Tag Archives: Numan Acar

Action, No Spoiler Reviews, Sci-Fi, Thriller

PARADISE (2023): The Things I Liked…

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A future in which individuals can sell years of their lives for a price is the compelling premise of Netflix’s latest action/sci-fi/thriller, Paradise.

Focusing on two characters who get caught up in the highly controversial system, the good news about Paradise is that it features quality performances and has some well-executed twists and turns. Plus, the first and last third of the movie are quite watchable. 

The problem with Paradise is that two-thirds in, I wanted to fast-forward through it, because even though I remained curious about how the story would end, I didn’t want to endure the inadequately engaging middle third to find out.

Things did eventually pick up, luckily, except for the two unnecessarily long shots towards the end which I definitely had to fast-forward.

What seems clear now is that, as per The Island (2005), In Time (2011) and now, Paradise, it is hard to make a great movie about a future time when an individual can sell their time/years of life for a price. I haven’t watched The Island or In Time, but I understand they have similar plotlines and the feedback for both films isn’t great. 

If you’re particularly curious, give Paradise a chance. Alternatively, wait for a future attempt at a better film of this compelling premise. If such a version already exists and I just don’t know, please do share.

Paradise stars a German cast that includes Kostja Ullmann, Marlene Tanczik, Lorna Ishema and Numan Acar.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Source: JustWatch
Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller

PARADISE (2023) New Trailer From Director Boris Kunz, Starring Kostja Ullmann, Numan Acar, Iris Berben, Marlene Tanczik…

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Read my spoiler-free movie review of  Paradise (2023).

I wasn’t sure about the new trailer for Paradise, Netflix’s latest action/sci-fi/thriller, until approximately 30 seconds in. I blame that on initially just watching the action instead of also reading the text, so I understood what was happening.

It’s certainly not a new concept, the idea that youth can be purchased. However, the catch this time is that the cost is far greater than just money.

I’m super curious about how much detail the ‘science’ of it will reveal. For example, must the donor be super healthy? What if the donor is susceptible to a specific illness at some point in the future? Will the recipient of the donation also become susceptible? Furthermore, the general question of how much time is enough comes to mind.

Something tells me I may be expecting too much from Paradise. Time to scale back my expectations. After all. This is not a documentary.

Does Paradise have your mind full of questions, too? And how much of that curiosity is about how wonderful it would be to snatch another person’s youth? Kidding!

Lorna Ishema, Numan Acar, Kostja Ullmann, Iris Berben, Marlene Tanczik, Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen and Diana Krueger are among the key cast.

Paradise Release Dates: July 27th, 2023, Netflix…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Source: JustWatch
Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

IN THE FADE (2017): The Things I Liked…

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In The Fade (2017), Diane Kruger
In The Fade (2017), Diane Kruger

Starring Diane Kruger, Numan Acar and Denis Moschitto, In the Fade is the story of a woman called Katja. Katja is focused on vengeance after her husband and son are murdered in a brutal bomb attack.

Set in Germany, the very beginning of writer/director Fatih Akin’s film is filled with such enviable familial joy that it’s unsurprising I found myself both empathising with the protagonist’s pain and motivations, as well as missing the deceased, post-attack.

It was mostly the promise of a notable performance by Kruger that ensured I watched In the Fade. And Kruger certainly does not disappoint. The most memorable moments for me include the tension-filled scenes in the courtroom because I adore a great courtroom drama.

The story, editing and all performances kept me engaged and eager to see how it would all end. And I can say that the ending is both surprising and also not, at the same time.

I say watch it for the memorable performance by Kruger, a little insight into the German legal system and a good story with memorable and moving scenes.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Drama

IN THE FADE (2017): New Trailer Starring Diane Kruger, Numan Acar…

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In The Fade (2017), Diane Kruger
In The Fade (2017), Diane Kruger

Written/directed by Fatih Akin, In the Fade stars Diane Kruger as Katja, a mother seeking revenge after her husband and son are killed by a bomb attack.

I’m actually quite excited to witness a great Kruger performance. After all, she did win a Best Actress award at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, for this very role.

In The Fade Release Dates: December 29th, 2017 (US)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Mystery, Thriller

THE GREAT WALL (2016): New Trailer From Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal, Andy Lau…

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The Great Wall (2016), Matt Damon
The Great Wall (2016), Matt Damon

Matt Damon’s latest movie is about the construction of The Great Wall of China.

Directed by Yimou Zhang; the film is a thriller/mystery that also stars Pedro Pascal, Willem Dafoe, Andy Lau and Tian Jing.

Trailer 1

Trailer 2

I’ll tune in because of Damon and Pascal, the latter of whom just happens to have played Oberyn Martell, my favourite character in Game Of Thrones.

The visuals in the first trailer are beautiful. However, I do find the edit and textual interruptions annoying. May the finished product be a far more positive experience.

The great Wall Release Dates: December, 2016 (CH); February 17th, 2017 (US); February 24th, 2017 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G