Movie Review - Leave the World Behind

Director: Sam Esmail
Genre: Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 138 minutes
Year: 2023
Starring: Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, Myha’la, Kevin Bacon, Farrah Mackenzie, Charlie Evans
 
Description: A family’s getaway to a luxurious rental home takes an ominous turn when a cyberattack knocks out their devices, and two strangers (Mahershala Ali, Myha’la) appear at their door.

Review: Amanda and Clay go on vacation with their two children, but that very night their relaxing getaway comes to an end. There is a knock at the door. Because of a power outage in town, the owner of the home and his daughter, want to spend the night. That immediately increases tension.

If you have not read the book it’s based on, written by Rumaan Alam, please avoid the trailer. It spoils the fun. You know from the start of the film that something is wrong, there is constant suspense and an ominous feeling creeps up on you. But you don’t know what it is.

Each character deals with this frustrating situation differently. Amansa is immediately hostile to G.H. and his daughter Ruth. While Clay, on the other hand, wants to keep the peace. Meanwhile, G.H. tries to protect Ruth by keeping many of his concerns to himself. He seemingly knows more about what’s happening.

I read the book earlier this year, which immediately became a new favorite of mine. The book is fantastic and when I learned about a movie adaptation I was excited. A movie is hardly ever better then the book, or even meets the same level. But with this book I felt it could happen. Although I highly enjoyed the film, the book is much better. And they are also very different from each other. The suspense is much more stretched out in the book, you’re kept in the dark way longer. When in the movie, things start happening very early on. It doesn’t take away from the tension though, because you still don’t know what’s going on.

I’m not going to compare “Leave the World Behind” to its source material anymore, because when you look at it aside from the book, it’s a very decent, solid and suspenseful thriller. The first part of the film takes place for the most time in the house. The main characters are trying to figure each other out. The cast is excellent and I especially loved Mahershala Ali as G.H. and Ethan Hawke as Clay. Very strong performances. Julia Roberts and Myha'la are also really solid, but the men are the scene stealers here.

Director Sam Esmail takes nearly two and a half hour to tell his cynical story and with that “Leave the World Behind” is not for everyone. Esmail gives his own inky black review of a faltering society and leaves you with a rotten feeling. And with probably even more questions then when you started the movie. And this is all very similar to the book.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

00s Movie Review - Mona Lisa Smile

Director: Mike Newell
Genre: Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 117 minutes
Year: 2003
Starring: Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Julia Stiles, Dominic West, Ginnifer Goodwin, Marcia Gay Harden, John Slattery, Topher Grace

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 46: A MOVIE ABOUT A CLUB
 
Description: A free-thinking art professor (Julia Roberts) teaches conservative 1950s Wellesly girls to question their traditional social roles.

Review: A progressive teacher encourages female students to get more out of life than just getting married. Set in the 1950s, where at the very conservative Wellesley college for women, art teacher Katherine Ann Watson starts her job. Katherine deviates from all the strict rules.

“Mona Lisa Smile” has a lot to it. Besides the attempts you see Katherine making to make her students think, you see their lives of these students, as well as Katherine’s.

The central issue of choosing a career is not presented in a one-sided wat. Although Katherine’s opinion prevails positively throughout the film, “Mona Lisa Smile” also gives space to other ideas on relationships, work and ambitions as a woman.

The cast is great. Julia Roberts, as Katherine, is really good. Julia Stiles, Kirsten Dunst, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Ginnifer Goodwin are among the students and all these women have a different idea about life, love and ambition. This movie is carried by women.

“Mona Lisa Smile” is a beautiful film about that was a women’s life goal and what was expected of women in the 1950s. A film about thinking differently, about life choices and about love.

Rating: 5/ 5

10s Movie Review - Wonder

Director: Stephen Chbosky
Genre: Drama/ Family
Runtime: 113 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Jacob Tremblay, Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Izabela Vidovic, Mandy Patinkin, Noah Jupe

Description: The story of August Pullman (Jacob Tremblay), a boy with facial differences who enters the fifth grade, attending a mainstream elementary school for the first time.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 45: A MOVIE WITH A CHIL AS THE LEADING CHARACTER
 
Review: It is not easy to be different. Especially when you look different from others. So different that they stare at you, whisper about you, point at you or don’t even dare to touch you. It is the life of Auggie Pullman as soon as he enters fifth grade. His parents have long kept him at home, but now it’s time for him to learn to be among other kids. And that they learn to look past his appearance.

Aggie Pullman has Treacher Collins syndrome, an extremely rare hereditary condition that makes his face look distorted from birth. In his case, it even required a slew of surgeries to keep him alive. Despite the genetic component, it is possible that no one else in the family has it.

“Wonder” is a typical American family drama, in which children bully each other for being different, but then gradually accept each other once they get to know each other better. A sympathetic feel-good movie that never colors outside the lines, except perhaps for Auggies condition. Jacob Tremblay does an excellent job as Auggie.

What makes “Wonder” so likeable, besides its well-intentioned message about acceptance, is that no one is singled out as the culprit for the main characters’ misfortune. We get to see not only Auggie’s perspective, but also that of his older sister Via who has accepted that the family’s life revolves around her little brother and the she must solve her typical teenage girl problems on her own. We also get to see the perspective of Via’s best friend, who all of a sudden is very popular and is hardly talking to Via anymore. And Auggies first friend Jack, who accepts him at first but then gets into a fight with him when he pretends not to accept him for fear of the class bully. All children have their own problems, fears and motivations.

“Wonder” is predictable, but it’s such a heartwarming film, that you cannot help but smile in the end.

Rating: 4/ 5

10s Movie Review - The Normal Heart

Director: Ryan Murphy
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 122 minutes
Year: 2014
Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons, Joe Mantello, Taylor Kitsch, Julia Roberts, Jonathan Groff, B.D. Wong

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 27: A MOVIE ABOUT A HISTORICAL FIGURE

Description: A gay activist (Mark Ruffalo) attempts to raise H.I.V. and A.I.D.S. awareness during the early 1980s

Review: Nowadays, with the right medications, you can live a respectable age when being diagnosed with HIV or AIDS. But back in the 1980s, when the disease first manifested itself, that was a different story. At that time AIDS was called ‘gay cancer’ and more and more people saw the mysterious virus invade their lives. The truth behind the origin of this disease remained unknown for a long time, especially since it took some time for AIDS and HIV to be recognized. Someone who played a major role in putting both diseases on the map is the American writer and activist Larry Kramer, who this story is based on, only now with fictional characters.  

In “The Normal Heart” it’s Ned Weeks, portrayed by Mark Ruffalo, a political activist and writer. We meet him in the summer of ’81, joining a party in Long Island. He reads articles about a mysterious cancer, that exclusively affects homosexuals. He sees the seriousness of this disease and decides to consult doctor Emma Brookner. She researches the disease and discovers that there is more to it. She asks Ned to warn the gay community about the disease.

As the disease gets closer and closer to his own group of friends, Ned takes actions. Not much help comes. The city of New York and the Reagan administration refuse to recognize the disease. He seeks supports of his brother Ben, a lawyer. But even with the strong bond they have, Ben finds it hard to understand Ned’s orientation. Reporter Felix Turner, whom he later gets in a relationship with, is willing to help.

“The Normal Heart” is a project that director Ryan Murphy put his entire heart and soul in. And it’s visible. Not only because of him, also thanks to Mark Ruffalo, who is really impressive as Ned Weeks. He is supported by a strong cast, where Jim Parsons and Joe Mantello really stand out. Murphy doesn’t shy away from portraying the horrors that AIDS brings. But the main strength lies in the screenplay.

Rating: 4/ 5

00s Movie Review - Erin Brockovich

Director: Steven Sodenbergh
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 131 minutes
Year: 2000
Starring: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart, Marg Helgenberger,  Cherry Jones, Conchata Ferrell

Description: An unemployed single mother (Erin Brockovich) becomes a legal assistant and almost single-handedly brings down a California power company accused of polluting a city’s water supply.

Review: Good fact-based drama without many special moments, which nevertheless managed to surpass the level of the average TV movie of the week. This mainly thanks to the clear direction of Steven Sodenbergh the acting of Julia Roberts and Albert Finney, the fine camera work and the music by Thomas Newman. This largely compensates for the straightforward screenplay, which deviates from the beaten path only once in a while. The film has undeniably become Roberts’ film. At first glance, her character appears to be a stereotypical “white trash” woman, with three children from two different fathers, showing cleavage and wearing ultra-short skirts. But it’s Robert’s  credit that she manages to make it a believable woman. After she gets into an accident and she loses the lawsuit, Erin persuades her lawyer Ed Masrey to give her a job at his office.    
There, she finds herself on the trail of a major scandal when she dives deeper into a real estate issue and talks to Donna Jensen. She has been diagnosed with cancer and her husband and children have also fallen ill. A nearby concern Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) wants to buy their house, but has also paid the doctor’s fees. Erin finds this strange and begins to investigate the matter. Soon many more people turn out to be sick, and their stories are shocking and moving without becoming sentimental. Roberts manages to portray Erin’s drive and charm beautifully, so that the viewer even understands when her children begin to miss her presence, as well as het new lover George.
Despite PG&E’s outrageous practices and the tactics they employ to delay or sabotage the case there are also funny moments, particularly in the altercations between Roberts and Finney. For balance, it would have been even more enjoyable of Finney had gotten more one-liners instead of exclusively with Roberts.
I always love watching this movie, because it’s such an inspiring story. Erin made such a difference in so many people’s lives.

Rating: 4/ 5

90s Movie Review - Sleeping with th Enemy

Director: Joseph Ruben
Genre: Thriller/ Drama
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 1991
Starring: Julia Roberts, Patrick Bergin, Kevin Anderson, Elizabeth Lawrence

Description: A young woman (Julia Roberts) fakes her own death in an attempt to escape her nightmarish marriage, but discovers it is impossible to elude her controlling husband (Patrick Bergin)

Review: Laura lives with her husband Martin in a dream house on the beach. Her honeymoon three years ago was the happiest and most beautiful moment she has experiences. Since then, Laura has become quite a mess, because Martin has become a completely different man: violent, short-fused, a stickler for details and characterized by an insatiable sex craving.
When the towels in the bathroom are not hung straight or the labels of all the cans aren’t facing towards him, he loses it. Martin beats Laura and treats her like trash. Laura manages to flee him, trying to start a new life somewhere else. But she realizes that it’s even harder to escape him then she thought.  
“Sleeping with the Enemy” is an early 90s thriller, but still very solid, exciting and entertaining.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

90s Movie Review - The Pelican Brief

Director: Alan J. Pakula
Genre: Thriller/ Crime/ Drama/ Action
Runtime: 141 minutes
Year: 1993
Starring: Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, Sam Shepard, John Heard, John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci, Tony Goldwyn, Robert Culp, William Atherton

Description: A law students (Julia Roberts) uncovers a conspiracy, putting herself and others in danger.

Review: When two Supreme Court justices are murdered, everyone is groping in the dark for the culprit and his motives. Law student Darby Shaw, however, is determined to find out the truth. And so she sets out to investigate. The end result is a theory that initially seems too bizarre for words. Nevertheless, Darby incorporates her theory into a preliminary, speculative dossier, soon dubbed “The Pelican Brief”. After a while, this report makes its way to the highest levels of government, where it causes major shock waves. Together with investigative journalist Gray Grantham, Darby decides to make her discoveries public. At least, if they manage to survive.
“The Pelican Brief” is not one of the best films based on a John Grisham novel. It’s still a pretty good film though. There is enough tension and the acting is really strong. It’s probably the subject matter that makes the film a lot less gripping than that of movies like “A Time to Kill” or “The Rainmaker”. It’s fairly dull subject matter and the pace is slower.
But because of Denzel Washington (who doesn’t really have a bad movie) and Julie Roberts this movie is still one I would recommend.

Rating: 3 / 5

00s Movie Review - Ocean's Twelve

Director: Steven Sodenbergh
Genre: Action/ Crime/ Comedy/ Thriller
Runtime: 120 minutes
Year: 2004
Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Bernie Mac, Scott Caan, Casey Affleck, Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Carl Reiner, Shaobo Qin, Elliot Giuld, Vincent Cassel, Bruce Willis, Don Cheadle, Albert Finney

Description: Danny Ocean (George Clooney) once again teams up with experts so he can pull off three major European heists.

Review: Steven Sodenbergh’s “Ocean Twelve” demonstrates the difference between actors and movie stars: the film clearly lacks content, but is filled with beautiful images and gorgeous people. Loads of star power in this film, but rarely do they show their acting skills.
Where “Ocean’s Eleven” has a clear vision and plot, “Ocean’s Twelve” doesn’t really seem to care about the plot. Because it’s really of no importance at all. Danny Ocean and his companions are yet again trying to pull off three major heists. This time in three European countries: The Netherlands, Italy and France.
The other story that we follow is that of an elusive thief called Night Fox. He is in everything the cliché of the flamboyant jewel thief: a rich French baron who was trained by the best thief of all time, he steals purely for fun and leaves a small stone fox statue at the places he robs.
I really enjoyed the first film, but “Ocean’s Twelve” really dragged and was even boring at times. I did like the added humor, especially when Tess Ocean (played by Julia Roberts) had to pretend to be Julia Roberts. And with all those amazing stars in the film, it’s sad that actos like Don Cheadle and Elliot Gould don’t get the screen time they deserve. Because they are true scene stealers.
Overall, “Ocean’s Twelve” was just another cash grab.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

00s Movie Review - Ocean's Eleven

Director: Steven Sodenbergh
Genre: Crime/ Thriller/ Comedy
Runtime: 122 minutes
Year: 2001
Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Bernie Mac, Elliott Gould, Julia Roberts, Scott Caan, Casey Affleck, Don Cheadle, Carl Reiner, Shaobo Qin, Holly Marie Combs, Barry Watson, Joshua Jackson, Topher Grace, Shane West

Description: Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and his ten accomplices plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously.

Review: Danny Ocean just got out of jail and he’s already planning his next heist: the simultaneous robbing of three major casinos in Las Vegas. To carry out this daring plan, he assembles ten experts that, after extensive preparation, seems perfectly capable of getting the job done. However, it is questionable whether it will be that easy in reality, because casino owner Terry Benedict is smart and has cameras everywhere.
“Ocean’s Eleven” is a remake of the 1960 film of the same name. although in this case the term remake is very broad. Because Steven Sodenbergh’s version has some common ground with its predecessor it is essentially a completely different film. It starred Franks Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. among many others, and had the right atmosphere. But it lacked atmosphere and action. With Sodenbergh’s take on it, that’s different.
Their mission seems impossible at first, since the safe is very hard to access without being seen. But somehow the protagonists know how to find a surprising wat to bypass all security measures. Of course things go wrong, which add to the excitement of the film. The film has a lot of tension. The slick camera work and high star quality make for a great film. But it’s not perfect. The characters are largely one-dimensional. But don’t let this stop you from watching the film.
“Ocean’s Eleven” is almost two hours of entertainment.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 33: Mother's Day

Director: Garry Marshall
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 118 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Jason Sudeikis, Julia Roberts, Britt Robertson, Timothy Olyphant, Shay Mitchell, Sarah Chalke, Jon Lovitz, Hector Elizondo, Larry Miller, Jack Whitehall

Description: Three generations come together in the week leading up to Mother's Day.

Review: Mother’s Day is the day that we celebrate all the great mothers on the planet. They deserved their own film, but this is not really the tribute I was hoping for.
We follow several stories revolving around mothers a week before Mother’s Day. Jesse has to solve a fight with her mother, but also kept it a secret that she married an Indian man and together they have a son. Her sister also hides something, the fact that she is gay. Kristen is adopted and wants to meet her biological mom: career lady Miranda. Sandy has to share mother’s day with her ex-husband’s new wife, who is much younger than her. And Bradley and his daughters are still struggling after their wife/ mother’s death.
We had “New Year’s Eve” and “Valentine’s Day”, which weren’t all that great to begin with. “Mother’s Day” isn’t either. I liked Jennifer Aniston, but I always like her. But the rest of the cast is a bit bland. And that story of Jess was just oo ridiculous. She and her sister kept such a big secret, because their parents are pretty racist and not very open minded. And everything is forgiven and forgotten in literally one second. Not believable at all.
I don’t think “Mother’s Day” is film that would make a lot of mothers happy. It’s hardly funny, super cliché and predictable. Out of all the assemble films with multiple storylines, that eventually cross paths, there is only one film in this genre that wins. And it’s not by Garry Marshall (it’s “Love Actually”, in case you were wondering). So if you want to watch a film with your mom on mother’s day, don’t watch this.

Rating: 2/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 150"Secret in Their Eyes

Director: Billy Ray
Genre: Drama/ Crime/ Thriller
Runtime: 111 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman, Ju;ia Roberts, Dean Norris, Alfred Molina, Joe Cole, Michael Kelly, Zoe Graham, Patrick Davis, Eileen Fogarty, Niko Nicotera

Description: A tight-knit team of rising investigators, along with their supervisor, is suddenly torn apart when they discover that one of their own teenage daughters has been brutally murdered.

Review: “El secreto de sus ojos” was overwhelmed with praise. The American remake, “Secret in Their Eyes”, managed to get an impressive cast. But that’s about all the praise I can give this film.
“Secret in Their Eyes” takes place from 2002 to 2015. It’s a roaring time politically. In 2002, FBI agent Ray Kasten, Jess Cobb and Claire Slaon form an anti terrorist unit. Short after 9/ 11, Los Angeles is feared to be the next target. The team is closely watching a mosque and during a routine check up, a dead body is found. It’s the body of Carolyn Cobb, Jess daughter. Carolyn has been brutally raped and murdered. They can’t find the person who did it, but thirteen years later, Kasten is still looking for him. Many scenes from the movie are an exact copy from the original. Director Billy Ray show ambition by translating this much praised film with an American background. But it also looks a bit lazy, because just placing this story in another time and place isn’t enough. The base material is good, but Ray turned it into an unnecessary film.
The three main actors in the film play solid roles, but they have no chemistry whatsoever. For instance Kidman and Ejiofor’s characters seem to have this desire for each other, but besides some talk about it, you never seem to notice that they do. There is no mystery or tension present in this film and it never keeps me interested the entire runtime. And the jumping in time is not clear. I sometimes don’t know wether a scene is set in the past or present.
In Hollywood they feel the need to copy great foreign films. Almost always it’s the original that wins. With “Secret in Their Eyes” there is no difference. You can skip this film.

Rating: 2/ 5

Video of the Week (5)

This week I picked a funny video from Jimmy Kimmel's late night show. Celebrities are used to people writing about them, sometimes negative and sometimes even very mean. Kimmel got some celebs to read mean tweets about themselves. It's really funny, especially the ever so serious Gary Oldman bursting into laughter after reading his mean tweet.

 

 

Best of... Julia Roberts

Eventhough I'm not a fan, I can't ignore her. Julia Roberts has done some great movies. I think there are a lot of movies that most people love, that will not end up on my list. Here are my favorite Julia Roberts movies.

"Flatliners"
A bunch of medical students put themselves on the point of death in order to find out what happens to the brain. The story isn't groundbreaking, but refreshing and the film is exciting. You don't mess with death.

"Sleeping with the Enemy"
The plot is very simple, about a woman who is abused by her husband and she tries to get away from him. It's basically good actingby Julia and that's what makes it worth its while.

"Mary Reilly"
The story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde seen from the point of view of Mary Reilly, the housekeeper. I don't think Julia fans will put in on their list, because a lot of people say it's boring. I think it's underrated and I like it because of the mysterious atmosphere.

"Conspiracy Theory"
This was actually a suprisingly good film. It's very exciting, Mel Gibsons acing is great and his chemistry with Julia is very good. Just a very suspensefull movie with good acting.

"Stepmom"
The idea of the story is beautiful. I love Susan Sarandon in this movie, a loving mother who can't deal with the fact that her ex-husband is seeing a younger woman. Especially when her kids like her too. Both Sarandon and Roberts are outstanding.

"Erin Brockovich"
I think this is her best role so far. I love a strong female character and that's what Julia created. I think her winning the Oscar was well deserved.

"Mona Lisa Smile"
I really can't explain why, but I always liked this film. Maybe it's because of the time setting. I think it's the strong female cast: besides Julia there is Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles and Maggie Gyllenhaal. I like them together.

"Closer"
The actual stars of the film are considered to be the supporting actors Clive Owen and Natalie Portman. Julia Roberts plays a solid role and this movie is based on character developement other then just the story.

"Charlotte's Web"
As a teacher I just love a good children's story. And this is one of those endeering and touching stories. Don't you just love Wilbur?

"Charlie Wilson's War"
It's not one of Tom Hanks' best, but I do like it. It has a good story and message. I don't like Julia's character though, she annoys me.

"Fireflies in the Garden"
Julia's role is very small and the movie isn't really all that special. It's just a beautiful story with good acting in it by Willem Dafoe and Ryan Reynolds.

I haven't seen "Larry Crown" and "Eat, Pray, Love" yet. And I just simply never loved "Pretty Woman" as much as anyone else did. It bugs me how many time it's on TV.

Something new from Steve, Ryan, Will, Tom, Julia, Reese, Owen and Rachel

I always like to check the newest movie trailer, to see what is coming in the theatres soon. I've seen some great new ones this week. Here are my favorites:

"Crazy, Stupid, Love" (with Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei and Kevin Bacon)
Steve Carell plays a man who's dealing with a marital crisis. He meets Ryan Goslings character, who is a ladiesman. Steve Carell is just great, he's so endeering. And Ryan Gosling.... oooh. Fantastic, underrated actor and extremely handsome!

"Everything Must Go" (with Will Ferrell, Rebecca Hall and Laura Dern)
After he lost his wife and job, Nick Halsey holds a yardsale in order to start over. A new neighbour might be the key to his return to form. I think Will Ferrell is hilarious and this seems like a mix of comedy and light drama. I really like those kind of films.

"Larry Crowne" (Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts)
After losing his job, the middle aged Larry Crowne reinvents himself by going back to college. I look forward to anything with Tom Hanks in it, he can hardly do anything wrong. Julia Roberts will make a great leading lady.

"Water for Elephants" (Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz)
After his parents die, Jacob joins a traveling circus. He takes care of Rosie, the elphant and falls for the beautiful Marlene who's the wife of brute August. I think all three actors where cast perfectly, especially Waltz. I actually pictures him while reading the book (which I loved!).

"Midnight in Paris" (Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Adrien Brody and Kathy Bates)
It's a romantic comedy that follows a family traveling to the city for business. The party includes a young engaged couple that has their lives transformed throughout the journey. I love Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams and they reunite in this film (they starred together in "Wedding Crashers"). And I love the poster!

Some great movies, I can't say which one I'm looking forward to the most. It's just fun to see movies with some of my favorites in it.