Movie Review - Twisters

Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Genre: Action/ Adventure
Runtime: 122 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, Maura Tierney
 
Description: Kate Carter (Daisy Edgar-Jones), a retired tornado-chaser and meteorologist, is persuaded to return to Oklahoma two work with a new team and new technologies.

Review: “Twister” came out in 1996, directed by my fellow Dutchie Jan de Bont. Even though it was never a masterpiece, the visual effects of the disaster film about a bunch of tornado chasers was groundbreaking at the time. I don’t know the details of how they decided to make a sequel so long after “Twister”. I don’t believe anyone was asking for it, nor did we need it. And it is not linked to the 1996 film either. But, surprisingly, I absolutely loved this film. “Twisters”: the sequel no one knew they needed.

After tornado-chaser Kate Carter lost her friends to a powerful tornado, she leaves Oklahoma for New York to work as a meteorologist in an office. Save, far away from the actual tornados. Five years later, fellow survivor Javi convinces her to get back on the road in Oklahoma anyway. In fact, he helped develop equipment in the military that can capture powerful tornadoes in 3D. Placing these instruments is quite an undertaking, though. Moreover, Kate still has plans for an experiment to pull the moisture out of the whirlwinds to kill the weather phenomenon.

In the original, the tornado-chasers were thwarted by commercially challenged cowboys. This time it’s YouTuber Tyler Owens. His crew seems to want to make money from the tornados that draw many tourists to the areas. But, there is more then meets the eye.

Scientifically this sequel is very good and so is the technical aspect. The actions scenes are and look spectacular, even in repeat sequence. Although this time there are now flying cows, the aerial parts look even more threatening and realistic.

The screenwriters efforts to add body to the story and characters also worked. It impresses when he is shown the unimaginable misery of tornado victims. The fact that Kate and her fellow chasers are not blind to this is significant, and furthermore, it also exposes the fact that not everyone is so humanitarian. As a viewer, you get to look at certain characters and their motives differently. And you would be surprised by some of them.

But, it’s still, for the most of it, a disaster film with a high entertainment level. A movie which I can see myself rewatching, probably more then once. Absolutely loved this movie, and I’m so surprised I did.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

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

10s Movie Review - The Report

Director: Scott Z. Burns
Genre: Crime/ Drama
Runtime: 119 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Adam Driver, Annette Bening, John Hamm, Ted Levine, Tim Blake Nelson, Maura Tierney, Corey Stoll, Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Morrison

Description: Idealistic Senate staffer Daniel J. Jones (Adam Driver), tasked by his boss to lead an investigation into the CIA’s post 9/11 Detention and Interrogation Program, uncovers shocking secrets.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 20: A FILM WITH A STRON POLITICAL OR SOCIAL MESSAGE
 
Review: In the years following the 9/ 11 attacks, it slowly but surely became clear that the US had little to fear in the war on terrorism. The CIA engaged in gross torture techniques on a large scale in order to extract information from often innocent suspects. “The Report” shows how one drive investigator brought the world’s most advanced intelligence agency to its knees.

Dan Jones is a young man with sky-high ambitions. When Senator Dianne Feinstein gives him the task of working with an independent team to investigate the CIA’s post-9/11 interrogation techniques, he bites the bullet. What he discovers bit by bit is unsettling and not for the faint of heart. The CIA saw little in the conventional interrogation techniques of Arabic-speaking agents who slowly tried to gain the trust of suspects. Two psychologists introduce new techniques, that they claim are scientific proof of more effective interrogating methods.

This is just the beginning. Whereas the CIA was initially cooperative, as Jones discovers more, of course, more and more doors are closing. Meanwhile, the investigative team he started with is thinning out. His colleagues no longer see any point in a mission doomed to failure. But Jones continues stoically.  

Adam Driver has already shown that he can play a wide range of roles. But he was made for this film. I think the film could have turned out a lot different with another lead actor. “The Report” may feel a bit ‘dry’ sometimes. It’s a lot of facts. Driver manages to create a character that you really want to succeed, even though he doesn’t show a lot of emotions. At least at first. Jones is a very stoic, pragmatic man, but when he gets deeper in the investigation, emotions do arise and that makes Driver’s performance even more impressive.

Unlike many American political films, for once it does not point exclusively at the Republicans. “The Report” is a very anti-America film if I may say so. But it’s still a political drama of integrity in the tradition of films like “All the President’s Men” and “Spotlight”.

The political drama is a sub-genre that might not speak to everyone. I happen to be drawn to it. Political intrigue keeps my attention and with “The Report” I was invested from start to finish. I can’t believe nobody talked about this film when it came out. At least, I didn’t hear a lot about it.

Rating: 4,5 / 5

10s Movie Review - Beautiful Boy

Director: Felix van Groeningen
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 112 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Steve Carell, Timothée Chalamet, Maura Tierney, Amy Ryan

Description: A heartbreaking and inspiring experience of survival, relapse and recovery in a family coping with addiction over many years.

Review: “Beautiful Boy” relentlessly portrays the effect of addiction on family and surroundings. With the huge opiate crisis plaguing the United States, “Beautiful Boy” about a son who becomes addicted to drugs will hit like a bomb. It’s based on the memoirs of father and son David and Nic Sheff. Nic’s books are about the addiction itself, while his father’s books are more about the effect this addiction has on the rest of the family. Director Felix van Groeningen brings these two perspectives together in “Beautiful Boy”, resulting in a deeply moving film. Rarely has the subject of addiction in American film been so sincerely told without completely demonizing or romanticizing the addict and drugs.

David Sheff is a successful journalist who lives with his second wife and their two children in a beautiful house in a woodland area. Nic, Davids son from his first marriage, also lives with them. He spends most of his time in his room. David is hopeless when his son has not come home for several days. When Nic finally does come home, it is soon clear that he is on drugs. Nic eventually goes to rehab and after this, he decides to go to college. But he relapses. What follows is a cycle of recovery and relapse to the drugs that seem to have no end. this cycle has been portrayed impressively. Each time Nic reaches for the drugs again makes you gasp. “Beautiful boy” grabs you by the throat, gives you a brief respite only to tighten the grip around your neck.

Belgian director Felix van Groening feels perfectly at home in Hollywood, with his first English-language film. He already showed his talent, with especially “The Broken Circle Breakdown”. Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet are the stars of the film. Chalamet perfectly captures the smallest of emotions and proves again that he is one of the greatest talents in Hollywood. Carell also plays excellently here as a concerned father who seems to be succumbing to his son’s addiction. Consequently, the most heartbreaking scenes are the interactions between father and son. Van Groeningen brings out the very best in his actors. The strength of “Beautiful Boy” is that at no point does it make moral judgments about the user and the drugs.

“Beautiful Boy” is full of raw emotion, but eventually lapses into repetition. Of course, this shows well the cycle of addiction, but at the cost of the rawness. But that is really the only point of critique I have. Overall, this is a heartbreaking story with fantastic performances by both Chalamet and Carell, who play off of each other very well and are great separate as well.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

90s Movie Review - Primal Fear

Director: Gregory Hoblit
Genre: Drama/ Thriller/ Crime/ Mystery
Runtime: 129 minutes
Year: 1996
Starring: Richard Gere, Edward Norton, Laura Linney, John Mahoney, Alfre Woodard, Frances McDormand, Maura Tierney, Andre Braugher, Terry O’Quinn, Steven Bauer

Description: An alter boy (Edward Norton) is accused of murdering a priest, and the truth is buried several layers deep.

Review: In Chicago, when an archbishop is murdered in cold blood, alter Boy Aaron Stampler is seen fleeing from the scene covered in blood. It’s as clear is day, but lawyer Martin Vail is eager to take on the defense. He likes cases that will generate a lot of media attention. His charming ex Janet is the prosecutor on the case. But it’s a tough job: the stuttering defendant is a wimpy kid, but was covered in blood.

“Primal Fear” is an exciting thriller, not just set in the courtroom. It’s one of Richard Gere’s best roles and Edward Norton’s first. And especially Norton impresses and he gives away an unforgettable performance. Norton deservedly received an Oscar nomination for his supporting role and knowing that Cuba Gooding Jr. won for “Jerry Maguire” that year, I believe Norton should have won it. He has not won an Academy Award to date, Norton is one of the finest actors out there, and already proved that in his first film.

The film has tension and is investing from start to finish. It has some surprising plot twist, midway and at the end, that blew my mind when I first saw it. But it still impacts after a rewatch. A very good thriller.

Rating: 4,5/ 5