00s Movie Review - Brick

Director: Rian Johnson
Genre: Crime
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 2000
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lukas Haas, Emile de Ravin, Meagan Good, Nora Zehetner, Noah Fleiss, Mat O’Leary, Noah Segan

Description: A teenage loner (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) pushes his way into the underwold of a high school crime ring to investigate the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 30: A CRIME OR DETECTIVE FILM
 
Review: We meet Brendan, a loner, who just broke up with his girlfriend. He has a feeling she is in trouble. When she goes missing, Brendan decides to investigate himself. Getting himself into a dangerous crime ring and a web of lies.

It’s Rian Johnson’s directorial debut, who we now know for films like “Looper” and “Knives Out”. “Brick” is a low-budget film and it’s cool to see what Johnson managed to do with it. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is so good in his role as Brendan and the film has some clever twists.

A really strong crime film, I don’t think known to many.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Review - Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

Director: Mark Molloy
Genre: Action/ Comedy/ Crime
Runtime: 118 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Paul Reiser, Kevin Bacon, Judge Reinhold, Taylour Paige, John Aston, Bronson Pinchot
 
Description: Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) returns to Beverly Hills after his daughter’s (Taylour Paige) life is threatened, and works with old pals John Taggert (John Aston) and Billy Rosewood) (Judge Reinhold) to uncover a conspiracy.

Review: It has been thirty years since Eddie Murphy last took on the role of Axel Foley in “Beverly Hills Cop 3”(1994) (secretly my favorite 😉). Netfix is reviving the cop with “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F”.

The film opens the way you’d want it: Axel gets behind the wheel of a snow plow and immediately turns the streets of Detroit upside down, hoping to catch a bunch of thugs. It gets completely out of hand, obviously, and before you know it Axel is back in Beverly Hills to help his daughter Jane, who is being threatened. She is a lawyer and is assisting a client falsely accused of killing a cop.

Martin Brest, Tony Scott and John Landis directed the three previous installment of the franchise and debut director Mark Molloy is taking over. He has looked closely at his predecessors and manages to deliver a more than entertaining film. He takes into account the many fans of the previous films (me), but manages to attract a whole new audience as well. Axel Foley is still the foul-mouthed and rule-breaking Detroit cop turning Beverly Hills upside down. It’s not different this time. And other characters we know from these film are returning as well. All though, I was a bit disappointed there. The screentime Axel has with his buddies Billy and Taggert is very limited. And I missed Eddie Murphy’s signature laugh.

The only new element in this film is the father-daughter relationship. For the most part, “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” is not an innovative film. But a fun addition to the series and an entertaining action comedy. Great that “Akwel” is back, we’ve waited long enough.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Review - Pinocchio

Director: Robert Zemeckis
Genre: Family/ Adventure
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Tom Hanks, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, Angus Wright, Cynthia Erivo, Keegan-Michael Key, Lorraine Bracco, Guiseppe Battison
 
I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 42: A CHILDREN’S MOVIE
 
Description: A puppet is brought to life by a fairy, who assigns him to lead a virtuous life in order to become a real boy.

Review: After “Beauty and the Beast (2017)”, “The Lion King”(2019) and “Aladdin” (2019), it is time for yet another Disney fairy tale to be turned into a live-action movie: “Pinocchio”. None other than Tom Hanks takes on the role of Geppetto, but even Hanks can not save this somewhat disappointing retelling of the familiar fairy tale.

Geppetto must learn to cope with the loss of his son and makes a wooden doll that reminds him of his boy. How wonderful it would be if this Pinocchio were really alive. He makes a wish and it comes true. Pinocchio comes to life and embarks on a grand adventure. From his first day at school to an encounter with questionable characters.

Tom Hanks works together with director Robert Zemeckis again, who he made “Forrest Gump” with. Such a big name as Hanks naturally attracts many fans, it was a reason for me to watch it. As Geppetto, Hanks is merely the creator of Pinocchio and then fades into the background.

The story has no faults. The donkeys, the fairy, the whale and the evil fox and cat: we know it all from the original fairy tale. All the elements are in it again this time. And it all looks beautiful. Even though it’s a live-action film, most of the film is still animated, or computer animated anyway. The film is filled with CGI, when many things could have been recreated with practical effects. Because of this, the film really loses its magic and pure beauty, that we know and love from the animated film.

This is one of these movies I really wished I loved, but I didn’t. Probably my least favorite of the recent Disney animations brought to life in live-action.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

00s Movie Review - The Lookout

Director: Scott Frank
Genre: Action/ Crime/ Drama
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 2007
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jeff Daniels, Matthew Goode, Carla Cugino, Bruce McGill, Isla Fisher, Alex Borstein

Description: Chris (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is once a promising high school athlete whose life is turned upside down following a tragic accident. As h tries to maintain a normal life, he takes a job as a janitor at a bank, where he ultimately finds himself caught up in a planned heist.

Review: Chris has trouble ordering actions, and as a result must attend therapy at e center for independent living. Simple things like telling how his day went already cause him problems. This is due to a car accident when he was still in school. Fortunately, besides the center, there is Chris’ blind roommate Lewis who wants to help him with his daily struggles. Chris works at night, as a janitor for the local bank. When he meets Gary at a bar, it looks like he got some new friends. But Gary has other plans, because he is more interested in the bank then in Chris personally.
It's a conventional story in many ways, but since the character of Chris is so interesting is goes a little deeper beyond the surface. One of the strengths of the film is the fact that the dramatic development of Chris always remains central and is the engine of all events. The heist itself is only a small part of the film.
“The Lookout” is definitely not a perfect movie, the thriller aspect is predictable and fall short of the realistic approach of what came before it. But these are basically minor criticisms of a film that convinces in its drama, which again is mostly due to the excellent performance of Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Chris. An actor I have always enjoyed watching.

Rating: 4/ 5

10s Movie Review - 50/ 50

Director: Jonathan Levine
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 100 minutes
Year: 2011
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anjelica Huston, Philip Baker Hall

Description: 27-year-old Adam (Joseph-Gordon Levitt) learns of his cancer diagnosis, and his subsequent struggle to beat the disease.

Review: Jonathan Levine directs the film, based on the script by Will Reiser. The story is about a young man who finds out he has cancer. Even though it’s about this heavy theme, the movie is very light and positive. There are clichés, but the good kind. The awkward relationship between Adam and his therapist Katherine, the infectious humor from his best friend Kyle and Adam’s overprotective mother. “50/ 50” show that clichés aren’t always a bad thing.
The way the story is told, very light, is extremely pleasant and there is a great soundtrack. And the cast convinces. Joseph Gordon-Levitt shows us that he is able to carry a movie and it’s an award worthy performance. Seth Rogen and Anna Kendrick are also very solid and fit their characters well.
Although “50/ 50” is about a terrible decease, it’s wonderful how they managed to make it into such a positive and likeable movie. It’s one of my all-time favorites.

Rating: 5/ 5

Movie Review - The Trial of the Chicago 7

Director: Aaron Sorkin
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 129 minutes
Year: 2020
Starring: Sacha Baron Coehn, Eddie Redmayne, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Alex Sharp, Jeremy Strong, John Carroll Lynch, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Rylance, Ben Shekman, J.C. MacKenzie, Frank Langella, Michael Keaton

Description: The story of 7 people on trial stemming from various charges surrounding the uprising at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois.

Review: Director Aaron Sorkin wrote the script for “The Trial of the Chicago 7” as early as 2007, but due to the writers’ strike in 2008 the film was cancelled at the time. The fact that the project has now been revived undoubtedly has to do with the spirit of the times. The years 2016 to 2020 have brought back the sixties and seventies, with all their public protest and blurring of political norms. So it’s not a bad idea to translate the important stories of that tie to the big screen. Steven Spielberg did this earlier with “The Post”, which zoomed in on the publication of the Pentagon Papers and thus advocated bold journalism to keep politics in check. “The Trial of the Chicago 7” takes a similar approach. And although the filming took place a year ago, the past months of civil protests and excessive police violence have only made the story more topical.
The so-called Chicago 7 are the leaders of various organizations that travelled to Chicago during the Democratic Convention of 1968 to protest against the Vietnam War. Although this protest was meant to be peaceful, it degenerated into a situation in which activists clashed with the police. They are prosecuted, with the accusation of conspiracy on the table. A rather bizarre accusation, since these people hardly knew each other before they arrived in Chicago. But then again, this is not a well-founded lawsuit conducted for the public interest. This is the newly formed Nixon government that will teach those ‘know-it-all hippies a lesson.  
The intriguing thing about the lawsuit is that the defendants represent totally different organizations and in some ways have a very different way of life, even though they were pursuing the same goal with their protest. During the trial, however, the public prosecutor brings them all together, whether they like it or not. However, there differences in attitude to life mean that not everyone wants to conduct the trial in the same way. Some simply want to prove their innocence, while others see the trial as a good opportunity to publicly make the point they travelled to Chicago for at the time. Sorkin wisely does not take sides in this. It is up to the viewer to decided which is the most appropriate way of protest.
“The Trial od the Chicago 7” is probably one of the purest courtroom dramas ever created. For the most part, the film is set in the courtroom and only shows the story in flashbacks when the details are discussed in the trial. This happened mainly with witness statements, in which there is often a jumping back and forth between different angles.
What makes “The Trial of the Chicago 7”especially worth watching is the impressive line-up of actors that Sorkin has at his disposal. It might not be a real star cast, but it’s one of the strongest ensemble casts we will see this year. Mark Rylance is perfectly cast as a passionate and pragmatic lawyer, Frank Langella puts down a deliciously hating judge and Joseph Gordon-Levitt is allowed to elevate the role of prosecutor to something more human than what is usual in courtroom movies. And while is may seem somewhat lazy to present Eddie Redmayne as a good student and Sacha Baron Cohen as a transverse hippie, as idealistic opposites they end up surprising the most. Their acting duel towards the end is a true highlight.
Overall, “The Trial of the Chicago 7” is a really strong film, with a story set in the past is stull topical today. Especially today.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

90s Movie Review - 10 Things I Hate About You

Director: Gil Junger
Genre: Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 97 minutes
Year: 1999
Starring: Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, David Krumholtz, Andrew Keegan, Larry Miller, Allison Janney, Susan May Pratt, Gabrielle Union

Description: Bianca (Larisa Oleynik) is a pretty and popular teenager who can’t go out on a date until her ill tempered older sister Kat (Julia Stiles) does.

Review: Walter Stratford is afraid that his youngest daughter Bianca ends up with babies, if she ever goes on a date. That’s why she is not allowed to date. Of course, Bianca doesn’t accept that, so dad adjusts the rule. She can date, if her older sister Kat does too. Sounds reasonable, but it actually isn’t. Kat is a feisty, sometimes bitchy teen. Newcomer Cameron, who falls for Bianca immediately, finds a way to take Bianca out. He has to find a guy to date Kat. Joey, a very popular boy, helps him by paying Patrick Verona to take out Kat. But then it turns out that Patrick starts liking Kat.
“10 Things I Hate About You” is one of the few romantic teen comedies that I absolutely love. The acting is pretty good, the script is original (at that time at least). There are many characters that I really like and can relate too. And the music is perfect for the atmosphere of the film.
I’ve seen this comedy many times and it’s the perfect date movie.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 149: The Walk

Director: Robert Zemeckis
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 122 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Guillaume Baillargeon, Émilie Leclerc, Mark Trafford, Inka Malovic, Lucas Ramaciere, Martin Lefebvre, Philippe Bertrand, Laurence Deschenes, Patricia Tulasne, Jean-Robert Bourdage, Sylvie Lemay, Sasha Dominique, Soleyman Pierini, Jade Kindar-Martin

Description: In 1974, high-wire artist Philippe Petit (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) recruits a team of people to help him realize his dream: to walk the immense void between the World Trade Center towers.

Review: A good 3D camera is all you need. When high-wire artist Philippe Petit walks on a rope between the Twin Towers and you look over the edge of the building, the images give you vertigo. This movie is definitely a movie experience while watching it on the big screen, but you can still feel it when you’re watching it at home.
The movie builds up to the climax at the end: the actual walk. We meet Philippe and his big dream of making the impossible possible. We see how he shows his acrobatic tricks in Paris, but how he wants to go to New York to do something much bigger.
If you saw the documentary “Man on Wire”, you know the story. What Petit did and what his drive was. He is an interesting man and it’s great to get to know him in “The Walk”. The film is good, but the final act is sublime. I was on the edge of my seat at all times and loved it. Joseph Gordon-Levitt performed wonderfully. It’s easy for an American to mess up a fake French accents, but he pulled it off. Levitt made Petit a likeable and intriguing figure. It shows he was very dedicated to this role.
“The Walk” is a very good film, I highly enjoyed it. Just for that final act alone.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Battle: (500) Days of Summer Vs. Ruby Sparks

I’m not a very big fan of romantic comedies, unless they are a bit unconventional. The two I can think of are going to battle it out in today’s movie battle: “(500) Days of Summer” Vs. “Ruby Sparks”

ACTORS

(500) Days of Summer: This was one of the films that brought us back Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who is now one of the more successful actors in Hollywood. Together with Zooey Deschanel he forms an amazing couple. Their performances are amazing.

Ruby Sparks: Paul Dano is an extraordinary actor, I really like him. He does a great job in “Ruby Sparks”. And Zoe Kazan, as Ruby Sparks, is amazing! Fun supporting roles by Annette Bening, Antonio Banderas, Chris Messina and Steve Coogan.

STORY

(500) Days of Summer: When Tom meets Summer, he falls far her immediately. Summer doesn’t believe true love exists, Tom does. We see the 500 days Summer is in Tom’s life. It sounds like your average rom com, but it’s anything but that.

Ruby Sparks: The story doesn’t sound straight forward and isn’t. It’s about a struggling writer, who writes about a woman who can love him and actually coming to life. It’s an original story (written by Zoe Kazan) and executed very well.

EFFECTS

(500) Days of Summer: The cinematography of “(500) Days of Summer” is magnificent. First off, the story isn’t told chronologically, but there are also some great effects used. Like the split screen, where we see Tom’s expectations and reality of a moment.

Ruby Sparks: The film looks beautiful, but more straight forward then “(500) Days of Summer”.

WINNER

Although I really loved “Ruby Sparks”, “(500) Days of Summer” has been one of my all-time favorites ever since I first saw it

Movie Favorites: 50/ 50

Synopsis: Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a 27 year old writer of radio programs and is diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cancer. With the help of his best friend (Seth Rogen), his mother (Angelica Huston), and a young therapist (Anna Kendrick) at the cancer center, Adam learns what and who the most important things in his life are.

 

 

Unique Selling Point: It always amazed me how they could tell a story with such a heavy theme so light and with humor. It isn’t a sob story, it’s a movie with a lot of heart. And the cast is outstanding.

Most Valuable Player: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who else? Movies like this hardly ever get an Academy Award nomination, but they missed one here. It was an Oscar worthy performance, very sincere and he made Adam Lerner one of the most likeable characters in movie history.

Best Moment: Adam is about to go into surgery. His parents are there and Adam realizes this could be the last time he sees them. He’s scared. It’s really a heartbreaking moment, I just wanted to hug him.

Marry, Kiss, Cliff - Round 8

Jon (“Don Jon”), Tony Stark (“Iron Man”) and Ace Ventura (“Ace Ventura: Pet Detective”)

Marry: It might sound weird but I would marry Ace Ventura. He is very strange, but he loves animals and he has a fantastic sense of humor. (Don’t think I choose Jim Carrey over Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Robert Downey Jr. It’s about the characters people!

Kiss: Jon likes his girl, I wouldn’t be his first. You can’t deny Jon and I would just ignore his addiction to porn.

Cliff: Tony Stark is too much of a playboy for me. And if I push him off a cliff, he could probably fly off in his suit anyway so it wouldn’t kill him.

Me & 3 Joseph Gordon-Levitt Movies

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is such a talented actor, who started out as a child star. He actually stars in some of my favourite movies, like “(500) Days of Summer” and “50/ 50”. I didn’t pick those films, so here are the three film with Joseph Gordon-Levitt I watched.

Don Jon

Genre: Drama/ Comedy

Year: 2013

Director: Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Tony Danza

Description: Jon (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a New Jersey guy dedicated to his family, friends, and church, develops unrealistic expectations from watching porn and works to find happiness and intimacy with his potential true love.Opninion: It could have been a lot better, but what I loved the most is the father/ daughter relationship between Eastwood and Adam’s characters.

Opinion: I already knew that Joseph Gordon-Levitt was a great actor, but he has also proven to be an amazing writer and director. I hope he will do this more often.

Favorite character: Esther (Julianne Moore)

Most memorable quote: “There's only a few things I really care about in life. My body. My pad. My ride. My family. My church. My boys. My girls. My porn.“ –Jon-

Best scene: The discussion between Jon and Barbra about Swiffer pads. It really cracked me up.

Premium Rush

Genre: Thriller/ Action

Year: 2012

Director: David Koepp

Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Dania Ramirez, Michael Shannon, Wolé Parks, Jamie Chung, Aasif Mandvi

Description: In Manhattan, bike messenger Wilee (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) picks up an envelope that attracts the interest of a dirty cop (Michael Shannon), who pursues the cyclist throughout the city.

Opinion: Very original, pumping adrenaline, a good thrill ride. Enjoyed it very much.

Favorite character: Wilee (Joseph Gordon-Levitt)

Most memorable quote: “I like to ride. Fixed gear. No brakes. Can't stop. Don't want to, either.” –Wilee-

Best scene: Where Wilee is trying to shake off a biker cop, who is chasing him.

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

Genre: Crime/ Thriller

Year: 2014

Director: Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller

Cast: Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Josh Brolin, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rosario Dawson, Bruce Willis, Eva Green, Powers Boothe, Dennis Haysbert, Ray Liotta, Christopher Meloni, Jeremy Piven, Christopher Lloyd, Jamie King, Juno Temple, Stacy Keach, Marton Csokas, Jamie Chung

Description: Some of Sin City's most hard-boiled citizens cross paths with a few of its more reviled inhabitants.

Opinion: Not as good as “Sin City”, but I didn’t expect that. It’s amazing, looks familiar and amazed me again. Wonderful film

Favorite character: Nancy Callahan (Jessica Alba)

Most memorable quote: “Death is just like life in Sin City. It always wins.” –John Hartigan-

Best scene: The opening scene with Marv, we’re back in Sin City.

Favorite of the 3: “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For”

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 105: Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

Director: Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller

Genre: Crime/ Thriller

Runtime: 103 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Josh Brolin, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rosario Dawson, Bruce Willis, Eva Green, Powers Boothe, Dennis Haysbert, Ray Liotta, Christopher Meloni, Jeremy Piven, Christopher Lloyd, Jamie King, Juno Temple, Stacy Keach, Marton Csokas, Jamie Chung

Description: Some of Sin City's most hard-boiled citizens cross paths with a few of its more reviled inhabitants.

Review: “Sin City”(2005), the original adaptation of Frank Miller’s successful graphic novel, was a dark telling of the underworld of the society in the fictive town Basin City. Especially the style of the film caught everyone’s eye. The sequel adds the 3D effect and makes it an experience again.

Like the first movie “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For” is a beautifully made movie. The film noir style is clearly present, the contrast of the black and white and sometimes the color of green eyes, golden blond hair and red lips looks amazing again. The violence is grotesque and the narration feels gloomy and raw, filled with memorable one-liners. Animation and live-action are combined. The 3D effect gives more depth and it really adds something extra to the movie experience. Everything together makes this movie a joy to watch.

Some might feel that the story is much of the same, but to me there was never a moment of boredom. I never expected it to top “Sin City” but it came damn close. Exactly what I expected from “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For”.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Favorites: "(500) Days of Summer"

Synopsis: After it looks as if she's left his life for good this time, Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) reflects back on the just over one year that he knew Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel). Despite being physically average in almost every respect, Summer had always attracted the attention of men, Tom included. For Tom, it was love at first sight when she walked into the greeting card company where he worked, she the new administrative assistant. Soon, Tom knew that Summer was the woman with whom he wanted to spend the rest of his life. Although Summer did not believe in relationships or boyfriends - in her assertion, real life will always ultimately get in the way - Tom and Summer became more than just friends.

 

Unique Selling Point: When you thought “(500) Days of Summer” was just another rom-com, you’re wrong. The way this story is told is unique and that makes it inventive, funny and true.

Most Valuable Player: Screenwriters Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, for this originally told story.

Best Moment: The expectations versus reality scene, with the split screen, is nothing like I’ve ever seen. It’s amazing.

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 98: Premium Rush

Director: David Koepp

Genre: Thriller/ Action

Runtime: 91 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Dania Ramirez, Michael Shannon, Wolé Parks, Jamie Chung, Aasif Mandvi

Description: In Manhattan, bike messenger Wilee (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) picks up an envelope that attracts the interest of a dirty cop (Michael Shannon), who pursues the cyclist throughout the city.

Review: “Premium Rush” throws us viewers right in the middle of the busy New York traffic, in a rather original way. We are used to car chases, this time it all happens per bicycle. We follow bike messenger Wilee, who is the best in the field. He receives an envelope that has to be delivered to the other side of town. Soon he discovers it’s a pretty important package, because Wilee is in serious danger.

Director David Koepp had a plan in his head, which was very well executed. With a minimum use of computer animation, the spectacular bike rides through New York are a big adrenaline rush. Great camerawork, with shots from different points of view. Shots from the steer, wheel or an overall view of New York. With all this happening, you sometimes forget that there is also a story going on. That is pretty superficial, but a fun way to get to know a new subculture: the life of a bike messenger.

The use of the 3D New York map is pretty cool, but I especially liked the moments where Wilee is thinking over different options while being in a difficult situation. It reminded me of “Sherlock Holmes” where Robert Downey Jr. does a similar thing. Like I said before, the story isn’t all that deep. Some darker and emotional issues are added, but that wasn’t really necessary. You start to ask yourself several question, that you just really don’t want to ask. With that, the ending is a bit disappointing and the romantic storyline is not interesting enough.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a man that can easily carry a movie and Michael Shannon is very good as the villain. With their performances, the constant movement the movie is literally in and the excitement, “Premium Rush” is worth watching and it keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Rating: 3/ 5

Marry, Kiss, Cliff - Round 1

I saw various people do this item on youtube. You pick three book characters and then you have to decide which of them you marry, kiss or push and a cliff. I want to do this item as well, but I’m going to do this with movie characters. All male off course. I already made a shit load of notes with various characters on it, but I’m excited about the three going head to head with each other every time. You can also suggest characters to me, maybe I can add them to my ‘bucket’ of notes.

Round 1: Frank Abagnale Jr. (“Catch Me If You Can”), Alex (“Good Bye Lenin”) and Hesher (“Hesher”)

Marry: I would most definitely marry Alex. He’s such a sweet guy, he takes good care of his mother. Alex does everything to make sure his mom stays healthy.

Kiss: Altough Frank Abagnale Jr. is a con artist, I would probably kiss him. I would never start a relationship with him, he would leave you anyway because he’s always on the run.

Cliff: Hesher is a weird guy. Good taste in music though, but he’s strange. I don’t think he is boyfriend or husband material.

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 40: Hesher

Director: Spencer Susser
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 107 minutes
Year: 2010
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Natalie Portman, Rainn Wilson, Devin Brochu, Piper Laurie

Description: The young TJ (Devin Brochu) has lost his mother and is losing touch with his father (Rainn Wilson) and the world around him. Then he meets Hesher (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who manages to make his life even more chaotic.

Review: Is there anything Joseph Gordon-Levitt can’t do? From a child star he grew to be one of the most diverse actors of his generation. In “Hesher” he portrays an asocial head banger with strange morals.
He pops into TJ’s life, who just lost his mother. TJ can’t share his grief with his dad, who has gone into a big depression ever since it happened. And his caring grandmother can’t help him either, because she is constantly confused. Why Hesher is there and what he’s doing, no one knows.
There are more movies about dealing with the loss of a loved one, but they are hardly ever as unconventional as “Hesher”. By adding this notable character, director Susser turns this film from a standard drama to a special and refreshing film. When you dig a bit deeper you can tell Hesher symbolizes death. TJ and his dad have to learn to deal with it and grandma is the only one who accepts it immediately.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt shows us again his qualities, because even as the strange Hesher he succeeds to convince everyone. Rainn Wilson was surprisingly touching, because he’s most known for his quirky role as Dwight Shrute in “The Office”. Piper Laurie was fantastic as grandma and Devon Brochu was mesmerizing. Natalie Portman was solid as always.
“Hesher” was lifted to its level by the cast, but the story loses his power toward the end. The debut of director Spencer Susser shows a lot of guts and he dares to be different.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Pic Spam: Academy Awards 2014

I saw the Academy Awards last night and I Always love to watch this glitter & glamour evening. This is the only night that I allow myself to feel a bit of hedonism. It's been a while since I've done a pic spam (december!) and I decided to do something new. So I'm going to share some pictures from last night's Academy Awards. My favorite stars, moments, shots, you name it.

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 32: Lincoln

Director: Steven Spielberg
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 151 minutes
Year: 2012
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, David Strathairns, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, Hal Holbrook, John Hawkes, Jackie Earle Haley, Tim Blake Nelson, Bruce McGill, Lee Pace, Jared Harris

Description: In 1865, as the American Civil War winds inexorably toward conclusion, U.S. president Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis) endeavors to achieve passage of the landmark constitutional amendment which will forever ban slavery from the United States. However, his task is a race against time, for peace may come at any time, and if it comes before the amendment is passed, the returning southern states will stop it before it can become law.

Review: 1865, the United States of America has been tortured with a Civil War for already four years. President Lincoln wants to end it, but first he wants his 13th amendment to be approved by the congress. When it is approved it means that slavery will end. Steven Spielberg’s task was to bring the story of this beloved man to the big screen. Lincoln’s most important deed was ending slavery and that’s what this movie focusses on. No long introduction of the president’s life, we go directly to one of the most important moments of his career.
“Lincoln” is for a huge part about political developments, which can be confusing for the average viewer. Some difficult terms are used, together with a lot of characters. What Spielberg does best is building up the tension even though you already know how the story is going to end. With that you don’t even notice the two and a half hour duration of the film.
For the role of president Lincoln, Spielberg choose one of the best actors in Hollywood: Daniel Day-Lewis. He’s known for getting lost in his roles and he does that again with “Lincoln”. His performance is so intense that you forget that you’re watching an actor. Sally Field, who had to persuade Spielberg to give her the role, plays Lincoln’s wife. Her most impressive moment is when she is in an argument with Lincoln. Tommy Lee Jones steals the show with his supporting role as Thaddeus Stevens, whom I found the most likeable character of the film.
The movie looks fantastic, it’s been perfected with a great eye for detail. Lincolns office was an exact replica, including all the books that he had.
“Lincoln” is a beautiful historical drama, that focusses on one of the most important events in history. That Daniel Day-Lewis won an Academy Award for his role is more than deserved.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Best & Worst: Joseph Gordon-Levitt

I don't celebrate valentine's day, but I wouldn't mind him as my valentine: Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He had a good start when he was a teen, but he has made his big break in the 2000’s. And I’m so happy with him! He has starred in a lot of good movies since then. Here is my choice of best & worst of Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

I liked this just a tiny bit more then “(500) Days of Summer”. I love the fact that this movie is about such a tough theme, but it’s brought to us with such subtlety and wit. Joseph Gordon-Levitt gives away such an honest performance, I love him together with Anna Kendrick and Seth Rogen.
Honorable mentions: “(500) Days of Summer”, “Inception”, “10 Things I Hate About You”, “Looper”, “Don Jon”, “The Lookout”

I have to be honest that the only reason I watched this movie was Joseph. And half of the movie you don’t even see his face. Terrible.
Dishonorable Mentions: -