10s movie Review - Unsane

Director: Steven Soderbergh
Genre: Thriller
Runtime: 98 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Claire Foy, Jay Pharaoh, Juno Temple, Joshua Leonard, Sarah Stiles, Amy Irving, Matt Damon

Description: A young woman (Claire Foy) is involuntarily committed to a mental institution, where she is confronted by her greatest fear--but is it real or a product of her delusion?

Review: In 2013, director Steven Soderbergh announced his retirement and become a painter. But that didn’t last long. First with the TV-show “The Knick”. He realized that film making is what he loves most. Even before he returned with “Logan Lucky”, he announced the movie “Unsane”, which he filmed in secret.
Not only did he film it in secret, he did it within a month in 2017. Soderbergh filmed the entire movie with an iPhone 7 Plus in 4k. You would think that this film would have terrible quality, but that’s not really true. It’s visible in a few moments, but overall this way of filming adds to the realistic and raw feel of the film.
Sawyer Valentini tries to start a new life, with a new job in a new city. But the trauma of the stalker in her past life, still haunts her. So she talks to a therapist. Sawyer has to fill in some standard forms. And before she knows it, she is committed to a mental institution. Sawyer goes through a personal hell, between people who are completely mad and people who are, like her, healthy. And one of the nurses seems to be her stalker. Or is it just in her head?
Soderbergh leaves it to question for a long time, if Sawyer is really losing her mind or if she is sane. We find out the truth, but I think they should’ve waited later in the film. The film still does have some elements of surprise, things you didn’t see coming.
“Unsane” is a strong thriller, where you constantly have that realistic feel where it could happen to you too. Claire Foy is really good in her role, she carries this film.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

Five to Watch - Movies with Unlikely Friendships

With “Green Book” now in theaters and it being nominated for a lot of big awards, it’s time for me to take a look at those film about friendship. Not just any friendships, but unlikely friendships. People you wouldn’t expect to become friends in the first place. Here are five films I think are not as well-known or deserve more attention, that focus on an unlikely friendship. And I think you should definitely give them a shot.

Warm Bodies
“Warm Bodies” takes the done and redone zombie apocalypse plot in a comical and innovative new direction. Creating an endearing and empathic look at a zombie’s inner monologue. “Warm Bodies” doesn’t only focus on the lingering emotional capacity of zombies, but also on the healing power of love. The film follows a growing relationship between zombie R and Julie, as well as the friendship between R and fellow zombie M. These two relationships are practically the definition of unlikely.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
It’s a British historical-drama, based on the novel of the same name. This Holocaust drama, explores the horrific realities of a World War !! extermination camp from the point of view of two 8-year-old boys. One of the boys is a son of the camp’s Nazi commandant and the other is a Jewish inmate. The forbidden friendship shared between a young Jewish inmate and the son of a commandant surely has its consequences, terrifyingly so as a matter of fact. But through the eyes of innocent, unrealized children such a taboo relationship doesn’t seem so strange anymore. In fact, it seems exceedingly natural and appropriate.

Lost in Translation
The film revolves about a recent college graduate and an aging actor, who develop an unorthodox relationship after a chance meeting in a Tokyo hotel. In spite of a rather dramatic age difference, the two find themselves facing similar struggles, both philosophically and emotionally. Bob and Charlotte are both in unhappy marriages, attempting to cope with the lack of intimacy and compassion that the both deal with from their significant others. But their relationship isn’t only unique due to their similarities, the connection they share resonates with many and stays with you long after the film reaches a close.

Gran Torino
Sometimes a friendship needs to overcome a more serious barrier, such as the bigotry of racism of Walt Kowalski in “Gran Torino”. In the film, as Kowalski’s neighborhood changes her becomes more bitter and insular, until someone threatens the only thing he has left to care about: his car. When his shy teenage neighbor Thao is pressured into trying to steal the car by a local gang, Kowalski steps in, making him the reluctant hero of the neighborhood. When Thao’s family force him to make up for the attempted robbery by working for Kowalski, it sets into motion an unlikely friendship that will change both their lives.

Due Date
Up-tight architect Peter Highman and aspiring actor Ethan end up having to travel cross-country together after the pair of them are kicked off their plane and placed on a no-fly list. Two mismatched guys forced to go on a road trip together, it sounds so simple, yet it is delightful. Ethan might be just the friend that Peter needs in his life.

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

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

10s Movie Review - Thoroughbreds

Director: Cory Finley
Genre: Drama/ Thriller/Crime/ Comedy
Runtime: 93 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Anton Yelchin

Description: Two upper-class teenage girls (Anya Taylor-Joy), Olivia Cooke) in suburban Connecticut rekindle their unlikely friendship after years of growing apart. Together, they hatch a plan to solve both of their problems-no matter what the cost.

Review: “You’ve got a creepy friend”. “I know”. It’s one of the dialogues from “Thoroughbreds” and forms a simplistic overview of the film, where two teenage girls plan on killing one’s stepfather. “Thoroughbreds” is a film that won’t be liked by everyone, but one things is clear: it has a very talented cast and director.
Lily and Amanda are two friends, that lost touch. Amanda’s mother got the two back together, so that Lily can tutor Amanda. Lily is living with her mom and stepfather and a huge house and attends an upper-class boarding school.
Amanda on the other hand is an outsider, who physically isn’t capable of having any emotions or feelings. She thought herself to cry on commando. Her extraordinary behavior drives the people around her mad, so Amanda’s mother seeks contact with Lily again. But the two girls form a deadly combination.
After the opening scene, you already know “Thoroughbreds” is a special film. We see Amanda staring at a horse. In a later shot, we see a knife. Later we find out what happened and why. Next, we see Amanda getting out of a car and entering Lily’s giant house.
The two girls seem complete opposites at first, but on a deeper and darker level they are more alike. And the performances by the two girls are fantastic. Olivia Cooke and Anya Taylor-Joy are both excellent and cast perfectly. I also has a role by Anton Yelchin. This marks his last film, since he died in 2017.
Director Cory Finley is also very talented. It’s his directorial debut and he leaves a great impression with “Thoroughbreds”. It’s a stylish film with dark humor and depth.
Even if it’s not your cup of tea, just watch if for the talent involved in this film. That will make it worthwhile.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Reviews - Glass

Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Genre: Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 129 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: James McAvoy, Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, Sarah Paulson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Spencer Treat Clark

Description: Security guard David Dunn (Bruce Willis) uses his supernatural abilities to track Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy), a disturbed man who has twenty-four personalities.

Review: M. Night Shyamalan is a very good director, but made some movies that a lot of people hate. He was praised for the thriller “The Sixth Sense” with that amazing twist. And “Signs” and Unbreakable” were also very well received. “The Village” I liked, but most people had mixed feelings. And the rest, we don’t really want to talk about. But gladly in 2016, Shyamalan came back with another amazing film: “Split”. Which was surprisingly tied to “Unbreakable”, from 2000. And with now “Glass” we got a trilogy that no one saw coming.
We already know the character in “Glass”, they were introduced to us in “Unbreakable” and “Split”. I recommend you’d see them before, but it’s possible to watch “Glass” without that knowledge. The story is very interesting and off course we’re all waiting for that twist. And all the films finally come together at the end. Before that, it’s not very clear where the movie is heading. James McAvoy is fantastic in his role, like he was in “Split”. It’s amazing to see his range of emotions and expressions and how easily he goes from one personality to another. He is definitely the highlight of “Glass”. The performances by Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson and Sarah Paulson are also very solid.
The atmosphere in “Glass” is realistic and grim. And in the superhero world, that’s a welcome addition, because they are mostly bombastic and colorful.
“Glass” is a good film, but it could have been great if it got a little more substance. “Unbreakable” and “Split” were definitely better. But I am glad I saw “Glass”.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Reviews - Velvet Buzzsaw

Director: Dan Gilroy
Genre: Thriller
Runtime: 112 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Renee Russo, Toni Collette, John Malkovich, Zawe Ashton, Natalia Dyer, Billy Magnussen, Tom Sturridge

Description: After a series of paintings by an unknown artist are discovered, a supernatural force enacts revenge on those who have allowed their greed to get in the way of art.

Review: “Velvet Buzzsaw” is a horror satire focusing on the empty and cold art sector in Los Angeles. After it premiered at the Sundance Filmfestival, it can be seen on Netflix.
The story starts at the Miami Beach Basel Art Fair, where art advisors are looking for ‘the next best thing’. Here we meet the art critic Morf Vandewalt, his friend Josephina, art advisor Gretchen, gallery owner Rhodora and PR-machine Jon. All big names or rising stars in the art business.
One day Josephina finds the dead body of her upstairs neighbor, Vetril Dease. He has no family or friends and was a very quiet and to-him-self man. She finds a huge art collection in his house, all painted by him. All of his art is fascinating, yet morbid and disturbing. Dease wanted all of his art to be destroyed, but Josephina decides to show it to the world. When they explore the paintings, it turns out Dease painted with his own blood. When the paintings are exposed, strange deaths start to occur.
Possessed paintings is not very original, it’s a horror cliché. But director Dan Gilroy gave it a modern touch and made it less cliché. The deaths that occur are very original, but “Velvet Buzzsaw” never really gets scary.
Gilroy also directed “Nightcrawler” and reunites with Jake Gyllenhaal and Renee Russo. That was an intense, disturbing and on-point film. “Velvet Buzzsaw” sadly isn’t. Gilroy isn’t out to scare the audience, but it’s also missing suspense. Yet, it’s an entertaining movie, even though I expected more.
Taking a unoriginal cliché horror element and turning it into something more original. That’s been done. But it’s not as exciting as I thought it would be.

Rating: 3/ 5