Netflix Friday - Volume 88

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

Action: The Revenant (2015)
A frontiersman (Leonardo DiCaprio) on a fur trading expedition in the 1820s fights for survival after being mauled by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team.
 

Drama: The Lost Daughter (2021)
A woman’s (Olivia Colman) beach vacation takes a dark turn when she begins to confront the troubles of her past.
 

Comedy: Superbad (2007)
Two co-dependent high school seniors are forced to deal with separation anxiety after their plan to stage a booze-soaked party goes awry.
 

Animation: The House (2022)
Across different eras, a poor family, an anxious developer and a fed-up landlady become tied to the same mysterious house in this animated dark comedy.
 

Romance: Notting Hill (1999)
The life of a simple bookshop owner (Hugh Grant) changes when he meets the most famous film star (Julia Roberts) in the world.
 

Horror: Don’t Breathe (2016)
Hoping to walk away with a massive fortune a trio of thieves break into the house of a blind man (Stephen Lang) who isn’t as helpless as he seems.
 

Science Fiction: Inception (2012)
A thief (Leonardo DiCaprio) who steals corporate secrets through the use of dream-sharing technology is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of a C.E.O., but his tragic past may doom the project and his team to disaster.
 

Crime: Inglorious Basterds (2009)
A Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a plan to assassinate Nazi leaders by a group of Jewish U.S. soldiers coincide with a theater owner’s vengeful plans for the same.
 

Thriller: Six Minutes to Midnight (2020)
UK, August 15^, 1939: 17 days before WWII, an English teacher and his camera disappear on a coastal boarding school with 20 German teen girls. Miller (Eddie Izzard) gets the job 6 days later, secretly trying to find out what happened.
 

Documentary: The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story (2019)
A documentary on how Adam Lambert took over from the legendary Freddie Mercury as the frontman for the rock group Queen.
 
 

Family: Enola Holmes (2020)
When Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown), Sherlock’s (Henry Cavill) teen sister, discovers her mother missing, she gets off to find her, becoming a super-sleuth in her own right as she outwits her famous brother and unravels a dangerous conspiracy around a mysterious young Lord.

Netflix Friday - Volume 73

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

Action: The Revenant (2015)
A frontiersman (Leonardo DiCaprio) on a fir trading expedition in the 1820s fights for survival after being mauled by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team.
 

Drama: Sully (2016)
The story of Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger (Tom Hanks), an American pilot who became a hero after landing his damaged plane on the Hudson River in order to save the flight’s passengers and crew.
 

Comedy: The Truman Show (1998)
An insurance salesman (Jim Carrey) discovers his whole life is actually a reality TV show.
 

Animation: Whisper of the Heart (1995)
A love story between a girl who loves reading books, and a boy who has previously checked out all of the library books she chooses.
 

Romance: Can’t Hardly Wait (1998)
A complete graduating class, consisting of beautiful girls, geeks and promising footballers, assemble at a rich classmate’s residence for a party. Interesting developments follow at the get-together.
 

Horror: Crawl (2019)
A young woman (Kaya Scodelario), while attempting to save her father (Barry Pepper) during a category 5 hurricane, finds herself trapped in a flooding house and must fight for her life against alligators.
 

Science Fiction: Jurassic Park 3 (2001)
A decidedly odd couple (Téa Leoni, William H. Macy) with ulterior motives convince Dr. Grant (Sam Neill) to go to Isla Sorna for a holiday, but their unexpected landing startles the island’s new inhabitants.
 

Crime: Man on Fire (2004)
In Mexico City, a former CIA operative (Denzel Washington) swears vengeance on those who committed an unspeakable act against the family he was hired to protect.
 

Thriller: Gone Girl (2014)
With his wife’s (Rosamund Pike) disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man (Ben Affleck) sees the spotlight turned on him when it’s suspected that he may not be innocent.
 

Documentary: Schumacher (2021)
Through exclusive interviews and archival footage, this documentary traces an intimate portrait of seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher.

Family: Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)
The gang is back, but the game has changed. As they return to rescue one of their own, the players will have to brave parts unknown from arid deserts to snowy mountains, to escape the world’s most dangerous game.

Netflix Friday - Volume 24

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

Action: The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015)
In the early 1960s, CIA agent Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer) participate in a joint mission against a mysterious criminal organization, which is working to proliferate nuclear weapons.
 

Drama: The Revenant (2015)
A frontiersman (Leonardo DiCaprio) on a fur trading expedition in the 1820s fights for survival after being mauled by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team.
 

Comedy: The Cable Guy (1996)
A lonely and mentally disturbed cable guy (Jim Carrey) raised on television just wants a new friend. But his target, a designer (Matthew Broderick), rejects him, with bad consequences.
 

Animation: Monster House (2006)
Three teens discover that their neighbor’s house is really a living, breathing, scary monster.
 

Romance: The Reader (2008)
Post-WWII Germany: Nearly a decade after his affair with an older woman (Kate Winslet) came to a mysterious end, law student Michael Berg (David Kross) re-encounters his former lover as she defends herself in a war-crime trial.
 

Horror: The Shining (1980)
A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where a sinister presence influences the father (Jack Nicholson) into violence, while his psychic son (Danny Lloyd) sees horrific forebodings from both past and future.
 

Science Fiction: War of the Worlds (2005)
As Earth is invaded by alien tripod fighting machines, one family fights for survival.
 

Crime: Se7en (1995)
Two detectives, a rookie (Brad Pitt) and a veteran (Morgan Freeman), hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his motives.
 

Thriller: Identity (2003)
Stranded at a desolate Nevada motel during a nasty rain storm, ten strangers become acquainted with each other when they realize that they’re being killed off one by one.
 

Documentary: David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet (2020)
One man has seen more of the natural world than any other. This unique feature documentary is hi witness statement.
 

Family: Johnny English: Reborn (2011)
Johnny English (Rowan Atkinson) goes up against international assassins hunting down Chinese Premier Xiang Ping.

Top 5 Thursday: Movies You Need to Watch in Theaters

I always love going to the theater, but I always choose films that will probably add something extra to the film when watching it on such a big screen. Some movies are just better in theaters, because of the effects, cinematography or the whole experience. Here are my five picks for movies you need to watch in the theater.

5. Avatar
I was stupid enough to not see this in theaters and I regret it to this day. It is such a visually beautiful movie, even on television. So how about on the big screen? It will blow my mind.

4. The Revenant
The story might not be that special, but the cinematography is reason enough for me to watch this. I saw it in theaters and it took my breath away. I wish I made this movie!

3. Inception
This movie looks amazing, what a visual masterpiece. And it’s most impressive on the big screen.

2. Mad Max: Fury Road
This film is one giant adrenaline rush and it really has a great impact when you watch it in theaters. Action in its purest form.

1. Jurassic Park
Probably one of the most jaw-dropping movies I’ve ever seen. And it still amazes me how fantastic and breathtaking this movie is. And on the big screen it’s even more beautiful. It’s one of my all-time favorites.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Saving Private Ryan, Gravity, Star Wars franchise, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Blade Runner

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 23: The Revenant

Director: Alejandro González Iñarritu

Genre: Drama/ Adventure/ Thriller

Runtime: 156 minutes

Year: 2015

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, Will Poulter, Paul Anderson, Lukas Haas, Javier Botet, Brendan Fletcher, Brad Carter, Kristoffer Joner, Kory Grimm

Description: A frontiersman (Leonardo DiCaprio) on a fur trading expedition in the 1820s fights for survival after being mauled by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team.

Review: “The Revenant” tells the remarkable true story of Hugh Glass. The viewer is sucked in immediately, when we see a fight scene between the traders and natives. Glass, and a small group of survivors, manage to escape on a boat. But that’s when the real drama starts. When they find a place to stay for a while, Glass explores the area. He is attacked by a bear and he is severely injured. It looks like he’s not going to make it. A few men, one of them being John Fitzgerald, offer to stay with him. He however leaves Glass for dead. But Glass is not willing to give up.

Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays Hugh Glass, doesn’t have a lot of dialogue after his bear attack. But he manages to show us his emotions through his eyes and moans. DiCaprio and his will to live are the spindle of “The Revenant”. But Tom Hardy, as Fitzgerald, delivers an equally impressive performance. I think his portrayal of Fitzgerald is a bit underrated and underappreciated, because everyone talks about Dicaprio’s performance. The young Will Poulter, as Bridger, was also surprisingly good.

But the best and most beautiful thing about “The Revenant” is that the great acting goes hand in hand with gorgeous images of nature. It looks breathtaking. Everything was filmed with natural lighting. The camera work is fantastic, there are some shots in the film I still don’t know how they did it. This all makes “The Revenant” a cinematographic masterpiece.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Oscar Prediction 2016

I'm going to give it a shot again. The nominees for the 88th annual Academy Awards were announced and I've been predicting the winners for a couple of years now. So this year is no different. Some really great nominees this year, but as usual I don't agree with every all the winners. So, here are my prediction on who will win and who I think should win the awards.

Best Motion Picture of the Year

Should Win: "Mad Max: Fury Road"

Would Win: "Spotlight"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Should Win: Leonardo DiCaprio for "The Revenant"

Would Win: Leonardo DiCaprio for "The Revenant"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Should Win: Brie Larson for "Room"

Would Win: Brie Larson for "Room"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Should Win: Sylvester Stallone for “Creed”

Would Win: Mark Rylance for “Bridge of Spies”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

Should Win: Rachel McAdams for “Spotlight”

Would Win: Kate Winslet for “Steve Jobs”

Best Achievement in Directing

Should Win: Alejandro González Iñárritu for “The Revenant”

Would Win: Alejandro González Iñárritu for “The Revenant”

Movie Trailer Sunday (220)

This week I will share five trailers of movies I really need to see in 2016. My five most anticipated films of 2016. Okay, some are originally from 2015, but here in The Netherlands they are 2016 releases.

The Hateful Eight

Description: In the dead of a Wyoming winter, a bounty hunter and his prisoner find shelter in a cabin currently inhabited by a collection of nefarious characters.

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russel, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Bruce Dern, Walter Goggins, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Zoë Bell

Trailer: Trailer "The Hateful Eight"

Comment: I'm always looking forward to a Quentin Tarantino, always!

The Revenant

Description: frontiersman named Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) on an fur trade expedition in the 1820s is on a quest for survival after being brutally mauled by a bear.

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, Will Poulter

Trailer: Trailer "The Revenant"

Comment: This looks stunning, can't wait to see this probable masterpiece.

Spotlight

Description: The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.

Director: Tom McCarthy

Starring: Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci

Trailer: Trailer "Spotlight"

Comment: Only heard good things about this film and it has a killer cast!

Hail, Caesar!

Description: A Hollywood fixer in the 1950s works to keep the studio's stars in line.

Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Starring: George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Josh Brolin, Ralph Fiennes, Frances McDormand, Jonah Hill, David Krumholtz, Tilda Swinton, Dolph Lundgren

Trailer: Trailer "Hail, Caesar!"

Comment: I'm always in the mood for a good Coen Brothers film. This looks like loads of fun.

The BFG

Description: A girl named Sophie encounters the Big Friendly Giant who, despite his intimidating appearance, turns out to be a kindhearted soul who is considered an outcast by the other giants because unlike his peers refuses to eat boys and girls.

Director: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Ruby Barnhill, Mark Rylance, Bill Hader, Rebecca Hall, Penelope Wilton

Trailer: Trailer "The BFG"

Comment: Based on a book by my favorite children's book author Roald Dahl. I grew up reading those books and this trailer looks amazing. It's only a teaser, but I'm intrigued.

Fall 2015 Movie Preview

The summer is almost to an end and my favorite season is about to start. There are some great movies coming this fall and I would like to share with you the once I'm looking forward to the most. I think I'm going to do more of those in the future, because I love to read and watch things like this myself. Here is a list of movies I'm looking forward to this fall.

Sicario

Release date: September 18th

I loved Denis Villeneuve's previous movies "Prisoners" and "Enemy", so this is a movie to look out for. "Sicario" starts Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro and it's about a drug war along the Mexican border.

Trailer "Sicario"

Everest

Release date: September 25th

A first this may seem like a generic survival thriller, but with a cast that includes Josh Brolin, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jason Clarke, Sam Worthington, Keira Knightley and Robin Wright (among others), it seems more like an solid ensemble thriller that’s worth a second look.

Trailer "Everest"

The Martian

Release date: October 2nd

The adaptation of Andy Weir's novel, director Ridley Scott and a killer cast with Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Kristen Wigg.

Trailer "The Martian"

Steve Jobs

Release date: October 9th

No, not another Ashton Kutcher flick. This time it's Michael Fassbender who takes on the role of Steve Jobs. Aaron Sorkin, who was also a part of "The Social Network", is the screenwriter and Danny Boyle directs. This guy never makes the same movie. Besides Fassbender we can see Seth Rogen and Kate Winslet.

Trailer "Steve Jobs"

Bridge of Spies

Release date: October 16th

Tom Hanks starring in a Steven Spielberg political thriller written by the Coen Brothers. Reason enough for me to go and see it.

Trailer "Bridge of Spies"

Crimson Peak

Release date: October 16th

Guillermo del Toro directing a film with supernatural elements is something that a lot of fans have waited a long time to see again. I’m one of them. Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska and Charlie Hunnam star in this creepy movie.

Trailer "Crimson Peak"

Suffragette

Release date: October 23rd

Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, and Meryl Streep as the first activists in the British women’s suffrage movement. I’m sorry, what else do you need to know?

Trailer "Suffragette"

Spotlight

Release date: November 6th

I'm so glad Michael Keaton is back on the screen. This movie tells the story of a group ofs journalists who broke the story of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. An ace fall ensemble here with not alone Keaton, also Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo, John Slattery, Liev Schreiber, Billy Crudup and Stanley Tucci.

Trailer "Spotlight"

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

Release date: November 20th

I can't wait to see how it all end. Off course, I already know, but I want to see it on the big screen.

Trailer "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2"

MacBeth

Release date: December 4th

There have been several movies based on this story, but now it’s Australian director Justin Kurzel’s turn. With the jaw-dropping pairing of Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard as the Lord and Lady.

Trailer "MacBeth"

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Release date: December 18th

I really can't ignore this one. Although I'm not a huge fan of the franchise, I do get excited for it. Just for nostalgic reasons maybe.

Trailer "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"

The Hateful Eight

Release date: December 25th

Probably my favorite on this list, because I love everything Quentin Tarantino does. I have to wait untill January here in the Netherlands, but that's okay. It has Michael Madsen, Kurt Russel, Samuel L. Jackson, Tim Roth, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walter Goggins and Bruce Dern in it.

Trailer "The Hateful Eight"

Joy

Release date: December 25th

I'm always excited to see Jennifer Lawrence in anything! Another colaboration with director David O. Russell and actors Bradley Cooper and Robert DeNiro.

Trailer "Joy"

The Revenant

Release date: December 25th

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s follow-up to "Birdman" finds Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, and Domnhall Gleeson out in the cold. The trailer looks really intense.

Trailer "The Revenant" <

Movie Trailer Sunday (198)

Here are this weeks trailers.

Suicide Squad

Description: A secret government agency recruits imprisoned supervillains to execute dangerous black ops missions in exchange for clemency

Director: David Ayer

Starring: Margot Robbie, Will Smith, Jared Leto, Jai Courtney, Ben Affleck, Scott Eastwood, Cara Delevigne, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Common, Jay Hernandez

Trailer: Trailer "Suicide Squad"

Comment: "I'm just gonna hurt ya, really, really bad..." Awesome looking trailer!

Sisters

Description: Two former sorority sisters decide to throw one last house party before their parents sell their family home

Director: Jason Moore

Starring: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Kate McKinnon, John Cena, John Leguizamo, James Brolin, Dianne Wiest, Bobby Moynihan,

Trailer: Trailer "Sisters"

Comment: Hey girl! Fey and Poehler are probably the funniest female duo. Ever.

Joy

Description: The story of a family across four generations and the woman who rises to become founder and matriarch of a powerful family business dynasty.

Director: David O. Russell

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Virginia Madsen, Diane Ladd

Trailer: Trailer "Joy"

Comment: Gotta see this!

The Revenant

Description: The frontiersman, Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio), who in the 1820s set out on a path of vengeance against those who left him for dead after a bear mauling.

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson

Trailer: Trailer "The Revenant"

Comment: It looks amazing. Hardy and DiCaprio in one movie!!!

Fort Tilden

Description: A comedy about Allie and Harper and their needlessly difficult journey to the beach.

Director: Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers

Starring: Bridey Elliott, Clare McNulty

Trailer: Trailer "Fort Tilden"

Comment: Crazy fun!