Movi Review - To Catch a Killer

Director: Damian Szifron
Genre: Thriller/ Crime/ Drama/ Action
Runtime: 119 minutes
Year: 2023
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Ben Mendelsohn, Jovan Adepo, Ralph Ineson
 
Description: Baltimore. New Year’s Eve. A talented but troubled police officer (Shailene Woodley) is recruited by the FBI’s chief investigator (Ben Mendelsohn) to help profile and track down a disturbed individual terrorizing the city.

Review: A good cop thriller needs an interesting detective duo with chemistry. A recognizable and atmospherically portrayed setting, be it a small town or the big city. And, of course, an enigmatic killer whose motive and identity are unraveled in the course of the film through good detective work. Precisely on this last point, notwithstanding the title, things go wrong in “To Catch a Killer”.

While this atmospherically shot film does begin promising. On New Year’s Eve, twenty-nine people are shot dead in Baltimore by a sniper. There seems to be no connection between the victims. The FBI is flown in an the case comes under the direction of agent Geoffrey Lammark, exactly the kind of hardboiled detective we know from this type of movie. During the investigation, he scouts local police office Eleanor Falco as his assistant.

Even though Ben Mendelsohn and Shailene Woodley are both amazing performers, together they do not work. They have no chemistry whatsoever and for some reason I never buy Woodley as a cop. At least not the chosen cop to be assisting the FBI on such a huge case.

The film has some boring moments. If the characters were more interesting, the more quiet scenes would have been much more engaging.  The plot suffers from too much randomness and implausible twists and turns. This becomes especially evident in the finale where we learn who the killer is and what motivates him. It turns out to be downright disappointing. I understand why this film never reached Dutch cinemas.

Rating: 2/ 5

20s Movie Review - The Mauritanian

Director: Kevin Macdonald
Genre: Drama/ Crime/ Thriller
Runtime: 124 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Jodie Foster, Benedict Cumberbacth, Shailene Woodley, Tahar Rahim

Description: Mohamedou Ould Slahi (Tahar Rahim) fights for freedom after being detained and imprisoned without charge by the U.S. Government for years.

Review: “The Mauritanian” tells the story of Mahamedou Ould Slahi, who was imprisoned for may years, without every being charged with anything. Nancy Hollander is a tough, old school lawyer, specialized in civil rights law. She doesn’t care if Slahi did it or not, all she knows is that even he deserves legal defense. On the other end of the spectrum is military prosecutor Stuart Couch, who los someone to 9/ 11 himself. He has a personal grudge against the defendant and will do anything to give him the punishment he deserves.  
The way Slahi’s story is shaped is based on the writings that the real Slahi had published as “Guantánamo Diary”. Even during his imprisonment. He is candid and suspicious, help-seeking and strong. And Tahar Rahim does an excellent job portraying this role. Jodie Foster is solid as ever.
Even though this true story is eternally relevant, it did come out a bit too late I believe. Not only is Bush long gone. It’s message is not loud enough to draw the right attention. I would have drawn more attention a few years back. But even with that being said, “The Mauritanian” is a movie worth watching.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

10s Movie Review - Allegiant

Director: Robert Schwentke
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 120 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz, Naomi Watts, Theo James, Miles Teller, Maggie Q, Jeff Daniels, Ansel Elgort, Bill Skarsgård

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2020 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 35: A DYSTOPIAN MOVIE

Description: After the earth-shattering revelations of “Insurgent”, Tris (Shailene Woodley) must escape with Four (Theo James) beyond the wall that encircles Chicago, to finally discover the shocking truth of the world around them.

Review: The “Divergent” series has so far followed the practically all the conventions of the young adult genre. The third and final book was supposed to be two films, but the second half will be a series instead.
“Insurgent” worked mainly as an aftermath of the events of the first film and the setups for future parts were rather brief. In the final part the dictatorial faction system of a futuristic Chicago collapsed after it became clear that this society was an experiment to restore humanity. Or something like that. The main point was that the oppressed Divergents were not a problem but the solution for a peaceful future. As if you would expect something different from a film series that appeals mainly to insecure teenagers.
This hopeful end is turned upside down in the first minute of “Allegiant”. Freed from a totalitarian regime, the inhabitants of walled Chicago flock to the gates to explore the outside world. Unfortunately, their new leader doesn’t like it and locks things up. Typical case of meeting the new boss who happens to be the same as the old boss they initially hated. Of course ‘messiah’ Tris doesn’t care about such measures, so she tried to escape with a group of companions. Soon it turns out that keeping the gates closed wasn’t such a crazy idea; the outside world is a radioactive wasteland in which it’s hard to survive. Fortunately, the company is taken care of by those who run the Chicago experiment.
It is praiseworthy that a film series that has never surpassed mediocrity before doesn’t demand the same angelic patience from the viewer in this film. There are enough plot developments and well filmed action scenes for two hours. However, the CGI and special effects often look really bad, where both previous movies did look really beautiful.
The story offers few surprises and the look of the film is rather uninspiring. The movie is even at times a bit dull.
Also in terms of characters, not a lot new is offered. Main character Trisonce again gets a chance to save mankind and the contribution of her boyfriend Four is mainly of shooting and kicking people to the ground. Peter on the other hand does provide some cool moments. He was just an annoying character in the first film, now he has developed into an unpredictable wildcard.
“Allegiant” is definitely the least of the series, that wasn’t all that great to begin with.

Rating: 2/ 5

10s Movie Review - Insurgent

Director: Robert Schwentke
Genre: Adventure/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 119 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Miles Teller, Jai Courtney, Naomi Watts, Ansel Elgort, Kate Winslet, Maggie Q, Zoë Kravitz, Ray Stevenson, Octavia Spencer, Suki Waterhouse, Daniel Dae Kim, Mekhi Phifer

Description: Beatrice Prior (Shailene Woodley) must confront her inner demons and continue her fight against a powerful alliance which threatens to tear her society apart with the help from others on her side.

Review: The fact that many have had enough of the seemingly endless stream of Hollywood movie sof successful YA books is not incomprehensible. However, the current young adult hype has a pleasant downside: the similarities of the many productions force comparisons to be made. For example: “The Divergent” series is very easy to compare to the series of “The Hunger Games”. Both series have a lot in common in terms of story and design, but where “The Hunger Games” addresses some relevant contemporary issues, “Divergent” has no much to offer than what can be seen on the surface. The latter inadvertently contributes to the foundation of the throne on which “The Hunger Games” currently sit.
However, when the first film released in 2014 was it turned out to actually be pretty good and quite enjoyable. After all, “Divergent” was a lot better to digest than “The Host” or “Mortal Instruments” and also a lot more lucrative, even if it was not a resounding success. Enough basis to film the remaining books of Veronica Roth’s trilogy. Because there’s no time to waste, the film’s first follow-up is released just one year after the first.
At the start of “Insurgent”, Tris, her boyfriend Four, her brother Caleb and former opponent Peter appear to have been blamed by the responsible oppressors for the massacre that ended the first film. This leaves them nothing but fugitives through post-apocalyptic Chicago, constantly searching for new hiding places. That brings them to some factions that haven’t been seen before, as well as to the Factionless, which turns out to be not nearly as helpless as previously suggested.
Although this second part still doesn’t reach the level of any of “The Hunger Games” movies, “Insurgent” is on many points a good quality film. Now that all the explanations are behind us, the story movies into a higher gear, resulting in a pleasantly smooth movie that hardly repeats itself in the first part. There is plenty of visual spectacle, but fortunately the characters all get a little more to do this time as well. Not every development works equally well, but thanks to some fine surprises, replacement director Robert Schwentke holds the viewer’s attention well. Perhaps the most pleasant element of “Insurgent” is that it’s not just another typical interlude that only serves to set things up for the grand finale. This part is mainly about the aftermath of the previous film and the makers don’t seem to want to occupy themselves too much with future films. This means, among other things, that some plot lines are already neatly ended and some characters disappear from the stage for good as a result.
I think “Insurgent” did a pretty good job in continuing in this series.

Rating: 3/ 5

TV Show Review - Big Little Lies (Season 2)

Season: 2
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Number of episodes: 7
Year: 2019
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz, Laura Dern, Meryl Streep, Adam Scott, Alexander Skarsgård, James Tupper

Description: After the death of Perry, the five women involved are all dealing with it in their own way. And new problems form for each of them.

Review: What can you say about an unnecessary second season to a good show, that got so many nominations and prizes. How can I explain to you that the second season of “Big Little Lies” didn’t need to happen, but was so good that it really doesn’t matter. The second season is really good and Meryl Streep steals the show.
Streep does everything well, as Celeste’s mother-in-law, with her snappy returns and sharp one-liners. Her Mary Louise Wright has a sad background and this reflects on her and the people around her. The mother of the deceased Perry moves in with Celeste, to help her with the twins. But she is actually there to find out what really happened to Perry. And when she finds out about Ziggy, who is also Perry’s son, Mary Louise doesn’t go easy on Jane either.
It’s off course not just Streep, the rest of the cast is sublime as well. The storylines are good, as are the scripts and the direction. Bonnie is going through an emotional rollercoaster, Renata has to deal with bankruptcy and Madeline and Ed are facing a rough patch. But what this season is mostly about is dealing with loss, the past, the present and pain.
The first season was good and it ended well. It was good the way it was, so it didn’t need a second season. But now I am very happy that there is a second season, because it’s such a joy to watch all those strong actresses perform at their very best.
The ending could suggest a third season, but that is very unlikely.

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 143: White Bird in a Blizzard

Director: Greg Araki

Genre: Drama/ Thriller

Runtime: 90 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Shailene Woodley, Eva Green, Christopher Meloni, Shiloh Fernandez, Angela Bassett, Thomas Jane, Gabourey Sidibe

Description: In 1988, a teenage girl's (Shailene Woodley) life is thrown into chaos when her mother (Eva Green) disappears.

Review: “White Bird in a Blizzard” is a genre mix of thriller and drama, with an okay result. It’s the fall of 1988 when Eve, mother of the rebelling teenager Kat, disappears. Nothing leads to a crime and soon father and daughter have to adapt to the new situation. Although Kat doesn’t really get any support from her sexy yet dull boyfriend Phil, she starts to see the much older macho cop Scieziesciez (I always hate it when a character has a name I can’t pronounce). The investigation gets a new impulse when Kat returns from college in 1991.

The story is brought to us in flashbacks. Here we see how Kat’s mother changed in the last months before her disappearance. Did she have an affair? Was she planning on running away? The search for the truth and the performances by Eva Green and Shailene Woodley are the best part of the film.

Less successful is the character development. There is a lack of depth in characters. In “White Bird in a Blizzard” we don’t see a lot of character development, we are stuck on the surface. There are hints and you feel that there is longing and frustration, but it never becomes really clear. This makes it hard to relate to the characters.

Even without this element, it’s an easy to watch thriller/ drama. The story and climax are interesting enough and even though the characters are a bit superficial, they are believable. An okay film.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 60: The Fault in Our Stars

Director: Josh Boone

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 126 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Laura Dern, Nat Wolff, Willem Dafoe, Lotte Verbeek, Sam Trammell, Emily Peachey, Mike birbiglie, Amber Myers, Milica Govich, Allegra Carpenter, Johanna McGinley, Debbie Hartuer, Wyatt McClure

Description: Hazel (Shailene Woodley) and Augustus (Ansel Elgort), two teens, both who have different cancer conditions, fall in love after meeting at a cancer support group.

Review: The movie, based on the bestselling novel by John Green, targets young adults. With a surprising optimistic take, “The Fault in Our Stars” is more than a simple tearjerker.

When two young cancer patients, Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters, meet each other at a support group, they have an immediate connection. The two share a considerate sense of humor and look at the world with a healthy touch of sarcasm. Although they know that there is only little time left, they let love into their lives.

“The Fault in Our Stars” deals with a heavy theme, but the movie is very subtle about it. It starts with the characters. Hazel and Gus don’t hide behind their sickness. They show vulnerability, but do it with humor. They don’t have self-pity, which makes you more connected to the characters. Hazel and Gus are always, good and bad, likeable.

The levity and humor in the story also manage to give Hazel and Gus depth. Not just one-dimensional characters who happen to be sick. Although the doctors and their parents know they will die, Hazel and Gus have a different view on life. They want to grab life by the balls and experience it.

Off course it’s inevitable to cry in the end, there are some moments that make this movie a bit over sentimental. A scene at the Dutch Anne Frank house is an example. For me it was a bit too much, it felt like it belonged in a simple feel good movie.

“The Fault in Our Stars” is a good adaptation of the book and it will definitely reach the audience it was targeting. There are many great moments in the movie and it manages to hit the right nerves. Great performances by Ansel Elgort and especially Shailene Woodley. “The Fault in Our Stars” has depth, humor and drama and is worth your time.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 44: Divergent

Director: Neil Burger

Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Science Fiction

Runtime: 140 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Miles Teller, Kate Winslet, Ansel Elgort, Zoë Kravitz, Ray Stevenson, Maggie Q, Ashley Judd, Tony Goldwyn, Mekhi Phifer

Description: In a world divided by factions based on virtues, Tris (Shailene Woodley) learns she's Divergent and won't fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysterious Four (Theo James) must find out what makes Divergents dangerous before it's too late.

Review: The young adult film has, in a short period of time, settled down in Hollywood. Movies like the “Harry Potter” series and “The Hunger Games” series started this all. The movies, mostly adaptations from books, focus on young adults. Friendship, love and the battle between good and evil are central themes in these stories. “Divergent”, based on a book by Veronica Roth, isn’t an exception.

In a futuristic Chicago, five factions fight for power over the city. The factions are divided based on virtues: abnegation, candor, amity, dauntless and erudite. The choice for your faction is made when you’re sixteen. Tris is at that point in her life. Is she going to stay in the faction she grew up in or will she choose another faction? During her test something unusual happens. It appears she doesn’t fit in any of the faction. She is divergent.

Not a lot happens in “Divergent”. A thin plot between political power between the different factions and the place the divergents take in that society. Friendships are made and enemies are formed. Tris has to undergo a tough training and the underdog becomes the hero. And there is also a love story. Not a lot of originality, but time does fly. This is a good sign, because the movie is very entertaining.

That the book is often better than the movie, is also the case here. I feel that some important scenes are cut down. For instance the test. It’s a very important part of the story, but it goes so fast in the film. For people who haven’t read the book, it could have gone too fast.

Shailene Woodley does a good job and is a good leading lady. “Divergent” is a movie that you can’t help to compare to “The Hunger Games”. It’s not as good, but still very entertaining and I did enjoy it.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 76: The Spectacular Now

Director: James Ponsoldt

Genre: Drama/ Romance

Runtime: 95 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larsson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kyle Chandler

Description: Sutter Keely (Miles Teller) lives in the now. A high school senior, charming and self-possessed, he's the life of the party, loves his job at a men's clothing store, and has no plans for the future. But after being dumped by his girlfriend, Sutter gets drunk and wakes up on a lawn with Aimee Finecky (Shailene Woodley) hovering over him. She's different: the "nice girl" who reads science fiction and doesn't have a boyfriend. While Aimee has dreams of a future, Sutter lives in the impressive delusion of a spectacular now, yet somehow, they're drawn together.

Review: A first love, senior year in high school, a future with never ending prospects. “The Spectacular Now” shows us this exciting yet scary period of someone’s life. Main character Sutter is in this phase, he enjoys life and doesn’t look further then the next second. After his break up with girlfriend Cassidy, he meets Aimee. This boy-meets-girl setup starts a love story that reminds many of us of 80’s movies by John Hughes. But the authenticity makes “The Spectacular Now” excellent and superior.

The scenario by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, is based on the young adult novel by Tim Tharp. It focusses on the characters, that all have a certain depth and is filled with details. Supporting characters like Sutters strict mom and his ex-girlfriend don’t become stereotypical or annoying. It’s a sharp observation. We see the positive influences that Aimee and Sutter have on each other, but we also see their weaknesses. Director James Ponsoldt did a wonderful job, with a great style, beautiful long takes and the nuance and complexity of the characters. But we should also give credit to leading actors Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley. Teller carries the film easily and Woodley steals the show without any frills, but with a lot of warmth, intelligence and fragility.

“The Spectacular Now” can’t avoid all the clichés, but takes a sharp yet tender look at love at the end of our teenage years. A great director, fantastic acting and wonderful visuals make this movie to an authentic and memorable picture.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 74: The Descendants

Director: Alexander Payne

Genre: Drama/ Komedie

Runtime: 115 minutes

Year: 2011

Starring: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Nick Krause, Judy Greer, Matthew Lillard, Beau Bridges

Description: With his wife Elizabeth on life support after a boating accident, Hawaiian land baron Matt King (George Clooney) takes his daughters on a trip from Oahu to Kauai to confront the man who was having an affair with Elizabeth before her misfortune.

Review: There are many reasons why it’s fun to be George Clooney. Women love him, men would want to trade with him, he is rich and he has the best job in the world: filmmaking. But there are also a lot of negatives to his life. Clooney is famous, that it’s sometimes impossible for him to get lost in a character. But nowadays he decides to work with directors like Joel and Ethan Coen, Anton Corbijn and Jason Reitman. In “The Descendants” it’s Alexander Payne, and his role gave him a Golden Globe and Academy Award nomination. It seems like George Clooney is more an actor then a star now.

We know Payne from tragicomedies like “About Schmidt” and “Sideways”. Like both films “The Descendants” centers a middle-aged man, who is on a crossroads in his life. They realize that they have failed and want to make it right. Matt King on the other hand, doesn’t realize he has failed. And his life is turned upside down when he finds out that his wife, who is in the hospital after a waterski accident, had an affair. Not to mention how he’s trying to be a good dad for his two daughters.

Alexander Payne finds the right balance between drama and comedy, without overdoing one of the two genres. The humor is subtle and the drama is light. George Clooney is very convincing and sometimes says it all with his facial expressions. The young Shailene Woodley is also great, with some really strong scenes. The only thing missing is and edge, what “About Schmidt” did have. It’s all a bit too neat.

Great acting, a perfect movie for award season. I liked it, it touched me.

Rating: 4,5 / 5