10s Movie Review - The Lie

Director: Veena Sud
Genre: Thriller/ Drama
Runtime: 97 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Mireille Enos, Peter Sarsgaard Joey King

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 48: A THRILLER
 
Description: Jay (Peter Sarsgaard) and his daughter Kayla (Joey King) are on their way to dance camp when they spot Kayla’s best friend on the side of the road. When they stop to offer her a ride, their good intentions soon result in terrible consequences.

Review: “The Lie” tells the story of Kayla and her divorced parents Jay and Rebecca. On their way to a ballet camp, Kayla and Jay run into a friend of Kayla’s, all alone at the bus stop. They decide to give her a ride, since this Britney also has to go to camp.

When Britney needs to pee, Jay pulls the car over on the side of the road. The girls walk into the woods, in the middle of nowhere. When Jay hears a scream, he finds his daughter sitting on a bridge. But where is Britney?

All three main characters, Kayla, Jay and Rebecca, are incredibly unpleasant people. In a movie like this, its important that you can sympathize with at least one of them. You just simply can’t with this family. And these people are so stupid and make all the wrong decisions. I understand that Jay and Rebecca are parents that want to protect their daughter. But not of the decisions they make, think it’s the best for Kayla, are thoughtful or understandable. It made no sense at all.

The acting is really good though and they did the best with the material they had. And the film has some surprising twists, it’s not all that predictable. But, that ending is just…. I just couldn’t deal with that. And again makes no sense. No person in the right mind would think that what actually happened is a good idea. And that ending made this film from not so great to downright silly.

Rating: 2 / 5

Movie Review - Bullet Train

Director: David Leitch
Genre: Action/ Comedy/ Thriller
Runtime: 126 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon, Sandra Bullock, Logan Lerman, Zazie Beetz
 
Description: Five assassins aboard a swiftly-moving bullet train find out that their missions have something in common.

Review: After a small role in “The Lost City”, Brad Pitt is back in a lead role. In a so-called bullet train flying through Japan at high speeds, much more is going on than meets the eye.

Assassin Ladybug is given a seemingly simply assignment: steal a suitcase on a Japanese bullet train and get off with it at the next stop. Everything seems to be going smoothly, until Ladybug finds out that he is not the only hitman sent aboard the train with an assignment.  

“Bullet Train” is a highly entertainment film with not a dull moment in it. Besides the amazing action scenes it contains, in colorful neon lights of modern Japan, the actors get every chance to shine in a film that actually takes place almost entirely in one location. And aside from all the spectacle, the actors especially shine in the conversations their characters have with each other. Brad Pitt infuses his character with a genuine amazement at everything, while as a reborn person he clearly forgets what industry he works in. Tangerine and Lemon make a delightful duo, while Prince makes everything to her liking.

The action and humor that alternate at a high pace make the film a cinematic ride to be fully enjoyed. Towards the end, it doesn’t quite manage to maintain that perfect pace, but that’s forgivable.

“Bullet Train” is a ride you won’t soon forget. The combination of humor and action works perfectly. The great action scenes and delightful conversations follow each other at a good pace. And the cast manages to hold your attention. With Brad Pitt as the stand-out. A movie I didn’t expect to love as much as I did.

Rating: 4,5/ 5 

10s Movie Review - Crazy Stupid Love

Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Genre: Drama/ Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 118 minutes
Year: 2011
Starring: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Julianne Moore, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Bacon, John Carroll Lynch, Analeigh Tipton, Joey King

Description: A middle-aged husband's (Steve Carell) life changes dramatically when his wife (Julianne Moore) asks him for a divorce. He seeks to rediscover his manhood with the help of a newfound friend, Jacob (Ryan Gosling), learning to pick up girls at bars.

Review: Filmmakers have tried so many times to create a romantic comedy that is liked by women and men. But they have only managed to succeed a couple of times. “Crazy Stupid Love” is one of them.
Cal is a decent, good 40 something guy, with a solid job, nice kids and a beautiful wife. During a nice dinner with his wife Emily, she surprises him with a request for a divorce. Because she slept with someone and they have drifted apart. Cal doesn’t know how to handle the situation and goes to bars, sobbing about his failed marriage. In that bar there also happens to be Jacob, a handsome, smooth talker that can score any woman any night. The two meet each other and Jacob decides to help Cal rediscover his manhood.
Cal and Jacob are the central figures in “Crazy Stupid Love”, but there are other characters struggling with love in many shapes and forms. And it’s one of the strongest elements of the film. All those different characters and their different feelings and emotions, they make sure everyone can relate to someone in this film. “Crazy Stupid Love” is fresh and has some surprising moments.
Every member of this cast seems perfect for their role. There is not one star, they are all equally good. And the humor and drama is in perfect balance.
“Crazy Stupid Love” is probably one of the best film to watch on a date.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 111: Going in Style

Director: Zach Braff
Genre: Comedy/ Crime
Runtime: 96 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Alan Arkin, Matt Dillon, Christopher Lloyd, John Ortiz, Ann-Margret, Joey King, Peter Serafinowicz, Kenan Thompson

Description: Desperate to pay the bills and come through for their loved ones, three lifelong pals risk it all by embarking on a daring bid to knock off the very bank that absconded with their money.

Review: Joe has trouble keeping up when his bank tells him he loses his house in 30 days, when he doesn’t pay his mortgage. His friend Willie hardly sees his daughter and granddaughter, who live on the other side of the country and hides a serious kidney problem. And their friend Albert fills his days teaches music class to untalented kids. The three know each other through their work at a factory and are currently enjoying their pension. At least, they are supposed to. Because their former bosses decide to pause their pensions. Joe, Willie and Albert have had it and decide to rob a bank.
“Going in Style” is directed by actor and creator of “Garden State”, Zach Braff. He must have thought to have gold with three actors of this standard. It doesn’t even matter what you let them do. And that’s the power of this film, the comical interaction between the three main characters.
The sentimental part is kept to a minimun. “Going in Style” shows men who can be themselves, love their families. The main characters are all likeable in their own way, I don’t think this movie would have worked as well as it did, if it where three random lesser known actors. It’s Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Alan Arkin that make this movie. With that, there are some fun supporting roles, especially Christopher Lloyd is worth mentioning.
The part where the three men are planning their heist is the most fun. Testing their criminal capacities, trying to rob a local supermarket, it’s so hilarious. This comedy really made me laugh out loud, something most comedies nowadays can’t even do. Most people wouldn’t call “Going In Style” a great film, but it’s mostly the sympathy you have for the characters and the interaction between the three gentlemen that win you over. It’s one of the funniest movies I’ve seen in the past years. And that’s thanks to Caine, Freeman and Arkin. Highly enjoyable movie.

Rating: 4/ 5

TV Review: "Fargo" Season 1

Genre: Drama/ Thriller/ Crime

Year: 2014

Number of episodes: 10

Starring: Martin Freeman, Billy Bob Thornton, Allison Tolman, Colin Hanks, Keith Carradine, Bob Odenkirk, Oliver Platt, Adam Goldman, Joey King, Gary Valentine, Kate Walsh, Rachel Blanchard, Joshua Close

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: Lester Nygaard (Martin Freeman) lives together with his wife in Minnesota. He works as an insurance salesman in a little town called Bemidji. Lester never achieved anything big. His brother Lester on the other hand, is married to a beautiful woman, has a son and a good job. And Sam Hess, the guy who used to bully Lester in high school, is also doing well. When Lester’s wife is threatening to leave him, he meets a mysterious man. His name is Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton) and he tells Lester to stand up for himself. But what Lester doesn’t know is, that when he follows his advice, his life will change forever. While Lester’s life is drastically changing, deputy Molly Solverson (Allison Tolman) is working on the case of a possible car accident. In that accident one person has died, but he wasn’t the driver. Molly connects Lester to Lorne and no one takes her seriously.

“Fargo” is based on the movie with the same name, from 1996, which was directed by the Coen brothers. The movie was nominated for seven Oscars and won two of them. The film is one of my favorites. If the TV show could keep the same atmosphere and feel as the film, I was going to love it. The Coen brothers were executive producers on this project. The TV show is amazing!

Billy Bob Thornton is brilliant! His humor is just genius, so dark yet hard not to laugh. His role doesn’t make “Fargo” just a crime drama, he adds comedy as well. And so does Martin Freeman. His character kind of reminds me of William H. Macy’s performance in the movie version. Freeman does such a fantastic job as someone who never did anything noteworthy and now is living in a nest full of lies. Created by himself. And he gets more and more creative with it. I also loved Allison Tolman, who played my favorite character on the show. It’s hard to dislike her, just like Marge Gunderson in “Fargo” the film. Molly is so determined to find the right person, even when no one believes her. And then there is Colin Hanks, who plays Gus. A cop that actually always dreamed of being a mailman. He is not very good at his cop job, but he is so loveable and sweet.

The setting of the show is beautiful, all the snowy landscapes. This also adds to the mystery of the entire show.

Some people complained about the ending of the show. I think it was good, especially Lester’s part of the story.

“Fargo” was even better than I initially expected. I’m ready to watch season 2 as well, even though it has a complete different cast.