00s Movie Review - From Hell

Director: Albert Hughes, Allan Hughes
Genre: Horror/ Mystery/ Thriller
Runtime: 122 minutes
Year: 2001
Starring: Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Robbie Coltrane, Ian Holm, Jason Flemyng

Description: In Victorian-era London, a troubled clairvoyant police detective (Johnny Depp) investigates the murders of Jack the Ripper.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 34: A MOVIE THAT IS BASED ON A GRAPHIC NOVEL
 
Review: Late in the nineteenth century, the Whitechapel district of London is rocked by a series of brutal murders on prostitutes. Of the perpetrator, nicknamed Jack the Ripper, however, every trace is missing. The police seek the help of Fred Abberline, an opium-addicted inspector with psychic abilities. During his search, he comes into contact with Mary Kelly, a friend of all the victims, and a romance between the two blossoms. Meanwhile, Abberline gets closer and closer to the truth, only to discover that the killer has it in for Mary.

The unsolved Jack the Ripper case still fires the imaginations in present day and countless theories about how and why the murders occurred and the identity of the perpetrator have since been devised. But due to the lack of hard evidence, the real facts will probably remain a mystery forever.

The directing brother Allan and Albert Hughes based their film on the graphic novel “From hell” by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell, suggesting that the series of murders was politically motivated. This makes “From Hell” a fascinating, heavily stylized horror film.

Rating: 3/ 5

90s Movie Review - Ed Wood

Director: Tim Burton
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 121 minutes
Year: 1994
Starring: Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Sarah Jessica Parker Patricia Arquette, Bill Murray, Jeffrey Jones, Vincent D’Onofrio, Lisa Marie

Description: Ambitious but troubled movie director Edward D. Wood Jr. (Johnny Depp) tries his best to fulfill his dreams, despite his lack of talent.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2021 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 19: A MOVIE BASED ON TRUE EVENTS

Review: With the film “Ed Wood”, director Tim Burton pays a wonderful tribute to a colleague who went down in history as “the worst filmmaker of all time”.  Edward D. Wood Jr. owes his reputation to three B-movies he made in the 1950s. the director operated on the fringes of Hollywood, surrounded himself with a bizarre ensemble of actors and preferred to dress in pink angora sweaters.
At first glance it seems an odd combination: one of the most successful directors of the last decades, responsible for a bunch of fantastic movies, is making a film about the ultimate loser in Hollywood history. On closer inspection, however, the life and work of Tim Burton and Ed Wood appear to have striking similarities. For example, both grew up with a strong love for horror films and later both worked with the horror idols of their youth. Burton worked three times with the horror star Vincent Price, who died in 1993. Wood called on his childhood idol Bela Lugosi three times in the 1950s, the Hungarian actor who celebrated triumphs in Dracul in 1931, but never managed to pull off his mot famous role thanks in part to his Eastern European accents. Both directors became close friends with their elderly film stars, and the friendship between Ed Wood and Bela Lugosi occupies a central place in Burton’s film.  
Ed Wood had, besides his passion for film, a love for dressing up in woman’s clothes. In 1953, Wood had the opportunity to combine these two passions. That’s how the movie “Glen & Glenda” was born. His directorial debut was laughed at an not taken seriously at all. But he still manages to stay positive and makes the horror film “Bride of the Monster”, again with Bela Lugosi.
Thanks to Wood’s engaging personality and indestructible optimism, the incompetent director managed to scrape together money again and again. In addition, he worked like a magnet on all sorts of notable figures. His entourage included, in addition to Lugosi, the 100-pound Swedish wrestler Tor Johnson, TV-presenter Vampira and pseudo-psychic Criswell, the eccentric cousin Bunny Breckinridge and the color-blind cameraman Bill Thompson. The while bunch eventually starred in Ed Wood’s ‘masterpiece’ “Plan 9 from Outer Space”, the film Wood would eventually be remembered by.
Tim Burton shows himself to be a compassionate biographer with “Ed Wood”. He focuses on Wood’s boundless optimism, he ends his film with the premiere of “Plan 9 from Outer Space”. Through moody black-and-white photography, beautiful art direction and a few visual and verbal quotes, Burton manages to excellently capture the atmosphere of Wood’s heyday. As for the actors, there is a minor miracle: with Martin Landau leading the way, the company in “Ed Wood” seems straight out of Wood’s original film.
Landau’s performance as Bela Lugosi is truly amazing. And Johnny Depp, who plays the titular character, gives away a great performance as well. A small role for Vincent D’Onofrio as Orson Welles is really memorable and Bill Murray is fantastic as ever.
“Ed Wood” is a great film, in my opinion a very overlooked and underrated film by Tim Burton.

Rating: 4 / 5

10s Movie Review - Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Director: David Yates
Genre: Adventure/ Fantasy/ Family
Runtime: 134 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Zoë Kravitz, Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Katherine Waterstone

Description: The second installment of the "Fantastic Beasts" series featuring the adventures of Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne).

Review: In 2016 Warner Bros. and director David Yates brought us a spin-off for the Harry Potter Franchise: “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”. J.K. Rowling wrote the screenplay and situated the Harry Potter universe in 1920s New York. I worked and Newt Scamander was an interesting and loveable character.
At the start of “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”, wizard Grindelwald has been in prison for six months. With his charm, he manages to escape the prison. He travels to Paris and starts to recruit followers. The government wants to catch him as soon as possible, so a true cat and mouse game unfolds.
In the first film, Grindelwald was after Credence Barebone. He appeared to be an extreme powerful wizard that Grindelwald wanted on his side. At the end of that film, everyone thought he died. But Credence is in Paris, looking for his parents. And Grindelwald is looking for Credence. To stop Grindelwald from his evil plans, Albus Dumbledore sends former student Newt Scamander to find Credence. But Newt and Grindelwald aren’t the only ones looking for him. A lot happening in the sequel.
And that’s the problem with this film. Although it’s amazing to step into the magical, wonderful fantasy of J.K. Rowling and to get to know the Parisian wizarding world, there is too much going on. Newt doesn’t feel like the main character anymore, while the franchise is set around him. If they used less storylines, it would have been better.
But there is enough to enjoy. New fable animals, like the Chinese Zouwu. A big lion dragon, who looks amazing and has a great role in the film. The action is spectacular and the finale is satisfying. It’s mainly all those storylines that make it too heavy.

Rating: 3 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 121: Murder On the Orient Express

Director: Kenneth Branagh
Genre: Crime/ Drama
Runtime: 114 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Josh Gad, Olivia Colman, Derek Jacobi

Description: When a murder occurs on the train he's travelling on, celebrated detective Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) is recruited to solve the case.

Review: This is maybe the 6th book to movie adaptation for “Murder On the Orient Express”, I think, The book was released in 1934 and is probably her most known book. And because Agatha Christie’s novel is such a masterpiece when it comes to murder mysteries, many want to turn it into film. It’s a perfect whodunit. In 1974 Albert Finney played the role of Hercule Poirot in Sidney Lumet’s version of the story. Now, 2017, Kenneth Branagh directs and also decided to portray the infamous detective.
Kenneth Branagh has a dramatic style when it comes to acting. It’s perfect for Shakespeare films. And I have to say, his performance as Hercule Poirot is really good.
We know the story. Detective Hercule Poirot is on the Orient Express, enjoying a holiday, when one of the passengers is murdered. One of the twelve passengers is the killer. Time for Poirot to solve the case, while the train is unable to move on due to a snow storm.
Lots of details, trying to find the killer. It’s close to the original, but some things go a bit too fast because they have to stay within the duration of 2 hours. There is also not enough time to develop all the twelve suspected characters. Some we get to know better than others.
Branagh really managed to get a fantastic cast together. Judi Dench, Michelle Pfeifer, Johnny Depp, Willem Dafoe, Penélope Cruz and Daisy Ridley. And they are all solid, but no one really shines. Branagh’s interpretation of Poirot is good, the movie is not great. But very enjoyable and it looks stunning.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 83: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Director: Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg
Genre: Adventure/ Action/ Fantasy
Runtime: 129 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Johnny Depp, Javier Bardem, Geoffrey Rush, Brenton Thwaites, Orlando Bloom, David Wenham, Stephen Graham, Keira Knightley, Paul McCartney

Description: Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) searches for the trident of Poseidon while being pursued by an undead sea captain (Javier Bardem) and his crew.

Review: Was anyone waiting for another Pirates film? Apparently, because it was made. As all the other films, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” is entertaining and fun. But it’s also uninspiring and has many storylines that clash.
The young Henry Turner wants to lift the curse that is hanging over his father Will. For this, he has to find Poseidon’s trident. When he is all grown up, he is trying to find Jack Sparrow, so he can help him. Sparrow is hunted down by Captain Salazar, and they are also accompanied by Carina, a woman who also never knew her father.
It’s almost impossible not to compare this film with the others in the series. The young lovers in this film hardly have any chemistry, that the very small return of both Will and Eliabeth is a breath of fresh air. And there is so much going on in this film, that it’s a hot mess. And it’s really predictable. Jack Sparrow is still very well portrayed by Johnny Depp though.
Was this film necessary? No! Entertaing? Yes! Good? Not really.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 156: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Director: David Yates
Genre: Adventure/ Fantasy/ Family
Runtime: 132 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Alison Sudol, Katherine Waterston, Ezra Miller, Colin Farrell, Zoë Kravitz, Johnny Depp, Ron Perlman, Samantha Marton, Jon Voight, Dan Fogler

Description: The adventures of writer Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) in New York's secret community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school.

Review: When “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” was released, it was the end of an era for Harry Potter fans. The last film about the adventures of wizard Harry Potter. But writer J.K. Rowling wasn’t done with the wizarding world either. “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is a spin-off and she wrote the script for the movie herself. And thank goodness the magic is still alive.
It’s supposed to be a complete new franchise, with five movies in total. And I couldn’t be more excited! We meet Newt Scamander, a zoologist who studies mysterious fable creatures and keeps them in a magical suitcase. He travels to New York, but his animals manage to escape. The story is set seventy years before Harry Potter is even born.
Eddie Redmayne is really good as Newt Scamander. It’s like Redmayne always belonged in this universe, he fits perfectly. He is charming yet very unworldly. I also really liked Dan Fogler as Kowalski, a Muggle. He is the comic relief and he is sort of represents the audience. The one Newt explains everything to. Colin Farrell is the villain, sort of, and he is strong in his role as well.
With traveling outside the UK, the story has created room for many new characters, decors and situations. Wizarding is different in America. Muggles, called No-Maj, aren’t allowed to interact with wizards. But Rowling also connects the parallel tot he real world, to discuss themes as apartheid, oppression and intolerance. This gives the spin-off an extra layer.
But the amazement is what I love about the film. All the great fairytale like creatures we get to meet, like the Niffler, Pickett the walking stick animal and Frank, an eagle like bird.
Also the décor and costumes are fantastic, combined with an amazing musical score by James Newton Howard. Director David Yates, who directed the Harry Potter films since “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoeniex”, knows his material and again did a great job bringing this magical world to life.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 1: The Lone Ranger

Director: Gore Verbinski

Genre: Action/ Adventure

Runtime: 149 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Armie Hammer, Johnny Depp, William Fichtner, Tom Wilkinson, Ruth Wilson, James Badge Dale, Barry Pepper, Helena Bonham Carter

Description: Native American warrior Tonto (Johnny Depp) recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid (Armie Hammer), a man of the law, into a legend of justice.

Review: Johnny Depp and Jerry Bruckheimer wanted to do another epic film, after the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise. Something that would speak to both young and old. The popular radio show “The Lone Ranger” caught their attention. Later the show was turned into a television series, but a movie adaptation hadn’t been made yet. Bruckheimer and Depp hoped that with some of the Pirates magic and a big budget they would succeed. Well, they didn’t.

The old Indian Tonto tells the story of John Reid and how they met. When Reid’s brother is killed by bad guy Butch Cavendish, Reid wants revenge. He doesn’t want to kill Cavendish, because that’s not like Reid, but he wants justice. Tonto advices him to wear a Zorro like mask and together with his white cowboy hat his costume is complete and he starts working as the Lone Ranger.

Gore Verbinski made a somewhat confusing film. On one hand it looks like a kids film. The scenes with Tonto are humorous and sometimes like a silent film. Depp manages to create a quirky character, like he did with Jack Sparrow. But sometimes Verbinski choses to leave out the comedy completely and the film turns into this serious western.

Sadly they choose “The Lone Ranger” to be so serious at times and the film is very long too. The action sequences do look great from time to time, like the train scene in the first half hour. The film should be either an adventurous film with humor or a serious western. Now, the film doesn’t really find its direction.

Rating: 2/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 19: Into the Woods

Director: Rob Marshall

Genre: Comedy/ Adventure/ Musical/ Fantasy

Runtime: 117 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Anna Kendrick, James Corden, Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep, Chris Pine, Johnny Depp, Tracey Ullman, Lucy Punch, Christine Baranski, Tammy Blanchard, Daniel Huttlestone, Lilla Crawford, Simon Russell Beale, Joanna Riding, Billy Magnussen, Mackenzie Mauzy, Annette Brosbie, Richard Glover, Frances de la Tour

Description: A witch (Meryl Streep) tasks a childless baker (James Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt) with procuring magical items from classic fairy tales to reverse the curse put on their family tree.

Review: When you mix up the stories of ‘Little Red Riding Hood’, ‘Cinderella’, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk' and ‘Rapunzel’, you get “Into the Woods”. James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim did that already in 1986, not without success. And when you’re a big hit on West End, we off course need a movie version of it. Disney managed to get “Into the Woods” to the big screen. And Rob Marshall, who also directed “Chicago”, decided to direct.

“Into the Woods” is a mix of different fairytales by the brothers Grimm, with a little twist here and there and a lot darker. The story starts with a simple baker and his wife. The witch who lives next door has cast a spell on their house, a reason why the couple can’t have children. To lift that spell, the baker and his wife have to deliver a couple of items to the witch. In their search for those ingredients in the woods, the couple bumps into several interesting characters.

The fact that Disney produced this movie, doesn’t mean it has lost its dark edge. A true relief for Sondheim fans, because when the lines ‘and they lived happily ever after’ are spoken, the movie is only halfway. For people that get nervous when actors suddenly burst into song, don’t worry. It’s part of a musical, but the songs fit the story perfectly and form one. It’s not just a story build around the songs.

“Into the Woods” is a spectacle, with some dark tones and sometimes bombastic. The décor is stunning and the cast manages to win you over. Especially Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt shine. If you like musicals, you shouldn’t miss “Into the Woods”.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 144: Dark Shadows

Director: Tim Burton

Genre: Fantasy/ Comedy

Runtime: 113 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Eva Green, Jackie Earle Haley, Jonny Lee Miller, Chloë Grace Moretz, Christopher Lee, Alice Cooper, Michael Shannon, Bella Heathcote

Description: An imprisoned vampire, Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp), is set free and returns to his ancestral home, where his dysfunctional descendants are in need of his protection.

Review: Bringing a vampire story to life is off course perfect for director Tim Burton. His good friend Johnny Depp portrays the leading character Barnabas Collins, who has been obsessed by this character for years. Both actor and director are fans of the series created by Dan Curtis, aired during 1966 and 1971.

In the prologue of “Dark Shadows” we see the history of the Collins family. In 1752 they move from Liverpool to Collinsport, Maine where they earn their money with fish. Son Barnabas becomes the big shot, a man who can get any woman. Everything changes when he breaks the heart of maid Angelique Bouchard, a witch who takes revenge by killing Barnabas’ love Josette and changing him into a vampire. He is buried alive and is freed two centuries later. In 1972 Barnabas sees that Collinwood Manor is a big mess.

Tim Burton made the movie look dark and it’s filled with great décor, beautiful costumes and morbid humor. Depp fits his character perfectly. And Eva Green is a strong opponent. Other character don’t get much room to exploit, but do have their moments. And the plot twist around Chloë Grace Moretz’ character doesn’t really work. “Dark Shadows” is above all the big ‘Johnny Depp show’. The execution doesn’t really meet the expectations we all had. The humor does also lose its edge.

“Dark Shadows” is a perfect movie for both Burton and Depp, with the bizarre characters and macabre setting. It’s still a fun film to watch, but not surprising at all for Tim Burton fans.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

Marry, Kiss, Cliff - Round 3

Round 3: John McClane (“Die Hard”), Jason Bourne (“The Bourne Identity”) and Roux (“Chocolat”)

Marry: Probably John McClane, although he’s proven not the be the best husband in the world. I know I would always be safe with him and he’s the definition of a real man!

Kiss: Roux is a romantic man and looks amazing off course. And he’s also a bit mysterious and controversial. That draws me somehow.

Cliff: Jason Bourne has a lot of issues, first off he doesn’t exactly know who he is. I don’t want to date that, I’ll be in constant danger.

In the Picture: The Characters from "Alice in Wonderland"

Tim Burton alway sknow show to create a wonderful world in all of his movies. He did it again with the classic story of "Alice in Wonderland". I like to put the spotlight on the characters in the film.

Alice Kingsleigh
Played by: Mia Wasikowska
Alice is not who other people expect her to be. She clearly has her own will and doesn't want to marry well. Alice is stubborn, brave and non-girlie.

Mad Hatter
Played by: Johnny Depp
Although the Mad Hatter looks and acts very strange, I think he is just misunderstood. He has all the best intentions and has a vision of the world no one else can picture. Mad Hatter is very creative and loyal.

Iracebeth of Crims aka the Red Queen
Played by: Helena Bonham Carter
The Red Queen is the ruler and everything should go as she pleases. She is easily irritated and quick to anger. She rather wants people to fear her than people to like her.

Mirana of Marmoreal aka the White Queen
Played by: Anne Hathaway
Mirana is Iracebeth's sister and the complete opposite. She also likes the dark side, but is affraid to go in to deep. The White Queen is good hearted and has a better future in mind for her land.

Favorite Character: Iracebeth of Crims aka the Red Queen

The Many Faces of... Johnny Depp

I think this is the man with probably the most different looks. He never looks the same. And I think that's what makes Johnny Depp so unique. Here are some of his looks (and I had to make a selecion, because else I had an even longer list).

Face # 1: Nightmare on Elmstreet
Role: Glen Lantz
Comment: How cute, he was only 21 here.
Rating: 3/ 5

Face # 2: Platoon
Role: Lerner
Comment: Like a real war hero.
Rating: 3,5/ 5

Face # 3: Cry-Baby
Role: Cry-Baby
Comment: Rock 'n Roll!
Rating: 3/ 5

Face # 4: Edward Scissorhands
Role: Edward Scissorhands
Comment: The appearance scares you, but he so sweet and kind.
Rating: 2/ 5

Face # 5: Who's Eating Gilbert Grape?
Role: Gilbert Grape
Comment: Nice...
Rating: 4,5/ 5

Face # 6: Ed Wood
Role: Ed Wood
Comment: A bit sleezy...
Rating: 3/ 5

Face # 7: Don Juan DeMarco
Role: Don Juan
Comment: This is every girls fantasy.
Rating: 5/ 5

Face # 8: Nick of Time
Role: Gene Watson
Comment: Not such a good look for Johnny, but what do you expect when your characters first name is Gene.
Rating: 2,5/ 5

Face # 9: Donnie Brasco
Role: Donnie Brasco/ Joseph D. 'Joe' Pistone
Comment: Those sunglasses are hip again nowadays.
Rating: 4/ 5

Face # 10: Fear and Loathing in las Vegas
Role: Raoul Duke
Comment: And I hope those sunglasses will never return again...
Rating: 2,5/ 5

Face # 11: Sleepy Hollow
Role: Ichabod Crane
Comment: His paleness doesn't bother me somehow.
Rating: 3,5/ 5

Face # 12: Chocolat
Role: Roux
Comment: HELLO! Not his best movie, but I love this look. My favorite.
Rating: 5/ 5

Face # 13: Blow
Role: George Jung
Comment: Johnny looks best with his long hair.
Rating: 3,5/ 5

Face # 14: Pirates of the Caribbeans
Role: Captain Jack Sparrow
Comment: Everybody loves a handsome pirate.
Rating: 5/ 5

Face # 15: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Role: Willy Wonky
Comment: Maybe his creepiest look ever.
Rating: 1/ 5

Face # 16: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber on Fleet Street
Role: Sweeney Todd
Comment: Yes, even creepier then this look.
Rating: 3/ 5

Face # 17: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Role: Imaginarium Tony 1
Comment: Dreamy...
Rating: 5/ 5

Face # 18: Alice in Wonderland
Role: Mad Hatter
Comment: Freaky.
Rating: 2/ 5

Face # 19: Dark Shadows
Role: Barnabas Collins
Comment: So, not every vampire looks sexy...
Rating: 2,5/ 5

Some Random Wallpapers

I have made five new wallpapers, all with different people of movies in them. I'm on a role here, I have a lot of inspiration. I hope you like them.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

The Notebook

Johnny Depp

The Motorcycle Diaries

Marlon Brando

Let me know what you think. And feel free to use them on your own computer.