20s Movie Review - Here

Director: Robert Zemeckis
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 104 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Paul Bettany, Kelly Reilly
Description: A generational story about families and the special place they inhabit, sharing in love, loss, laughter, and life.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2025 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 11: A FILM WITH ROBIN WRIGHT
 
Review: Robert Zemeckis, once the Hollywood legend of blockbusters such as “Back to the Future” and “Forrest Gump”, hasn’t had many success lately. His last one was probably “The Walk” from 2015. With “Here” he proves what a talent he has.

“Here” is based on a graphic novel and it seems difficult to film. The book is quite experimental, telling the history of a particular place without a traditional storyline. The point of observation remains the same; the reader is merely an observer of events. Such a non-narrative concept is not easy to translate to film, but in the right hands it van produce something very special. As a result, the films has some engaging plot lines, but no concrete story. “Here” is more about theme and the bigger picture than individual stories. The graphic novel focuses primarily on the broader existential question surrounding forgotten history and emotions of a place. The film has a clearer focus and acts as a silent reflection on American history.

The film shows moments from different times, sometimes even within the same fram. While an important event takes place in the living room, other parts of the screen show what took place there years earlier and later. As a result, you not only see how society is changing, but also get an intriguing glimpse into the lives of everyday people.

A common criticism concerns the CGI rejuvenation of Tom hanks and Robin Wright. Although the effects look technically very impressive, and they both look as how they did years ago, it’s still strange because we know they are much older know. Because when we meet these characters they are teenagers, when they’re both well in their fifties and sixties.

Regardless of the quality of this, all the actors deliver great performances. Hanks an Wright reunite after having worked together in “Forrest Gump”. Paul Bettany is actually the one that stands out the most.
I really think that the concept of this film is really unique and special and I’m glad that Robert Zemeckis hasn’t lost his groove yet. I feel that “Here” deserved more attention when it came out, I feel that this was a very overlooked film. I enjoyed it.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Review - A Haunting in Venice

Director: Kenneth Branagh
Genre: Crime/ Mystery/ Drama/ Horror/ Thriller
Runtime: 103 minutes
Year: 2023
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Michelle Yeoh, Tina Fey, Jamie Dornan, Kelly Riley, Jude Hill
 
Description: In post-World War II Venice, Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh), now retired and living in his own exile, reluctantly attends a séance. But when on of the guests is murdered, it is up to the former detective to once again uncover the killer.

Review: Hercule Poirot is invited to attend a séance and use hi unique skill to debunk the paranormal.

Kenneth Branagh shines for the third time as detective Hercule Poirot and once again takes on the role of director as well. After “Murder on the Orient Express”(2017) and “Death on the Nile” (2022), “A Haunting in Venice” takes a different approach. Crime, mystery and horror are merged to give this case a unique twist. Based on the book “Halloween Party” by Agatha Christie, one that fans call one of her more underrated murder mysteries.

The film succeeds well in putting you down alongside Poirot as a spectator of events. Like the detective, you try to unravel the story behind the haunted house and ponder the how and why of this murder. It remains fascinating to puzzle together the answers.

For fans of the genre, the horror-inspired scenes are a welcome addition. This is what makes “A Haunting in Venice” different from the other two movies. The variety between the three films, for example, in tone, location and characters, ensure that you won’t easily become bored with Poirot and his case.

If Branagh decides to continue this franchise, I would love that. Because “A Haunting in Venice” is definitely the best one yet. “Murder on the Orient Express” was okay and “Death on the Nile” was downright disappointing. I really loved “A Haunting in Venice”. Branagh managed to deliver an atmospheric production. With beautiful sets, clever use of one location and an intriguing mystery. I does not bore you for a moment. And I’m very confused that its average rating is so low.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Reviews - Eli

Director: Ciarán Foy
Genre: Thriller/ Horror/ Drama
Runtime: 98 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Charlie Shotwell, Max Martini, Kelly Reilly, Sadie Sink, Lili Taylor

Description: A boy (Charlie Shotwell) receiving treatment for his auto-immune disorder discovers that the house he’s living in isn’t as safe as he thought.

Review: Young Eli has lived most of his life on the inside of a plastic bubble. And every time he leaves the house, he has to wear suit covering his entire body. He has an auto-immune disorder. Together with his parents, Eli travels to a house where a special doctor specialized in treating people with such disorders lives. But once they are there, Eli starts to see strange things and knows the house isn’t very safe at all. The treatments are painful, but he is also being tortured by seeing things that probably aren’t even there. At least that’s what everyone else says. Only the mysterious neighbor Haley believes him and knows that something shady is going on in that house. Eli starts to distrust the doctor.
“Eli” is a spooky mystery horror film. At first sight, it’s a standard ghost story set in an old mansion with all clichés of ghostly appearances. Some jumpscares hre and there, but everything is too cliché to become scary. Halfway through, this changes and eventually we get to a unpredictable conclusion.
I think the scariest thing is Eli’s personal horror, the decease he has to live with. Not being safe outside, but also not inside. And putting his life in the hands of the strange Dr. Horn.
Even though the movie has a surprising twist ending, I did predict other elements of the film. I will of course not spoil them for you. But the eventual conclusion will also answer some question you have throughout the movie. So, it is necessary to watch the entire film. Even if you think you’re watching yet another haunted house movie.
Overall, “Eli” starts out like an average film in its genre, but eventually pays off. Not a movie that will be remembered for long, but it’s an okay horror flick.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 136: Flight

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 138 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Denzel Washington, Kelly Reilly, Don Cheadle, Bruce Greenwood, John Goodman

Description: Airline pilot Whip Whitaker (Denzel Washington) saves almost all his passengers on his malfunctioning airliner which eventually crashed, but an investigation into the accident reveals something troubling.

Review: Director Robert Zemeckis has already earned his Hollywood status. Movies like “Back to the Future”, “Forrest Gump” and “Cast Away” are on his résumé, so we know what he’s capable of. With Denzel Washington in the lead role, “Flight” seems to be a guarantee for success.

The start of the film is amazing. Whip Whitaker is an experienced pilot with a big problem. He’s an alcoholic. Days in a row he has been flying to and from Atlanta and in between flights he spends his time in bed with his gorgeous stewardess, a bottle of gin and some coke. A couple of hours later he gets in the plane, still drunk. When his plane suffers a malfunction, his confidence and his qualities manage to avoid a major catastrophe. Whip is seen as a national hero, but some dark secrets are revealed.

The first fourty minutes of the film are engrossing and exciting, also thanks to Denzel Washington’s great acting. Even with his irresponsible behavior, he manages to win over your sympathy. However “Flight” isn’t a disaster movie, but a character study with a big moral. That moral is sort of forced on you more and more towards the end of the movie. That’s what this movie misses: cogency. When Whip meets former junkie Nicole and a dying cancer patient, the movie gets a depressed feel. Only John Goodman, who plays Whip’s drugdealer, manages to keep it a bit lighter.

“Flight” stays on its feet though, because the acting is very good and Zemeckis manages to keep the audience’s attention. Denzel Washington’s performance is better and more memorable then the movie itself.

Rating: 3/ 5