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

00s Movie Review - Body of Lies

Director: Ridley Scott
Genre: Thriller/ Action/ Drama
Runtime: 128 minutes
Year: 2008
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Mark Strong, Oscar Isaac

Description: A CIA Agent (Leonardo DiCaprio) on the ground in Jordan hunts down a powerful terrorist leader while being caught between the unclear intentions of his American supervisor (Russell Crowe) and Jordan Intelligence.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2025 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 10: A FILM FROM 2008
 
Review: As Al Qaeda-like terrorists use less and less eavesdropping phones and the internet, the CIA sends spies to the Middle East to gather information using old-fashioned handiwork. Roger Ferris does do at the behest of CIA boss Hoffman in Iraq and Jordan, where he must team us with the head of Jordanian intelligence to roll up a terrorist organization.

This is your typical spy thriller; who is deceiving whom? It is an interesting thriller, full of pace and action. It could have been a little more subtle and the film is a bit too long for me. But overall, I don’t really have strong feelings about this film.

Rating: 3 / 5

Movie Review - The Pope's Exorcist

Director: Julius Avery
Genre: Horror/ Thriller
Runtime: 103 minutes
Year: 2023
Starring: Russell Crowe, Daniel Zovatto, Alexandra Essoe, Franco Nero, Peter DeSouza-Feighoney, Laurel Marsden
 
Description: Follow Gabriele Amorth (Russell Crowe), the Vatican’s leading exorcist, as he investigates the possession of a child and uncover a conspiracy the Vatican has tried to keep secret.

Review: Gabriele Amorth died in 2016 and left behind several books in which he wrote at length about his encounters with possessed people. The priest claims to have exorcised 30,000 demons, but most of the cases involved victims with mental problems. In two percent of the cases, he actually saw an inhabitant of hell control a human being. “The Pope’s Exorcist” is about such an encounter, but soon throws truth into the trash.  

Russell Crowe once starred in Oscar-winning films, and “The Pope’s Exorcist” certainly doesn’t belong in that list. Despite this not being one of his better movies, Crowe does his best to give Garbiele Amorth a warm look, with a raw edge. For example, he drinks alcohol before every exorcism and makes lame jokes, because demons hate them. Director Julius Avery probably also saw the fun in having the Crowe’s Amorth ride around on a Vespa. That was my highlight of the film anyway.

“The Pope’s Exorcist” has little subtlety and transforms in the second half not an outright bad horror movie. The Spanish home of the American family is an overtly haunted house, and the demon who takes over the boy has clearly seen “The Exorcist”. All the clichés pass by and even his confrontations with Amorth feel stale. At the same time, there is a lot surrounding a dark secret of the Vatican, which is definitely the low point of this film, because it feels unnecessary.

Enjoyable, yet pretty bad.

Rating: 2/ 5

10s Movie Review - Broken City

Director: Allen Hughes
Genre: Drama/ Crime/ Thriller
Runtime: 109 minutes
Year: 2013
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jeffrey Wright, Barry Pepper, Alona Tal, Natalie Martinez, Michael Beach, Kyle Chandler

Description: In a city rife with injustice, ex-cop Billy Taggart (Mark Wahlberg) seeks redemption and revenge after being double-crossed by its most powerful figure: Mayor Nicholas Hostetler (Russell Crowe).

I WATCHED THIS FILM FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 11: A MURDER MYSTERY
 
Review: “Broken City” begins with a trial in which private investigator Billy Taggart is charged with murder. Nicholas Hostetler, the mayor of New York City, gets him off by suppressing evidence and preventing a witness from speaking. After all, Billy is a hero since the victim was a rapist. The mayor is well aware that it is an election year and does everything he can to keep the voters on his side. After his release, Billy goes back to work and notes the mayor calls him for a job. Hostetler suspects that his wife is cheating on him and wants to know all about it. Billy indeed finds out that the first lady of New York is having a secret relationship, after which her lover is found dead.
The first thing that stands out is the great cast they managed to assemble for this film. Mark Wahlberg does his tough guy routine perfectly. It may be a copy of previous roles, but why change something that works? Russel Crowe is also in good form. He visibly enjoys his role as a sleezy politician who thinks only of himself. The best moments are the cold scenes between Crowe and Catherine Zeta-Jones, who plays his wife. Their hatred for each other is very visible and it’s a shame they don’t get much screentime together. Other roles are played by Barry Pepper, Jeffrey Wright and Kyle Chandler. Still, despite the fantastic cast, “Broken City” has not become a top-notch film. The story just isn’t engaging enough. It’s clear that director Allen Hughes and screenwriter Brian Tucker have tried to make it a contemporary “Chinatown”, but that level is nowhere met. At times the plot seems to get complicated, only to be too simple again.

Rating: 2,5 / 5

Movie Reviews - Boy Erased

Director: Joel Edgerton
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 115 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, Joel Edgerton

Description: The son (Lucas Hedges) of a Baptist preacher (Russel Crowe) is forced to participate in a church-supported gay conversion program after being forcibly outed to his parents.

Review: Actor/ director Joel Edgerton always pick interesting projects. And “Boy Erased” is one of them. Edgerton directs this drama based on a true story, but also portrays a very important character in the film.
Jared is the son of a Baptist preacher. He is a kind and intelligent young man, with loving parents. When Jared tells his parents he is gay, they send him to a church-supported gay conversion program, to get ‘cured’.
“Boy Erased” is an unnerving story. As a naïve viewer, you watch this story with perplexity. It really touched my soul, deep, seeing how some circles dealt with homosexuality.
The cast is really strong. Lucas Hedges has showed his skills a few times before, but his performance in “Boy Erased” is fantastic. Joel Edgerton as well. But it’s Nicole Kidman who shines most, as Jared’s mother. A great performance.
“Boy Erased” never played in the Dutch theaters, because they thought it wouldn’t be interesting enough for the mainstream audience. I think more people should see this film, it’s excellent.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 87: The Nice Guys

Director: Shane Black
Genre: Action/ Comedy/ Crime/ Thriller
Runtime: 116 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angouri Rice, Matt Bomer, Keith David, Kim Basinger, Ty Simpkins

Description: A mismatched pair of private eyes (Russel Crowe, Ryan Gosling) investigate the apparent suicide of a porn star in 1970s Los Angeles.

Review: Besides a director, Shane Black is also a great writer. While “The Nice Guys” is only his third directed film, he impresses. Like his previous film “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”, this movie has a film noir feel and is a detective story set in Los Angeles. And again it’s fabulous!
The buildup in “The Nice Guys” is a bit more traditional, but the two private detectives in the story aren’t. Holland March, played by Ryan Gosling, is the kind of guy that hates himself. He doesn’t believe he will ever be happy again and blames himself for the death of his wife. March is cynical and funny. Gosling has a surprising talent for physical comedy. Russel Crowe plays Jackson Healy, a more straight forward detective. Probably better at his job then March, but less conventional. Crowe’s character is also very likeable. Angourice Rice, who plays Gosling’s daughter in the film, is fantastic. She is a smart twelve-year-old, who wants to work with her father even if it’s a danger for her own life.
Gosling and Crowe are a match made in heaven. They have great chemistry and good dialogues. Most ‘buddy cop’ films have two cops paired that are very different from each other. The characters in “The Nice Guys” are really not that different and that’s why this movie feels so fresh. It’s a great crime comedy for a broad audience. I love the cynicism, humor and action in this film. “The Nice Guys” is definitely a favorite of the year

Rating: 5/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: Actors Who Deserved an Academy Award

While wathcing the Academy Awards it happened many times that the one I wanted to win, didn't. And I was actually mad about it. Sometimes the actors had already one an Academy Award, but that doesn't matter. Here are my five actors who I think Deserved an Oscar.

5. Tom Cruise in "Born on the 4th of July"
He has been in many great film, but his role in "Born on the 4th of July" is simply the best. Cruise was so convincing and he touched me.

4. Edward Norton for "American History X"
Norton was fantastic in this film, a great performance. And also one of the best films made.

3. William H. Macy for "Fargo"
He was nominated for his supporting role and I think he did a tremendous job. Macy is a master in playing men who you feel sorry for.

2. Russell Crowe for "A Beautiful Mind"
Denzel Washington won that year, and that's fine, but I'm mostly mad that Crowe won for "Gladiator" and didn't for "A Beautiful Mind". I think it's pretty obvious that his performance as John Nash is much better and tougher to play.

1. James Franco for "127 Hours"
I was raging mad when I found out James didn't win the Oscar. This is one of the best performances I've seen in the past 10 years. Amazing. Colin Firth won that year, but he played a British king with a speech problem... come on!

They Almost Made the Top 5: Leonardo DiCaprio for Blood Diamond, Kevin Costner for Dances with Wolves, Samuel L. Jackson for Pulp Fiction

In the Picture: The Characters from "Les Misérables"

Because I recently both saw the movie and read the book, I think it's about time to take a look at all the characters from the marvelous story.

Jean Valjean
Played by: Hugh Jackman
Jean Valjean is a Frenchman who was in prison for 19 years, for stealing a loaf of bread, and finally released. Years later he has made a name, but he has broke parole and is still hiding under a false name. Valjean takes care of Cosette, who he adopted and now raises as his own daughter.

Javert
Played by: Russell Crowe
Javert is a police inspector. His whole life is dedicated to finding Valjean and imprisoning him once again. Nothing holds him back.

Fantine
Played by: Anne Hathaway
Fantine is a struggling factory worker and the mother of an illegitimate child called Cosette. She is fired from the factory, owned by Valjean, and is forced to sell her own hair and her body for money in order to keep her daughter alive. After Fantine passes, Valjean takes Cosette under his wing.

Cosette
Played by: Amanda Seyfried
When her mother is still alive, Cosette lived with an innkeeper and his wife. They didn’t care for her and treated her badly. After Fantine died, Valjean takes Cosette with him and she lives a safe life with him. When she’s older, she meets Marius and falls in love with him.

Marius Pontmercy
Played by: Eddie Redmayne
Marius is a student revolutionary. He lives for his live as a revolutionary, but when he meets Cosette he changes his priority. Marius wants to find her, whatever it takes.

Éponine
Played by: Samanta Barks
Éponine is Marius friend and follows him in everthing. Marius doesn’t know that she is in love with him, but Éponine is heartbroken when she realizes Marius has already fallen in love with an other woman. Éponine is the daughter of the Thénadiers, the innkeepers that used to take care of Cosette.

Thénadier
Played by: Sacha Baron Cohen
Thénadier is an innkeeper and also a fraud. He steals from his customers and lies about everything just to get money. He sold Cosette to Valjean.

Madame Thénadier
Played by: Helena Bonham Carter
She is Thénadiers wife and just as contrived. Madame Thénadier can put up an act, she can manipulate you. She pretended to care for Cosette so Valjean would pay her more money.

Enjolras
Played by: Aaron Tveit
Enjolras is the leader of the revolutionaries, and Marius’ companion. He has one goal and hates the fact that Marius isn’t all in anymore after meeting Cosette.

Favorite Character: Éponine

Best of... Russell Crowe

Russell Crowe is one of my favorites, he's an Academy Award winner and he's awesome. He made a lot of great films and these are my favorites.

"Romper Stomper"
One of his earlier works, where he wasn't that famous yet. But it's worth mentioning. It's about a group of skinheads who are alarmed after they find out that their neighbourhood is changing. Very good film, really.

"The Quick and the Dead"
Sharon Stone is the star of the film, but Crowe also makes a good appearance. This is a fun film too watch, even if you're not a western fan like me.

"L.A. Confidential"
Wonderfull! A movie about corruption and crime among members of the LAPD. Russell plays Bud White, a L.A. cop who bends the rules in order to get justice. I think this was the movie that gave Crowe the Hollywood status he has now.

"Mystery, Alaska"
I didn't see it that many times, because it's never on. But it's such a good movie. About a hockey team in a small town in Alaska who are choosen to host a televised event. It's funny and enjoyable.

"The Insider"
Not a very spectacular movie, but a film where the acting is outstanding. Crowe works opposite Al Pacino.

"Gladiator"
Historicaly not very accurate, but still a very good movie. This one does have a lot of spectacular scenes and also good acting by Crowe.

"A Beautiful Mind"
My favorite Russell Crowe movie. It's actually in my top five. Crowe proves here how good of an actor he is. He's brilliant in his performance as John Nash, just simply brilliant. I still don't understand how he didn't win the Oscar here, because his acting here is even better than in "Gladiator".

"Cinderella Man"
Another boxing movie, allthough the title tells you differently, but a very good one. Set in the 1930's. It's an inspiring and amazing story about a man who never gives up.

"A Good Year"
Not a very special movie, but I liked it very much. We see a different side of Russell and I loved him in combination with Marion Cotillard.

"American Gangster"
Awesome! He forms a great acting duo with Denzel Washington. Very good movie, can't say more about it.

"State of Play"
A team of reporters work alongside a policeman to solve the murder of a congressman's mistress. Very plain, but enojoyable and I liked him with Rachel McAdams.

I haven't seen "3:10 to Yuma" yet and I really want to see "The Next Three Days". I did see "Robin Hood" though and I liked it, but not enough too include it in my best of list.

Movie Tip #36 - A Beautiful Mind

Director: Ron Howard

Starring: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Paul Bettany, Ed Harris

Description: At Princeton University, John Nash (Russell Crowe) struggles to make a worthwhile contribution to serve as his legacy to the world of mathematics. He finally makes a revolutionary breakthrough that will eventually earn him the Nobel Prize. After graduate school he turns to teaching, becoming romantically involved with his student Alicia (Jennifer Connelly). Meanwhile the government asks his help with breaking Soviet codes, which soon gets him involved in a terrifying conspiracy plot. Nash grows more and more paranoid until a discovery that turns his entire world upside down. Now it is only with Alicia's help that he will be able to recover his mental strength and regain his status as the great mathematician we know him as today.

Review: This is one of my top five movies! It's fantastic. Crowe plays the role of John Nash perfectly, so intense. I never understood how he could win an oscar for "Gladiator" and not win it for "A Beautiful Mind". This is his best role ever. And Jennifer Connelly, who did win an Academy Award for this film, does a great job also. She's a very good actress. It is a beautiful movie, worth your while.