Movie Review - The Odyssey

Director: Christopher Nolan
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy
Runtime: 173 minutes
Year: 2026
Starring: Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Robert Pattinson, John Leguizamo, Samantha Morton, Elliot Page, Jon Bernthal, Himesh Patel, Lupita Nyong’o
 
Description: After the Trojan War, Odysseus (Matt Damon) faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens and Calypso (Charlize Theron) along the way
 
Review: With the latest adaptation of “The Odyssey”, director Christopher Nolan proves that classical Greek mythology can still be relevant, and , above all, spectacular. The film has become a visual and narrative masterpiece that relentlessly draws the viewer into an emotional battle of attrition for almost 3 hours. The end result is a grand cinematic experience that balances human drama with mythological action.

“The Odyssey” follows the heroic yet disastrous journey of the Greek king Odysseus, who, after the fall of Troy, tries to find his way back home. While his faithful wife Penelope fights off intrusive suitors at home, Odysseus braves deadly monsters, divine curses, and psychological trials on the raging seas to save his kingdom.

The film excels in its cinematography and set design. The wild, unpredictable seas and the terrifying encounters with mythical creatures are brought to life with a perfect balance of practical effect and CGI. Nolan modernizes Homer’s source material without losing the epic’s authentic, tragic atmosphere.
The prominent American accents of the main cast feels quite out of place in a historical Greet setting at the beginning. The dialect distracted me and felt weird. Fortunately, this was short-lived, after a while it didn’t bother me as much. The performances are so intense and believable that the accent quickly fades into the background.

With this star-studded cast, there is a lot to look for. The performances are very strong and Matt Damon has the difficult task to lead them in this epic adventure film. But he succeeds. But it is Anne Hathaway and Samantha Morton in particular who elevate this film by carrying the emotional core. While the visual spectacle dominates the action, these two actresses provide the much-needed psychological depth and humanity. Anne Hathaway shines thanks to her phenomenal transformation. She commands all the attention with her intense gaze and emotional range. She strikes the perfect balance between royal dignity and the raw, fragile despair of a character tormented by fate. Samantha Morton steals the show with her rock-solid, understated presence. Without resorting to melodrama, she brings a layered gravitas to the screen, in only a single scene. This all shows that “The Odyssey is not just another blockbuster, but also a memorable character-driven drama.

The second part of the film was the strongest. Is focusses more on the character’s internal struggles and the bitter reality of returning home. The cinematography becomes grimmer, the soundtrack gains depth, and the film builds at a perfect pace toward a breathtaking and emotional climax. “The Odyssey” is thus not only a visual spectacle but also a profoundly human epic that leaves an indelible impression.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Review - The Whale

Director: Darren Aronofsky
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 117 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Samantha Morton, Ty Simpkins
 
I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 20: A MOVIE THAT MAKES PEOPLE CRY
 
Description: A reclusive, morbidly obese English teacher (Brendan Fraser) attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter (Sadie Sink).

Review: Charlie is obese and, due to deteriorating health, wants to make one more attempt to make amends with his estranged daughter Ellie. He is severely obese and can barely move around his own house. As a result, “The Whale” plays out only within these enclosed walls.

Brendan Fraser gives “The Whale” a heart and soul. He needs to be in the middle and knows exactly how to hit that spot, making his acting even more impressive. Indeed, it’s difficult to look at Charlie: he is dirty, sweaty, severely obese and he goes on eating unhealthy food. This makes it somewhat difficult to elicit sympathy for him. Because how can you sympathize with a man who won’t let himself be helped?

The film balances this by, on the other hand, providing Charlie with a good character. Someone who sees the positive in you and wants to help other people as far as is still possible in his situation. Because of his poor health, he wants one mor chance to make amends with his estranged daughter Ellie. Director Darren Aronofsky gives Ellie anger and pain and that comes from a place of frustration and disbelief; slowly she must realize that her father does not have long to live. Their dialogues together are vulnerable and the of the film is abrupt. Yet this works.

“The Whale” works because the film deals with this intense subject unbiasedly. For example, we never find out why Charlie does not seek outside help and just continues to live unhealthy. The “why” is not important here. The continuing theme is about the choices you make, how they affect others and the consequences they have. That you still sympathize with Charlie in the end proves that the film possesses a strong emotional core.

The film is based on a play, which is very noticeable. The film feels a lot like a play. It’s a gripping movie, with fantastic performances by Sadie Sink and Hong Chau, but especially Brendan Fraser, who won a well-deserved Academy Award for this role.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 23: Control

Director: Anton Corbijn
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 119 minutes
Year: 2007
Starring: Sam Riley, Samantha Morton, Craig Parkinson, Joe Anderson, Nigel Harris, Nicola Harrison, Toby Kebell, Alexandra Maria Lara, Matthew McNulty, Ben Naylor, James Anthony Pearson, Tim Plester, Robert Shelly, Harry Treadaway

Description: A profile of Ian Curtis (Sam Riley), the enigmatic singer of Joy Division whose personal, professional, and romantic troubles led him to commit suicide at the age of 23.

Review: “Control” follows the (way too short) life of Ian Curtis, lead singer of Joy Division. This was one of the most influential bands of the late seventies. The film focusses on Curtis’ inner demons, not on the musical aspect. It’s different, but works great. But it’s mostly the black and white style and the performances by Samantha Morton and Sam Riley that turn “Control” into the breathtaking and touching film it is.
Ian Curtis wants to step from the English working class life and is inspired by legends like David Bowie and Iggy Pop. Success follows and Joy Division is a fact. Their success grows. Curtis’ home life isn’t doing as well though. He and Debbie married very young and now have a daughter together. The fact that he is away from home a lot and his affair with groupie Annik, don’t make it easy for the married couple. Curtis also has a form of epilepsy and the attacks get more aggressive.
Control is what Curtis wants, but it’s something he just can’t get. The film is based on the memoires of Curtis’ wife. The love she had for her enigmatic and troubled husband is clearly present, but we also get to know his dark sides. The adultery, the fear, the sadness, the insecurity. The film is about Ian Curtis himself, with his home life and band dynamic on the side.
Director and photographer Anton Corbijn made this choice and this is somewhat of an anti-rock film. “Control” stays with the personal portrait of a young talented musician, who died way too early.
Sam Riley has a tough task portraying Ian Curtis, but does this flawless. The same goes for Samantha Morton, who is probably the beating heart of the film.
“Control” is a fantastic film.

Rating: 5/ 5