Movie Review - Enola Holmes 3

Director: Philip Barantini
Genre: Adventure/ Comedy/ Action
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 2026
Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Helena Bonham Carter, Himesh Patel, Louis Partridge, Sharon Duncan-Brewster
 
Description: Detective Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown) heads to Malta, where her aspirations merge in her most complex and dangerous case yet.
 
Review: This third installment has lost some of its charm. While the first two films were fresh, energetic, and full of surprises, “Enola Holmes 3” unfortunately feels like a rehash. It lacks the spark and sharpness that made the earlier adventures so entertaining.

This time, the story shifts to sunny Malta, where Enola is about to marry her true love, Lord Tewkesbury. However, her doubt about the marriage are abruptly interrupted when it turns out that her brother Sherlock has vanished without a trace. What follows is a chaotic quest filled with kidnappings and hidden treasures, in which Enola must once again unravel a complex mystery to save her brother.

The biggest problem is the script. This murder-and-kidnapping mystery is far less compelling and more predictable than before. Whereas the fantastic second installment (my favorite in the series) excelled in a clever plot, political intrigue, and a great pace, this adventure in Malta just kind of plods along. Moreover, the dynamic between Enola and Sherlock lacks the spark that made the previous installments so strong. Millie Bobby Brown, however, remains a joy to watch. Her acting is still full of energy, and the moments when she breaks the fourth wall to address the audience remain entertaining. But the material she has to work with this time around is simply lacking.

“Enola Holmes 3” is still entertaining and it’s not a bad movie, but it’s a clear step back compared to its predecessors. And it definitely never comes close to the second movie.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

Movie Review - The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

Director: Guy Ritchie
Genre: Action/ Comedy
Runtime: 120 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Henry Cavill, Alan Ritchson, Alex Pettyfer, Eiza Gonzalez, Cary Elwes, Henry Golding, Babs Olusanmokun, Til Schweiger, Rory Kinnear, Freddie Fox, Hero Fiennes Tiffin
 
Description: The British military recruits a small group of highly skilled soldiers to strike against German forces behind enemy lines during World War II.

Review: Gus March-Phillips is the man commissioned by Winston Churchill to assemble a team that will eventually take part in a dangerous mission off the West African coast. March-Phillips has one demand: his buddy Geoffrey Appleyard must lead the gang of unguided missiles. Small problem: Appleyard has been arrested by the Gestapo and is stuck on the Spanish Island of Palma. But March-Phillips and his team have little trouble taking out an entire battalion.

The first movie that comes to mind when watching “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” is Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglorious Basterds”. It has several similarities, but Guy Ritchie’s action film never reaches the same level. It’s a little more lighthearted and frivolous, but still very entertaining, apt, funny, action-packed, has some fun one-liners, a great movie score and a solid cast. And it has a clever, subtle nod to James Bond. I enjoyed it, but “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” is not the most memorable film. 

 
Rating: 3/ 5

Movie Review - Enola Holmes 2

Director: Harry Bradbeer
Genre: Adventure/ Mystery/ Action/ Crime
Runtime: 129 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Helena Bonham-Carter, David Thewlis, Louise Partridge, Himesh Patel
 
Description: Now a detective-for-hire, Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown) takes on her first official case to find a missing girl as the sparks of a dangerous conspiracy ignite a mystery that requires the help of friends, and Sherlock (Henry Cavill) himself, to unravel.

Review: After the success of her first solved murder case, Enola Holmes starts her own detective agency. Unfortunately, most potential clients are put off by her young age and her gender, not to mention the fact that they prefer to talk to her more famous brother Sherlock. It seems Enola’s career is over before it even begins, until she is visited by a young girl whose older sister has gone missing after being accused of stealing from her workplace.

Enola takes the case and infiltrates the factory where the young lady was employed. Before lone, Enola is on the trail of a vast conspiracy, but once the local police become involved in the case, led by the extraordinary Inspector Grail, even our capable heroine discovers she needs a little help from her brother Sherlock and her elusive mother Eudoria.

Millie Bobby Brown excels in her role as Enola. She brings Sherlock’s little sister to life in a convincing and energetic manner and is genuinely funny in her comments and facial expressions. Henry Cavill portrays a wonderful messy and laid-back Sherlock, and his increased presence in this sequel could hint at a Sherlock Holmes movie of his own. Which I’m totally in for by the way.

The interplay between Cavill and Brown is very enjoyable. The two have a good click and come across as if they are brother and sister in real life. The dialogues between both Holmes siblings are sharp and smooth, with Sherlock often baffled by his sister’s skills and Enola in turn realizing that her brother is a bit of a mess.

Although the plot may appear wuite complicated to younger viewers, it is less impressive than the original Sherlock Holmes stories. Fortunately, the unraveling of the mysteries still uses the power of deductive reasoning so characteristic of original author Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories.

Somethins that is also done in a fun way, is the breaking of the fourth wall. This storytelling technique by no means works in every film, but in “Enola Holmes 2” it results in funny comments in between and benefits the story, as it takes the viewer inside the mind of Enola.

Less successful are the scenes with Enola’s potential boyfriend from her first adventure, Lord Tewkesbury, which repeatedly brings the film to a halt. He is such a dull and monotonous character, that it is hard to imagine anyone as bubbly as Enola having a crush on him.

Nevertheless, “Enola Holmes 2” is highly entertaining, just like the first installment (liked it even a bit more than the first). And a perfect film to watch in the autumn season. A cozy mystery, love it. Hopefully more to come.  

Rating: 4/ 5

TV Show Review - The Witcher (Season 2)

Season: 2
Genre: Fantasy/ Drama/
Number of episodes: 8
Year: 2021
Starring: Henry Cavill, Freye Allan, Anya Chalotra, Mimi Ndiweni, Joey Batey

Description: Geralt of Rivia (Herny Cavill), a solitary monster hunter, struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts.

Review: The creators of “The Witcher” took the criticism of the first season seriously and hit back with a second season. More coherent, less confusing and more interesting.
The first season was full of humor, scary monsters and exciting action scenes, but also received a lot of criticism. The storyline, with three different time periods intermingled, was very messy and the plot twists where not all credible. The creators have listened to the criticism and made a much better season 2 on every level.
The story starts right where season 1 ended. Monster slayer Geralt of Rivia and Prinvess Ciri have finally found each other and he makes it his mission to protect her, turning the grunt into a father figure to her. Meanwhile, Yennefer has been captured by the enemy of the powerful mage looking for a way to escape and return to her sisters.
The plot of the second season is a lot more manageable than the first, in which the three main characters had random adventures in different time periods. It’s a minor adjustment but immediately lifts the series to a higher level. The characters this time have clear motives, which come to the fore in the many exciting adventures they experience. These experiences also teach you more about he rich fantasy world of The Witcher. There is room here and there for a history lesson and a better explanation of the magic that is used.
The elves also play a larger role this time around, and their addition add new shades of gray to the in-depth story. In the first season, Nilfgaard was portrayed as the great enemy, but in the second season it becomes clear that this rogue nation also has its good sides. The country treats the elves with respect and the same cannot be said of the other kingdoms, who actually treat the magical people like dirt. This makes you wonder how bad Nilfgaard really is and how good “the heroes” are.
The darks season of being a Wither is also highlighter. In the first season, the profession of a monster slayer was highly romanticized, but in the new episodes it becomes clear that Geralt went through hell as a young boy. He is therefore also not happy when Ciri expresses interest in become a Witcher herself.
In conclusion, ”The Witcher” has improved on every aspect. I wasn’t a fan of season 1. I’m still not a major fan of the series, but I was more invested this time around and found everything more interesting. I especially liked the growing bond between Geralt and Ciri. If they continue improving like this, season 3 might make me a fan.

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.
 

  

00s Movie Review - I Capture the Castle

Director: Tim Fywell
Genre: Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 108 minutes
Year: 2003
Starring: Romola Garai, Rose Byrne, Marc Blucas, Henry Thomas, Henry Cavill, Bill Nighy, Tara Fitzgerald

Description: A love story set in 1930s England that follows 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain (Romola Garai), and the fortunes of her eccentric family, struggling to survive in a decaying English castle.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2020 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 46: A COSTUME DRAMA

Review: “Better all that hurt than to have known no pain”. That’s the lesson we earn from the film “I Capture the Castle”. The film is based on the 1948 book of the same name by Dodie Smith, who would later become known mainly for her book “The Hundred and One Dalmatians”.
The story of the film is told with the help of a voice-over by Cassandra Mortmain who records all the events surrounding her family in her journal. The film is set in 1930s England. Seventeen-year-old Cassandra lives with her eccentric family in a remote dilapidated castle. Depressed father James once wrote a successful book, but hasn’t had a word on paper for twelve years. Stepmother Topaz is an artist and nudist. Sister Rose is a beautiful girl with a penchant of luxury; her life goal is to marry a rich man. And then there is little brother Thomas, a very smart kid. In addition, the handsome handyman Stephan often visits the Mortmains; he is secretly in love with Cassandra, but she is not in love with him. One day the family meets two wealthy young American men: Simon and Neil Cotton. Rose sees her chance and does everything he can to make Simon fall in love with her. She succeeds and soon the two get engaged. Ut then Cassandra falls in love with Simon herself. And is Rose actually happy with Simon.
Although “I Capture the Castle” is a beautiful film, the story doesn’t seem to work all the time. I think it’s mostly the motivations of some characters that bother me. I simply never understand what Cassandra sees in Simon. Simon is clearly in love with Rose and at first Cassandra even helps Rose to get Simon. But still she falls in love with him. When there is Stephen, a caring, sweet, kind and handsome man (come on, it’s Henry Cavill) who would do everything for Cassandra. But she doesn’t love him back and treats him rather unfairly. He is the winning lottery ticket girl!
I really did love Romolo Garai in her role, even though I didn’t always understand her choices. And despite some negatives, I really did enjoy “I Capture the Castle”.

Rating: 3/ 5

10s Movie Review - Justice League

Director: Zack Snyder
Genre: Action.. Adventure/ Fantasy/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 121 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Gal Gadot, Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Amy Adams, Jeremy Irons, Connie Nielsen, Diane Lane, Amber Heard, Robin Wright, J.K. Simmons, Ciarán Hinds, Billy Crudup

Description: Fuled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s (Henry Cavill) selfless act, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) enlists the help of his new-found ally, Diana Prince (Gal Gadot), to face an even greater enemy.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2020 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 45: A DC COMICS MOVIE

Review: I don’t like saying this, but “Justice League” reminds me a lot of “The Avengers”. Not only the tone and the humor, but also the story structure is similar: short introductions of all the team members, the search of a bad guy Steppenwolf, and even the way the team fights against itself. Or take the entrance of Steppenwolf teleports to Earth thanks to a magical cube, and tries to get his hands on it while soldiers try to stop him. It’s not necessarily copied, the so-called Motherboxes do come from the original stories, but they are clearly playing it safe with the intention of “Justice League”. He therefore misses the impact, innovation and own identity that “The Avengers” had.
It turns out to be a successful formula, which proides a significant improvement over the overambitious “Batman V Superman”. Whereas the dark predecessor threw all kinds of subplots, themes and comic strips into a blender and hoped for a form of coherence, Zack Snyder had a clear them for the sequel. The film opens with the meaning of Superman’s emblem, the symbol for hope. This time it’s not a nice one-liner, but the core of the film. Truly every character ans subplot revolves around hope: Flash’s relationship with his father, Cyborg’s resurrection, Batman and Wonder Woman’s struggle with their past and Aquaman’s cantankerous and lonely quest for more. The tone is therefore more consistent than ever in the DCEU.  
Steppenwolf is allowed to join the lon line of uninteresting bad guys. His background as the seconds of Darkseid and his role as a military leader of the Planet Apokolips are hardly explained. Moreover, there is not glimmer of charisma or personality. “Justice League” has more lack of construction. Cyborg, Flash and Aquaman haven’t been able to benefit from a solo film yet, and have to try to develop their characters within some scenes.
The best thin about “Justice League” is, especially for the fans, that the fifth DCEU movie finally has a grip on the source material. The interaction between all the heroes is convincing and strong. And especially The Flash is a pleasant and enjoyable presence.
Compared to the other superhero movies that came out in 2017, “Justice League” is too safe to compete with. “Justice League” feels more like a rectification, mainly due to the optimistic and heroic tone in the last few shots.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Best Portrayals of Sherlock Holmes

"Enola Holmes” can’t be seen on Netflix now and with that we have yet again an interpretations of the most famous detective we all love: Sherlock Holmes. He made his first appearance in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel “A Study in Scarlett” which was released in 1887. Since then, there have been a lot of movies, TV movies and TV series where this character appeared in. I decided to make a list of the best portrayals of Sherlock Holmes. I didn’t ranked them, I listed them in order of when they appeared first. 

Arthur Wontner (The Sleeping Cardinal, 1931, The Missing Rembrandt, 1932, The Sign of Four: Sherlock Holmes’ Greatest Case, 1932, The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes, 1935 and Silver Blaze, 1937)
Arthur Wontner played Sherlock Holmes in five movies between 1931 and 1937. At the time, reviewers found him a perfect Sherlock Holmes and fans claimed that no better Holmes than Arthur Wontner could be found.
 

Basil Rathbone (The Hound of the Baskervilles, 1939, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, 1939, Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror, 1942, Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon, 1942, Sherlock Holmes in Washington, 1943, Sherlock Holmes Faces Death, 1943, Crazy House, 1943, The Spider Woman, 1943, The Scarlett Claw, 1944, The Pearl of Death, 1944, The House of Fear, 1945, The Woman in Green, 1945, Pursuit to Algiers, 1945, Terror By Night, 1946 and Dressed to Kill, 1946)
“The Hound of the Baskervilles” was a gamechanger in many ways: it was the first film set up in Victorian London and it was the first time the famous detective uniform was created. Basil had the charm of Sherlock like no other. No wonder he appeared in 15 films and over 200 radio shows as this character.
 

Peter Cushing (The Hound of the Baskervilles, 1959, Sherlock Holmes TV-series, 1968 and The Mask of Death, 1984)
Peter Cushing made his debut as Sherlock Holmes in “The Hound of the Baskervilles”. In 1968 he returned to the role for the BBC “Sherlock Holmes” television series, that aired for 16 episodes, taking over the role from Douglas Wilmer. Cushing later reprised his rol in the 1984 TV movie “The Mask of Death. The 60s series firmly established Peter Cushing as one of the best loved and memorable embodiments of Sherlock Holmes in the eyes of both an appreciative viewing public and the majority of critics alike.
 

Christopher Lee (Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace, 1962, Sherlock Holmes and the Leading Lady, 1991, and Incident at Victoria Falls, 1992)
Having previously played Sir Henry Baskerville alongside Peter Cushing in “The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959), Lee played the title character in the 1962 movie “Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace”. Then again in tow TV Movies in the early 90s; “Sherlock Holmes and the Leading Lady” and “Incident at Victoria Falls”. Christopher Lee also played Holmes’ brother Mycroft in the 1970s “The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes”. He might not be the best Sherlock Holmes to ever exist,  but  his cold delivery made him ideal for the role.
 

Christopher Plummer (Silver Blaze, 1977, Murder By Decree, 1977)
Christopher Plummer played Holmes in two films in the 1970s. His performance is viewed as the most emotional portrayal of Sherlock Holmes ever seen on screen. If you’ve ever wondered what the detective may have looked like of he cared about his victims, that’s what Plummer offered the audience.
 

Tom Baker (The Hound of the Baskervilles, 1982)
A year after stepping down as the star of “Doctor Who”, Tom Baker took on another iconic British character in a BBC adaptation of “The Hound of the Baskervilles”. The four part serial saw Baker reunite with his former producer on “Doctor Who”, Barry Letts. Baker was named a predictably larger-than-life Holmes.
 

Jeremy Brett (The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, 1984-1994)
Jeremy Brett did his research for the role, one that Sherlock himself would appreciate. The actor, who himself had bipolar disorder and depression, used his own life to understand the path from boredom to increased detective interest. And that resulted in a beautiful series that lasted ten years.
 

Rupert Everett (Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silver Stocking, 2004)
Rupert Everett starred in the BBC’s “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silver Stocking” in 2004/ the TV movie was a follow-up to the same production company’s adaptation of “The Hound of the Baskervilles” in 2002, which starred Richard Roxburgh as Holmes. Everett was praised for his elegant and decidedly decadent interpretation and a portrayal rich in tortured silences and seasoned with touches of campy authority.
 

Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, 2010 – 2017)
The only Sherlock Holmes with a Blackberry: Benedict Cumberbatch. He brings the fictional character from 1900 to life in 2012. And how! He knows better than anyone how to make an old boring man timeless. The detective in this series is smart, very stubborn and he is a little bit pf a psychopath. Reviews were universally positive, describing the show as a triumph, witty and knowing, without ever undercutting the flair and dazzle of the original. It understands that Holmes isn’t really about plot but about charisma.
 

Robert Downey Jr. (Sherlock Holmes, 2009 and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, 2011)
Robert Downey Jr. plays the most extravagant version of Sherlock Holmes you can think of. Precisely because he brings so much of his own personality into the role, the film is entertaining. We’ve seen that old, boring version of Holmes often enough! At the same time he still remains charming and crazy, exactly how the detective should be.
 

Jonny Lee Miller (Elementary, 2012-2019)
Jonny Lee Miller played Sherlock Holmes in seven seasons of TV’s “Elementary”. Running for 154, this American procedural crime drama series aired from 2012 to 2019. It may not appeal to purists, but “Elementary” provides a fresh spin on Sherlock Holmes, and Jonny Lee Miller shines in the title role.
 

Ian McKellen (Mr. Holmes, 2015)
The endearing Ian McKellen, unlike all the other actors, portrays Sherlock Holmes during his older years. This twist makes the detective immediately interesting: the 93-year-old is retired and deals with amnesia. Director Bill Condon chooses to focus on Holmes as a person, not on the mystery. And no one can bear that better than Ian McKellen.
 

Henry Cavill (Enola Holmes, 2020)
Although Henry Cavill only has a supporting role in “Enola Holmes”, because the film focuses on the detectives younger sister Enola. But I had to include him, because Cavill plays Holmes in the charming and classic British way. Exactly how we know the actor. The strict brother, who secretly enjoys his sister’s rebelliousness, is well cast. And I can’t get over the fact how handsome Cavill looks in this film.  

Movie Reviews - Enola Holmes

Director: Harry Bradbeer

Genre: Drama/ Crime/ Adventure

Runtime: 123 minutes

Year: 2020

Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Sam Claflin, Helena Bonham Carter, Louis Partridge

Description: When Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown), Sherlock’s (Henry Cavill) teen sister, discovers her mother (Helena Bonham Carter) missing, she sets off to find her, becoming a super-sleuth in her own right as she outwits her famous brother and unravels a dangerous conspiracy around a mysterious young lord (Louis Partridge)

Review: Forget Sherlock Holmes and meet Enola, the teenage sister of the world’s most famous detective. Equally resourceful and quirky, but spicier and more rebellious then her big brother. In “Enola Holmes”, the young detective takes matters into her own hands to track down her missing mother. For this she travels through Victorian England, a time when many people didn’t care much for types like Enola who went against traditional customs. Because, change is so difficult. Fortunately, director Harry Bradbeer and “Enola Holmes” provide the ultimate proof that a new interpretation o the familiar can a welcome relief.

In this revisionist twist on the classic detective stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock and Mycroft are pushed to the sidelines and take the lead in tracking down their mother after she is nowhere to be found. But before Enola can start her search, she has to get rid of her brothers. They want to send her to a boarding school to become a real lady, but Enola doesn’t feel like it.

“Enola Holmes” is set in Victorian England, where a battle for great reforms was going in, but women were still hoisted into tight corsets against their will. But Enola decides to chose her own path, instead of others doing it for her.

Enola leaves for London, the height of civilization. Her mother left some clues. On the train, her path crosses with that of Lord Tewksbury, a young marquis who is the target of a murder conspiracy. The two soon develop a bond.

Millie Bobby Brown manages to bring the young heroine from Nancy Springer’s books to life in an energetic and charming way. Enola frequently breaks the fourth wall for a chat with the audience and this was a fun touch. Brown’s witty and comical comments provide the film with a fine playful atmosphere that distinguishes it from the stories about her stoic brother.

The detective work of Sherlock’s female counterpart is less strong and intriguing and not typical Holmes-like as that of her big brother. Enola is more busy deciphering her mothers encrypted messages than solving larger puzzles. As a result, the mysteries to be unraveled never really become very exciting or compelling. Fortunately, the great action scenes make up for this and the great casting of Milly Bobby Brown and Henry Cavill as Sherlock Holmes is also a plus. I just can’t get over the fact how handsome Cavill is in this film and somehow also kind of perfect for the role of Sherlock Holmes.  

“Enola Holmes” is a fun contemporary interpretation of a genre previously dominated by men. It’s a highly enjoyable film and definitely a fun adventure. Hopefully more will follow.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

 

 

TV Show Review - The Witcher (Season 1)

Season: 1
Genre: Fantasy/ Drama/ Adventure/ Action
Number of episodes: 8
Year: 2019
Starring: Henry Cavill, Freye Allan, Anya Chalotra, Mimi Ndiweni, Eamon Farren, MyAnna Buring, Lars Mikkelsen, Adam Levy, Anna Shaffer, Johdi May

Description: Geralt of Rivia (Herny Cavill), a solitary monster hunter, struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts.

Review: The abundance of superhero films in recent years easily makes one forget how fantasy has broken through to the general public this century. That triumphal march began in 2001 with Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, followed by the epic TV show "Game of Thrones" in 2011.
Large-scale fantasy, with its monsters and battles, is one of the areas in which online video services fight each other. Amazon is making an extremely expensive series of "Lord of the Rings" that must be completed in 2021; HBO is working on "Game of Thrones" spin-offs. And since of December 2019 Netflix has "The Witcher", based on the work of the Polish fantasy writer Andrzej Sapkowski.
The story takes place on the Continent, a place of doom modelled after medieval Europe. Through a cataclysmic event, the Conjunction of the Spheres, people are stranded in the same world together with elves, monsters and other creatures from different dimensions. Those who are not naturally at the top of the food chain must try to survive with brute force.
British actor Henry Cavill plays Rivia's 'witcher' Geralt. He belongs to a caste of monster hunters who have undergone magical mutations to better cope with the creatures they hunt in return for payment. Most people distrust witchers and at best see them as a necessary evil for when their children are eaten. Geralt lives in the margins, and prefers to growl or communicate with his sword.
With a jawline on which swords can be forged, Cavill seems to have been born for all the physical aspects of his role. The choreography of sword fights is beautiful and the imposing Cavill convinces as a warrior who can fight life and death with monsters. But Cavill's limited range of expressions makes Geralt as a character highly dependent on more expressive opponents.
That comes partly from sorceress Yennefer, played with intensity by Anya Chalotra who compensates for the lukewarm performance of some other actors. As a deformed adopted child, she leads a meagre existence until a sorcerer's guild buys her. They offer beauty and power, but like everything else in this universe, at a price.
The fate of Geralt and Yennefer becomes intertwined with Ciri, a young princess fleeing an army that hunts down her hidden powers. In the harsh Continent full of monsters and villains, she is a beacon of goodness.
Thanks to the books and the games, the series can create a deep world. But unfortunately "The Witcher" doesn't give itself enough time and the viewer experiences what it's like when multiple worlds storm into your dimension.
Within two episodes, an encyclopedia of characters, places and events has already have been introduced and it feels messy. "The Witcher" is now actually less than the sum of his parts. Storylines displace each other while actors - still visibly uncomfortable in the skin of their character - struggle with sometimes cringe-worthy dialogues. The third episode shows what the series is capable of. But overall "The Witcher" all too often resembles a B-series on too big a budget.

Movie Reviews - Mission: Impossible - Fallout

Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Genre: Action/ Adventure
Runtime: 147 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Sean Harris, Henry Cavill, Angela Bassett, Alec Baldwin, Michelle Monaghan, Wes Bentley

Description: Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team, along with some familiar allies, race against time after a mission gone wrong.

Review: Seldom do movies in a series get better by each release. But for the Mission: Impossible franchise that is definitely the case. “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” is the sixth film in the franchise and the best so far!
“Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” was directed by Christopher McQuarrie and he also directed the sixth installment. The stunts and action sequences are bigger, more dangerous and more spectacular. And in this case, bigger is better. Tom Cruise still does all of his own stunts and that fascinates me. It helps the authenticity of the action sequences and makes it look amazing.
And the fight scenes are also fantastic. Perfectly choreographed. The same goes for the chase scenes. It doesn’t matter if it’s with cars, motorcycles or helicopters, they are all memorable. And then that bombastic music in the background.
But “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” is more than just an action packed spectacle. The story is strong and so are the characters. Twists, turns and surprises, all present like any spy themed film should have.
If you are a fan of the franchise, you shouldn’t miss this one. “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” is the best film in the series.

Rating: 5 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 108: The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

Director: Guy Ritchie
Genre: Action/ Comedy/ Adventure/ Crime
Runtime: 116 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Hugh Grant, Jared Harris

Description: In the early 1960s, CIA agent Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer) participate in a joint mission against a mysterious criminal organization, which is working to proliferate nuclear weapons.

Review: Since his Sherlock Holmes movies were a success, director Guy Ritchie looks like someone who can bring back old franchises. This time it’s “The Man from U.N.C.L.E., based on a televions show from the 1960s. And although the film isn’t as memorablem “The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is definitely a very entertaining comedic espionage.
During the cold war, the American CIA agent Napoleon Solo joins forces with the Russian KGB agent Ilya Kuryakin. Not very surprising is their rivalry at the beginning of the film. During an action packed opening, Solo manages to escape Kuryakin, together with the beautiful car mechanic Gaby. Gaby is the daughter of a nuclear scientist who is missing and she is probably the only clue to a potential conspiracy.That’s the reason why the two agents decide to work together.
Of course working together is not going to go smoothly, because of the differences between the two. And the interaction between actors Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer is fun to watch. Cavill works his charm as womanizer Solo and Hammer is more physically present. But it’s Alicia Vikander who steals the show as Gaby.
The atmosphere and the look of the film is great. It’s like we are really in the sixties. The location, sunny Rome, is perfect and the costumes are beautiful.
“The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” isn’t as surprising as espionage rival “Kingsman: The Secret Service” was, but certainly entertaining and enjoyable.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 90: Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice

Director: Zack Snyder
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 151 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Jeremy Irons, Laurence Fishburne, Holly Hunter, Gal Gadot, Scoot McNairy, Lauren Cohan, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kevin Costner

Description: Fearing that the actions of Superman (Henry Cavill) are left unchecked, Batman (Ben Affleck) takes on the Man of Steel, while the world wrestles with what kind of a hero it really needs.

Review: Let’s be honest: the DC comics is a little behind on Marvel when it comes to their movies. Marvel had their standalone films for Iron Man, The Hulk, Thor and Captain America and eventually teamed them up in “Avengers”. DC Comics is now bringing Superman and Batman together, two of the biggest superheroes ever.
Bruce Wayne saw his building for Wayne Enterprises fall and many people died because of it. This battle was fought by Superman and ever since then Bruce wants justice. Superman is still loved by people, but also hated by many others.
The character of Superman feels dynamic and human. Henry Cavill carries this role very well. Ben Affleck plays Batman for the first time. He is an excellent Bruce Wayne, but he didn’t completely convince me as Batman. And I don’t know if it’s just me, but his voice as Batman really annoyed me. We are introduced to Wonder Woman, who doesn’t really get a lot of screen time. But what we get is good. Jesse Eisenberg is a good villain.
“Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice” is the spectacle that we were promised. And it’s visual very stylish. This film has hardly any humor in it, it’s a very dark and serious film. But the movie feels a little but messy at some points. And the emotional climax is overshadowed by the promise of a Justice League film.

Rating: 3/ 5