10s Movie Review - I Am Michael

Director: Justin Kelly
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 98 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: James Franco, Zachary Quinto, Emma Roberts, Charlie Carver, Daryl Hannah, Ahna O’Reilly

Description: Based on the fascination true-life story of Michael Glatze (James Franco), a gay activist who becomes a Christian pastor after identifying as a heterosexual.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2020 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 11: A LGBTQ MOVIE

Review: In the late 2000s Michael Glatze, gay activist and co-founder of the magazine Young Gay America, announced that he embraced Christianity and no longer identified as homosexual. He even claimed that it was a bad thing. “I Am Michael” focuses on Michael’s change of paths and this somewhat incredible true story.
When we meet Michael, he is the editor of XY, a magazine for gay men stationed in San Francisco. He and his boyfriend Bennett seem to enjoy their life and seemingly perfect relationship. It’s so perfect that they even invite a third man, Tyler.
But deep inside Michael is in pain. He suffers from his mother’s death and becomes obsessed with questions about life after death. He drifts further apart from Bennett. Michael discovers that there is more love and truth in the bible then he initially thought and eventually devotes himself to God. Michael decides he no longer identifies as homosexual. He goes to bible school and meets a young woman there, whom he falls in love with.
Director Justin Kelly and all the actors seem not to be judging Glatze, but they can't downplay the sharp nature of his betrayal.
“I Am Michael” is a beautiful film without any technical fuss, which managed to keep my attention for the entire runtime. Maybe a bit fragmented, but because I didn’t know the original story it didn’t bother me. I found James Franco, who portrayed Glatze, very strong in his role and his character development was very interesting. Zachary Quinto, as Bennet, also did a good job. I liked the calm nature of his character and it felt like he somewhat served as Michael’s conscience.

Rating: 3/ 5

Movie Reviews - Hotel Artemis

Director: Drew Pearce
Genre: Action/ Crime
Runtime: 93 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Jodie Foster, Sterling K. Brown, Sofia Boutella, Jeff Goldblum, Zachary Quinto, Charlie Day, Dave Bautista, Jenny Slate, Brian Tyree Henry

Description: Set in riot-torn, near-future Los Angeles, 'Hotel Artemis' follows the Nurse (Jodie Foster), who runs a secret, members-only emergency room for criminals.

Review: In future Los Angeles, a civil war is happening. Water is a luxury and when the watersupplies are shut off, riots start. People fighting in the streets, helicopters crashing into buildings and police shooting everything that seems suspicious. For The Nurse, owner of Hotel Artemis, it’s the most normal thing in the world. It’s a place for wounded criminals and according to her the world is in constant war. A place you will never be safe. For her, Hotel Artemis is the only place.
Jodie Foster plays The Nurse, a grumpy and stubborn woman that works with strict rules. Clients get codenames, weapons are forbidden and the most important rule: don’t kill other patients. Off course, all kinds of characters enter her hotel: hitmen, asshole criminals, wounded robbers and frantic sons of mob bosses. Charlie Day plays a fun role and Dave Baustista adds some humor to the film. Foster really does a good job as the charismatic and bossy nurse.
All the flamboyant characters make sure that the well organized life of The Nurse fall apart, bit by bit. And she gets closer to the outside world. The film has a good storyline and manages to add some depth too.
“Hotel Artemis” has a strong cast and it’s a pretty good film.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 41: Star Trek Beyond

Director: Justin Lin
Genre: Science Fiction/ Action/ Adventure
Runtime: 122 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, Idris Elba, Sofia Boutella, Deep Roy, John Cho

Description: The USS Enterprise crew explores the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a new ruthless enemy who puts them and everything the Federation stands for to the test.

Review: It took director Justin Lin a while to turn the “Fast & Furious” series into the success it is now. For the “Star Trek” series it was a little easier, because Lin taking over for “Star Trek Beyond” is an instant success. It’s a great follow up and doesn’t constantly reference the old films and the TV show.
“Star Trek” from 2009 and “Star Trek Into Darkness” from 2013 were trying to build the new Star Trek universe and to reintroduce the characters. Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Sulu, Uhura, Scotty and Chekov finally get to go on their first long space mission in “Star Trek Beyond”, to discover new worlds, civilizations and people.
During a stop, they get a call from the nebula, an unknown part of space where there is no communication possible with the Starfleet. It is a bit suspicious, but the heroes from the Enterprise can’t ignore the call and decide to help them. But they are ambushed and end up on an unknown planet.
The villain is played by Idris Elba, who is unrecognizable but still manages to show his charisma through layers of make-up. Another newcomer is Sofia Boutella as Jaylah.
The film has a high tempo, which makes it feel rushed at times. But the action scenes are great, never over the top. I was sceptic about this film, “Star Trek Beyond” is a really good movie. I didn’t expect that. This “Star Trek” series is very solid.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Marry, Kiss, Cliff - Round 11

Andy Stitzer (“The 40 Year Old Virgin”), Mark (“Love Actually”) and Spock (“Star Trek”)

Marry: Mark is such a sweet guy, who knows how to sweep a girl off her feet. I think he would make a loving and caring husband. (And if a zombie apocalypse would start, he would easily kill them. Yes, that’s the same guy!)

Kiss: Andy Stitzer is the sweetest guy ever. I would easily marry him too, but I most definitely don’t want to push him off a cliff. So I would kiss him instead, because this guy has had all the bad luck one man can handle.

Cliff: Spock is way too serious for me and his haircut is just a no-no!

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 3: Star Trek Into Darkness

Director: J.J. Abrams
Genre: Actie/ Science Fiction/ Avontuur
Runtime: 132 minutes
Year: 2013
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban, Bendict Cumberbatch, Alice Eve, Anton Yelchin, John Cho, Bruce Greenwood, Peter Weller

Description: When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one-man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

Review: You can easily trust J.J. Abrams with a good action movie, because he did a great job on the reboot of “Star Trek”. Now, four years later, you wouldn’t expect it to reach that same level of surprise. Well, think again!
“Star Trek Into Darkness” contains some of the same ingredients we saw in the first, some action sequences are very similar. But with the humor, action and excitement it keeps your attention at all times.
Most humor comes from the interaction between Kirk and Spock. This is a strong and solid base for this franchise. Especially Zachary Quinto’s timing and dry humor is fabulous, he’s a great Spock. But the movie shouldn’t be called “Star Trek Into Darkness” if there wasn’t a dark side to this film. That comes from the character John Harrison, who is out for revenge. My problem with the first film was the villain, but that’s exactly the strongest point of the second installment. And we have Benedict Cumberbatch to thank. He is a fantastic actor and is probably one of the most convincing villains of 2013. His voice alone makes you shiver, Cumberbatch can make anything sound sinister. He gives his character extra depth, which makes him unpredictable. I’m also glad to see Simon Pegg in a bigger role, but the two female characters played by Alice Eve and Zoe Saldana are underused.
“Star Trek Into Darkness” is a true action fest, even if you’re not a Trekkie.

Rating: 4/ 5

Quinto Wallpaper

After my Zachary Quinto pic spam, I really wanted to make a wallpaper of him. It took me a long time untill I was completely satisfied with the result, but I managed. And here it is.

Feel free to use it on your own computer.

Pic Spam: Zachary Quinto

My last pic spam was about Ali Larter, the most beautiful woman on "Heroes". Now I'm dedicading it to the hottest man on the show, Zachary Quinto, who portrayed Sylar. An awesome villain. And he has some great photo's. Here are my favorites.