20s Movie Review - Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 197 minutes
Year: 2025
Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Oona Chaplin, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis,  CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore, Jermaine Clement, David Thewlis

Description: Jake (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri’s (Zoe Saldaña) family grapples with grief, encountering a new, aggressive Na’vi tribe, the Ash people, who are led by the fiery Varang (Oona Chaplin), as the conflict of Pandora escalates and a new moral focus emerges.

Review: “Avatar: Fire and Ash” is the third installment in the “Avatar” franchise. Director James Camerom proves that Pandora is far from revealing all its secret. Whereas its predecessor immersed us in  the serene beauty of the oceans, this third film confronts us with the raw, destructive, and paradoxically beautiful power of fire.

It almost goes without saying, but the CGI is once again groundbreaking. The introduction of the Ash People – a Na’vi clan that lives in volcanic areas – provides a completely new color palette. The contrast between the glowing lava and the ash-gray skin of this new tribe is visually stunning. The action scenes, especially the confrontations in the ash clouds, are so fluid and detailed that you forget you are watching an animation.

We see that not all Na’vi are “good”. The Ash People, led by Varang, bring a much-needed nuance to the story. Their anger and thirst for revenge mirror humanity, blurring the line between hero and villain. This gives the film an emotional depth and a sense of menace that we haven’t felt to this extent before.

The core of the film remains the family. The dynamic between Jake, Neytiri and their children has matured. The consequences of their earlier losses weigh heavily, and the film takes time for mourning and internal conflicts. Zoe Saldaña’s acting is heartbreaking; her anger is almost palpable.

“Avatar: Fire and Ash” is more than a technological masterpiece; it’s an epic drama that dares to play with darkness and moral ambiguity. With a running time of over three hours, not a minute feels wasted. The middle section is a bit predictable, but the explosive finale more than makes up for it. I believe there is still two more movies in the making, and I’m in up for it.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Review - Avatar: the Way of Water

Director: James Cameron
Genre: Action/ Adventure
Runtime: 192 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Sigourney Weaver, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, CCH Pounder, Joel David Moore, Edie Falco,
 
Description: Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) lives with his newfound family formed on the extrasolar moon Pandora. Once a familiar threat returns to finish what was previously started, Jake must work with Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) and the army of Na’vi race to protect their home.

Review: It has been thirteen years since James Cameron revolutionized motion capture animation. “Avatar” was a prestigious project in every conceivable way. Such revolutions are becoming increasingly scarce as technical possibilities grow. But “Avatar” still works and is even one of my favorites movies of all time. And the wait for “Avatar: the Way of Water” is finally over, and boy did it pay off.

Jake Sully is now a real Na’vi, though the five fingers on each hand betray his human origins. He and Neytiri have started a family and are now the parents of four children. Meanwhile, villainous Quaritch has been resurrected as a Na’vi and is ready to take down Jake. This means that Jake needs to protect his family and move away from their beloved home.

“Avatar: the Way of Water” is over 3 hours long, but it’s not a punishment. The focus is not on Jake and Neytiri, it’s on their children, mainly the two sons and their eldest daughter. Because we already got to know Jake and Neytiri well in the first film, it’s a fresh take to focus on different character now. And you get to know them pretty well.

Like the first film, there is also a lot of focus on the emotional layers. This time mostly the family connection. And it can hit hard. Environmental issues are also dealt with, which made an impact on me before and again in the second installment.

“Avatar: the Way of Water” is definitely worth the wait, it is a beautifully looking film with a good message and strong family dynamics. It doesn’t reach the level of “Avatar”, but is very close.

Rating: 4/ 5

TV Show Review - Under the Banner of Heaven (Mini Series)

Season: Mini Series
Genre: Crime/ Drama/ Thriller
Number of episodes: 7
Year: 2022
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Wyatt Russell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Denise Gough, Gil Birmingham, Billy Howle     

Description: A devout detective’s (Andrew Garfield_ faith is tested as he investigates a brutal murder seemingly connected to an esteemed Utah family’s spiral into LDS fundamentalism and their distrust in the government.

Review: “Under the Banner of Heaven” tells the true story of the murder of Brenda Lafferty and her young daughter Erica. This horrific event took place against the backdrop of the Mormon faith, and the series shows us how fundamentalists wish to take the world of God especially “literally” when it benefits their own desires. When detective Jeb Pyre investigates the murder and sees how his faith is abused, he begins to doubt the Mormon community and his rock-solid faith in it.

This seven=part miniseries manages to unfold a complex psychological drama at an even pace. Jeb and his partner, Bill Taba, discover bit by bit who is driving the madness. Andrew Garfield convincingly portrays Jeb’s inner struggle. Bill offers some level-headedness and humor to compensate, making him a much-needed sidekick. The dynamic between the two is very interesting, but underlit.

At the beginning of the series, the focus is mostly on the life of the murdered Brenda. She is portrayed as a woman who will not let anyone tell her what she can and cannot do. She is a firm believer, but refuses to simply conform to bossy men and the entrenched patriarchy. Brenda has her own dreams and ambitions and stands by the other women in the Lafferty family. Daisy Edgar-Jones gives Brenda both strength and vulnerability, making her a nuanced and equally sympathetic character.

Then there are the Lafferty brothers. Throughout the series it becomes clear who played what role in the drama that unfolded. Strong is how seemingly good people slowly turn into monsters. Although religion condones their actions, it is a misplaced sense of power that really drives them. In doing so, the series does not condemn strict believers and religion, when it easily could have. It does, however, strongly show how a religious community can hold its hands over people who commit bad acts for the sake of its reputation.

The nuance the series brings to these issues makes you want to keep watching. Jeb is so sympathetic, the viewer can easily imagine the appeal of a solid faith, but also how its faltering can turn your whole life upside down. How Jeb deals with this is enough to hold the attention, and trying to find out what happened to Brenda. Even though the series is a slow burn.

In the end, Under the Banner of Heaven brings everything together nicely. There is a good balance between Jeb's disillusionment and the hopeful twist that is ultimately attached to the tragedy. The viewer is challenged to think about faith and crime and what the connection between them is. Above all, however, it is a deeply human story in which inhumane acts ensure that at times you are really grabbed by the throat.

00s Movie Review - Avatar

Director: James Cameron
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 161 minutes
Year: 2009
Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Stephen Lang, CCH Pounder, Joel David Moore, Dileep Rao

Description: Paraplegic Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home..

Review: “Avatar” had to be a movie that would start a small revolution within the film industry. Our movie experience would change. Hundreds of millions of dollars were spend to create a new technology, with 3D and motion capture. Because of that, “Avatar” is the most expensive movie ever made. 

Ex-marine and paraplegic Jake Sully is send to the moon Pandora to be part of a big scientific project. He is there to replace his twin brother, who died. Because they share a DNA profile, Jake is the only one that can control the avatar created for his brother. Through a link Jake can control the body and brain of the avatar, which resembles one of the Na’vi, the folk that inhabits Pandora.

The project is led by doctor Grace Augustine. Jake has to collect samples from Pandora, but accidentally meets Neytiri, a female Na’vi. She starts to welcome Jake to her world and his mission changes. Colonel Miles Quaritch wants Jake to infiltrate the Na’vi and make them find a new location to live. The tree they live under is filled with Unobtainium, something that will sell for lots of money. But the closer Jake gets to the Na’vi, the more he adapts to their way of life and he wants to help them fight Quaritch and his men.

It’s a modern ecological fairytale that should teach us about the love for nature. The world of Pandora is totally credible, which is interesting because the entire world is completely computer generated. And the world has a breathtaking beauty. The movie and story have many layers and there are several lessons to be learned.

Because of motion capture, the Na’vi also look very realistic. This technique offers us many possibilities. And because it’s not just animation, the actors really need to act. Especially Zoe Saldana is a breath of fresh air. Her performance is fantastic. 

“Avatar” is not just another movie, it’s an experience. One of those movies that is even better on the big screen.

Rating: 5/ 5

Movie Reviews - Fractured (2019)

Director: Brad Anderson
Genre: Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Sam Worthington, Lily Rabe, Lucy Capri, Stephen Tobolowsky

Description: A couple stops at a gas station, where they 7 year old daughter’s arm is fractured. They hurry to a hospital. Something strange is going on there. The wife and daughter go missing.

Review: Ray Monroe, his wife Jaonne en their daughter Peri are on a trip to their family for Thanksgiving. On the way there, Peri falls and fractures her arm. They race to the nearest hospital, but something strange is going on there. And when Peri is taken away for further tests, she and Joanna disappear.
I’m always in the mood for a good, strong thriller. And when it’s set in a place you would rather not find yourself, like a hospital, in only adds to the creepy atmosphere. This production is perfect for the darker times of the year, for fall and winter. “Fractured” is a grey toned film, which makes the film darker as well.
When you’re watching “Fractured” you really have to pay attention to detail. Nothing is what it seems and you don’t not truth from fiction anymore. Sam Worthington leads this film and does a really good job.
“Fractured” is your typical ‘edge-on-your-seat kind of thriller, with and ending you don’t see coming.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

10s Movie Review - Hacksaw Ridge

Director: Mel Gibson
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 138 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Teresa Palmer, Vince Vaughn, Hugo Weaving, Sam Worthington, Rachel Griffiths, Luke Bracey

Description: World War II American Army Medic Desmond T. Doss (Andrew Garfield), who served during the Battle of Okinawa, refuses to kill people, and becomes the first man in American history to receive the Medal of Honor without firing a shot.

Review: Mel Gibson didn’t really grew in popularity, due to his anti-Semitic outbursts and alcoholism. Ten years after his directorial debut, Gibson sits in the director’s chair again for this war film about a true American hero. His impressive comeback “Hacksaw Ridge” tells the story of Desmond Doss, who managed to save 75 fellow soldiers during the battle of Okinawa, by dragging them away from the fire line.
Desmond Doss didn’t want to carry a gun, due to his religion, let alone fire one. So at all times, he was unarmed. At first, the other soldiers and his superiors think he is crazy and want him gone. Because he will not protect his fellow soldiers. And Doss becomes the mark of jokes and they try to get him to leave. But Doss stays and eventually gets permission to join without a gun and become a medic.
Whenever the soldiers step foot on Hacksaw Ridge, the film becomes more brutal and unnuanced. But the images are filmed so well and it looks very realistic, but it’s not for the faint of heart.
Even though there is a lot of war violence going on, Gibson never forgets to focus on his main character. And that’s all because of Andrew Garfield, whose performance is so strong and believable. Vince Vaughn can easily make you forget about his silly comedies and is also very solid in his performance. But the best supporting role is for Hugo Weaving, who plays Desmond’s father.
The film does follow some standards, as we know them from other war movies. It has clichés and it knows when to make certain decisions at the right moment in the film. And sometimes it gets a little too sentimental.
A great comeback by director Mel Gibson and a fantastic performance by Andrew Garfield.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 83: Everest

Director: Baltasar Kormákur
Genre: Drama/ Adventure/ Thriller
Runtime: 121 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, Jake Gyllenhaal, Martin Henderson, Sam Worthington, Keira Knightley, Robin Wright, Emily Watson, John Hawkes

Description: A climbing expedition on Mt. Everest is devastated by a severe snow storm.

Review: When it comes to disaster movie, we can divide them in two categories. One is the impressive spectacle piece where nature is overpowering mankind. Think of movies like “The Day After Tomorrow” or “2012”. The other one is the more character driven disaster film, that focusses more on the people that are facing the critical disaster. “Everest” fits that last category.
“Everest” is based on the real story of a 1996 expedition. The New Zealander Rob Hall leads a group to the top of the Mount Everest, right before a severe snow storm hits them. He leads a group of men and one woman, that all have their own motivation for reaching the top. Like Doug, who wants to proof to school children that even an everyday man can do something so extraordinary. And the Texan Beck, who chooses adventure to flee his marital problems.
The movie is filled with great actors, but most of them have to do it with a minor supporting role. Keira Knightley and Robin Wright are both wives waiting at home for their husbands. Both pretty unthankful roles. Jake Gyllenhaal, although a very strong role as the eccentric expedition leader Scott Fischer, only has a few scenes. I wanted more of him. Josh Brolin does a solid job as well. Jason Clarke is the main man. He does this well, so the overall acting is great. But because there are so many characters, it’s hard to really relate to them. The emotional moments don’t grab you as much.
But it’s not only the acting that is good. The images are beautiful. Gorgeous mountain views, all very realistic.
“Everest” is a stunning looking movie with good acting. But it could have been even better if some interesting characters got more screen time and we got to know them more.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Marry, Kiss, Cliff - Round 2

Round 2: Marcus Wright (“Terminator Salvation”), Richard Jones (“Babel”) and Patrick Verona (“10 Things I Hate About You”)

Marry: Richard Jones is a loving husband, he stands by his wife at all times.

Kiss: Patrick Verona is a so-called rebel, but he has a soft spot. He’s actually a very sweet and adorable guy. Wouldn’t you just melt if he sang for you like he did in the movie?

Cliff: I don’t really want to push Marcus Wright of a cliff, but he isn’t human. He’s a terminator. If I push him, all that happens is that he breaks. I could fix him afterwards.

Movie Favorites: Avatar

Synopsis: When his brother is killed in a robbery, paraplegic Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) decides to take his place in a mission on the distant world of Pandora. There he learns of greedy corporate figurehead Parker Selfridge's intentions of driving off the native humanoid "Na'vi" in order to mine for the precious material scattered throughout their rich woodland. In exchange for the spinal surgery that will fix his legs, Jake gathers intel for the cooperating military unit spearheaded by gung-ho Colonel Quaritch, while simultaneously attempting to infiltrate the Na'vi people with the use of an "avatar" identity. While Jake begins to bond with the native tribe and quickly falls in love with the beautiful alien Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), the restless Colonel moves forward with his ruthless extermination tactics, forcing the soldier to take a stand - and fight back in an epic battle for the fate of Pandora.

 

Unique Selling Point: I have to admit that I was a bit skeptic about this movie. I refused to watch it, because it was hyped so much. It wasn’t until it was released on DVD, that my curiosity won over my will to rebel against the majority. “Avatar” isn’t just another action-packed, special effect spectacle. It has a deeper meaning, global change and the fact that people always destroy beautiful things. I was amazed by the visuals, but the message also grabbed me. I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t get to see it in theaters, because that would be amazing.

Most Valuable Player: Definitely Zoe Saldana, who plays Neytiri, who manages to feel real and she wins your sympathy. She isn’t only gorgeous, but her performance was stunning.

Best Moment: When Jake Sully has to choose an Ikran, but it also has to choose him. When the band is made he and Neytiri fly off. It gave me butterflies in my stomache.

Pic Spam: Sam Worthington

I don't know what it is, but I find Sam Worthington a very attractive and irresistable man. He might not be the best actor in the world, but I Always enjoy watching his films. He is in one of my favorite movies "Avatar". Here are some of his best pictures.

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 58: The Debt

Director: John Madden
Genre: Drama/ Thriller/ Action
Runtime: 114 minutes
Year: 2010
Starring: Jessica Chastain, Helen Mirren, Sam Worthington, Ciarán Hinds, Tom Wilkinson, Marton Csokas, Jesper Christensen

Description: In 1965, three Mossad agents cross into East Berlin to apprehend a notorious Nazi war criminal. Thirty years later, the secrets the agents share come back to haunt them.

Review: “The Debt” is based on the Israeli movie “Ha-Hov” from 2007. Three Mossad agents try to capture a Nazi doctor. Their mission didn’t go according to plan. The decision they make will haunt them when they’re older. They are seen as heroes in their country, but do they really deserve that?
The heart of the film is formed by a flashback from 1965, where Rachel, Stephan and David are send to East Berlin. Their task is to find doctor Bernhardt, better known as the ‘surgeon of Birkenau’. This is also the strongest part of the film. Jessica Chastain, Sam Worthington and Marton Csokas show us what they are made off. Especially Chastain is hard to overlook, her performance is very strong. That and the constant tension take the film to a higher level. There is one crucial scene we get to see a couple of times, which unravels the secret bit by bit.
The nerve wrecking middle part makes us expect much from the finale. Sadly the ending is a bit weak. If it weren’t for Helen Mirren and Tom Wilkinson, this movie would collapse in the end. But that’s the only critical note to this very intelligent thriller.
“The Debt” deals with some complicated moral questions, mostly on the psychological aspect. The characters are haunted by a lie from their past, which gave them a heroic status. All three characters deal with it differently. John Madden succeeded in making a good thriller, with great acting and a setting that gives you a claustrophobic feeling. Intelligent film.

Rating: 4/ 5