00s Movie Review - The Invention of Lying

Director: Ricky Gervais, Matthew Robinson

Genre: Comedy/ Romance

Runtime: 100 minutes

Year: 2009

Starring: Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Rob Lowe, Jonah Hill, Jeffrey Tambor, Tina Fey, Jason Bateman, Louis C.K

Description: A comedy set in a world where no one has ever lied, until a writer seizes the opportunity for personal gain.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 26: A ROMANTIC MOVIE 

Review: The film is set in a world just like our, but with the only difference: mankind never “invented” lying. People just have jobs, children, a house, a car. But in the meantime they are 100% honest with each other. And one man, writer Mark, one day is somehow able to lie and uses it to help himself and others. Comedian Ricky Gervais wrote the story and directed the film. But also star in it.

I’ve always liked Gervais’ humor and I enjoy watching him in films. “The invention of Lying” is a fun film, with jokes that may or may not work for you. For me it did most of the time. I really liked the premise of the film and it played out well.

Rating: 3 / 5

Book Review - Gwendy's Button Box by Stephen King

Title: Gwendy’s Button Box

Series: The Button Box # 1

Author: Stephen King

Description: There are three ways up to Castle View from the town of Castle Rock: Route 117, Pleasant Road, and the Suicide Stairs. Every day in the summer of 1974 twelve-year-old Gwendy Peterson has taken the stairs, which are held by strong (if time-rusted) iron bolts and zig-zag up the cliffside.

At the top of the stairs, Gwendy catches her breath and listens to the shouts of the kids on the playground. From a bit farther away comes the chink of an aluminum bat hitting a baseball as the Senior League kids practice for the Labor Day charity game. One day, a stranger calls to Gwendy. On a bench in the shade sits a man in black jeans, a black coat like for a suit, and a white shirt unbuttoned at the top. On his head is a small neat black hat. The time will come when Gwendy has nightmares about that hat...

Review: “Gwendy’s Button Box”, unlike most Stephen King’s work, is only a very thin book. It is a novella, which you can usually read very quickly. The cover is beautiful and inside are wonderful illustrations.

The story follows Gwendy, who struggles with various aspects of her life, including her weight. After she gets a button box ins a special way, it seems to change her whole life. She loses wight, gets better grades, and excels at sports and work. The button box in particular is very appealing to the imagination of this story. The tension is well built.

There is a clear message in the novella. As you reas, you get the idea that you need to read the book again, to fully grasp the meaning of the story. We experience the story mainly through Gwendy’s eyes, although due to the length of the story we don’t really get to know her as a character.

The book combines several elements and genres, including fantasy, horror, life lessons and young adulthood. The ending of “Gwendy’s Button Box” is surprising, because the evens make you expect the novella to end differently.

Stephen King never disappoint, and he didn’t with this short story.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

20s Movie Review - Crip Camp

Director: James Lebrecht, Nicole Newnham
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 106 minutes
Year: 2020
Starring: -
 
Description: Down the road from Woodstock, a revolution blossomed at a ramshackle summer camp for teenagers with disabilities, transforming their lives and igniting a landmark movement.
 
Review: At a summer camp run by hippies, a crucial civil rights movement in the United States germinated some fifty years ago; that of the disabled. Camp Jened was one of the first places where disabled people could come together without any stigma. The young people who attended this camp felt for the first time that they were valued as complete individuals. It was they who later went on to lead demonstrations and protests to enforce equal rights for disabled people.

Indeed, the many archival images of 1971 summer camp reveal an incredible experience of freedom among the young people. Some of those interviewed describe the summer camp as their Woodstock. At the camp, the young people get first loves and have long discussion about the problems they experience because of their disabilities.

“Crip Camp” makes extensive use of historical material. The footage of the protest is particularly impressive. Of particular note is the moment when a group of disabled pepple entrench themselves in a government building for over twenty days to ensue that a law is passed establishing their equality. “Crip Camp” shines light on a civil rights movement that has been largely invisibly until now. It is more or less normal today for most buildings to be wheelchair friendly, but “Crip Camp” shows how arduous the fight was to make this happen. An incredibly shocking scene makes it clear why this was so important. This is a news report from the 1970s about Willowbrook, a kind of hospital for the disabled. These images are pure horror. Emaciated patients lie everywhere, tucked away with no real help.

“Crip Camp” is an engaging documentary with a positive message. It shows how steadfast people brought about real change in the U.S.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Review - Spiderhead

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Genre: Action/ Crime/ Drama

Runtime: 106 minutes

Year: 2022

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Miles Teller, Jurnee Smollett

Description: In the near future, convicts are offered the chance to volunteer as medical subjects to shorten their sentence. One such subject for a new drug capable of generating feelings of love begins questioning the reality of his emotions.

Review: “You’re stich with four life sentences, with no chance of parole”. A sentence no prisoner wants to hear. Yet the prisoner to whom this is told responds with an almost manic fit of laughter, creating an uneasy feeling and an upsetting atmosphere. Unfortunately, this strong beginning does not continue, and while there are plenty of ideas, the execution of them is underwhelming.

“Spiderhead” is set in the near future. There is a prison complex where occupants are given the chance to reduce the length of their sentence. All they have to do to do so is participate in an experimental study of medication the controls people’s emotions. And that’s not all; the prisoners are allowed to walk around freely and there is an open kitchen. A deal you can’t turn down, but of course there’s a big, fat catch.

This interesting premise can cause the necessary moral dilemmas. It is therefore unfortunate that the beginning is somewhat banal. Lead researched Steve Abnesti can administer various medicatiosn automitically, including the so-called Luvactin. Its effect is euphoria and everything si beautiful. Like the other medications at Steve’s disposal, this one can be cranked up to eleven.

The tests for Luvactin begin fairly innocently but interestingly. Inmate Jeff looks at a view that actually consists of a garbage dump and thinks it’s beautiful. The same test is done on two inmates sitting together, which obviously ends in an intense lovemaking session. Which becomes a bit silly eventually.

And from there, the various tests yield more and more when it comes to the moral compass, and other emotions also pass muster. When the medication is administered, the recipients first have to acknowledge this and approve that they can. This gives the illusion of free will, but this is deviously reversed as Steve, in a friendly yet blackmailing manner, makes people do whatever he wants them to do. Chris Hemsworth, who plays this Steve, is solid in his role and he tries to make the best of what this movie is.  

“Spiderhead” has a very interesting premise, but has a very hard time getting it going. Alsmot two-thirds of the film is over before the first real conflict arises. Which makes it difficult to stay focused and the keep you interested. It could have been better if they used the premise to its full potential and made a more thriller-based film. Such a let-down, very disappointed in this movie.

Rating: 2/ 5

TV Show Review - Obi-Wan Kenobi (Mini Series)

Season: Mini Series

Genre: Adventure/ Action/ Drama/ Science Fiction

Number of episodes: 6

Year: 2022

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Jimmy Smits, Joel Edgerton, Moses Ingram, Vivien Lyra Blair, Rupert Friend, James Earl Jones, Kumail Nanjiani, O’Shea Jackson,

Description: Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) has to save young Leia after she is kidnapped, all the while being pursued by Imperial Inquisitors and his former Padawan, now known as Darth Vader.

 

Review: Ewan McGregor has never made a secret of his desire to don Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Jedi cloak and take up his lightsaber again. At first, there was talk about a standalone film, but eventually the producers of the Star Wars series opted for a six-part miniseries. McGregor is visibly enjoying himself, but  is actually reduced to a supporting actor. The story, in fact, revolves mainly around the ten-year-old Princess Leia and the rise of Darth Vader. Nevertheless, for fans it is still a feast of recognition.

“Obi-Wan Kenobi” is set between episode III and IV, thus forming a solif bridge between the original and the prequel trilogy. You might even tentatively conclude that this series makes that hated second trilogy more palatable, as “Revenge of the Sith” is tied to this first trilogy opener, A New Hope.

It is a few years after the battle on the volcanic planet Mustafar, where Anakin Skywalker, who had turned to the dark side, came away from the battle battered. With all kinds of artifice we see how he recovers and has the iconic Darth Vader suit hoisted, which provides him with an artificial face provided by James Earl James (in his nineties now). It will lead to cheers for fans, and this puts even more puzzle pieces in place. In particular, a fight scene in the final episode will be able to please many because it brings together nostalgia and new angles.

Whereas “The Mandalorian” had its main charm offensive in the form of Grogy (aka Baby Yoda aka The Child), the creators of this series got to work with a ten-year-old Princess Leia. Unlike the viewer, she has no idea who her real parents are or that she has a twin brother, who grows up in anonymity on Tatooine. Leia is played by Vivien Lyra Blair, who steals the show in every episode. She is smart, witty, but not pedantic or irritating, like a lot of children in movies are.

It's a nice touch that continuity with the movies has been provided by having all the actors still available reprise their characters, even though some have visibly aged and other appear in only one scene.

 

Unlike previous Star Wars series, all sex episodes of “Obi-Wan Kenobi:  were directed by the same person: Deborah Chow. She also directed tow episodes of “The Mandalorian”, and this time around her work shows consistent direction in a series is still most remiscent of the prequel trilogy in terms of looks.

“Obi-Wan Kenobi” is a better series then “The Book of Boba Fett”, but doesn’t manage to climb over “The Mandalorian”, but it forms a finely rounded story. It lacks a real soul like in “The Mandalorian”, but for a Star Wars fan it is still a must-see.

TV Show Review - Peaky Blinders (Season 6)

Season: 6

Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime

Number of episodes: 6

Year: 2022

Starring: Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, Sophie Rundle, Joe Cole, Tom Hardy, Sam Claflin, Natasha O’Keefe, Packy Lee, Finn Cole, Kate Phillips, Aiden Gillen

Description: Tommy sets off to North America, where the end of Prohibition brings new opportunities. But he faces new danger from an old adversary who is finally making his move.

Review: “Nobody fucks with the Peaky fucking Blinders!”… right? At the end of the least season, Tommy Shelby had to acknowledge his superior to the fascist Mosley. Fast forward four years and you arrive at the very last season. Cillian Murphy returns as a markedly changed Shelby, but still with the familiar cigarette butt in his mouth and chest out. Whether or not there is still nothing to fuck with the Peaky Blinders is answered once and for all this season.  

Tommy has changed. He has become calmer, wants to do the right thing and, believe it or not, no longer drinks. Does this finally bring peace to Thomas’ life? Anything but. Ghosts from the past hurt his soul and this final season focuses on how Tommy deals with them. To use a cliché: Cillian Murphy was born for this role. He still brings nuances that were not there before and shows a Tommy who is more human than ever before.

Unfortunately, this leaves little room for the other characters to say their deserved goodbyes in the spotlight. The tragic passing of Helen McCrory punches a big hole in this season. “Peaky Blinders” without Polly is simply not the same. There is a nice tribute to be found in the first episode that the writers also cleverly used to set up a conflict between Michael and Tommy. Even though the conflicts gets a conclusion, the buildup seems almost forgotten.

At times, the season itself also seems a bit searching for its story and filler. What doesn’t help is the absence of a clear major antagonist as in previous seasons, which often made the series immensely exciting. Characters are also introduces who otherwise have little to go on. The story of Mosely is somewhat messy and doesn’t really come together in a satisfying way. Elements that unfortunately indicate the time for the series is really up.

However, that does not mean that this season does not captivate. On the contrary. The season lacks the necessary tension, but makes up for it by focusing on the emotion. A bold move for the last season of the series. Many familiar faces pass by an all the little lines that were still hanging loose are tied together nicely. It remains clever how you as a viewer still hope for the best for the Shelby family, despite their atrocities.

And the quality doesn’t stop there. Once again, the music is perfectly interwoven with the cinematography. In addition, all the praise for Cillian Murhpy s deserved, but Paul Anderson as Arthur Shelby does not fall short of his little brother. The wounded soul is almost palpable, and Arthur’s tragedy is one that is sometimes hard to watch, but one that the eyes can’t help to see.

It is an experimental finale to a journey that began nine years ago. With the focus on emotion rather than brute force and suspense this season pans out differently than expected. And fair is fair: more tension certainly wouldn’t have been amiss. And even though the ending could have been perfect if they just did what they were about to do, this final season was a worthy farewell to “Peaky Blinders”.

Netflix Friday - Vol. 113

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

Action: The Magnificent Seven (2016)
Seven gunmen from a variety of backgrounds are brought together by a vengeful young widow to protect her town from the private army of a destructive industrialist.
 

Drama: Warrior (2011)
The youngest son (Tom Hardy) of an alcoholic former boxer (Nick Nolte) returns home, where he's trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts tournament - a path that puts the fighter on a collision course with his estranged, older brother (Joel Edgerton).
 

Comedy: Dream Horse (2020)
Dream Alliance is an unlikely race horse bred by small-town Welsh bartender Jan Vokes (Toni Collette). With no experience, Jan convinces her neighbors to chip in their meager earnings to help raise Dream in the hopes he can compete with the racing elites.
 

Animation: Child of Kamiari Month (2021)
A year after losing her mother, a little girl learns that she must journey across Japan to the annual gathering of gods in the sacred land of Izumo.
 

Romance: Love & Gelato (2022)
Lina makes a promise to her sick mother that she'll spend the summer before college in Rome, where she falls for the city, the people - and the "gelato".
 

Horror: The Conjuring 2 (2016)
Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga) travel to North London to help a single mother raising four children alone in a house plagued by a supernatural spirit.
 

Science Fiction: Men in Black (1997)
A police officer (Will Smith) joins a secret organization that polices and monitors extraterrestrial interactions on Earth.
 

Crime: Way Down (2020)
Follows a genius engineering graduate (Freddie Highmore) who is interested in the Bank of Spain's safe.
 

Thriller: Shutter Island (2010)
In 1954, a U.S. Marshal (Leonardo DiCaprio) investigates the disappearance of a murderer who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane.
 

Documentary: The Hidden Life of Pets (2022)
Bow wows and purr-fect pets. Meet amazing creatures from around the world and dig into the latest science on our animal friends' senses and skills.
 

Family: Spy Kids (2001)
Using high tech gadgets, two kids have to save their reactivated OSS top spy parents when they're taken by an evil, high tech enemy.