10s Movie Review - The Judge

Director: David Dobkin
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 141 minutes
Year: 2014
Starring: Robert Downey Jr. Robert Duvall, Vincent D’Onofrio, Jeremy Strong, Vera Farmiga, Billy Bob Thornton, Leighton Meester, Dax Shepard, David Krumholtz, Sarah Lancaster

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2025 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 33: A FILM WITH ROBERT DOWNEY JR.
 
Description: Big-city lawyer Hank Palmer (Robert Downey Jr.) returns to his childhood home where his father (Robert Duvall), the town’s judge, is suspected of murder. Hank sets out to discover the truth; along the way he reconnects with his estranged family.

Review: Hank Palmer is the last person to care what others think of him. The unstoppable lawyer tells it like it is. Hank is the kind of person who dares to speak the truth, even if others would rather not hear it. He admits that the white-collar criminals he defends are most likely guilty, and that doesn’t bother him: “Innocent people can’t afford me”.

When he returns to his hometown, after his mother passed, he is confronted with everything he fled back then. The untouchable lawyer from Chicago does care about other people’s opinions. In fact, he appears to be deeply hurt. The difficult and destructive relationship with his father is the reason for his departure, years ago. And now his father, the local judge, is suspected of murder. Hanks tries to uncover the truth, and father and son both grow closer and come into direct conflict with each other.

“The Judge” boasts an impressive cast: Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Billy Bob Thornton and Vincent D’Onofrio. The first tow in particular are given plenty of room to shine. Downey Jr. is irritating, moving, unyielding and vulnerable all at once. His comedic talent and timing are beyond question. With Hank Palmer, he manages to portray a decisive but also wounded prodigal son.

Director David Dobkin takes the time to introduce the characters and clarify the relationship with the family. the underlying tension between the father and sons is constantly palpable from the moment Hanks returns.

It is also clever how Dobkin unfolds the story. “The Judge” is above all a relational drama, but it is also a courtroom drama. On top of the flawed father-son relationship, there is the murder allegation, which interact with each other, but beyond that there are even more subplots. And all but one of these subplots I really cared about. I didn’t care about the love interest part of the story. They could have left that out.

The film has well-developed characters, excellent performances, a clever structure, and good suspense. I would recommend “The Judge”.

Rating: 4 / 5

10s Movie Review - Annabelle Comes Home

Director: Gary Dauberman
Genre: Horror
Runtime: 106 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Mckenna Grace, Madison Iseman, Katie Sarife, Michael Cimino

Description: While babysitting the daughter (Mckenna Grace) of Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), a teenager (Madison Iseman) and her friend (Kate Sarife) unknowingly awaken an evil spirit trapped in a doll.

Review: The universe around “The Conjuring” has formed well. “Annabelle Comes Home” is the seventh horror film within the franchise and the third film where the scary doll Annabelle has a role. The previous films were set before “The Conjuring”, but the by Gary Dauberman directed film is set right after these events. Demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren retrieve the doll from its traumatized owners. They take the doll home and put it away in a display case, which is secured by a priest so it cannot get out. But the case must never ever be opened, therefore they put a warning sign on the door.
A year later, when Lorraine and Ed leave their home for a day, they leave their daughter Judy with babysitter Mary Ellen, whom they’ve known for a while and loves Judy. Mary Ellen’s best friend Daniela also pays a visit, but she is there for a different reason. Her curiosity gets the better of her and Daniela manages to enter the ‘secret room’ that the Warren’s store their cursed and haunted artifacts in. When she opens the display case with Annabelle in it, all hell breaks loose and the girls have to fight the demonic entities.
That the creepy doll gets a third film has a reason. Even though the other films got mediocre reviews, “Annabelle Comes Home” is a pleasant and entertaining horror movie. There is a pretty good build-up in tension and has some effective scares.
Although there is little innovation, they still manage to create an entertaining film. "Annabelle Comes Home" is made in the same way as "The Conjuring" and, unlike the previous parts, really feels like part of the now popular franchise. The fact that protagonists Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga only play a supporting role is not a negative, because the acting of the young protagonists is convincing.
The film is a bit messy though, because it has way to many ‘ghosts’ and ‘spirits’ that the characters have to deal with. It eventually becomes a bit too much and they try to add to many of it into one film.
Overall “Annabelle Comes Home” is not as bad as you might expect, and it will be a fun film for an entertaining horror movie night.

Rating: 3 / 5

TV Show Review - When They See Us (Mini Series)

Season: Limited Series
Genre: Drama
Number of episodes: 4
Year: 2019
Starring: Assante Blackk, Caleel Harris, Ethan Herisse, Jharrel Jerome, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Marquis Rodriguez, Kylie Bunbury, Aunjanua Ellis, Vera Farmiga, Felicity Huffman, William Sadler, John Leguizamo, Famke Janssen, Joshua Jackson, Niecy Nash, Michael Kenneth Williams, Justin Cunningham, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, Freddy Miyares

Description: Chronicles a true story of a notorious case of five black teenagers who were convicted of a rape they did not commit. Review: The world knows the story of the “Central Park Five”, the five boys (four black, one latino) that were convicted for the rape of a white woman in Central park, New York City in 1989. Director Ava DuVernay retells their story in the four-part series “When They See Us”. After the release on Netflix, it was labeled as ‘the horror film for the black community’. And I understand why, because it’s a tragic and depressing story.
The series opens light hearted, with the daily life of the five boys. Young and innocent, “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy is playing in the background, a group of mostly black teens are hanging in Central Park.
But it’s only six minutes that DuVernay spends on the innocent youth of Antron (15), Kevin (14), Korey (16), Raymond (14) and Yusef (15). Enough to get sympathy for each of them. And that’s when the horror starts for the boys.
In the first episode we see how they boys are taken to the police station, as suspects of a rape. And how the detectives work in selecting the five. We see how they manipulate the boys into saying things they don’t want, pointing to the others as the suspect. They were interrogated for hours, without getting any food, rest or bathroom breaks and without an adult being present. And if they tell the cops what they want to hear, they are promised to go home. For the five boys, lying is the only option, because all they want is to go home.
The second episode focuses on the trial and the verdict. All the testimonies, from all the boys, conflict. And no physical evidence was found to connect the boys to the crime. It’s clear they are all innocent, they didn’t commit the crime. And still they will get convicted. Donald Trump even advertised to bring back the death penalty, especially for these boys.
In the third episode we see how Antron, Raymond, Yusef and Kevin deal with their time in jail and how they are affected by it still when they are released. How hard it is for them to join society again, find a job, start a relationship, their damaged bond with their families. Each of them deal with it differently. For example, Yusef devotes his life to religion. And Kevin, who always was a good boy, eventually becomes a crook because everyone sees him like that anyway. Both the portrayal of the young and adult actors are convincing, touching and strong.
In the final episode, it’s totally focusing on Korey. He wasn’t arrested in the first place, but decided to accompany his friend Yusef when he was picked up. He just happened to be at the police station and the cops decided to use him as ‘the glue to their shaky story’. Since he is the only 16 year old, he is convicted as an adult, instead of being send to a juvenile prison. And he was incarcerated the longest. Korey was abused and molested and spend most of his years in solitary. Jharrel Jerome is the only actor that played both the young and adult version of his character. Impressive performance.
Not only were they convicted for a crime they didn’t commit, they were sentenced for life. Because it scarred them for life. Everyone will always see them as criminals, they won’t be able to get a license or a good job. Relationships will suffer from it. The boys eventually were acquitted for their crimes, but it still feels bittersweet. Because a big part of their life has been taken from them, their freedom was taken from them. And only because cops where seeking justice for a crime and convicted the wrong people who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong place and it seemed convenient.
A series like “When They See Us” is necessary. In a country were black and latino men have more chance of getting into jail than white men, and where Donald Trump has the big stage. The series doesn’t only tell the story of this one case, DuVernay points to the entire justice system. And it’s a realistic fear. People like Linda Fairstein and Elizabeth Lederer ruined a lot of lives because of it.
“When They See Us” is a powerful, heartbreaking, tragic story that everyone should see. They should show it at schools and to people who still think the world is just.

Movie Reviews - Godzilla: King of the Monsters

Director: Michael Dougherty
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy
Runtime: 132 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Vera Farmiga, Kyle Chandler, Millie Bobby Brown, Charles Dance, Ken Watanabe, Sally Hawkins, Thomas Middleditch, Aisha Hinds, David Strathairn, O’Shea Jackson Jr.

Description: The crypto-zoological agency Monarch faces off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah.

Review: In 2014 Mark and Emma’s son was killed in the disastrous fight between Godzilla and two MUTO’s. in flashbacks we see how their daughter Madison did survive and how Mark left the family to try and cope with the death of his son. Emma on the other hand, works for the Monarch, a zoological agency that shows high interest in Titans. A groups a creatures that Godzilla is a part of. When she is in the middle of awakening Mothra, eco-terrorist Jonah Allen enters the room.
“Godzilla: King of the Monsters” is one giant spectacle. There is hardly any room to breathe, because it’s constant action. And it all looks amazing. It’s a visual treat.
Even though this film is mostly about the monsters, there is a moral to the story: restoring the natural balance. And although Emma and Jonah are portrayed to be the ‘bad guys’ of some sort, I really think they have a point. Emma’s drive and motivation for what she is doing makes sense strangely enough.
The audience’s biggest complaint about “Godzilla: King of the Monsters”, is the characters. They have no depth and are disposable. Well people, they are not what’s important in this film. The focus is supposed to be on Godzilla and the monsters. Off course the people should be somewhat interesting as well. And I find Emma and Jonah both a very interesting characters. The rest is indeed not that special. But if you’re a Godzilla fan, you don’t care about the characters and you get exactly what you want: Godzilla!!!
The cast is very talented. Vera Farmiga, Kyle Chandler, Millie Bobby Brown, Ken Watanabe and Charles Dance. All very solid. Nothing really noteworthy.
“Godzilla: King of the Monsters” is a good sequel to 2014s “Godzilla”.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Reviews - The Commuter

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Genre: Action/ Crime/ Thriller
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Liam Neeson, Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Sam Neill, Elizabeth McGovern, Jonathan Banks

Description: An Insurance Salesman/Ex-Cop (Liam Neeson) is caught up in a criminal conspiracy during his daily commute home.

Review: Liam Neeson and a family in danger, it’s almost a new subgenre in Hollywood. In the action thriller “The Commuter”, which is set almost entirely on a train, it’s not any different. Neeson’s character Michael MacCauley has to fulfill a task on board. At first it seems to only be about a bunch of cash, but eventually lives are at stake.
Michael can use the money, because he just lost his job. He gave his job as a cop up to become a business man. All for his family, because his son is about to go to college.
Michael takes the train every day. He know the people on the train. A pretty lady asks him a hypothetical question: would he do a task for cash, if it affected many? The only thing he has to do is track a passenger who carries a stolen item with him/ her.
Although a lot of details matter, you don’t have to pay perfect attention. Everything is very clear. Really easy to follow, not complexities.
It’s not exactly a masterpiece, but it’s a film that keeps your attention and it’s entertaining. And I really like Neeson as an action hero.

Rating: 3/ 5

Movie Battle: Catch Me If You Can Vs. The Departed

This might seem like a random battle, but it has some thought behind it. I looked up Leonardo DiCaprio on Rotten Tomatoes and check which were his two highest rated films. These are the two. I will do this more often, so you can see if I agree with the ranking. But first, let’s fight: “Catch Me If You Can" Vs. "The Departed”

 

 

ACTORS

Catch Me If You Can: Leonardo DiCaprio is the lead, as real life conman Frank Abagnale Jr. His father is played by Christopher Walken and Abagnale Jr. is hunted down by frustrated cop Carl Hanraty, portrayed by Tom Hanks. There are also smaller roles for Jennifer Garner, Amy Adams and Martin Sheen.

The Departed: “The Departed” is a film that has an amazing ensemble cast. Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprion, Jack Nicholson, Vera Farmiga, Alec Baldwin, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone. And they are all fantastic in it.

STORY

Catch Me If You Can: It’s a true story and one of those stories that seem unbelievable. It’s such an interesting story that Frank Abagnale Jr. managed to pretend to be a doctor, pilot and lawyer, without any degree, earn money and then get away with it.

The Departed: A story about two cops, one is a mole and one has to find the mole. It’s such a great and interesting story that stays interesting from beginning ‘till end. I only hoped the bad guy would win, that would separate the film from other crime dramas.

EFFECTS

Catch Me If You Can: No effects needed. It’s an acting film.

The Departed: The movie did a great job portraying Boston. No real effects needed here either, also an acting film.

WINNER

Close call, I love both movies. But I will go for “Catch Me If You Can”. More because it’s a more rewatchable film and the ending is better.

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 119: The Conjuring

Director: James Wan

Genre: Horror/ Thriller

Runtime: 112 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor, Shanley Caswell, Haylet McFarland, Joey King, Mackenzie Foy, Kyla Deaver, Shannon Kook, John Brotherton, Sterling Jerins, Marion Guyot, Morganna Bridgers, Amy Tipton, Zach Pappas, Rose Bachter, J. Donovan Nelson, Christop Veillon, Carmella Gioio, Steve Coulter

Description: Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse.

Review: The movie is set in 1971 and is based on the true story of Roger and Carolyn Perron, who move to a beautiful house in New England with their five daughters. It doesn’t take long before strange things start to happen. At night the clocks always stop at 3.07, Carolyn has mysterious bruises on her body, unidentified clapping during a game of hide and seek and birds flying against the windows. After an unpleasant event the Perrons decide to call for help. Ed and Lorraine Warren are paranormal investigators and try to find out the dark secrets of the house.

The story of “The Conjuring” has been done so many times, but the way it’s executed is just sublime. Clichés are clichés, but when they are done well it’s not a problem. Old houses are creepy, with their cracking sounds and basement filled with old stuff. The images aren’t new either: doors that open, strange toys, dark corners. It is all done so well, that you’re sucked in and it’s terrifying. With that director James Wan has a great sense of subtle timing, it scares you at the moments you know something is going to happen. This is also because of the good sound effects.

“The Conjuring” manages to avoid the traps. He chooses suspense over CGI and that’s the way I like to see a good horror thriller. The focus is also on the characters. The Perrons are a sympathetic family, they react naturally to the happenings in their house. It always bothers me when characters hold on to “there has to be a rational explanation for all this”. The acting is also fantastic, especially Vera Farmiga is wonderful in her role. You feel the fear they feel.

The first part of the film is the strongest. You feel a constant threat. I always find the things you don’t see more scary than the ones you do see. A movie I found hard to watch by myself, because it’s truly terrifying. A horror movie is good when it genuinely scares you and that’s what “The Conjuring” did.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Pic Spam: Vera Farmiga

Vera Farmiga is an exceptional beauty, you can't see past her. I love her eyes. But above all she is a fabulous actress. Don't you just love her in "Bates Motel"? Here are some of her best pictures.

Quotables: "Up in the Air"

Although it’s not a very spectacular movie, I like “Up in the Air” somehow. It’s enjoyable, there is good acting and I just want to watch it whenever it’s on TV. Here are some memorable quotes from “Up in the Air”.

Ryan Bingham: How much does your life weigh? Imagine for a second that you're carrying a backpack. I want you to pack it with all the stuff that you have in your life... you start with the little things. The shelves, the drawers, the knickknacks, then you start adding larger stuff. Clothes, tabletop appliances, lamps, your TV... the backpack should be getting pretty heavy now. You go bigger. Your couch, your car, your home... I want you to stuff it all into that backpack. Now I want you to fill it with people. Start with casual acquaintances, friends of friends, folks around the office... and then you move into the people you trust with your most intimate secrets. Your brothers, your sisters, your children, your parents and finally your husband, your wife, your boyfriend, your girlfriend. You get them into that backpack, feel the weight of that bag. Make no mistake your relationships are the heaviest components in your life. All those negotiations and arguments and secrets, the compromises. The slower we move the faster we die. Make no mistake, moving is living. Some animals were meant to carry each other to live symbiotically over a lifetime. Star crossed lovers, monogamous swans. We are not swans. We are sharks.

Natalie Keener: I thought I'd be engaged by now. I thought by 23, I'd be married, maybe have a kid, corner office by day, entertaining at night. I was supposed to be driving a Grand Cherokee by now.

 

Ryan Bingham: You know that moment when you look into somebody's eyes and you can feel them staring into your soul and the whole world goes quiet just for a second?

Natalie Keener: Yes.

Ryan Bingham: Right. Well, I don't.

Ryan Bingham: [on getting through airport security] Never get behind old people. Their bodies are littered with hidden metal and they never seem to appreciate how little time they have left. Bingo, Asians. They pack light, travel efficiently, and they have a thing for slip on shoes. Gotta love 'em.

Natalie Keener: That's racist.

Ryan Bingham: I'm like my mother, I stereotype. It's faster.

Ryan Bingham: The stars will wheel forth from their daytime hiding places; and one of those lights, slightly brighter than the rest, will be my wingtip passing over.

Ryan Bingham: You know why kids love athletes?

Bob: Because they screw lingerie models.

Ryan Bingham: No, that's why we love athletes. Kids love them because they follow their dreams.

 

Natalie Keener: Can you stop condescending for one second or is that one of the principles of your bullshit philosophy?

Flight Attendant: Would you like the cancer?

Ryan Bingham: What?

Flight Attendant: Would you like the can, sir?

Ryan Bingham: Last year I spent 322 days on the road, which means I had to spend 43 miserable days at home.

Ryan Bingham: Are you angry at your computer?

Natalie Keener: I type with purpose.

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 14: Goats

Director: Christopher Neil
Genre: Comedy/ Drama
Runtime: 90 minutes
Year: 2012
Starring: David Duchovny, Vera Farmiga, Graham Phillips, Keri Russell, Justin Kirk, Anthony Anderson, Ty Burrell, Alan Ruck, Dakota Johnson

Description: As Ellis (Graham Phillips) prepares to leave Tucson for his freshman year at an East Coast prep school, he also faces separating from his flaky, new age mother (Vera Farmiga) and the only real father he has ever known: Goat Man (David Duchovny).

Review: In this strange coming-of-age-comedy the young Ellis has to deal with a lot of things: a new school, his new age mom, his estranged dad and the Goat Man. The man who has been like a dad to him, more than his actual father. All these freaky and quirky characters make this a fresh and light dramedy.
Graham Phillips is touching as the young adult struggling with all the people in his life. David Duchovny makes you laugh with his vague character. Vera Farmiga is the weirdest one of the bunch, but she never overdoes it. The other characters don’t have enough depth to even care about them.The story is interesting, but it never seems to go towards an actual ending, which leaves you with an unsatisfied feeling.
“Goats” has heart, it’s a fun film when you’re in the mood for something that’s a bit strange. But a good kind of strange.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

In the Picture: The Characters from "Up in the Air"

"Up in the Air" isn't a very spectacular movie, but it's a movie I really enjoy every single time. And that's basically because of the actors and how they portray their characters. It's only three main characters, but here they are.

Ryan Bingham
Played by: George Clooney
Ryan Bingham is fully dedicated to his job. He lives it, he breaths it, he IS the job. It’s Ryan’s entire identity. He fires people for bosses who don’t have the guts to do it themselves. Ryan tries to keep personal relationships as far away from him as possible, including his own sisters who he hardly ever sees. He’s pretty happy with his life the way it goes and it gets better when he meets Alex, his female self.

Alex Goran
Played by: Vera Farmiga
Alex Goran is a fellow traveller and she is turned on by Ryan’s credentials. Alex has the same look on life, she just wants to have casual meet ups with Ryan, no strings attached. But is Alex who she really is?

Natalie Keener
Played by: Anna Kendrick
Natalie is Ryan’s new colleague and has innovative ideas for the company they both work for. In order to understand the job, Natalie tags along with Ryan. They are each others complete opposites. Natalie does believe in love, marriage and committing to someone and doesn’t seem to believe that Ryan isn’t looking for any of that. They have a rocky start, but have mutual respect for each other eventually.

Favorite Character: Natalie Keener