Netflix Friday - Volume 76

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

Action: Birds of Prey (2020)
After splitting with the Joker, Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) joins superheroes Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett, Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) to save a young girl from an evil crime lord (Ewan McGregor)
 

Drama: Freedom Writers (2007)
A young teacher (Hilary Swank) inspires her class of at-risk students to learn tolerance, apply themselves and pursue education beyond high school.
 

Comedy: Dark Shadows (2012)
An imprisoned vampire, Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp), is set free and returns to his ancestral home, where his dysfunctional descendants are in need of his protection.
 

Animation: The Prince of Egypt (1998)
Egyptian Prince Moses (Val Kilmer) learns of his identity as a Hebrew and his destiny to become the chosen deliverer of his people.
 

Romance: Love and Other Drugs (2012)
In 1990s Pittsburgh, a medicine peddler (Jake Gyllenhaal) starts a relationship with a young woman (Anne Hathaway) suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
 

Horror: Ghost Ship (2002)
A salvage crew discovers a long-lost 1962 passenger ship floating lifeless in a remote region of the Bering Sea, and soon notices that its long-dead inhabitants may still be on board.
 

Science Fiction: Jumper (2008)
A teenager (Hayden Christensen) with teleportation abilities suddenly finds himself in the middle of an ancient war between those like him and their sworn annihilators.
 

Crime: Richard Jewell (2019)
Security guard Richard Jewell (Paul Walter Hauser) is an instant hero after foiling a bomb attack at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, but his life becomes a nightmare when the FBI leaks to the media that he is a suspect in the case.
 

Thriller: The Guilty (2021)
Demoted police officer Joe (Jake Gyllenhaal) assigned to a call dispatch desk is conflicted when he receives an emergency phone call from a kidnapped woman.
 

Documentary: Britney Vs. Spears (2021)
Journalist Jenny Eliscu and filmmaker Erin Lee Carr investigate Britney Spears’ fight for freedom by way of exclusive interviews and confidential evidence.
 

Family: Marley & Me (2008)
A family learns important life lessons from their adorable, but naughty and neurotic dog Marley.
 

90s Movie Review - The Silence of the Lambs

Director: Jonathan Demme
Genre: Crime/ Thriller/ Horror
Runtime: 118 minutes
Year: 1991
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Jodie Foster, Scott Glenn, Anthony Heald, Ted Levine, Brooke Smith, Paul Laxar, Frankie Faison, Kasi Lemmons, Dan Butler, Lawrence T. Wrents, Don Brockett, Frank Seals Jr., Stuart Rudin, Masha Skorobogatov

Description: A young F.B.I. cadet (Jodie Foster) must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer (Anthony Hopkins) to receive his help on catching another serial killer (Ted Levine) who skins his victims.

Review: One of the most terrifying serial killers in movie history is Dr. Hannibal Lecter (although Buffalo Bill always scared me more). According to Entertainment Weekly Hannibal the Cannibal is the most popular movie creep, even more then Freddy Krueger, Darth Vader, Norman Bates and Jaws. The performance by Anthony Hopkins is sublime. Besides being dangerous and scary, Hopkins manages to be charming and stylish which makes it somehow hard to hate him.
“The Silence of the Lambs” was a huge success and won five Academy Awards. Jodi Foster also does a fantastic job as the brave yet innocent Clarice. And the dialogues between Lecter and Clarice are so brilliant and memorable. It’s a cat and mouse game and both characters get so much depth because of it. And there is mutual fascination. Clarice does her best to get information from Lecter about serial killer Buffalo Bill, but at the same time she has to expose herself. Even though Lecter isn’t in the movie that much, for us viewers he is always there. Both Foster and Hopkins are magnificent, but it’s Hopkins that leaves an unforgettable impression.
“The Silence of the Lambs” is a fantastic film, a movie that gives me the chills every single time, a classic.

Rating: 5/ 5

Movie Review - Cruella

Director: Craig Gillespie
Genre: Crime/ Comedy
Runtime: 134 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser, Mark Strong, John McCrea

I WATCHED THIS FOR MY 2021 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 41: A MOVIE WITH AN ACTOR/ ACTRESS YOU LOVE
 
Description: A live-action prequel feature film following a young Cruella de Vil (Emma Stone)

Review: Cruella is not only a biography of one of Disney’s coolest creeps, but also a demonstration of the political power of fashion.
She’s every dog’s fear: if you’re not careful, you’ll become a coat. It’s a great premise for a bad guy. In the animated film “101 Dalmatians”, Cruella de Vil is at least as memorable as all those spotted puppies. In the late 90s there was a live-action remake, with Glenn Close as Cruella. Now the villain gets her own movie, which focuses on her rise as a gifted fashion designer. In the hands of Australian director Craig Gillespie, the dalmatians are just a footnote. Central to the film is the expressiveness of fashion.
“From a young age I was all about making a statement”, Cruella tells u in a voice-over. Those who wondered about dyed half-and-half hair need no longer doubt; that’s how she was born. In a jam-packed plot, her personal journey of discovery unfolds. “Cruella” is set in London mid-1970s, where anarchic punk fashion originated. Cruella grows up as Estella and is urged to put away her “psycho” side. She hides her distinctive hair with a red wig. She earns a living as a thief and sews disguises for her team of villains.
Estella’s sense of style leads logically to the world of fashion. When she joins the leading couturier ‘the Baroness’, her alter ego and sky-rocket Cruella gets wide open access. The Baroness is a symbol of the establishments. Her classic dresses clash with Cruella’s punk designs.
Fans of the cartoon will recognize some Cruella de Vil quotes and her characteristic driving style. And this movie shows what formed her and how she eventually became the bad woman she is in “101 Dalmatians”. Emma Stone is phenomenal as Cruella, perfect choice for the role. Another reason why I love her so much.

Rating: 4/ 5

TV-Show Review - Midnight Mass (Mini-Series)

Season: Mini Series
Genre: Horror/ Drama/ Thriller
Number of episodes: 7
Year: 2021
Starring: Kate Siegel, Zach Gilford, Kristin Lehman, Samantha Sloyan, Annabeth Gish, Hamish Linklater, Michael Trucco, Rahul Kohli, Annarah Cymone, Igby Rigney, Alex Essoe, Rahul Abburi, Matt Biedel, Henry Thomas

Description: An isolated island community experiences miraculous events, and frightening omens, after the arrival of a charismatic, mysterious young priest (Hamish Linklater).

Review: Mike Flanagan’s latest creation, “Midnight Mass”, can be seen on Netflix since September 24^th. And it’s safe to say that this renowned horror director can add yet another top-notch project to his performance list.
In “Midnight Pass”, we follow an isolated religious island community on the cost of Northeast America. The center of this community is the Catholic St. Patrick’s church, and the priest of this church has been Monsignor John Pruitt for decades. However, after a trip to the Holy Land, he has fallen ill and is staying in a hospital on the mainland. His replacement is Father Paul, a young priest who by God makes miracles happen at St. Patrick’s. Another important islander is Riley Flynn. Some twenty years ago, as a young twenty-something, he left the island to pursue his dreams. But now, due to circumstances, he has returned. At first glance, time seems to have stood still on the island for centuries, but little do the inhabitants know that their home is on the brink of great ominous changes.
What “Midnight Mass” does well is that it slowly builds to a climax. Each episode dissects yet another part of the story and mystery. It takes its time to introduce the isolated religious island and its inhabitants. In addition, it becomes clear almost immediately that something is off. The isolation also gives you the sense of suspense, because if something happens one if dependent on the mainland. Furthermore, Flanagan is known for fleshing out his characters and certain themes well, in this case their relationship with religion and death. Flanagan also dislikes jumpscares, gore and a climax centered on a monster. In doing so, he joins a ranks of directors and writers who in recent years have walked away from mediocre but well-selling horror films that do focus on these things.
In takes guts to give a lot of attention in a horror production to people sitting around talking to each other about human themes like justice, guilt, depression, life meaning, the meaning of religion and what happens after death. Sure there are scary scenes in it, and even jumpscares, but this is done in a way that it adds something and they are effective. The atmosphere is often dark and creepy, which in the long run offers more suspense than a quick and loud sound. Thus, the series requires a certain amount of patience and interest in the above themes.
In conclusion, it can be said that “Midnight Mass” is one of the better horror production of the moment. Certainly it was the best TV-series I’ve seen in 2021. With an exciting dark atmosphere and well-crafted characters and themes, you will be on the edge of your seat.

90s Movie Review - Heat

Director: Michael Mann
Genre: Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 171 minutes
Year: 1995
Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight, Tom Sizemore, Amy Brenneman, Ashley Judd, Mykelti Williamson, Ted Levine, Dennis Haysbert, William Fichtner, Natalie Portman

Description: A group of professional bank robbers start to feel the heat from police when they unknowingly leave a clue at their latest heist.

Review: “Heat” is directed by Michael Mann and stars Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. The film has a good mix of action, crime, tension, romance and drama.
The title “Heat” refers to the heat you feel when the cops are just around the corner. Neil McCauley’s (Robert De Niro) life motto is that you should live a life that you can leave behind in 30 seconds. The heat comes from Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino), a detective who spends his days tracking down thugs.
When you see a professional at work in a movie, you easily sympathize that character. Even if it’s an unscrupulous serial killer, if he’s good at what he does and you see it through his eyes. In “Heat” they use this. McCauley and his gang and Hanna are all very good at what they do. Add the natural charisma both actors have and it’s really hard to pick a side in this cat and mouse game.
Besides the well-known elements in a gangster movie, director Mann shows us a different side of the leading characters. Workaholic Vincent Hanna is in a relationship that won’t work, because he’s never home and he has a stepdaughter with psychological problems. Neil McCauley falls in love with a woman, but can’t tell her the truth about how he makes a living. Chris Shiherlis (Val Kilmer)  is a gambling addict and the woman he loves (Ashley Judd) is cheating on him.  
The original story and the fabulous performances make “Heat” a breathtaking action thriller, one of the best in the genre.

Rating: 5/ 5

 

Movie Review - The Guilty

Director: Antoine Fuqua
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 90 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal

Description: A demoted police officer (Jake Gyllenhaal) assigned to a call dispatch desk is conflicted when he receives an emergency phone call from a kidnapped woman.

Review: Joe is a police officer who got demoted and is now working at a call dispatch desk. He receives emergency phone calls and has to make sure the right help is send. One night, he receives a phone call from a kidnapped woman and Joe gets stuck with trying to help her.
“The Guilty” is a movie set in ‘real-time’. We never jump forward or back in time, it’s just time as it is. With that, the film also takes place in only one location, with mainly one character: Joe. And Jake Gyllenhaal is the one with this difficult task.
The story is captivating enough to interest you for the entire runtime. And since it’s only one-and-a-half hour, it’s easier to keep the attention from the audience and to keep the film exciting. And Gyllenhaal, whom I always enjoy watching, I really strong in his role.
The story itself is nothing new and some developments are somewhat predictable. But “The Guilty” is still a very tense thriller and worth your time.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Review - Fatherhood

Director: Paul Weitz
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 109 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Ken Hart, Melody Hurd, DeWanda Wise, Lil Rel Howery, Rachel Murombo, Alfre Woodard, Paul Reiser

I WATCHED THIS FOR MY 2021 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 40: A MOVIE WITH AN ACTOR/ ACTRESS YOU DISLIKE
 
Description: A father (Kevin hart)  brings up his baby girl as a single dad after the unexpected death of his wife, who died a day after their daughter’s birth.

Review: Seeing Kevin Hart is a serious rol takes some getting used to. Normally, the comedian always squeals in films, he’s is overall very loud. And that’s a reason I hardly ever watch a movie that stars Kevin Hart. That such an unexpected career move foes not have to be a bad thing was proven by many actors. In “Fatherhood”, Hart gets to be a little less funny, but a lot more bearable and heartwarming.
Hart plays Matt, an employee of a large tech company, who becomes a father and a widower on the same day. Matt decides to raise his daughter Maddy on his own, much to the dismay of his meddlesome mother-in-law, who despite everything has his best interests at heart.
Watching “Fatherhood”, it becomes clear pretty quickly that Kevin Hart has a lot more to offer than the loud and wise-cracking guy he usually portrays. And for someone who’s not a fan of Hart, I really liked him in this role and I prefer the more calm version of Hart. And it also shows that he can actually act.
“Fatherhood” is sentiment with a capital S, but nevertheless is quite enjoyable to watch. And I liked Kevin Hart. Who would’ve thought I’d ever say that? Please Kevin, make more movies like this and stop being so loud.

Rating: 3/ 5