10s Movie Review - How Do You Know

Director: James L. Brooks
Genre: Romance/ Comedy/ Drama
Runtime: 121 minutes
Year: 2010
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson, Jack Nicholson, Kathryn Hahn

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2025 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 21: A FILM WITH JACK NICHOLSON

Description: After being cut from the U.S.A. softball team and feeling a bit past her prime, Lisa (Reese Witherspoon) finds herself evaluating her life and in the middle of a love triangle, as a corporate guy (Paul Rudd) in crisis competes with her current, baseball-playing beau (Owen Wilson).

Review: Lisa has just been cut from the U.S.A. softball team and struggling what to do with her life. With that she is also dealing with two men in her life.
 
There is no good reason for this movie to be two hours long. And don’t fall for the excellent cast. A romcom with Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson and Paul Rudd sounds like a great idea. And then Jack Nicholson, working again with director James L. Brooks, as previous in “Terms of Endearment” and “As Good As It Gets”. Well, we got fooled.
 
It took me some time to get into the story, but there isn’t really a story. There is so much going on, there is no focus on a clear plot. It’s verry messy. The actors are doing fine, with what they’re given. But there’s not much to work with.
 
“How Do You Know” is a very forgettable romcom. Already forgotten.
 
Rating: 2/ 5

80s Movie Review - Terms of Endearment

Director: James L. Brooks
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 132 minutes
Year: 1983
Starring: Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger, Jack Nicholson, Jeff Daniels, Danny DeVito, John Lithgow

Description: Follows the hard-to-please Aurora (Shirley MacLaine) looking for love and her daughter’s (Debra Winger) family problems.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 12: A FILM THAT HAS WON AN ACADEMY AWARD FOR BEST PICTURE
 
Review: Aurora and her daughter Emma are all by themselves after their husband/ father passes away. Emma is about to get married to Flap, a man Aurora finds not to be right for her. Flap also seems to hate Aurora. While Emma marries him, seeing that he is boorish and unfaithful, Aurora tries to live a life without her daughter. Eventually falling for her next door neighbor Garrett.

“Terms of Endearment” won 5 Academy Awards in 1984. Shirley MacLaine won for her role as Aurora and Jack Nicholson for his portrayal of Garrett. But it also took home the Best Picture Award, which I really don’t understand. Unpopular opinion, but I did not like this movie and I don’t believe it’s really that good. The fact that it has drama in it and I did not care about a single character, says enough. This is one of those Oscar-winning movies that I just can’t get behind.

Rating: 2 / 5

00s Movie Review - The Pledge

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie 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.

Movie Moments: "The Bucket List"

Two of Hollywoods finest actors team up for this feelgood dramedy. “The Bucket List” really gives me a good feeling every time and always makes me cry in the end. And here are my favorite scenes from the movie.

Moment # 1: Edward and Carter meet
Both Edward and Carter are diagnosed with cancer and end up in a hospital room together. When they first meet, Edward isn’t the nicest man, but it already looks like they are going to share more than just a room.

Moment # 2: The list
Edward finds a list that Carter made, it’s called a bucket list. All the things you want to do before you kick the bucket. Edward writes some things on it as well and together they decide to actually do all the things on that list.

Moment # 3: Skydiving
The first thing on the list Edward and Carter do, is skydiving. Carter regrets it immediately.

Moment # 4: Africa
Edward and Carter are driving through Africa and they are visibly enjoying themselves. They start singing ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’.

Moment # 5: Laugh until I cry
Carter tells Edward where his favorite coffee comes from and they burst into laughter. Another wish from their list can be scratched, because they laughed until they cried.

Moment # 6: Carters letter
Edward reads the letter that Carter wrote him. He decides to go and see his daughter and finally kiss the most beautiful girl in the world: his granddaughter. Carter dies and not much later Edward follows.

Favorite Moment: Moment # 5: Laugh until I cry