20s Movie Review - Conclave

Director: Edward Burger
Genre: Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 120 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini

Description: When Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with leading one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, he finds himself at the center of a web of conspiracies and intrigue that could shake the very foundation of the Catholic Church.

Review: A conclave is the private process by which the most devout men of the Catholic Church come together to elect a new Pope.

The Pope has died in his sleep. Cardinal Lawrence is given the task of leading the conclave. He is not happy about that, as he was just about to resign his position at the Vatican. The lobbying begins even before the trial has begun, and the the unknown Archbishop Benitez shows up.

You might expect “Conclave” to be a religious drama, but it’s not. It’s a thriller, almost political. It’s conservative versus progressive. And just like any political election, there are secrets that surface.
Ralph Fiennes is the perfect choice to play Cardinal Lawrence, a tormented soul. Stanley Tucci is a perfect “wing man”. John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini are also very strong in their roles.

Although the pace is slow, the tension is high and the film keeps you engaged from start to finish. I was surprised at how much I loved this film.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Reviews - Incredibles 2

Director: Brad Bird
Genre: Animation/ Action
Runtime: 125 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Catherine Keener, Bob Odenkirk, Sophia Bush, Brad Bird, Isabella Rossellini, Samuel L. Jackson, John Ratzenberg, Barry Bostwick

Description: Bob Parr aka Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) is left to care for the kids while Helen aka Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) is out saving the world.

Review: “Incredibles 2” takes off where the first film ended in 2004. The ‘Underminer’ attacks the city with a giant machine. Frozone manages to make sure it doesn’t crash a monorail and the Incredibles protect a safe in a bank, rescue a helpless granny and try to catch the Underminer. But they also have to look after Jack-Jack. “Incredibles 2” is a great joy to watch and very entertaining, but it’s never as good as the first.
Even before the golden age of superhero films, director Brad Bird showed us that the ‘Fantastic Four’ kind of film works. “The Incredibles” embraced strange super powers and payed an ode to the spy film. With bombastic music, retro futuristic cities, transforming vehicles, heroes running over water and super robots.
“Incredibles 2” brings us the same kind of spectacle. This time, Elastigirl gets all the big action scenes. Highlights are the vehicle Elasticycle, a chace with a flating train and a fight with Screenlaver. Pixar did it again with amazing animation techniques.
While Elastigirl is being a hero and hunting the mysterious Screenslaver, Mr. Incredible stays at home to take care of the kids. It’s cliché, the way Bob underestimates being a stay-at-home dad, while Helen is enjoying her new freedom. Both storylines are saved by the many action sequences. And the confrontation between Jack-Jack and a stubborn raccoon is something to mention. No word is said, but the creativity put into to this sequence is fantastic.
The villain Screenslaver isn’t as interesting as Syndrome from the original. Screenslaver is a bit more predictable and the motivation is a bit superficial.
The focus is mostly on Elastigirl and Jack-Jack, the rest is overshadowed a bit.
When it comes to action, great music and excellent animation, this film is perfect. The entertainment level is very high. But the story doesn’t add much more.

Rating: 4 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 39: Enemy

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Genre: Thriller

Runtime: 90 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mélanie Laurent, Sarah Gadon, Isabella Rossellini

Description: A man seeks out his exact look-alike after spotting him in a movie.

Review: That there is a person on this planet that looks exactly like you, is an intriguing idea. Director Denis Villeneuve used it as a theme for the movie “Enemy”. It’s loosely based on the novel “The Double” by José Saramago. In the lead Villeneuve choose Jake Gyllenhaal.

The university of Toronto is the work place for professor Adam Bell. His days are dull and filled with giving lectures and pleasing his girlfriend Mary. When a colleague recommends him a movie, Adam decides to rent it. In that movie he spots a man that looks just like him. He can’t get him out of his head and wants to find the man.

If you’re a fan of Villeneuve’s movie “Prisoners”, be prepared for “Enemy”. It’s not as mainstream and probably not as known. Be ready for an abstract movie, with images that will haunt you for a long time.

The unexpected process makes it interesting and your attention never fades. The sinister music gives it a worrying and disturbing atmosphere.

Jake Gyllenhaal does a fantastic job by playing both Adam and Anthony. His great performance makes it easy to separate the two character, although looking identical. It’s in the little details. You hardly notice the transition between the two characters in the first half hour, but it’s clear you’re dealing with two different men.

The movie might make you feel uncomfortable and especially that ending is something you won’t forget very easily. It’s one of the scariest endings I have seen in a long time, because it’s so unexpectedly and it messes with your mind. This movie will stay with you for a long time, you want to unravel every little detail of it. It’s complex, so not a movie for just any viewer, but for us movie fans it’s a cinematic masterpiece.

Rating: 5/ 5