Movie Review - Luca

Director: Emrico Casarosa
Genre: Animation/ Family/ Adventure
Runtime: 95 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma Berman, Maya Rudolph, Jim Gaffigan, Sacha Baron Cohen

Description: On the Italian Riviera, an unlikely but strong friendship grows between a human being and a sea monster disguised as a human.

Review: Luca is a sea monster who lives on the bottom of the ocean under the strict supervision of his parents. When he meets fellow sea monster Alberto, they transform into humans together and explore an Italian village where their friendship blossoms.
Like Pixar’s previous film, “Soul” (2020), “Luca” is now appearing exclusively on Disney + and unfortunately skipping cinemas.
“Luca” is a lighthearted film, not an outright tearjerker. No big risks were taken and the topic is simple. Just two boys who find support in each other, push their limits and have fun during the summer. It’s so pure, simply enjoying life together. Pixar does add a magical touch to it by making the two boys sea monsters who turn into human boys whenever the step onto the dry land.
“Luca” is refreshingly ‘simple’ in its execution compared to other Pixar films. Which is not to say that there isn’t a deeper meaning behind certain subject. Hidden beneath the surface may be a message that is very relevant today. And when it comes to visuals, it looks stunning as always. The colors are so vibrant, bold and bright.
“Luca” is a fun adventure to dream away with.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Review - The Trial of the Chicago 7

Director: Aaron Sorkin
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 129 minutes
Year: 2020
Starring: Sacha Baron Coehn, Eddie Redmayne, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Alex Sharp, Jeremy Strong, John Carroll Lynch, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Rylance, Ben Shekman, J.C. MacKenzie, Frank Langella, Michael Keaton

Description: The story of 7 people on trial stemming from various charges surrounding the uprising at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois.

Review: Director Aaron Sorkin wrote the script for “The Trial of the Chicago 7” as early as 2007, but due to the writers’ strike in 2008 the film was cancelled at the time. The fact that the project has now been revived undoubtedly has to do with the spirit of the times. The years 2016 to 2020 have brought back the sixties and seventies, with all their public protest and blurring of political norms. So it’s not a bad idea to translate the important stories of that tie to the big screen. Steven Spielberg did this earlier with “The Post”, which zoomed in on the publication of the Pentagon Papers and thus advocated bold journalism to keep politics in check. “The Trial of the Chicago 7” takes a similar approach. And although the filming took place a year ago, the past months of civil protests and excessive police violence have only made the story more topical.
The so-called Chicago 7 are the leaders of various organizations that travelled to Chicago during the Democratic Convention of 1968 to protest against the Vietnam War. Although this protest was meant to be peaceful, it degenerated into a situation in which activists clashed with the police. They are prosecuted, with the accusation of conspiracy on the table. A rather bizarre accusation, since these people hardly knew each other before they arrived in Chicago. But then again, this is not a well-founded lawsuit conducted for the public interest. This is the newly formed Nixon government that will teach those ‘know-it-all hippies a lesson.  
The intriguing thing about the lawsuit is that the defendants represent totally different organizations and in some ways have a very different way of life, even though they were pursuing the same goal with their protest. During the trial, however, the public prosecutor brings them all together, whether they like it or not. However, there differences in attitude to life mean that not everyone wants to conduct the trial in the same way. Some simply want to prove their innocence, while others see the trial as a good opportunity to publicly make the point they travelled to Chicago for at the time. Sorkin wisely does not take sides in this. It is up to the viewer to decided which is the most appropriate way of protest.
“The Trial od the Chicago 7” is probably one of the purest courtroom dramas ever created. For the most part, the film is set in the courtroom and only shows the story in flashbacks when the details are discussed in the trial. This happened mainly with witness statements, in which there is often a jumping back and forth between different angles.
What makes “The Trial of the Chicago 7”especially worth watching is the impressive line-up of actors that Sorkin has at his disposal. It might not be a real star cast, but it’s one of the strongest ensemble casts we will see this year. Mark Rylance is perfectly cast as a passionate and pragmatic lawyer, Frank Langella puts down a deliciously hating judge and Joseph Gordon-Levitt is allowed to elevate the role of prosecutor to something more human than what is usual in courtroom movies. And while is may seem somewhat lazy to present Eddie Redmayne as a good student and Sacha Baron Cohen as a transverse hippie, as idealistic opposites they end up surprising the most. Their acting duel towards the end is a true highlight.
Overall, “The Trial of the Chicago 7” is a really strong film, with a story set in the past is stull topical today. Especially today.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

00s Movie Review: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Director: Adam McKay
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 108 minutes
Year: 2006
Starring: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen, Leslie Bibb, Gary Cole, Jane Lynch, Michael Clarke Duncan, Amy Adams, David Koechner, Rob Riggle, Molly Shannon, Greg Germann

Description: Number one NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) stays atop the heap thanks to a pact with his best friend and teammate, Cal Naughton, Jr. (John C. Reilly) But when a French Formula One driver (Sacha Baron Cohen), makes his way up the ladder, Ricky Bobby's talent and devotion are put to the test.

Review: NASCAR: fast cars driving hundreds of laps on a simple oval track. In America it’s one of the most viewed sports. The NASCAR world was already put in the spotlight with the Tom Cruise film “Days of Thunder” and in the animated Disney film “Cars”. In “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Rocky Bobby” it takes on the comedy genre and the world is brought to us with a big fat wink.
We follow Ricky Bobby, a successful NASCAR driver. At first, everything goes uphill for him. Rocky becomes an egocentric superstar, but eventually ends up in the gutter. And everything that he once had and loved, slips through his fingers. And although this all sounds super cliché, which it is, the film is so entertaining and funny.
Will Ferrell is one of those actors that makes me laugh, no matter what. I just have to look at him and he cracks me up. And surely not everyone likes his humor. If you don’t like Will Ferrell’s films or roles, you don’t like this one either. Because it’s Will Ferrell, being Will Ferrell. The humor is never subtle, yet very hilarious.
Sacha Baron Cohen is really funny as Ricky Bobby’s big rival, Jean Girard. The way he pronounces Rocky Bobby is something that cracks me up constantly, even now, while writing this review and saying it in my head. My dad can do a killer impression of him by the way!
“Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” is definitely not a masterpiece or one of America’s best comedies. But somehow, this movie always makes me laugh out loud and that’s what a fun comedy should do.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

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