20s Movie Review - No Time to Die

Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga
Genre: Action/ Thriller/ Adventure
Runtime: 163 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes, Ana De Armas, Jeffrey Wright, Ben Wishaw, Naomie Harris, Lashana Lynch, Billy Magnussen, Christoph Waltz

Description: James Bond (Daniel Craig) has left active service. His peace is short-lived when Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright), an old friend from the CIA, turns up asking for help, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.

Review: Much has been said and written about the new Bond film. The press is praising “No Time to Die”. Many even claim it to be the best Bond-film ever. I’m not with them, at all.
With “No Time to Die”, Daniel Crag’s story in the 007 saga comes to an end. For the actor, who first appeared in “Casino Royale”, the 25^th Bond movie had to become the crown jewel after his five film portraying the secret agent.
“No Time to Die” kicks off with a downright terrifying opening scene where this films main villain Lyutsifer Safin shows up at a lake house terrorizing a family, who he claimed has killed his. At least the father did.
This installment of the immense popular James Bond franchise aims more at the heart than at action-packed scenes. Which makes it different. But not at all something I expect or want when I choose to watch a film about 007. The film does have some amazing action sequences, but when not “No Time to Die” can be a bit boring at times. I’m not really interested in a heartfelt James Bond to be honest.
Apart from that opening scene, Rami Malek as the Bond-villain, doesn’t really impress. I also believe his motives are a bit weird. He wants revenge for something that has been done to him, but eventually does the same. And Ana de Armas, who has a small role as secret agent Paloma, is highly underused. She had great chemistry with Daniel Craig and I wished she was in the film more.  
Cinematographically, there is nothing to criticize. All the scenes were beautiful made and the film looks stunning. Daniel Craig, reprising his role as James Bond for the last time, is also great. He is one of the best James Bonds ever.
“No Time to Die” is by no means a bad movie, but is definitely not the best or even one of the best James Bond films. Craig had his highlight with “Casino Royale” and “Skyfall”. I think it’s still a worthy goodbye to him as the iconic special agent, but I wasn’t a fan.

Rating: 3/ 5 

Movie Review - The Little Things

Director: John Lee Hancock
Genre: Crime/ Thriller/ Drama
Runtime: 128 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto

Description: Kern County Deputy Sheriff Joe Deacon (Denzel Washington) is sent to Los Angeles for what should have been a quick evidence-gathered assignment. Instead, he becomes embroiled in the search for a serial killer who is terrorizing the city.

Review: The films has a more than interesting main theme, but director John Lee Hancock doesn’t succeed in giving enough space to the obsessive background of especially Denzel Washington’s character. With three Oscar-winning actors, Denzel Washington, Jared Leto and Rami Malek, the expectations are high, but surely not met.
The film opens with a girl being chased in her car and in the dark by an almost classic highway-killer. She just managed to get away, and immediately after that we are introduced to Joe Deacon, a deputy who performs his duties in a small desert town. When his boss orders him to pick up some evidence in Los Angeles, he plans a short day trip to this metropolis a little further west. Once there, everyone seems to know him, although police chief Farris is apparently not so happy about the reunion. After all, Deacon turns out to have been pretty hard-headed years ago, even though he was he most promised detective of Los Angeles before that.
Now that role is for Jim Baxter. Although his search for a serial killer is not as successful as he would’ve wanted. He asks Deacon to come along, when yet another body is found. Because Deacon’s evidence-gathering mission is delayed anyway, he decides to tag along. When at the crime scene Deacon immediately assumes his mysterious profiler posture, then we as viewers already know enough: that Deacon was once a really good cop. But give all those dreams and flashbacks to a previous case, we also know that this case might bring back too many bad memories for him.
The film is okay, but it seems they could have perfected it more. The obsessiveness of Deacon isn’t explored to the fullest and Baxter’s perfectionism and arrogance could’ve been more present. This way, the story also would have made a better impression. Now it all feels half-finished, too many things are missing. Without these three top-notch actors, the film would me mediocre. It’s thanks to Washington, Malek an Leto that this film rises above that.
“The Little Things” feels like a David Fincher movie, without it being one. I think Fincher would have made a very different film with the same actors and story. In terms of atmosphere and cinematography, this film is really strong. But the way this film turned out, was a bit of a disappointment in the end. Such a shame, because for a good portion of the film, the tension definitely grabbed me.

Rating: 3 / 5

Movie Reviews - Papillon

Director: Michael Noer
Genre: Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 133 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Rami Malek, Tommy Flanagan, Eve Hewson, Roland Møller, Nina Senicar, Michael Socha, Christopher Fairbank, Joel Basman, Fernanda Diniz, Ian Beattie, Brian Vernel, Nikola Kent, Yorick van Wageningen

Description: Wrongfully convicted for murder, Henri Charriere (Charlie Hunnam) forms an unlikely relationship with fellow inmate and quirky convicted counterfeiter Louis Dega (Rami Malek), in an attempt to escape from the notorious penal colony on Devil's Island.

Review: Without hope he would have never survived the fourteen years in prison. He had a purpose, a goal: he had to escape. Everyone must have heard about Frenchman Henri Charrière, nicknamed Papillon, because of a tattooed butterfly on his chest. Three years after his autobiography was released, director Franklin J. Schaffner translated it to film, with Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman as his leading men. Now, the Danish director Michael Noer, tries it again. The story is still interesting enough and it’s a very strong film.
Paris, 1931. The French night life blossoms with Moulin Rouge and so does the criminal activity behind the scenes. The life of jewel thief Henri Charrière changes into hell, when he is accused of murder and sentenced for life. In large groups, men are transferred to a prison island. And according to the warden, only a fool will try to escape. Because there is hardly any chance of surviving it. But Papillon is still determined to escape.
To escape, he needs money. He meets millionaire Louis Dega. He is obvious bait for the other prisoners, so they can help each other. The contrast between the two is very big, but they share the same fate.
Charlie Hunnam plays his role very convincing, but it’s Rami Malek who is sublime. He impresses the most. The images are beautiful and the soundtrack as well.
It’s hard to translate fourteen years of someone’s life to movie, even with a long runtime. Noer had to make choices in what to show and what not. He managed to select the right moments and show the important aspects of Papillon’s life in prison. His years in solitary, his time on Devil’s island, his friendship with Dega.
I didn’t expect much, like most of the times with a remake. But I was pleasantly surprised and ended up loving this film. Very strong performances and a story that, to date, is still interesting enough to keep my attention for over two hours.

Rating: 4 / 5

Movie Reviews - Bohemian Rhapsody

Director: Bryan Singer
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 135 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Joseph Mazzello, Aiden Gillen, Tom Hollander, Mike Myers, Allen Leech

Description: A chronicle of the years leading up to Queen's legendary appearance at the Live Aid (1985) concert.

Review: ‘Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?’ The two first lines from Queen’s most famous hit “Bohemian Rhapsody”. And those two lines describe the life of charismatic lead singer Freddie Mercury, who was constantly struggling between his life as showstopper on stage and his doubting social life.
When “Bohemian Rhapsody” was released in 1975, critics were divided. Was it a masterpiece or experimental crap? Whatever you think, nowadays it’s a timeless classic and radio station still often play it. According to the record company Queen presented it to in the days, the radio stations were never going to play a six minute song. But Freddy and his guys decided to release it anyway and turn their back to the record company.
Mercury was born in Zanzibar, as Farrokh Bulsara, and grew up in an Indian family in London. He was always extraordinary and had a distinctive look due to his teeth. When three band members of the band Smile tell him he can never be a lead singer because of his teeth, Mercury has his answer ready: he was born with four extra teeth, which eventually give him a wider range. Hired, and Queen was born.
Mercury becomes their front man and he is the one that calls the shots. He is extravagant, a showstopper and gets his band in unknown creative territory. No one has ever heard anything like Queen or saw anyone like Mercury.
Most hits were born due to creative differences, arguments and the experimental nature of Mercury. This is the focus in the first half of the film. The second half is more focused on Mercury and his inner struggles.
All the actors look like the bandmembers, but it’s Rami Malek that steals the show. From beginning to end, you got the feeling that you’re not watching an actor but you’re actually seeing Freddy Mercury. He looks, walks and talks like Mercury and his performance is unforgettable.
The biopic ends with the memorable performance Queen delivered at Live Aid in 1985. It wasn’t only a highlight for the concert, but also a comeback for Queen. This part of the film is the biggest highlight and the film ends with a bang. Every detail in this sequence is right and Rami Malek is hypnotizing as Mercury. Really mind blowing!!!
“Bohemian Rhapsody” is the biopic both Freddy Mercury and Queen deserved. Definitely one of the best films of 2018.

Rating: 5 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 105: Need For Speed

Director: Scott Waugh
Genre: Action/ Crime
Runtime: 131 minutes
Year: 2014
Starring: Aaron Paul, Dominic Cooper, Imogen Poots, Rami Malek, Dakota Johnson, Michael Keaton

Description: Fresh from prison, a street racer (Aaron Paul) who was framed by a wealthy business associate (Dominic Cooper) joins a cross country race with revenge in mind. His ex-partner, learning of the plan, places a massive bounty on his head as the race begins.

Review: Movies based on videogames don’t have a good reputation. When it’s a race game where the story barely even matters, the fans are skeptic. But “Need For Speed” has some tricks up its sleeve: a big budget, a talented cast and an ambitious director.
“Need For Speed” is based on the game with the same name, where the first part came out in 1994. The story is about Tobey Marshall, the owner of a garage and a talented street racer. When his garage has financial struggles, his arrogant rival Dino Brewster gets him to join an illegal street race, where the winner gets a large amount of money. The race ends up in disaster, when one of the cars makes a fatal crash. Dino gets out before he gets in trouble, but Tobey gets the blame for it. After two years of prison, he is determined to clear his name and take revenge on Dino.
Action movies like this don’t really need an intelligent plot or a surprising course of events. Beautiful cars and spectacular races and chases are enough. Director Waugh experimented with angles while filming those races: from the first person, from the sky, far away and up close. And he manages to make you feel that speed. And the stunts are real, no green screens. “Need For Speed” is visually very well done.
Aaron Paul does a good job and I really liked his chemistry with Imogen Poots. But the dialogue is so silly and clumsy sometimes. Michael Keaton is one of my favorites, but his role is a bit strange and I don’t know why he is in this film. His character seems unnecessary. And that strip scene by Rami Malek didn’t belong here either.
“Need For Speed” is filled with clichés, but this film does have something. The film never bored me, even though I have no connection with cars whatsoever. Maybe it was Aaron Paul…

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 146: Short Term 12

Director: Destin Cretton

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 96 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Brie Larson, John Gallagher Jr., Kaitlyn Dever, Stephanie Bearitz, Rami Malek, Alex Calloway, Kevin Hernandez, Lydia Du Veaux, Keith Stanfield, Frantz Turner, Diana Maria Riva, Harold Cannon, Silvia Curiel, Melora Walters, Bran’dee Allen, Danny Roper, Elyssa Gutierrez, Garryson Zamora, Michael Marto, Patricia Barrett, Tanya Marie A. Bitanga, Zoe Wilkens, Angel Amaral

Description: A 20-something supervising staff member (Brie Larson)of a residential treatment facility navigates the troubled waters of that world alongside her co-worker and longtime boyfriend (John Gallagher Jr.).

Review: Grace (Brie Larson) works in a shelter for teens. Short Term 12, which is the name of the shelter, is a safe haven for the teens as well as for Grace. Grace lives for the young adults and takes care of them with enthusiasm and heart. But she is also haunted by an awful past. When Grace finds out she is pregnant and a new girl enters the shelter, it brings her back to her own past. Like the teens, Grace has to face it.

“Short Term 12” feels so real. The characters are realistic and in a short period of time director Destin Cretton lets us get to know the main characters very well. The acting is very natural and convincing, both the adults as the teens.

It’s amazing that this is the directorial debut for Cretton and actress Brie Larson is on her way up. “Short Term 12” is an overlooked film and it should get more praise. For a small Indie film, “Short Term 12” can easily outshine many big blockbusters. I loved this movie!

Rating: 5/ 5