Tag Archives: Famke Janssen

Crime, Drama, Mystery, No Spoiler Reviews

THE POSTCARD KILLINGS (2020): The Thing I Liked…

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The Postcard Killings (2020), Jeffrey Dean Morgan
The Postcard Killings (2020), Jeffrey Dean Morgan

‘Overall, it’s watchable’ is really the best I can say about Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Famke Janssen, Cush Jumbo and Naomi Battrick’s latest crime/mystery, The Postcard Killings.

Based on a book by Liza Marklund and James Patterson, I was hoping for a truly thrilling serial killer movie experience. What director Danis Tanovic delivers instead is a story where the killer is not quite what one might expect, which ordinarily would have been a great thing. Only I didn’t quite buy into the story of the killer, their motivations, let alone completely believe that they were even fully capable of the crimes in question.

Part of the problem is that the film’s edit didn’t serve the story well overall. For example, there are one or two moments in Tanovic’s film that could have been truly memorable in a good way. Particularly in terms of the shock and surprise they could have induced. Except, the way these moments were captured just made it all fall almost completely flat.

There were admittedly a couple of suspenseful scenes where I held my breath in anticipation. Nevertheless, The Postcard Killings is still not a film I’d insist you watch unless you absolutely must. Some of the acting was OK at best. As for the story edit, casting and direction, if they’d been better executed, one can only imagine the result we’d have had.

Lastly, it’s really got to be time for me to re-watch Se7en (1995). That film is serial killer movie excellence. I can tell that you agree.

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Action, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

TAKEN 3 (2014): Why It’s Worth Watching…

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Taken 3 (2014), Liam Neeson
Taken 3 (2014), Liam Neeson

If you must watch only one Taken movie, please watch the original (Taken 2008) because it’s the very best.

Taken 2 (2012) was OK and Taken is quite the fun ride. Even though there isn’t much of a, so to speak, ‘taking,’ in Taken 3, the dynamic of the chase between Bryan Mills (Neeson) and the smart police officer played by Forrest Whitaker more than makes up for it.

Taken 3 (2014), Forest Whitaker
Taken 3 (2014), Forest Whitaker

There’s also a fantastic scene towards the end at Santa Monica airport involving a Porsche and a plane. The moment is so good that I’d have yelped louder had it not been for the neighbours.

Watch it because you’ve watched the original, the second and now you want to see how it all wraps up.

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Action, Thriller

TAKEN 3 (2015) Trailer: You’ll Be Pleasantly Surprised…

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Taken 3 (2015), Liam Neeson
Taken 3 (2015), Liam Neeson

Read my spoiler-free movie review of Taken 3 (2014).

Taken (2008) was brilliant. Taken 2 (2012) was alright. Taken 3…?

You’ll be relieved to see that the story, by writers Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen looks quite different.

Can’t say that this is the final instalment, but I’m certainly glad to see the wonderfully voiced Liam Neeson playing seriously badass, ex-government operative, Bryan Mills once again. Bring on 2015! I’m ready!

Taken 3 Release Dates: January 8th 2015 (UK); January 9th, 2015 (US)…

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Action, Adventure, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

TAKEN (2008): The Less You Know Before Watching, The Better…

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Taken (2008), Liam Neeson
Taken (2008), Liam Neeson

For quite some time now, my youngest brother, (knowing how much I love movies) recommended that I should watch director Pierre Morel and co-writers Luc Besson plus Robert Mark Kamen’s Taken (2008).

Unfortunately, for a while, I kept disappointing him each time he checked to see whether I’d finally seen it.

I could never give him a definite viewing date because I have to be in the right mood to watch certain movies. Also,  one thing he did insist on was that all I needed to know before watching the film is the name of its star, Liam Neeson and that it’s worth my time. I accepted this restriction and I’m so glad I did because Taken is a well-executed action movie. The kind that will have you so very engrossed as the story unfolds, and at a pace that leaves nothing more to be desired.

I honestly could not recommend this movie more. If you’ve already seen it, then you know precisely what I’m talking about. But if you’re yet to experience Taken I suggest choosing to know as little as possible before pressing the play button. Trust me when I say that doing this will only enhance your experience of the film.

Additional key cast includes Maggie Grace and Famke Janssen among others.

Happy Film Loving,

G