Movie Review - The Iron Claw

Director: Sean Durkin
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 132 minutes
Year: 2023
Starring: Zac Efron, Jeremy Allan White, Harris Dickinson, Holt McCallany, Maura Tierney, Lily James, Stanley Simons
 
Description: The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 33: A FILM WITH A STRONG FAMILY THEME

Review: A lot of true stories have been greatly exaggerated. A lot was made up just for dramatic effect. But sometimes reality goes so far that is has to be restrained. Like in “The Iron Claw” in which the Von Erich family has four sons, whem in reality there were six. The fate of the unsung two is deeply sad, but simply too much for a film already overflowing with family grief.

Kevin, the oldest of the four sons, dedicated his life to a show-wrestling career following in his father’s footsteps. The latter is now their coach and also the owner of the local wrestling arena. But daddy dearest does not mince words when it comes to pronouncing which of his sons is his preference, and Kevin is not on top. Their father keeps applying pressure, and that has its consequences.

Those who grew up in the 1980s/ 1990s, know the WWF, the World Wrestling Federation. For some reason it was addictive to watch a bunch of butch men in tight suits go at each other in bizarre ways, especially when you learned it was all staged.

Holt McCallany is outstanding in the role of the domineering father. The man deals no blows or violent threats, yet it is extremely plausible that non one would dare stand up to him. The lead role belongs to Zac Efron, who transformed himself into a muscular pro wrestler. Yet that is not the most impressive about his portrayal. Efron delivers perhaps the best acting performance of his career to date. Kevin von Ehrig is an airhead with a full heart. He is probably the only brother that really wants to be a professional wrestler like his dad, but Kevin he is constantly overruled by him. Dad is favoring all his other sons over Kevin.

This is such a devastating film, because the Von Erich family had to deal with one tragedy after another. But boys aren’t supposed to cry, according to dad. So when Efron’s character does shed a tear, it hits extra hard.

“The Iron Claw” is an impressive, hard-hitting film. Even if you’re not into wrestling, you may be touched.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

TV Show Review - Pam & Tommy

Season: Mini Series
Genre: Drama
Number of episodes: 8
Year: 2022
Starring: Lily James, Sebastian Stan, Seth Rogen, Nick Offerman, Taylor Schilling

Description: Follows the story of Pamela Anderson (Lily James) and Tommy Lee’s (Sebastian Stan) relationship, going back to their whirlwind romance that started with them marrying after only knowing each other for 96 hours in 1995.

Review: The first episode starts of from the perspective of Rand Gauthier, a handyman working in Pamela and Tommy’s house to remodel their bedroom. Of Pamela we see little and it is mostly Tommy who leaves a poor first impression on Rand. He is highly inflammable and fickle, always changing plans. Both Rand and the contractor already have thousands of dollars in them, without any down payment at all. When Rand finally dares to ask for the down payment, he is fired. And no money for Rand. Or his toolbox. For Rand it is clear: it is time for karma. Rand breaks into the garage and steals their safe, filled with guns, diamonds and…. A sex tape.
That first episode shows u Pamela and Tommy as most of us will know them: a privileged, extravagant, and hot celebrity couple. Only to then show a very different side of the couple. The subsequent episode jumps back to how Pam and Tommy first met and fell in love. Their first days together are actually much sweeter than you might think. Because even though they married on a whim, in retrospect they actually turn out to be a really good fit for each other, until, the series suggests, the sex tape threw a spanner in the works.
Somehow you understand that the makers could not avoid the sex tape and a large part of the series revolves around this and the effect it has on the people involved. Tommy doesn’t really think much of it at first and doesn’t understand why Pamela is so upset, because in his words: “it’s not like it’s anything they haven’t seen before”, referring to Pam in Playboy. The video was stolen from them and published without their consent. With that, Pamela gave permission to shoot for Playboy, therefore it was her own choice. This video being released into the world wasn’t. And Pam has a point by saying that Tommy will probably be high fived for being in such a video and she will be called a slut. The position of a woman is very different in this situation then that of a man would be. Tommy later also realizes this, when he is confronted with comments as well.
Although Rand’s storyline often takes away the focus, it is a good choice to show his perspective. His initial intention was to take revenge on Tommy, after being treated the way he did. But he didn’t think it through, because the one being hurt and affected the most if Pamela. And that wasn’t his intention. He didn’t think of the consequences and let revenge lead his actions. You can see Rand being sorry for what he did, mostly towards Pamela.
The strongest scenes are those where the message is not spelled out in neon letters. Like a scene during the filming of Baywatch, in which the close-up of Pamela’s buttocks gets more attention than that of her face. Or the one in which Anderson is forced to comment live on her home video during testimony by opposing counsel and answers questions like, “How old were you when you first showed the general public your genitals?” The fact that all the lawyers are men need not even be mentioned in this regard.
Sebastian Stan and Lily James throw themselves wholeheartedly into their roles: it is almost uncanny how convincingly James resembles Anderson. All sympathy clearly lies with her as well.
I enjoyed “Pam & Tommy”, especially how Stan and James portrayed them so well.

10s Movie Review - The Guernsey Literary Society

Director: Mike Newell
Genre: Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 123 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Lily James, Michiel Huisman, Matthew Goode, Penelope Wilton, Jessica Brown Findlay, Katherine Parkinson, Tom Courtenay, Glen Powell

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 7: A MOVIE SET IN A EUROPEAN COUNTRY
 
Description: In the aftermath of World War II, a writer (Lily James) forms an unexpected bond with the residents of Guernsey Island when she decides to write a book about their experiences during the war.

Review: London, 1946: Juliet Ashton, a young, successful writer, is invited by a small but fanatical book club to the Island of Guernsey. Once she arrives, it turns out that there is a deeper story behind the jolly islanders and their club.
At first glance, “The Guernsey Literary Society” is simple and cheerful, one of those movies where everything works out and everyone is happy. How director Mike Newell slowly deepens the film and unravels the underlying layers is beautifully executed. Two hours for a story of this proportion is somewhat excessive though.
The cast is top-notch, but the heart of the film lies with Lily James, who proves she can easily carry a movie. Michiel Huisman (fellow Dutchman) also gives a strong performance, as does Penelope Wilton. I absolutely loved this movie.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Review - The Dig

Director: Simon Stone
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 112 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James, Johnny Flynn

Description: An archaeologist (Ralph Fiennes) embarks on the historically important excavation of Sutton Hoo in 1938.

Review: The new Netflix film “The Dig” is especially well suited for unwinding for a while, at the rustic images of the English countryside in which a number of solid actors do their thing.
Just before the outbreak of World War II, Edith Pretty commissioned amateur archaeologist Basil Brown to see if there were any interesting things hidden in her land. And there was indeed. The film is based on a true story, but a lot was added or changed for film. Carey Mulligan, who plays Edith, should be at least twenty years older. And the large age difference between the Piggott couple didn’t exist. It’s as if the filmmakers realized that the excavation of an ancient burial ship can be a bit boring and tried to spice things up this way.
The fact that they succeeded somewhat is not due to the clumsily added plot lines, but the solid acting of the entire cast. The film is beautifully shot, it has gorgeous images of the British countryside. The décor and design of the film is worth watching it. Therefore, with an appropriate pot of tea, this is the perfect film to relax and enjoy. The story is quite simple and told very quietly.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

Movie Review - Rebecca

Director: Ben Wheatley
Genre: Drama/ Romance/ Mystery
Runtime: 121 minutes
Year: 2020
Starring: Lily James, Armie Hammer, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ann Dowd

Description: A young newlywed (Lily James) arrives at her husband’s (Armie Hammer) imposing family estate on a windswept English coast and finds himself battling the shadow of hos first wife, Rebecca, whose legacy lives on in the house long after her death.

Review: The gothic novel “Rebecca” by the British writer Daphne du Maurier was already brilliantly filmed in 1940 by none other than Alfred Hitchcock. At the time, the black and white classic won the Oscar for best film and best cinematography. In the year 2020 ‘the master of suspense’ is missed. This new version, made for Netflix, can’t be compared to the original, but fortunately it didn’t turn out to be a complete failure.
The story revolves around Maxim de Winder, a charming aristocrat who set his sight on a ‘companion lady’. Their romance is new, but that doesn’t stop the two lovebirds from exchanging the French coast for a large, chic and somewhat uncanny estate in England called Manderley. Here the woman of simple descent may finally count herself as Mrs. De Winter to the aristocracy.
Mrs. De Winter discovers some strange things once she arrives at Manderley. For example, her husband starts sleepwalking at night and stays in front of one room that is forbidden territory for her. Moreover, Maxim is very shady about his previous marriage to a lady named Rebecca, who died some time ago under rather mysterious circumstances. According to the caretaker and the servants, Rebecca’s ghost still roams the corridors of Manderley.
Visually this film is stunning. At the beginning, when the two character are starting to fall for each other, the shots are bathing in romantic sunlight and bright colors. But as the film takes a turn and gets darker, the color palette begins to fade. Scenes still fit with all kinds of wealth and opulence, such as porcelain figurines, satin bedding and paintings in gold frames, but the attention shifts more to sparsely lit rooms and corridors. And to the high cliffs on the coast, which consist of black, razor-sharp rocks.
Suddenly, unfortunately, the film is a bit weaker. As soon as Mixim and Mrs. De Winter move into their extravagant manor, the story begins to swell. Maybe this is due to the fact that Daphne du Maurier’s book has been adapted into a screenplay by no less than three different writers. Which way do they want to go with the story? Romance, drama and mystery are thrown together, but to be honest, it’s only the third act that they make some headway. Especially because the plot twists suddenly start to pile up like crazy.
Despite the messy story structure, “Rebecca” remains viewable. The protagonsts Armie Hammer and Lily James are both strong actors and have solid performances. And they work well together. But it’s Kristin Scott Thomas, as the icy caretaker Mrs. Danvers, that takes all the credit. Her role as a manipulator behind the scenes is much more interesting.
The film misses an edge. “Rebecca” is beautifully filmed, but lacks focus. Still a nice film to watch, but you can better watch the original from 1940.

Rating: 3 / 5

Movie Reviews - Yesterday

Director: Danny Boyle
Genre: Drama/ Comedy/ Music
Runtime: 116 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Himesh Patel, Lily James, Sophia Di Martino, Ellise Chappell, Meera Syal, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Kate McKinnon, Alexander Arnold, Harry Mitchell, Ed Sheeran, Vincent Franklin, Joel Fry

Description: A struggling musician (Hamish Patel) realizes he’s the only person on Earth who can remember The Beatles after waking up in an alternate timeline where they never existed.

Review: Picture this: you are a struggling musician and one day you find out that the world has forgotten about the Beatles, except for you. What do you do? Well, Jack uses the songs to become a famous artist himself. It sounds like a far-fetched premise, but it’s a fun-filled heartwarming and feel-good comedy.
Singer-songwriter Jack Malik has been struggling as a musician for years. He drags himself from bar to bar, with his best friend slash manager Ellie, where nobody really listens to him. He decides to stop, but then something magical happens. During a worldwide power out, Jack gets hit by a car and wakes up in a hospital. And it seems that the whole world had forgotten about The Beatles. They never existed and Jack is the only one that still remembers.
When Jack plays “Yesterday”, his friends are emotional and tell him it’s a beautiful song. Since when does he wrote songs like this? After some Google searches, he realizes that all the songs are up for grabs and he decides to sing them as they are his own.
Richard Curtis, who was also a part of “Love Actually”, “Notting Hill” and “Four Weddings and a Funeral”, is responsible for the screenplay. It’s filled with ‘what-if’ jokes. Just like “About Time”, which is also a Curtis film, you have to be fully on board while seeing this film with a pretty absurd story.
I love the premise of this film and I love a great feel-good movie without all the cheesiness and clichés. This is perfect for that. But the film is a bit repetitive at times. The creators of this film are clearly having fun with this film and their genius idea, and it works really well most of the time. Like when Jack meets 70-somewhat Jon Lennon ins the parallel reality. And leading man Himesh Patel, unknown for me, is really charming. Whenever he starts singing the song by The Beatles, you are remember how timeless their songs really are. Even if I’m not the biggest fan.
“Yesterday” is a really good time and a great ode to one of the most successful bands of all-time.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Reviews - Darkest Hour

Director: Joe Wright
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 125 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ben Mendelsohn, Lily James, Stephen Dillane

Description: In May 1940, the fate of Western Europe hangs on British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman), who must decide whether to negotiate with Adolf Hitler, or fight on knowing that it could mean a humiliating defeat for Britain and its empire.

Review: After the audio visual spectacle “Dunkirk”, there is “Darkest Hour”, an opposite in the theaters. The same historical turning point, but a smaller film with a more intimate setting. And director Joe Wright exchanges the harsh realistic atmosphere, for a more melodramatic feel.
Winston Churchill has been portrayed by many actors: Brian Cox, John Lithgow, Timothy Spall, Brendan Gleeson, Michael Gambon and many more. And then there is Gary Oldman, the man who won an Academy Award for his portrayal. Although Oldman doesn’t look at all like Churchill, the make-up artists did a masterful job in transforming him into the former British Prime Minister.
Oldman had to be creative with his voice and body language, to become Churchill. And he does this very well. He mumbles, has a lisp, tramps. It’s hard to see Oldman, and easy to see Churchill. Which means Oldman succeeded. Only when he raises his voice, it’s very clear Oldman. But it’s focused on subtlety, which was very cleverly done by director Joe Wright. And in this subtlety, there is room for Oldman to be eccentric and funny. Oldman’s performance is well balanced.
“Darkest Hour” works a bit too hard sometimes, to win over the audience. But the cinematography is impressive and consistent. As is the make-up and editing.
This is an ‘acting movie’ with a lot of talking, that is good because of its leading actor. Without him, this would be a mediocre and forgettable film.

Rating: 4 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 108: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Director: Burr Steers
Genre: Action/ Horror/ Romance
Runtime: 108 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Lily James, Sam Riley, Lena Heady, Charles Dance, Matt Smith, Bella Heathcote, Suki Waterhouse

Description: Five sisters in 19th century England must cope with the pressures to marry while protecting themselves from a growing population of zombies.

Review: “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” is exactly what the title wants you to believe it is. Jane Austen’s good old tale “Pride and Prejudice”, but then with added zombies. 19th century women fighting off zombies.
A mash-up film like this can be extraordinary fun because of the contrasts between the two genres. And those moments, where the film mixes the genres and becomes half a parody and half something completely new, is where “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” is the strongest. Where the film tries to stick with the original romance novel, the film loses its power. Because we already know it and seen it.
For a film of this genre, it focuses too much on the original story, instead of the elements that make this story so special. We simply needed to have more of the zombies. Off course it’s also fun to see the moments from the original Austen novel, but we have other movies for that. It gets fun when the Bennet sister pull out weapons from their dresses and fight the undead.
Overall it’s a strange mix, although very entertaining. When the zombie element of the story had an overhand, “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” would have been much better. Still not a bad movie, but there was such potential.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 87: Baby Driver

Director: Edgar Wright
Genre: Action/ Crime
Runtime: 113 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Jon Bernthal, Jon Hamm, Kevin Spacey, Lily James, Jamie Foxx, Flea

Description: After being coerced into working for a crime boss (Kevin Spacey), a young getaway driver (Ansel Elgort) finds himself taking part in a heist doomed to fail.

Review: Before I start this review, I have to state that director Edgar Wright is a genius. And as for many geniuses, the big crowd doesn’t understand him. His previous films (like “Shaun of the Dead”, “Hot Fuzz” and “The World’s End”) are examples of how a movie is perfectly edited. His films are never box office hits and he never seems to click with the average moviegoer. In my opion: Edgar Wright is one of the best directors of the moment.
Because of a constant ringing in his ear, Baby listens to music non-stop. That makes music not only a big part of the film, but also the story. Everything is accompanied by the music: every shot, movement, rhythm. And because of Wright’s perfect editing skills, “Baby Driver” is an amazingly synchronized and choreographed film. And that without it distracting from the actual story. Every song fits the scene like a glove and sounds like it belongs there.
Does the film have flaws? Off course, but they are so miniscule. Probably the motives of the characters, but that would be nitpicking.
The film opens with an amazing chase scene, where we see what Baby can do. One giant chunk of adrenaline.
When I saw the trailer for “Baby Driver”, I was sceptic about Ansel Elgort as the leading man. But boy did he surprise me. In a good way! Jon Hamm as Buddy and Jamie Foxx as Bats (the last being one of the most annoying characters of this year, I constantly wanted to slap him in the face) are also worth mentioning. The chemistry between Ansel Elgort and his on-screen love interest Lily James is very strong. Some might say it’s a bit too sweet, but it’s forgivable.
The script is simple, yet Edgar Wright turns it into what I can call the best film of 2017 so far.

Rating: 5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 125: Cinderella

Director: Kenneth Branagh
Genre: Adventure/ Drama/ Romance/ Fantasy
Runtime: 113 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Lily James, Richard Madden, Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, Hayley Atwell, Ben Chaplin, Stellan Skarsgård, Derek Jacobi, Holliday Grainger, Sophie McShera

Description: When her father unexpectedly passes away, young Ella (Lily James) finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her scheming step-sisters (Holliday Grainger, Sophie McShera). Never one to give up hope, Ella's fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger (Richard Madden).

Review: In 1950 Disney came with the animated musical “Cinderella” and 65 years later the studios turn it into a live action film. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, “Cinderella” is a surprisingly good fairytale.
Disney always gives us heroes, beautiful costumes, emotion, morals, villains and depth. And although “Cinderella” is sugar sweet, it’s a delightful film for the whole family. And for the hopeless romantics among us.
Cinderella is played by Lily James, who isn’t an extraordinary actress but manages to make her character charming and very likeable. The prince is played by Richard Madden, who we know as Robb Stark from “Game of Thrones”. The stars are actually the bigger names in the cast: Cate Blanchett as the evil stepmother and Helena Bonham Carter as the fairy godmother. These great actresses support “Cinderella” well.
“Cinderella” is filled with great décor and scenery, but also gorgeous costumes. Really something from a fairytale. But it’s not a film that hides behind all the beauty it shows. There is a moral and it’s supposed to inspire, escepcially young girls. “Cinderella” touches you and is really easu to watch. A guarantee to put a smile on your face. I didn’t expect to like it this much. It’s an enchanting film.

Rating: 4/ 5