian, to become a pure jazz musician without any commercial concessions. But he works at a restaurant where nobody really listens to him. By Mia does and they go on an incredibly journey together, trying to pursue their dreams.
“La La Land” isn’t just an ode to all those themes I mentioned earlier, but also an ode to the classic film and classic musical. Nowadays musicals aren’t what they used to be, but “La La Land” got it right. The characters don’t suddenly burst into song, the songs all seamlessly weave into the story.
It’s the most beautiful film I’ve seen in 2016, it constantly amazed me and it put a big fat smile on my face. The film looks beautiful. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling have perfect chemistry and they are both sublime in their roles. The music is fantastic and I loved every minute of “La La Land”.
“La La Land”. And instant classic that many movie makers should take as an example.

Rating: 5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 12: The Croods

Director: Kirk de Micco, Chris Sanders

Genre: Animation/ Family/ Comedy/ Adventure

Runtime: 99 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Emma Stone, Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, Cloris Leachmann, Catherine Keener, Chris Sanders, Randy Thom

Description: After their cave is destroyed, a caveman family must trek through an unfamiliar fantastical world with the help of an inventive boy.

Review: The world of computer animation has been ruled by Pixar for years. But Dreamworks shows us with “The Croods” that they are also doing well. This is probably one of their best animations in years.

Since “Shrek” Dreamworks has shown they are very creative with humor. Movies like “Madagascar” and “Bee Movie” show that too. “How to Train Your Dragon” had more emotion and combined it with amazing visuals. “The Croods” has found a perfect mix of it all.

The prehistorical Croods family spends their days in a dark cave. They only leave it to find food. Father Grug wants to protect his family no matter what. His daughter Eep is a little bit more adventurous for his liking. When an earthquake demolishes their cave, the family has to find a new place to live. The intelligent Guy helps them, but Grug isn’t happy with him at all.

It’s a very simple setup, but the creators were very creative with the execution. They put in a lot of work to bring this era to life. And the further into the film we learn it’s not just a fun comedy, but it also touches you.

“The Croods” is a surprisingly good and fun animation.

Rating: 4/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: Favorite Actresses of the Moment

I change my list of favourite actresses from time to time, because I keep discovering new women or I rediscover actresses. Here is my current list of favourite actresses.

5. Emma Stone

I sort of have a girl crush on her. She is funny and has dramatic talent as well. She was great in “The Help”, “Easy A”, “Crazy Stupid Love” and “Zombieland”. Most recent she did a wonderful job in “Birdman” and I can’t wait to see her in “Aloha”.

 

 

4. Rachel McAdams

Off course she started out in sweet movies like “The Notebook” and she was a bitch in “Mean Girls”, but she has some serious acting chops. Rachel McAdams was great in “State of Play”, “Sherlock Holmes”, “Red Eye” and “Midnight in Paris”. Most recent successes are “To the Wonder” and “About Time”. Can’t wait to see her in “Aloha”, just like Emma Stone.

 

 

3. Jessica Chastain

She is one of those new additions, who I love more after every movie. I first saw her in “The Help” where she played my favourite character. That movie made me watch more of her work. Movies like “The Debt”, “Tale Shelter” and “The Tree of Life” were fantastic, but she broke through in “Zero Dark Thirty”. Great performance by Jessica Chastain. A more recent movie I loved her in was “A Most Violent Year”. Can’t wait to see her in “Crimson Peak”.

 

 

2. Charlize Theron

She has become better over the years. In “Monster” she stated how great she is as a performer, but also in “North Country” and “Young Adult”. Charlize Theron is one fo those beautiful actresses that dares to be ugly for a role.

 

 

1. Naomi Watts

My favourite for quite some time now. Okay, she had some misses, but she has more good movies. Off course “21 Grams”, “The Impossible”, “Mulholland Dr.” and “Eastern Promisses” are amazing, but more recent “Birdman” and “St. Vincent”. Naomi Watts is and probably will always be my favourite actress.

 

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: Emily Blunt, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, Ellen Page, Rosamund Pike, Keira Knigtley, Anna Kendrick, Toni Collette, Zoe Saldana, Julianne Moore, Scarlett Johansson

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 18: Movie 43

Director: Elizabeth Banks, Bett Ratner, Bob Odenkirk, Steven Brill, Steve Carr, Rusty Cundieff, James Duffy, Griffin, Dunne, Peter Farrelly, Patrick Forsberg, Will Graham, James Gunn, Jonathan van Tulleken

Genre: Comedy

Runtime: 94 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Kate Winslet, Hugh Jackman, Anna Faris, Chris Pratt, Richard Gere, Kate Bosworth, Halle Berry, Stephen Merchant, Live Schreiber, Naomi Watts, Terrence Howard, Elizabeth Banks, Josh Duhamel, Kieran Culkin, Emma Stone, Chloë Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Uma Thurman, Jason Sudeikis, Kristen Bell, Justin Long, Leslie Bibb, Gerard Butler, Johnny Knoxville, Seann William Scott, Jeremy Allen White, J.B. Smoove, Jack McBrayer, Aasif Mandvi, Bobby Cannavale, Patrick Warburton, Jimmy Bennett, Matt Walsh, Adam Cagley, Devin Eash

Description: A series of interconnected short films.

Review: That a cast filled with Hollywood’s finest actors isn’t a guarantee for a good movie, is made painfully clear by “Movie 43”. In the US the movie got criticized and smashed by the audience and after seeing it myself I know why. It’s a comedy that simply isn’t funny, that barely has a script and has the goal to show the audience raunchy and ridiculous sketches. For instance, Kate Winslet going on a blind date with Hugh Jackman who has testicles under his chin, Halle Berry making guacamole with her boob and Elizabeth Banks who gets peed on by an animated cat. One sketch is even worse than the other.

Why all those actors and actresses (some with Academy Award wins and nominations) wanted to be in this movie, is a mystery. The movie is vulgar, obscene, nasty and especially really unfunny. You know how many times I laughed? Not once! The only reason to watch this movie is to see with your own eyes how terrible “Movie 43” is. But please, run away from it as fast as you can!

Rating: 0,5/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: Celebrity Couples

Celebrity couples hardly ever last, with off course you occasional exception. But that doesn’t mean we can’t love them and hope for their relationship to stay. I have my fair share of favourites in Hollywood, here is my top five of most beloved celebrity couples (both have to be celebrities).

5. Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi

I always love it how Ellen talks about Portia on her show. This is such a great couple.

 

 

4. Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks

This is one of those rare exceptions. This couple has been married since 1988! And every time I see them on TV or on pictures, they still look so happy.

 

 

3. Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield

They have great chemistry on screen, but are also adorable together in real life. If I were gay, I wish I were Andrew Garfield.

 

 

2. Emily Blunt and John Krasinski

This is how my marriage would be, they are amazing together. They aren’t very public about it, which I like. And they have an adorable baby girl names Hazel.

 

 

1. Anna Faris and Chris Pratt

They rule. I think both actors are hilarious and they are an awesome couple. They were made for each other, because they both have a great sense of humour and quirkiness. And they have a cute son Jack.

 

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, Charlize Theron and Sean Penn, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake, Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, Rachel Weisz and Daniel Craig, Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 12: Birdman

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 119 minutes
Year: 2014
Starring: Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, Zach Galifianakis, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan

Description: Washed up actor Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton), who once played an iconic superhero, battles his ego and attempts to recover his family, his career and himself in the days leading up to the opening of a Broadway play.

Review: Movies by Alejandro González Iñárritu were characterized by the way the story was told. A puzzle of unlucky, life changing decisions and what consequences they had on life. The characters put the pieces of the puzzle together. When Iñárritu made “Biutiful”, he focused on only one character. With “Birdman” the director decided to go further with that more intimate approach.
Riggan Thomson is loved by the audience for his role of Birdman. That character still lives in his head. As the actor of the fictional Birdman trilogy, he got the fame. But he wants to be adored by the whole world, so he wants to break through on Broadway as well. But before the play ‘What We Talk About, When We Talk About Love’ premieres, there are a lot of obstacle to overthrow. “Birdman” is self-conscious and has a lot of double layers. Choosing Michael Keaton to play an actor who used to play a superhero, was off course a deliberate choice, he got fame for playing “Batman”. There is a thin line between fiction and reality.
The cinematography is excellent. Iñárritu hardly used any montages, the movie looks like it was filmed in only one take. It seems like one long continuous shot.
Michael Keaton is sublime in his role as Riggan Thomson. It looks like Keaton will finally get the recognition he deserves, because he’s always been a fantastic actor. And Keaton is surrounded by an amazing supporting cast: Emma Stone, Edward Norton, Naomi Watts and Zach Galifianakis are all at the top of their game. Especially the last two should get more credit for their roles, Stone and Norton already did by receiving an Academy Award nomination as well as Keaton.
Alejandro González Iñárritu manages to keep “Birdman” light, with the dark humor. The cast performs incredibly well and visually this movie is an actual movie experience. “Birdman” is a fantastic film.

Rating: 5/ 5

Oscar Predictions 2015

I'm going to give it a shot again. Today the nominees for the 87th annual Academy Awards were announced and I've been predicting the winners for a couple of years now. So this year is no different. Some really great nominees this year, but as usual I don't agree with every all the winners. So, here are my prediction on who will win and who I think should win the awards.

Best Motion Picture of the Year

Should Win: "The Grand Budapest Hotel" or "Whiplash"

Would Win: "Boyhood"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Should Win: Benedict Cumberbatch for "The Imitation Game" or Michael Keaton for "Birdman" 

Would Win: Eddie Redmayne for "The Theory of Everything"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Should Win: Rosamund Pike for "Gone Girl"

Would Win: Julianne Moore for "Still Alice"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Should Win: J.K. Simmons for "Whiplash"

Would Win: J.K. Simmons for "Whiplash"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

Should Win: Emma Stone for "Birdman" or Keira Knightley for "The Imitation Game"

Would Win: Patricia Arquette for "Boyhood"

Best Achievement in Directing Should Win: Wes Anderson for "The Grand Budapest Hotel"

Would Win: Richard Linklater for "Boyhood"

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 1: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Director: Marc Webb

Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy

Runtime: 142 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHaan, Campbell Scott, Colm Feore, Embeth Davidtz, Sally Field, Paul Giamatti, Denis Leary, Felicity Jones

Description: When New York is put under siege by Oscorp, it is up to Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield) to save the city he swore to protect as well as his loved ones.

Review: After Spider-Man took on The Lizard in “The Amazing Spider-Man”, he has become a hero and peace has come to New York. Off course not for long. The powerful Oscorp has a lot of secrets. When boss Norman Osborn dies, he hands it over to his son Harry. When in the meantime Oscorp employee Max Dillon gets into an accident, he loses his humanity and mental health. Spider-Man has no time to sit back and relax.

This pretty much sums up the story of “The Amazing Spider-Man 2”. In the two and a half hour runtime it’s mostly rough love scenes and action sequences full off special effects. The quality of the CGI is variable. It’s strange that they choose Electro as the main villain and not Spider-Man’s number one rival Norman Osborn. Electro doesn’t really contribute much. And not even to mention Rhino, whom I found ridiculous and he was only it for a few minutes.

It’s very obvious the actors enjoyed working on this project, which makes it a joy for the viewers too. But because the earlier series, with Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man, isn’t that long ago, it makes this newer series repetitive.

It’s the little details though that make “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” interesting. The secrets of Peter’s parents are revealed. It gives the man behind Spider-Man a history. And the film has some great action scenes. It also has catchy humor, human superheroes an very bad guys.

“The Amazing Spider-Man 2” never goes above average, though it’s entertainment level is pretty high. The movie is a bit too long, because it misses pace. Not Marvel’s best.

Rating: 2/ 5