00s Movie Review - Layer Cake

Director: Matthew Vaughn
Genre: Crime/ Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 2003
Starring: Daniel Craig, Michael Gambon, Colm Meany, Tom Hardy, Sienna Miller, Sally Hawkins, George Harris

Description: A successful cocaine dealer (Daniel Craig) gets two tough assignments from his boss on the eve of his planned early retirement.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2025 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 25: S FILM FROM 2004
 
Review: We know Matthew Vaughn now for his work as a director on “Kingsmen: The Secret Service”, “Kick-Ass” and “X-Men: First Class” and he produced films like “Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch”. “Layer Cake” was Vaughn’s directorial debut and has especially a lot of similarities with these last two films (set in the criminal underworld, mixing humor with violence, following many different characters).

Daniel Craig plays an unnamed drug dealer who wants to quit, but his clients won’t let him go. He gets new assignments, that are a little out of his expertise. And, of course, nothing really goes according to plan.

I’m a fan of Vaughn’s work, both as a producer and a director. I like his style. “Layer Cake”, although getting a lot of praise and love, is just fine for me. I understand why people love it, but it’s not a favorite for me.

Rating: 3/ 5

Movie Review - 21 Bridges

Director: Brian Kirk
Genre: Drama/ Action/ Crime
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Sienna Miller, J.K. Simmons, Stephan James, Keith David, Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Siddig, Louis Cancelmi, Victoria Cartagena, Fary Carr, Morocco Omari, Chris Ghaffari

Description: An embattled NYPD detective (Chadwick Boseman) is thrust into a citywide manhunt for a pair of cop killers after uncovering a massive and unexpected conspiracy.

Review: If your father is a cop, you probably will be too. This is a fact in many cop movies, including “21 Bridges”. The father of detective Andre Davis was also a cop and was killed on he job. That didn’t scare Andre because he is determined to put every criminal behind bars.
He shows that in everything he does. When a robbery gone wrong and eight cops are killed, it’s up to Davis to catch the perpetrators. In order to make sure the killers don’t flee, he closes all the 21 bridges that connect the island Manhattan to the mainland. With the help of his colleagues and the FBI, he has four hours to catch the criminals. But nothing is as it seems.
“21 Bridges” is a fierce action film, with some moments that get you on the edge of the seat. The story isn’t very unique or original, but because of the fast pace and the shorter runtime the film entertains from start to finish. Chadwick Boseman, who we lost way too soon, is very strong in the lead.  It’s a solid action film with some nice twists.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 135: The Lost City of Z

Director: James Gray
Genre: Adventure/ Action/ Drama
Runtime: 140 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson, Sienna Miller, Tom Holland

Description: A true-life drama, centering on British explorer Col. Percival Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam), who disappeared while searching for a mysterious city in the Amazon in the 1920s.

Review: It’s never without danger, but this expedition can clear his name, which was brought to him by his alcoholic father. Colonel Percy Fawcett is send to the heart of the Amazone, t show the Bolivians and Brazilians where the borders are. He isn’t there to explore, but when Percy arrives that’s exactly what he’s going to do. And there starts his search for a mysterious city.
During this expedition, which starts in 1906, Percy discovers unique archeological proof of an ancient civilization. Although his fellow British men see themselves superior of any other folk, Percy is determined to find the lost city of Z.
Director James Gray based “The Lost City of Z” on the book by journalist David Grann, who did research about one of the most well know English explorers. It’s an interesting story, with a lot of potential.
The film excels when we tag along with Percy on his magical quest. And Charlie Hunnam manages to portray a very charismatic Percy Fawcett. And Robert Pattinson is an interesting side kick.
The moments that he isn’t in the Amazone, are not as interesting and tend to drag a bit. Sienna Miller is an excellent actress, but she really doesn’t have a lot to do, as Percy’s wife. This makes the emotional moments a little bland as well.
“The Lost City of Z” is an overlooked film, I never hear anyone about this movie.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 30: American Sniper

Director: Clint Eastwood

Genre: Drama/ Action

Runtime: 133 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner, Cole Konis, Ben Reed, Elise Robertson, Luke Sunshine, Troy Vincent, Brandon Salgado Telis, Keir O’Donnell, Marnette Patterson, Jason Hall, Billy Miller, Kevin Lacz, Jake McDorman, Cory Hardrict, Eric Ladin, Luke Grimes

Description: Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle's (Bradley Cooper) pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and turns him into a legend. Back home to his wife (Sienna Miller) and kids after four tours of duty, however, Chris finds that it is the war he can't leave behind.

Review: Clint Eastwood has been working as a director for quite some time now. He has brought us some wonderful films. But I don’t know if Eastwood was the perfect man to tell the story of sniper Chris Kyle. Does he manage to get through to the psychology of this type of soldier and can he avoid the clichés of the genre? Unfortunately not. It’s an interesting life story, but it turns into a glorification of the American army and its main men.

It starts with the stereotypical main character, Chris Kyle. He is a characterless American soldier, a patriot. His wife Taya is at home, pregnant. The soldiers laugh a lot, but when the situation asks for it they get right to business. Where have we seen that before? It has all been done before, which makes “American Sniper” not only predictable but also quite forgettable.

The way it is filmed is great and the sound (or lack of it) works oppressive. But content wise it’s much of the same. It lacks the tension movies like “The Hurt Locker” or “The Deer Hunter” had.

This is definitely not one of Clint Eastwood’s bests. The story has potential, the acting was solid and the visuals are good, but it’s nothing new, very cliché and very forgettable. I really wanted to like this movie.

Rating: 2/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 29: Foxcatcher

Director: Bennett Miller

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 134 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, Sienna Miller, Vanessa Redgrave, Anthony Michael Hall

Description: The greatest Olympic Wrestling Champion brother team joins Team Foxcatcher led by multimillionaire sponsor John E. du Pont (Steve Carell) as they train for the 1988 games in Seoul - a union that leads to unlikely circumstances.

Review: “Foxcatcher” starts with the message that the movie is based on a true story. Dangerous, because the genre of sports movies often fall into clichés and a lazy story. “Foxcatcher” manages to avoid it for a big part. That’s because the story doesn’t only focus on wrestler Mark Schultz, it also centers coach John Du Pont. Mark leads a lonely and apparent agonized life. Everything is about sports. It gets him a gold medal at the Olympics in 1984. Years later it’s just train, eat, sleep for Mark. Untill he gets a mysterious call that changes his life forever. The call is from John Du Pont, an eccentric millionaire with big plans for Mark and wrestling in general. Du Pont, rich due to arms trade, decides to sponsor the wrestler.

There is a reason for that. Wrestling isn’t only a passion, their characters match. DuPont is also a loner. Where Mark has no one else besides his brother, Du Pont has a similar past. Together the two outsiders complement each other and manage to be successful. With excellence, intensity and dominance the world is at their feet. Until all of this also affects their mutual relationship. What started as a dream, is slowly turning into a nightmare.

Although the tension isn’t always there and some supporting characters don’t really work, the story is solid. An extra plus is the sublime acting. Steve Carell convinces, in this unconventional, serious role. Mark Ruffalo also does a very good job. But it’s Channing Tatum that impressed me the most. Off course he has the physique of a wrestler, but he also shows his acting skills. Everyone talks about Carell and Ruffalo, but I think Tatum’s performance was the best.

The developments in the movie, including the wrestle matches, are very detailed. The movie has a dark tone and atmosphere. You feel that throughout the entire movie. Same as the length and slow pace of the movie.

“Foxcatcher” is a powerful movie, with a strong story and great acting. But due to the length and the slow pace I would not rewatch this movie.

Rating: 3,5/ 5