Tag Archives: Chris Evans

Mystery, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

DEFENDING JACOB (2020): The Things I Liked…

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Defending Jacob (2020), Michelle Dockery Apple TV+
Defending Jacob (2020), Michelle Dockery, Apple TV+

There are parts I thoroughly enjoyed in Michelle Dockery, Chris Evans and Jaeden Martell’s Defending Jacob; the story of two parents who have to deal with the idea that their fourteen-year-old son might be responsible for murdering his classmate. Yet, I can’t say I completely loved the experience of watching it. 

The best moments besides the big revelation in the courtroom is  Dockery’s performance. Evans wasn’t terrible and Martell is a very talented young man. I only wish I enjoyed the series in its entirety and spent less  time asking questions such as:

‘Do we really need to keep going back and forth between Evans’s character in the present day as he recounts what happened? It doesn’t seem to be adding much to the experience.’ 

‘Why isn’t this a two-part, or four-part series instead of eight?’

The truth is I could do with more patience when it comes to movies and TV shows. However, all I want is for something I’m watching to be fully engaging, to the point where I’m happily lost in it, rather than having to question editing decisions.

I like the idea of a story about the possibility that one’s child could be a psychopath, and I felt for Dockery’s character. The bigger issue is likely that I’ve seen elements of this story in other productions several times before. A truth that then makes this experience less impressive.

If you’re especially curious, give Defending Jacob a chance. You may find that you love it just the way it is. And that you have a lot more patience than I do.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Source: JustWatch
Action, Adventure, Fantasy, No Spoiler Reviews

AVENGERS – ENDGAME (2019): The Things I Liked…

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Avengers - Endgame (2019), Chris Evans, Marvel Studios
Avengers – Endgame (2019), Chris Evans, Marvel Studios

I know that around the time Avengers – Endgame was released in 2019, there were next to zero negative comments about it. It’s no surprise then that soon after I sat down to watch Endgame, everything Marvel Studios is known for doing exceptionally well when they’re at their best was very present in this movie. From visually arresting action choreography, good dialogue, memorable special effects, to engaging humour, characters and story.

Directed once again by Joe and Anthony Russo, everything picks up in the aftermath of all the devastation that took place at the hands of Thanos, in Avengers – Infinity War (2018). With even higher stakes than before, Captain America, Tony Stark, The Hulk and their allies have one final chance to reverse everything Thanos did, and restore balance throughout the universe.

At the risk of repeating myself, as was the case with Infinity War, I don’t personally have any complaints about Endgame because I had fun through it all. An additional highlight for me is all the extra movie references. Plus, just as Thanos was the absolute star and my favourite character of Infinity War, the number one avenger in this movie is Thor, specifically ‘out of shape Thor.’ I found the surprise dive into Chris Hemsworth’s character so much fun that I’m quite sure I’ve never liked Thor more than I do in Endgame.

Of all the Avengers films, Endgame is perhaps the most affecting. Specifically, as someone who’s probably best described in this case as a casual Marvel fan, I can only imagine how much more significant an experience Endgame must be for the most serious fans of Marvel’s output.

Now that it’s all over, for now, I’m left wondering how long it will be before a brand new generation of Avengers is announced. I’m in no specific hurry, but when do you think the announcements will happen, assuming it hasn’t already happened? And how soon is too soon? I feel as though a year or two from now is madness, but then again, I’m not a Marvel superfan.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Source: JustWatch
Action, Adventure, Fantasy, No Spoiler Reviews

AVENGERS – INFINITY WAR (2018): The Things I Liked…

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Avengers - Infinity War (2018), Thanos
Avengers – Infinity War (2018), Thanos

From director brothers Joe and Anthony Russo, Avengers – Infinity War is the one where the likes of Captain America, Black Widow, Thor and Iron Man, along with their allies come together in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos (Josh Brolin). For Thanos is hellbent on not just putting an end to half of planet Earth, but half of the entire universe, for reasons including it’s his ‘destiny’.

It’s not often that I’m struggling to come up with what I find to be ‘not so great’ about a movie I’m reviewing, but I really have no complaints about Avengers – Infinity War. The story and execution are great, and Josh Brolin as Thanos is very much the perfect supervillain.

Brolin did a truly memorable job with his character. His voice work is perfect, and it did a lot to help make Infinity War the impressive movie that it is, in addition to the stunning visual effects, dialogue, and so on. 

Thanos is the kind of villain I actually thought Ultron would be in Avengers – Age of Ultron (2015). At the very least, in terms of screen time. James Spader’s performance as Ultron was indeed great. It’s just that, among a few other things, Ultron wasn’t featured in the movie half as much as the film’s trailer suggested he would be.  

If by chance you, too, enjoyed The Avengers (2012) but were left disappointed enough with Avengers Age of Ultron, that you took a two-year break from the Avengers movies, Infinity War will very likely get you right back on board. Another reason you’ll want to get back into it all is Endgame (2019), of course.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Source: JustWatch
Crime, Drama, Mystery, No Spoiler Reviews

KNIVES OUT (2019): The Things I Liked…

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Knives Out (2019) LaKeith Stanfield, Ana De Armes, Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, Lionsgate Movies
Knives Out (2019) LaKeith Stanfield, Ana De Armes, Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, Lionsgate Movies

As far as murder mystery movies go, I certainly haven’t watched very many and can’t say that they’re my favourite. However, writer/director Rian Johnson’s Knives Out isn’t a bad one. 

Centred around the sudden death of the patriarch (Christopher Plummer) of an eccentric, combative family, Johnsons’s film kept me engaged throughout. The story and familial tensions kept building and building until its final quite satisfying conclusion.

I enjoyed all the performances including and especially Daniel Craig as private investigator Benoit Blanc. I also rather liked the facial expressions of Jamie Lee Curtis’s character, Linda Drysdale.

Knives Out has humour, clever twists and surprises to keep you locked in till the end.  I say definitely watch it if you like murder mysteries, Daniel Craig, and the rest of the talented cast, which includes LaKeith Stanfield, Michael Shannon, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas and Toni Collette.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Source: JustWatch
Mystery, Thriller

DEFENDING JACOB (2020): New Trailer From Chris Evans, Michelle Dockery, Betty Gabriel, Jaeden Martell…

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Defending Jacob (2020), Chris Evans, Apple TV+
Defending Jacob (2020), Chris Evans, Apple TV+

Read my spoiler-free movie review of  Defending Jacob (2020).

Based on the bestselling book by William Landay, Defending Jacob is a new mystery/thriller starring Chris Evans, Michelle Dockery, Jaeden Martell and Betty Gabriel.

This is the story of Andy (Evans) and Laurie Barber (Dockery), whose fourteen year-old son (Martell) has been accused of murdering his friend and classmate.

Based on this trailer, Jacob seems guilty. Assuming he’s innocent, how awful would it be if Evans’s character ends up having to go to jail? Looks like a very promising mystery to me.

Sakina Jaffrey, Cherry Jones, Bradley Ryan Knispel, Pablo Schreiber, Jordan Alexa Davis, Daniel Henshall, Ben Taylor, Ted Arcidi, Megan Byrne, Tamara Hickey and Poorna Jagannathan also star.

Defending Jacob Release Dates: April 24th, 2020 (US), Apple TV+

Happy Film Loving,

G

Source: JustWatch