Netflix Friday - Volume 29

Some Netflix film tips for the weekend! And there is something for everyone, since I picked a movie for all the different genres.
 

Action: Mission: Impossible – Fall Out (2018)
Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team, along with some familiar allies, race against time after a mission gone wrong.
 

Drama: Little Women (2019)
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.
 

Comedy: The Invention of Lying (2009)
A comedy set in a world where no one has ever lied, until a writer (Ricky Gervais) seizes the opportunity for personal gain.
 

Animation: Polar Express (2004)
On Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express, while learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas.
 

Romance: The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
Two sisters (Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson) contend for the affection of King Henry VIII (Eric Bana)
 

Horror: Deliver Us From Evil (2014)
New York police officer Ralph Sarchie (Eric Bana) investigates a series of crimes. He joins forces with an unconventional priest, schooled in the rites of exorcism, to combat the possessions that are terrorizing their city.
 

Science Fiction: Land of the Lost (2009)
Paleontologist Rick Marshall (Will Ferrell) takes Will (Danny McBride) and Holly (Anna Friel) into a new world of danger, dinosaurs and big bug-eyed lizard people while trying to find their way back home and, too, save the universe and in doing so saving his reputation. With the dinosaur with brains, brawn and personality and the adventure of scientific advancement and exotic beasts in a far away land, it all adds up to time traveling fun and frolics.
 

Crime: American Gangster (2007)
An outcast New York City cop (Russell Crowe) is charged with bringing down Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington).
 

Thriller: The Iceman (2012)
The story of Richard Kuklinski (Michael Shannon) the notorious contract killer and family man. When finally arrested in 1986, neither his wife nor daughters had any clue about his real profession.
 

Documentary: Holland: Natuur in de Delta (2015)
Multiple animals are followed during their life in the by humans created delta.
 

Family: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019)
Against all the odds, a thirteen year old boy in Malawi invents an unconventional way to save his family and village from famine.

00s Movie Review - The Other Boleyn Girl

Director: Justin Chadwick
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 115 minutes
Year: 2008
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portmann, Eric bana, Jim Sturgess, Eddie Redmayne, Juno Temple, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Rylance, Alfie Allen, Kristin Scott Thomas

Description: Two sisters (Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson) contend for the affection of King Henry VIII (Eric Bana).

Review: ”The Other Boleyn Girl” is based on the bestselling novel by Philippa Gregory and follows the sisters Anne and Mary Boleyn. Both women were love interest for Henry VIII at the beginning of the 16th century. Their love triangle cause for a lot of pain and sorrow.
The art of being a woman is to let men believe that they are in control. It’s a lesson that Anne takes on from her mother. Anne Boleyn is the woman that shook England. Henry VIII committed adultery with her. The story is well known, but in “The Other Boleyn Girl” they focus on sister Mary.
The two Boleyn sisters are complete opposites, but love each other unconditionally. It’s Natalie Portman who steals the show in this film. She is a believable ‘evil’ sister. The acting of the other cast members is okay, but not very special. The script is what makes this film so good. It’s a very well written screenplay.
The book is of course much better, but I always enjoyed watching “The Other Boleyn Girl”.

Rating: 4/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: Scarlett Johansson Movies

Scarlett Johansson is one of my favorites, she is unique. I can’t wait to see her in “Don Jon”, with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. But for now, I made a list of my five favorite Scarlett Johansson movies.

5. The Island
I never tought a Michael Bay movie would make any top 5, but it did. I really like “The Island”. Clever concept, very well executed.

4. The Other Boleyn Girl
I know the book is better, but I saw the film before reading the novel. I loved it, great performances by Scarlett and Natalie. I’m always fascinated by this time period, with all the beautiful costumes.

3. The Avengers
I didn’t think I would love this movie so much. It’s fantastic! Off course great visuals, but the whole thing is just put together very well. And Scarlett is kick-ass!

2. The Prestige
A great, intriguing story with a nice twist at the end. I always like that. Great cast.

1. Lost in Translation
This is actually also one of my all-time favorite movies. It’s beautiful because of its simplicity, great acting by both Scarlett and Bill Murray.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Ghostworld, Match Point, Scoop, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Top 5 Thursday: Books I Read in 2011

The last top 5 op the year. I just finished my book challenge and I read some bad book, some OK book but also some fantastic and amazing books. After a long time of thinking I managed to make a top 5 of the best books I read in 2011.

5. The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory
I love periodic drama/ romance stories. I loved the rivalry and also the love between the Boleyn sisters. This book was truly amazing and I’m still planning on reading the sequel.

4. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
My favorite Harry Potter novel, so it had to be on this list. And after reading it for the second time, you’ll discover new things you didn’t notice before. My favorite part of this book is the introduction of Sirius Black, my second favorite character from the series.

3. One Day by David Nicholls
The way this story was told was just unique. Each chapter covers the same day every year over two decades. I fell in love with David Nicholls’ writing and this book made me both laugh and cry. I truly loved it.

2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
The first book, "The Hunger Games", really blew my mind. I couldn't let it go and was totally captivated by it. I didn't think the second books could top it, but it did. I loved "Catching Fire", what an amazing book. This is one of my favorite series.

1. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Another book that gave me a hard time putting it away. Jacob was just such a loveable character, I fell in love with the guy. And Jacob’s bond with elephant Rosie was so endeering, touching and truly honest. Sara Gruen, who became one of my favorite writers over the year, is so talented. She writes as from heaven.

They almost made the top 5: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Watership Down by Richard Adams, Marley & Me by John Grogan, Persuasion by Jane Austen, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling, Starter for Ten by David Nicholls, Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy and The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

50 Books Challenge - # 5: The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

Title: The Other Boleyn Girl
Author: Philippa Gregory
Story: Mary Boleyn catches the eye of Henry VIII when she comes to court as a girl of fourteen. Dazzled by the golden prince, Mary’s joy is cut short when she discovers that she is a pawn in the dynastic plots of her family. When the capricious king’s interest wanes, Mary is ordered to pass on her knowledge of how to please him to her friend and rival: her sister Anne. Anne soon becomes irresistable to Henry, and Mary can do nothing but watch her sister’s rise. Anne stops at nothing to achieve her own ambition. From now on, Mary will be no more than the other Boleyn girl. But beyond the court is a man who dares to challenge the power of her family to offer Mary a life of freedom and passion. If only she has the courage to break away – before the Boleyn enemies turn on the Boleyn girls.
Start: january 22nd 2011
End: january 28th 2011
Comment: This book was truly amazing. I just couldn't put it down. It was a very intriguing story and beautifully written. I love stories about this period of time and I really think Gregory discribed it so well. I can't believe what a bitch Anne Boleyn was and how loyal Mary Boleyn was. She did everything for her sister, even though she took Mary's son away from her and banned her from Anne's court. I saw the movie before I read the book, and I thought the movie was very good. But the novel was so much better. Great book, so perfect.
Rating: 5/ 5

Lovely Ladies

Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson, two of my favorite actresses. They star together in "The Other Boleyn Girl", which is great. And they are a great on screen duo. I made a wallpaper with those two lovely ladies. I have it on my desktop and you can use it for your own computer if you want. Here it is:

Movie Tip #27 - The Other Boleyn Girl

Director: Justin Chadwick

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, Eric Bana, Kristin Scott Thomas, Juno Temple, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jim Sturgess, Eddie Redmayne

Description: Two beautiful sisters, Anne and Mary Boleyn (Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson), driven by their family's blind ambition, compete for the love of the handsome and passionate King Henry VIII (Eric Bana).

Review: The book, by Philippa Gregory, is beautiful. So is the film. It's an intriguing story, full of desires, betrayal, hatred and passion. The costumes are magnificent and the location is gorgeous. And then the acting. Natalie Portman gave away the best performance. As the jealous and vicious older sister she steals the show. She is a great actress, full of emotions. Especially her final scene is memorable. Scarlett Johansson gets better during the film. At the start she's a bit modest, but later in the film she shows a stronger more powerfull performance. Great film!