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

Movie Review - Bloodshot

Director: Dave Wilson
Genre: Action/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 109 minutes
Year: 2020
Starring: Vin Diesel, Guy Pearce, Sam Heughan, iza González, Toby Kebbell, Talulah Rileu, Lamorne Morris, Siddharth Dhananjay

Description: Ray Garrison (Vin Diesel), a slain soldier, is re-animated with superpowers.

Review: One of the most frustrating viewing experiences is when a film cleverly starts to work out its premise, but then throws all the intelligence overboard to offer only cheap entertainment. Not that there’s anything wrong with no-brainer movies, but if you don’t intent to live up to your pretensions, leave them out completely. That way, no one needs to be disappointed. “Bloodshot” shows that there is a superlative to this experience: a film that starts out as a stupid blockbuster, then reveals a lot smarter than you initially thought, only to end up as a stupid action film.
Based on the first half of “Bloodshot”, it seems perfectly clear what kind of mediocre film we are dealing with. Vin Diesel is once again portrayed as a tough mourner, who, as a super soldier, manages to complete every impossible mission. But is also a good husband for the woman he always comes home to safely afterwards. The war mission from this opening phase uses the now widely palette of “Black Hawk Down”, but after Ray’s homecoming we get an idyllic gathering with his wife.
After a bloody confrontation, Ray wakes up in laboratory, where he is told that he has died and has not only been brought back to life by state-of-the-art technology, but has also improved a lot. No only has his physical strength increased enormously and is he practically invulnerable, but the technology in his body also makes him omniscient.
It kind of feels like “RoboCop”. Because apart from a revived protagonist who can connect the necessary dots in his computer brain, there are war veterans who get robotized replacements for missing limbs.
Since Ray can’t remember anything about what happened to him, the question arises as to why the film sill filled that time at all. Why not just start at this point. It would have made it more interesting for the viewer.
There is a moment in the film that seems interesting, but it quickly heads back towards being a clumsy blockbuster. “Bloodshot” is an action film that will be easily forgotten.

Rating: 2/ 5

00s Movie Review - Memento

Director: Christopher Nolan
Genre: Drama/ Crime/ Thriller
Runtime: 113 minutes
Year: 2000
Starring: Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Mark Boone Jr., Joe Pantoliano, Jorja Fox, Stephen Tobolowsky

Description: Leonard (Guy Pearce) is a man with short-term memory loss and is trying to track down his wife’s murderer.

Review: Leonard Shelby is on the search for the killer of his wife. This search isn’t easy for him, since he suffers from short-term memory loss and can’t make new memories. To remember things, he shoots polaroid photos of important people and objects and writes notes on them. He also collects important facts that he later tattoos on his body. During his hunt for the killer, he gets help from a guy named Teddy, but also a woman named Natalie. But with his condition, it’s really hard to trust people and see if one is lying or not.
The story is pretty basic. It’s the way the story is told that makes “Memento” a unqique one-of-a-kind film. The story is told starting from the end, going all the way back to the beginning. Director Christopher Nolan is really screwing with your mind and us viewers know just as much as Leonard does. Each scene ends with the moment the previous scene starts with. And all the pieces of the puzzle eventually come together. And all though it sounds very confusing and you need to keep your focus, it’s not as complex as it sounds.
“Memento” is definitely one of the most original films I’ve ever seen and after seeing it multiple times you appreciate it more and more. It’s an unforgettable film 😉

Rating: 5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 104: Brimstone

Director: Martin Koolhoven
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Western
Runtime: 148 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Guy Pearce, Carice van Houten, Kit Harington

Description: From the moment the new reverend (Guy Pearce) climbs the pulpit, Liz (Dakota Fanning) knows she and her family are in great danger.

Review: It took him seven years, but director Martin Koolhoven finally got his passion project “Brimstone” done. And I think all that work was worth it, because “Brimstone” is an impressive film. An American genre film, made by the Dutch.
We meet Liz, who has no tongue and can’t speak. When a new reverend arrives in her town, her peaceful life is history. Koolhoven tells the story between Liz and the reverend in four chapters. And this is fascinating.
Is “Brimstone” a typical western? You will definitely find some elements: dessert landscapes, prostitutes in saloons and gun duels. But they have been put to the background. Koolhoven knows his westerns, but he isn’t here to pay an homage to the genre. He gave it his own twist and focused more on the American religion in that time period. Koolhoven went against the grain, something that we need more of in Hollywood.
Dakota Fanning plays Liz and shakes off her teen image with this role. She is really good. Kit Harington, who is always a joy to watch for so many reasons, is the shady outlaw. I really liked seeing him in this role. Carice van Houten is one of our country’s biggest actresses and her role, although small, is really strong. But it is Guy Pearce that leaves the biggest impression. His portrayal of the reverend is terrifying in a way.
I’m not the biggest fan of Dutch cinema, even though I’m Dutch myself. But “Brimstone” is definitely a movie us Dutch people can be proud of. One of the best films from our country.

Rating: 5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 133: Animal Kingdom

Director: David Michôd

Genre: Thriller/ Crime/ Drama

Runtime: 113 minutes

Year: 2010

Starring: Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton, Guy Pearce, Luke Ford, Jacki Weaver, Sullivan Stapleton, James Frencheville, Dan Wylie, Anthony Hayes, Laura Wheelwright, Mirrah Foulkes, Justin Rosniak

Description: A seventeen year-old (James Frencheville) navigates his survival amongst an explosive criminal family and the detective (Guy Pearce) who thinks he can save him.

Review: Director David Michôd gave his debut movie “Animal Kingdom” a bit of a misleading title. It sounds more like an accessible Disney movie of nature documentary, but instead it’s a film with themes like drugs, murder and crime. “Animal Kingdom” refers to the ‘beast’ in people and the hierarchy in the criminal world.

In the film we follow Josh “J” Cody, a seventeen year old boy who ends up under the pressure of his three criminal uncles. Josh gets into dangerous situations because of them and eventually has to choose between his loyalty to his family and the help of detective Leckie.

The story of “Animal Kingdom” is pretty simple and is about the choice between good and bad. This does give the movie some clichés and some choices and plot twist seem unrealistic. The movie does surprise though, there are some engrossing scenes that all have a great buildup. What makes “Animal Kingdom” special is the gloomy and dark tone that dominates. No bright colors, just cold hues. And then the contrast between the dark shadows and the bright lights. Sometimes when the ultimate bad guy Andrew ‘Pope’ Cody is in shot, he is in darkness surrounded by darker shadows. And the dramatic music also adds to that depressed atmosphere.

The film is also great because of the fantastic performances. Especially Jacki Weaver, as Janine Cody. Her charming yet devilish character draws your attention. James Frencheville, who plays J, plays his first role in “Animal Kingdom” and manages to keep up with the rest. Guy Pearce also gives away a solid performance.

“Animal Kingdom” is an acting film. The dramatic, sometimes cliché plot serves as a background for a grabbing performance by the cast. “Animal Kingdom” is not an accessible movie, but it’s a vibrant movie experience.

Rating: 4/ 5

Marry, Kiss, Cliff - Round 9

Round 9: Will Hunting (“Good Will Hunting”), Bruce Wayne (“Batman”) and Leonard (“Memento”)

 

Marry: To be honest Will Hunting is the only one with a somewhat normal life. He’s well-read and I like him. He’s nice.

Kiss: Bruce Wayne is loaded and also a little bit of a ladies man. Just one kiss would be enough and he would probably move on to the next girl or start chasing people dressed as penguins and cats. (Yes, I choose a Michael Keaton picture because he’s the best Batman. I love Christian Bale, but when I think of Batman I think of Keaton)

Cliff: Leonard would probably forget about me. Or he would kill me and then forget that as well. No, Leonard isn’t the perfect guy.

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 27: Lawless

Director: John Hillcoat

Genre: Crime/ Drama

Runtime: 115 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Jason Clarke, Jessica Chastain, Guy Pearce, Mia Wasikowska, Dane DeHaan, Gary Oldman

Description: A trio of bootlegging brothers are threatened by a new special deputy and other authorities angling for a cut of their profits.

Review: They are inaccessible, the legendary image of the Bondurant family. Wars, epidemics, nothing got to them for decades. This family is the focus of “Lawless” directed by John Hillcoat. Leader is Forrest, and we also have older brother Howard and the youngest Jack.

“Lawless” is set in the thirties of the twentieth century in Virginia. De brothers Bondurant are leading an okay life, with their own illegal trade in beverage. But when a new sheriff comes to town, this life changes. Sheriff Rakes wants everyone to live by his rules and the Bondurant family is his biggest problem. Where others surrounder to Rakes, the Bondurant brothers don’t give in and fight him.

Although the leader of the Bondurants is Forrest, the leading role is for Jack. Shia LaBeouf manages to keep up with the other big names in the cast. Jessica Chastain shines as always, but she isn’t given that much to do. Gary Oldman is hardly in it and Guy Pearce is a creepy, convincing Sheriff. But it’s Tom Hardy that steals the show. There is something about Hardy that I can’t resist.

“Lawless” is a good western/ gangster film. It’s a movie that does lots of good thing, like the setting, the actors and the pace. But the lack of depth is a negative, both in the story as the characters. This makes “Lawless” an uncomplicated enjoyable watch.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 147: Prometheus

Director: Ridley Scott

Genre: Actie/ Science Fiction/ Horror

Runtime: 126 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Guy Pearce, Logan Marshall-Green, Sean Harris, Rafe Spall, Patrick Wilson

Description: A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.

Review: Director Ridley Scott doesn’t make it easy for himself. He tried to tell a story, located in the universe of his own classic “Alien” from 1979, to answer one question: where do we come from? Man who wants to meet his maker. Scientists Elizabeth Shaw and Charlie Holloway find a series of identical cave drawings in 2089. They think they know the answer to that question and billionaire Peter Weyland sets up an expedition. On spaceship Prometheus they are on a search for the truth.

The Prometheus arrives, with a crew of seventeen, on a planet similar to the one in “Alien”. The tension is built because you don’t know why each of the crew members are on the mission. The distant Meredith Vickers has to lead the crew and her help is android David.

Scott could have chosen to play out a cat and mouse game, but instead he focuses on David. His plans are revealed little by little, but it’s clear he’s the one with the most dangerous mission. Dangerous for mankind. The questions isn’t who is going to survive, but why David does what he does. There is no emotional impact whenever one of the crew member dies. And even though some scenes are pretty gruesome, they are never as anguished as in “Alien”.

The movie is visually stunning and detailed. This movie is beautiful in 3D. But beautiful pictures alone don’t make a good movie. Scott made this movie a bit too simplistic and the characters lack intelligence and depth. “Prometheus” is still a pretty good movie.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 108: Hateship Loveship

Director: Liza Johnson

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 104 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Kristen Wiig, Guy Pearce, Hailee Steinfeld, Nick Nolte

Description: Sabitha (Hailee Steinfeld) is a wild teenage girl who orchestrates a romance between her nanny Johanna (Kristen Wiig) and her father Ken (Guy Pearce), who is a recovering addict.

Review: Kristen Wiig is known for her humor, but lately she has shown us her dramatic side. And not without success, because she is fantastic at playing this vulnerable, plain Jane. In “Hateship Loveship” she plays caretaker Johanna, who is appointed to help out the elderly Mr. McCauley with his granddaughter Sabitha. Together with her friend Edith, Sabitha starts a correspondence between Johanna and her estranged father Ken, so Johanna thinks he’s interested in her.

The story is simple and simple stories often make the best movies. The acting by Wiig is very timid and the movie is pretty silent and uneventful. You don’t need much to make a good movie, but “Hateship Loveship” does need a bit more. The start of the film is great, but in the second half it focuses more on Johanna and Ken, instead of Johanna and Sabitha. Eventually the story ups its tempo and a lot happens within a short period of time. Like they wanted to stuff all of it in a certain amount of time. The story wasn’t treated with the respect it deserved.

This all makes “Hateship Loveship” just an average flick, where it could have been so much more. We certainly can’t blame Kristen Wiig.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

Movie Battle: The Road Vs. The Book of Eli

I’ve choosen two movies with similar themes and plot points this time. And I think it’s going to be a close call, because while starting this I’m not sure who I will pick as winner yet. Here are the two movies going head to head in this movie battle: “The Road” Vs. “The Book of Eli”.

 

CAST

The Road: Viggo Mortensen has the lead and he does a great job. Very solid an believable. Kodi Smith-McPhee is an upcoming star, very well done as well. Charlize Theron also has a role in “The Road”, she is one of my favourites, I always love her. Robert Duvall and Guy Pearce have small roles in it as well.

The Book of Eli: You can always rely on Denzel Washington, this man never made a really bad movie. Washington is great, as always. Gary Oldman plays the villain, a task you can trust him with. Mila Kunis, Ray Stevenson and Michael Gambon also have roles in the film.

STORY

The Road: A man and his son a trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world by any means possible. Somehow these kinds of stories always get me interested. I remember the ending to be very open, you don’t really know what will happen next.

The Book of Eli: Eli is trying to cross his way through post-apocalyptic America, while protecting a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving mankind. Off course his trip doesn’t go without some problems. The film had a surprise twist in the end.

EFFECTS The Road: They made it look like a post-apocalyptic world, very dark, grim and sad. Not much colour, a perfect look for a world that’s on the edge of dying.

The Book of Eli: This post-apocalytic world looked a little lighter. It’s not as dark, it has a lot of earthy tones, more dessert like.

WINNER

It’s a tough one, but I’ll go for “The Road”. It’s not as spectacular as “The Book of Eli”, but the whole setting, storyline and performances impressed me a bit more.