Movie Review - Jurassic World: Rebirth

Director: Gareth Edwards
Genre: Adventure/ Action/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 133 minutes
Year: 2025
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan bailey, Mahershala Ali, Rupert Friend
 
Description: An expedition braves isolated equatorial regions to extract DNA from three massive prehistoric creatures for a groundbreaking medical breakthrough.
 
Review: It’s hardly a surprise that another Jurassic World movie is hitting theaters. Although the trilogy that began in 2015 became increasingly criticized as the movies progressed, those films still managed to earn billions.  

This new installment is set on an yet another island with a lot of dinosaurs. Scientists of Jurassic World experimented with creating new, mutated dinosaurs. Apparently, a Tyrannosaurus Rex is no longer interesting enough for the general public, so different species of dinosaurs were created. It’s therefore up to the characters in “Jurassic World: Rebirth” to collect the blood of three of the largest dinosaurs still roaming the planet.

This setup is a great excuse to bring a whole lot of different dinosaurs back to the big screen, but is also manages to surprise us with the human characters we follow. Doctor Henry Loomis, for example, is a nice mix of Alan Grant’s love for dinosaurs and Ian Malcolm’s view of the place of humans alongside the animals. Both Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali give their, basically fairly simple, mercenary characters a deeper layer, making it easy to empathize with them. I didn’t really care much about the family in this group though. Even though they are part of one of the coolest scenes in the movie, starring good old T-Rex, I didn’t care about them as much as the original group. When they were clearly added to the story for that specific reason.

The films offers new things, but it does still mostly feel like a repeat exercise. There are many moments that step back in familiar territory, scenes that feel the same as ones we’ve seen in the others movies. But then just slightly different. The most clear example is a scene that strongly resembles the iconic kitchen scene in “Jurassic Park”.

Reviews aren’t nice, but I believe that it’s invalid. People are expecting that it could top or just even be close to the original masterpiece from Steven Spielberg. “Jurassic Park” had so much more to it and is a timeless film. And to be honest, it will never get topped. Thus people should stop expected that. For what it is, “Jurassic World: Rebirth” is good looking, entertaining, adventure film, the perfect popcorn flick. And I’m a little biased, because I have loved everything in this franchise, because I love dinosaurs. I enjoyed it and liked it, you can’t change my mind!

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Review - Leave the World Behind

Director: Sam Esmail
Genre: Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 138 minutes
Year: 2023
Starring: Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, Myha’la, Kevin Bacon, Farrah Mackenzie, Charlie Evans
 
Description: A family’s getaway to a luxurious rental home takes an ominous turn when a cyberattack knocks out their devices, and two strangers (Mahershala Ali, Myha’la) appear at their door.

Review: Amanda and Clay go on vacation with their two children, but that very night their relaxing getaway comes to an end. There is a knock at the door. Because of a power outage in town, the owner of the home and his daughter, want to spend the night. That immediately increases tension.

If you have not read the book it’s based on, written by Rumaan Alam, please avoid the trailer. It spoils the fun. You know from the start of the film that something is wrong, there is constant suspense and an ominous feeling creeps up on you. But you don’t know what it is.

Each character deals with this frustrating situation differently. Amansa is immediately hostile to G.H. and his daughter Ruth. While Clay, on the other hand, wants to keep the peace. Meanwhile, G.H. tries to protect Ruth by keeping many of his concerns to himself. He seemingly knows more about what’s happening.

I read the book earlier this year, which immediately became a new favorite of mine. The book is fantastic and when I learned about a movie adaptation I was excited. A movie is hardly ever better then the book, or even meets the same level. But with this book I felt it could happen. Although I highly enjoyed the film, the book is much better. And they are also very different from each other. The suspense is much more stretched out in the book, you’re kept in the dark way longer. When in the movie, things start happening very early on. It doesn’t take away from the tension though, because you still don’t know what’s going on.

I’m not going to compare “Leave the World Behind” to its source material anymore, because when you look at it aside from the book, it’s a very decent, solid and suspenseful thriller. The first part of the film takes place for the most time in the house. The main characters are trying to figure each other out. The cast is excellent and I especially loved Mahershala Ali as G.H. and Ethan Hawke as Clay. Very strong performances. Julia Roberts and Myha'la are also really solid, but the men are the scene stealers here.

Director Sam Esmail takes nearly two and a half hour to tell his cynical story and with that “Leave the World Behind” is not for everyone. Esmail gives his own inky black review of a faltering society and leaves you with a rotten feeling. And with probably even more questions then when you started the movie. And this is all very similar to the book.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Review - Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Director: Joaquim dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson
Genre: Adventure/ Action/ Animation
Runtime: 140 minutes
Year: 2023
Starring: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Laura Velez, Jake Johnson, Oscar Isaac, Mahershala Ali, Jason Schwartzman, Issa Rae, Daniel Kaluuya, Karan Soni, Andy Samberg, Rachel Dratch, Jack Quaid, Jharrel Jerome
 
I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 39: A ANIMATED MOVIE THAT IS NOT DISNEY
 
Description: Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) catapults across the Multiverse, where he encounter a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. When the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles must redefine what it means to be a hero.

Review: It’s hard to top predecessor “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”, but the sequel is another innovative experience that I loved just a much.

I guess people are still not sick of Spider-Man stories. And I’m so glad they aren’t, because then this amazing animation would maybe not even exist. Every superhero movie is directly or remotely based on a comic book. The makers of “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” don’t just sprinkle in source references, they go further. The film’s eclectic look is a downright homage to Marvel Comics’ comic book artists, each of whom have their own style, with their own choice of mediums to work with. Some work with old-fashioned pencils or pen, others create airbrush art or use digital programs. And this is exactly what makes this film so unique and fresh. The clever thins is that the film brings all these styles together into a whole, completely original yet recognizable. And following such a great first film with an equally amazing sequel is very rare.

I loved everything about “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”: its unique mix of styles, the voice acting, the soundtrack, the whole experience was fantastic!

Rating: 5/ 5

Movie Reviews - Green Book

Director: Peter Farrelly
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 130 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini

Description: A working-class Italian-American bouncer (Viggo Mortensen) becomes the driver of an African-American classical pianist (Mahershala Ali) on a tour of venues through the 1960s American South.

Review: Tony Lip, also known as Tony Vallenlonga, worked at the Copacabana in New York in the 50s and 60s. When the Copacabana is closed due to construction, Tony gets a job as a driver. This job would change his life.
Viggo Mortenson plays Tony, a ‘bullshitter’ with a big heart. Because he has a wife and two kids, he can’t wait for the Copacabana to be re-opened. So he takes on a job as a driver for Dr. Shirley. Don Shirley, played by Mahershala Ali, is not a medical doctor, but a very gifted concert pianist. And he is an African American man. Tony drives him around the country for his tour, that in 1962 is still pretty racist. Tony still has some prejudice about African American people, but is fascinated by Shirley and really needs the money. Shirley isn’t only a talented pianist, he is also very well-read, intelligent and well-mannered. He is the complete opposite of Tony. And they are both bias. Tony learns how life is for a black man in the south, were racism rules and rich men pay big money to see Shirley play. But also refuse to serve him in restaurants or let him use their dressing rooms or rest room.
The green book in the title, is a book that had all the locations in the south if the US that a black man was allowed.
“Green Book” is directed by Peter Farrelly, one half of the duo that made comedies like “Dumb and Dumber” and “There’s Something About Mary”. So that he directed a now Oscar-winning movie, is kind of a surprise. You do feel that this pretty heavy theme, is brought with a lot of humor and it’s very light-hearted. It’s never a heavy movie.
Viggo Mortensen is one of the most versatile actors in the business and I loved him in the role of Tony Lip. And together with Mahershala Ali, he forms a great duo. The two actors are the heart of the film, they carry it. Ali even took home the Oscar for best supporting actor, which is very well-deserved.
Although it’s a pretty light-hearted film, “Green Book” does have depth. But it’s all very safe and this way it’s accessible for all audiences. It’s a pretty straight-forward film and it could use a bit of an edge. It’s not sugar sweet though, but it’s a feel-good film that will please the large audience. And that’s exactly why it won the Oscar for Best Picture.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

TV Show Review - True Detective (Season 3)

Season: 3
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Number of episodes: 8
Year: 2019
Starring: Mahershala Ali, Stephen Dorff, Scoot McNairy, Michael Rooker, Carmen Ejogo, Ray Fisher

Description: A macabre crime in the heart of the Ozarks and a mystery deepens over decades and plays out in three separate time periods. Detectives Wayne Hays (Mahershala Ali) and Roland West (Stephen Dorff) investigate this dark crime.

Review: The first season of “True Detective” was a sensation. Unknown what to expect, every episode was as intriguing and the mystery kept viewers on the edge of their seats. It had interesting lead characters and the show captivated everyone until the end. So the bar was set for the second season. A new story, new characters, but as expected, it never met the success of the first season.
Season 3 starts again, with a new story and new detectives. We meet Wayne Hays in 2015, who is being interviewed for a TV show about a case of a missing child, that he worked on in the 1980s. In the 1990s more information became available. So this story is told during three time periods: the original investigation in the 1980s, the reopening of the case in the 1990s and the look back in 2015.
In 1980, two kids disappear and detectives Wayne Hays (Mahershala Ali) and Roland West (Stephen Dorff) investigate this case. When we see the conversations held in 1990 and 2015, we learn that conclusions are drawn that will probably be revisited.
While the investigation is shown in three different time lines, we also get to know Hays and what this case does to him. He meets his wife and mother of his children. The scenes between Hays and his wife Amelia, shows us character development as well.
Although we follow three timelines and they switch constantly, it’s never hard to follow.
The performances are really good. Mahershala Ali steals the show and carries it easily. But Stephen Dorff as well, he is really strong in his role.
The third season of “True Detective” manages to come closer to season 1, when it comes to style, atmosphere, the story, the characters, the performances and how invested you will be. It’s still not as good as the first season, but it comes awfully close.

Academy Awards 2019 - Results

Who watched the Oscars last night? Well, I did. And I said I felt lucky. I was so wrong, because this year the Academy finally decided to be more surprising. In one way, it's a good thing. Because I like to being surprised. Some wins really made me extra happy this year.

Spike Lee winning for best adapted screenplay, for "BlacKkKlansman". He is a man with a voice that should be heard, someone with an important message to tell. And he finally got the recognition he deserved.

No Disney winning the animated feature award, but "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse". Not so much a surprise, but a great change. This category has gotten so predictable, I'm glad that this year it wasn't Disney or Pixar (even though I love them).

Olivia Colman is a fantastic actress, I already knew that. But I'm glad that she was finally recognized by the Academy. Her performance in "The Favourite" is amazing. I sure as hell thought Glenn Close was going home with the best actres award. I was wrong.

Mahershala Ali is one of the greatest discoveries of the past years. And him winning the best supporting actor award for "Green Book" was one of the few wins I was sure of. Well-deeserved.

Alfonso Cuarón took home two awards, for best director and best cinematography, for the movie "Roma". He is a genius director and maybe even more a briljant cinematographer. Very cool to see him take away both awards.

The best picture category is Always the hardest to predict, but this year I was absolutely sure "Roma" would win. Wrong again! Underdog "Green Book" won and it was actually the movie I was hoping for.

10s Movie Review - Moonlight

Director: Barry Jenkins
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, Janelle Monáe, Jaden Piner, Edson Jean, Jharrel Jerome, André Holland, Shariff Earp, Patrick Decile, Herveline Moncion, Duan Sanderson, Alex R. Hibbert, Herman ‘Caheei McGloun, Kamal Ani-Bellow, Keomi Givens, Eddie Blanchard, Rudi Goblen

Description: A chronicle of the childhood, adolescence and burgeoning adulthood of a young, African-American, gay man growing up in a rough neighborhood of Miami.

Review: The 2017 edition of the Academy Awards was filled with diversity, thank goodness. With bigger productions like “Fences” and “Hidden Figures”, to smaller films like “Loving” and “Moonlight”. With eight nominations, “Moonlight” was the most popular choice and it won the best picture award. And although the film doesn’t avoid clichés, the way the story is told is anything but ordinary.
Chiron is an introvert boy, living in a bad neighborhood in Miami, tortured with a pretty tough life. His mother is a drug addict and he is the constant mark of bullies. Director Barry Jenkins introduced Chiron in three chapters in his life, that had a certain turning point: as a kid with the nickname ‘Little’, as teenager and as an adult. Every chapter defines his identity, formed by his surroundings, but also his own hopes and fears.
In the first chapter, Chiron meets drug dealer Juan, who eventually becomes a father figure for him. It’s a bit ironic that the man who’s selling drugs to his mother, becomes an important man in Chiron’s life. Chiron is constantly struggling between the hate for his mother and the love for his surrogate father.
In chapter two, Juan is out of the picture. He passed away, his mother is still addicted and in school teen Chiron is still an outsider only his friendship with Kevin keeps him going. Especially when the two admit their feeling for each other. Unfortunately they age is marked by aggression and early manhood and the duo is dramatically parted.
When Chiron is an adult, he is not the weak boy he used to be. He has become a man of the street, a drug dealer. Despite ,or maybe thanks to, his childhood he follow into Juan’s footsteps. As if he was meant to be there. His mother is sober and waiting for a way to restore her relationship with her son. And when he meets Kevin again, he sees that his life didn’t go the way he was hoping for.
The ingredients of Chiron’s life – drugs, violence, sexuality – don’t sound like anything new. But Barry Jenkins reuses these elements and creates and audiovisual experience that will stay in your mind. It’s the way Chiron’s story is told, the style Jenkins used with color and sound.
While the three chapters about the same character are one story, it almost feels like three separate stories all carried by great performers. Each actor gave his own turn to Chiron, which makes his character feel more realistic.
The actors portraying Chiron get great support from Mahershala Ali and Naomie Harris, who respectively play Juan and Chiron’s mom. Two of the people with a big influence on Chiron’s life.
“Moonlight” is a well-deserved Academy Award winner (even though I preferred “La La Land” that year).

Rating: 4,5 / 5

10s Movie Review - Predators

Director: Nimród Antal
Genre: Action/ Thriller/ Adventure/ Science Fictions
Runtime: 107 minutes
Year: 2010
Starring: Adrien Brody, Danny Trejo, Topher Grace, Laurence Fishburne, Alice Braga, Walton Goggins, Mahershala Ali

Description: A group of elite warriors parachute into an unfamiliar jungle and are hunted by members of a merciless alien race

Review: In 1987 director John McTiernan made the manly action thriller “Predator”. Here a team of American military men, led by Arnold Schwarzenegger, were dropped in a jungle for a mission and ended up being hunted by a killing machine from outer space. There was a less successful sequel, starring Danny Glover. “Predators” is the second sequel, forgetting all the “Alien Vs. Predator” movies. “Predators” never reaches the level of its original, but much better than the second film.
In 1994 Robert Rodriguez was asked to write a sequel, but that script was set aside for fifteen years. In 2009 two new writers turned it into the script for “Predators and Rodriguez became a producer. Nimrod Antal directs, but if Rodriguez had done it himself, it would probably be even better.
Like the first film, it takes a while before we see the hunting creature. Which is a good choice, it holds the tension. They also choose a non-typical action star lead in Adrien Brody. It’s hard to follow Schwarzenegger. So by picking a star that’s not your typical action hero, makes it fresh and original. And Brody does a fine job.
The action is okay, but never special or original. And some characters are plain annoying or unnecessary. But overall, “Predators” is a good sequel and an entertaining action thriller.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 99: Hidden Figures

Director: Theodore Melfi
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 127 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali

Description: The story of a team of female African-American mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program.

Review: “Hidden Figures” is based on true events. About three African-American women who served a vital role in NASA. This inspiring period in recent American history is combined with the systematic injustice that was going on.
“Hidden Figures” is set in the early sixties, a time that is notable because for America’s optimism. The central characters are Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, who each exceed in mathematics and technically do the work that computers do now. But the race difference and the fact that they are also women, constantly put them behind. Even though they excel at what they do.
“Hidden Figures” shows us that it’s not just the so called rednecks that act racist, but also the schooled brainiacs did it, without realizing.
The story is really inspiring and it rubs off because of the fantastic performances by all three ladies. And it’s also great to see Kevin Costner in his role as project manager Al Harrison. He fits the Kennedy era perfectly.
“Hidden Figures” maybe feels a little bit too Hollywood, but it’s a beautiful story that I’m happy to learn about.

Rating: 4/ 5