Netflix Friday - Volume 67

Some Netflix film tips for the weekend! And there is something for everyone, since I picked a movie for all the different genres.
 

Action: Monster Hunter (2020)
When Lt. Artemis (Mila Jovovich) and her loyal soldiers are transported to a new world, they engage in a desperate battle for survival against enormous enemies with incredible powers.
 

Drama: Creed (2015)
The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.
 

Comedy: Bad Moms (2016)
When three overworked and under-appreciated moms (Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Katheryn Hahn) are pushed beyond their limits, they ditch their conventional responsibilities for a jolt of long overdue freedom, fun and comedic self-indulgence.
 

Animation: Vivo (2021)
“Vivo” will take audiences on an epic adventure to gorgeous and vibrant locations never before seen in animation.
 

Romance: The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996)
A shy, middle aged professor (Jeff Bridges) enters into a romantic but non-physical relationship with an unlucky-in-love colleague (Barbra Streisand).
 

Horror: The Shallows (2016)
A mere 200 yards from shore, surfer Nancy (Blake Lively) is attacked by a great white shark, with her short journey to safety becoming the ultimate contest of wills.
 

Science Fiction: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
When the island’s dormant volcano begins roaring to life, Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) mount a campaign to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from this extinction-level event.
 

Crime: Beckett (2021)
Following a tragic car accident in Greece, Beckett (John David Washington), and American tourist, finds himself at the center of a dangerous political conspiracy and on the run for his life.
 

Thriller: The Beguiled (2017)
The unexpected arrival of a wounded soldier (Colin Farrell) at a girls school in Virginia during the American Civil War leads to jealousy and betrayal.
 

Documentary: Athlete A (2020)
Follow the Indianapolis Star reporters that broke the story about USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar’s abuse and hear from gymnasts like Maggie Nichols.

Family: Shazam (2019)
A newly fostered boy in search of his mother instead finds unexpected super powers and soon gains a powerful enemy.

Top 5 Thursday: Movies I Watched For My Challenge (November 2017)

I saw a lot of newer film and with that some really great ones too. Here are my favorites for my challenge for the month of November.

1. Lion
A heartfelt and touching story about a young boy getting lost from home. Years later it still haunts him and he starts a search for his biological family. Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman are rock solid in “Lion” and I think this is one of the best films of the year.

4. Mother!
I love Darren Aronofsky’s movie, even if he always makes me feel miserable. If I have to describe “Mother!”, I really can’t. You have to experience it yourself. What I do know, it’s that it’s pretty disturbing, fucked up actually. Not for everyone, but I really loved it.

3. Spider-Man: Homecoming
Skeptical at first, another Spider-Man movie. Did we really need that? It appears to be yes! Tom Holland is a breath of fresh air, the Peter Parker that we needed. I love his enthusiasm.

2. The Beguiled
Let’s hear it for the girls! Sofia Coppola directs and she got her signature all over this movie. She is back! And all the actresses are amazing. A very strong story, well performed by all the actors. Also Colin Farrell holds up great between all those fabulous women.

1. Thor: Ragnarok
The first two movies are not the best un the MCU, but still enjoyable. Director Taika Waititi turned it all around and gave us “Thor: Ragnarok”, one of the best movies in the MCU! More colorful, in every way of the word. What a great spectacle and so unexpectedly funny!

They Almost Made the Top 5: Little Evil, Toni Erdmann, Murder On the Orient Express, Lady MacBeth, The Founder

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 118: The Beguiled

Director: Sofia Coppola
Genre: Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 94 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning, Oona Laurence, Angourie Rice

Description: The unexpected arrival of a wounded Union soldier (Colin Farrell) at a girls school in Virginia during the American Civil War leads to jealousy and betrayal.

Review: They are no longer helpless and innocent, the women in corsets. Several costume dramas proved that this year. And “The Beguiled” by Sofia Coppola is also one of them, a dramatic thriller with heaps of estrogen.
“The Beguiled” is based on the novel by Thomas Cullinan. In 1971 it was adapted to a movie for the first time, with Clint Eastwood starring as the wounded soldier. Sofia Coppola follows the story of the original film, but it didn’t become a boring repetition of it. Coppola managed to add themes like abalienation and group dynamic to it they way only she can. It’s clear this film was written from a female perspective.
It’s great to see how Coppola managed to let lust and envy be defining for the atmosphere. Especially the scene where the women try to trump each other over apple pie, trying to impress the male guest. The camera work is static and music is minimal, this is typical Sofia Coppola. I always loved her timid way of directing.
Nicole Kidman is very strong as Miss Martha, but Kirsten Dunst and Elle Fanning are also solid. Colin Farrell, the only male performer in “The Beguiled” is also the right choice. He can easily be a charming gentleman and a foulmouthed brute. “The Beguiled” is a really good film, a good film to show off the talents of the women in Hollywood.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Trailer Sunday (289)

Here are this week's trailer.

The Little Hours
Director: Jeff Baena
Description: A young servant fleeing from his master takes refuge at a convent full of emotionally unstable nuns in the middle ages.
Starring: Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Aubrey Plaza, John C. Reilly, Fred Armisen, Molly Shannon, Nick Offerman, Paul Reiser
Trailer: Trailer "The Little Hours"
Comment: This looks hilarious!!!

American Assassin
Director: Michael Cuesta
Description: A story centered on counterterrorism agent Mitch Rapp.
Starring: Scott Adkin, Michael Keaton, Taylor Kitsch, Dylan O'Brien, Sanaa Lathan
Trailer: Trailer "American Assassin"
Comment:

Wakefield
Director: Robin Swicord
Description: A man's nervous breakdown causes him (Bryan Cranston) to leave his wife (Jennifer Garner) and live in his attic for several months.
Starring: Bryan Cranston, Jennifer Garner, Beverly D'Angelo
Trailer: Trailer "Wakefield"
Comment: I love Bryan Cranston, I really want to see this film!

The Beguiled
Director: Sofia Coppola
Description: At a girls' school in Virginia during the Civil War, where the young women have been sheltered from the outside world, a wounded Union soldier (Colin Farrell) is taken in. Soon, the house is taken over with sexual tension, rivalries, and an unexpected turn of events.
Starring: Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning, Angourie Rice
Trailer:
Comment: I'm so glad Sofia Coppola is back as a director, she is amazing. Can't wait to see this film.

Black Butterfly
Director: Brian Goodman
Description: Outside a mountain town grappling with a series of abductions and murders, Paul (Antonio Banderas), a reclusive writer, struggles to start what he hopes will be a career-saving screenplay. After a tense encounter at a diner with a drifter named Jack (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), Paul offers Jack a place to stay-and soon the edgy, demanding Jack muscles his way into Paul's work. As a storm cuts off power to the isolated cabin, the two men begin a jagged game of one-upmanship that will bring at least one tale to an end
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Piper Perabo
Trailer: Trailer "Black Butterfly"
Comment: Seems cool.

Movie Trailer Sunday (279)

Here are this week's trailers.

Life
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Description: An international space crew discovers life on Mars.
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Ryan Reynolds, Rebecca Ferguson
Trailer: Trailer "Life"
Comment: I hope it's original.

Aftermath
Director: Elliott Lester
Description: Based on the airline accident that occurred in July of 2002 and on the events that took place 478 days later.
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Scoot McNairy, Kevin Zegers, Maggie Grace
Trailer: Trailer "Aftermath"
Comment: Arnie went from action to drama.

The Circle
Director: James Ponsoldt
Description: A woman (Emma Watson) lands a job at a powerful tech company called the Circle, where she becomes involved with a mysterious man (Tom Hanks).
Starring: Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, John Boyega, Karen Gillan, Bill Paxton, Patton Oswalt, Nate Corddry
Trailer: Trailer "The Circle"
Comment: I'm Always in for Tom Hanks. But this thriller looks really good and interesting. And I love Emma Watson too.

The Beguiled
Director: Sofia Coppola
Description: While imprisoned in a Confederate girls' boarding school, an injured Union soldier (Colin Farrell) cons his way into each of the lonely women's hearts, causing them to turn on each other, and eventually, on him.
Starring: Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning, Angourie Rice
Trailer: Trailer "The Beguiled"
Comment: I love that Sofia Coppola is back, she is such a fantastic director. And this film looks really good, I really want to see it.

The Dinner
Director: Oren Moverman
Description: A look at how far parents will go to protect their children.
Starring: Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Steve COogan, Rebecca Hall
Trailer: Trailer "The Dinner"
Comment: This film is based on a novel by the Dutch writer Herman Koch and the Dutch film version really surprised me.