Tag Archives: Movie Reviews

Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

GREEN BOOK (2018): The Things I Liked…

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Green Book (2018), Mahershala Ali, Viggo Mortensen
Green Book (2018), Mahershala Ali, Viggo Mortensen

Directed by Peter Farrelly and starring Mahershala Ali, Viggo Mortensen and Linda Cardellini, Green Book tells the story of the great friendship between a working-class Italian-American bouncer/driver and an African-American classical pianist. Since Farrelly’s story is set in 1960s America, racial tensions play a significant part in the movie. Nevertheless, the main focus is very much on the developing friendship between the two men.

There’s a number of heartbreaking scenes in Green Book but there are definitely far more that’ll make you smile and have you thinking about the great friends you have and/or want in your life. You may also be moved to be even kinder than I’m certain you already are.

What stands out most for me about Green Book, in addition to the great performances, is the realisation that Green Book is one of those movies with a rhythm so perfect that there wasn’t a single moment when I questioned any of the director/editor’s choices. Everything just flowed beautifully, as I let myself be led by the eyes without hesitation or resistance, until the very end.

Some of the music in Green Book definitely had me contemplating dressing up and showing up at the nearest jazz venue, not that the main music featured is jazz, mind you. I also thoroughly enjoyed Mortensen’s performance as one of the most convincing non-Italians to play an Italian-American that I’ve ever seen on screen. 

Watch Green Book because it’s good, and to see an example of an inspiring, growing friendship/respect between two men. One that alters them both.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Action, No Spoiler Reviews, Sci-Fi

VENOM (2018): The Thing I Liked…

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Venom (2018), Tom Hardy
Venom (2018), Tom Hardy

Even though Marvel’s Venom is not in my top five list of favourite superhero movies – or my top five list of Marvel movies for that matter, I still found a scene that I loved.

Directed by Ruben Fleischer, starring Tom Hardy, Jenny Slate, Michelle Williams and Riz Ahmed, I’m not sure that the worst thing about Venom is the performances. For me, the key issues exist in three areas: the story editing/script, the final version of the fully formed CGI embodiment of Venom and Venom’s actual speaking voice. All these elements left me less impressed than I’d hoped to be.

To give an example of my issue with the story, I know that Brock, who later becomes Venom, is supposed to be an antihero, but because of his highly inconsiderate behaviour during the Colton Drake interview early on in the movie, I had trouble fully being on his side after that. He’s still the protagonist, and I didn’t want him to get hurt. Yet I was reasonably annoyed on his girlfriend’s behalf. As a result, it wasn’t actually until the desperate scene in the restaurant that I was most moved; both by how helpless Brock seemed in those moments and by Tom Hardy’s arresting performance.

Along with a less cartoonish looking CGI version of Venom and Riot, I really did expect a far slicker execution from Marvel Studios. One where the finished product hit all the right notes in terms of what makes a good film and, as a result, had me feeling like: ‘Yes! YES! I knew this would be good!’ instead of: ‘Yeah… it’s really not the best. What a shame.’

Watch Venom if you’re curious enough. And if you’re a serious comic book fan, no doubt you’ll have a better time than I did.

For me, the title of ‘favourite superhero movie’ still belongs to The Avengers (2012).

Happy film Loving,

G

Drama, Mystery, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

FIRST REFORMED (2018): The Thing I Liked…

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First Reformed (2018), Ethan Hawke
First Reformed (2018), Ethan Hawke

In First Reformed, Ethan Hawk is a solitary, middle-aged parish pastor who’s plunged into his own tormented past and equally despairing future, after a pregnant parishioner asks him to counsel her deeply troubled husband.

Hawkes notable performance and the special way the movie’s dialogue shines a light on some of the more challenging experiences of the human condition are reasons why director Paul Schrader’s film was worthwhile for me. Challenges including the anguish experienced by those grappling with their religious faith or more generally, those lacking in hope for the future. 

All of First Reformed is engaging but a particularly memorable scene is the face to face conversation between the Reverend and the very troubled husband. I enjoyed listening to the interesting questions asked, some of which are literally answered and some answered through the films impressive execution which features some unexpectedly dark turns.

As a Hawke fan and a general lover of good movies, I say give First Reformed a chance. Who knows, you may even find yourself feeling comforted by the knowledge that, at some point, you too asked the same questions. And so, in that way, First Reformed is about you/everyone.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews

I FEEL PRETTY (2018): It’s…

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I Feel Pretty (2018), Amy Schumer
I Feel Pretty (2018), Amy Schumer

I Feel Pretty, the latest movie starring Amy Schumer, Emily Ratajkowski and Michelle Williams is a comedy about a woman who suddenly finds plenty of self confidence following a head injury.

Written/directed by Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein, there are only really two things right about this film. Firstly, its intention to inspire women. Young women, especially, so they can stop letting society tell them what is beautiful and find the confidence to go after what they really want. The second positive is the casting of Michelle Williams. Williams is generally as elevating a talent as the best of them, but even I Feel Pretty proved too great a burden.

The truth is, I laughed a little once or twice, mainly because of the humorous moment(s) where a line reminded me of what made Schumer’s Comedy Central TV show so good once upon a time. Unfortunately, though, I just happened to cringe far more than I laughed overall.

There was a scene at the beginning that I felt had already made its point. Yet it stretched on and on. There are also moments where my eyes rolled in disappointment, in one particular instance, due to the use of a storytelling device that seemed rushed/ad hoc, and lazily executed.

Even with all the cringing and eye-rolling, a point did actually arrive around the halfway point where I thought the terribleness had ceased, and now everything will be less bad. But then, something cringeworthy happens again! Cringeworthy because of the badly executed story. Cringeworthy because of what felt like over-acting by Schumer on several occasions, and cringeworthy because someone decided that this final draft of I Feel Pretty really was worthy of being the final draft.

I kept watching I Feel pretty when I could have stopped because this movie and Schumer’s previous film Snatched (2017) aside, I usually enjoy her work.

Definitely watch Schumer’s Comedy Central TV show instead. It’s certainly better than the above films.

Happy Film loving ,

G

Action, Crime, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

BABY DRIVER (2017): The Thing I Liked…

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Baby Driver (2017), Ansel Elgort
Baby Driver (2017), Ansel Elgort

Baby Driver, an Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz (2007) written/directed action movie about a young getaway driver, one who is forced to take part in a heist that’s doomed to fail isn’t a bad film. I just didn’t love it.

The film’s style and music are loud and fun, especially if you like the songs. The whole production, stylistically, is quite the achievement. Plus, it’s generally an entertaining experience.

Nevertheless, I found it quite forgettable. This is partly because I’m not exactly the key target demographic. I feel that there was room for the story to work better. For example, without spoiling anything, my biggest issue with Baby Driver is the main ‘change of heart’ at the end. I just didn’t buy it for the character involved, not even for a second.

What I liked most about Wright’s movie is the moment (s) when Elgort’s character starts to run. After all, I have always been quite partial to a good running sequence. It’s the height of thrills/suspense, is it not, particularly during a chase?

Baby Driver is one you watch if you’re curious enough.

Happy Film Loving,

G