Top 5 : "Black Mirror" Episodes Season 6

“Black Mirror” is back after a long absence. The sixth season seems to be deliberately breaking away from what the series is supposed to be. Maker Charlie Brooker takes Netflix to task on several occasions. Instead of writing a full review for the season, I will rank the five episodes worst to best, with mini reviews for each episode.
 

5. Mazey Day
Director: Uta Briesewitz
Starring: Zazie Beetz, Danny Ramirez, Clara Rugaard, Robbie Tann, David Rysdahl
This episode charges against unscrupulous, old-fashioned paparazzi terrorizing stars. Rather a look back to the past than an extrapolation of the present, where everyone uses their smartphone to take photos. This episode is set in the 2000s. Bo (Zazie Beetz) is one of these paparazzi photographers, struggling with her conscience when a celebrity caught on camera commits suicide. At the same time, movie star Mazey Day is involved in a hit an run and doesn’t seem to be able to forget about it. Bo sees on the news Mazey hasn’t been seen in a while, making it her mission to find her. And she ends up finding something unexpected. I believe this was the shortest episode and they have more to tell than can fit in 40 minutes. This way, the story feels rushed and unfinished. I did like the unexpected turn the story took, but this episode really suffered from the runtime.
 

4. Joan is Awful
Director: Ally Pankiw
Starring: Annie Murphy, Salma Hayek, Michael Cera, Himesh Patel, Avi Nash, Ben Barnes
The dull, cowardly routine life of Joan, a mid-level tech executive, is thrown into disarray when a streaming service airs a popular show about her life: Joan is Awful. Salma Hayek plays her and re-enacts her daily life. Real-life Joan becomes an outcast and everything goes downhill. This is a very meta and self-mocking mindfuck. It’s funny and crazy and very entertaining. Although poop-jokes are never funny. Only downside.
 

3. Loch Henry
Director: Sam Miller
Starring: Samuel Blenkin, Myha’la Herrold, Daniel Portman, John Hannah, Monica Dolan
Filmmaker Davis (Samuel Blekin) visits his mother in his hometown near Schotland’s Loch henry: he wants to shoot a documentary about an environmentalist. Tourists in his hometown dropped stopped visiting after serial killer Ian Adair kidnapped and tortured people to the death in his basement. Davis’ father Kenny, the local policeman, was injured trying to arrest Adair and later died. Together with his girlfriend Pia, he decides to make this crime story their topic for the documentary. A story with deeper layers and secrets revealed as you go along. It has a slow start, but eventually has some great WTF-moments. Probably the darkest and most disturbing episode of this season.
 

2. Demon 79
Director: Toby Haynes
Starring: Anjana Vasan, Paapa Essiedu, Katherine Rose Morely, David Shields
In this thrilling, at times hilarious episode, a lonely Indian shoe saleswoman (Anjana Vasan) brooding internally over her racist co-worker Vicky (Katherine Rose Morely) cuts her finger on an amulet with runic characters, summoning demon in-training Gaap (Paapa Essiedu). He takes the guise of her idol, Boney M singer Bobbby Farrell, and explains to her that she must kill someone each day for the next three days to prevent an apocalypse. Dark comedy with a bittersweet twist. And I loved Vasan in her role, she was so good.
 

1. Beyond the Sea
Director: John Crowley
Starring: Aaron Paul, Josh Hartnett, Kate Mara, Auden Thornton, Rory Culkin
This was a stand-out for me, what a fantastic episode. Astronauts Cliff (Aaron Paul) and David (Josh Hartnett) are on a years-long space mission in an alternate 1969. To combat loneliness and cabin fever, the duo uploads their consciousness to a replica: an android copy living on Earth with their family. Until David’s family is murdered before his eyes and his replica is set on fire by a Charles Manson-like cult that wants to restore the natural order. Concerned about David’s possible suicidal depression, Cliff occasionally grants him use of his replica. This leads to psychological complications. Josh Hartnett and especially Aaron Paul are very strong on their roles. I was invested in this story from start to finish and the ending went in a different direction then I expected it would go.  
 

 

20s Movie Review - Eternals

Director: Chloé Zhao
Genre: Adventure/ Action/ Science Fiction/ Fantasy
Runtime: 156 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Gemma Chen, Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Kit Harrington, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Ma Dong-Seok, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Bill Skarsgård

Description: The saga of the Eternals, a race of immortal beings who lived on Earth and shaped its history and civilizations.

Review: In the massive, ethnically diverse “Eternals, no less than ten new superheroes are introduces to viewers at once. An extremely ambitious project, bit is this really the promised gamechanger for the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
Ajak, Thena, Ikaris, Kingo, Sersi and the others fight against so-called Devians who have long been a threat to humanity and the Eternals themselves. Not that you’ll notice much of that, as the monsters are defeated without much of a fight by a team of heroes with fairly generic superpowers: one shoots lasers out of his eyes, the other rays of light out of fingertips.
But above all, don’t leave too early. “Eternals” takes a little time to get up to speed, because the pace is a little different than you’re used to from Marvel. The film covers a period of around seven thousand years and happily hops back and forth between different time periods and different locations.
The film opens (like “Star Wars”) with a piece of text that rolls across the screen and so we learn that the Eternals have indeed been roaming the universe since the creation of heaven and earth. Of course, this immediately raises an essential question, for why didn’t these primal superheroes help when Thanos decided to eliminate half the world’s population? The answer is really simple: the Eternals were not allowed to get involved.
Although at first this seems to dismiss the matter a little too easily, along the way “Eternals” unrolls a theological head-scratcher that ties in quite nicely with all that has happened before. Arishem, an entity with a body of cosmic proportions, has his own plan for the universe, but it would be a shame to reveal how the Eternals fit into that picture.
Biblival, Babylonian and Greek myths are mixed up and turned into this entertaining Marvel flick. A lot was changed, there are many differences between the comics and the movie ( I looked it up, didn’t know anything about “Eternals”).
It’s almost a surprise that Chloé Zhao directed it. The woman behind “The Rider”(2017) and “Nomadland” (2020), where she used documentary-like style to highlight marginalized groups in society: men who do not conform to the macho ideal, for example, or poor people who are forced to roam their own country as nomads. Her idiosyncratic way of filming is nowhere to be found this time.
“Eternals” is not a failure, but certainly hasn’t become the gamechanger we were promised. The film has a lot going on, many characters, but only a few get enough attention to understand their motivations or sympathize with them. Many characters you just want to get to know better and with the long runtime you expect there is enough time to do so. But sadly, a lot of the characters are still  underdeveloped.  

Rating: 2,5/ 5

Movie Review - Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard

Director: Patrick Hughes
Genre: Action/ Comedy/ Crime
Runtime: 117 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek, Morgan Freeman, Antonio Banderas

Description: The bodyguard Michael Bruce (Ryan Reynolds) continues his friendship with assassin Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson) as they try to save Darius’ wife Sonia (Salma Hayek).

Review: As much as I liked “The Hitman’s Bodyguard”, it didn’t exactly scream for a sequel. On the other hand, buddy action comedies are extremely rare these days (gosh, I miss those 80s and 90s buddy cop movies), so if capitalizing on this mild success is the only way to keep this type somewhat alive: so be it. “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” still had a solid trump card that wasn’t fully played: Salma Hayek as the scene-stealing wife of the titular hitman. So it makes sense that her supporting role has been upgraded to one of the three leads and she has been given a prominent place not only on the poster, but even in the title.
This time, bodyguard Michael Bryce not only gets stuck with hitman Darius Kincaid, but also with his equally disturbed wife Sonia. This development manages to shake p the dynamic quite a bit. Where Bryce and Kincaid were still equivalent opposites in the first part, this time Bryce is in the minority. He is at the mercy of a couple who behave like children, but treat him as is he were their child. Of course, the coarse -tongued Sonia gets all the attention, to which actress Salma Hayek gives herself over with visible pleasure. Fortunately, the bond between Bryce and Kincaid is not completely forgotten. And while the events of the first film may have created some mutual respect between the two, it by no means mean that they are friends now.
Whereas the first part was set in Western Europe, part two is set in the Mediterranean territory, playing on the tension between Greece and the European Union. Now I’m sure that relationship is still no optimal, but this plot point would have been a lot more topical ten years ago.
“Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard” is flat, nonsensical and lacks the straightforwardness of its predecessor. It’s a fairly easy fill-in-the-blanks exercise that hardly deviates from what made the first part so successful. And yet, again, there isn’t too much to dislike. The actors have fine chemistry, there are some solidly executed chases, and while not every joke hits the mark, there are plenty that will make you laugh. In other times, a film like this would probably have been casually tossed aside as a pointless interlude, but in a time when lavish blockbusters rule the roost, this kind of unpretentious entertainment may deserve a little more benefit of the doubt.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

90s Movie Review - Fair Game

Director: Andrew Sipes
Genre: Action/ Thriller
Runtime: 91 minutes
Year: 1995
Starring: William Baldwin, Cindy Crawford, Steven Berkoff, Christopher McDonald, Miguel Sandoval, Salma Hayek, Dan Hedaya

Description: Max Kirkpatrick (William Baldwin) is a cop who protects Kate McQueen (Cindy Crawford), a civil law attorney, from a renegade KGB team out to terminate her.

Review: On her morning run, attorney Kate witnesses a shooting. While at the police office, being interviewed by detective Max Kirkpatrick, she doesn’t even think much of what happened and doubts it was even a shooting. Not much later, Kate is attacked by an assassin. Max make it his job to protect her and get the people targeting Kate.
“Fair Game” is a fast-paced and loud action film, by debut director Andrew Sipes, but also acting debut for Cindy Crawford.
The film is somewhat entertaining, but overall very illogical and messy. And extremely sexist too. Crawford was nominated for three Razzie-awards for her role in this film. Which is quite understandable. She isn’t a good actress. And this movie isn’t good either.

Rating: 2 / 5

10s Movie Review - Muppets Most Wanted

Director: James Bobin
Genre: Comedy/ Adventure/ Family/ Musical/ Crime
Runtime: 112 minutes
Year: 2014
Starring: Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey, Ty Burrell, Zack Galifianakis, Tom Hiddleston, Ray Liotta, Danny Trejo, Christoph Waltz, Josh Groban, Céline Dion, Peter Serafinowicz, Usher Raymond, Salma Hayek, Stanley Tucci, Lady Gaga, Chloë Grace Moretz, Hugh Bonneville, Tom Hollander

Description: While on a grand world tour, The Muppets find themselves wrapped into an European jewel-heist caper headed by a Kermit the Frog look-alike and his dastardly sidekick.

Review: In 2010 The Muppets made their comeback with an amazing film that was filled with humor, emotion and great music. Off course there had to be another sequel, hoping for that same success.
In “Muppets Most Wanted” the Muppets go on a world tour, led by Dominic. They don’t know that Dominic actually has some evil plans, he is the right hand of Constantine, the most dangerous frog in the world and Kermit’s doubleganger. During the tour, Dominic makes sure Kermit and Constantine switch places. Constantine will tour with the Muppets and Kermit will be send to the Goelag. This way Constantine and Dominic can plan big heists in each city the visit.
The movie starts with a fun song about sequels, mocking Hollywood and themselves. Sequels are never as good, but bring in the money. This is also the fact for “Muppets Most Wanted”. It’s never the same level as “ The Muppets” from 2011. It’s still a fun movie, with lots of humorous moments and fun cameos. And the songs are fun too.
I likes Ricky Gervais as villain Dominic and I especially loved Ty Burrell as the French Interpol agent. And I have to admit, The Muppets always make me smile. No matter what.

Rating: 3 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 100: The Hitman's Bodyguard

Director: Patrick Hughes
Genre: Action/ Comedy
Runtime: 118 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Ryan Reynolds, Gary Oldman, Salma Hayek, Richard E. Grant

Description: The world's top bodyguard (Ryan Reynolds) gets a new client (Samuel L. Jackson), a hit man who must testify at the International Court of Justice. They must put their differences aside and work together to make it to the trial on time.

Review: “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” feels a bit like a buddy action comedy from the 80s or 90s. It’s a shameless and very entertaining film, if you enjoy films like “48 Hours” and Lethal Weapon”.
Samuel L. Jackson plays Darius Kincaid, a hitman that has to testify in an important case. He has to be transported from A to B by Michael Bryce, played by Ryan Reynolds. Off course they are the exact opposites of each other and the transportation doesn’t go as planned.
“The Hitman’s Bodyguard” has some really great action scenes and car chases. And it’s fun to see that most of the movie was filmed in my country, The Netherlands.
“The Hitman’s Bodyguard” feels fresh, it’s an old fashioned style and well executed action comedy. But then with more violence and swearing, but that’s what you get when it stars Samuel L. Jackson. The humor is great and I loved the dynamic between Reynolds and Jackson. And I really enjoyed Salma Hayek’s role as well.
“The Hitman’s Bodyguard” is so much fun!

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 90: Sausage Party

Director: Greg Tiernan, Conrad Vernon
Genre: Comedy/ Animation/ Adventure
Runtime: 89 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Seth Rogen, Michael Cera, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Jonah Hill, James Franco, Danny McBride, Edward Norton, Craig Robnson, Nick Kroll, Paul Rudd, David Krumholtz, Salma Hayek

Description: A sausage strives to discover the truth about his existence

Review: If you put the creative minds of Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and Jonah Hill together, before you know it you get another hilarious concept. And I think there had to be some weed involved when the idea for “Sausage Party” was born. An animation about talking food, that has to run before they get eaten. It sounds super weird and it somehow is, but it’s damn funny.
“Sausage Party” is not the kind of animation you want to watch with your children. It’s adult humor. And it’s a giant wink to Pixar and Disney. The food in the Shopwell supermarket starts their day with a song, every day. If people buy them, they are chosen. But none of them know what happens to them. Sausage Frank and bun Brenda happen to fall out of the cart, right before the registry. And soon they are about to find out what their actual fate is.
“Sausage Party” is child unfriendly. It’s politically incorrect, sexist, stereotypical, has unsubtle sex jokes and many food related word puns. There is a very macabre scene where the food finds out what really happens to them and there is off course that so-called food porn at the end of the film. And the fact that the villain in the film is a vaginal shower, says enough.
Rogen and Goldberg give the finger to anyone that claims animation is only for kids and that there is always supposed to be a message hidden somewhere. So you shouldn’t take “Sausage Party” too seriously. What “Sausage Party” is, is original, fun and crossing the line. And I like it!

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 119: The Pirates! Band of Misfits

Director: Peter Lord, Jeff Newitt

Genre: Animation/ Family/ Adventure

Runtime: 88 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Hugh Grant, Martin Freeman, Imelda Staunton, Jeremy Piven, Salma Hayek, David Tennant, Brendan Gleeson

Description: Pirate Captain (Hugh Grant) sets out on a mission to defeat his rivals Black Bellamy (Jeremy Piven) and Cutlass Liz (Salma Hayek) for the Pirate of the year Award. The quest takes Captain and his crew from the shores of Blood Island to the foggy streets of Victorian London.

Review: If you are a pirate or a scientist, eventually it’s all about the fame, the booty or the girl. At least, if we believe “The Pirates! Band of Misfits”. We see how a failed pirate tries to win the ‘Pirate of the Year Award’ and how Charles Darwin discovers a rare parrot.

“The Pirates! Band of Misfits” is a so-called Claymation, made by the companies Aardman and Sony. It gets an English touch because of the voice actors, the absurd humor and the atmospheric streets of 19th century London. The American touch is noticeable because of the movies moral and postmodern humor. Like a 19th century scientist playing around with a Rubik’s cube and funny remarks about the Academy Awards. With that the film is filled with physical jokes and word jokes.

The movie isn’t innovative, but it looks stunning. And “The Pirates! Band of Misfits” is a successful animation with a high entertainment level. That it never lives up to movies like “Chicken Run” and “Wallace and Grommit”, doesn’t matter. We weren’t expecting that.

Rating: 3/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: Gorgeous Women That Got 'Ugly' for a Movie

Hollywood is full of gorgeous, beautiful and radiant women. But the most fantastic ones are the actresses that dare to be ugly for a role. Here are my five favorite transformations.

5. Sandra Bullock in "Miss Congeniality"
Bullock played the tough cop Gracie Hart, who walked and talked like a man before she was transformed into a Miss America contender.

4. Salma Hayek in "Frida"
I think Hayek is every man's dream. She is beautiful, curved and has a sexy accent. The unibrow is maybe the ugliest feature of her role in "Frida".

3. Gwyneth Paltrow in "Shallow Hall"
Although this isn't a very good movie, I really liked Paltrow in this film. Funny thing: when Paltrow started wearing the fat-suit, none of the people passing her would meet her eye.

2. Cameron Diaz in "Being John Malkovich"
It's not just the look that's weird, the character of Lotte is also pretty strange. Diaz with her frizzy hair is very memorable.

1. Charlize Theron in "Monster"
Theron is the most breathtaking actress and that makes it so amazing that she went full on ugly for her role in "Monster". That's what I admire about Theron, she truly doesn't care about her beauty, just about her performance. Fantastic.

They almost made the top 5: Nicole Kidman in "The Hours" and Renee Zellweger in "Bridget Jones's Diary"