10s Movie Review - Certain Women

Director: Kelly Reichardt
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 107 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Michelle Williams, Laura Dern, Kristen Stewart, Jared Harris, James Le Gros, John Getz

Description: The lives of three women intersect in small-town America, where each is imperfectly blazing a trail.

Review: The American drama film “Certain Women” is about three Montana women who are intentionally and unintentionally connected. Three women, three stories. One is a lawyer who has a difficult client. The other a woman who gets into an argument with her husband over the purchase of a piece of land and the las is a woman who works on a horse ranch and takes lessons from an attorney. All are connected, but how.

“Certain Women” divides opinions. Some though it was three disconnected storylines and other see three stories with the same kind of message. Feminism at its finest. Yes, the threads were very thin between the stories, but they were there. In addition, the visuals were raw and unadorned.

The fact remains that “Certain Women” didn’t live up to my high expectations. It did not convince, too bad, because the acting is very good. A little more emotion and more connections would have done the film good.

Rating: 3/ 5

10s Movie Review - Trial by Fire

Director: Edward Zwick
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 127 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Jack O’Connell, Laura Dern, Emily Meade, Chris Coy, Jeff Perry, David Wilson Barnes

Description: The tragic and controversial story of Cameron Todd Willingham (Jack O’Connell), was sentenced to death in Texas for killing his three children even after scientific evidence and expert testimony bolstered his claims of innocence.

Review: A renowned director and some fine actors, accompanied with a strong story: you would think that such a film would find its way to the general public. “Trial by Fire” was released in 2018, but it’s only just now that people are all watching it, since it was added to Netflix.

The film tells the story of Cameron Todd Willingham, a man living in the slums of Corsica, Texas. He looses his three young children in a house fire. After an investigation, Willingham is found guilty of the crime and is sentenced to death. As Willingham is dragged though a rough an tough and unfair trial, he always maintains his innocence. In doing so, he gets the help from Elizabeth, who wants to proof that Willingham was wrongfully accused of murder.

The film is based on a true story and an article written by David Grann. It’s a sad story, you wish has a happy ending. It’s just crazy that this actually happened, and of course in Texas. The state with the most people receiving the death penalty.

Really strong story, well-performed by both Jack O’Connell and Laura Dern and a fulm you really should watch.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Review - Jurassic World: Dominion

Director: Colin Trevorrow
Genre: Adventure/ Action
Runtime: 146 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, DeWanda Wise, Mamoudou Athie, Isabella Sermon, Campbell Scott, BD Wong, Omar Sy, Justice Smith
 
Description: Four years after the destruction of Isla Nublar, dinosaurs now live alongside humans all over the world. This fragile balance will reshape the future and determine, once and for all, whether human beings are to remain the apex predators on a planet they now share with history’s most fearsome creatures in a new Era.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 23: AN ADVENTURE MOVIE

Review: The image we have of dinosaurs today was largely shaped by Steven Spielberg’s now classic film and masterpiece “Jurassic Park”. Science is now a lot further along in its knowledge of these creatures.

In the third film in the Jurassic World trilogy and sixth in the Jurassic Park franchise, humans have learned to live with the escaped dinosaurs. Biosyn, a multinational company with good intentions, has started a reserve in the Italian Dolomites and is taking care of the global dinosaur population. However, they are particularly interested in Maisie Lockwood, a girl who is a clone of her own mother, a deceased scientist from the time that Jurassic Park was build.

Maisie lives in the forest in the U.S. with Owen and Claire, who have each found their own way of dealing with the dinosaurs. When Biosyn also appear to be responsible for the extinction of global agricultural crops and threatens to disrupt the food chain, it’s time for action. None other than Dr. Alan Grant, Dr. Ian Malcolm and Dr. Ellie Sattler all turn up to fight Biosyn and find out the truth.

There’s a lot going on in this film. Even with over two and a half hours on the clock, it seems to be cramming to give so much plot and so many characters space. It is therefore striking how nicely everything falls into place. The storylines of the old and new group largely run separately, but do interlock constantly. Even new characters, such as the tough Kayla Watts, are given ample space and a full role.

You would almost forget that this movie is mainly about the dinosaurs, but director Colin Trevorrow constantly uses them when they help the story along, or simply guarantee spectacular action. Trevorrow also throws in some food for thought, but doesn’t rub it in.

It is clear that the makers have an enormous love for 1993’s “Jurassic Park”. It is expressed in shots that are borrowed one-on-one from Spielberg’s masterpiece. You could see it as cheap copying or paying an homage to a film that pioneered the use of computer effects and old school animatronics. Trevorrow didn’t shy away from these either.

“Jurassic World: Dominion” is getting mixed reviews. But I look at it this way: I knew going in, that it was never going to top “Jurassic Park” and no movie in this franchise ever did, will or tried to. The plot might be a little bit so-so, and there is a lot of fan-service and nostalgia in “Jurassic World: Dominion. I loved seeing the old and new gang, together and apart. The film was highly entertaining, we got to see a bunch of dinosaurs, some we already knew and some for the first time. The action is fast paced and it didn’t bore me for one second. Is it a great movie: no, but it’s still good, enjoyable and fun. And as a “Jurassic Park” fan, I loved all the hints to the original and the fan-service. So, I won’t talk crap, because I liked the film and it entertained me.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Review - Little Women

Director: Greta Gerwig
Genre: Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 135 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Letts, Bob Odenkirk, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper, James Norton, Louis Garrel

Description: Jo March (Saoirse Ronan) reflects back and forth on her life, telling the beloved story of the March sisters: four young women, each determined to live life on her own terms.

Review: Louisa May Alcott’s novel “Little Women” has stimulated filmmaker’s fantasies for over a hundred years. The story, which revolves around four sister who tried to develop their artistic talent during the American Civil War, has been adapted for film several times. But never as good as now. After the highly praised “Lady Bird”, director Great Gerwig once again delivers a feminist tour de force, bubbling with life. “Little Women” is an anything but stiff and old-fashioned costume drama. See for example the smooth dialogue Gerwig has written for her female protagonists. The ladies don’t wait their turn before they are allowed to speak, but tumble verbally constantly. This gives the film a lot of dynamic.
Louisa May Alcott’s novel is divided into two separate periods, in which the youth and adulthood of the sisters Jo, Amy, Beth and Meg March are the focus. Gerwig remains faithful to the content of this story, but fortunately does not opt for the same, predictable structure of the book. She cuts up the two timelines and mixes them up, creating a story structure that is actually much more exciting. Because only gradually does it become clear how the past exactly influenced the present.
Although the story takes place in the nineteenth century, “Little Women” often feels surprisingly contemporary. This is mainly because the traditional division of roles between men and women is changing. Whereas the women with their fiery ambitions are the driving force behind this story, the men are merely on the sidelines as spectators or desperate love interests. And yet it is inevitable that even the sisters come up against certain limits set by sexism as they travel their ambitious life path.
Jo in particular is sick and tired of doing what is expected by society. She has no interest whatsoever in marrying a rich man, but above all she wants to be independent and publish her own novel. Even if this means ending up lonely and poor. Sister Amy, on the other hand, is much more willing to give up her dreams in exchange for security and prosperity. It is there kinds od contradictions from which the subtle drama in “Little Women” derives its power. Gradually, the bond between the sisters dissolves in the flow of time, after which each one chooses her own path and different destinies become visible.
Finally, it should be mentioned that Greta Gerwig has brought together a star cast for “Little Women”. Afterwards the performances by Saoirse Ronan and Florence Pugh, both nominated for an Oscar, will remain in the memory. But the real star is Greta Gerwig herself, who, with her skillfully crafted costume drama, once again resounds a strong feminist sound in Hollywood. Sadly the Academy didn’t acknowledged her great direction for an award.
I can’t fault “Little Women”, it’s a movie I could watch over and over again.

Rating: 5 / 5

Movie Review - Marriage Story

Director: Noah Baumbach
Genre: Drama/ Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 136 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Laura Dern, Alan Alda, Ray Liotta, Merritt Weaver, Julia Hagerty, Wallace Shawn

Description: Noah Baumbach’s incisive and compassionate look at a marriage breaking up and a family staying together.

Review: “Marriage Story” follows the story of two young parents in a divorce. Their flame is as good as out. She wants this and he wants that. And with a child between them, their divorce is not the same as simply ‘not being in love anymore’. It’s all a bit more complex.
For director Noah Baumbach this is familiar territory. Some time ago, the filmmaker himself, was separated from actress Jennifer Jason Leigh. Although we should never automatically blame the filmmaker for these fictitious events, “Marriage Story” seems to be an obvious look over Baumbach’s shoulder. In “Marriage Story” he flirts very sympathetically with his own story: that of a director and an actress who are in a divorce.
At the beginning of the film, both are instructed by a mediator to write down the good things about each other. He about her and she about him. About their peculiarities, parenting and other qualities. But to read the story aloud for her almost-ex (something like ‘the opposite of a fiancée) goes a little too far for Nicole. She leaves the session stamping het feet and yells at Charlie and the mediator, because they ‘get along so well’.
This comical and dramatic opening scene sets the tone of what is to com: bizarre (but realistic), sentimental (but cheerful) and intense (but also warm-hearted) scenes from a broken marriage. Slowly but surely their relationship becomes one of subpoenas, lawyers and guardianship issues, not knowing that they are pushing each other so closely into a corner.
Like other Baumbach films, “Marriage Story” is also full of lightness and healthy irony. More than enough in fact: Woody Allen is emphatically echoing in this wonderful work, including razor-sharp dialogues and long, uninterrupted scenes. Johansson and Driver form a perfect couple. Even though, ironically enough, they are in a divorce.
Because “Marriage Story” is undeniably supported by their acting skills and those of the rest of the cast (especially the two spirited divorce lawyers, played by Laura Dern and Ray Liotta). The happiness and misfortune that Charlie and Nicole experience at a wild pace, feels very natural and is beautifully captured by clever direction. The fact that Charlie enters the stage of melancholy mood and picks up the microphone to sing “Being Alive” by Stephen Sondheim, fits in perfectly with the film. This scene, and the ‘big fight’ between Charlie and Nicole, where the best moments of the film.
And even if it’s about a divorce: according to Baumbach, it’s worth looking at the wedding story just then. Do that too.
“Marriage Story” is one of the best films of 2019m I just can’t fault it.

Rating: 5/ 5

TV Show Review - Big Little Lies (Season 2)

Season: 2
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Number of episodes: 7
Year: 2019
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz, Laura Dern, Meryl Streep, Adam Scott, Alexander Skarsgård, James Tupper

Description: After the death of Perry, the five women involved are all dealing with it in their own way. And new problems form for each of them.

Review: What can you say about an unnecessary second season to a good show, that got so many nominations and prizes. How can I explain to you that the second season of “Big Little Lies” didn’t need to happen, but was so good that it really doesn’t matter. The second season is really good and Meryl Streep steals the show.
Streep does everything well, as Celeste’s mother-in-law, with her snappy returns and sharp one-liners. Her Mary Louise Wright has a sad background and this reflects on her and the people around her. The mother of the deceased Perry moves in with Celeste, to help her with the twins. But she is actually there to find out what really happened to Perry. And when she finds out about Ziggy, who is also Perry’s son, Mary Louise doesn’t go easy on Jane either.
It’s off course not just Streep, the rest of the cast is sublime as well. The storylines are good, as are the scripts and the direction. Bonnie is going through an emotional rollercoaster, Renata has to deal with bankruptcy and Madeline and Ed are facing a rough patch. But what this season is mostly about is dealing with loss, the past, the present and pain.
The first season was good and it ended well. It was good the way it was, so it didn’t need a second season. But now I am very happy that there is a second season, because it’s such a joy to watch all those strong actresses perform at their very best.
The ending could suggest a third season, but that is very unlikely.

00s Movie Review - Jurassic Park 3

Director: Joe Johnston
Genre: Action/ Adventure
Runtime: 92 minutes
Year: 2001
Starring: Sam Neill, William H. Macy, Téa Leoni, Alessandro Nivola, Trevor Morgan, Michael Jeter, Laura Dern

Description: A decidedly odd couple (William H. Macy, Téa Leoni) with ulterior motives convince Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) to go to Isla Sorna (the second InGen dinosaur lab.), resulting in an unexpected landing...and unexpected new inhabitants on the island.

Review: “Jurassic Park III” was probably made for commercial reasons, but didn’t manage to get Steven Spielberg to direct. The first two movies where a huge success, but in my opinion “Jurassic Park III” isn’t as bad as everyone says.
The third part isn’t based on Michael Crichton’s book. You can see that, because “Jurassic Park III” isn’t as original. Joe Johnston is the director of the film and it’s very different from the original movies.
At the end of “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” you get a glimpse of the Pterosaur, as a teaser for the sequel. This flying dinosaur has a big role in the third installment. A fan favorite, the Tyrannosaur Rex, has a small role and is hardly in the movie. He had to make place for the Spinosaurus. And off course the Velociraptors are present, but they look different from the previous movies. Because of paleontological research the looks of the raptors were adjusted.
Aside from the new dinosaurs, the story is a copy of the other movies. People end up on the dino island, they have to run from them, some are eaten and some live. When the characters are introduced, it’s already clear who will make it and who won’t.
Sam Neill returns as the beloved character Dr. Alan Grant. And Laure Dern, as Dr. Ellie Satler, also has a small role. William H. Macy, who is an excellent character actor, is added, but he never seems to feel comfortable in the movie. And Téa Leon, as the ex-wife, only has to be hysterical.
The movie looks good and the action scenes are solid. That’s because of Johnston. He had very big shoes to fill and he did an excellent job when it comes to the visuals.
Overall is “Jurassic Park III” definitely not the best in the series, but still very entertaining.

Rating: 3/ 5

90s Movie Review - Jurassic Park

Director: Steven Spielberg
Genre: Adventure/ Action
Runtime: 127 minutes
Year: 1993
Starring: Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern, Richard Attenborough, Samuel L. Jackson, Wayne Knight

Description: During a preview tour, a dinosaur theme park suffers a major power breakdown that allows its cloned dinosaur exhibits to run amok.

Review: Author Michael Crichton wrote a book called Jurassic Park, which became an enormous bestseller in 1990. And Steven Spielberg wanted to turn it into film. And how! When the movie was released, everyone was amazed by the realistic looking dinosaurs. But that was in the ‘90s. Nowadays it still manages to amaze me. Spielberg used digital effects and old-fashioned animatronics to give the dinosaurs that authentic look. With that we see the Tyrannosaurus Rex and Velociraptor parade our screens and give us a few big scares.
The story centers John Hammond, who found a way to clone dinosaurs and build a theme park around them. After a few incidents, the investors get nervous and Hammond invites some experts to test the park: Paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant, paleobotanist Dr. Ellie Sattler and mathematician Ian Malcolm. Off course things don’t go according to plan.
Sam Neill plays hero Alan Grant and Laura Dern portrays Ellie Sattler, but it’s Jeff Goldblum who gets all the good lines. He is the only one who is really worried about the cloning. He might come off as annoying, but he’s the best character in the film.
The movie is filled with amazing effects and exciting scenes. The kitchen scene is memorable, but the most epic one is the T-Rex outbreak. Far out the best scene ever. Everything is perfected in the detail and this movie will never bore me. This is one of those films that, after watching it, you immediately want to rewatch it. Some people might complain about the lack of character development, but the dinosaurs are the real stars here. “Jurassic Park” is a great movie, that everyone should see at least once. If you don’t you haven’t lived.
A spectacular movie, which keeps your adrenaline pumping and is a true thrill ride.

Rating: 5/ 5

Movie Reviews - Downsizing

Director: Alexander Payne
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 135 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig, Christoph Waltz, Hong Chau, Udo Kier, Jason Sudeikis, Neil Patrick Harris, Laura Dern

Description: A social satire in which a man (Matt Damon) realizes he would have a better life if he were to shrink himself to five inches tall, allowing him to live in wealth and splendor.

Review: What would you do if you had the option to shrink, which means your money is worth so much more.
In Alexander Payne’s new movie, this is the question at the start of the film. Paul and Audrey are your every day couple, with not a lot to spend. They want more space and nice things, but that’s simply not possible with their payments. Paul sees a Norwegian professor in the news, who managed to shrink people. A great invention, because you would waist less and everything you have is worth more.
A couple of years after the experiment, ‘downsizing’ is a popular procedure. More people choose to be downsized, like friends of Paul and Audrey. They tell them how amazing it is and how it changed their lives in a good way. And especially because their money is worth more. Paul and Audrey are also thinking about downsizing. If they sell everything, they can live as a king and queen. It’s the solution for all their problems.
After the downsizing process in the film, the movie goes downhill. New plots unfold, which makes to story go in so many different directions. Payne loses focus and towards the end the story goes into another direction, which makes it feel endless. “Downsizing” has such an interesting starting point, but this all gets a little lost.
“Downsizing” is a bit of a mess, but there is still a lot to enjoy. De first half is fast paced, filled with humor and has really nice scenes. Matt Damon is really good and most supporting roles are well performed. At the end, you’re left with mixed feelings. I really love Alexander Payne’s work, but “Downsizing” is not one of my favorites.

Rating: 2,5 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 131: Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Director: Rian Johnson
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 152 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Domhnall Gleeson, Andy Serkis, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Gwendoline Christie, Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern, Lupita Nyong’o, Warwick Davis, Peter Mayhew, Kelly Marie Tran

Description: Rey (Daisy Ridley) develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares to do battle with the First Order.

Review: As a fan of the Star Wars franchise, I am relieved. It’s a good one! “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was already a great start of a new Star Wars series and I was extremely excited for “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”. Director Rian Johnson took over from J.J. Abramds and manages to impress with a good mix of action, character moments, humor and drama.
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” showed that the franchise still had the magic, we saw old heroes and new ones stole our hearts. Rian Johnson had a difficult task. He clearly respects and loves the Star Wars universe, but is also not scared to make it his own, especially with the humor he adds to it. The meeting between Rey and Luke Skywalker is great, but really nothing like you’d expect.
The film doesn’t focus on the training that Rey is undergoing, but more the inner struggle and insecurities of Rey. Daisy Ridley really does a great job. She is looking for her identity and in this she has a connection with Kylo Ren, who is also dealing with some struggles. How much are they alike and which character trade will eventually dominate?
I loved the fact that Poe Damercon, played by Oscar Isaac, had a bigger role in this film. He’s a character a liked from the start, also thanks to his sidekick BB-8, but his character was a little underused in the previous film. We got to know him better and he had a more important role too.
The return of Mark Hamill to the franchise probably made every nerd heart beat a little faster. And I have to say he was the best Luke Skywalker ever. I loved him in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”. Also in combination with Daisy Ridley.
The addition of the Porgs was exactly right. I expected them to be as annoying as Jar Jar Binks in “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace”, but they were in it just enough to make them loveable and not annoying.
The storyline of Finn and Rose is probably my only negative of the film. It took the pace out of the film a little bit and wasn’t as interesting. And off course the last performance of Carrie Fisher. It’s a bit heart breaking, but I loved seeing her one last time as Leia.
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” was really good. I enjoyed it very much and wasn’t disappointed one bit. It’s not better than “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, but certainly an excellent sequel. I would say they are equal.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 124: The Founder

Director: John Lee Hancock
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Michael Keaton, Nick Offerman, John Carroll Lynch, Linda Cardellini, B.J. Novak, Laura Dern, Patrick Wilson

Description: The story of Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton), a salesman who turned two brothers' (Nick Offerman, John Carroll Lynch) innovative fast food eatery, McDonald's, into the biggest restaurant business in the world, with a combination of ambition, persistence, and ruthlessness.

Review: For over sixty years we’ve been enjoying McDonald’s food now. In that time, the franchise has grown to be THE fast food restaurant. Everywhere in the world the food tasts the same. McDonald’s was a pioneer in developing techniques and strategies to deliver the costumer a burger, fries and milkshake within 30 seconds. This all started in the late ‘40s.
We meet Ray Kroc (played phenomenally by Michael Keaton) who is trying to sell his revolutionary milkshake machine to restaurants, but doesn’t seem to succeed. Even though Kroc is a smooth talker, no one seems to buy it. It comes as a surprise when the owner of a burger restaurant in California wants to buy several from him. Out of curiousity , Kroc visits the restaurant and meets brothers Dick and Mac McDonald. They have developed a method to produce hamburgers fast and they taste amazing. Kroc manages to convince the brothers to work with him, to open more McDonald’s restaurants in America. But the brothers want to call the shots.
John Lee Hancock created a very strong origins story. When you think, from the title alone, that Ray Kroc is the founder of McDonald’s, you’re wrong. At first, the deal is friendly and Kroc listens to the brothers. But eventually Kroc walks away with the success, the money AND the name McDonald’s. A name the actual McDonald brothers weren’t allowed to use anymore. Kroc smelled money and success and became greedy and ruthless.
Michael Keaton really got his comeback since he starred in “Birdman”. Again he shows us what a fabulous actor he is. He steals the show in “The Founder”, he makes it a good movie. At first you sympathize with Kroc, you wish him fortune. But eventually you feel some aversion towards him.
The film might not be very surprising plot wise, but the way to success is told very well. But especially Keaton’s performance is a reason to watch “The Founder”.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 60: The Fault in Our Stars

Director: Josh Boone

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 126 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Laura Dern, Nat Wolff, Willem Dafoe, Lotte Verbeek, Sam Trammell, Emily Peachey, Mike birbiglie, Amber Myers, Milica Govich, Allegra Carpenter, Johanna McGinley, Debbie Hartuer, Wyatt McClure

Description: Hazel (Shailene Woodley) and Augustus (Ansel Elgort), two teens, both who have different cancer conditions, fall in love after meeting at a cancer support group.

Review: The movie, based on the bestselling novel by John Green, targets young adults. With a surprising optimistic take, “The Fault in Our Stars” is more than a simple tearjerker.

When two young cancer patients, Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters, meet each other at a support group, they have an immediate connection. The two share a considerate sense of humor and look at the world with a healthy touch of sarcasm. Although they know that there is only little time left, they let love into their lives.

“The Fault in Our Stars” deals with a heavy theme, but the movie is very subtle about it. It starts with the characters. Hazel and Gus don’t hide behind their sickness. They show vulnerability, but do it with humor. They don’t have self-pity, which makes you more connected to the characters. Hazel and Gus are always, good and bad, likeable.

The levity and humor in the story also manage to give Hazel and Gus depth. Not just one-dimensional characters who happen to be sick. Although the doctors and their parents know they will die, Hazel and Gus have a different view on life. They want to grab life by the balls and experience it.

Off course it’s inevitable to cry in the end, there are some moments that make this movie a bit over sentimental. A scene at the Dutch Anne Frank house is an example. For me it was a bit too much, it felt like it belonged in a simple feel good movie.

“The Fault in Our Stars” is a good adaptation of the book and it will definitely reach the audience it was targeting. There are many great moments in the movie and it manages to hit the right nerves. Great performances by Ansel Elgort and especially Shailene Woodley. “The Fault in Our Stars” has depth, humor and drama and is worth your time.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 2: The Master

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 137 minutes
Year: 2012
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymout Hoffman, Amy Adams, Laura Dern

Description: Returning from Navy service in World War II, Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) drifts through a series of breakdowns. Finally he stumbles upon a cult which engages in exercises to clear emotions and he becomes deeply involved with them.

Review: Freddie Quell is a former marine who has to return to society. He’s an alcoholic, has a temper and is sexually frustrated. He can’t keep a job and it’s all going downhill for him. Then he meets the leader of ‘The Cause’, Lancaster Dodd, who they call ‘The Master’. Dodd takes Freddie under his wing and tries to get him on the right path again.
It’s a very heavy theme, but director Paul Thomas Anderson knows his way around such themes. “The Master” is mostly about the bond between Freddie and Dodd, which give us a lot of confronting conversations between them. That’s the goal of ‘The Cause’, a psychological movement that uses unconventional methods to make people give traumatic experiences a place.
This movie is pretty intense, mostly because of the performances of Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix. Both take each other to another level of acting, each with his own style. The Academy Award nomination for both actors is fully deserved. With that I think that the actors were better than the movie itself. We don’t get to know ‘The Cause’ enough to understand them completely and towards the end of the film it’s very repetitive. And because of the slow pace this isn’t a movie for just anyone. But the camerawork and the supporting music is beautiful.
“The Master” has, besides the two phenomenal performances, enough to offer.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Moments: "Jurassic Park"

I decided to introduce a new item: Movie Moments. I will pick a movie and than I will choose my favorite moments from that movie. I'm going to start with "Jurassic Park", I saw it again today and I recently used this film for another item of mine: In the Picture. So here are my favorite moments from"Jurassic Park" in order of how they appear in the movie.

Moment # 1: The opening scene
They are delivering a group of raptors for the park. While releasing one of them into its cage, something goes horribly wrong and one of the raptors grabs a man. Off course this man ends up dead. This scene really sets the mood for the movie

Moment # 2: Welcome to Jurassic Park
At this moment Alan, Ian and Ellie had just arrived at the island and get their first encounter with a real-life dinosaur. Alan's respons: "It's a dinosaur".

Moment # 3: Dinosaur egg hatches
During their tour around the research facility, Alan, Ellie, Ian and Dr. Hammond witness how a baby dinosaur is born. When it exits the egg, Alan finds out it's a raptor, which he knows to be the most vicious dinosaurs.

Moment # 4: Sick Triceratops
They are in the cars and they haven't seen any dinosaurs on the tour yet. Alan sees something and jumps out of the car, discovering a sick Triceratops. Alan says it has been his favorite dinosaur ever since he was a kid and Ellie wants to find out why the Triceratops is so sick.

Moment # 5: Dilophosaurus vs. Nedry
Dennis Nedry shuts off the entire system for 18 minutes, so he can deliver dinosaur DNA, which he stole from the research centre. While trying to get to the boat, he crashes his car. He gets out and meets a dilophosaurus, which seems harmless at first. The dinosaur starts spitting and Dennis' face is all covered with sticky goo. When he thinks he got away by getting in the car, the dilophosaurus appears next to him and attacks Dennis.

Moment # 6: T-Rex attacks
Ian and Alan are in one car and Tim, Lex and Gennaro are in the other when the cars stop. It's raining and the power is off. The T-Rex escapes from his paddock and attacks the car with Tim and Lex in it. The 'brave' Gennaro already left the car, but gets eaten not very short after his escape. Alan gets out of the car to save the kids and Ian tries to distract the T-Rex. This is by far one of the most exciting scenes ever.

Moment # 7: "God bless you"
Alan, Lex and Tim wake up after sleeping in a tree. A Brachiosaurus starts eating the branches of the tree they're in. Lex seems very interested in the dinosaur, because they are vegetarians like her. As Lex reaches in to pet the Brachiosaurus, the dinosaurs pulls back and releases a very big sneeze. Pretty disgusting, because Lex is covered in snot, but little brother Tim sees the fun of it and yells out: "God bless you".

Moment # 8: Raptor in the powerhouse
Ellie was send out to turn on the power. Dr. Hammond and Ian are talking her through. After turning the power on, a raptor appears and she has to run from it. Finding Mr. Arnolds arm is the least of her problems.

Moment # 9: Electrocution
Alan, Tim and Lex are climbing the big fence, because they want to get to the other side. Right before the power comes on, Tim freezes and can't climb any further. When the power comes back, Tim is sent flying right into Dr. Grant's arms.

Moment # 10: The kitchen
My favorite scene from the movie. While Lex and Tim are eating, they see a raptor and flee into the kitchen. Two raptors enter and both children are trying to get away from the dinosaurs. This scene is so exciting, it makes me nervous every single time I watch it.

Moment # 11: T-Rex saves the day
Alan, Ellie, Lex and Tim are chased by raptors and now surrounded by them. Just when one of them is about to strike, T-Rex enters and saves the group from the raptors. Then a banner drops saying: "When dinosaurs ruled the earth".

Favorite Moment: # 10: The kitchen

In the Picture: The Characters from "Jurassic Park"

This movie is off course about the dinosaurs and the beautiful visual effects. But let's pay attention to the people who enter Jurassic Park. I choose the six most important characters from the movie.

Dr. Alan Grant
Played by: Sam Neill
Alan is a very introvert person and he's very passionate about dinosaurs and his job as a paleontologist. He doesn't like children, but when he meets Tim and Lex, Hammonds grandchildren, he does warm to them eventually. Alan specializes in the velociraptor and he is among the many paleontologists that believe birds are descended from that kind of dinosaurs. His true passion goes out to dinosaurs.

Dr. Ian Malcolm
Played by: Jeff Goldblum
Ian is a mathematician and chaos theorist. He speaks very highly of himself and is a bit eccentric. He dresses all in black and acts like he's some kind of rockstar. Alan dislikes him right away, although Ian becomes more serious along the way of their adventure. Ian has kids, but isn't married.

Dr. John Hammond
Played by: Richard Attenborough
John is the owner of Jurassic Park and the founder of InGen. He is a sympathetic grandfather who means well. He created the themepark of his dreams but he underestimates the power of genetics. He is willing to take responsibility for his actions and the safety of his grandchildren comes first, but he still wants to live the dream.

Dr. Ellie Sattler
Played by: Laura Dern
Ellie is Alans girlfriend and a specializes in paleobotany. She sees the beauty of the dinosaurs, but isn't as passionate about her job as Alan is. She wants to settle down someday. Ian shows interest in her, but Alan dismisses those flirtations by affirming their relationship. Ellie is a very brave and strong woman, but she'd rather read about the dinosaurs then actually meet them.

Lex Murphy
Played by: Ariana Richards
Lex is John Hammonds granddaughter. She is very smart and has advanced computer skills. Her knowledge helps them a lot, while trying to escape from the velociraptors. Lex is a vegetarian and is especially interested in the herbivores, or as she calls them the vegisaures. She also has a little crush on Alan.

Tim Murphy
Played by: Joseph Mazzello
Tim is Lex' younger brother. He is very curious and wants to know everything about Alan and his work. At first this annoys Allan but he and Tim build up a friendship because of Tim's interest in and knowledge of dinosaurs.

Favorite Character: Ellie Sattler

Something new from Steve, Ryan, Will, Tom, Julia, Reese, Owen and Rachel

I always like to check the newest movie trailer, to see what is coming in the theatres soon. I've seen some great new ones this week. Here are my favorites:

"Crazy, Stupid, Love" (with Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei and Kevin Bacon)
Steve Carell plays a man who's dealing with a marital crisis. He meets Ryan Goslings character, who is a ladiesman. Steve Carell is just great, he's so endeering. And Ryan Gosling.... oooh. Fantastic, underrated actor and extremely handsome!

"Everything Must Go" (with Will Ferrell, Rebecca Hall and Laura Dern)
After he lost his wife and job, Nick Halsey holds a yardsale in order to start over. A new neighbour might be the key to his return to form. I think Will Ferrell is hilarious and this seems like a mix of comedy and light drama. I really like those kind of films.

"Larry Crowne" (Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts)
After losing his job, the middle aged Larry Crowne reinvents himself by going back to college. I look forward to anything with Tom Hanks in it, he can hardly do anything wrong. Julia Roberts will make a great leading lady.

"Water for Elephants" (Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz)
After his parents die, Jacob joins a traveling circus. He takes care of Rosie, the elphant and falls for the beautiful Marlene who's the wife of brute August. I think all three actors where cast perfectly, especially Waltz. I actually pictures him while reading the book (which I loved!).

"Midnight in Paris" (Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Adrien Brody and Kathy Bates)
It's a romantic comedy that follows a family traveling to the city for business. The party includes a young engaged couple that has their lives transformed throughout the journey. I love Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams and they reunite in this film (they starred together in "Wedding Crashers"). And I love the poster!

Some great movies, I can't say which one I'm looking forward to the most. It's just fun to see movies with some of my favorites in it.

Movie Tip #26 - Jurassic Park

Director: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough

Description: John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) has developed a dinosaur park using a DNA of a prehistoric dinosaur taken from an ancient insect. In a tour that Hammond makes to a selected audience which suppose to decide whether the park is safe or not safe for public, the security system collapsed, and the dinosaurs set themselves free. Now the selected audience, in the leadership of Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and include Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), Hammond's grandchildren, and some more has to survive in the Island.

Review: You've probably all seen this film, but why shouldn't I put it up here? It's a classic. No one will ever make a better movie about dinosaures. It's a visual treat, it's exciting and breath-taking! Everything about this movie is just great. From the characters to the visual effects and from the music to the action sequences. Master piece from Spielberg.