Movie Review - Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere

Director: Scott Cooper
Genre: Drama/ Music
Runtime: 119 minutes
Year: 2025
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Jeremy Strong, Stephen Graham, Paul Walter Hauser, Odessa Young, David Krumholtz, Gaby Hoffmann, Grace Gummer
 
Description: Bruce Springsteen’s journey crafting his 1982 album Nebraska, which emerged as he recorded Born in the USA with the E Street Band.
 
Review: “Springsteen: Deliver me From Nowhere” is a biopic about Bruce Springsteen. But not the type of biopic you would usually get when a musician’s story is told. It’s not the story of his life and the rise of him as a musical artist. We follow a specific part of his life and career, where Springsteen was writing songs for the album we now know as “Nebraska”. A very personal album, that Springsteen needed to make, when everyone around him wanted him to make an album with hits.

Bruce Springsteen is one of the most influential musicians of our time. We know a lot about his music, his life, we think we know Bruce through his music. In “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” director Scott Cooper focuses on a more unknown part of his life. It delves into the creation of the album “Nebraska” and shows a different, darker side of Springsteen, separate from his energetic stage persona. That the film has a darker tone, is the reason why many people don’t like this. But I believe that’s the strength of this movie. We have all seen the same type of biopic about musicians. “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” dares to show the darker side of Springsteen’s life. It doesn’t shy away from the pain that lies at the heart of an artist and shows that Springsteen struggled with depression. It also shows the artistic integrity that Springsteen had. The meaning of his music was more important to him than having hits. And no one supported him, but his manager Jon Landau. Who was always in his corner, he trusted Springsteen and supported him, even when he thought it wasn’t the decision he would make. This film had an emotional impact on me, I found it deeply moving and honestly told. Especially that final scene really touched me.

Jeremy Allen White portrays The Boss and I have nothing but praise for him. He managed to capture Springsteen’s intensity, rather than just imitating him. White shows the struggle Springsteen had with success and with his past. The fact that he did all the singing himself and learned how to play the guitar, just adds to that. Close your eyes and it’s like you’re listening to Bruce. And he did look the part too, he resembled a young Bruce Springsteen. Jeremy Strong delivers a great performances as well, as John Landau. And I also want to highlight Stephen Graham, as Bruce’s father. I can never fault him, but the few scenes Graham is in, really impacted the story.

I was surprised that this film didn’t do that well at the box office, but also not so surprised. And the ratings are average. I feel like people expected a very Hollywood-like biopic, all sunshine and rainbows. The story of a young Bruce, who started making music and then breaks though. We’ve seen it way too many times, so I can only praise Cooper for showing the emotion, the depth, the darker side of the life of one of the most successful rock stars. Because the album this film focuses on, “Nebraska”, reflects this as well. To me it was a perfect movie and a must-see for every Bruce Springsteen fan. I saw it with my dad, who is a big fan, and he was amazed by the film. That says a lot for someone who only stays awake during war or action movies. Take it from me, this film did so much for me and I think “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” is one of the best films I’ve seen this year.

Rating: 5/ 5

00s Movie Review - Snatch

Director: Guy Ritchie
Genre: Comedy/ Crime
Runtime: 104 minutes
Year: 2000
Starring: Jason Statham, Stephen Graham, Brad Pitt, Dennis Farina, Vinnie jones, Benicio Del Toro, Jason Flemyng

Description: Unscrupulous boxing promoters, violent bookmakers, a Russian gangster, incompetent amateur robbers and supposedly Jewish jewelers fight to track down a priceless stolen diamond.

Review: The British director Guy Ritchie has an amazing international debut with “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”. His flashy and energetic way of filming and the fun characters in combination with rough action scenes made us think of Quentin Tarantino. Ritchie has a lot of fans. The movie “Snatch” is also a gem and he managed to get some bigger names like Brad Pitt, Benicio del Toro and Dennis Farina for this project.

“Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” with a modern and more expensive touch, that’s what you could call “Snatch”. Not only the multiple storylines that intertwine, but also some known faces. Jason Statham, Vinnie Jones, Jason Flemyng and Alan Ford. It’s visible that everyone had fun making “Snatch” and I think I even prefer it over “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”.

It all starts in a diamond shop in Antwerp, where a big diamond is stolen by a gang lead by Franky Four Fingers (Benicio del Toro). The diamond is supposed to be delivered to Avi (Dennis Farina) in New York. But Franky makes a stop in London, where his poker addiction gets him into trouble. The criminal Boris ‘The Blade’, for whom the diamond was meant, goes after Franky. Boris hires some thieves; Vinny, Sol and Tyrone. During a boxing match Franky will be robbed by one of them and they will bring the diamond to Boris. At the same time Turkish (Jason Statham) and Tommy (Stephen Graham), two small time thieves, are involved with that same boxing match because one of their boxers was knocked out by gypsy Mickey (Brad Pitt). While buying a caravan they run into Mickey, because promotor Brick Top (Alan Ford) needs a replacement boxer. Because Brick has some bets going on, Mickey has to go down in the fourth round. Off course Mickey won’t and all hell breaks loose.

“Snatch” follows the same story structure as “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”, has hard action and dark humor. Not for everyone, but I love it. The acting is good. Brad Pitt is hilarious as boxer Mickey, who you can hardly understand. And Vinnie Jones is perfect for the role of Bullet Tooth Tony. And Benicio de Toro, who only has a small role, shows us again why he is one of the best actor of his generation. Jason Statham and Stephen Graham form a fun, not so lucky, duo.

For the fans of “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”, this is a must see. It’s hilarious, tough and an absolute recommendation.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

TV Show Review - Adolescence (Mini Series)

Season: Mini Series
Genre: Drama
Number of episodes: 4
Year: 2025
Starring: Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, Ashley Walters, Faye Marsay, Christine Tremarco, Amelie Pease, Erin Doherty

Description: When 13-year-old Jamie (Owen Cooper) is accused of the murder of a classmate, his family, therapist and the detectives in charge are all left asking what really happened.

Review: One morning a police team invades a British family to arrest 13-year-old Jamie. He is suspected of stabbing a classmate. From that moment on his parents and his sister end up In hell. Meanwhile, the police investigate to gather enough evidence.

Actor Stephen Graham, who plays father Eddie, wanted to create a series in which each episode consists of one uninterrupted shot. And even though the show is amazing on its own, the way this series was shot makes the series outstanding and extraordinary and one of the best shows I have seen in a while.
You are literally walking and driving along with the characters, going through the hallways, driving from the house to the police station, going around a room. It’s so impressive. This makes the series realistic and raw and the story that is happening in front of you hits even harder. The camera work gets the viewer involved.

Whether Jamie is guilty or not is left in the dark for a while. That keeps the suspense going. But this series is more about the why then the what. Young Owen Cooper, who plays Jamie, manages to give away a very strong performance. Knowing that this was his first ever acting job, makes it even more impressive. And Stephen Graham, who has been a favorite actor of mine for a long time, proofs how fantastic he is. You feel his anger, pain and sorrow. He just makes you feel every emotion. I don’t understand why Graham doesn’t get more praise, he is such a fantastic actor, who has been around for many many year already.

Of all the shows that are coming out right now, “Adolescence” is the one you should watch. There is a reason why this show is being hyped up as much as it is, it really lives up to the hype.

Movie Review - Young Woman and the Sea

Director: Joachim Rønning
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 129 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Stephen Graham, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Sian Clifford, Christopher Eccleston, Kim Bodnia, Jeanette Hain
 
Description: The story of competitive swimmer Trudy Ederle (Daisly Ridley), who, in 1926, was the first woman to ever swim across the English Channel.

Review: Imagine having to swim the English Channel. But now imagine not wearing a hydrodynamic wetsuit, no energy bars or vitamin drinks, and having to rely on the escort of one dastardly steamer. Kust hours and hours of swimming, without fuss, but with jellyfish. That is exactly the challenge that Trudy Ederle took on in 1926, as the first woman ever to.

We meet young Trudy Ederle, who wants to learn how to swim together with her sister Meg. In the roaring 20s, no such thing was for girls. When the sisters get older, the join an all woman’s swim team. With Meg being the most promising, it’s Trudy with the talent. They both start entering competitions, and Trudy wins every time. Even when Trudy is selected to go the Olympics, her Father is not convinced and feels like this is no place for a woman.

After the Olympics, where the woman’s teams was not so successful, because the never get the chance to properly train, Trudy is about to quit and live the life her father wishes for her. Until she sees a film about Bill Burgess, who swam the English Channel. No woman has ever tried this and it becomes Trudy’s number one goal.

Trudy will stop at nothing and she is determine to swim the English Channel. Proving everyone wrong for telling that a woman will never be fit for such a thing. Daisy Ridley is amazing as Trudy, she is the heart of the film. And she proves she can easily carry one. She is accompanied by Stephen Graham, who has a smaller role then I expected which was a shame. I wanted more screentime for him, I always want more screentime for Graham. He is such an overlooked and underrated actor. I really liked his rol in “Young Woman and the Sea”.

“Young Woman and the Sea” is an inspiring sports film about a champion for women’s rights and recognition. Based on a true story, as amazed as I was for what Trudy Ederle did, you should also watch the film “Nyad” with a similar theme and also a true tale. Even more amazing actually. “Nyad” is probably the stronger film of the two, but I also absolutely loved “Young Woman and the Sea”.

Rating: 4/ 5

00s Movie Review - Gangs of New York

Director: Martin Scorsese
Genre: Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 147 minutes
Year: 2002
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, John C. Reilly, Stephen Graham, Henry Thomas, Brendan Gleeson, Liam Neeson, Jim Broadbent, Eddie Marsan

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 49: A MOVIE WITH AND ACTOR/ ACTRESS YOU DISLIKE
 
Description: In 1962, Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) returns to the Five Points area of New York City seeking revenge against Bill the Butcher (Daniel Day-Lewis), his father’s killer.

Review: In “Gangs of New York”, director Martin Scorsese resents his cynical vision of the extremely bloody gang wars that plagued Manhattan in the mid-nineteenth century.

The film opens with a bloody battle in the Five Points area, where Irish immigrants clash with the American-born Nativists, led by the ruthless William cutting, knows as Bill the Butcher.
Sixteen years later, the son of the murdered Irish gang leader, returns to the neighborhood. Unfortunately, this characters, Amsterdam Vallon, doesn’t quite come into his own, but there is no doubt about his revenge against Bill the Butcher. This is one of those stories where you kind of side with the villain, because his character is way more interesting and fleshed out, not because he’s more likeable. And that is largely thanks to Daniel Day-Lewis, who portrays this ruthless gang leader as a charismatic psychopath. He created an instant classic movie villain. He steals the entire movie and makes Leonardo DiCaprio completely fade into the background. Not to speak of Cameron Diaz, who in my eyes was miscast. And I believe that they could have left her character out completely, she adds nothing to the story and you don’t care about her.

But “Gangs of New York” has more to offer than Day-Lewis’ monumental acting. Above all, the film fascinates with the almost maniacal detail with which the Manhattan of 1862 was reconstructed. The film looks stunning. We are plunged into an anarchic society. Scorsese has already showed us at length that Manhattan was nothing less than hell on earth in previous movies, but he has just mentioned that existence there in the nineteenth century was many times more miserable.

In Taxi Driver and Bringing out the dead, Scorsese had already shown us at length that Manhattan was nothing less than hell on earth. He had just never mentioned that existence there in the nineteenth century was many times more miserable.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Review - Help

Director: Marc Munden
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 98 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Jodie Comer, Stephen Graham
 
Description: Sarah (Jodie Comer) seems to have found her calling working in a Liverpool care home where she has a special talent for connecting with the residents. Then, in March 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic hits.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 45: A MOVIE WITH AN ACTOR YOU LOVE
 
Review: Sarah starts working at a Liverpool care home for residents with dementia. She forms a special bond with the relatively young Tony. Bu in March 2020 come the first reports of Covid. The film shows the initial ignorance, growing unrest and panic faced by the British healthcare system. Lack of funding and manpower make things considerably more difficult.

The film starts off fairly lighthearted and uplifting, but this builds up to a more harrowing tone as Covid starts to take its grip on the UK and the struggle faced by the care industry are played out.

As the virus spreads, residents start to feel ill and many of them die. The situation deteriorates and  resident’s names are stripped from the doors, their rooms sealed up, and staff are forced to isolate, quarantine and work double shifts. There is this one powerful 20+ minute one-shot scene, where we see Sarah on a 20 hour shift, all alone in the care home, struggling to look after Kenny, an older resident, as he suffers from Covid related symptoms and he struggles breathing. Sarah’s calm and collected demeanor slowly gives way to panic and anger as she realizes that she truly is on her own. With no help on the way. The whole film, but this scene especially, made a huge impact on me.

The third act of the film takes a slightly odd turn, but when you finally understand the reasoning behind it, it feels more logical. And it helps out the relationship between Sarah and Tony.

Jodie Comer shines as Sarah, what a wonderful, powerful performance. I felt all the feels because of her. And Stephen Graham, whom I’ve been a fan of for years, proofs why I am. He is such an underappreciated actor. And Comer and Graham are intensely compelling together and apart.

“Help” is one of those hidden gems, a film nobody knows about, let alone sees. I showcases a significantly underappreciated part of the healthcare system, which makes it an absolute must-watch.

Rating: 5/ 5

Movie Review - Venom: Let There Be Carnage

Director: Andy Serkis
Genre: Action/ Science Fiction/ Adventure
Runtime: 97 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Tom Hardy, Woody Harrelson, Naomie Harris, Michelle Williams, Stephen Graham, Reid Scott, Peggy Lu

Description: Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) attempts to reignite his career by interviewing serial killer Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson), who becomes the host of the symbiote Carnage and escapes prison after a failed execution.

Review: Tom Hardy once again takes on the role of Eddie Brock and his alien parasite Venom, but in “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” we see a side of the bloodthirsty alien that we would rather not have seen.
In this sequel to “Venom”, Eddie Brock has accepted that he must share his body with Venom, but this leads to much bickering between the two. When deranged killer Cletus Kasady takes in his own symbiote and transforms into Carnage (a red larger version of Venom), Eddie and Venom must put their problems aside for a while.
Tom Hardy, as always, is a joy to watch. He feels more at home in this sequel as Eddie Brock. Without him the movie would have been a lot less engaging. This is partly due to his buddy Venom. And the sequel is a lot funnier. Venom has become a prankster and some jokes are good. But some are not. At those moments you don’t think you’re watching “Venom: Let There Be Carnage”.
Fortunately, when Venom and Carnage come face to face, the film is really good and the two rivals go head to head in some spectacular action sequences. Carnage is an impressive villain. Woody Harrelson, who plays Cletus Kasady, is too. At first. At the start of the movie, he is really good. But when he becomes the host of the symbiote Carnage, Cletus becomes more cartoonish and silly.
“Venom: Let There Be Carnage” does make an attempt to give Cletus some depth, pairing with Shriek and giving the two their own storyline. But not enough to make Cletus an unforgettable character.
The film feels a bit messy at times and is not one of the better Marvel films. It does make for an entertainment popcorn movie and it still is worth your time. Because the strong action sequences make up for a lot.

Rating: 3 / 5

00s Movie Review - Doghouse

Director: Jake West
Genre: Horror/ Comedy
Runtime: 89 minutes
Year: 2009
Starring: Danny Dyer, Stephen Graham, Noel Clarke, Terry Stone, Christina Cole, Lee Ingleby, Keith-Lee Castle, Emil Marwa, Neil Maskell, Adele Silva, Toby Richards, Emily Booth, Alison Carroll, Billy Murray, Tree Carr

Description: A group of men head to a remote village to help one of their friends get over his divorce; when they get there, though, they discover that all the women have been infected with a virus that makes them man-hating cannibals.

Review: “Doghouse” is a movie that shouldn’t be watched if you expect subtlety, political correctness and intellect. If you like bloody scenes and a big dose of dry British humor, “Doghouse” is golden. The story is simple: Vince is recently divorced and his lust for life is gone. His friends decide to take him on an old fashioned guys-only weekend. They end up in a small idyllic village called Moodley. Their plans: relax, drink lots of beer and just party. And the village supposedly has more women than men. But when they find a dead sheep and a bunch of  severed limbs, they find out Moodley is not the place to relax.
Zombies are definitely one of the most used creatures in horror films. There are many subgenres in the zombie scene and the zombie comedy is one of them. “Doghouse” combines typical British (male) humor with the zombie horror and they go hand in hand. It’s not a movie for the week stomach, but everything is brought to you with loads of sarcasm.
How much you’re going to enjoy “Doghouse” depends on your mood, sense of humor and your immunity to blood and gore. The movie is definitely not as good as “Shaun of the Dead” or “Zombieland”, but it’s without a doubt very enjoyable if you like British humor. If you want more depth, than you can skip it.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Review - The Irishman

Director: Martin Scorsese
Genre: Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 208 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Stephen Graham, Jesse Plemons, Bobby Canavale, Harvey Keitel, Anna Paquin, Ray Romano

Description: A mob hitman (Robert De Niro) recalls his possible involvement with the slaying of Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino).

Review: Martin Scorsese devotes three and a half hours to explaining the life story of mafia and trade unionist Frank Sheeran, nicknamed The Irishman. Despite the somewhat episodic approach of action, counteraction and retaliation, time flies by. So don’t the runtime scare you off, because it’s worth your time!
In his beautifully photographed true story, Scorsese and his scriptwriter Steven Zaillian make use of a complex, but natural double frame story in which Sheeran has to drive the mafioso Russell Bufalino to Detroit. During the many smoke breaks of their two wives present, Scorsese looks back on Sheeran's career at Bufalino's family. The whole thing is cast in the story of a very old Sheeran who looks back at the past against an invisible interviewer in the nursing home.
Central to the story, but only inserted later in the story, is Sheeran's involvement in the death of the criminal trade union boss Hoffa, who maintained ties with the mafia. Whether Sheeran actually had something to do with it remains shrouded in mystery, but if we are to believe the book “I Heard You Paint Houses” by former policeman and justice officer Charles Brandt, this was beyond dispute. What preceded it was a detailed account of Sheeran's criminal achievements.
After the war he was a truck driver for a meat company and after a defective truck accidentally came into contact with the charismatic but criminal Bufalino. Soon the Irishman became the regular meat provider for the mafioso with whom Bufalino had dealings. What followed is the first job and that went from bad to worse. Sheeran became a confidant of the family and his hands became increasingly dirty. The viewer has to experience for himself how he finally made it to a trade union receipt, if only because it illustrates how Scorsese manages to bring the most far-reaching developments to the fore in an extremely natural way.
What The Irishman has in common with the many high quality people enjoyed (in which Scorsese himself also made a big contribution) is the extremely sophisticated way in which the criminal environment is portrayed. Close family ties prevail, but treason is punishable by death. There is an unwritten hierarchy and Sheeran slowly but surely manages to climb up through his faithful character.
The cast is amazing. Both Al Pacino and Robert De Niro have been in a lot of questionable movies over the past years, but this is the setting they belong in. Pacino has the honor to run off with the most comic one-liners. Like the slick union leader Jimmy Hoffa, Pacino is the star of the show. He provides the much-needed comic note in the brutal waves of violence. And De Niro is more solid than he has been for a long time. The fact that Joe Pesci is probably retired now and he returned for this film, is a godsend. He plays a spider in the web of a complicated and intriguing and extremely political organization, but does not put himself in the foreground. He is often the declarant for De Niro and in my opinion the best part of the film.
We see a filmmaker and a cast at work who have more than earned theirs spurs. They can an may allow themselves complete freedom to work out a story in detail. “The Irishman” is a very strong film. If you waited for this movie and have high expectations, you will not be disappointed.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Reviews - Rocketman

Director: Dexter Fletcher
Genre: Drama/ Music
Runtime: 121 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Taron Edgerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard, Gemma Jones, Tate Donovan, Stephen Graham

Description: A musical fantasy about the fantastical human story of Elton John’s (Taron Edgerton) breakthrough years.

Review: In almost every article about this Elton John biopic “Rocketman”, it’s being comaired to “Bohemian Rhapsody”, which came out in 2018. This isn’t strange, since both films focus on a British singer of the same generation that are outstanding musicians, struggle with alcohol, drugs and homosexuality, who take on a stage name and have a flamboyant trademark. Both movies are named after their biggest hit. And Bryan Singer directed “Bohemian Rhapsody”, but initially was meant to be directed by Dexter Fletcher, now director of “Rocketman”.
Both movies are very different when it comes to style. “Bohemian Rhapsody” was a more conventional biopic, but “Rocketman” is a musical. Where Elton John tells his life story through song. It’s a logical choice, but not for a biopic about the titular musician. But it works really well. All songs were re-recorded for this film and everything was sung by leading man Taron Edgerton himself. Especially the first hour of the film is very strong, when eventually the story will follow a more conventional path as well. We see Elton in a toxic relationship with John Reid and he eventually can’t resist the alcohol, drugs and other men. His career isn’t only in danger, but also strong bonds he has with certain people. It’s the cliché part of a musical biopic.
Taron Edgerton is a good choice for Elton John. The young actor proofs that he is a capable singer and he can carry a movie. He doesn’t always sound like Elton John, but that’s not an issue. He did his own singing, which makes it more authentic and his acting is tremendous.
I was surprised by some heavy themes in the story. I didn’t know Elton John’s story at all and I was quite shocked about his past and everything he had to deal with in his life.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Reviews - Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool

Director: Paul McGuigan
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Jamie Bell, Annette Bening, Julie Walter, Stephen Graham

Description: A romance sparks between a young actor (Jamie Bell) and a Hollywood leading lady (Annette Bening).

Review: For a second, Gloria Grahame was one of the familiar faces in Hollywood. Especially in film noirs her talented really showed. She starred opposite of Humphrey Bogart in “In a Lonely Place” and she shined in “The Big Heat”. She even won an Acadmey Award for “The Bad and the Beautiful”. And still Grahame was forgotten. I think, many people won’t even remember her by hearing her name. “Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool” is about Gloria’s life, years after she turned her back to Hollywood.
This part of her life, we see through the eyes of Peter Turner. He was a young actor, who happened to rent a room in the same building as Gloria, when she took on a role in a theater in England. She is many years older then Peter, but the two hit it off right away. The start a passionate relationship, Peter’s family love her and he even moves in with her in America.
The two break it off, which we see in flashbacks. But it’s Peter she calls, when Gloria is back in Liverpool again. She is sick and Peter and his family take her in.
Annette Being didn’t try to look like Gloria, but she does have some characteristics in common with her. Especially the voice. Jamie Bell was also perfectly cast for his role. And Julie Walters’ role is beautiful.
The film feels like a play. It’s only set in a few locations and the way they show us flashbacks is for example like walking through a door right into the flashback situation. Really clever. I can understand that this might get a bit dull for people. But the film is so interesting because Gloria is such a mystery. If you know the real Gloria Grahame, you would know that she was ‘banished’ from Hollywood because of some scandals in her private life. They hardly bring this up in the movie. I think that was a good choice. This way you can completely focus on Gloria and Peter’s story.
It’s mostly an acting movie with good cinematography. But I really liked “Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool”.

Rating: 4 / 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

Movie Battle: American History X Vs. This is England

The two movie I choose this time, both center a pretty strong theme. It’s about a sub culture, the skinheads. There are similar because of the central theme, but they are both very different movies on their own. “American History X” Vs. “This is England”.

 

 

ACTORS

American History X: Edward Norton plays his best role so far, in my opinion. And Edward Furlong plays his little brother, also very solid. Beverly D’Angelo, Elliott Gould and Stacy Keach also portray very solid roles.

This is England: Thomas Turgoose is good as the boy the story centers around. But most impressive is Stephen Graham as Combo. His best role so far.

STORY

American History X: Norton plays former neo-nazi skinhead Derek, trying to prevend his younger brother from going down the same wrong path he did. I can remember that one scene on that curb…. Crinch!

This is England: Shaun is a troubled boy growing up in England, set in 1983. He comes across a few skinheads on his way home from school. They become his best friends, even like family. One of Britain’s best movies.

EFFECTS

American History X: What I think is most amazing is the contrast. Present day is filmed in full color and the flashbacks from Derek’s past are in black and white.

This is England: The movie got this typical British 80’s feel to it.

WINNER

Close call, because they are both memorable movies. But it’s “American History X” that will always be on my favourites list.

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 7: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Director: Tomas Alfredson
Genre: Drama/ Thriller/ Mystery
Runtime: 127 minutes
Year: 2011
Starring: Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, John Hurt, Mark Strong, Tom Hardy, Toby Jones, Stephen Graham, Ciarán Hinds

Description: In the early 1970s during the Cold War, the head of British Intelligence, Control (John Hurt), resigns after an operation in Budapest, Hungary goes badly wrong. It transpires that Control believed one of four senior figures in the service was in fact a Russian agent - a mole - and the Hungary operation was an attempt to identify which of them it was. Smiley (Gary Oldman) had been forced into retirement by the departure of Control, but is asked by a senior government figure to investigate a story told to him by a rogue agent, Ricky Tarr (Tom Hardy), that there was a mole. Smiley considers that the failure of the Hungary operation and the continuing success of Operation Witchcraft (an apparent source of significant Soviet intelligence) confirms this, and takes up the task of finding him.

Review: John le Carré is without a doubt one of the masters of spy thrillers. The author of this story once worked for the MI6, so he knows how things work around there. His writing style criticizes the successful stories of James Bond. His characters are a bit less heroic, but because of their weaknesses they are more human. Take for instance George Smiley, the main character of “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”. Smiley is a modest, middle-aged man, who wouldn’t reach for a gun but purely trusts on intelligence. He sounds dull when you compare him to James Bond, but George Smiley is a very intriguing figure. Especially when you let Gary Oldman portray him.
The writers stayed very true to the novel. John Hurt plays Control, the boss of MI6, who sends agent Jim Prideaux (Mark Strong) on a secret mission to Budapest. He has to persuade a Hungarian general. It appears there is a spy in MI6, who hands out crucial information to Karla, the biggest spy in Russia. The general knows who it is, but Prideaux never lives to tell the tale. George Smiley, who’s just retired, has to find the mole.
It sounds like an average whodunit scenario, but there is more to it than meets the eye. The atmosphere and the characters are so interesting. The way director Alfredson filmed it, with the raw glow and different shades of brown, makes you feel like you are in the seventies. And there is a tension throughout the entire runtime of the film.
“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” proves that you don’t need an actionhero to make a good spy thriller. This is a breathtaking movie.

Rating: 4,5/ 5