00s Movie Review - Red Riding: In the Year of Our Lord 1980

Director: James Marsh
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 93 minutes
Year: 2009
Starring: Paddy Considine, Warren Clarke, David Morrissey, James Fox, Sean Harris, Jim Carter, Warren Clarke, David Calder, Maxine Peake

Description: A team of investigators attempt to stop a serial killer known as the Yorkshire Ripper from claiming his next victim, but uncover something far more terrifying.

Review: The second part in the “Red Riding” trilogy is largely focusing on the search for serial killer ‘The Yorkshire Ripper’. This is an existing case, but the author of the book series, David Pearce, gave it his own interpretation. The fact that prostitutes are mutilated and murdered over the course of several years is an actual fact. But people and situations have been fictionalized, with the exception of the Ripper himself.
The case, however, plays mainly in the background and serves only as a means of bringing detective Peter Hunter from Manchester to Yorkshire, to break the case wide open once more. Hunter has unpleasant memories of the English town and the local police, because years earlier he led an investigation into the murder of real estate tycoon John Dawson, in which two officers were injured. At the time, he felt he was strongly opposed by the Yorkshire police and was never able to bring the case to a close.
The film is still understandable if you haven’t seen the climax of the previous film, set in 1974, but it’s more interesting with the prior knowledge from the first film. Certain characters who had a small role in that part are now suddenly more on the foreground. Especially dirty cop Bob Craven.
Although the second film has a different director, “1980” has the same gloomy atmosphere as its predecessor. Where in that part at least you still get the idea that at leas a few characters are escaping all the corruption, in this middle part the tumult seems to encompass all of Yorkshire.  Equally as good as the first film.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

00s Movie Review - Red Riding: the Year of Our Lord 1974

Director: Julian Jarrold
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 102 minutes
Year: 2009
Starring: Andrew Garfield, David Morrissey, Sean Bean, Rebecca Hall, Eddie Marsan, Michelle Dockery

Description: A rookie Yorkshire journalist (Andrew Garfield) sets out to solve the case of a child murderer.

Review: “Red Riding” is a film trilogy based on a series of books by British author David Peace. At three-year intervals the books paint a picture of a thoroughly corrupt police force in West Yorkshire, in the north of England, during the 1970s and 1980s. Although partly based on fact, the whole concerns a fictional representation of how Peace himself remembers his childhood in Yorkshire. The trilogy was made for British television, which aired for the first time in 2009. The first part is set in 1974.
Eddie Dunford is a young crime reporter for the Yorkshire Post who yearns for a big break. He starts working on a case of a number of missing young girls. The deeper he digs, the more Dunford becomes convinced that the police are withholding information and that the real estate tycoon John Dawson is involved in the disappearance – and most likely murder – of these girls. Dunford takes care of the mother of one of the missing children, but she too knows more than she admits and slowly but surely the young journalist becomes entangled in a web of betrayal and plots, from which he sees no way out.
The plot reads like an intriguing crime thriller and that is how the film can be adequately described. With the understanding that the resolution of the disappearances is not addressed. The purpose of the film is more to give an impression of the miserable life in the village north of England. We get images of Yorkshire that is visually stripped of color. The dark style of the film is consistently carried through in the cinematography, therefore the film is really attractive.
It’s quite the slow burn, but this adds to the atmosphere of the film. And you’re invested enough to want to see the other two parts in the series.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

00s Movie Review - A Single Man

Director: Tom Ford
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 2009
Starring: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode, Julianne Moore, Nicholas Hoult, Ginnifer Goodwin, Lee Pace

Description: An English professor (Colin Firth), one year after the sudden death of his boyfriend (Matthew Goode), us unable to cope with his typical days in 1960s Los Angeles.

Review: When an established fashion designer like Tom Ford makes his feature film debut, you expect heavily stylized images, opulent costumes and a somewhat kitschy visual style. You get all of those too, but the big surprise is that the visuals rarely get in the way of the content and only enhance the film’s theme. As a result, “A Single Man” is not only a visually stunning film, but also one of the best debuts in ages in terms of content.
Based on a novel by Christopher Isherwood, “A Single Man” begins with a 1962 car accident that kills Jim, for sixteen years the partner of British professor George Falconer. Falconer is inconsolable and decides that a life without Jim is of little value to him. Nice is then how Falconer, after hearing the terrible news, tries to keep up a façade to the outside world. Impeccably dressed, he simple goes about his daily routines, without seeming to have anything wrong with him at first glance. Inside, however, he is consumed by grief and one day decides to end his life. The film follows him in his preparations and thus largely takes place on that one day.   
The visual bravura of “A Single Man” cannot be denied by anyone. The costumes are obviously very beautiful, as you would expect from a fashion designer, but it is the production design and the use of color where director Ford can really shine. Every detail has been meticulously attended to, allowing one to regularly marvel at the film’s stunning visual inventions and colorful depiction of the 1960s.
The film relies entirely on Colin Firth’s acting for emotional depth and it is largely thanks to him that the film becomes more than a visual masterpiece. First, a highly respected actor who has alternated between major and minor productions for years, had to wait a long time for that one big breakthrough role that would earn him an Oscar nomination. He did get nominated for the role, but didn’t win. Only a year later he took home the statue for his role in “The King’s Speech”.
Firth’s class is best showcased in a key scene early in the film, when Falconer is told that his partner died. The camera then stays focused on his face for minutes, with the actor beautifully managing to portray  how this man’s world collapses from one moment to the next. Although Ford unfortunately does not consistently maintain the subtlety of this scene and sometimes relies too much on the sound of swelling violins, it is thanks to Firth that you still start to sympathize with the tragic story of George Falconer. A bachelor, but above all a lonely man.

Rating: 4 / 5

Rewatching My 100 Favorite Movies - Update 4

I decided to rewatch my 100 favorite movies of all-time. What those are, you can check HERE. I watch them in random order, there is no rhyme or reason there, just watching those movies I love so much.
 

8/ 100: Nightcrawler (2014)
Jake Gyllenhaal plays Lou Bloom, who discovers that he can make money by filming victims of accidents and crime scenes. He sells them to TV stations, that will air the sometimes gruesome footage during news reports. Bloom becomes more and more involved and gets deeper into the world, without actually thinking of the victims he’s filming. Gyllenhaal gives away a masterful performance, where he portrays a man who has nothing to offer, who eventually gets this disturbing personality. One of Gyllenhaal’s best movies to date. You can read my full review HERE
 

9/ 100: Goodfellas (1990)
For as long as he can remember, Henry Hill has wanted to be a gangster. And from the age of sixteen he is indeed allowed to work for the Italian mafia family the Luccheses. His career goes well. Director Martin Scorsese loved listening to the strong and funny stories told on street corners by gangsters in the New York neighborhood he grew up on when he was young. He based his film on the biography of the real-life Henry Hill. “Goodfellas” is one of those films everyone just has to see at least once. You can read my full review HERE
 

10/ 100: Prisoners (2013)
On the evening of Thanksgiving, two girls disappear without a trace. The only clue leads to an RV, but the owner is soon released due to lack of evidence. Keller, the father of one of the girls, decides to take matters into his own hands. “Prisoners” is a sublimely constructed thriller from director Deni Villeneuve, who hasn’t made a bad or mediocre movie so far and is one of my current favorite directors. He takes the viewer on an emotionally gruellig journey through a landscape devoid of any shred of sunlight. You can read my full review HERE
 

11/ 100: Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
After returning from the Crusades, a remarkably thoughtful Robin Hood attempts to fight the tyrannical Sheriff of Nottingham. It’s a somewhat dated version of the old story, and it’s probably not one of the best movies on my favorites list, but I’ve loved this movie for as long as I can remember. You can read my full review HERE
 

12/ 100: 50/ 50 (2011)
The title refers to the prognosis presented to 27-year-old Adam, who has a malignant tumor and a fifty percent chance of survival. Screenwriter Will Reiser based the story on his own experiences and hits the right note between light-hearted and sensitive. It’s really difficult to tell a story with such a heavy theme, with such nuance and light-heartedness. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen play well together and “50/ 50” has excellent supporting roles from Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Philip Baker Hall and Anjelica Huston. You can read my full review HERE
 

Still to watch: 88

90s Movie Review - Goodfellas

Director: Martin Scorsese
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 145 minutes
Year: 1990
Starring: Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino, Frank Vincent, Frank DiLeo, Frank Adonis, Chuck Low, Mike Starr

Description: The story of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) and his life in the mob, covering his relationship with his wife Karen Hill (Lorraine Bracco) and his mob partners Jimmy Conway (Robert De Niro) and Tommy DVito (Joe Pesci) in the Italian-American crime syndicate.

Review: Every movie about the mafia has to deal with the fact that it will be compared to “The Godfather”. Director Martin Scorsese shows us his view on the mob in “Goodfellas”. Less drama, more street.
Ray Liotta is an excellent lead. As Henry Hill he is an opportunist, who does the dirty jobs for others and Liotta convinces you that Hill is also lurid and immoral enough to do it. Robert De Niro knows this as no other, and he cast perfectly as predator Jimmy. Supported by Joe Pesci, as psychotic Tommy De Vito. Maybe the most memorable role in “Goodfellas”.
 The first part of the movie is just genious. We see a young half Irish/ half Italian Henry, who starts working his way into the New York mob. We meet the most important people in this world. When Henry is older, the movie gets more violent. And I don’t mind that, I kinda like it. 
I think “Goodfellas” is one of the best movies Martin Scorsese has directed and one of my favorites that Robert De Niro has starred in. In the genre of mob movies it’s definitely high on the list. A true classic, with status.

Rating: 5/ 5

10s Movie Review - 50/ 50

Director: Jonathan Levine
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 100 minutes
Year: 2011
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anjelica Huston, Philip Baker Hall

Description: 27-year-old Adam (Joseph-Gordon Levitt) learns of his cancer diagnosis, and his subsequent struggle to beat the disease.

Review: Jonathan Levine directs the film, based on the script by Will Reiser. The story is about a young man who finds out he has cancer. Even though it’s about this heavy theme, the movie is very light and positive. There are clichés, but the good kind. The awkward relationship between Adam and his therapist Katherine, the infectious humor from his best friend Kyle and Adam’s overprotective mother. “50/ 50” show that clichés aren’t always a bad thing.
The way the story is told, very light, is extremely pleasant and there is a great soundtrack. And the cast convinces. Joseph Gordon-Levitt shows us that he is able to carry a movie and it’s an award worthy performance. Seth Rogen and Anna Kendrick are also very solid and fit their characters well.
Although “50/ 50” is about a terrible decease, it’s wonderful how they managed to make it into such a positive and likeable movie. It’s one of my all-time favorites.

Rating: 5/ 5

90s Movie Review - Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

Director: Kevin Reynolds
Genre: Drama/ Adventure/ Action/ Romance
Runtime: 143 minutes
Year: 1991
Starring: Kevin Costner, Alan Rickman, Morgan Freeman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantinio, Christian Slater, Geraldine McEwan, Michael McShane, Brian Blessed, Michael Wincott, Walter Sparrow, Jack Wild, Sean Connery

Description: When Robin (Kevin Costner) and his Moorish companion (Morgan Freeman) come to England and the tyranny of the Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman), he decides to fight back as an outlaw.

Review: In 1991 director Kevin Reynolds brought us one of the best movies based on the classic Robin Hood story. The cast is good and so is the soundtrack. The single “Everything I Do (I Do it for You)” by Bryan Adams was a huge hit (note: it’s my favorite song).
Kevin Costner portrays the historical hero Robin Hood, also known as Robin of Locksley. Costner doesn’t always convince, because of that accents, but proofs he is a great actor. His sidekick is Azeem, played by Morgan Freeman. As always Freeman manages to do this very well. But Alan Rickman is the scene stealer, as the villainous Sheriff of Nottingham. Very over the top, but a joy to watch. He is brilliant in his role.
Not only the actors are good, the décor is also amazing. It’s almost fairytale like. The locations are beautiful and spectacular. This also goes for the fight scenes.
“Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” is a movie that is still fun after watching it a couple of times (and believe me, I’ve seen it many times). Most people would rate it lower, but this movie always holds a special place in my heart.

Rating: 4,5 / 5