100 Movie Challenge 2016 - !37: The Neon Demon

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
Genre: Horror/ Thriller/ Drama
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Elle Fanning, Jena Malone, Christine Hendricks, Keanu Reeves, Alessandro Nivola, Desmond Harrington

Description: When aspiring model Jesse (Elle Fanning) moves to Los Angeles, her youth and vitality are devoured by a group of beauty-obsessed women who will take any means necessary to get what she has.

Review: Director Nicolas Winding Refn was really successful with “Drive” in 2011, with which he won at the Cannes Filmfestival. Two years later “Only God Forgives” was critized more, because of the excessive violence and the lack of narrative. “The Neon Demon”, his newest film, got both applaus and boohs at the festival.
The very young and somewhat naïve Jesse moved to Los Angeles by herself, to become a model. Photographers and designers are lining up for her extraordinary beauty and her collegues aren’t happy about it.
“The Neon Demon” is a dark and twisted story about temptation and power. A film about obsession and madness. I once read that it’s “Black Swan” meets “American Psycho”. I can see that.
“The Neon Demon” looks stunning and intrigues the viewer with hypnotizing images and music. The movie has a disturbing twist and it’s a film that will get under your skin.
Elle Fanning does a great job as the leading character. Many scenes in the movie have an artificial feel, but it fits the theme perfectly. “The Neon Demon” never tops “Drive” or even equalizes it, but it’s an original thriller with horror elements.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 83: Bronson

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn

Genre: Action/ Crime/ Drama

Runtime: 92 minutes

Year: 2008

Starring: Tom Hardy, Kelly Adams, Katy Barker, Edward Bennett-Coles, June Bladon, Amanda Burton, China-Black, William Darke, Anna Griffin, Matt King, Matt Legg, Brendan McCoy, Juliet Oldfield, Jonathan Phillips, Hugh Ross, Terry Stone, Joe Tucker

Description: A young man (Tom Hardy) who was sentenced to seven years in prison for robbing a post office ends up spending three decades in solitary confinement. During this time, his own personality is supplanted by his alter-ego, Charles Bronson.

Review: Who is the man who got famous for his violent behavior towards prison guards and fellow prisoners, and got into prison for a robbery that gained him only £26,18?

We see Charles Bronson, who used to be Michael Peterson, as a beast in a cage and a clown on the stage. Nicolas Winding Refn didn’t only choose an interesting man. The angle of Bronson as a celebrity and wannabe superstar, is also a good find.

The movie is dark, yet humorous. Bronson tells the story himself, also while breaking the fourth wall. Images of the prison a switched for Bronson on a podium. This is all in combination with a great soundtrack.

Although the movie starts with heavy images, the movie is a big spectacle with a fast pace and humor. What Bronson really feels or thinks, we never find out. It becomes it little mote clear, but Bronson never really makes sense. And Tom Hardy’s performance is phenomenal. Very well done! Intense, strong and funny.

“Bronson” is a well-made film, powerful and confident and made with flair.

Rating: 4/ 5