10s Movie Review - Cats

Director: Tom Hooper
Genre: Musical
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: James Corden, Judi Dench, Jason Derulo, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Francesca Hayward, Taylor Swift, Rebel Wilson, Robbie Fairchild, Ray Winstone

Description: A tribe of cats called the Jellicles must decide yearly which one will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new Jellicle life.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2020 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 52: A MUSICAL

Review: Some movies are better left unseen. And I was warned, I read only bad reviews for “Cats”, but I was curious to how bad it could really be. They sure were exaggerating, right? Well, no.
In 2012, film and theater maker Tom Hooper revolutionized the musical film world with his raw adaptation of “Lés Miserables”.  His approach, in which he let the actors sing live on set and only later added the instrumentation, wasn’t to everyone’s liking, but it was daring. I liked it. It even gave Anne Hathaway an Oscar.
This time, Hooper decided to tackle another classic. In his version of “Cats” we yet again witness are teary eyed soloist during the most famous song of the musical. With Jennifer Hudson’s rendition of “Memory” you have the only highlight of this musical adaptation by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The song passes by twice and the kick-off and reprise re forged together by and endless line of music videos that take advantage of Lloyd Webber’s beautiful music.
Hooper has a different take on this musical than with “Lés Miserables”. This time no approach to reality, but a thin plot about a bunch of street cats trying to choose one of them for a new cat life during a restless London night. The chosen one of a group that calls itself the Jellicles is not so easy to identify. Especially the bad guy Macavity seems to throw a spanner in the works by kidnapping potential candidates. The timid Grizabella feels unseen and Jennyanydots is just a little too confident. Then there is newcomer Victoria who is not yet officially part of the group and can try to have a new life with the Jellicles.
Hooper has taken special digital techniques to shape his cats (and even mice and cockroaches). The first trailer already came with a lot of criticism. And I understand why. The special effect look terrible, the cats look to much like humans. They even have hands instead of paws. And their ears seem to have been given a life of their own. The constantly move. It’s more like something out of a nightmare, then an enchanting musical which it is supposed to be. And because these cats look so much like people, the oversized setpieces make no sense. They are supposed to be the size of our domestic cats, so everything in their environment is blown up. But now it’s just hairy people dancing around large furniture. And the overuse of cat references and cat puns doesn’t really help either.
And why did they torture great actors like Judi Dench, Ian McKellen and Idris Elba with this? “Cats” is one of the worst movies I have seen in the past few years. It’s pure torment. Never see it, even if you’re curious.

Rating: 0,5 / 5

Movie Review - Jojo Rabbit

Director: Taika Waititi
Genre: Comedy/ Drama
Runtime: 108 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Scarlett Johansson, Taika Waititi, Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson, Alfie Allen, Stephen Merchant, Archie Yates, Luke Brandon Field

Description: A young boy (Roman Griffin Davis) in Hitler’s (Taika Waititi) army finds out his mother (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish girl (Thomasin McKenzie) in their home.

Review: “Jojo Rabbit” is a film about Jojo, a 10-year-old boy, at the end of WWII. A German boy. He doesn’t know better than that Hitler is ruling and joining the Hitler jugend is just as normal to him as joining the boy scouts. As many kids his age, Jojo has an imaginary friend. But this one is a little out of the ordinary: it’s Adolf Hitler himself.
The tone is set in the opening scene, where Jojo and imaginary Hitler are practicing his ‘Sieg Heil’ until he is finally convincing. At first you think it might be a dumb juvenile joke, but it’s far from that. The film has a satirical take and it’s brilliant.
Although the film is set during WWII, the tone is light hearted. It does star a 10-year-old boy. Scarlett Johansson plays his mother Rosie, a jolly woman who is focused on doing the right thing and tying Jojo’s shoes. Captain Klenzendorf is the leader of the Hitlerjugend and almost always too drunk to notice that shots are fired. And Jews, in Jojo’s imagination they are mythical creatures with horns and telepathic powers. He has an idea of what to do when he sees one, but it never came to that. Until he meets Elsa, the young woman Jojo’s mother is hiding in their house. Elsa is a smart and pretty teenage girl and she is also very friendly. Jojo doesn’t understand any of it anymore.
This extremely ingenious story, from the book by the Flemish New Zealand Christine Leunens, offers plenty of room for strong satire. Director (and portrayer of imaginary Hitler) Taika Waititi adds to this a sharp visual symbolism and subject matter. Even with the Wes Anderson-type shots and composition this movie never wants you to think that 1944’s Germany was a place without worries. Because the actual gruesome details of the war stay in the background, you still notice they are there. And even the protective world of a 10-year-old isn’t free of the monster that’s called war. We can laugh, we even have to some times, but people are still dying and you can’t deny or flee that.
This combination of playfulness and cruelty is what makes “Jojo Rabbit” so strong in the end. And if you can’t find the humor in a young kid that, while skipping around town, greets random strangers with a stretched arm, you’d better pass on this one. But I’ve never seen a jet black comedy that was so colorful. “Jojo Rabbit” will make you laugh and cry, whether it’s because of happiness or sadness. “Jojo Rabbit” is a fantastic film, a definite favorite for me.

Rating: 5 / 5

10s Movie Review - Isn't It Romantic

Director: Todd Strauss-Schulson
Genre: Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 89 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Rebel Wilson, Liam Hemsworth, Adam Devine, Priyanka Chopra, Jennifer Saunders, Betty Gilpin, Brandon Scott Jones

Description: Natalie (Rebel Wilson) is disenchanted with love and mysteriously finds herself trapped inside a romantic comedy.

Review: The New York architect Natalie does everything to stand out at work, but sadly people just see her as the girl who gets them coffee and sandwiches. And instead of designing the next beautiful building, she only gets to design the parking garages of those buildings. Natalie is cynical about love: she hates romcoms and things the only reason men would marry her are for a green card. Her life isn’t a success and she gets even more unlucky, when she is mugged and ends up in the hospital. But when she wakes up, the nightmare is about to start: she is stuck in a romantic comedy and Natalie herself is the leading lady.
Rebel Wilson plays Natalie and she is one of those actresses you either like or not. I do enjoy watching her, even when she can be a little too much at times. But for a comedy like this, she is the perfect choice.
“Isn’t it Romantic” is a romcom that is self-aware and mocks other films in the genre. It makes fun of the typical clichés we all know from these films, like stopping a wedding and dress-up montages.
Wilson makes turns this film into a fun time and it will make you laugh out loud sometimes. It’s definitely not one of the best in its genre, but it is a super enjoyable film when you’re in the mood for something funny and light-hearted.

Rating: 3 / 5

10s Movie Review - How to Be Single

Director: Christian Ditter
Genre: Comedy/Romance
Runtime: 109 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, Leslie Mann, Alison Brie, Damon Wayans Jr., Anders Holm, Jake Lacy, Colin Jost

Description: A group of young adults navigate love and relationships in New York City.

Review: A film with multiple storylines is a common given in modern day romantic comedies. There is off course so much to tell about love. Since “Love Actually” this concept has almost become a romcom cliché. “How to Be Single” is also set in this format. Not persee a search for love, but the will to live without. And it soon shows there is not a lot to talk about, because the message is clear pretty quick.
In “How to Be Single” we follow four women in New York. All have a difficult time dealing with relationships in their own way. Either because they can’t commit or they simply can’t let go. Alice has decided to take a break from her relationship, in order to find herself. Her older sister Meg is a workaholic with the dream of becoming a mother, without a man. Alice friend Robin lives for parties and having one night stands. Lucy is focused on online dating, without noticing the men surrounding her. And there are plenty of great men in new York. But if you don’t know what you want, it doesn’t help you much. First get to know yourself, before getting to know someone else. This is something that the women in this film don’t really understand.
Alice’s story is the lead, mainly because she is the connection to Robin and Meg. Lucy’s storyline is dangling on the side. And Alison Brie’s talent is underused this way. I will choose Brie’s energetic performance over Dakota Johnson’s anytime. Her character Alice is constantly needing people around her, she is hopelessly naïve and her storyline quickly bores. Her sister’s story has that same effect. And all the male roles lack any depth. Thank goodness for Rebel Wilson, because she is the funny aspect in “How to Be Single”. If it wasn’t for her and Alison Brie, this film would be even worse.
“How to Be Single” does something that has been done so many times before. A very forgettable romcom.

Rating: 2/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 163: Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

Director: Shawn Levy

Genre: Comedy/ Adventure/ Fantasy/ Family

Runtime: 98 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, Dan Stevens, Rebel Wilson, Rami Malek, Ben Kingsley, Dick van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, Boll Cobbs

Description: Larry (Ben Stiller) spans the globe, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever.

Review: In the newest adventure of night guard Larry Daley, the magical tablet has some malfunction. He has to find a solution to stop the corrosion on the tablet, else the magic of the museum will be gone. This leads him to a London museum, the only place the tablet can be fixed. This brings us some of the old characters we know from the previous two movies, but also some new characters. And the group being chased by yet another dinosaur skeleton isn’t very original.

The most painful jokes come from the Neanderthal Laa, who is the spitting image of Larry. It’s a second character played by Ben Stiller. It’s such a ridiculous role and it’s just not funny at all.

It’s clear that “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” is targeting a younger audience. It’s much of the same, director Shawn Levy didn’t change the formula. Where “Night at the Museum” was original, refreshing and fun, this third installment clearly isn’t.

Rating: 2/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 71: Pitch Perfect 2

Director: Elizabeth Banks

Genre: Comedy

Runtime: 115 minutes

Year: 2015

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Elizabeth Banks, Brittany Snow, Alexis Knapp, Anna Camp, Hana Mae Lee, Katey Sagal, Skylar Astin, Adam DeVine, Kelley Jakle, Ben Platt, C.J. Perry, Ester Dean, John Michael Higgins, Shelley Regner, Keegan-Michael Key

Description: After a humiliating command performance at Lincoln Center, the Barden Bellas enter an international competition that no American group has ever won in order to regain their status and right to perform.

Review: “Pitch Perfect” was Jason Moore’s directorial debut in 2012. It was a huge success and actress Anna Kendrick scored a hit with her song “Cups”. And when a movie is successful, a sequel will happen.

“Pitch Perfect 2” follows again the a capella group the Bellas. After a humiliating performance, the Bellas enter an international a capella competition. And that’s a whole different world.

The sequel brings us a different director. Actress Elizabeth Banks, who also had a role in the first movie, takes on the challenge. “Pitch Perfect 2” has lots of jokes, but not a lot of character development. Less emotional moments, more Fat Amy (I still feel uncomfortable calling someone that). That’s fine, because the tempo is very high. Banks managed to picture the friendship between the Bellas very well.

The music is good, the movie has a great sound. Some popular hits and also classics modernized. I was confused by the serenade Fat Amy gave though, it was really unnecessary. Anna Kendrick was charming as ever and Rebel Wilson is sometimes overdoing it. Hailee Steinfeld was a nice addition to the cast and I really liked Keegan-Michael Key, who played Becca’s boss. He was actually the funniest part of the film.

If you’re a fan of the original, you will love this too. It’s much of the same, only bigger and bolder. Fun times!

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 138: Pitch Perfect

Director: Jason Moore

Genre: Comedy/ Romance

Runtime: 106 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Skylar Astin, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Ben Platt, Elizabeth Banks, John Michael Higgins

Description: Beca (Anna Kendrick), a freshman at Barden University, is cajoled into joining The Bellas, her school's all-girls singing group. Injecting some much needed energy into their repertoire, The Bellas take on their male rivals in a campus competition.

Review: “Pitch Perfect” usefully plays in on the success of the TV show “Glee”, that also centers around an a-capella groups of students. The popularity is thanks to the catchy songs and the ‘underdog’ characters. In “Pitch Perfect” the characters are a bit older, but the tenet is the same. Throw in a bunch a quirky characters, mix modern songs and a little bit of romance and everyone will be singing and swinging. The makers of the film never seem to know if they should parody or praise the a-capella groups though.

As a comedy the movie is pretty good. Rebel Wilson shows us that, in every scene she steals the thunder and I love her self-mockery. The movie is sometimes a bit predictable, but somehow it doesn’t bother me that much here. Even the cheesy boy-meets-girl storyline puts a smile on your face.

The lead role is played by Anna Kendrick, who we know from “Up in the Air”. The character of Beca fits her and she also has an incredible singing voice. I really liked her in “Pitch Perfect”. Together with the ever so charming Skylar Astin, she forms a great duo.

“Pitch Perfect” is a pleasant film, filled with catchy tunes. Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson are the big plusses. If you like “Glee” you’re going to love “Pitch Perfect”. If you don’t, you better skip it.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 56: Bachelorette

Director: Leslye Headland
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 94 minutes
Year: 2012
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Lizzy Caplan, Isla Fisher, Rebel Wilson, James Marsden, Adam Scott

Description: Three friends are asked to be bridesmaids at a wedding of a woman they used to ridicule back in high school.

Review: Three unstable, crazy bridesmaids and a lot of booze and drugs aren’t exactly the ingredients for a perfect wedding. That’s what bride Becky is dealing with in “Bachelorette”. Her maid of honor is Regan, an ambitious career woman who doesn’t want anything unless it’s perfect. Gena, the cynical and indifferent joker who does everything that God forbids. And then we have Katie, who isn’t very smart.
“Bachelorette” isn’t your sweet and cheesy chick flick, it manages to avoid clichés. But it turns into a slightly obscene comedy. Because the leading characters are very extreme, it makes them very unpleasant and highly unlikeable. It heads more in the direction of being caricatures instead of characters that you can relate too. They take it a bit too far, which makes it everything but funny. The only one I really liked was Clyde, played by Adam Scott, but maybe that’s because I genuinely like this actor.
“Bachelorette” didn’t succeed in what it was trying to achieve. I prefer “Bridesmaids”, a comedy that did get it right

Rating: 1,5/ 5