00s Movie Review - Red Riding: the Year of Our Lord 1974

Director: Julian Jarrold
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 102 minutes
Year: 2009
Starring: Andrew Garfield, David Morrissey, Sean Bean, Rebecca Hall, Eddie Marsan, Michelle Dockery

Description: A rookie Yorkshire journalist (Andrew Garfield) sets out to solve the case of a child murderer.

Review: “Red Riding” is a film trilogy based on a series of books by British author David Peace. At three-year intervals the books paint a picture of a thoroughly corrupt police force in West Yorkshire, in the north of England, during the 1970s and 1980s. Although partly based on fact, the whole concerns a fictional representation of how Peace himself remembers his childhood in Yorkshire. The trilogy was made for British television, which aired for the first time in 2009. The first part is set in 1974.
Eddie Dunford is a young crime reporter for the Yorkshire Post who yearns for a big break. He starts working on a case of a number of missing young girls. The deeper he digs, the more Dunford becomes convinced that the police are withholding information and that the real estate tycoon John Dawson is involved in the disappearance – and most likely murder – of these girls. Dunford takes care of the mother of one of the missing children, but she too knows more than she admits and slowly but surely the young journalist becomes entangled in a web of betrayal and plots, from which he sees no way out.
The plot reads like an intriguing crime thriller and that is how the film can be adequately described. With the understanding that the resolution of the disappearances is not addressed. The purpose of the film is more to give an impression of the miserable life in the village north of England. We get images of Yorkshire that is visually stripped of color. The dark style of the film is consistently carried through in the cinematography, therefore the film is really attractive.
It’s quite the slow burn, but this adds to the atmosphere of the film. And you’re invested enough to want to see the other two parts in the series.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

Movie Review - The Gentlemen

Director: Guy Ritchie
Genre: Crime/ Action/ Comedy
Runtime: 113 minutes
Year: 2020
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Hugh Grant, Michelle Dockery, Colin Farrell, Henry Golding, Jeremy Strong, Eddie Marsan

Description: An American expat (Matthew McConaughey) tries to sell his highly profitable marijuana empire in London, triggering plots, schemes, bribery and blackmail in an attempt to steal his domain out from under him.

Review: After directing some more conventional films like “Sherlock Holmes” and “Aladdin”, Guy Ritchie returns with a movie that is more his style. More than 20 years after “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” Ritchie is back with a type of film that he’s best at. It’s a clever, quick and self-written British gangster film that is fast-paced and never has a dull moment.
A lot of the plot elements in this film a recognizable from movies like “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch”, where it’s about big deals. In “The Gentlemen” this deal is the sale of a British marijuana empire, lead by the American Mickey Pearson. Many people show interest and have their own reasons for it. And that sometimes a machine gun needs to be fired or a fist fight has to happen, only adds to the spectacle.
Like the other aforementioned movies by Ritchie, there are several plots going on. Essential is the one of tabloid journalist and movie director wannabe Fletcher, played by Hugh Grant, who I am thankful for leaving his romcom image aside. He isn’t a gentleman at all and doesn’t mind bribing or blackmailing a drug lord. Fletcher know exactly what is going on in this world and even writes a script for a film. This script is presented to Pearson’s right hand Ray, a gangster played by Charlie Hunnam (these two were definitely my favorite element of the film, they are so good in it). This is the main plot line in the film and is connected with several others. And soon you realize that almost everyone has a double agenda and isn’t as loyal as you might think. A lot of intrigue and betrayal. With that, the film has dry and dark humor, which Ritchie is known for.
The movie might not have the most original story, but if you are a fan of Ritchie’s previous work it won’t bother you. Because it has all the elements that his other crime films had and what make him such a great filmmaker. If you likes “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch”, you will enjoy “The Gentlemen” as well.

Rating: 4 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 32: Non-Stop

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra

Genre: Action/ Thriller

Runtime: 106 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Scoot McNairy, Michelle Dockery, Nate Parker, Corey Stoll, Lupita Nyong’o, Omar Metwally, Jason Butler Hamer, Linus ROache, Shea Whigham, Anson Mount, Quinn McColgan, Corey Hawkins, Frank Deal, Bar Paly, Edoardo Costa, Jon Abrahams, Amanda Quaid

Description: Air marshal Bill Marks (Liam Neeson) springs into action during a transatlantic flight after receiving a series of text messages that put his fellow passengers at risk unless the airline transfers $150 million into an off-shore account.

Review: Liam Neeson got his break with the big audience by playing the role of Oscar Schindler in “Schindler’s List”. Now, in his sixties, Neeson is most known for his action movies. In “Non-Stop” he plays an air marshal.

This air marshall, Bil Marks, has a hard life. He doesn’t like his job and drinks. He gets threats over the phone, where the unknown caller claims to murder a passenger when Marks doesn’t transfer a large amount of money to a bank account.

“Non-Stop” is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. He and Neeson also worked together on “Unknown”. “Non-Stop” is an entertaining movie, with a high tempo and with weird plot twist that seem incredible. But the solid acting by Neeson and the visual flair of Cobet-Serra make it enjoyable. Neeson has a killer charisma. Julianne Moore has a supporting role, but is underused.

I think that this is an easily forgettable movie, because the thriller lacks depth. But for a week night, it’s a good popcorn movie that Liam Neeson fans will appreciate.

Rating: 3/ 5