Movie Review - Cold Storage

Director: Jonny Campbell
Genre: Horror/ Comedy
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 2026
Starring: Joe Keery, Georgina Campbell, Sosie Bacon, Liam Neeson, Vanessa Redgrave, Leslie Manville,
 
Description: When a highly dangerous fungus escapes from a secret laboratory, a former bioterrorism agent (Liam Neeson) is called back into action. Alongside two young employees (Joe Keery, Georgina Campbell), he must confront an invisible and out-of-control threat.
 
Review: With “Cold Storage”, director Jonny Campbell delivers a delightfully nostalgic yet spot-on genre blend that strikes a balance between gory body horror and deadpan comedy. The screenplay was written by David Koepp, who based it on his own novel of the same name. It doesn’t shine in terms of originality, but more than makes up for it with the pace and a healthy dose of self-aware humor.

The story starts simple and effectively: the young, somewhat laconic night guards Travis “Teacake” Meacham and Naomi Williams are expecting a dead-boring shift at a large-scale storage complex. What they don’t know, however, is that this complex was built right on top of a sealed-off, underground military base. Due to a sudden rise in temperature, a decades-old parasitic fungus escapes from its containment chamber. This microorganism multiplies at lightning speed, takes control of the human brain, and causes bodies to explode in spectacularly gruesome ways.

Two prevent the inevitable apocalypse, the two twenty-somethings are forced to team up with Robert Quinn, a seasoned and cynical former bioterrorism expert who tries to contain the situation. The film’s true strength lies in its outstanding cast. The chemistry between Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell practically jumps off the screen. They are the perfect level-headed counterparts to the chaos surrounding them.

But it’s Liam Neeson who steals the show portraying his familiar, tough persona with a delightful wink and deadpan comic timing. The visual effects and the over-the-top gore immediately bring to mind classic 1980 B-horror films, giving the movie a fun, tangible atmosphere that never gets too pretentious or terrifying. Still “Cold Storage” stumbles here and there.

“Cold Storage” is a slightly predictable yet extremely entertaining rollercoaster ride, that fully delivers on the promise of a wacky, bloody night at the movies. For fans of sci-fi and horror comedy, this film is definitely worth watching.

Rating: 3/ 5

90s Movie Review - Mission: Impossible

Director: Brian De Palma
Genre: Drama/ Thriller/ Crime
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 1996
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart, Jean Reno, Ving Rhames, Vanessa Redgrave, Kristen Scott Thomas, Henry Czerny

Description: An American agent (Tom Cruise), under false suspicion of disloyalty, must discover and expose the real spy without the help of his organization.

Review: This first film about an international team of spies led by Ethan Hunt is an instant hit for fans of high-tech action spectacle and inimitable plot twists. I decided to rewatch all the films in the franchise, before watching the newest in the series.

The ladies and gentlemen of the Mission: Impossible team must prevent the theft of a file containing the names of secret agents. But things go wrong, and the team will have to flee and fight, unravel and expose.

This is were it all started, did Tom Cruise realize that the movies would eventually get better and better (with exceptions)? Because this is probably one of the most successful action movie franchises. It’s been a while since I last saw the first in the series, but I remember really liking it. And it holds up.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

00s Movie Review - The Pledge

Director: Sean Penn
Genre: Drama/ Crime/ Mystery
Runtime: 124 minutes
Year: 2001
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Robin Wright, Aaron Eckhart, Sam Shepard, Benicio del Toro, Patricia Clarkson, Helen Mirren, Tom Noonan, Vanessa Redgrave, Mickey Rourke, Harry Dean Stanton

Description: A retired police detective (Jack Nicholson) pledges to catch the killer of a young child.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 8: A MOVIE DIRECTED BY AN ACTOR
 
Review: On a cold winter day, a boy stumbles upon the lifeless body of an eight-year-old girl. Soon they find a suspect for the murder, but for recently retired homicide detective Jerry Black the case isn’t settles. As far as he is concerned, the real killer is still out there. He promises the victim’s family to find the killer of their little girl and to fulfull this promise, Jerry is willing to use any means necessary.  

Sean Penn is not just an amazing actor, he is also an excellent director. He proves that with “The Pledge” a lesser known film starring Jack Nicholson.

At first sight, “The Pledge” seems like a standard thriller. But it has much more to offer than the clichéd whodunit. In fact, finding the killer is not so much the main focus; the film clearly addresses more important, more profound themes. Therefore, do not expect spectacular action scenes, as the somewhat slow film has to rely mainly on its dialogues, well-developed characters and tension.   

This all makes the intelligent “The Pledge” highly recommended for those who want to see a less conventional thriller for a change.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Review - Georgetown

Director: Christoph Waltz
Genre: Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Vanessa Redgrave, Christoph Waltz, Annette Bening

Description: Ulrich Mott (Christoph Waltz), an ambitious social climber, marries a wealthy widow (Vanessa Redgrave) in Washington D.C. in order to mix with powerful political players.

I WATCHED THIS FOR MY 2021 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 32: A MOVIE WITH A NAME IN THE TITLE
 
Review: Christoph Waltz plays the charming Ulrich Mott, an ambitious social climber, who marries the much older Elsa. This way he can come in contact with powerful political players. Elsa’s daughter Amanda doesn’t trust Ulrich. With “Georgetown”, Waltz debuts as a director.
I was really interested when I read the plot, but the film is not that memorable. It has some twists, but nothing surprising. And Waltz’s character is not that different from most characters  he plays. I was actually kind of bored with this film.
“Georgetown” is an easy forgettable film, with fine actors and performances and an okay plot, but doesn’t offer us anything new or special.

Rating: 2,5/ 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