While Captain Marvel may not rewrite the history of superhero movies, it's a good origin story on par with the pre-Avengers movies.
Reviews
8 Reviews
Deadpool
(2016)
Joy to watch
14 February 2016
Deadpool is Marvel's take on Kill Bill. There's graphic violence, close shots of deadly injuries and a quest for revenge. It's the tone that sets Deadpool apart from your average action movie. The guy's nuts and we love him for it.
Right from the opening credits (you will regret skipping them) it's clear Deadpool's not just another superhero movie. It could be argued it's not a superhero movie at all. Deadpool isn't the first anti-hero Marvel's ever produced, but he's certainly the first they've put no filter on. The shooting, stabbing, slashing and ass-kicking is balanced by his absolute determination not to give a f*** and ability to come up with a new sexual innuendo in every scene, making the movie super entertaining. Maybe don't watch it with your in-laws, though.
Right from the opening credits (you will regret skipping them) it's clear Deadpool's not just another superhero movie. It could be argued it's not a superhero movie at all. Deadpool isn't the first anti-hero Marvel's ever produced, but he's certainly the first they've put no filter on. The shooting, stabbing, slashing and ass-kicking is balanced by his absolute determination not to give a f*** and ability to come up with a new sexual innuendo in every scene, making the movie super entertaining. Maybe don't watch it with your in-laws, though.
The Revenant
(I) (2015)
One-man show
12 February 2016
The Revenant is set in a world full of interesting characters and huge events. As so often happens, the film-makers picked out one white man and put him in the spotlight, fading everything around him into a blur. Don't expect the movie to discuss the rights of Native American and/or women - they're passed over just like panoramas of snowy scenery.
While Leonardo DiCaprio does some hardcore acting huffing, wheezing, coughing up blood and crawling around, the script is such a one-man, one-act show we don't really learn much about Hugh Glass, just that he's a widow with a son and several life- threatening injuries. It's debatable if his will to survive and get revenge can even be called bravery.
All that said, the movie is actually quite enjoyable to watch. (As long as you're not bothered by blood and guts.) It's a long one, but the pacing is fine. The visuals depend on good old-fashioned camera work rather than hours of CGI, and when they do use CGI (yes, the famous bear), it's so life-like you won't even spot it.
While Leonardo DiCaprio does some hardcore acting huffing, wheezing, coughing up blood and crawling around, the script is such a one-man, one-act show we don't really learn much about Hugh Glass, just that he's a widow with a son and several life- threatening injuries. It's debatable if his will to survive and get revenge can even be called bravery.
All that said, the movie is actually quite enjoyable to watch. (As long as you're not bothered by blood and guts.) It's a long one, but the pacing is fine. The visuals depend on good old-fashioned camera work rather than hours of CGI, and when they do use CGI (yes, the famous bear), it's so life-like you won't even spot it.
Grease Live!
(2016 TV Movie)
Great production of a timeless classic
10 February 2016
Grease is a classic with so many iconic scenes, songs and characters it would actually be hard to blotch it. What sets Grease Live! apart from the original is the energy - actors are playing it live and everyone's super pumped up. It feels like you're watching a great stage play, not a movie.
With pacing a little faster than in the original movie and the general High School Musical vibe, Grease Live! can also appeal to audiences that no longer appreciate the original.
While all the actors play their parts well, the biggest kudos go to the crew: the camera work is wonderful. Even with the stage energy, the cameras will have you believe it's a movie like any other.
With pacing a little faster than in the original movie and the general High School Musical vibe, Grease Live! can also appeal to audiences that no longer appreciate the original.
While all the actors play their parts well, the biggest kudos go to the crew: the camera work is wonderful. Even with the stage energy, the cameras will have you believe it's a movie like any other.
The Hateful Eight
(2015)
The Waiting Game
12 January 2016
How much enjoyment you get out of this movie pretty much depends on how much you like Samuel L. Jackson. If you're a fan, you can sit through the first two thirds of the movie just feeling for him and his character and not be too bothered about the slow pace of the plot. It's hard to call it world-building, because lots of the stuff that is shown in the beginning will be torn down once the movie gets to Tarantino's famous blood and guts type of scenes. If Samuel L. Jackson and/or Negro rights post-civil war don't do it for you, you'll probably just be bored by it. Or maybe you'll hate all the characters so much you'll watch it just to see them suffer and/or die.
If you're a fan of Tarantino's previous work, you'll probably find the splatter part entertaining. If not, don't go see it. It's another movie about violence with no deeper meaning.
There is also a whodunit aspect to it, but it can't be called a proper mystery. The plot moves as it wills, and the watcher is not encouraged to gather clues or make guesses. You simply sit and wait until everything is revealed. This probably won't be the movie you'll watch over and over again - once you know who's plotting with whom against whom, there's little left to be excited about.
If you're a fan of Tarantino's previous work, you'll probably find the splatter part entertaining. If not, don't go see it. It's another movie about violence with no deeper meaning.
There is also a whodunit aspect to it, but it can't be called a proper mystery. The plot moves as it wills, and the watcher is not encouraged to gather clues or make guesses. You simply sit and wait until everything is revealed. This probably won't be the movie you'll watch over and over again - once you know who's plotting with whom against whom, there's little left to be excited about.
Birth of a New Heroine
6 January 2016
The Force Awakens is, in a way, a re-telling of the first Star Wars movie. Those looking for something completely new might be disappointed. Those looking for a blow-by-blow account of everything that ever happened to Luke, Leia and Han Solo will most certainly be disappointed. That said, anyone just looking for a great movie experience will love it.
The new characters are not 2.0 versions of the originals. 2015 was a good year for heroines, and Rey is certainly in the top 3. Like Luke and Anakin's paths before her, her story is not an easy one, and we can assume it will only get harder in the following episodes.
The movie is action-packed, but the explosions never overshadow the characters. Perhaps it's because everyone who's seen A New Hope can already guess how the battles are going to turn out, but we still have no idea who will live and who will die - and by whom.
The original cast carry the heaviest parts of the plot on their shoulders while they turn to the youth for new hope. The balance between the old and the new must have been hard to find, but the writers have hit it just right.
The new characters are not 2.0 versions of the originals. 2015 was a good year for heroines, and Rey is certainly in the top 3. Like Luke and Anakin's paths before her, her story is not an easy one, and we can assume it will only get harder in the following episodes.
The movie is action-packed, but the explosions never overshadow the characters. Perhaps it's because everyone who's seen A New Hope can already guess how the battles are going to turn out, but we still have no idea who will live and who will die - and by whom.
The original cast carry the heaviest parts of the plot on their shoulders while they turn to the youth for new hope. The balance between the old and the new must have been hard to find, but the writers have hit it just right.
Jessica Jones
(2015–2019)
Watch it for the plot
1 January 2016
Jessica Jones is what happens when you strip off a superhero's spandex and explosions. Taking away the flash of Hollywood block-busters puts a great burden on both the plot and actors, and Jessica Jones excels in both.
The series is a must-see for anyone who likes a good thriller. Rather than using superpowers or alien gadgets, the main character's search for the villain is good old-fashioned PI work. The superpower that has the most relevance to the plot, mind-control of the wonderfully evil villain Kilgrave played by David Tennant, is not used in a quest to destroy the world but rather to pose difficult ethical questions: What would you do if you had the ultimate power? Who can be redeemed?
13 episodes leaves no time for fillers, keeping the plot moving fast. The cinematography is also great.
The series is a must-see for anyone who likes a good thriller. Rather than using superpowers or alien gadgets, the main character's search for the villain is good old-fashioned PI work. The superpower that has the most relevance to the plot, mind-control of the wonderfully evil villain Kilgrave played by David Tennant, is not used in a quest to destroy the world but rather to pose difficult ethical questions: What would you do if you had the ultimate power? Who can be redeemed?
13 episodes leaves no time for fillers, keeping the plot moving fast. The cinematography is also great.
Spectre
(I) (2015)
Explosions over characters
2 December 2015
Daniel Craig makes a very enjoyable Bond. The overall plot is interesting, there are plenty of adrenaline-filled fight scenes and the visuals are stunning.
However, I left the cinema very much unsatisfied. There was not a single character in the movie I felt or rooted for. It's not unusual for Mr. Bond to go through his motions cool and calculated, but with his adversaries limited to one common thug (a lethal one, for sure, but nothing we haven't seen before) and a mastermind with little more screen time than revealing his evil plot just before Bond breaks free of his trap, it's hard to feel anything for his quest for revenge.
Lots has been written about Bond vs feminism. It's pretty much expected that the hero should have a beautiful love interest to save, so let's let that one slide. Still, both ladies Bond takes to bed are very dissatisfying as characters. They have very little reason for anything they do, and especially the leading lady is very inconsistent in her actions. Her acting reminds me of Kirsten Steward in Twilight: she's playing it so cool she mostly seems disinterested.
Agent movies could still be current and interesting. They just need better characters.
However, I left the cinema very much unsatisfied. There was not a single character in the movie I felt or rooted for. It's not unusual for Mr. Bond to go through his motions cool and calculated, but with his adversaries limited to one common thug (a lethal one, for sure, but nothing we haven't seen before) and a mastermind with little more screen time than revealing his evil plot just before Bond breaks free of his trap, it's hard to feel anything for his quest for revenge.
Lots has been written about Bond vs feminism. It's pretty much expected that the hero should have a beautiful love interest to save, so let's let that one slide. Still, both ladies Bond takes to bed are very dissatisfying as characters. They have very little reason for anything they do, and especially the leading lady is very inconsistent in her actions. Her acting reminds me of Kirsten Steward in Twilight: she's playing it so cool she mostly seems disinterested.
Agent movies could still be current and interesting. They just need better characters.
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