Top 5 Thursday: Movies I Watched For My Challenge (October 2017)

A pretty mediocre month for movies. Did some rewatches, but also watched some crappy ones. Thank goodness for a few good film. Here are my favorites, that I watched for my challenge for the month of October.

5. Need For Speed
I thought it was going to be a sad repetition of the “Fast & Furious” movies. Well, no. It was more enjoyable then I expected it to be. And Aaron Paul….

4. Ghost in the Shell
This movie is mostly great because of its visuals and because of Scarlett Johansson. I don’t think it’s a very memorable movie, but I’m definitely happy about watching it.

3. Starter For 10
I like these stories. Nothing special, just a boy next door kind of story. And I really enjoyed it.

2. Going in Style
This film could easily be super cheesy. But it’s a really good comedy. Zach Braff did a good job directing, but if it weren’t for Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Alan Arkin, it would just be like any other comedy. So much fun!

1. Boyz n the Hood
What a good film. I love the nineties vibe, strong story and solid performances. Never saw it complete, I’m glad I did now.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Little Evil

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 114: Ghost in the Shell

Director: Rupert Sanders
Genre: Action/ Crime/ Science Fiction/ Thriller
Runtime: 107 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Pilou Asbæk, Michael Pitt, Juliette Binoche

Description: In the near future, Major (Scarlett Johansson) is the first of her kind: A human saved from a terrible crash, who is cyber-enhanced to be a perfect soldier devoted to stopping the world's most dangerous criminals.

Review: In 1995 director Mamoru Oshii released the anime classic “Ghost in the Shell”. It’s set in a future where body parts can easily be replaced by cybernetic parts. Director Rupert Sanders got the task to turn it into an American live action film.
We meet Major, a young woman who was in a terrible accident. She has been given new life thanks to robotic factory Hanka Robotics. Because she is the first of her kind, Major is used as a super weapon, specialized in tracking and killing hackers and terrorists. When you look at the story, it’s been simplified. Existential problems are a bit watered down, but the question ‘what makes us human’ isn’t completely ignored.
Visually “Ghost in the Shell” looks amazing. It was clearly inspired by “Blade Runner”. And the soundtrack is also really cool. Scarlett Johansson is supposed to carry this film and she is clearly perfect for this role. Johansson is a great action heroin. “Ghost in the Shell” has its flaws, but it’s visually stunning and Scarlett Johansson is really strong.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Trailer Sunday (268)

Here are this week's trailers.

Ghost in the Shell
Director: Rupert Sanders
Description: A cyborg policewoman (Scarlett Johansson) attempts to bring down a nefarious computer hacker.
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Michael Wincott, Michael Pitt, Juliette Binoche
Trailer: Trailer "Ghost in the Shell"
Comment: I never saw the anime, but now I think I will. Or have to!

Beauty and the Beast
Director: Bill Condon
Description: An adaptation of the Disney fairy-tale about a monstrous prince (Dan Stevens) and a young woman (Emma Watson) who fall in love.
Starring: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Josh Gad, Kevin Kline, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, Stanley Tucci, Ewan McGregor
Trailer: Trailer "Beauty and the Beast"
Comment: FInally a trailer, my favorite of the week. Can't wait for this movie to come out!!!!

The Zookeeper's Wife
Director: Niki Caro
Description: The Zookeeper's Wife tells the account of keepers of the Warsaw Zoo, Antonina and Jan Zabinski (Jessica Chastain, Johan Heldenbergh), who helped save hundreds of people and animals during the Nazi invasion.
Starring: Jessica Chastain, Daniel Brühl, Johan Heldenbergh
Trailer: Trailer "The Zookeeper's Wife"
Comment: What an AMAZING trailer!

Kong: Skull: Island
Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Description: An action/adventure story centered on King Kong's origins.
Starring: Brie Larsson, Tom Hiddleston, Toby Kebell, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, John C. Reilly
Trailer: Trailer "Kong: Skull Island"
Comment: Looks epic and the cast is awesome!

The Edge of Seventeen
Director: Kelly Fremon Craig
Description: High-school life gets even more unbearable for Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) when her best friend, Krista, starts dating her older brother.
Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson, Blake Jenner, Kyra Sedgwick
Trailer: Trailer "The Edge of Seventeen"
Comment: I'm especiallyliking Woody Harrelson here!