100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 136: All Eyez On Me

Director: Benny Boom
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 139 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Demetrius Shipp Jr., Danai Gurira, Kat Graham, Lauren Cohan

Description: Tells the true and untold story of prolific rapper, actor, poet and activist Tupac Shakur.

Review: Tupac Shakur contradicted himself in a lot of ways. According to his lyrics he was a pure revolutionary, but also a gangster who did everything for money. And he was a misogyn and someone who cared about the fate of women. But he managed to combine all these contradictions, in his music and personality. The makers of “All Eyez On Me” wanted all of this too, but didn’t manage. It’s a fast biopic filled with important moments in Tupac’s life. But it never hits the core.
That two and a half hours isn’t enough to tell his story, proofs how dramatic his short life was. Tupac was only 25 when he died. And it mostly focusses on his career from 1991 to 1996. “All Eyez On Me” makes the mistake most makers of biopics make: after a good build up, the movie loses itself by showing a series of highlights in a very fast pace. Basically because there isn’t enough time. It would have been better if this film focused on a small part of Tupac’s life, instead of his entire life.
Director Benny Boom didn’t manage to execute it well. He wanted to show Tupac as the revolutionary that he was, but he also wants to make a more Shakespearian drama, with quotes from Hamlet. But we mostly see a man who hasn’t been done justice his whole life, by his family, friends, enemies and the law.
Demetrius Shipp Jr. looks exactly like Tupac Shakur and this is probably the main reason why he was cast in this role. It’s obvious he studies Tupac and he manages to imitate. But there is a lack of depth and you’re constantly looking at an actor playing Tupac, instead of actually seeing Tupac Shakur.
This all makes “Alle Eyez On Me” a rushed biopic and not the film Tupac Shakur deserved.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 90: Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice

Director: Zack Snyder
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 151 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Jeremy Irons, Laurence Fishburne, Holly Hunter, Gal Gadot, Scoot McNairy, Lauren Cohan, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kevin Costner

Description: Fearing that the actions of Superman (Henry Cavill) are left unchecked, Batman (Ben Affleck) takes on the Man of Steel, while the world wrestles with what kind of a hero it really needs.

Review: Let’s be honest: the DC comics is a little behind on Marvel when it comes to their movies. Marvel had their standalone films for Iron Man, The Hulk, Thor and Captain America and eventually teamed them up in “Avengers”. DC Comics is now bringing Superman and Batman together, two of the biggest superheroes ever.
Bruce Wayne saw his building for Wayne Enterprises fall and many people died because of it. This battle was fought by Superman and ever since then Bruce wants justice. Superman is still loved by people, but also hated by many others.
The character of Superman feels dynamic and human. Henry Cavill carries this role very well. Ben Affleck plays Batman for the first time. He is an excellent Bruce Wayne, but he didn’t completely convince me as Batman. And I don’t know if it’s just me, but his voice as Batman really annoyed me. We are introduced to Wonder Woman, who doesn’t really get a lot of screen time. But what we get is good. Jesse Eisenberg is a good villain.
“Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice” is the spectacle that we were promised. And it’s visual very stylish. This film has hardly any humor in it, it’s a very dark and serious film. But the movie feels a little but messy at some points. And the emotional climax is overshadowed by the promise of a Justice League film.

Rating: 3/ 5

TV Review: "The Walking Dead"Season 6

Genre: Drama/ Horror/ Thriller
Year: 2015/ 2016
Number of Episodes: 16
Starring: Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Lauren Cohan, Steven Yeun, Chandler Riggs, Michael Cudlitz, Daniah Gurira, Melissa McBride, Lenny James, Christian Serratos, Sonequa Martin-Green, Josh McDermitt, Ross Marquand, Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Description: Rick Grimes leads a group of survivors in a world overrun by the walking dead. Fighting the dead, fearing the living.

Review: The season starts with Rick and his crew trying to assimilate into the Alexandria group. A lot of new faces, non as interesting as any of the old gang. Denise and Aaron are the only ones that were likeable and I could see them in Rick’s group.
There are a lot more introductions in season 6. Besides the Alexandria people, we also meet the Wolves, people from Hilltop and Negan’s associates. Especially the last had us on the edge of our seats, because who was this Negan character? More about him later. Some drama: Maggie being pregnant, Rick and Michonne hooking up, Abraham and Rosita breaking up, Carl losing an eye. You gotta love the drama.
The biggest shock was Glenn’s death (Episode 3: Thank You) , or what turned out not to be his death. They left us believing Glenn died a horrible death, for a couple of episodes. Everyone cried! Then to later find out it was someone else who died and Glenn was still alive (Episode 7: Heads Up). Don’t get me wrong, I like Glenn and I’m happy he’s still around. But what a twist it would have been if he had really died at such an unpredictable point in the season.
The Morgan episode (Episode 4: Here’s Not Here) I didn’t really like. I think most people did, but it was my least favorite episode of the season. I think Morgan is an interesting character and I wanted to know more about him, what he did after parting ways with Rick. But the episode was very slow.
The episode where Daryl, Sasha and Abraham first meet the Saviors (Episode 9: No Way Out) and where the people left in Alexandria are trying to find a way through all the walkers, was probably the best, bloodiest and most exciting episode of the season.
Later we meet the Hilltop Colony (Episode 11: Knots Untie) and they tell Rick and his people they have been working for Negan in order to stay alive. This made me even more intrigued, I wanted to find out who Negan was. But I knew I wasn’t going to see him anytime soon.
When Rick plans on a surprise attack on the Savior’s compound (Episode 12: Not Tomorrow Yet) we think we will see Negan, but off course we don’t. Carol and Maggie get captured and in the next episode (Episode 13: The Same Boat) we meet some of Negan’s people. Another pretty bloody episode, Maggie and Carol kick some ass in this one.
All these events lead us to the 90 minute season finale (Episode 16: Last Day on Earth) and our long awaited introduction to Negan. In this final episode Rick, Abraham, Eugene, Sasha and Carl are driving their RV to Hilltop, to get Maggie to a doctor. She is having pains and isn’t doing well. Everywhere they go, roads are blocked by Negan’s people. In the meantime Daryl, Rosita, Glenn and Michonne are captured and Morgan is looking for Carol. Did it need 90 minutes, I don’t think so, but it was a great episode. Especially the last 10 minutes. We finally meet Negan, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Morgan kills it, he is fantastic as Negan, who might possibly be the best villain the show has had. Rick and his people are all lined up, sitting on their knees. One of them is going to meet Lucille, Negan’s barb wired baseball bat. When Negan starts hitting, we see it from the point of view of the victim. We don’t know who it is and that’s exactly where they leave us.
Many people are angry and didn’t like the finale. I loved it. I always like cliffhangers, because they leave me wanting more. This makes me even more excited for season 7. They want us to talk about “The Walking Dead” and that is exactly what we are going to do. Speculate about who Negan killed and why he choose this person. I think it’s either Eugene, Daryl or Abraham. In might be Glenn, because in the comics it’s Glenn. But we all know “The Walking Dead” loves twists and surprises.

Top 5 Thursday: Female TV Characters of the Moment

I like a strong leading character in a TV show, but mostly it’s the guys. Really? I found some great women who shine between all those guys. These are the female characters I love the most at the moment.

5. Deb Morgan in “Dexter”
I started to follow this show recently, but I still need to rewatch the entire series sometime. Deb is great, although she has some issues.

4. Tara Knowles in “Sons of Anarchy”
Tara really transformed in this show. She is really part of the club now and sometimes she even handles things the Gemma-way.

3. Maggie Greene in “The Walking Dead”
I liked her from the beginning. She lost a lot of her loved ones, but she learned how to deal with it and how to kick ass!

2. Morgan Brody in “CSI”
Morgan had a guest appearance once and when I heard she was getting a regular role I was excited. I like her, she is a great addition to the team and she’s very smart.

1. Claire Dunphy in “Modern Family”
I don’t like to admit it, but sometimes I’m a little bit like Claire. Maybe that’s why I love her so much. Claire is a hands-on mom and she likes to have control. And although Phil is a bit of a cluts, she loves him unconditionally.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Gloria Pritchett in “Modern Family”, Julie Finlay in “CSI”, Meredith Grey in “Grey’s Anatomy”

Pic Spam: Lauren Cohan

I didn't like her character on "Supernatural", but I love her in "The Walking Dead". Lauren Cohan is actually my favorite female on the show. And she is gorgeous!

Top 5 Thursday: Characters from "The Walking Dead"

Yesterday I did a pic spam featuring one of the actors from this amazing show. Now I’m giving you my five favorite characters from “The Walking Dead”.

5. Rick Grimes
The leader of the group and that’s a big responsibility. But he’s doing an OK job so far. Rick would do anything for his family and the members of their group. I think it’s tough to stay sane in a situation like this, but Rick manages.

4. Glenn Rhee
He kind of reminds me of Hurley from “Lost”. A guy you just can’t hate, everybody likes him. And Glenn is very brave and honest.

3. Dale Horvath
Dale is a loyal and wise man. He’s the guy you can always rely on. I liked him in combination with Andrea. It really broke my heart when Dale died, I actually cried. He just wanted everybody to be save, instead he had to give is life for it.

2. Maggie Green
I liked her from the beginning. She is a tough girl and ver loyal to Glenn and all the other survivors in the group.

1. Daryl Dixon
Not at first, but Daryl grew on me somehow. I especially liked the part where he was trying to find Sophia. Daryl has a big mouth, but maybe even a bigger heart.

They Almost Made the Top 5: T-Dog, Andrea, Carol Peletier