10s Movie Review - Filth

Director: Jon S. Baird
Genre: Action/ Comedy/ Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 97 minutes
Year: 2013
Starring: James McAvoy, Jamie Bell, Eddie Marsan, Jim Broadbent, Imogen Poots

Description: A corrupt, junkie sop (James McAvoy) with bipolar disorder attempts to manipulate his way though a promotion in order to win back his wife and daughter while also fighting his own inner demons.

I WATCHED THIS FILM FOR MY 2025 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 18: A FILM WITH JAMES MCAVOY
 
Review: Bruce Robertson possesses every bad trait you can think of: he is manipulative, negative, vulgar and hates everyone. When he hears that he can get a promotion to police inspector, he wants to do everything he can to get this job. He is convinced that this way he can restore his relationship with his wife and daughter. Then he puts everything into defeating his competitors and pits his fellow police officers against each other. In between, he drinks, smokes, fucks and uses drugs on a regular basis. And Bruce is getting worse and worse.

There is a reason why James McAvoy is one of my favorite actors and here is another one. In “Filth” he is fantastic. His character Bruce is irredeemable, he is so unlikeable because of everything he says and does. It becomes increasingly difficult to sympathize with Bruce. But somehow he manages to turn this around right at the end. And McAvoy steals the show and carries the entire film.

Would I recommend “Filth”. Not to everyone. If you’re into sarcasm, dark comedy and a highly unlikeable and disturbed main character, this is for you. If none of this speaks to you, you’d better skip it. This is a typical case of you hate it or you love it.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

00s Movie Review - Gangs of New York

Director: Martin Scorsese
Genre: Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 147 minutes
Year: 2002
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, John C. Reilly, Stephen Graham, Henry Thomas, Brendan Gleeson, Liam Neeson, Jim Broadbent, Eddie Marsan

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 49: A MOVIE WITH AND ACTOR/ ACTRESS YOU DISLIKE
 
Description: In 1962, Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) returns to the Five Points area of New York City seeking revenge against Bill the Butcher (Daniel Day-Lewis), his father’s killer.

Review: In “Gangs of New York”, director Martin Scorsese resents his cynical vision of the extremely bloody gang wars that plagued Manhattan in the mid-nineteenth century.

The film opens with a bloody battle in the Five Points area, where Irish immigrants clash with the American-born Nativists, led by the ruthless William cutting, knows as Bill the Butcher.
Sixteen years later, the son of the murdered Irish gang leader, returns to the neighborhood. Unfortunately, this characters, Amsterdam Vallon, doesn’t quite come into his own, but there is no doubt about his revenge against Bill the Butcher. This is one of those stories where you kind of side with the villain, because his character is way more interesting and fleshed out, not because he’s more likeable. And that is largely thanks to Daniel Day-Lewis, who portrays this ruthless gang leader as a charismatic psychopath. He created an instant classic movie villain. He steals the entire movie and makes Leonardo DiCaprio completely fade into the background. Not to speak of Cameron Diaz, who in my eyes was miscast. And I believe that they could have left her character out completely, she adds nothing to the story and you don’t care about her.

But “Gangs of New York” has more to offer than Day-Lewis’ monumental acting. Above all, the film fascinates with the almost maniacal detail with which the Manhattan of 1862 was reconstructed. The film looks stunning. We are plunged into an anarchic society. Scorsese has already showed us at length that Manhattan was nothing less than hell on earth in previous movies, but he has just mentioned that existence there in the nineteenth century was many times more miserable.

In Taxi Driver and Bringing out the dead, Scorsese had already shown us at length that Manhattan was nothing less than hell on earth. He had just never mentioned that existence there in the nineteenth century was many times more miserable.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

00s Movie Review - Red Riding: the Year of Our Lord 1974

Director: Julian Jarrold
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 102 minutes
Year: 2009
Starring: Andrew Garfield, David Morrissey, Sean Bean, Rebecca Hall, Eddie Marsan, Michelle Dockery

Description: A rookie Yorkshire journalist (Andrew Garfield) sets out to solve the case of a child murderer.

Review: “Red Riding” is a film trilogy based on a series of books by British author David Peace. At three-year intervals the books paint a picture of a thoroughly corrupt police force in West Yorkshire, in the north of England, during the 1970s and 1980s. Although partly based on fact, the whole concerns a fictional representation of how Peace himself remembers his childhood in Yorkshire. The trilogy was made for British television, which aired for the first time in 2009. The first part is set in 1974.
Eddie Dunford is a young crime reporter for the Yorkshire Post who yearns for a big break. He starts working on a case of a number of missing young girls. The deeper he digs, the more Dunford becomes convinced that the police are withholding information and that the real estate tycoon John Dawson is involved in the disappearance – and most likely murder – of these girls. Dunford takes care of the mother of one of the missing children, but she too knows more than she admits and slowly but surely the young journalist becomes entangled in a web of betrayal and plots, from which he sees no way out.
The plot reads like an intriguing crime thriller and that is how the film can be adequately described. With the understanding that the resolution of the disappearances is not addressed. The purpose of the film is more to give an impression of the miserable life in the village north of England. We get images of Yorkshire that is visually stripped of color. The dark style of the film is consistently carried through in the cinematography, therefore the film is really attractive.
It’s quite the slow burn, but this adds to the atmosphere of the film. And you’re invested enough to want to see the other two parts in the series.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

10s Movie Review - Concussion

Director: Peter Landesman
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 118 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, David Morse, Eddie Marsan, Hill Harper, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Stephen Moyer, Richard T. Jones, Paul Reiser, Luke Wilson

Description: In Pittsburgh, accomplished pathologist Dr. bennet Omalu (Will Smith) uncovers the truth about brain damage in football players who suffer repeated concussions in the course of normal play.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2021 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 30: A MOVIE RECOMMENDED BY A FRIEND
 
Review: Mike Webster was one of the best center players in the National Football League (NFL) in America. He played professional American Football for sixteen years, mostly for the Pittsburgh Steelers. After his career, he soon declined. He lives in a pickup truck and suffers from dizziness, forgetfulness and insomnia. Not surprisingly, he dies. A heart attack is soon the official reading. Nigerian forensic neuropathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu is assigned to investigate Webster. He discovers that something is wrong with the brain, but can’t quite pinpoint what it is. When another former football player dies, Omalu notices the same brain abnormalities. Could there be something more going on with football players after all? Omalu tries to bring this to the attention of the NFL board, but his research is dismissed as nonsense. In fact, since then Omalu has only been thwarted in his investigation and even received death threats.
Jeanne Marie Laskas wrote the article Game Brain for the men’s magazine GC in 2009. In it, she describes the story of how Nigerian Dr. Bennet Omalu discover what effect the hard hits and collisions of American Football players have on their brains. And how Omalu is opposed by the entire NFL after this discovery. Peter Landesman is a director and writer, but also a journalist. He has written a number of articles on human and gun trafficking for New York Time Magazine, The New Yorker and other leading magazines. His first feature film, “Parkland”, dealt with the aftermath of the assassination of John F. Kennedy. He made the follow-up “Concussion” in response to Jeanne Marie Laskas’ article. His background as a journalist came in handy for the structured telling of the story surrounding Dr. Bennet Omalu and his investigations. A story that is structured according to fairly standard principles, but contains poignant moments. Its distressing that a large organization like the NFL considers entertainment interests more important than the health of its players. Somehow it’s understandable, because the stakes are high. The NFL desperately needs the players to keep the entertainment going. The chances that young people will stop playing American football when they hear that it can cause brain damage are high, so the sport will eventually cease to exist. Yet it is strange that people do not want to look for a solution, but continue to deny the danger Omalu points out.
As a sub-line in the story, there’s Omalu’s personal struggle to adapt to the American system as an immigrant. He wants to succeed at all costs in the promised land. But as a Nigerian, he has his own ideas and principles and they do not always correspond to what is expected in America. This leads to misunderstanding on both sides. Omalu is portrayed by Will Smith, who is very convincing, inspiring and strong in his role. Another actor I need to point out is David Morse. He only has a minor role at the start of the film, but he really leaves an impression.
“Concussion” doesn’t really color outside the lines. The film is made according to standard movie laws. But a film like “Spotlight” had already shown that you can still make an interesting film this way, because the content is so well done. “Concussion” can’t match that film, but is intriguing enough to keep you interested the entire runtime.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Review - The Gentlemen

Director: Guy Ritchie
Genre: Crime/ Action/ Comedy
Runtime: 113 minutes
Year: 2020
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Hugh Grant, Michelle Dockery, Colin Farrell, Henry Golding, Jeremy Strong, Eddie Marsan

Description: An American expat (Matthew McConaughey) tries to sell his highly profitable marijuana empire in London, triggering plots, schemes, bribery and blackmail in an attempt to steal his domain out from under him.

Review: After directing some more conventional films like “Sherlock Holmes” and “Aladdin”, Guy Ritchie returns with a movie that is more his style. More than 20 years after “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” Ritchie is back with a type of film that he’s best at. It’s a clever, quick and self-written British gangster film that is fast-paced and never has a dull moment.
A lot of the plot elements in this film a recognizable from movies like “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch”, where it’s about big deals. In “The Gentlemen” this deal is the sale of a British marijuana empire, lead by the American Mickey Pearson. Many people show interest and have their own reasons for it. And that sometimes a machine gun needs to be fired or a fist fight has to happen, only adds to the spectacle.
Like the other aforementioned movies by Ritchie, there are several plots going on. Essential is the one of tabloid journalist and movie director wannabe Fletcher, played by Hugh Grant, who I am thankful for leaving his romcom image aside. He isn’t a gentleman at all and doesn’t mind bribing or blackmailing a drug lord. Fletcher know exactly what is going on in this world and even writes a script for a film. This script is presented to Pearson’s right hand Ray, a gangster played by Charlie Hunnam (these two were definitely my favorite element of the film, they are so good in it). This is the main plot line in the film and is connected with several others. And soon you realize that almost everyone has a double agenda and isn’t as loyal as you might think. A lot of intrigue and betrayal. With that, the film has dry and dark humor, which Ritchie is known for.
The movie might not have the most original story, but if you are a fan of Ritchie’s previous work it won’t bother you. Because it has all the elements that his other crime films had and what make him such a great filmmaker. If you likes “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch”, you will enjoy “The Gentlemen” as well.

Rating: 4 / 5

Movie Reviews - Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw

Director: David Leitch
Genre: Action
Runtime: 137 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Vanessa Kirby, Idris Elba, Cliff Curtis, Eddie Marsan, Helen Mirren, Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Hart

Description: Lawman Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and outcast Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) form an unlikely alliance when a cyber-genetically enhanced villain (Idris Elba) threatens the future of humanity.

Review: The “Fast & Furious” franchise is an eye-catching phenomenon of modern-day Hollywood. What started out as a film about illegal street races with a few action scenes, is now a million dollar series of almost 10 films, which leans primarily on spectacle and has no credibility left.
“Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw”, like the title suggests, revolves around two of the most popular characters in the franchise: Dwayne Johnson’s flamboyant secret agent Luke Hobbs and Jason Statham’s former soldier slash hitman Deckard Shaw. Against their will, they are teamed up to protect the world from ‘half-robot’ Brixton, who wants to expose mankind to a dangerous virus.
The entry of this villain, played by Idris Elba, shows that the film makers embrace the absurdity that this franchise has become. And nothing separates them from any random Marvel movie, because it’s basically indestructible heroes fighting for world peace. That combined with a dose of humor and funny observations. It even has an after credit scene which hints to a sequel (which we really don’t need, but will get anyway…).
At least the cast is formed by three charismatic leads, even though they do nothing groundbreaking. Johnson and Statham are constantly exchanging cliché heavy one-liners and insult each other. And this gets old after fifteen minutes or so. That scene on the plane, took way too long (and adding Kevin Hart to the party, doesn’t make it better). But that doesn’t add up to what they did with Idris Elba. Elba is a fantastic actor who screams charisma. But his portrayal of bionic villain Brixton is very one-dimensional and absolutely forgettable.
Little note: Ryan Reynolds is really funny. His short appearances adds a half star to the rating.
The action is well choreographed and visualized, but what can you expect from a two-hundred-million dollar budget. The spectacle does look great, but it is sometimes so over-the-top laughable that even the most expensive visual effects look cheap and unbelievable. And the scenes are too long and too much, that it becomes hard to watch.
“Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw” is even more hysterical and over-the-top then its predecessor “Fast & Furious 8”. And although it looks stunning and is entertaining, it never becomes more than a standard action movie that could land on the B-list. At least we got some handsome men.

Rating: 2/ 5

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

10s Movie Review - Mowgli

Director: Andy Serkis
Genre: Action/ Adventure
Runtime: 107 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Naomie Harris, Eddie Marsan, Andy Serkis, Peter Mullen, Tom Hollander, Matthew Rhys, Freida Pinto

Description: A human child raised by wolves must face off against a menacing tiger named Shere Khan, as well as his own origins

Review: After his parents were killed by tiger Shere Khan, Mowgli is taken in by a wolf pack lead by Akela. Not all animals in the jungle accept Mowgli and as he grows up, he has to work harder to proof himself. As Mowgli gets older, he starts to have doubts about who he is. When Shere Khan announces war between him and the other jungle citizens, Mowgli is forced to live with the people in the village.
In 2016 director Jon Favreau gave us his take on “The Jungle Book”, based on the Disney animation. It had charm, with, adventure and was suited for all ages. Andy Serkis has a different take on the story. It’s still the same basic story. But it’s all a lot darker, has no sing-a-longs and is filled with bloody hunts and has a grim atmosphere. However this is more like the original source material, the novel by Rudyard Kipling, it never convinces completely.
What made “The Jungle Book” so great were the visuals. And although “Mowgli” looks good too, the animals and the special effects aren’t always that great. The somewhat wooden computer animations really don’t work well. And what was the least interesting part of the animation from 1967? Were Mowgli meets the other people. And that’s a big part of this film.
The voice cast is amazing though. Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett and Benedict Cumberbatch were chosen perfectly for their roles. And that the film choses a different path then its predecessor is also a good choice. Too little, too late is definitely the case for “Mowgli”.

Rating: 3 / 5

Movie Reviews - Deadpool 2

Director: David Leitch
Genre: Action
Runtime: 120 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccaring, T.J. Miller, Terry Crews, Eddie Marsan, Julian Denisson

Description: Foul-mouthed mutant mercenary Wade Wilson,AKA. Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), brings together a team of fellow mutant rogues to protect a young boy with supernatural abilities from the brutal, time-traveling cyborg, Cable (Josh Brolin).

Review: In 2016 “Deadpool” surprised us all, it was an instant hit. And the genius marketing campagne helped too. Obviously there had to be a sequel. A big challenge for director David Leitch and creative brain Ryan Reynolds, especially trying to find an original angle. And that without becoming a recycled version of the first film.
In his new mission, Deadpool has to protect Russell. A teenager struggling with his abilities and who is hunted by futuristic soldier Cable.
Like the first film, there is harsh satire and bloody action. This made the original film so fresh, because it wasn’t made kid friendly. “Deadpool 2” has this too. With a lot of winks to other Marvel films, DC and even Ryan Reynolds’ previous work.
I can understand that the humor in “Deadpool 2” is not for everyone and a lot is pop culture references. I love this kind of humor. It’s sharp, clever, sarcastic and it mocks itself. Sometimes they go a little too far, a bit over the top. But never enough to make it annoying.
“Deadpool 2” is surely not better than or as good as the first. But it’s super entertaining, funny, action packed and one hell of a wild ride.

Rating: 4 / 5

10s Movie Review - Atomic Blonde

Director: David Leitch
Genre: Action/ Thriller
Runtime: 115 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, Eddie Marsan, John Goodman, Toby Jones, Sofia Boutella, Bill Skarsgård, Til Schweiger

Description: An undercover MI6 agent (Charlize Theron) is sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents.

Review: The adaptation of the graphic novel seems pretentious and forced, but is a great rollercoaster ride with a great cast. And an awesome soundtrack! It’s a straight to the point story without any array.
Director David Leitch has to proof that movies like “Atomic Blonde”, with exaggerating plots and unbelievable characters, can actually be good.
Broughton is a relentless agent for the MI6. She is very driven and a skilled fighter. We see Broughton being interrogated by the CIA en she is telling her story.
Star of the show is off course Charlize Theron, who often proved that she is a very versatile actress. Her character is strong and self-assured and she easily manages in a man’s world.
“Atomic Blonde” is not too complicated, the entire thing is fairly simple. Yet it’s a great explosion of action and fun, with a killer soundtrack filled with amazing 80s songs.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 8: Tyrannosaur

Director: Paddy Considine

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 91 minutes

Year: 2011

Starring: Peter Mullan, Olivia Colman, Eddie Marsan, Paul Popplewell, Ned Dennehy, Samuel Bottomley, Sally Carman, Sian Breckin, Paul Conway, Lee Rufford, Robin Butler, Archie Lal, Julia Mallam, Fiona Carnegie, Piers Mettrick, Vicki Hackett, Robert Haythorne, Jag Sanghera, Carol Plant

Description: Joseph (Peter Mullan), a man plagued by violence and a rage that is driving him to self-destruction, earns a chance of redemption that appears in the form of Hannah, a Christian charity shop worker (Olivia Colman).

Review: Joseph is a mad man, a very mad man. He is a widow, spends his days in the suburbs of Leeds and has a temper he can’t control. He yells at everyone and often uses violence when they don’t do as they say. Without too much human contact, Joseph goes through the days. Joseph is the main character in “Tyrannosaur”, a very impressive directorial debut by actor Paddy Considine.

After the opening, where we meet Joseph and his rage, director Considine focuses on the relationship between Joseph and Hannah. She is the owner of a thrift shop where Joseph hides one day. Hannah is scared of Joseph at first, but along the way the two tortured souls connect.

Because Hannah also has some problems. The Christian woman is married to a man who can’t keep his hands to himself and she is in a deep depression. The film is raw and has some great performances.

“Tyrannosaur” is a very depressive film, very heavy too. The film is pretty short, but it feels longer. That’s because this is such a heavy film, with no lighter moments. Considine wanted to show us that for some people, it really never gets any better.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 4: Mission: Impossible 3

Director: J.J. Abrams

Genre: Action/ Thriller

Runtime: 125 minutes

Year: 2006

Starring: Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Keri Russell, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Laurence Fishburne, Billy Crudup, Simon Pegg, Michelle Monaghan, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Maggie Q, Eddie Marsan

Description: Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) comes face to face with a dangerous and sadistic arms dealer while trying to keep his identity secret in order to protect his girlfriend (Michelle Monaghan).

Review: Ethan Hunt is sent on another mission. The task sounds simple: save one of their own after being held captive. But it’s a lot more complicated and it leads Hunt and his team to Germany, the Vatican, Virginia and Shanghai.

The raw but perfectly calculated action is probably the best thing about “Mission: Impossible 3”. The intrigues and the bond between Hunt and his team members Luther, Declan and Zhen are also very strong. I love the way how the team manages to outsmart everyone, by dodging cameras, blowing up Ferraris and disguising as their enemy. Hunt’s personal life is a little less interesting though.

Like the first two films, the cast is strong. Off course Tom Cruise and Ving Rhames do great. But Philip Seymour is very convincing as the bad guy. And Simon Pegg, who always manages to add cynicism and dry humor to his scenes.

“Mission: Impossible 3” is a great action thriller, a wonderful addition to the series.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 112: War Horse

Director: Steven Spielberg

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 140 minutes

Year: 2011

Starring: Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston, David Thewlis, Eddie Marsan, Peter Mullan

Description: Young Albert enlists to serve in World War I after his beloved horse is sold to the cavalry. Albert's hopeful journey takes him out of England and to the front lines as the war rages on.

Review: Like dogs, in the history of film horses have proven to be excellent actors. “War Horse” is an epic story that shows World War I through the eyes of a horse. Off course not an ordinary horse, this one is very special. Everyone that encounters him, is mesmerized by him.

“War Horse” starts with the birth of a young horse The young Albert witnesses it and from that moment on, Albert is fascinated by the creature. When his father buys the horse, Albert wants to train him. He calls him Joey. But then there is war. Albert’s family has to sell Joey to the army. Albert is sure that the two will meet again someday.

Director Steven Spielberg didn’t budget on the making of “War Horse”. It’s a nostalgic spectacle. Visually this movie has no faults. The story itself is a bit predictable, but the good performances make up for it. Tears will definitely flow, especially in combination with a beautiful soundtrack by John Williams.

In the end it’s not the story that will stick, but the visual beauty of this film. From big battle scenes to more intimate moments, it’s all very impressive and touching.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Quotables: "The World's End"

It’s really sad to hear that this is the final movie in the Cornetto series. I secretly hope there will be more movies directed by Edgar Wright and starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. They are a trio made in heaven. But there is still enough room on my blog to talk about these amazing comedies. Here are the best quotes from “The World’s End”.

Gary King: Tonight, we will be partaking of a liquid repast as we wind our way up the Golden Mile. Commencing with an inaugural tankard in The First Post, then on to The Old Familiar, The Famous Cock, The Cross Hands, The Good Companions, The Trusty Servant, The Two-Headed Dog, The Mermaid, The Beehive, The King's Head, and The Hole in the Wall for a measure of the same, all before the last bittersweet pint in that most fateful terminus, The World's End. Leave a light on good lady, for though we may return with a twinkle in our eyes, we will be in truth blind - drunk!

Gary King: [to The Network] Oh fuck off, you big lamp!

Gary King: Get back in your rocket, and fuck off back to Legoland you cunts!

 

Gary King: Drink up. Let's Boo-Boo.

Steven Prince: 'Boo-Boo'? What is that?

Gary King: You remember "Let's Boo-Boo". You know, from Mr. Shephard's classroom, it said on the wall "Exit, Pursued by a Bear", you know, from that Shakespeare play?

Steven Prince: A Winter's Tale.

Gary King: Yeah. What was it called?

Steven Prince: A Winter's Tale.

Gary King: That's it. And if we needed to make a quick getaway, we'd say: "Exit, Pursued by a Bear". And then, it was: "Exit, Pursued by Yogi Bear". And then, it was just: "Let's Yogi and Boo-Boo". And then: "Let's Boo-Boo".

Steven Prince: So you're saying we should go?

Gary King: Yeah. Shitty, here. Isn't it?

Gary King: How is, uh...

Peter Page: Vanessa.

Gary King: No. Your wife.

Peter Page: Vanessa.

Gary King: Yeah. How's she?

Peter Page: She's good.

Gary King: Have you had sex yet?

Peter Page: We have two children.

Gary King: Ooh twice! Get you, fuck machine.

Andrew Knightley: I haven't had a drink for sixteen years Gary.

Gary King: You must be thirsty then.

 

Steven Prince: Ten people have entered in this toilet in the last five minutes and not a single one has come back out again. That's going to look suspicious.

Gary King: Gay loving!

Gary King: [having repeatedly banged his head against the wall] There, that proves I'm human.

Steven Prince: It proves you're stupid.

Gary King: Exactly! Ow!

Andrew Knightley: You said you wanted to chew the fat. I think you just wanted to drink it. We're not your friends, we're just your fucking enablers.

Gary King: Enabler? Oh that's a funny word. Gary King & The Enablers. Actually that would make a great name for the band. Steve, write that down.

In the Picture: The Characters from "The World's End"

I finally saw it this year and it met my expectations. It’s a fantastic comedy, this is how comedies should be made! And it also brought some great characters. Here are the characters from “The World’s End”.

Gary King
Played by: Simon Pegg
Gary King is a middle-aged recovering drug addict. He is still stuck in his teenage life, because he wants to get the old group of friends together again. Gary is determined to finally finish “The Golden Mile” because they didn’t manage that back in the days.

Andy Knightley
Played by: Nick Frost
Andy used to be Gary’s best friend, but nowadays Andy is a more serious man. He is a lawyer. Andy doesn’t want to be a part of the reunion, but when he starts feeling sorry for Gary he decides to take part anyway.

Oliver Chamberlain
Played by: Martin Freeman
Oliver is a serious business man, an estate agent, who is still working while trying to finish “The Golden Mile” with the guys. He only got into the group because Gary thought his sister Sam was hot.

Steven Prince
Played by: Paddy Considine
Steven used to be Gary’s fellow rock star in training. They were very similar when they were kids: Cool, good-looking and both into Oliver’s sister Sam. Steven is now an architectural consultant and hasn’t heard from Gary for a very long time.

Peter Page
Played by: Eddie Marsan
Peter is from a wealthy family and that was the only reason Gary wanted to be friends with him. As a child, Peter was bullied and when he revisits New Haven he sees his bully again.

Sam Chamberlain
Played by: Rosemund Pike
Sam is Oliver’s sister and caught the eye of both Gary and Steven. Gary had a fling with her when they were younger, but she always regretted that. Nowadays she is more into Steven.

Favorite Character: Gary King

100 Movies Challenge 2014 - # 42: The World's End

Director: Edgar Wright
Genre: Comedy/ Science Fiction/ Action
Runtime: 109 minutes
Year: 2013
Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine, Eddie Marsan, Rosamund Pike, Pierce Brosnan

Description: Five friends who reunite in an attempt to top their epic pub crawl from 20 years earlier unwittingly become humankind's only hope for survival.

Review: The trio Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are back in the last part of their so-called “Three Flavors Cornetto-trilogy”. With previous successes “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz” Pegg and Frost write the screenplay and play the lead characters and Wright has the honors to direct this comedy.
Twenty years ago Gary King and his friends wanted to achieve “The Golden Mile”, which means that they visit twelve pubs in their hometown Newton Haven and ending in The World’s End. They didn’t make it and now, all grown up, the group of friends is going to give it another shot. But if they will make it to The World’s End or not is the least of their problems.
If you’re a fan of the previous films, like I am, you get exactly what you want. “The World’s End” is filled with the British humor that I love, mostly very subtle and not in your face. The film brought us a very memorable fight scene in a bathroom, which you really have to watch to understand why it’s close to being classic. Off course there is again a scene featuring a fence and a very subtle cornetto remark, both only meant for the insiders.
The entire cast is perfect and they all work very well together. Simon Pegg is the star of the film though, he shines in every scene and shows us that many American comedians still have a lot to learn.
If I want a good comedy, I leave it to Wright, Pegg and Frost, a magical trio. This is really my humor and they can hardly do anything wrong in my eyes. “The World’s End” is again a great film, for the lovers. And I hope the three men decide to make another movie… or two.

Rating: 5/ 5

Movie Moments: "Happy-Go-Lucky"

This is such a feel-good movie, the Brittisch sister of “Amélie”. Today I just felt like rewatching it and sharing my favorite moments with you.

Moment # 1: Bookstore
Poppy visits a bookstore she’s never been to before. She is trying to make conversation with the salesman, but he’s not very talkative.

Moment # 2: Making birds
Poppy and her friend and colleague Zoë are making birds out of paper bags, with their classes.

Moment # 3: Poppy’s first lesson
After Poppy’s bike was stolen she decides to take driving lessons. Her instructor, Scott, is not as jolly as her and Poppy doesn’t really take him seriously.

Moment # 4: Flamenco
Poppy joins a colleague who is taking a flamenco class. It doesn’t really go smoothly.

Moment # 5: Tim the social worker
Poppy asks a social worker, Tim, for help with one of her students who’s been very violent lately. Together they are trying to find out why. Tim is very interested in Poppy as well.

Moment # 6: Date
Poppy goes on her first date with Tim. They really get along and they end up at Tim’s house.

Moment # 7: Scott’s rage
Another driving lesson for Poppy, but this time Scott isn’t in for her jokes anymore. He’s mad and he tells her exactly why.

Favorite Moment: Moment # 2 : Making birds