00s Movie Review - Doubt

Director: John Patrick Shanley
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 104 minutes
Year: 2008
Starring: Mery Streep, Amy Adams, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Viola Davis
 
Description: A catholic school principal (Meryl Streep) questions a priest’s (Philip Seymour Hoffman) ambiguous relationship with a troubled young student.  

Review: Without doubt, there is no faith. The historical setting of “Doubt” underscores that wisdom: major social changes are afoot in America’s early 1960s, but the film deals with a more fundamental uncertainty: holding to your faith or straying into sin to sanctify a greater purpose?

A Catholic elementary school in the Bronx, cut off from current events, welcomes new priest Brendan Flynn, who alludes to major changes within the church community with a charismatic sermon. At odds with his emancipatory ideas is principal Aloysius Beauvier who does not understand what he is talking about. Beauvier seems like a woman from days gone by, but appearances are deceptive: based on suspicion of Sister James, her young protégé, she accuses Flynn of abusing a black alter boy. Her crusade grows into a titanic struggle in which the truth, however, remains hidden. The title more than covers it.

The most pressing questios are left unanswered: why is Siter Beauvier convinced of Flynn’s guilt? Are her doubts also directed to God? What happened between Flynn and the young boy? “Doubt” keeps it all in the middle.

“Doubt” isn’t a spectacular film, it’s an acting movie, that is  made or broken by its cast. And having performers like Meryl Streep, the late Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Viola Davis in your cast, it’s definitely going to be alright.

“Doubt” addresses fundamental questions or responsibility and suspicion, but does not offer enough space for real reflection on the morality of faith. A well-acted movie.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Review - Disenchanted

Director: Adam Shankman
Genre: Science Fiction/ Action/ Adventure
Runtime: 119 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Amy Adam, Patrick Dempsey, Maya Rudolph, Idina Menzel, James Marsden, Gabriella Baldacchino, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jayma Mays, Osar Nuñez, Alan Tudyk
 
I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 47: A DISNEY LIVE-ACTION MOVIE
 
Description: Fifteen years after her happily ever after, Giselle (Amy Adams) questions her happiness, inadvertently turning the lives of those in the real world and Andalasia upside down in the process.

Review: It has been fifteen years since Amy Adams showed us how fairy-tale New York can e in “Enchanted”. Time for a new chapter of this popular musical. A sequel, showing us what happens after ‘happily ever after’.

In order to give it a fresh touch, there is a change of locations, where Giselle, her now husband Robert, now teenage daughter Morgan and a new daughter Sofia, move to the suburbs of Morganville. Giselle misses the fairytale life she had in Andalasia, wishing for it back.

Amy Adams is enchanting, just like in the first film. She is accompanied by Maya Rudolph this time. And these two have more chemistry than Adams has with Patrick Dempsey. The duet the two have is the absolute highlight of the film.

“Disenchanted” is a fun time for the whole family, true Disney magic coming to life. But it never lives up to “Enchanted”.

Rating: 3/ 5

Movie Review - Woman in the Window

Director: Joe Wright
Genre: Crime/ Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 100 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Julianna Moore, Wyatt Russel, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Anthony Mackie, Brian Tyree Henry, Tracy Letts

Description: An agoraphobic woman (Amy Adams) living alone in New York begins spying on her new neighbors, only to witness a disturbing act of violence.

Review: Anna no longer takes a step outside her apartment. She suffers from severe agoraphobia and takes heavy medication to get through thee day, supplemented by a good sip of wine. She kills time by spying on her neighbors, and at the beginning of the film, the Russel family across the street is just moving in. Anna meets their son Ethan, a sensitive boy with a nervous streak, and moments later his mother as well. But then nefarious things happen. Our heroine sees a murder taking place on the other side. Main suspect: Mr. Russell.  
The plot of the film is very similar to “Rear Window” and director Joe Wright agrees, he even adds another adds another shot from the classic, on the of the many film cassics that Anna turns on the TV while peering into the neighborhood. And Wright has also borrowed some voyeuristic shots from the old master Hitchcock. He mixes this with a touch of films like “Shutter Island” and “The Wolf Hour” (a fairly unknown film with Naomi Watts, but also has a lot of similarities with this film).  
In the lead role we see Amy Adams. Her character comes off as a bit of a caricature at some points. In a better films that wouldn’t have been the case. Because Adams is still one of the strongest actresses of her generation. Julianne Moore technically has only one scene. Gary Oldman, as Mr. Russell, is a bit too much. And Jennifer Jason Leigh doesn’t really have anything to do. I like basically every single actor cast for this film, just not in this movie.
If there is anything positive to be said, it is that Joe Wright shows some promise here as a thriller maker. Overall, “The Woman in the Window” is just a copy of some other good movies mixed together, but not very well-executed. I was so looking forward to this film, but sadly enough it’s not that great.

Rating: 2,5 / 5

10s Movie Review - Justice League

Director: Zack Snyder
Genre: Action.. Adventure/ Fantasy/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 121 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Gal Gadot, Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Amy Adams, Jeremy Irons, Connie Nielsen, Diane Lane, Amber Heard, Robin Wright, J.K. Simmons, Ciarán Hinds, Billy Crudup

Description: Fuled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s (Henry Cavill) selfless act, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) enlists the help of his new-found ally, Diana Prince (Gal Gadot), to face an even greater enemy.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2020 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 45: A DC COMICS MOVIE

Review: I don’t like saying this, but “Justice League” reminds me a lot of “The Avengers”. Not only the tone and the humor, but also the story structure is similar: short introductions of all the team members, the search of a bad guy Steppenwolf, and even the way the team fights against itself. Or take the entrance of Steppenwolf teleports to Earth thanks to a magical cube, and tries to get his hands on it while soldiers try to stop him. It’s not necessarily copied, the so-called Motherboxes do come from the original stories, but they are clearly playing it safe with the intention of “Justice League”. He therefore misses the impact, innovation and own identity that “The Avengers” had.
It turns out to be a successful formula, which proides a significant improvement over the overambitious “Batman V Superman”. Whereas the dark predecessor threw all kinds of subplots, themes and comic strips into a blender and hoped for a form of coherence, Zack Snyder had a clear them for the sequel. The film opens with the meaning of Superman’s emblem, the symbol for hope. This time it’s not a nice one-liner, but the core of the film. Truly every character ans subplot revolves around hope: Flash’s relationship with his father, Cyborg’s resurrection, Batman and Wonder Woman’s struggle with their past and Aquaman’s cantankerous and lonely quest for more. The tone is therefore more consistent than ever in the DCEU.  
Steppenwolf is allowed to join the lon line of uninteresting bad guys. His background as the seconds of Darkseid and his role as a military leader of the Planet Apokolips are hardly explained. Moreover, there is not glimmer of charisma or personality. “Justice League” has more lack of construction. Cyborg, Flash and Aquaman haven’t been able to benefit from a solo film yet, and have to try to develop their characters within some scenes.
The best thin about “Justice League” is, especially for the fans, that the fifth DCEU movie finally has a grip on the source material. The interaction between all the heroes is convincing and strong. And especially The Flash is a pleasant and enjoyable presence.
Compared to the other superhero movies that came out in 2017, “Justice League” is too safe to compete with. “Justice League” feels more like a rectification, mainly due to the optimistic and heroic tone in the last few shots.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

TV Show Review - Sharp Objects (Mini Series)

Season: Mini Series
Genre: Drama
Number of episodes: 8
Year: 2018
Starring: Amy Adams, Patricia Clarkson, Chris Messina, Eliza Scanlen, Elizabeth Perkins, Sophia Lillis, Matt Craven, Henry Czerny, Taylor John Smith, Lulu Wilson, Miguel Sandoval, Barbara Eve Harris   

Description: A reporter (Amy Adams) confronts the psychological demons from her past when she returns to her hometown to cover a violent murder.  

Review: “Sharp Objects” make is painfully clear that this is a psychological drama series, with a hint of mystery. Admittedly, Camille Preaker is sent to Wind Gap, her hometown, by her employer Frank Curry, to report on the murder and disappearance of two teenage girls. However, we only learn the reason for this decision as the series unfolds.
“Sharp Objects” is not for people who like fast-past whodunits. The HBO series choose a bold path of looking back to the past and a killer who targets young girls. The series, with its protagonist wonderfully played by Amy Adams, is a portrait of a damaged woman who sees words as pain, as an enemy and a friend in the world she lives in.
You need to pay attention to detail since there are words you can see along the way, that have a certain meaning or effect on Camille. In the street, in her car, on her body. And there are many theories of why Camille is the way she is.
Amy Adams is, a I mentioned before, amazing as the lead. You really feel her emotions and her performance is so strong, it blows off the screen. And she is accompanied by some really strong people. Patricia Clarkson, as her mother Adora. Her performance gave me the chills. She scared me in some way. And Eliza Scanlon, who plays Camille’s younger sister Amma. What a performance by this young rising star.
The slow pace does not bother me one bit, since the characters are all very complex and there is time needed to develop them and make them realistic. Bit by bit you are discovering why Camille didn’t want to go back to Wind Gap in the first place, why her younger sister acts the way she does and why Adora is so cold towards Camille.
“Sharp Objects” is not an easy watch, it’s a pretty depressing series. But well worth your time, since the performances and the story that unravels are really good. And that ending, it left me in awe. No happy ending here I can tell you.

Movie Reviews - Vice

Director: Adam McKay
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 133 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell, Alison Pill, Eddie Marsan, Justin Kirk, Jesse Plemons, Bill Camp, Shea Whigham, Tyler Perry, Naomi Watts, Alfred Molina

Description: The story of Dick Cheney (Christian Bale), an unassuming bureaucratic Washington insider, who quietly wielded immense power as Vice President to George W. Bush (Sam Rockwell), reshaping the country and the globe in ways that we still feel today.

Review: Director Adam McKay was once know for his absurd comedies with Will Ferrell, but has since made some less humorous films. In 2015 he brought us “The Big Short”, which focused on Wall Street. And with “Vice” he puts Dick Cheney in the spotlight. Is it a good career switch for McKay? I can say it is, because “Vice” is, even though very ambitious, a very strong political drama, a well-executed film with a comedic edge.
Because of the daily doses of idiotic Trump news, you would almost forget about the time that George W. Bush was president, which was also not the best political period for America. If it is completely Bush’s fault, that’s up for debate. It more luck than wisdom for Bush. And the political games he left for Dick Cheney. A man who became powerful by staying in the background. In “Vice” his political career is shown, and that career is much longer then we think. He started there when Nixon was president.
Cheney isn’t interested in politics at first. He chooses to be a Republican based on a speech Donald Rumsfeld gives. He becomes Cheney’s mentor. But student becomes teacher in this scenario.
When Cheney says his goodbyes to politics, he is tempted to work as Vice President for the unexperienced Bush. And when he becomes VP, he manages to draw all the power to himself.
Christian Bale looks nothing like Dick Cheney in real-life, but thanks to the fantastic make-up department Bale is unrecognizable and Cheney is born. He plays his role with perfection. But the satire doesn’t always work for Bale. Steve Carell and Sam Rockwell, who play Rumsfeld and Bush, are better suited for this style.
“Vice” has a few absurd scenes, that you wouldn’t expect in a political themed film. But here is where McKay separates himself from the rest. It doesn’t always work well, but it is original.
If politics don’t interest you, this movie is not for you. Even if it is brought with more wit and satire. If you do like it, it’s a nice change from all the raw and serious political dramas.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

00s Movie Review: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Director: Adam McKay
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 108 minutes
Year: 2006
Starring: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen, Leslie Bibb, Gary Cole, Jane Lynch, Michael Clarke Duncan, Amy Adams, David Koechner, Rob Riggle, Molly Shannon, Greg Germann

Description: Number one NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) stays atop the heap thanks to a pact with his best friend and teammate, Cal Naughton, Jr. (John C. Reilly) But when a French Formula One driver (Sacha Baron Cohen), makes his way up the ladder, Ricky Bobby's talent and devotion are put to the test.

Review: NASCAR: fast cars driving hundreds of laps on a simple oval track. In America it’s one of the most viewed sports. The NASCAR world was already put in the spotlight with the Tom Cruise film “Days of Thunder” and in the animated Disney film “Cars”. In “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Rocky Bobby” it takes on the comedy genre and the world is brought to us with a big fat wink.
We follow Ricky Bobby, a successful NASCAR driver. At first, everything goes uphill for him. Rocky becomes an egocentric superstar, but eventually ends up in the gutter. And everything that he once had and loved, slips through his fingers. And although this all sounds super cliché, which it is, the film is so entertaining and funny.
Will Ferrell is one of those actors that makes me laugh, no matter what. I just have to look at him and he cracks me up. And surely not everyone likes his humor. If you don’t like Will Ferrell’s films or roles, you don’t like this one either. Because it’s Will Ferrell, being Will Ferrell. The humor is never subtle, yet very hilarious.
Sacha Baron Cohen is really funny as Ricky Bobby’s big rival, Jean Girard. The way he pronounces Rocky Bobby is something that cracks me up constantly, even now, while writing this review and saying it in my head. My dad can do a killer impression of him by the way!
“Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” is definitely not a masterpiece or one of America’s best comedies. But somehow, this movie always makes me laugh out loud and that’s what a fun comedy should do.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

Top 5 Thursday: Amy Adams Movies

Amy Adams is one of my favorite actresses and she has been in so many great films. Just look at 2016 alone! Here are my five favorite Amy Adams films.

5. Her
“Her” is one of the most unconventional and unusual movies I have seen over the past years, but it really stole my heart. I really loved it, maybe because of the weirdness.

4. Catch Me If You Can
Amy Adams is so endearing in this film. “Catch Me If You Can” is a movie I rewatch a lt, directed by one of my favorite actors and starring one of my favorite actors. Amy Adams fits perfectly here.

3. Nocturnal Animals
Very stylish, creepy, haunting. This movie gets under your skin and keeps your mind occupied for a while after you see it. Amy Adams is really good in this film, so is Jake Gyllenhaal. The movie had a great ending, although for me not completely clear still…

2. The Muppets
Totally different than “Nocturnal Animals”, a cheery, fun, musical that can brighten my day anytime. I love “The Muppets”, in any setting.

1. Arrival
Director Denis Villeneuve has a flawless resume so far. This is such a fantastic sci-fi film, so different from the rest. And Amy Adams performance is so good, because of the timid nature of her character. This film blew my mind.

They Almost Made the Top 5: American Hustle, Leap Year, The Fighter, Julie & Julia, Doubt, Sunshine Cleaning, Enchanted, Junebug

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 168: Nocturnal Animals

Director: Tom Ford
Genre: Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 117 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Amy Adams, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Michael Shannon, Isla Fisher, Laura Linney, Armie Hammer, Michael Sheen, Andrea Riseborough

Description: An art gallery owner (Amy Adams) is haunted by her ex-husband's (Jake Gyllenhaal) novel, a violent thriller she interprets as a veiled threat and a symbolic revenge tale.

Review: Fashion designer Tom Ford proved with his film debut, “A Single Man”, that he isn’t only good with a needle and a sketchbook. The film was a masterpiece, not only from esthetic perspective. But also the themes and the characters were delicate and had depth. Ford took his time to direct his second film. “Nocturnal Animals” also focusses on relationships, regret and nostalgia to old romance. But it’s completely different movie.
At first sight it looks like art gallery owner Susan Morrow has it all. A good job, a beautiful house and a loving and handsome husband. But nothing is as it seems. Financially she isn’t doing well and she is estranged from her husband Hutton, who cheats on her while on a business trip. When Susan gets a message from her ex-husband Edward and he sends her a manuscript of his novel, she starts looking back on the life she once had. Susan left Edward for Hutton and hasn’t seen him in nineteen years. In Edwards’book, he tells the story of Tony Hastings and his family who are harassed by a group of criminials, while on the road. While Susan reads this story, she remember the life she had with Edward.
The story lines couldn’t be any different, but also have an emotional connection. Susan’s is more introvert and has a lot of thought in it. While Tony’s is extravert and explicit. Surprisingly enough, there is a perfect balance between those storylines. Tony is on a mission and has to find peace, while Susan has urges and desire but doesn’t show it.
Again Tom Ford manages to tell an esthetic story, but also enters the soul of the characters and the audience. Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal (the last has a double role) are both very strong in “Nocturnal Animals”. Michael Shannon is also worth mentioning. Aaron Taylory-Johnson plays one of the worst characters I’ve seen in a long time, what a terrible person. Great performance as well.
“Nocturnal Animals” is a film that gets under your skin.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 152: Arrival

Director: Denis Villeneuve
Genre: Drama/ Thriller/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 116 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg

Description: A linguist (Amy Adams) is recruited by the military to assist in translating alien communications.

Review: When Canadian direcot Denis Villeneuve signed to direct the lon awaited sequel to “Blade Runner”, it didn’t get the fans excited. Villeneuve did make some successful, dark thriller, but had no experience with science fiction yet. It’s “Arrival” that has to change those minds. And this is without a doubt one of the best science fiction films of the past ten years.
Twelve unknown spacecrafts arrive on planet earth and are spread out over several locations on our planet. Of course people panic. If you expect anything like “Independence Day”, you’re wrong. Villeneuve’s take on this theme is on a smaller scale. Linguistics expert Louise Banks is called in to help the military to communicate with the extra terrestrials. A tough job, because the aliens have nothing in common physically and linguistically with humans. Louise has to build up to that one question: Why are you here?
The communicatiosn with extra terrestrials isn’t a new given in Hollywood, just look at “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” or “Contact”. “Arrival” lifts it to another level though, to center this theme completely. Villeneuve captivates us with a very impressive lesson in linguistics. He goes deep into that and it’s fascinating. Louise has to teach the aliens the basics of the human language, when the respons she gets is anything but easy to understand. They are simply circle shaped signs, that disappear as fast as they appear.
Villeneuve manages to weave tension and stuff to think about. If you think that it will lead to a dull film with lots of info about communication, you will definitely be surprised. It’s a battle against time for Louise, a battle against the prejudices. Amy Adams does this very convicing, she carries this film easily. Adams proofs she is one of the best actresses out there. Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker are both solid.
I was already a fan of Villeneuve’s previous film. But now he showed us he can handle science fiction too, so that “Blade Runner” sequel is in good hands. “Arrival” is one of the best films of 2016.

Rating: 5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 90: Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice

Director: Zack Snyder
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 151 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Jeremy Irons, Laurence Fishburne, Holly Hunter, Gal Gadot, Scoot McNairy, Lauren Cohan, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kevin Costner

Description: Fearing that the actions of Superman (Henry Cavill) are left unchecked, Batman (Ben Affleck) takes on the Man of Steel, while the world wrestles with what kind of a hero it really needs.

Review: Let’s be honest: the DC comics is a little behind on Marvel when it comes to their movies. Marvel had their standalone films for Iron Man, The Hulk, Thor and Captain America and eventually teamed them up in “Avengers”. DC Comics is now bringing Superman and Batman together, two of the biggest superheroes ever.
Bruce Wayne saw his building for Wayne Enterprises fall and many people died because of it. This battle was fought by Superman and ever since then Bruce wants justice. Superman is still loved by people, but also hated by many others.
The character of Superman feels dynamic and human. Henry Cavill carries this role very well. Ben Affleck plays Batman for the first time. He is an excellent Bruce Wayne, but he didn’t completely convince me as Batman. And I don’t know if it’s just me, but his voice as Batman really annoyed me. We are introduced to Wonder Woman, who doesn’t really get a lot of screen time. But what we get is good. Jesse Eisenberg is a good villain.
“Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice” is the spectacle that we were promised. And it’s visual very stylish. This film has hardly any humor in it, it’s a very dark and serious film. But the movie feels a little but messy at some points. And the emotional climax is overshadowed by the promise of a Justice League film.

Rating: 3/ 5

Movie Battle: Catch Me If You Can Vs. The Departed

This might seem like a random battle, but it has some thought behind it. I looked up Leonardo DiCaprio on Rotten Tomatoes and check which were his two highest rated films. These are the two. I will do this more often, so you can see if I agree with the ranking. But first, let’s fight: “Catch Me If You Can" Vs. "The Departed”

 

 

ACTORS

Catch Me If You Can: Leonardo DiCaprio is the lead, as real life conman Frank Abagnale Jr. His father is played by Christopher Walken and Abagnale Jr. is hunted down by frustrated cop Carl Hanraty, portrayed by Tom Hanks. There are also smaller roles for Jennifer Garner, Amy Adams and Martin Sheen.

The Departed: “The Departed” is a film that has an amazing ensemble cast. Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprion, Jack Nicholson, Vera Farmiga, Alec Baldwin, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone. And they are all fantastic in it.

STORY

Catch Me If You Can: It’s a true story and one of those stories that seem unbelievable. It’s such an interesting story that Frank Abagnale Jr. managed to pretend to be a doctor, pilot and lawyer, without any degree, earn money and then get away with it.

The Departed: A story about two cops, one is a mole and one has to find the mole. It’s such a great and interesting story that stays interesting from beginning ‘till end. I only hoped the bad guy would win, that would separate the film from other crime dramas.

EFFECTS

Catch Me If You Can: No effects needed. It’s an acting film.

The Departed: The movie did a great job portraying Boston. No real effects needed here either, also an acting film.

WINNER

Close call, I love both movies. But I will go for “Catch Me If You Can”. More because it’s a more rewatchable film and the ending is better.

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 149: Junebug

Director: Phil Morrison

Genre: Drama/ Comedy

Runtime: 106 minutes

Year: 2005

Starring: Embeth Davidtz, Alessandro Nivola, Amy Adams, Scott Wilson, Ben McKenzie, Celia Weston

Description: A dealer in "outsider" art (Embeth Davidtz) travels from Chicago to North Carolina to meet her new in-laws, challenging the equilibrium of this middle class Southern home.

Review: Hollywood seems to have embraced the Indie film and with “Junebug” we have a real independent, small American film. The story follows Madeleine and George, a cultural couple from Chicago that travels to North Carolina for Madeleine’s job as an art dealer. While they are there they also pay a visit to George’s family, whom never met Madeleine. Two different cultures clash and bond.

Debuting director Phil Morrison got an insightful script from Angus MacLachlan, that isn’t very dramatic but shows us a nuanced observation of ordinary people. Positive is that the middle class and narrow minded Southern people are reflected in a more realistic way and not in a negative way. Like George’s mother, who is pretty annoying but the story allows her to be honest. No clichés.

The acting is very good. Embeth Davidtz is strong as the cold city woman. Alessandro Nivola as George and Ben McKenzie as grumpy Johnny are also very good. The star is Amy Adams as the pregnant Ashley. It’s probably the character with the least depth, but the most likeable and touching. She won at Sundance with this role and got an Academy Award nomination.

The film feels natural, great eye for detail and very relatable. “Junebug” is a film perfect for Indie lovers like me.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 15: Big Eyes

Director: Tim Burton
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 104 minutes
Year: 2014
Starring: Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz, Krysten Ritter, Jason Schwartzman, Danny Huston, Terence Stamp, Jon Polito, Elisabetta Faontine, James Saito, Guideo Furlani, Delaney Raye, Madeleine Arthur, Emily Bruhn, Alan McFarlane, Tony Alcantar, Jaden Alexander

Description: A drama about the awakening of the painter Margaret Keane (Amy Adams), her phenomenal success in the 1950s, and the subsequent legal difficulties she had with her husband (Christoph Waltz), who claimed credit for her works in the 1960s.

Review: Margaret Keane’s paintings were famous in the fifties and sixties. Even pop art front man Andy Warhol liked them. The paintings were characterized by portraits of children, with bid sad eyes. One problem: for a long time people thought Margaret’s husband Walter Keane was the creator of the paintings.
If you look at the design of the paintings, it’s typical Tim Burton. Not such a strange choice for a director. On the other hand, it’s not a typical Burton movie. We know Burton as the maker of fanciful, fairytale like movies like “Edward Scissorhands” and “Big Fish. “Big Eyes” is a true story.
“Big Eyes” starts off at the moment where Margaret is leaving her first husband, together with daughter Jane. Painting is the only thing, beside her daughter, that gives her joy. When moving to San Francisco, she continues to paint but without success. When she meets the charismatic Walter Keane, her live changes. He paints street sights of Paris and has talents as a salesman. Margaret and Walter see that they can offer each other a lot, so they decide to marry. When Margaret’s paintings get noticed, Walter takes credit for her work.
Burton choose to stay as close to the real story as possible. With that the story sometimes drags a bit and feels tedious at times. The fact that the movie is narrated, doesn’t help it. The movie also feels fragmentary, because the events follow each other rather quick.
Positive note is the superb enactment. Amy Adams is one of my favorites and I love her timid yet powerful performance. Christoph Waltz breaths charisma and that is again present in “Big Eyes”. That comedic court room scene, only Waltz can get away with that. Tim Burton, master of unlimited fantasy, took it easy by making “Big Eyes”. His movies didn’t bring him success lately and I’m afraid “Big Eyes” won’t change that. The film is okay, but the performances are better than the movie itself.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 157: Her

Director: Spike Jonze

Genre: Drama/ Comedy/ Romance/ Science Fiction

Runtime: 120 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Adams, Chris Pratt, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde

Description: Lonely writer Theordore (Joaquin Phoenix) develops an unlikely relationship with his newly purchased operating system (Scarlett Johansson) that's designed to meet his every need.

Review: Digital love, it seems like something impossible even in the far away future. Especially because it seems impossible for a computer to develop real feelings and thoughts. Director Spike Jonze manages to make it believable and realistic in the fantastic movie “Her”. In the futuristic Los Angeles, an endearing Joaquin Phoenix and the sexy voice of Scarlet Johansson tell a confronting and distressing love story.

Theodore is a writer of love letters, that are send by him in someone else’s name. His life is structured by an operating system, that he places in his ear, that he’s only disconnected from when he’s asleep. Theodore buys a new intelligent operating system. Her name is Samantha, but she doesn’t just feel like an operating system.

Because Scarlett Johansson lend her voice to Samantha, it feels familiar. You believe the connection between her and Theodore, even though it sounds so strange and disturbing. There is not a moment you think of Samantha as just an operating system.

The complete atmosphere in “Her” feels so real. The décor, costumes and everything around them looks perfect. This in combination with the great acting performance by Joaquin Phoenix make “Her” an absolute joy to watch.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

In the Picture: The Characters from "American Hustle"

“American Hustle” is a movie filled with interesting characters. Seductive, sleezy, crazy, sly, beautiful, you name it. So this movie is perfect for my item “In the Picture”. Here are the characters from “American Hustle”.

Irving Rosenfeld

Played by: Christian Bale

Irving Rosenfeld is a con artist. He is married and has adopted his wife’s son Danny. Even though he once loved his wife, his heart lies with Sydney.

Sydney Prosser

Played by: Amy Adams

Sydney Prosser is also a con artist and she works together with Irving. Sydney has improved Irving’s scams. She loves Irving, even though he isn’t the best looking man. Sydney is smart and she can be seductive to get what she wants. She also tries to manipulate Richie, distancing herself from Irving.

Richie DiMaso

Played by: Bradley Cooper

Richie is an FBI agent and catches Irving and Sydney in a loan scam. He offers to release them if Irving can line up for additional arrests. Richie starts working with Irving and Sydney and get a bit overeager.

Rosalyn Rosenfeld

Played by: Jennifer Lawrence

Rosalyn is Irving’s wife. She doesn’t work and is a bit crazy. Rosalyn has threatened Irving to tell everything to the cops if he ever left her. She know Irving has a thing for Sydney, but believes he would never leave her for Sydney.

Mayor Carmine Polito

Played by: Jeremy Renner

Carmine Polito is the Mayor and he befriends Irving. What he doesn’t know is that he’s being set up by him, Sydney and Richie. Carmine is a real family man and has never done anything to hurt his family.

 

 

Favorite Character: Carmine Polito

Me & 3 Amy Adams Movies

I’ve come to love Amy Adams over the years. She is so vibrant on the screen, you just can’t go around her. Adams has actually grown out to be one of my favourite actresses. Here are the three movies I picked and what I think of them.

Trouble with the Curve

Genre: Drama

Year: 2012

Director: Robert Lorenz

Cast: Clint Eastwoord, Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake, John Goodman, Robert Patrick, Matthew Lillard, Bob Gunton

Description: Gus (Clint Eastwood) is a baseball scout. The team he works for thinks he should retire. He asks them to let him do one more scouting job to prove himself. His friend, Pete (John Goodman), asks Gus’ estranged daughter, Mickey (Amy Adams), if she could go with him to make sure he's okay as his eyes are failing.

Opninion: It could have been a lot better, but what I loved the most is the father/ daughter relationship between Eastwood and Adam’s characters.

Favorite character: Mickey (Amy Adams)

Most memorable quote: “I know I'm as blind as a slab of concrete, but I'm not helpless. I'll put a bullet in my head when that happens.” –Gus-

Best scene: The scene where Micky and Gus are showing off the new player, who can throw a curveball.

American Hustle

Genre: Drama/ Crime

Year: 2013

Director: David O. Russell

Cast: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Lawrence, Alessandro Nivola, Louis C.K., Robert De Niro

Description: Con man Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) and his seductive partner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) are forced to work for wild FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper). He pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia.

Opinion: Good story and great acting by especially Bale, Adams and Renner. Nice job on making it look like the actual ‘70s.

Favorite character: Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner)

Most memorable quote: “You're nothing to me until you're everything.” –Sydney Prosser-

Best scene: Irving and Sydney dance to Duke Ellington.

Julie & Julia

Genre: Comedy

Year: 2009

Director: Nora Ephron

Cast: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Chris Messina, Stanley Tucci, Jane Lynch

Description: Julia Child's (Meryl Streep) story of her start in the cooking profession is intertwined with blogger Julie Powell's (Amy Adams) 2002 challenge to cook all the recipes in Child's first book.

Opinion: The perfect movie for foodies, dont watch it if you haven't eaten yet. Although Amy Adams is a bit overshadowed by Meryl Streep, both ladies are great in their roles.

Favorite character: Paul Child (Stanley Tucci)

Most memorable quote: “These damn things are as hot as a stiff cock!” –Julia Child-

Best scene: Julia Childs hears that her book will be published.

Favorite of the 3: “American Hustle”

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 95: American Hustle

Director: David O. Russell

Genre: Drama/ Crime

Runtime: 132 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Lawrence, Louis C.K., Alessandro Nivola, Robert De Niro

Description: Con man Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) and his seductive partner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) are forced to work for wild FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper). He pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia.

Review: This film by David O. Russell is full of crown jewels: rags and riches, beauties and beasts, charm and crime. All set in the sumptuous seventies and with a bit of slapstick. And then the great cast: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Jeremy Renner. “American Hustle” is filled with sexiness, scams and talent.

“American Hustle” grabs the audience, like Sydney Prosser gets her men. Together with Irving Rosenfeld she misleads people into making big investments. But then they are caught in the act by FBI agent Richie DiMaso. They are forced to work together.

The story is narrated by various characters, but as a viewer your attention is easily drawn to Irving Rosenfeld. Christian Bale is impressive in his role, with his beer belly and strange hairdo, he shows us again how he can get lost in a role. Amy Adams is very provocative in her role as Sydney Prosser and I enjoyed her performance. Together they are the ‘beauty and the beast’ of crime. Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, who stole the show and your hearts in Russell’s previous film “Silver Linings Playbook”, aren’t as impressive. They are not bad, but they are standing in the shadows of Bale and Adams. Jeremy Renner on the other hand, as mayor Carmine Polito, is excellent.

This film succeeds and pictures the seventees very well. “American Hustle” is a movie with a great cast, interesting story and some wonderful acting by especially Bale, Adams and Renner.

Rating: 4/ 5

Pic Spam: Academy Awards 2014

I saw the Academy Awards last night and I Always love to watch this glitter & glamour evening. This is the only night that I allow myself to feel a bit of hedonism. It's been a while since I've done a pic spam (december!) and I decided to do something new. So I'm going to share some pictures from last night's Academy Awards. My favorite stars, moments, shots, you name it.

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 16: Trouble with the Curve

Director: Robert Lorenz
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 111 minutes
Year: 2012
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake, John Goodman, Robert Patrick, Matthew Lillard, Bob Gunton

Description: Gus (Clint Eastwood) is a baseball scout. The team he works for thinks he should retire. He asks them to let him do one more scouting job to prove himself. His friend, Pete (John Goodman), asks Gus’ estranged daughter, Mickey (Amy Adams), if she could go with him to make sure he's okay as his eyes are failing.

Review: A good curveball is one of the best weapons a pitcher can have and it’s a real challenge for the batter. “Trouble With the Curve” centers this learning process. We follow Gus, whose life is all about baseball. As the Atlanta Braves scout he travels through the country to find new talent. Because he’s aging, Gus gets one last chance to prove himself as an old-fashioned scout. His daughter Mickey joins him, she wants to look after him because his sight isn’t that good anymore.
Clint Eastwood plays a role that he has done before: a grumpy, stubborn old man. That worked for him in “Gran Torino” and “Million Dollar Baby”, but it’s gotten a little old. I do like these Eastwood characters though and his sarcastic humor. Amy Adams’ character is just loveable, I always like it when a strong woman enters a man’s world. The chemistry between Eastwood and Adams is great, you believe them as a father and daughter. Justin Timberlake on the other hand doesn’t really add anything to the story but predictability. And John Goodman wasn’t given enough screen time, because the scenes he had with Eastwood were really good.
Although baseball isn’t really my sport, the movie did interest me. It’s not one of the best and it’s certainly not very special, but it was enjoyable to watch.

Rating: 3/ 5