20s Movie Review - Bodies Bodies Bodies

Director: Halina Reijn

Genre: Horror/ Thriller/ Comedy/ Mystery

Runtime: 94 minutes

Year: 2022

Starring: Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Pete Davidson, Lee Pace, Rachel Sennott, Chase Sui Wonders, Myha’la Herrold

Description: When a group of rich 20-somethings plan a hurricane party at a remote family mansion, a party game turns deadly.

Review: Blindly attacking someone on social media can sometimes turn out wrong when you misjudged your target and motivation. “Bodies Bodies Bodies” takes that concept, and turns it into a slasher film.

A group of boozing and coke snorting twenty-somethings gather at a rich father’s mansion to party while a hurricane rages outside. Someone suggests they play a game called bodies bodies bodies bodies. A game where someone is supposedly the killer and the rest have to guess who. They know from experience the game usually leads to arguments, but they decide to play it anyways. When one of them is really found dead, no one knows who to trust and who not.

The Dutch Halina Reijn, an actress (stage and film), directs this slasher. And she focuses on the acting, instead of the cinematography, exciting or iconic scenes. And the performers go wild. It’s a low-budget film (by Hollywood standards), but that doesn’t really show. Pete Davidson is the only one that really doesn’t do anything special, the rest of the cast is really strong actually.

Every single characters in this movie is unlikeable, each for a different reason. And that makes this slasher even more interesting. The plot isn’t the most inventive of plots, but the eventual reveal at the end, makes everything that happened even more crazy and made the film better. The film is not predictable and it’s a great first step for Halina Reijn directing a Hollywood-film.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

00s Movie Review - A Single Man

Director: Tom Ford
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 2009
Starring: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode, Julianne Moore, Nicholas Hoult, Ginnifer Goodwin, Lee Pace

Description: An English professor (Colin Firth), one year after the sudden death of his boyfriend (Matthew Goode), us unable to cope with his typical days in 1960s Los Angeles.

Review: When an established fashion designer like Tom Ford makes his feature film debut, you expect heavily stylized images, opulent costumes and a somewhat kitschy visual style. You get all of those too, but the big surprise is that the visuals rarely get in the way of the content and only enhance the film’s theme. As a result, “A Single Man” is not only a visually stunning film, but also one of the best debuts in ages in terms of content.
Based on a novel by Christopher Isherwood, “A Single Man” begins with a 1962 car accident that kills Jim, for sixteen years the partner of British professor George Falconer. Falconer is inconsolable and decides that a life without Jim is of little value to him. Nice is then how Falconer, after hearing the terrible news, tries to keep up a façade to the outside world. Impeccably dressed, he simple goes about his daily routines, without seeming to have anything wrong with him at first glance. Inside, however, he is consumed by grief and one day decides to end his life. The film follows him in his preparations and thus largely takes place on that one day.   
The visual bravura of “A Single Man” cannot be denied by anyone. The costumes are obviously very beautiful, as you would expect from a fashion designer, but it is the production design and the use of color where director Ford can really shine. Every detail has been meticulously attended to, allowing one to regularly marvel at the film’s stunning visual inventions and colorful depiction of the 1960s.
The film relies entirely on Colin Firth’s acting for emotional depth and it is largely thanks to him that the film becomes more than a visual masterpiece. First, a highly respected actor who has alternated between major and minor productions for years, had to wait a long time for that one big breakthrough role that would earn him an Oscar nomination. He did get nominated for the role, but didn’t win. Only a year later he took home the statue for his role in “The King’s Speech”.
Firth’s class is best showcased in a key scene early in the film, when Falconer is told that his partner died. The camera then stays focused on his face for minutes, with the actor beautifully managing to portray  how this man’s world collapses from one moment to the next. Although Ford unfortunately does not consistently maintain the subtlety of this scene and sometimes relies too much on the sound of swelling violins, it is thanks to Firth that you still start to sympathize with the tragic story of George Falconer. A bachelor, but above all a lonely man.

Rating: 4 / 5

10s Movie Review - Captain Marvel

Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
Genre: Action/ Adventure
Runtime: 124 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Jude Law, Annette Bening, Lashana Lynch, Clark Gregg, Djimon Hounsou, Gemma Chan, Lee Pace

Description: Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races.

Review: In 2017 there was “Wonder Woman” and we finally got a good movie starring a female superhero. And it was directed by a woman. It was an easy watch without being too feminist. But this was DC. Marvel has been overshadowing DC for years now, but here DC beat them. But Marvel has an answer, in the form of “Captain Marvel”.
We know her as Miss Marvel in the comics, but was promoted to Captain Marvel (which is a man in the comics). Born as Carol Danvers, we see her as a member of an intergalactic taskforce fighting against the Skrulls, a shape-shifting rase who is at war with her people, the Kree. When Carol crashes on Planet Earth in the mid-90s, she has to fight the Skrulls on her own. Carol meets S.H.I.E.L.D.-agent Nick Fury, who she teams up with.
Having Fury in this film is a big win. Played by Samuel L. Jackson in several other Marvel films, he finally gets a more substantial part in one. And I love him in “Captain Marvel”. He also has great chemistry and interaction with Brie Larson, who plays the titular character very well.
The film has a great 90s vibe, and not only due to the setting, clothes and music. Also when you look at the action scenes.
I’m a little late to the party, seeing “Captain Marvel” just now. I expected something completely different, but was pleasantly surprised. I highly enjoyed “Captain Marvel”.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 152: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Director: Peter Jackson

Genre: Adventure/ Fantasy/ Action

Runtime: 144 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Ian McKellen, Benedict Cumberbatch, Lee Pace, Evangeline Lilly, Luke Evans, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, Manu Bennett, Aidan Turner, Graham McTavish, Hugo Weaving, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Stephen Fry, Billy Connolly, Mikael Persbrandt, Dan O’Gorman, Bret McKenzie, James Nesbitt, Ken Stott, Ryan Gage, Sylvester McCoy, William Kircher, Peter Hambleton, Adam Brown, Jed Brophy, Stephen Hunter, Lawrence Makoare, John Bell, Mark Hadlow, John Callen

Description: Bilbo (Martin Freeman) and Company are forced to engage in a war against an array of combatants and keep the terrifying Smaug from acquiring a kingdom of treasure and obliterating all of Middle-Earth.

Review: Finally the last chapter of Peter Jackson’s take on the book “The Hobbit” has arrived. After the two previous movies, which were successes, “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” has turned into an adventure spectacle. It didn’t manage to involve the audience as much, because the story isn’t as good as the other two films.

It was frustrating to see “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” end so abruptly, but understandable for Jackson to leave the confrontation with the dragon for the final movie. The story picks up exactly where we were left. We see how dragon Smaug is destroying Laketown. With that, “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” has the best opening scene of the three films. The action is spectacular and sometimes filmed from Smaug’s perspective, as if you were on his back. I wouldn’t mind for this sequence to take a bit longer.

The big battle looks amazing and is again filled with new great looking creatures. The battle itself could feel meaningless for viewers, because it’s all for a big amount of gold. Only the people of Laketown have a relatable motive for fighting in the war, because they want to rebuild their lives. When the Orks join the battle, the stakes change.

“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” and “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” had an emotional component, because the dwarves wanted to recapture their home. Because Thorin has changed and he becomes greedy, it’s hard to sympathize him when he changes his mind. You actually understand the decisions Bilbo makes. I also liked that Bard’s role was bigger, who probably is my favorite character of the series.

“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” is a good conclusion to the trilogy, which emphasizes more on the action then on the emotional journey Biblo and his dwarf friends are on. Even though Peter Jackson has done this many times before, it’s amazing to see how creative he can still be. I think Jackson’s creative mind has no limits. And the ending, that is the beginning of “The Lord of The Rings” trilogy, brings back warm memories. It’s my least favorite of the trilogy, but again entertaining as hell.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 100: Guardians of the Galaxy

Director: James Gunn

Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Science Fiction/ Comedy

Runtime: 120 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, Benicio Del Toro, Djimon Hounsou

Description: After stealing a mysterious orb in the far reaches of outer space, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) is now the main target of a manhunt led by the villain known as Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace). To help fight Ronan and his team and save the galaxy from his power, Quill creates a team known as the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' to save the world.

Review: The popularity of the Marvel movies doesn’t seem to end. After big names like Iron Man, Thor and Captain America getting their own film, the spotlights are now for the heroes from “Guardians of the Galaxy”.

The gang of superheroes was created in 1969, even before “Star Wars”. In 2008 it got a reboot and that’s the focus of this movie. We first meet Peter Quill. The only thing that reminds him of earth is a mix taped with classic pop songs. Quill, aka Star-Lord, is on an expedition to track down a mysterious orb. During his quest he gets ambushed by the Kree, an alien race lead by Ronan the Accuser. Quill manages to escape, but is then attacked by assassin Gamora, who also wants the orb. Bounty hunters Rocket and Groot are after Quill, because of the price on his head. The four get arrested and end up in jail. They make a deal to split the money they get for the orb and Drax also joins the group for his own reasons.

Between all the reboots and sequels that premiered this summer, “Guardians of the Galaxy” is a breath of fresh air. It shows that this movie was made with so much joy, it’s hard not to tag along. The eccentric and nostalgic tone is perfectly complimented by the soundtrack. But it doesn’t only please your ears. “Guardians of the Galaxy” is a visual treat. Everything looks beautiful, the special effects are amazing and mind-blowing.

What really seperates “Guardians of the Galaxy” from its competition is the high dose of humor. People who watch “Parks and Recreation” already know that Chris Pratt’s a comedic talent. But also Rocket, Groot and the dry humor delivered by Drax will definitely make you laugh out loud.

With movies like this, it’s always hard to create depth in characters. That’s also a point “Guardians of the Galaxy” does extremely well. In the first hour the main characters are introduced and you immediately like them and relate to them. Although raccoon Rocket and tree Groot steal the show, all characters have their qualities and you easily fall in love with all five of them.

Marvel has done it again, it really exceeded itself. “Guardians of the Galaxy” is heaps of fun and you immediately want to rewatch it. I can’t wait for the sequel!

Rating: 5/ 5

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

Pic Spam: Lee Pace

Lee Pace isn't that well knows, but I know him from "Pushing Daisies". A great show that was, sadly enough, cancelled after only two seasons! I remember Lee, as Ned, being so sweet and cute. So to keep that in mind, here are some of his best pictures.