Netflix Friday - Volume 108

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

Action: 47 Ronin (2013)
A band of samurai set out to avenge the death and dishonor of their master at the hands of a ruthless shogun.
 

Drama: A Beautiful Mind (2001)
After John Nash (Russell Crowe), a brilliant but asocial mathematician, accepts secret work in cryptography, his life takes a turn for the nightmarish.
 

Comedy: The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
Zak runs away from his care home to make his dream of becoming a wrestler come true.
 

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: The Wedding Planner (2001)
Mary Fiore (Jennifer Lopez) is San Francisco’s most successful supplier of romance and glamor. She knows all the tricks. She knows all the rules. But then she breaks the most important rule of all: she fall in love with the groom (Matthew McConaughey).
 

Horror: Christine (1983)
A nerdih boy buys a strange car with an evil mind of its own and his nature starts to change to reflect it.
 

Science Fiction: Lucy (2014)
A woman (Scarlett Johansson), accidentally caught in a dark deal, turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.
 

Crime : Gold (2016)
Kenny Wells (Matthew McConaughey), a prospector desperate for a lucky break, teams up with a similarly eager geologist and sets off on a journey to find gold in the uncharted ungle of Indonesia.
 

Thriller: The Bad Batch (2016)
In a desert dystopia, a young woman (Suki Waterhouse) is kidnapped by cannibals.
 

Documentary: The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe (2022)
Explores the mystery surrounding the death of movie icon Marilyn Monroe through previously unheard interview with her inner circle.
 

Family: Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005)
Two young brothers are drawn into an intergalactic adventure when their house is hurled through the depths of space by the magical board game they are playing.

Rewatching my 100 Favorite Movies - Update 17

I decided to rewatch my 100 favorite movies of all-time. What those are, you can check HERE. I watch them in random order, there is no rhyme or reason there, just watching those movies I love so much.
 

58/ 100: A Beautiful Mind (2001)
The true story of mathematician John Nash, who developed amazing mathematical insights early in his career. However, his career was stalled for years due to his battle with schizophrenia. It’s a well-crafter drama directed by Ron Howard. The best role Russell Crowe ever played. Check out my full review HERE.
 

59/ 100: Jagten (2012)
Toddler Klara feels rejected by kindergarten teacher Lucas, her father’s best friend, and claims he abused her. After which the world of Lucas collapses. Director Thomas Vinterberg stays close to Lucas, showing in completely believable steps how his friends slowly but surely push him away. Everyone just takes Klaras word and no one seems to want to hear Lucas’ side. The story starts to live its own life, followed by a witch hunt. Mads Mikkelsen plays Lucas and impresses with his gripping performance. A movie that left me breathless the first time I saw it and it really gets under your skin. HERE you can read my full review.
 

60/ 100: Avatar (2009)
Private Jake is in a wheelchair. Bit then he gets an offer: he can serve as the host of an avatar on the planet Pandora, his brain in his sleeping body then in control of a body grown from genetically engineered cells that looks, walks and runs just like the Na’vi, the inhabitants of the planet. James Cameron’s groundbreaking use of 3D turned this average adventure film into an eye-opening and exhilarating spectacle. But it’s more than that: it has a clear message which is still topical today. Please read my full review HERE.
 
Still to watch: 40

00s Movie Review - A Beautiful Mind

Director: Ron Howard
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 135 minutes
Year: 2001
Starring: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris, Paul Bettany, Christopher Plummer, Judd Hirsch, Josh Lucas, Adam Goldberg

Description: After a brilliant but asocial mathematician, John Nash (Russell Crowe), accepts secret work in cryptography, his life takes a turn for the nightmarish.

Review: It’s not easy being a genius mathematician, when even the most simple decision become the most complicated formulas. John Nash is someone like that. Nobel Prize winner John Nash allowed Ron Howard to make a film about his life. Lead actor Russell Crowe met John Nash. “A Beautiful Mind” was very successful at the Academy Awards that year, it won for best movie, director and script, but just missed out on best actor. In my opinion it’s Russell Crowe’s best performance so far and he should have definitely won the award.

“A Beautiful Mind” doesn’t only focus on him as a genius, but also his schizophrenia. We meet Nash in his college years at Princeton, where he is seen as a weird guy. He doesn’t attend classes, because he can’t learn anything there and he has other things on his mind. His days are spend trying to solve formulas, which results in a controversial thesis. But while he lives his life in the world of numbers and formulas, his paranoia grows. Nash gets delusions and is convinced the government has hired him to solve codes to find the location of an atomic bomb. His wife Alicia has no idea how to deal with it.

 
“A Beautiful Mind” is Russell Crowe at his best. He portrays John Nash so convincingly and realistic. As a mathematician testing theories and as a man fighting his inner demons. But the woman on his side, Jennifer Connelly, also shines. As Alicia Nash she portrays her sublimely, as a woman who both loves and fears her husband. Connelly won for best supporting actress, which was well deserved. Crowe and Connelly are supported by great actors Ed Harris, Paul Bettany and Christopher Plummer. But it’s the script by Akiva Goldsmith that makes this movie truly memorable. Goldsmith takes the viewers into the mind of Nash, while the truth is still hidden until a certain point, to show us how Nash sees the world.

Strong acting and a great script. “A Beautiful Mind” is a perfect film, with both Crowe and Connelly at their best. Well directed by Ron Howard and his best movie so far.

Rating: 5/ 5

Five to Watch - Biopics

Biopics delve into the lives of important historical or contemporary figures and a story that has already been written, is perfect to adapt to film. There are thousands and thousands of biopics and I’d like to focus on the ones you might not know, are overlooked or are underrated. Here a five biopics for you to check out.

Control (2007)
This is a profile of Ian Curtis, the enigmatic lead singer of Joy Division. His personal, professional and romantic troubles led him to commit suicide at the age of 23. This film is the directorial debut of photographer Anton Corbijn, who focuses on Curtis’ life from 1972 until his intimely death in May 1980. The rapid fame of the post-punk band (one of the most influential British bands of all time) ensured a successful European tour and an extramarital affair, but Curtis was never separated from his hometown of Macclesfield. It was to be expected that the film looks beautiful, the black and white is incredibly vital. More surprisingly Corbijn shows himself to be a meticulous storyteller and an excellent actor director.

A Beautiful Mind (2001)
The story of John Nash, a brilliant but asocial mathematician. He accepts secret work in cryptography and it turns his life into a nightmare. This is the kind of film the Academy loves: a man on a mission overcomes adversity through perseverance and love in his life. It got eight nominations and half of it was cashed. Although Nash was a brilliant mind, his career fell apart due to schizophrenia. He did eventually win a Noble Prize. I still don’t understand how Russell Crowe didn’t win an Oscar for this. Jennifer Connelly did though.

Der Undergang (Downfall) (2004)
The film is about the last days of the Führer, Adolf Hitler. It meticulously portrays how Hitler initially still had some nice trades, for example his secretary Traudl Junge, no whose memoirs this film is based. Once cornered by the Allies, he becomes more and more openly unpleasant. Histler and his intimate circle are portrayed as people who hace no peeling (anymore) for raw reality. Which the viewer regularly gets to see, so that we don’t forget which destructions Hitler caused. Hitler is brilliantly portrayed by Bruno Ganz.

I, Tonya (2017)
A biopic about the American figure skater Tonya Harding, who was world news in 1994 when her competitor Nancy Kerrigan was injured, which Harding would have known about. Director Craig Gillespie made a delightful, poignant but often hilarious film about class difference (Harding was ‘white trash’, Kerrigan a ‘princess’), fame and media attention, but the film is made by actress Margot Robbie. She is unforgettable as Harding. Robbie is one of the most beautiful actresses Hollywood has right now and she dares to be the ‘ugly duckling’ and does that convincingly. Also one to mention is Allison Janney, as Harding’s mother. Great supporting role.

Amazing Grace (2006)
Idealist William Wilberforce maneuvers his way through Parliamant, endeavoring to end the British translatlantic slave trade. It’s a great piece of history, but very unknown to the audience. As is this film. I don’t think a lot of people have seen it and more should. This is definitely an underrated and overlooked film for sure.

Top 5 Thursday: Ron Howard Movies

Ron Howard is one of my favourite movie directors. Who knew that the Richie from “Happy Days” would be such a magnificent filmmaker? Here are my five favourite Ron Howard directed movies.

5. The Da Vinci Code
I know it was discussed when it came out, I was one of the few people that really loved this film. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I enjoyed every minute of it. I’m actually very sad that Ron Howard isn’t going to direct “The Lost Symbol” which is the next film in the Robert Langdon series.

4. Cinderella Man
One of the best boxing movies and such an amazing story. It’s a movie that people don’t really talk about anymore, but it should never be forgotten.

3. Apollo 13
I’m somehow always intrigued by space and “Apollo 13” is one of the best movies in this genre. Tom Hanks is fantastic as Jim Lovell.

2. Rush
Ron Howard managed to amaze me with this film, even though I don’t like Formula 1 racing. I was drawn into the world and it kept my attention at all times.

1. A Beautiful Mind
This is actually one of my all-time favourite movies. I was so amazed by Russel Crowe’s performance. I just love this movie, it’s so well made.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Frost/ Nixon, The Paper, Ransom, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Top 5 Thursday: Best Picture Winners

The Academy Awards have been presented, but I noticed that there aren’t a lot of movies lately I would choose to win that actually went home with the award. I decided to make a top 5 of my favorite movies, that won an Academy Award.

5. The Godfather
I slightly prefer this one over the second installment, mainly because of Marlon Brando. What an actor. This is such an amazing movie experience.

4. Rocky
One of the best underdog stories ever told. Rocky is a hero, no matter what you say. Sylvester Stallone isn’t just a talking bundle of muscles, he can actually act and win over an audience.

3. Dances with Wolves
One of those films that didn’t bore me due to its length. It’s amazing how fast time goes by when watching “Dances with Wolves”. Great acting and directing by Kevin Costner, one of the reasons why I have a weak spot for Kevin Costner.

2. A Beautiful Mind
Maybe not a viewers choice, but this movie always takes my breath away. Like I said more than once, that I still can’t believe Russell Crowe didn’t win an Oscar for this movie and he did for “Gladiator”. Crowe’s role is extremely overwhelming and so convincing. Thank God Jennifer Connelly did win.

1. Forrest Gump
My second favorite movie of all time and it defeated my favorite movie “The Shawshank Redemption”. “Forrest Gump” is a great movie with a lot of heart. I love Tom Hanks as Forrest, his best role ever and I don’t think he will ever top that.

They almost made the top 5: No Country for Old Men, The Departed, Million Dollar Baby, Braveheart, American Beauty, Silence of the Lambs, Platoon, Rain Man, The Godfather Part 2

Movie Tip #36 - A Beautiful Mind

Director: Ron Howard

Starring: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Paul Bettany, Ed Harris

Description: At Princeton University, John Nash (Russell Crowe) struggles to make a worthwhile contribution to serve as his legacy to the world of mathematics. He finally makes a revolutionary breakthrough that will eventually earn him the Nobel Prize. After graduate school he turns to teaching, becoming romantically involved with his student Alicia (Jennifer Connelly). Meanwhile the government asks his help with breaking Soviet codes, which soon gets him involved in a terrifying conspiracy plot. Nash grows more and more paranoid until a discovery that turns his entire world upside down. Now it is only with Alicia's help that he will be able to recover his mental strength and regain his status as the great mathematician we know him as today.

Review: This is one of my top five movies! It's fantastic. Crowe plays the role of John Nash perfectly, so intense. I never understood how he could win an oscar for "Gladiator" and not win it for "A Beautiful Mind". This is his best role ever. And Jennifer Connelly, who did win an Academy Award for this film, does a great job also. She's a very good actress. It is a beautiful movie, worth your while.