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

I didn’t watch that many new films this month, but I did see some really awesome ones. Here are my favorite films I watched for my challenge, for the month of July.

5. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
That’s how few new movies I watched this month, that this film is in the top 5. It’s not a really good film, but entertaining. Same old, same old.

4. Jackie
A truly great performance by Natalie Portman. And interesting to look at Jackie Kennedy’s life as the first lady.

3. The Big Year
In my opinion an under appreciated film. A comedy, without you rolling on the ground of laughter. I like how they kept that low key. And the phenomenon of birding is fascinating. And the cast is great!

2. Victoria
The biggest reason why this film is so good, is because it’s one long take. It’s really hard to do that, for both the director and the actors. It only took them three takes to complete this film.

1. Baby Driver
I was in the company of some friends and I was the only one that LOVED “Baby Driver”. I guess it’s always hard to understand a genius, because that is what Edgar Wright is. Its editing perfection, fantastic soundtrack and a good cast. So far, this is my favorite film of the year.

They Almost Made the Top 5: -

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 85: Victoria

Director: Sebastian Schipper
Genre: Drama/ Crime/ Thriller
Runtime: 140 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Laia Costa, Frederick Lau, Franz Rogowski, Burak Yigit, Max Mauff, André Hennicke, Anna Lena Klenke, Hans-Ulrich Laux, Eike Frederik Schulz, Adolfo Assor, Jan Breustedt, Ambar de la Horra, Anne Düe, Daniel Fripan, Martin Goeres, Philipp Kubitza, Nadja Laura Mijthab, Dennis Oestreich, Ulrike Runge

Description: A young Spanish woman (Laia Costa) who has recently moved to Berlin finds her flirtation with a local guy turn potentially deadly as their night out with his friends reveals a dangerous secret.

Review: A film made from one long shot. That’s mainly what makes “Victoria” such an impressive film.
Over two hours long, we follow the Spanish Victoria. The film opens with her standing in the middle of a Berlin club, dancing, without any friends. She tries to connect with people, but no one really bites. Until she meets four Berlin men, who are interested in her company. Without giving anything away, thing go downhill pretty quickly.
Like I stated before, the film is one long take. And that’s very impressive. We go from clubs, to Berlin suburbs, a roof, an underground garage to a hotel. This gives “Victoria” extra intensity.
It also asks a lot from the actors. The script was apparently only 12 pages long and the actors mostly improvised. It’s brilliant to see how leading actress Laia Costa gets into her role and keeps your attention the entire runtime.
“Victoria” is a film that everyone that has the slightest insight in films can appreciate. If you see this film, you will understand what I mean.

Rating: 4,5/ 5