Gifted (2017)

Genre

Drama

Director

Marc Webb

Country

USA

Cast

Chris Evans, Mckenna Grace, Lindsay Duncan, Jenny Slate, Octavia Spencer, Glenn Plummer, John Finn, Elizabeth Marvel, Jona Xiao, Julie Ann Emery, Keir O'Donnell

Storyline

Single man Frank (Chris Evans) is raising his child prodigy niece Mary (Mckenna Grace) and is trying to give her a normal life by letting her attend a normal school instead of a school for gifted kids. But his mother Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan) has different plans and draws Frank into a custody battle.

Opinion

I knew nothing about Gifted. I had seen no trailers. I had read no storyline. I only knew there was Chris Evans on whom I have a crush on since he played Johnny Storm so of course I watched it. And it was a very pleasant surprise. Well, maybe it wasn't a complete surprise because I've read a few days earlier a review saying how smart and charming and funny it was. Which, by the way, it's true. Gifted is smart and charming and funny. And heartwarming.

The story is pretty average and there isn't really anything special about it. It doesn't have any surprise plot elements, and it isn't really a powerful story either. However, it is well constructed and properly executed which is why the film manages to be gripping and engaging.

But that's true only in part because the characters are those making the film truly engaging. They are well-written and developed, especially the lead, Frank, a very interesting character whose growth as a man you can witness during the film. And the credits goes to Chris Evans. Maybe it's the fangirl in me talking, but he brings his charisma and some kind of warmth into the character that makes him feel real. Also, he's able to deliver the character vulnerability.

As much as I'd love to say Evans is the best thing about the film, he isn't. Young Mckenna Grace completely steals the show as his niece Mary. There isn't anything special about the character, but she is a delight to watch. Her acting never feel forced but most important her chemistry with those around her is incredible, especially with Evans. You can sense their closeness.

Octavia Spencer also does a great job as Frank's neighbour. She is sassy, funny and kind. Just what the film needed. And Lindsay Duncan too is great as Frank's mother.

There is, however, something that didn't work for me and that is Jenny Slate. Well, not her, but her character. She just doesn't find a place in the movie because she's just not needed in the movie. 

Thursday Movie Picks: Television Edition: Medical Dramas

Hello there, it's Thursday Movie Picks's time, the weekly series hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves where you share three movies to fit the theme of the week each Thursday.

It's time for another television edition and this time we are dealing with medical dramas. I didn't have a lot of choices since I've only seen 4 (one is terrible), but at least it was an easy week. 

House M.D. (2004-2012)

It's about an anti-social, pain killer addict and arrogant doctor who, along with his team, tries to cure complex and rare diseases. This is the first medical show I've watched and it's brilliant. Also, Hugh Laurie is phenomenal as Doctor House and as arrogant and unlikeable his character gets, I can't help but love him. 

Grey's Anatomy (2005- )

It's about a group of surgical interns and their residents and the challenges they go through, both professionally and in their personal lives. This is my favourite of the three, I just love the way it combines compelling medical cases and the characters personal lives. And I think this is the most addictive show ever. I watched 13 seasons in 2 months, that's how addictive it is. I have to admit the writers did piss me off when they killed Patrick Dempsey. 

Private Practice (2007-2013)

It's about a group of doctors working at their own practice. It's a spin-off of Grey's Anatomy and it's quite good. Not addictive though. Anyway, the great thing about it is that you get a mixed variety of patients, from kids to couples who want to have babies. And the lives of the doctors are quite interesting as well. 

The Double Life of Veronique (1991)

Original Title

La double vie de Véronique

Genre

Drama

Director

Krzysztof Kieślowski

Countries

France, Polish, Norway

Cast

Irène Jacob, Halina Gryglaszewska, Aleksander Bardini, Wladyslaw Kowalski, Jerzy Gudejko, Philippe Volter, Janusz Sterninski, Sandrine Dumas

Storyline

As Weronika dies (Irène Jacob) in Poland, the life of Véronique, who looks just like her but lives in France, seems to take a turn. 

Opinion

After loving Kieślowski's Three Colors trilogy and finding out he was the director of Dekalog (I saw Dekalog: One in high school and I loved it but I didn't know the title and that was driving me insane), I knew I had to watch The Double Life of Venorinque. And just like I thought, it was a superb film.

The story to this is simply amazing. It is about two identical women, living in two different countries. They never met and yet they share this incredible and mysterious mental and emotional connection that influences one more than the other. While it isn't very strong with Weronika, the connection fully influences Veronique's life which is truly fascinating.

Through that story, Kieślowski wonderfully and deeply explores the theme of identity and he raises some interesting and deep questions about the existence and definition of self. He explores the human experience and the idea of one's soul trapped in another body.

The Double Life of Veronique doesn't only provide food for thoughts. The film is also visually breathtaking. Other than the stunning cinematography by Slawomir Idziak, the film can truly benefit from a magical use of two colours, red and green. They tie in with the Christman theme at the beginning of the film, but, most important, they represent Weronika and Veronique. They are complimentary, just like the lives of those two women. Also, the music by Zbigniew Preisner is evocative and inspiring, and fit the film to perfection.

And then there is Irène Jacob. Her performance is superb. She is able to portray very well both Weronika and Veronique, and all of their differences. While the first is cheerful and spiritual, the second is more melancholic and practical. 

Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

Genre

Western

Director

Sergio Leone

Countries

Italy, USA

Cast

Claudia Cardinale, Henry Fonda, Jason Robards, Charles Bronson, Gabriele Ferzetti, Paolo Stoppa Marco Zuanelli, Keenan Wynn, Frank Wolff, Lionel Stander, Woody Strode Jack Alam, Al Mulock

Storyline

Harmonica (Charles Bronson) and Cheyenne (Jason Robards) joins forces to protect the beautiful Jill McBain (Claudia Cardinale) from a ruthless assassin (Henry Fonda) working for the railroad. 

Opinion

Once Upon a Time in the West and I have a history. It is both the first western and the first Sergio Leone movie I've seen. But it's more than that. It is also that film that I watch and makes me see what western lovers see in westerns. It is good on so many levels, each time I watch it I love it a little more. That's the kind of film Once Upon a Time in the West is to me.

The story isn't very complex and it's basically the same as in any other western, not to mention the incredibly slow pace it has, nonetheless it is incredibly compelling as Leone manages to create mystery, intrigue and suspense around so little. There isn't any epic plot twist, still it feels like there are because of how brilliantly the story is told. Also, this is not the kind of story that is supposed to entertain only, but to make you feel something as well.

That, however, isn't by far the best feat of the film. That role belongs to the characters. They are very minimalistic and they barely speak and yet they are well defined, convincing and they feel incredibly real thanks to a solid script, even more solid performances from all the actors involved in the important roles, and, this one is the most important to me, a spectacular camera work. The way Leone captures every single glance, facial expression and body movement is beyond spectacular and the characters really benefit from that.

The characters are also the reason why this will always be one of my favourite westerns. Actually, one particular character, Jill McBain, the only (major) female character. Unlike in most westerns, this is a strong, leading woman. Sure, she still is a prostitute, but she is well characterized and she is fundamental to plot development.

Definitely worth of a mention is the opening sequence. An almost ten minute silent opening sequence where nothing really happens but is nevertheless memorable. One of my favourite openings ever in movies. It's pretty much perfect.

At last but not least there's Ennio Morricone's score. It really adds to the film - if that's even possible considering how spectacular Once Upon a Time in the West already is - adding more drama and emotions. And I'm pretty sure many will agree with me when I say this score is what better than The Hateful Eight's.

L.A. Confidential (1997)

Genres

Crime, Mystery, Thriller

Director

Curtis Hanson

Country

USA

Cast

Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, James Cromwell, Danny DeVito, David Strathairn, Ron Rifkin, Graham Beckel, Amber Smith, John Mahon, Paul Guilfoyle, Matt McCoy, Paolo Seganti, Simon Baker, Tomas Arana, Shawnee Free Jones, Darrell Sandeen, Marisol Padilla Sanchez, Gwenda Deacon, Jim Metzler, Brenda Bakke

Storyline

As corruption grows in 1950s Los Angeles, three very different cops - the golden boy (Guy Pearce) of the police force, a brutal cop (Russell Crower) and a celebrity detective (Kevin Spacey) - investigate a series of murders to find the truth behind the world of L.A. crime.

Opinion

Been on my watchlist forever because of Kevin Spacey, I finally watched L.A. Confidential. And I should have been disappointed because there wasn't a lot of Spacey, but I guess I can't be mad at a great film, can I? After all, I loved every second of it.

The film features a compelling, fascinating story about corruption with many interesting twists and so complex that requires you to follow it carefully so that you won't miss anything. Because as the story progresses and new twists are revealed, the mystery doesn't get solved, but it deepens even more. There are also several different and equally complex sub-plots that work beautifully together. There's even a love story, and it doesn't feel out of place. This is exactly how I like my crime stories.

In addition to the interesting story, there are also some very interesting and well-developed characters that are believable and a real pleasure to watch, especially Guy Pearce's Ed Exley, a young cop with a strong sense of justice and Russell Crowe's Bud White, a hothead detective aka the typical film noir anti-hero. Pearce and Crowe's performances only make the characters even more compelling. Kevin Spacey also gives one hell of a performance as Jack Vincennes, a cynical detective looking for the spotlight. The supporting cast as well does a wonderful job by delivering complex supporting characters.

Then there is the dialogue. It's simply brilliant. It will make you laugh, it will scare you and it will inspire you but the greatest thing it does, in my opinion, is contributing to character development. Exley, White and Vincennes really grow as men as the film progresses and it's not delivered only through the performances of those three phenomenal actors, but through the dialogue as well.

Also, the photography is wonderful and the score fits the film to perfection. And if you are a shootouts junkie, well, this film has enough to satisfy your cravings. 

Alien vs. Predator (2004)

Genres

Action, Horror, Sci-Fi

Director

Paul W.S. Anderson

Countries

USA, UK, Italy, Canada

Cast

Sanaa Lathan, Lance Henriksen, Raoul ova, Ewen Bremner, Colin Salmon, Tommy Flanagan, Joseph Rye, Agathe de La Boulaye, Carsten Norgaard, Liz May Brice, Glenn Conroy, Karima Adebibe, Sam Troughton, Ian Whyte, Tom Woodruff Jr., Petr Jakl, Pavel Bezdek, Kieran Bew, Carsten Voigt, Jan Filipensky, Adrian Bouchet, Eoin McCarthy, Andy Lucas

Storyline

During an archaeological expedition on an island in the Antarctic Ocean, a team of archaeologists and scientists find themselves caught up in a battle between two alien races, aliens and predators. 

Opinion

It could have been worse. That's what I kept telling myself as the ending credits for Alien vs. Predator rolled out. Sure, it could have been better considering it's and Alien and Predator crossover, but despite all its flaws it still was fun to watch. 

And I'm really surprised because this film it's kind of a mess. The plot is uninspired and there are so many holes it's impossible to keep count. Wait, actually I'm not even sure this film has a plot. So no plot no holes I guess. Anyway, it's just terrible.

The characters aren't any better. They are paper-thin, uninteresting, stupid and they soon become boring as fuck. The character development is so little, they are dead and you barely know their names. I remember only two names, Lex  - because of Lex Luthor - and Sebastian - because I've never met or heard of any Italian named Sebastian. And the wooden acting surely doesn't help. 

However, he most surprising thing, script-wise, is the dialogue. The two franchises kind of have good dialogue; here it's just a mess. If feels like watching a parody of a sci-fi flick, that's how bad the dialogue is.

But it was fun. Well, at least the last part was. After a very long and tedious first part with the annoying humans, the aliens and predators show up, killing humans and each other, and the fun begins. The action sequences and special effects aren't anything special - they are average - but if compared with the rest of the film they really are great, and they make the watch more bearable. And although it's just your typical action flick action, it's fun. 

The Boss Baby (2017)

Genres

Animation, Comedy

Director

Tom McGrath

Country

USA

Voice Cast

Alec Baldwin, Miles Bakshi, Steve Buscemi, Tobey Maguire, Jimmy Kimmel, Lisa Kudrow, Conrad Vernon, James McGrath, David Soren, Nina Zoe Bakshi, Tom McGrath, Walt Dohrn, James Ryan, Eric Bell Jr., ViviAnn Yee, Edie Mirman

Storyline

The life of seven-year-old Tim Templeton (Miles Bakshi) was all peaches until his new brother names Boss Baby (Alec Baldwin) arrived home in a taxi, wearing a wearing and carrying a briefcase and stole his parents' attention. The two instantly hate each other but they'll have to put aside their rivalry as it turns out Boss Baby is a spy on a secret mission and needs Tim's help.

Opinion

I've seen The Boss Baby's trailer like a million times and it didn't appeal me a bit. Which is crazy because now that I've given the film a chance, it isn't half bad. Actually, and I'm kinda embarrassed to admit this, I really enjoyed it. Probably more than I should have.

What I liked the most about it was the story. It is simple and predictable as in any other kid/family film, and it does get a bit ridiculous (the villain creates a puppy that never dies so that people will buy one instead of having a kid. But if people don't have kids anymore, everyone is eventually going to die, so who's gonna buy the puppies?) but at least it's different and original. And it's also engaging interesting and funny.

Which brings me to the characters. They are likeable and fun and they have some development. And easily stealing the show is Boss Baby. He is the coolest and cutest baby I've ever seen - and I'm no baby lover -, and what makes him so good is Alec Baldwin. Yes, Alec Baldwin voices a baby and he does a fantastic job with his sarcastic delivery. The villain isn't a very strong character but he's voiced by Steve Buscemi which is awesome.

There aren't a lot of laugh-out-loud moments, but the film still has enough humour to appeal kids and adults - I'm still amazed by how much fun I had watching this. The vivid and colourful animation is also worthy of a mention, and I regret not seeing this in cinemas in 3D. 

Miss Evers' Boys (1997)

Genre

Drama

Director

Joseph Sargent

Country

USA

Cast

Alfre Woodard, Laurence Fishburne, Craig Sheffer, Joe Morton, Obba Babatundé, Ossie Davis, E.G. Marshall

Storyline

When she is chosen to work with doctors on a federally found program to treat syphilis in African Americans, nurse Eunice Evers (Alfre Woodard) is more than happy to help. Over time, however, the study becomes a sick and twisted human experimentation in which patients are denied a cure and just allowed to die.

Opinion

When I read about Miss Evers' Boys on Dell's post, I was shocked. I just couldn't believe something like this happened and I wanted to know more about the matter, so I promised I would watch it. And so did I and it is a very good film.

The film gives a "beautiful" insight into the experiments most people don't know about and gives a good view of how things were back then, The powerful story Joseph Sargent brought to the (small) screen is engaging, appealing and quite moving. Also great is the choice to tell the story through a Senate hearing and from the point of view of Eunice Evers, the nurse who helped in the study that eventually became a twisted experimentation.

At times, however, it feels like telling a dark part of American history isn't really what the filmmakers are trying to do. It almost feels like they are defending Miss Evers's for what she did. I mean, she basically betrayed her people, and she did something she knew was wrong and yet she defended the completion of the experiment. Still, she had a purpose for doing so, she wanted to prove that there is no difference between black and white men, and that's exactly what she did. And I think it's her purpose that makes you sympathize with her character in spite of what she has done (and before you say anything, I'm not blaming her for what happened; I'm blaming the US government because they did this, and they knew it was wrong and inhuman, otherwise President Clinton would have never apologized, but they did it anyway). 

The aspect of Miss Evers' Boys that surprised me the most is the acting. I sure wasn't expecting such good performances in a TV movie, but I guess that's what you get when you have Alfre Woodard leading and Laurence Fishburne and Joe Morton supporting her. These three give such great performances, especially Woodard. 

Eloise (2017)

Genre

Horror

Director

Robert Legato

Country

USA

Cast

Eliza Dushku, Robert Patrick, Chace Crawford, Brandon T. Jackson, Nicole Forester, P. J. Bryne, Ricky Wayne

Storyline

Four (almost) friends break into an abandoned insane asylum in search of a death certificate which will grant one of them a large inheritance. However, finding it soon becomes the least of their worries.

Opinion

Why do I always let myself condition by a pretty face? If it wasn't for Chace Crawford on whom I have a crush on since Gossip Girl, I would have never seen this film. Sorry, I meant this pathetic thing that pretends to be a horror film, but that really looks like a series of disjointed videos put together by some student for a high school project. 

There isn't a single aspect of Eloise that makes sense, starting from the story. The plot is illogical, plenty of loose ends, plot holes as big as Lunar craters - I could write a whole post talking only about those holes if I wanted to -, it's impossible to follow and equally impossible to understand. In other words, it's not a story.

But a number of horror films without a solid story, well, it's plenty out there of those horrors. Despite that lack, some still manage to be decent if not good movies. Of course, that's not Eloise's case. There isn't a single scary thing here - probably the filmmakers forgot that's a quality requested in films of this genre -, there isn't any tension or suspense, There isn't a disturbing scene in the whole thing. 

The acting, however, is in line with most horrors, it's truly horrifying especially from Eliza Dushku and Chace Crawford who are as bland as water. And the poorly written and so not developed characters sure didn't help. 

Thursday Movie Picks: The Woods

Hello there, it's Thursday Movie Picks's time, the weekly series hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves where you share three movies to fit the theme of the week each Thursday.

It's probably because they are kind of scary and mysterious, the fact is that in movies woods get along with horrors. That's why I picked three films involving the woods that are not horrors. 

A Walk in the Woods (2015)

It follows an old travel writer as he decides to hike the Appalachian Trail. I watched this because there's Robert Redford, but it's a waste of time. This is a slapstick film that isn't even funny. Although true, the story feels flat and lacks credibility; the characters aren't that interesting and Nick Nolte's is utterly annoying.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

When a rebellious kid and his foster uncle go missing the New Zealand bush, it's ordered a national manhunt because everyone thinks the uncle kidnapped the kid. It's hard to put down in words how much I love this film. It's charming, funny, entertaining and probably the best adventure film I've ever seen. It's got great characters, it explores themes such as mourning and loss without being heavy, it's beautiful to look at and the cast is great too.

Into the Woods (2014)

The tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel are tied together by a couple cursed by a witch. It kinda sounds like a mess, but it's a pretty solid musical that puts a good twist on the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. Too bad there's Johnny Depp playing a drunk pirate disguised as a pervert wolf. 

In guerra per amore (2016)

Genres

Comedy, Drama, Romance, War

Director

Pif

Country

Italy

Cast

Pif, Andrea Di Stefano, Sergio Vespertino, Maurizio Bologna, Miriam Leone, Stella Egitto, Vincent Riotta, Maurizio Marchetti, Antonello Puglisi, Samuele Segreto, Mario Pupella, Orazio Stracuzzi, Lorenzo Patané, Aurora Quattrocchi, David Mitchum Brown, Forest Baker, Rosario Minardi, Salvatore Ragusa

Storyline

New York, 1943. Arturo (Pif) loves Flora (Miriam Leone) and Flora loves Arturo but she has been promised in marriage to Carmelo (Lorenzo Patané), the son of a Mafia boss. Their only hope lies in Flora's father, who still lives in Sicily, so Arturo joins the US Army to return to Sicily and ask for Flora's hand.

Opinion

I loved Pif's first feature, The Mafia Kills Only in Summer. That movie was such a unique approach to Mafia, and Pif brilliantly paired the drama of the matter with some great humour. And that's exactly what he did (again) with In guerra per amore.

Once again using a love story between Arturo and Flora (because those were the names in his first feature as well) as a conducting wire, Pif brings to the screen another part of the Italian history that is very hard to digest, this time being the agreement between the US Army and the Mafia to occupy Sicily without resistance from the locals, which resulted in Mafia literally taking control of the island.

And the result is a strong criticism and denunciation of the rotten system behind Italy's liberation from Nazis that leave us to wonder which one really was the real dictatorship, the Nazis's or the Mafia's which still holds up today.

Despite the matter, In guerra per amore is not a heavy film. It still has its dramatic and touching moments and it will stick with you for a while, but the light, sarcastic, self-ironic and never-out-of-place humour will make for a very easy watch.

The credits obviously go to Pif. His direction is smooth and the writing is great, but what I liked the most is the narration. His voiceover is, in my opinion, what makes the story more interesting and engaging, and make you feel more invested in it. It makes you feel like you're a player, not a watched.

Blade Runner (1982)

Genres

Sci-Fi, Thriller

Director

Ridley Scott

Country

USA

Cast

Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos, M. Emmet Walsh, Daryl Hannah, William Sanderson, Brion James, Joe Turkel, Joanna Cassidy, James Hong, Morgan Paull, Kevin Thompson, John Edward, Hy Pyke, Kimiko Hiroshige, Robert Okazaki, Carolyn DeMirjian, Den Astar

Storyline

In 2019 Los Angeles, blade runner Deckard (Harrison Ford) is hired to hunt down a fugitive group of replicants, humanoids created by man and used as slaves.

Opinion

Blade Runner is one of those movies that is on my watchlist since always, and despite the great things people say about it I never bothered watching it. Frankly, I thought it was going to be another science-fiction flick with Harrison Ford. But Scott made it (when he still made great films) so it couldn't be just another film of the genre. And it sure isn't.

Blade Runner is a glorious, incredible science fiction film that all the movies of the genre should take the example from. With a very simple and straightforward story, the film proves that you don't need a very complex, intricate plot to keep the viewer glued to the screen. The cool thing about it is that it's some sort of detective/neo-noir story set in a dystopian future.

And it has a great main character too. Although Deckard, the blade runner aka a special cop whose job is to track down and eliminate replicant, doesn't have much character development, his awakening is incredibly interesting. At the beginning, he is just a lifeless dude, someone who's sleep-walking through life as Linklater would say, but he slowly comes to life. And you root for him, without even caring whether he's good or evil. And Harrison Ford delivers the character moral ambiguity wonderfully.

Unlike most science fiction films, Ridley Scott's has some deep philosophical message; it is a commentary on what it mean to be human and what's the meaning of life. It explores the fear of the unknown, of not knowing where we come from and where we are going.

And it's also very beautiful to look at. The gritty urban atmosphere is delivered to perfection by a great use of lighting, a striking photography and a score that makes the film even more gripping.

 

The Towering Inferno (1974)

Genres

Action, Drama, Thriller

Director

John Guillermin

Country

USA

Cast

Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, William Holden, Faye Dunaway, Fred Astaire, Susan Blakely, Richard Chamberlain, Jennifer Jones, O.J. Simpson, Robert Vaughn, Robert Wagner, Susan Flannery, Sheila Matthews Allen, Norman Burton, Jack Collins

Storyline

At the opening of The Glass Tower, the world's tallest skyscraper, a massive fire breaks out and a determined fire chief (Steve McQueen) and an honourable architect (Paul Newman) must work together to fight the fire from the outside and the inside.

Opinion

This film came up a while ago during a conversation with my mother. We thought we were talking about the same movie until I mentioned a terrorist attack. Turns out I was talking about Die Hard and she was talking about The Towering Inferno, a damn accurate title to be honest. Since it came up again a few weeks ago on Birgit's blog, and it sounded fun, I eventually watched it. And it was fun.

The story is well crafted, interesting and suspenseful and that's basically because of all the subplots this film has. The film does not only revolve around the attempts to escape from the building on fire - which I was worried it was going to happen - but it also focuses on the individual dramas of the characters, being a bit moralistic at times. Like with the couple having an extra-marital affair who is among the first victims. At times, it does get a little melodramatic and soapy, and there are things going on that really add nothing to the story, but it's still bearable.

There isn't much of a character development, but the main characters, those being Steve McQueen's fire chief O'Hallorhan and Paul Newman's architect Roberts, are quite interesting. The others, well, it's not like they are not interesting, but they are not likeable.

The best thing is easily the pacing. With a running time that almost touches the 3 hours, which to be honest scared the crap out of me, the film flows smooth like water, and it goes way faster than a lot of other disaster movies, like Titanic. The action isn't bad either.

Predators (2010)

Genres

Action, Horror, Sci-Fi

Director

Nimród Antal

Country

USA

Cast

Adrien Brody, Alice Braga, Topher Grace, Walton Goggins, Oleg Taktarov, Louis Ozawa Changchien, Mahershala Ali, Danny Trejo, Laurence Fishburne, Derek Mears, Carey Jones, Brian Steele

Storyline

A group of killers parachute into a jungle and they soon become the prey of some merciless aliens.

Opinion

I'm yet to see the crossovers, but I know who would win in an hypothetic Alien vs Predator match. Predator. And I'm not talking about the monster - that would require a lot of thinking. I'm talking about the franchise because Predators is a pretty good film which makes it three out of three.

Once again the story is kept pretty simple, it's a hunt or be hunted type of story, and it develops in a rather predictable way, mainly because basically every single plot point is the same of Predator and it feels more like watching a remake rather than a sequel. Actually, I'm still not sure if this is supposed to be a sequel or a remake. Despite this, the story still is interesting and engaging. Also, this time around there's a bit of backstory and development to the Predator universe. It's not much, but it's helpful to understand these aliens better.

Which brings me to me the characters. They are terrible. Paper thin, there's nothing resembling development, just like in the first film of the series, and yet they all have their own thing that makes them different from each other and eventually you care for them. Maybe not all of them, still, you get my point.

And sure, the dialogue is dumb and the monumental cast - I'm talking about Adrien Brody, Mahershala Ali and Laurence Fishburne - is completely wasted, but damn, the pacing is wonderful, there's some good tension, the action is exciting and the film is really fun to watch. And, to be honest, Adrien Brody kind of works as an action (anti)hero.

My Life as a Zucchini (2016)

Original Title

Ma vie de Courgette

Genres

Animation, Comedy, Drama

Director

Claude Barras

Countries

Switzerland, France

Voice Cast

Gaspard Schlatter, Sixtine Murat, Paulin Jaccound, Michel Vuillermoz, Paul Ribera, Estelle Hennard, Elliot Sanchez, Lou Wick

Storyline

After losing his mother, Courgette (Gaspard Schlatter) is sent to a foster home with other orphans his age where he will learn the meaning of trust and love. 

Opinion

Among all of this year's Best Animated Picture nominees, I have to say that My Life as a Zucchini was the one that intrigued me the most because it looked different from the others. And it is very different and in a very good way. This is a quirky, funny, touching and emotional without being sentimental stop-motion animated film. In other words, a film everyone should see.

Especially kids of all ages because the filmmakers took a sad, heavy-hearted story and turned it into a light-hearted and very simple tale that has a lot to teach, both to the little one and the adults. By following Courgette, we also get to learn the meaning of unconditional love, trust and friendship.

The film also shows the suffering of children in foster care without being too dark or depressing. It shows that not all the kids in foster homes are being abused, and most important, it shows that there's always hope and it teaches the importance of having a family.

My Life as a Zucchini is also a very sweet and tender love story between two kids and as such, it shows what pure love looks like, and has a lot to teach to adults.

Then, there are nice and developed characters that are brought to life by the voices of a fantastic cast - I really suggest watching it in French because of how good the actors are - and some stunning animation. Everything is beautiful, from the characters to the backgrounds, not to mention the colours. Non-stop animation is just perfect for this little gem.

Wilson (2017)

Genres

Comedy, Drama

Director

Craig Johson

Country

USA

Cast

Woody Harrelson, Laura Dern, Isabella Amara, Judy Greer, Cheryl Hines, Margo Martindale, David Warshofsky, Brett Gelman, Mary Lynn Rajskb, Lauren Weedman

Storyline

A lonely, neurotic middle-aged man (Woody Harrelson) reunites with his estranged wife (Laura Dern) and meets the teenage daughter (Isabella Amara) he didn't know he had. 

Opinion

I have to say that the quite negative reviews almost had me change my mind, but I eventually watched this film, and it isn't as bad as I thought. Although it isn't either the quirky comedy it tries to be, Wilson still is an enjoyable dramedy.

The story is very simple and short, so short that maybe it should have been adapted into a short film, not in a feature length, it is incredibly rushed at times, especially in the final part, and it's basically that type of story that isn't really a story but more like a series of events happening to the same guy - and I'm starting to think that's actually normal since the movie is named after him - and yet it's interesting and engaging.

Then there's the main character, Wilson. He is a flawed, frustrating and unlikable character but thanks to Woody Harrelson's solid performance - he nails all the shades of this neurotic man -, this Wilson guy is more likeable and after all, it isn't even that bad to spend an hour and a half with him.

Sure, it would have been a lot better if the rest of the characters were actually characters - they are just flat plot devices. And it would have been way better if the film was actually funny. Most of the attempts at humour fall flat. I like sarcasm. I'm a sarcastic person and I just hate when people don't get it. Wilson's sarcasm, I barely got it. I haven't laughed more than a couple of times.

Nerve (2016)

Genres

Adventure, Thriller

Directors

Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman

Country

USA

Cast

Emma Roberts, Dave Franco, Machine Gun Kelly, Juliette Lewis, Emily Meade, Miles Heizer, Kimiko Glenn, Samira Wiley, Ed Squires, Brian Marc, Eric D'Alessandro, Marc John Jefferies, Casey Neistat

Storyline

High school senior Vee (Emma Roberts) finds herself trapped in Nerve, an online game of truth or dare, as her actions start to become manipulated by an anonymous community of watches.

Opinion

What an interesting movie. That's what I thought after seeing Nerve's trailer so, and also because there are Emma Roberts and Dave Franco, I decided to watch it. Unfortunately, the film was poorly executed and all the potential, simply wasted.

I like said before, I found the concept of Nerve interesting and ingenious, but also quite scary at the same time as it left me to wonder how long before a game like this one actually becomes reality. The problem is that that sense of wonder was soon replaced by absolute boredom.

The first half an hour was rather good, to be honest, and it was engaging. Then the plot goes into the far-fetched territory, with some turns that are not only unbelievable but stupid as well, and the thought-provoking thriller I was expecting turned into some sort of dramatic romantic flick. Not to mention how fake the ending feels.

As if that wasn't enough, there's something about the film's pace and atmosphere that just feel off all the time. It's fast paced and should be exciting but we are just watching a bunch of dares, and they are neither engaging nor exciting because the trailer already gave away all the best ones.

The cast is another problem. I love her, but Emma Roberts just isn't the right cast to play Vee. How believable do you think she can be as an insecure high school girl with social problems? Also, her chemistry with Franco is non-existent. And now Franco. He is an average actor but at least blesses the film with his charisma.

Thursday Movie Picks: Movies Based on True Events

Hello and welcome to Thursday Movie Picks, the weekly series hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves where you share three movies to fit the theme of the week each Thursday.

This week's theme is true events and since there are so many (great) movies based on true stories and it's impossible to pick three only, I went with three films whose stories are so unbelievable to be true. But they are actually true. 

Alive (1993)

The plane carrying the Uruguayan rugby team crashes on the Andes Mountains, and the survivors are forced to use desperate measures to survive, like eating their dead friends. What those people went through, I can't even imagine that. This is one of those movies that are really hard to sit through but it's remarkable.

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Before even turning 19, Frank Abagnale Jr. conned million of dollars worth of checks as a pilot, doctor and legal prosecutor. I still can't believe someone could do all that in such a short time. I'm 23 and I'm still not able to take my own doctor appointment. I'm just kidding. Anyway, the film is (the) fun (one) and there's a young Leonardo DiCaprio which is always nice to see.

Changeling (2008)

Five months after a 9-year-old boy went missing, LAPD finds a boy who fits the description and brings him back to his mother. Only the woman insists he's not her boy and will keep waiting for her real son. This film left me speechless. Not because of what that poor woman went through, but because of what happened to those kids. I don't know how people feel about this film, but I love it. It's one of my favourites from Eastwood and Angelina Jolie gives such a wonderful performance. 

A Hijacking (2012)

Original Title

Kapringen

Genre

Thriller

Director

Tobias Lindholm

Country

Denmark

Cast

Pilou Asbæk, Søren Malling, Dar Salim, Roland Møller, Gary Skjoldmose, Abdihakin Asgar, Keith Pearson, Amalie Ihle Alstrup

Storyline

The crew of a Danish cargo ship is hijacked by Somali pirates who proceed to engage in escalating negotiations with authorities in Copenhagen.

Opinion

Since several years ago I watched Paul Greengrass's Captain Phillips and enjoyed it, I decided to give A Hijacking a try, and it was worth the shot. Lindholm's film is indeed a tense and gripping thriller, maybe even better than its American "twin brother".

I said twin brother because, for those of you who don't know them, they are basically the same movie.Sorry, what I really meant is that they share the same plot because, frankly, the two movies couldn't be any more different. Lindholm's film is pretty much the opposite of the clichéed hostage drama Hollywood got us used to.

It does not rely on the action to keep the audience engaged, but it builds suspense and drama through two characters and their emotional and psychological condition. The two characters are Mikkel, one of the hostages on the ship, and Peter, the CEO of the company who owns the ship and negotiates the crew's release. It's shown both the psychological distress of the hostage and the CEO, the latter trying not to be emotionally involved and just do his job. Also, these two characters are brought to life with depth by Pilou Asbæk and Søren Malling. Lindholm's psychological approach is what makes this film feel real and a great drama as well.

Then there are the shooting locations that provide the film with even more realism - the hijacking part was shot on a real hijacked boat off the Somalian coast, and the offices are those of a real shipping company. The photography and the dramatic score emphasise even more the realism of the film.