Movie Review - Babylon

Director: Damien Chazelle
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 189 minutes
Year: 2023
Starring: Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Jean Smart, Olivia Wilde, Diego Calva, Flea, Tobey Maguire
 
Description: A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, it traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.

Review: The craziness in “Babylon” begins with bickering over the transport of an elephant. Manuel, jack-of-all-trades behind the scenes of Hollywood anno 1926, has arranged for the animal to be the summit of entertainment of an exorbitant party thrown by a movie studio boss.

Hollywood prodigy Damien Chazelle (of the fantastic personal favorites “La La Land” and “Whiplash”) creates yet another prologue in his bursting at the seams fourth film: a protracted orgy of sex, cocaine, booze, song and dance at the aforementioned party. Here Manuel meets the wildly charming aspiring actress Nellie LaRoy and the equally charming yet smug star actor Jack Conrad. Manuel and Nellie then work their way up at lightning speed, while Jack is overtaken by time.  

“Babylon” is a mesmerizing, merciless and remarkably cynical deconstruction of Hollywood’s golden years: the first great transition phase of the American film industry, spurred by the invention of the talking movie (in 1927, with “The Jazz Singer”). One of my other personal favorites, “Singin’ in the Rain” also did this and this movie eventually turns out to be a very important one in “Babylon” as well. And I really loved this take. The conclusion of “Babylon” was surprising and satisfying.

The scenes where we got to go behind the scenes of the making of movies, where without a doubt the best. Especially one wild scene where Nellie first steps onto a film set. The way this was filmed, cinematographically it looks perfect and all the chaos going on is felt in every bone of your body.

Where, in my eyes, Chazelle’s “Whiplash” and “La La Land” were perfect in every way, “Babylon” is more flawed. Some explicit scenes I could have done without. I don’t shy away from nudity in film, but it sometimes felt unnecessary and felt like it was only there for the purpose of shock. With that, the movie is a bit too long, it could have been at least 30 minutes shorter. And that one scene, with Tobey Maguire, which is the most insane bit of the film, felt ridiculous.

“Babylon”, ode to and reckoning with the film industry all in one, proves that that American dream factory still delivers colorful films. Not a film I would recommend to anyone, because I don’t think most people I know, would appreciate it as much as I did. A wild ride that stimulates all you senses.

Rating: 4/ 5

TV Show Review - Mare of Easttown (Mini Series)

Season: Mini series
Genre: Thriller/ Crime/ Drama
Number of episodes: 7
Year: 2021
Starring: Kate Winslet, Julianne Nicholson, Evan Peters, Jean Smart, Angourie Rice, John Douglas Thompson, Joe Tippett, Guy Pierce, David Denman

Description: A detective (Kate Winslet) in a small Pennsylvania town investigates a local murder while trying to keep her life from falling apart.

Review: We have known for some time that HBO creates quality series and “Mare of Easttown” is another absolute hit.
Seven hours of about an hour long you can watch this fantastic series that never gets boring. This detective series seems to have taken inspiration from British and Scandinavian genre series, because it has that same feel and quality. “Mare of Easttown” is one of the better shows I have seen this year.
Mare Sheehan is a small-town detective who is torn apart by the death of her son and the fact that she has been searching for a missing girl for a year. Her family seems completely broken, but they are not dysfunctional. On the surface they seem hopelessly divided and don’t really like each other either. But when you dis a little deeper, you see much more love and togetherness.
Mare lives with daughter Siobhan, her grandson Drew and her mother Helen in the same house. The film doesn’t have any wild car chases or action sequences, there are no picture perfect characters. We meet real people with flaws and imperfection. “Mare of Easttown” seems to be taken from life and captivates from beginning to end.
HBO has managed to created another amazing series. Kate Winslet, who plays the titular Mare, does an excellent job. There is little to be said for her acting. She carries the show and truly convinces you in everything she does. Winslet is surrounded by an equally amazing cast: Jean Smart as her mother Helen, Evan Peters as her partner Colin Zabel, Angourie Rice as daughter Siobhan and Julianne Nicholson as Mare’s best friend Lori.  
The plot of “Mare of Easttown” is not that special, but the way it is played out, including the wonderful and surprising conclusion, makes this series a little gem. And it doesn’t need another season, because Mare’s story has been told and the mysteries have been unfolded. I can truly recommend “Mare of Easttown” for anyone that likes a raw, realistic detective drama with lots of surprising plot twists.

TV Show Review - Watchmen (Season 1)

Season: 1
Genre: Mystery/ Action/ Science Fiction
Number of episodes: 9
Year: 2019
Starring: Regina King, Jeremy Irons, Jean Smart, Louis Gossett Jr. Don Johnson, Tim Blake Nelson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, James Wolk

Description: Set in an alternate history where masked vigilantes are treated as outlaws.

Review: “Watchmen” started in the 1980s as a comic book. It was part of DC Comics, the publisher of “Superman”, “Batman” and “Wonder Woman”. Just like the aforementioned comics, “Watchmen” is about superheroes, their personal dramas and saving the world. It is therefore striking that the superheroes in “Watchmen” are not really ‘super’, they have no special powers (with of course Doctor Manhattan being the exception). Due to the popularity of the comics, a film was released in 2009. And now there is also a series, that takes place 34 years after. “Watchmen” begins mysteriously and is full of references to character from the comics. So when you start this series, it’s nice to read the comics or watch the film. It’s good to have some background info beforehand and make you understand many of the references a lot better. Few of the original Watchmen are left. In the beginning of the season it becomes immediately clear that a group of new masked heroes are active. Sister Night, played by Regina King, is introduced pretty early on in the series. Of the original Watchmen, only Adrian Veidt, also known as Ozymandias, played by Jeremy Irons, is still alive.
In addition to the masked heroes, the police now also wear masks. This is a measure that was introduced to protect the police from criminals who tracked down the officers in order to liquidate them and their families. Not everyone supports this measure, the FBI for example. In short, it’s not a good time to be a cop.
The series has a slow build-up and throughout the season it becomes more and more clear. I think that that is also the strength of this series. Each episode has a character on which the main focus is. That wat, the motivations of the characters become more clear and also why they have chosen to become a masked hero. At the end of the season, all the storylines come together and everything is clear. What is also very interesting about the series is that the gap of 34 years between the comic and the series is well filled and that there are even revelations through flashbacks that continue to fill events before the original comic.
Before I started watching this, I heard things. Mainly good things and they were right. I was invested in “Watchmen” right from the first episode. The cast is strong, it has a good story, is very well filmed and has an excellent soundtrack. In my opinion this is not a series that you can binge-watch, but that’s probably just me.
What I think is perhaps the best thing about the series is that it deals with subjects that used to be, and still are, topical. For example, the Vietnam War, the nuclear threats and discrimination. At the beginning of the season it becomes clear that a group is active, The Seventh Kavalry, which shows strong similarities with the Klu Klux Klan. Instead of a white robe, they wear a mask of one of the original Watchmen heroes: Rorschach.
Another interesting theme that fits well with present day is that mankind’s expectations can never be met. Nowadays people quickly have an opinion and want to express it. Heroes are under even more pressure because what they do is never enough or sufficient, even though they risk their lives for the common good of mankind.
I think the first season od “Watchmen” is very strong. It has a good structure, mystery, references to the original characters, good music, action, an amazing cast, is very beautifully filmed and it covers relevant themes. In addition, the series has a cliffhanger that can make a possible sequel very interesting. I’m in for another season.

90s Movie Review - Whisper of the Heart

Director: Yoshifumi Kondô
Genre: Animation/ Family/ Drama
Runtime: 111 minutes
Year: 1995
Starring: Brittany Snow, David Gallagher, Jean Smart, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Ashley Tisdale, Martin Spanjers, Cary Elwes, A.J. Buckley

Description: A love story between a girl who loves reading books (Brittany Snow), and a boy (David Gallagher) who has previously checked out all of the library books she chooses.

Review: “Whisper of the Heart” is about a young girl, Shizuku. If there is one thing Shizuku likes to do, it’s read. She works through all kinds of books at a very past pace and in the local library she can be found most of the time. When she borrows a large pile of books again, Shizuku notices that in each book there is a certain name of a young man who borrowed the book before her. A certain Seiji Amasawa. She wants to meet him and a great friendship develops between them. She doesn’t only get to know Seiji better, but also herself. In this way she finds out what she want to do in her life and starts writing her first story.
“Whisper of the Heart” is a very strong film. The whole coming-of-age setting, in which kids try to chase their dreams at an early age, really fits here. The film has some rally great moments, for example the moment where Shizuku and Seiji are performing the song Country Roads together and they are suddenly accompanied by Seiji’s grandfather and friends with instruments. And scenes like Shizuku following the cat, her finding the shop with the magic clock and Shizuku’s fantasy world are all straight from a picture book.
“Whisper of the Heart” was the first theatrically released Studio Ghibli film not to be directed by the master Hayao Miyazaki. Studio Ghibli always masterfully created these amazing looking animated family films, with a very mature feel to it. They never talk down to children and that’s what I love about them so much.

Rating: 4 / 5

TV Show Review - Dirty John (Season 1)

Season: 1
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Number of episodes: 8
Year: 2018
Starring: Connie Britton, Eric Bana, Juno Temple, Julia Garner, Jean Smart, Alan Ruck

Description: Debra's (Connie Britton) seemingly perfect life is disrupted as she falls for a handsome doctor (Eric Bana) who sweeps her into a whirlwind romance. But her handsome new beau pulls Debra into a sinister game of psychological manipulation.

Review: Giving love a second chance. But what if the seemingly perfect guy turns out to be a sociopath? That’s what’s happening in “Dirty John”.
“Dirty John” is based on the podcast by the American crime journalist Christopher Goffard. He takes on true crime stories. In his first podcast, he focuses on John Meehan.
We meet Debra Newell, a successful interior designer with three grown children and a beautiful house. Through a dating website she meets John Meehan, a charismatic anesthesiologist. Debra falls for him immediately. They are living together within months and married not long after. But Debra’s family doesn’t trust John. And they have good reason for it.
They rush through the beginning of their relationship, but it’s hard to fault that. Because John’s illicit intentions don’t stay hidden very long. That’s good, it has good pace. But it’s pretty hard to understand why Debra is falling for John so hard, because it all goes so fast.
Connie Britton plays Debra, and she is such a talented actress and I always love watching her. But despite Britton’s best effort to bring her character to life, there’s not much going on with Debra. In the beginning, I was hoping for a little more depth in her character, but after seeing the third episode, it was clear what the shows priority was: explore the killer’s point of view and keep the victim scared senseless. It’s not Britton’s fault, her character is just very bland.
Eric Bana plays the titular John. And his performance only pays off when John shows his true colors.
The daughters, played by Juno Temple and Julia Garner, are probably the best part of the show’s acting. Even though their characters are pretty annoying at times, they steal the show. And Jean Smart, playing Debra’s mother, is also very strong. When it comes to the story. I expected so much more. Off course John wasn’t the man that Debra thought she’d married, but what he does to Debra in the period they are together, isn’t all that shocking. I felt no danger, when Debra really was in danger. The true feeling of threat isn’t really present. When it comes to the stalker theme, “You” did a way better job.
The show does scare you in a way, that any guy could be a ‘John’ and women could be lured in easily. But overall, “Dirty John” wasn’t as good as I thought it would be.

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 58: The Accountant

Director: Gavin O’Connor
Genre: Action/ Crime/ Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 128 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons, Jon Bernthal, Jeffrey Tambor, John Lithgow, Jean Smart

Description: As a math savant (Ben Affleck) uncooks the books for a new client, the Treasury Department closes in on his activities and the body count starts to rise.

Review: Christian Wolff is a extraordinary accountant. He is a magician with numbers, but also autistic and socially a bit clumsy. He has several criminals as his clients and for that reason he thought himself some skills as well. When Wolff is hired by a new client, to discover if money is disappearing from his company, everything goes a little different as planned.
I’m not the world biggest Ben Affleck fan, he is sometimes even a reason NOT to watch a film. But he really surprised me and I found him somewhat brilliant as Christian Wolff. I also enjoyed Anna Kendrick and J.K. Simmons.
Director Gavin O’Connor, who also directed “Warrior”, made a very good and solid thriller. The film keeps your attention from beginning till end. There is a good combination between thriller, action and even a little humor.
“The Accountant” really surprised me, I didn’t expect much at first.

Rating: 4/ 5

TV Review: "Fargo" Season 2

Genre: Drama/ Thriller/ Crime

Year: 2015

Number of episodes: 10

Starring: Patrick Wilson, Ted Danson, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Bookime Woodbine, Zahn McClare, Cristin Milioti, Jean Smart, Rachel Keller, Brad Garrett, Jeffrey Donovan, Kieran Culkin, Adam Arkin, Nick Offerman

Description: Various chronicles of deception, intrigue and murder in and around frozen Minnesota. Yet all of these tales mysteriously lead back one way or another to Fargo, North Dakota

Review: After a great first season of“Fargo”, a second season had to happen. There is a new storyline, new characters, but you can still see the Coen Brother’s touch.

This season is set in the late ‘70s, where cop Lou Solverson (Molly’s - from season 1 - dad in his younger years) tracks down a family who is involved in a very complex conspiracy. The married couple Ed and Peggy Blumquist, get themselves into a series of crimes and blunders. Like season one, it’s about the everyday man who accidentally walks the criminal path.

The perspective changes during the series. There is not one leading character and we get to know something about every character of importance.

Patrick Wilson plays Lou Solverson, the younger version of the character Keith Carradine played in season one. Besides dealing with a difficult case, he is also worrying over his wife who has cancer. Staying professional in his job and also preparing for the possibility he might be a single dad soon. Wilson is very strong is his role. Ted Danson plays his father in law and also the sheriff. His character is calm and soothing, yet a very believable sheriff. Kirsten Dunst is probably the strongest performer in this season. We see her as Peggy Blumquist, a role we’ve never seen her in before. She really shines.

Season 2 was good, but it never lives up to season 1. The storylines are less interesting and there aren’t any characters that are as memorable as for example Lorne Malvo, Lester Nygaard and Molly Solverson from season 1. Dunst character comes close and so do Mike Milligan and Indian Hanzee, but season 1 of “Fargo” was way better.