10s Movie Review - The True History of the Kelly Gang

Director: Justin Kurzel
Genre: Crime/ Action/ Drama
Runtime: 124 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: George MacKay, Essie Davis, Nicholas Hoult, Charlie Hunnam, Russell Crowe

Description: Australian bushranger Ned Kelly (George MacKay) and his gang flee from authorities during the 1870s.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2025 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 39: A FILM WITH RUSSELL CROWE
 
Review: The story tells the rise of Australian bushranger Ned Kelly and his gang in the 19^th century.
The film has a really strong opening. We see the storyline of Ned growing up. This is the most compelling part of the story. The film has a bold tone and the visuals are beautiful. And the performances are good (Essie Davis and Charlie Hunnam in particular).

The second half really didn’t work for me. It’s less compelling, with less interesting dialogue and a general feeling of emptiness. The modern clothing feels a bit out of place in this historical setting. And the film sometimes feels fragmented, which doesn’t make the story flow smoothly. And the movie just didn’t grab me, especially in that second half.

This movie was not at all what I expected and I was a bit disappointed. Strong start, disappointing finish. A waste of great talent.

Rating: 2,5 / 5

Movie Review - Nosferatu

Genre: Fantasy/ Horror/ Mystery
Runtime: 132 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Bill Skarsgård, Willem Dafoe, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Simon McBurney
 
Description: A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman (Lily-Rose Depp) and the terrifying vampire (Bill Skarsgård) infatuated with her, causing untold horror in it awake.
 
Review: The 1922 “Nosferatu” by F.W. Murnau is an illicit adaptation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”. It’s a chilling masterpiece that overambitious directors had better stay away from when thinking of a remake. Especially after all the countless Dracula films adaptations that add little to nothing to the original story. But director Robert Eggers has proven with movies such as “The Witch”, “The Lighthouse” and “The Northman” that he can do something and has a unique vision. “Nosferatu” is a story that was made for him and the result is worth watching.

The 1922 “Nosferatu” is a silent film that terrified audience at the time. Eggers stays away from the theatrical and operatic style that many vampire movies often use. He does not hide away his admiration for Murnau’s original. But he uses his own style and made a unique and personal work with an original approach.

The story broadly follow that of the classic. In 1838, Thomas Hutter must leave his young bride Ellen behind in Wisborg, Germany, and travel to Transylvania. He must personally hand over the purchase papers of an old property to the buyer, the mysterious Count Orlok. Too late, Thomas realizes that his host is a vampire who harbors an all-consuming love for Ellen. Orlok sails a doomed ship to Wisborg to claim his bride.

Probably the biggest change that Eggers made, is Orlok’s look. Max Schreck was a bald-headed vampire with sharp rabbit-like teeth. What stands out most about Bill Skarsgård as Orlok, is the thick moustache. In the first half of the film, Eggers leaves him mostly in the shadows, but in the second half you see him in more detail.

Eggers uses a monochromatic look, with sometimes scenes fully in black an white. This fits the atmosphere and also Egger’s style. The camera work is excellent. It’s panning, where is doesn’t feel like it’s spinning nor is it stationary.

“Nosferatu” is not a nail-biter, but it is very scary. But the terror is more in the portrayal of the characters, the atmosphere and the way it’s filmed. The shadow especially impressed me and was very creepy. Performances by Bill Skarsgård, Willem Dafoe and Nicholas Hoult are really strong, but it’s Lily-Rose Depp who really delivers a stellar performance.

If you are familiar with Robert Eggers’ previous work and those were not your cup of tea, “Nosferatu” will probably not be for you. If you’re a fan of his style and type of storytelling, you will love this too. Just beware of the gore that is coming.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Review - Juror # 2

Director: Clint Eastwood
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 114 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, Chris Messina, J.K. Simmons, Kiefer Sutherland, Leslie Bibb, Zoey Deutch
 
Description: While serving as a juror in a high-profile murder trial, family man Justin Kemp (Nicholas Hoult) finds himself struggling with a serious moral dilemma, one he could use to sway the jury verdict and potentially convict or free the wrong killer.

Review: Clint Eastwood has stated that “Juror # 2” is his last directorial job. Should this really be the case, he will end his career on a strong note.

Justin is called as a juror in a murder trial. As it unfolds, a memory emerges and gives Justin a serious moral dilemma. Justin begins to influence the other jurors to lean them into a certain direction, which can potentially convict or free the wrong killer.

I didn’t know much about this film, and a huge plot twist is presented to us very early on in the film. It’s best not to know this beforehand, it makes for a better viewing experience. A masterful conflict forms the foundation of the drama, which makes you as a viewer also question what the right thing to do would be, if you were in the position of certain characters.

The film has a slow pace, which works perfectly here. Jurors begin to adjust their opinions, panic grows for other characters. We learn that some of them have specific motivations for forming and maintaining their opinions.

Nicholas Hoult is the lead and does an excellent job. He portrays a likeable family man, who is struggling with morals and ethics, that you can relate to as a viewer. What would you do in his situation? He is strongly supported by Toni Collette, J.K. Simmons, Chris Messina and Zoey Deutch, and even a small role by Kiefer Sutherland.

“The Juror # 2” is not your typical court room drama. It has a good twists, makes you questions your morals and makes you think. And the ending will make you talk about it even more.

Rating: 4/ 5

10s Movie Review - Dark Places

Director: Gilles Paquet-Brenner
Genre: Drama/ Crime/ Mystery
Runtime: 113 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Chloë Grace Moretz, Christina Hendricks, Corey Stoll, Drea De Matteo, Tye Sheridan

Description: Libby Day (Charlize Theron) was only eight years old when her family was brutally murdered in their rural Kansas farmhouse. Almost thirty years later, she reluctantly agrees to revisit the crime and uncovers the wrenching truths that led up to that tragic night.

Review: In 1985, 8-year-old Libby Day witnesses the murder of her mother and sisters. Her brother Ben is identified as the culprit and disappears behind bars. 30 years later, an amateur investigator convinces Libby to delve once again into the evens of that horrific night.

Charlize Theron plays Libby as an unmotivated loner. This makes it very difficult to feel sympathy for her in the first half of the film. Fortunately, Libby as a character begins to come alive more as she confronts her past.

The film uses flashbacks to portray the perspectives of Libby, her mother and her brother. Because of Tye Sheridan’s strong acting, ben’s flashbacks stand out. The transitions are sometimes too abrupt, so the film often jumps into one timeline quickly.

“Dark Places” is based on the book by Gillian Flynn, whose “Gone Girl” was also adapted for film. That film was more successful, both as a book and as a movie. I believe the storytelling in the Flynn’s book works, but in the movie adaptation it is a bit lost.

I believe that “Gone Girl” was mostly more successful because of the director. David Fincher's "Gone Girl" is extremely stylish and atmospheric. That does not mean “Dark Places” is not an entertaining film, and it’s by no means bad. I enjoyed it, it just felt flat at times.

Rating: 3/ 5

20s Movie Review - The Menu

Director: Mark Mylod
Genre: Horror/ Thriller
Runtime: 107 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Holt, John Leguizamo

Description: A young couple (Anya Taylor-Joy, Nichols Hoult) travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef (Ralph Fiennes) has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.

Review: The story of “The Menu” shows how several groups of wealthy people, pay a generous sum for a unique dining experience. This experience if offered by world-renowned chef Julian Slowik on his private island. One of the guest, Margot, feels out of place. And chef Slowik has some shocking surprising on his menu.

This film is best viewed without knowing too much of the plot. This is such a strong, surprising and disturbing film. Great acting performances by Anya Taylor-Joy and Ralph Fiennes. Not a movie for everyone, because it has you literally yell WTF at the end of it. I loved this film, original and weird, in every good way possible.

Rating: 4,5/ 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

Movie Review - Those Who Wish Me Dead

Director: Taylor Sheridan
Genre: Action/ Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 100 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Jon Bernthal, Aidan Gillen, Nicholas Hoult, Jake Weber, Tyler Perry

Description: A teenage murder witness finds himself pursued by two assassins (Nicholas Hoult, Aidan Gillen) in the Montana wilderness with a survival expert (Angelina Jolie) tasked with protecting him – and a forest fire threatening to consume them all.

Review: It’s been quiet around Angelina Jolie for a while now, but in “Those Who Wish Me Dead”, sje takes on the role of the tough Hannah Faber. Hannah suffered quite a trauma while working as a firefighter, where she witnessed a number of people being consumed by flames. As a result, she is, to say the least, a bit destructive: a real adrenaline junkie who performs all kinds of stunts to get a kick out of it and consumes large amounts of alcohol. During the new ‘fire season’ in the vast American forest, firefighters are each assigned their own lookout, in order to assess whether a fire is about to break out somewhere.
Meanwhile, you see how two men break into a house and coldly kill the family living there and blow up their house. Owen sees the images on television ans is shocked. He immediately leaves the house with his son Connor for the only man he trusts, the sheriff in Hannah’s town: his brother-in-law Ethan. But he will never arrive, because the same two killers are after him now. His son Connor manages to escape and ends up finding Hannah, who will do anything to save this boy.
It all sounds exciting, but unfortunately nothing really comes off well. Yes, Angelina Jolie does a great job of portraying the role of the hurt power woman. And Finn Little, who plays Connor does a fine job as well. However, the film jumps around so much that none of the storylines are given time to develop properly. Hannah gets a little background, but that’s it. And the story of Ethan and his pregnant wife is overshadowed too. I would have liked to know more about them.
“Those Who Wish Me Dead” is a film hard to put in one genre. It is a thriller, certainly, but also has characteristics of a disaster movie, as well as a drama piece. Angelina Jolie plays her role with total dedication, but it’s the script that fails. The movie is fairly short for the story they want to tell and the characters they want us to relate to. It is still entertaining in a way, but leaves you with a lot of unanswered questions.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

10s Movie Review - X-Men: Dark Phoenix

Director: Simon Kinberg
Genre: Action/ Science Fiction/ Adventure
Runtime: 114 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Sophie Turner, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, Evan Peters, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Jessica Chastain

Description: Jean Grey (Sophie Turner) begins to develop incredible powers that corrupt and turn her into a Dark Phoenix, causing the X-Men to decide if her life is worth more than all of humanity.

Review: “X-Men: Dark Phoenix” is reportedly the end of the film series, that started about 20 years ago. But it doesn’t feel like a traditional epic end, with a satisfying ending and closure for all the storylines and characters.
The “X-Men” series never had reboots or remakes and it blew new life into the series with the prequels, starting with “X-Men: First Class”. It never repeats itself or reuses storylines, until “X-Men: Dark Phoenix”. Where we see again how Jean Grey becomes bigger than her powers and finds a darker side to herself. This also happened in “X-Men: The Last Stand”. Because of “X-Men: Days of Future Past” Jean Grey could start with a clean sleight, but this film doesn’t use it for the best. There was a great chance her, but they missed out.
The best part of “X-Men: Dark Phoenix” is the acting. This is strong, solid and convincing. And Sophie Turner, who plays Jean Grey, has enough power to stand strong between big names like James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jessica Chastain and Jennifer Lawrence.
Jessica Chastain plays the villain role, which she does well. But there is no backstory to her and her group and her meeting with Jean should lead to something bigger. But it never really goes anywhere. This storyline is almost disposable because it’s written so poorly.
I also had issues with the timeline. This happened because of “X-Men: Days of Future Past” and it makes everything a lot harder to follow. And overall the film is really bland and dull.
“X-Men: Dark Phoenix” is by no means a terrible movie, but it’s probably not one I will ever rewatch.

Rating: 2,5 / 5

Movie Reviews - The Favourite

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 120 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone, Nicholas Hoult

Description: In early 18th century England, a frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) occupies the throne and her close friend, Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz), governs the country in her stead. When a new servant, Abigail (Emma Stone), arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah.

Review: Women in costume dramas are mostly sweet damsels in distress with deer eyes. Films like “Love and Friendship”, “Lady Macbeth” and “The Beguiled” changed that format and showed us powerful women undermining the patriarchal system. Using two things: their intelligence and their sexuality. We can add “The Favourite” to that list too. It’s a sharp and vile costume drama, where three women fight for power.
At the start of the 18th century in rural England: Queen Anne sits on the throne, but struggles with her physical and mental health. She has rage outburst and nobody seems to find a cure for her skin condition. She puts her trust in Lady Sarah, who ambitiously focusses on the war situation with France.
At that same time, Abigail enters the court, as a maid. Because Abigail found a herb that can heal the queen, she becomes a new lady of interest for Queen Anne. Which makes Lady Sarah very jealous.
“The Favourite” is not a righteous costume drama. Words like ‘fuck’ and ‘cunt’ are used quite frequently and the women are extremely vile towards each other. But this all doesn’t lower the class of the film.
The writing is masterful and the way they handle the concept of victim and suspect is exceptional. In all characters you can see both a victim and a suspect. Which makes it hard to feel more sympathy for one character over another. The characters sort of move like pieces on a chess board, constantly changing position on the hierarchical pyramid.
Director Yorgos Lanthimos, who also made “The Lobster” and “The Killing of a Sacred Deer”, is a director you either love or hate. I was a big fan of his previous films and again he amazed me with his style. I like a good costume drama, but this is so different from others in the genre.
The three women, played by Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz, are all excellent. No one steals the spotlight, they are all in that spotlight.
As all of Lanthimos’ movies, “The Favourite” is not for everyone. I loved it!

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 105: X-Men: Apocalypse

Director: Bryan Singer
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 143 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Oscar Isaac, Rose Byrne, Evan Peters, Sophie Turner, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Olivia Munn

Description: After the re-emergence of the world's first mutant, world-destroyer Apocalypse, the X-Men must unite to defeat his extinction level plan.

Review: With “X-Men: Apocalypse”, director Bryan Singer concludes the second X-Men trilogy. It’s Singer’s fourth X-Men film, but the first final film in a series. And Singer delivered a great superhero film.
This time the world’s first mutant comes back and wants to destroy mankind. The X-Men have to join forces again to try to defeat him.
Eventhough “X-Men: Apocalypse” is the final film in the trilogy, started by Matthew Vaughn, the story takes some time to introduce new characters. Well, not really new, because we already knew Jean Grey, Scott Summers and Nightcrawler. We meet their younger versions and how it started for them. This way it doesn’t only feel like a great finale, it’s also a fresh start.
James McAvoy is really good as Charles Xavier and Jennifer Lawrence can exploit her character more in this film. Oscar Isaac is villain Apocalypse and is doing a solid job. Bt none of the actors ever reach Michael Fassbender’s level, who plays Magneto.
“X-Men: Apocalypse” is an entertaining and action packed conlusion in a good trilogy. The movie is over two hours long, but the time passes really quickly. That’s a good sign. I really enjoyed “X-Men Apocalypse”.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 75: Mad Max: Fury Road

Director: George Miller

Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Thriller

Runtime: 120 minutes

Year: 2015

Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Zoe Kravitz, Riley Keough, Nathan Jones, Megan Gale, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Josh Helman, Abbey Lee, Courtney Eaton, Debra Ades, Richard Norton, Angus Sampson

Description: In a stark desert landscape where humanity is broken, two rebels just might be able to restore order: Max (Tom Hardy), a man of action and of few words, and Furiosa (Charlize Theron), a woman of action who is looking to make it back to her childhood homeland.

Review: “Mad Max: Fury Road” is film in its purest form. A movie records moving images and this film is non-stop movement. And movement of the most exciting kind. This movie, directed by visionary George Miller who also made the thirty year old movies with Mel Gibson, is not a movie you just watch. You experience it. And not at home, but on the big screen and with the best sound quality possible. “Mad Max: Fury Road” is a spectacle with a capital S.

George Miller is pretty old school. Ninety percent of the images are actual vehicles and real actors, without any computer animated touches. And you see that. The actors lie, sit and fight in and on the very originally created vehicles. 150 to be exact. The wildest and most creative cars pass you by.

Miller also surprises the audience with his camera work. Sometimes he shoots very low near the ground, where you are right beside the wheels and the dessert sand. In another shot you’re above all the vehicles and get a perfect overall view. Sometimes the camera moves quickly between platforms and vehicles or the camera follows one of the ‘War Boys’. Excellent camera work.

“Mad Max: Fury Road” is set in a post-apocalyptic world, with absolutely no civilization. Tiran Immortan Joe leads it, with his War Boys. He tells his War boys they go to the paradise Valhalla when they die for him. And it works, because they do anything for Immortan Joe. He wants a son, who can take over his work. He captured five beautiful women, who he impregnates. One female warrior, Imperator Furiosa, doesn’t accept that and helps the five women to escape. On their way they meet Max, who helps them.

There is hardly a minute to catch your breath. From the first moment you are sucked in all the action and chases. It sounds exhausting, but Miller manages to keep it interesting the entire time. This is a pure audiovisual experience.

Tom Hardy is a very charismatic actor and is very convincing as Max. His mysterious looks, intimidating movements and effective fight scenes, just great. But it is actually Charlize Theron’s movie, she is probably the most important character in this movie. She is on fire, Theron is amazing in every scene. Although you might think it’s a movie for men, this movie is filled with kick-ass women.

“Mad Max: Fury Road” is pure porn for every action movie fan. It’s crazy, action packed, an adrenaline rush, spectacular and f-ing awesome! I simply can’t fault “Mad Max: Fury Road” The future is bright, Mad Max is back!

Rating: 5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 156: X-Men: Days of Future Past

Director: Bryan Singer

Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy/ Science Fiction

Runtime: 132 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Halle Berry, Nicholas Hoult, Ellen Page, Peter Dinklage, Shawn Ashmore

Description: The X-Men send Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.

Review: In “X-Men: Days of Future Past”, Wolverine is send back in time to stop mutants from going under. The X-Men are threatened by Sentinels, robots who have to exterminate mutants. Many mutants have lost the battle against them and all hope is set on Wolverine. His goal is to stop the inventor from going through with his plans. Wolverine gets help from a young Professor Xavier and Magneto.

Bryan Singer returns as a director, he also directed “X-Men” and “X2”. He doesn’t stay close to the original source material, which could bother fans. Yet “X-Men: Days of Future Past” was very well received by the audience and is so far the highest rated movie in the series.

Again the movie is filled with beautiful special effects, but I did miss the more emotional and personal touch that “X-Men: First Class” had. The focus is on Wolverine, but also on Charles Xavier and Magneto. The connection between Hank McCoy aka Beasy and Mystique, that was a storyline in the previous film, is never spoken of. Actors Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender do work well together and it’s a joy to watch them together.

Although I enjoyed watching “X-Men: Days of Future Past”, it didn’t live up to my expectations. It’s a good looking movie, but it lacked depth.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 61: X-Men: First Class

Director: Matthew Vaughn

Genre: Action/ Drama/ Adventure/ Science Fiction

Runtime: 132 minutes

Year: 2011
Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Rose Byrne, Nicholas Hoult, Kevin Bacon, January Jones, Oliver Platt

 

Description: In 1962, the United States government enlists the help of Mutants with superhuman abilities to stop a malicious dictator who is determined to start world war III.

 

Review: “X-Men: First Class” is a so called origin story, that explains how the lead characters from this well-known series became the people they are now. It’s not based on the comics, so the fans might be disappointed.

Like “X-Men”, this films starts in concentration camp Auschwitz. Young Magneto, who then is still Erik Lehnsherr, suffers under the cruel Nazi science of Dr. Schmidt. In another part of the world is telepath Charles Xavier leading a privileged but lonely life. Erik and Xavier meet each other as adults, in the sixties, where they develop a close friendship. They decide to join forces and form a group with young mutants to protect the world from Dr. Schmidt.

“X-Men: First Class” isn’t flawless. It starts out as a clear and solid story about Xaviers idealism versus a cynical Erik. Halfway through subplots develop and supporting characters are added, who aren’t all interesting enough. Take Emma Frost, who is literally a sparkling character but comes off a bit bland.  You only get  a more closer look at Beast and Mystique, who both struggle with their physical appearance.

It’s easy to forgive these shortcomings, because the movie is strong because of its dark humor, action and special effects. Michael Fassbender is cast perfectly as the charismatic and cynical Magneto. James McAvoy is a bit more timid in his performance, but has manpower enough to make Xavier the powerful and charming man that he is. Jennifer Lawrence is also solid as Mystique, who you see change throughout the film.

I really enjoyed “X-Men: First Class”, a good prequel to the series.

 

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 54: Warm Bodies

Director: Jonathan Levine
Genre: Comedy/ Romance/ Horror
Runtime: 98 minutes
Year: 2013
Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, John Malkovich, Analeigh Tipton, Rob Corrdry, Dave Franco

Description: After a highly unusual zombie (Nicholas Hoult) saves still-living girl Julie (Teresa Palmer) from an attack, the two form a relationship that sets in motion events that might transform the entire lifeless world.

Review: The love between a human and a different creature (vampires, werewolves, aliens) has been done a couple of times. In “Warm Bodies” we can add another one to the list: the zombie. But I’m not going to compare it too “Twilight”, because this movie is just too much fun and the vampire movie just isn’t.
In “Warm Bodies” we see a world where a zombie epidemic has taken over most of mankind. A small group of people stay hidden in the city, with a giant wall surrounding them. We meet zombie R, who has forgotten his name, can hardly talk but is sharing his thoughts with the audience. He falls for the beautiful Julie and wants to protect her from the other zombies. Julie doesn’t trust the situation, but sees that R is different.
“Warm Bodies” is based on a book by Isaac Marion and loosely based on “Romeo & Juliet”. With that the movie is filled with humor and romance and a bit of horror elements as well. Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer have great chemistry. I also love the soundtrack, every song is just chosen perfectly.
“Warm Bodies” is a romantic comedy, but then with zombies. There is a perfect balance between humor and romance. It’s original and fresh and a joy to watch!

Rating: 4/ 5