00s Movie Review - Layer Cake

Director: Matthew Vaughn
Genre: Crime/ Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 2003
Starring: Daniel Craig, Michael Gambon, Colm Meany, Tom Hardy, Sienna Miller, Sally Hawkins, George Harris

Description: A successful cocaine dealer (Daniel Craig) gets two tough assignments from his boss on the eve of his planned early retirement.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2025 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 25: S FILM FROM 2004
 
Review: We know Matthew Vaughn now for his work as a director on “Kingsmen: The Secret Service”, “Kick-Ass” and “X-Men: First Class” and he produced films like “Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch”. “Layer Cake” was Vaughn’s directorial debut and has especially a lot of similarities with these last two films (set in the criminal underworld, mixing humor with violence, following many different characters).

Daniel Craig plays an unnamed drug dealer who wants to quit, but his clients won’t let him go. He gets new assignments, that are a little out of his expertise. And, of course, nothing really goes according to plan.

I’m a fan of Vaughn’s work, both as a producer and a director. I like his style. “Layer Cake”, although getting a lot of praise and love, is just fine for me. I understand why people love it, but it’s not a favorite for me.

Rating: 3/ 5

Netflix Friday - Volume 105

Some Netflix film tips for the weekend! And there is something for everyone, since I picked a movie for all the different genres.
 

Action: Unknown (2011)
When a man (Liam Neeson) awakens from a coma only to discover that someone has taken on his identity, he teams up with a young woman (Diane Kruger) to prove who he is.
 

Drama: Joe Bell (2020)
The true story of a small town, working class father (Mark Wahlberg) who embarks on a walk across the U.S. to crusade against bullying after his son is tormented in high school for being gay. Meanwhile he realizes he is instead missing out on his sons life back at home.
 

Comedy: Lady Bird (2017)
In 2002, an artistically inclined seventeen-year-old girl (Saoirse Ronan) comes of age in Sacramento, California.
 

Animation: Violet Evergarden (2020)
After the aftermath of a war, a young girl who was used as a ‘tool’  for war learned to live. With the scars of burns, she goes back to her past to feel the true feelings of the Major’s,
 “I Love You”.
 

Romance: Blended (2014)
After a bad blind date, a man (Adam Sandler) and woman (Drew Barrymore) find themselves stuck together at a resort for families, where their attraction grows as their respective kids benefit from the burgeoning relationship.
 

Horror: Don’t Breathe 2 (2021)
The sequel is set in the years following the initial deadly home invasion, where Norma Nordstrom (Stephen Lang) lives in quiet solace until his past sins catch up to him.
 

Science Fiction: Bubble (2022)
After bubbles that broke the laws of gravity rained down upon the world. Cut off from the outside world, Tokyo has become a playground for a group of young people who have lost their families.
 

Crime: Layer Cake (2004)
A successful cocaine dealer (Daniel Craig) gets two tough assignments from his boss on the eve of his planned early retirement.
 

Thriller: The Lazarus Project (2008)
A paroled former criminal (Paul Walker) is drawn into an endeavor that puts life with his family at risk and subsequently finds himself living an inexplicable new life working at a psychiatric facility.
 

Documentary: Wild Babies (2022)
Follow the adventures of young lions, elephants, penguins and more, while the explore life in the wild.
 

Family: Marmaduke (2022)
A legendary dog trainer believes he can help Marmaduke (Pete Davidson) become the first Great Dane in history to win the Westminster Champion’s trophy.

Netflix Friday - Volume 34

Some Netflix film tips for the weekend! And there is something for everyone, since I picked a movie for all the different genres.
 

Action: The Hitman’s Bodyguard (2017)
The world’s top bodyguard (Ryan Reynolds) gets a new client, a hitman (Samuel L. Jackson) who must testify at the International Criminal Court. They must put their differences aside and work together to make it to the trial on time.
 

Drama: The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
A struggling salesman (Will Smith) takes custody of his son (Jaden Smith) as he’s poised to begin a life-changing professional career.
 

Comedy: Fun with Dick and Jane (2005)
When an affluent couple (Jim Carrey, Téa Leoni) lose all their money following a series of blunders, they turn to a life of crime to make ends meet.
 

Animation: Arthur Christmas (2011)
Santa’s (Jim Broadbent) clumsy son Arthur (James McAvoy) sets out on a mission with Grandsanta (Bill Nighy) to give out a present they misplaced to a young girl in less than two hours.
 

Romance: Letters to Juliet (2010)
Sophie )Amanda Seyfried) dreams of becoming a writer and travels to Verona, Italy where she meets the secretaries of Juliet.
 

Horror: The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
A lawyer (Laura Linney) takes on a negligent homicide case involving a priest who performed an exorcism on a young girl (Jennifer Carpenter).
 

Science Fiction: Underworld (2003)
Selene (Kate Beckinsale), a vampire warrior, is entrenched in a conflict between vampires and werewolves, while falling in love with Michael (Scott Speedman), a human who is sought by werewolves for unknown reasons.
 

Crime: Layer Cake (2004)
A successful cocaine dealer (Daniel Craig) gets two tough assignments on the eve of his planned early retirement.
 

Thriller: The Mule (2018)
A ninety-year-old horticulturist and Korean War veteran (Clint Eastwood) turns drug mule for a Mexican cartel.
 

Documentary: Dark Tourist (2018)
From a nuclear lake to a haunted forest, New Zealand filmmaker and journalist David Farrier visits unusual and often macabre tourism spots around the world.

Family: Matilda (1996)
Story of a wonderful little girl (Mara Wilson), who happens to be a genius, and her wonderful teacher (Embeth Davidtz) vs. the worst parents ever (Rhea Perlman, Danny DeVito) and the worst school principal (Pam Ferris) imaginable