Movie Review - Run

Director: Aneesh Chaganty
Genre: Thriller/ Drama
Runtime: 90 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Sarah Paulson, Kiera Allen, Pat Healy, Sara Sohn, Erik Athavale, B.J. Harrison, Sharon Bajer

Description: A homeschooled teenager (Keira Allen) begins to suspect her mother (Sarah Paulson) is keeping a dark secret from her.

Review: Dependent Chloe has been raised in complete home isolation by her mother Diane. She is chronically ill, but is handy with technology and is waiting for an acceptance letter to the University of Washington. In doing so, Diane insist that she doesn’t mind Chloe leaving home, but little by little Chloe discovers that’s not quite true. In fact, ever since she was born, her mother has been controlling everything. Chloe only really discovers that something is not right about her mother’s story when she suddenly has to take a new unfamiliar pill, which seems to have been prescribed to her mother. Slowly but surely, Chloe discovers the oppressive truth.
“Run” is the new fil by Anees Chaganty, the Indian-American director that was also responsible for the surprisingly good “Searching”. Sarah Paulson and Kiera Allen star as the mother and daughter and both really give away a great performance. And since this film centers primarily around them and mostly in one location, the acting is key.
Although “Run” is a bit predictable at times, Chaganty manages to bring everything sot that the film is regularly exciting and tense. And you especially sympathize with Chloe in her struggle to find out the truth.  
“Run” is a strongly acted psychological thriller.

Rating: 3/ 5

10s Movie Review - Ocean's Eight

Director: Gary Ross
Genre: Crime/ Comedy
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Helena Bonham Carter, Rihanna, Awkwafina, James Corden, Richard Armitage, Elliott Gould

Description: Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) gathers an all-female crew to attempt an impossible heist at New York City’s yearly Met Gala.

Review: For those who didn’t know it yet: master criminal Danny Ocean has an equally clever sister: Debbie Ocean. And besides the cast being all-female this time, “Ocean’s Eight” has the same set-up as the other films. This is both a reboot and a sequel to the Steven Sodenbergh trilogy.
Director Steven Sodenbergh acts as a producer this time and Gary Ross takes over as a director. The formula has changed very little. The build-up is practically the same as “Ocean’s Eleven”. The opening scene is exactly the same, only it’s not George Clooney, but Sandra Bullock leaving prison.
Debbie Ocean swears that she leaves the criminal life behind her and she wants to live a simple, good life. As soon as she leaves prison, she  finds her friend and partner Lou. Together they plan a jewel heist and they form an all-female team of a hacker, pickpocket, fashion designer, desperate housewife and diamond entrepreneur. The yearly Met Gala is where it will all happen.  
I think that the cast helps to this film’s success. Sandra Bullock is amazing, she is charming as ever and I love her. She is surrounded by a great group of women, that form a powerful team. And I was amazed by the fantastic costume design, which is hardly ever something I pay attention too. But in this film that really stood out.
It never lives up to “Ocean’s Eleven”, but I enjoyed it more then “Ocean’s Twelve” and “Ocean’s Thirteen”. I found there was no dull moment in this film and it was highly entertaining. I’m just not a fan of the other Ocean’s sequels and I did like this one. I think that’s mainly because I like almost everyone in the cast. Okay, it’s not the most original. Because it is very similar to “Ocean’s Eleven”, aside from the all-female cast and that this time it’s a jewel heist instead of robbing casinos. But overall, “Ocean’s Eight” was a good time.

Rating: 3 / 5

Movie Reviews - Glass

Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Genre: Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 129 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: James McAvoy, Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, Sarah Paulson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Spencer Treat Clark

Description: Security guard David Dunn (Bruce Willis) uses his supernatural abilities to track Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy), a disturbed man who has twenty-four personalities.

Review: M. Night Shyamalan is a very good director, but made some movies that a lot of people hate. He was praised for the thriller “The Sixth Sense” with that amazing twist. And “Signs” and Unbreakable” were also very well received. “The Village” I liked, but most people had mixed feelings. And the rest, we don’t really want to talk about. But gladly in 2016, Shyamalan came back with another amazing film: “Split”. Which was surprisingly tied to “Unbreakable”, from 2000. And with now “Glass” we got a trilogy that no one saw coming.
We already know the character in “Glass”, they were introduced to us in “Unbreakable” and “Split”. I recommend you’d see them before, but it’s possible to watch “Glass” without that knowledge. The story is very interesting and off course we’re all waiting for that twist. And all the films finally come together at the end. Before that, it’s not very clear where the movie is heading. James McAvoy is fantastic in his role, like he was in “Split”. It’s amazing to see his range of emotions and expressions and how easily he goes from one personality to another. He is definitely the highlight of “Glass”. The performances by Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson and Sarah Paulson are also very solid.
The atmosphere in “Glass” is realistic and grim. And in the superhero world, that’s a welcome addition, because they are mostly bombastic and colorful.
“Glass” is a good film, but it could have been great if it got a little more substance. “Unbreakable” and “Split” were definitely better. But I am glad I saw “Glass”.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

10s Movie Review - Bird Box

Director: Susanne Bier
Genre: Thriller/ Drama
Runtime: 124 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Sandra Bullock, John Malkovich, Trevante Rhodes, Sarah Paulson, Jacki Weaver

Description: Five years after an ominous unseen presence drives most of society to suicide, a mother (Sandra Bullock) and her two children make a desperate bid to reach safety.

Review: Netflix brings us “Bird Box”, a post-apocalyptic tale that somehow reminds me of a mix of “A Quiet Place” and “The Happening”. In “A Quiet Place” the creatures aren’t allowed to hear you, in “Bird Box” you can’t see them. And when you do, you will kill yourself (like in “The Happening”).
“Bird Box” is a film with a lot of potential. The central character is Malorie, a woman who tries to find a safe haven for herself and the two children she is traveling with. And it’s difficult, because the have to be blindfolded at all times. If they don’t, they will simply die.
We see that Malorie is pregnant after a one-nightstand and she doesn’t have contact with the father. In the meantime, we hear people talk about mysterious happenings, where lots of people end up dead. Malorie doesn’t believe in it, until she witnesses it herself when her sister kills herself out of the blue. And soon we find out what is happening. If you see ‘it’, you will die. What it is, we don’t know.
After the introduction, “Bird Box” turns into a pretty standard post-apocalyptic survival film. Where a little group of people tries to survive. And we know not all of them will succeed.
Director Susanne Bier succeed in creating that claustrophobic feel. That gives chills. But that’s were the chills stop. This film’s trailer looked a lot scarier. Overall the film has no real scare, jump scares or shocks.
I usually love the fact that you don’t see the monsters or creatures, or at least not too much. For this film, it’s actually a negative. It could have been more scary if you knew a bit more about the creature and you could see what could be so awful that I makes you kill yourself.
Sandra Bullock is very strong in her role, she carries this film.
Like I stated at the beginning of this review, “Bird Box” had a lot more potential, but didn’t live up to the hype. “A Quiet Place” is much better.

Rating: 3/ 5

Movie Reviews - The Post

Director: Steven Spielberg
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 116 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Bradley Whitford, Tracy Letts, Bruce Greenwood, Matthew Rhys, Alison Brie, Jesse Plemons, David Cross, Zach Woods, Pat Healy

Description: A cover-up that spanned four U.S. Presidents pushed the country's first female newspaper publisher (Meryl Streep) and a hard-driving editor (Tom Hanks) to join an unprecedented battle between the press and the government.

Review: It’s a sin to spoil the ending of a movie, unless it’s a film based on historic events. Because you already know the outcome (hopefully). In the last shot of “The Post”, there are hints to the Watergate affair. Due to two journalist of the Washington Post, this scandal came to light which eventually lead to Richard Nixon stepping away from his role as president of the US.
The paper already had a name and fame at that time. And how that happened, director Steven Spielberg shows us in “The Post”, where the journalists get their hand on the so-called Pentagon Papers. These classified documents are proof that the Vietnam war was always doomed to fail. And four presidents knew about it.
“The Post” is still relevant and a nod to Trump. But it also feels like a prequel to “All the President’s Men”, which was about the Watergate affair. But in “The Post” this isn’t as much focus on the case as there was in “All the President’s Men”.
We follow Kay Graham, the first female editor and trying to stay alive in a man’s world. And the fight that the Washington Post is constant battling agains the bigger paper, The New York Times.
When we see Hanks’ and Streep’s character together for the first time, we think that Hanks’ Ben Bradlee is superior to Streep’s Kay Graham. But in fact she is his boss. That was the role of a woman in business back then. People believe she is only boss because her husband died. Even during dinner, the women have to leave the table when the men talk business. Spielberg manages to picture this perfectly.
I wished there was a little bit more focus on the actual story they are trying to cover. Then this movie would have been even better. And I believe that if it wasn’t for Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep, “The Post” would have been average.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 89: Carol

Director: Todd Haynes
Genre: Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 118 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Kyle Chandler, Sarah Paulson

Description: An aspiring photographer (Rooney Mara) develops an intimate relationship with an older woman (Cate Blanchett).

Review: When adapting a book to film that is a little older, the question is often raised if the story in the movie should be set in the same time period as the book. Is the story universal enough to be situated in this era? For “Carol” they stayed true to that and it was the perfect choice.
“Carol” is about a relationship between two women. Not that special you would say, but it’s set in the fifties. The young Therese is a store clerk and an aspiring photographer. She meets Carol, an older and classy woman. They befriend each other, but the two also start feeling more than just friendship.
Cate Blanchett plays the title role of Carol. She is such a versatile actress. Blanchett convinces as the bored wife with a broken marriage and the need for something new. But also as loving mother. Rooney Mara plays Therese, who is perfect for the wallflower role. Two very different people. That is shown in the scene where the two have their first lunch together. Carol knows immediately what she wants to order, when Therese has no idea and just follows Carol’s lead.
“Carol” is a very solid film, beautifully made and very strong acting.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 41: Martha Marcy May Marlene

Director: Sean Durkin
Genre: Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 102 minutes
Year: 2011
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Sarah Paulson, Hugh Dancy, John Hawkes, Christopher Abbott, Brady Corbet

Description: Haunted by painful memories and increasing paranoia, a damaged woman (Elizabeth Olsen) struggles to re-assimilate with her family after fleeing an abusive cult.

Review: Martha is her real name. The members of the commune she joined call her Marcy May. When women answer the phone they always introduce themselves as Marlene. Martha flees the commune at the start of the film. Completely confused she calls her older sister Lucy. Together with her new husband she has temporarely moved into a summerhouse by a lake. The two sisters haven’t had contact for a couple of years. Lucy doesn’t know what Martha went through.
The cult was led by the charismatic Patrick, who lures people into his commune by telling them stories about complete sacrifice and solidarity. Fear is the most purest emotion, because it makes you aware of yourself. Every new girl has a ‘special night’ with the leader, which really means they loose their virginity and are basically raped by Patrick. Why Martha joins them is still the question. Why she leaves, we see through flashbacks. Sister Lucy doesn’t find out why Martha’s behavior is so strange an why she gets panic attacks. Ted, Lucy’s husband, wants less and less to do with Martha because of her behavior.
“Martha Marcy May Marlene” is the debut of director Sean Durkin. It tells two parallel episodes of the life of the troubled title character. Her reunion with her family and the experiences in the cult. This way of storytelling is very effective in this film. The story unfolds and you eventually understand why Martha is the way she is.
Elizabeth Olsen is fantastic as Martha. Her silence, her introvercy. But then also her hysteria and emotional breakdowns. The focus is on her struggling personality and her reunion with her sister. This gives the scenes in the cult even more tension.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge # 67: Mud

Director: Jeff Nichols

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 130 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Sam Shepard, Michael Shannon, Tye Sheridan, Jacob Lofland, Ray McKinnon, Sarah Paulson

Description: Two young boys (Tye Sheridan, Jacob Lofland) encounter a fugitive (Matthew McConaughey) and form a pact to help him evade the vigilantes that are on his trail and to reunite him with his true love (Reese Witherspoon).

Review: The American saying ‘his/ my name is mud’ is used when someone does something stupid or dumb. And that is exactly what is going on in “Mud”, by director Jeff Nichols.

Some will know Jeff Nichols from the strong “Take Shelter” (2011). In “Mud” the ‘heartland’ of America is again the setting. The story focusses on the young boy Ellis, who spends time in the outdoors of Arkansas with his friend Neckbone. During one of their adventures, Ellis and Neckbone find a boat stuck in a tree. While investigating the boat, they come to the conclusion someone is living there. When they go back to their own boat, they meet a strange man. He introduces himself as Mud. Mud is the one living in the boat. Because the boys really want the boat, Mud agrees. But first they have to do him a favor.

“Mud” was already a success at the 2012 Cannes film festival. Just like “Take Shelter”, “Mud” is a truly amazing film. Matthew McConaughey really impresses. I’ve come to love this actor over the years. He is finally getting the right roles and films. The rest of the cast, Reese Witherspoon, Michael Shannon and Sam Shephard, all perform at a high level. But the most welcome surprise is the young duo Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland.

“Mud’ can be compared to movies like “No Country for Old Men” when it comes to atmosphere. Some might find it slow, but eventually it comes together.

I’m truly looking forward to Jeff Nichols’ next project, because I really enjoyed “Mud”.

Rating: 4,5/ 5