Category Archives: Movie Reviews

Reviews of movies new and old.

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Movie Review – The Book Thief

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The original novel by Markus Zusak

In spite of luke warm reviews from overseas (and some local) reviewers and reading the book (after which one normally is disappointed with the movie), I really enjoyed watching The Book Thief. The story is narrated by ‘Death’ and is the account of a little girl’s WWII experiences. Liesel and Werner Meminger is sent to a couple living in the city – a heart breaking, but selfless act by a mother to save her children’s lives. Her brother doesn’t survive the trip and Liesel ends up alone with Hans and Rosa Hubermann in Himmel (heaven) Street.

Liesel’s last physical memory of her mother and brother was a book she picked up at little Werner’s grave and kept for herself. Thus her book thieving ‘career’ started – in spite of the fact that she couldn’t read. While her relationship with her new mama starts on the wrong foot, it was Hans with whom she clicked instantly and with whom she discovered the freeing world of words.

The Book Thief is a bitter sweet story, full of heartbreak and joy and although it isn’t an all-guts-and-blood version of the war as some movie reviewers seemingly wanted it to be, it is a wonderful story of love and loss and growing up and survival. It is especially delightful if words spin your world too.

The book is one of the most special and weirdest I’ve ever read, and yes, even if a movie can never satisfy as a book does, this movie is a good try. Maybe the reviewers are so used to being fed Hollywood ‘recipe’ films and remakes of remakes of remakes that they can’t recognise a good story anymore if they see one. Liesel’s story certainly remained with me for quite a while and is in fact still lingering in my mind.

The cast is excellent, with Geoffrey Rush his brilliant self as Hans Hubermann, and Emily Watson giving spunk to Rosa. Nobody else could have played Liesel, but Sophie Nélisse, with her large, sparkling, innocent, blue eyes. Nico Liersch playes the lovable, self-confident, scared Rudy with the experience of a veteran, and Ben Schnetzer is inspirational – dancing alone under the stars while all the non-Jewish residents of the town hide away in their bomb shelters during an air raid.

The movie already won three awards and is nominated for seven more. (It is nominated for one Academy Award (Oscar.)

Read the original book by Markus Zusak. Read the original book by Markus Zusak. Read the original book by Markus Zusak.

I declare it a 5/5 movie. (See legend at the bottom.)

c 2014 Riette De Kock

 

Actors: Roger Allam (narrator), Sophie Nélisse, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Ben Schnetzer, Nico Liersch

Age restriction: PG13

Director: Brian Percival

Writer/s: Markus Zusak (novel), Michael Petroni (adaption)

Music: John Williams

Cinematography: Florian Ballhaus

Parental Advice: Always keep to age restrictions.

Language: Swearing, war violence.

Nudity: None.

Sex: None.

Violence: War-like violence occurs.

Offensive Stuff: Prejudice, anti-semitism is portrayed, but not promoted.

5/5 Don’t miss! Do whatever to go and watch the film!

4/5 Good, very watchable, but it may have something to put someone off, or may just not be your cup of tea.

3/5 OK, but if you have something else to do, reconsider and watch it when it comes out on DVD or on TV.

2/5 Pff, why would they waste time to make it and why would you waste your time and money to go and see it?

1/5 Don’t even bother. You have to be paid to watch this and then be recompensed for your time.

0/5 Need I waste words?

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Movie Review: Jack Ryan – Shadow Recruit

Jack Ryan

Being a Tom Clancy fan and enjoying Jack Ryan movies, I was looking forward to this one. I wasn’t disappointed.

Jack Ryan had previously been portrayed by Alec Baldwin (The Hunt for Red October in 1990), Harrison Ford (Patriot Games in 1992 and Clear and Present Danger in 1994) and Ben Affleck (The Sum of all Fears in 2002).

Although this movie is said to be a mix of characters and storylines from the Clancy books, Shadow Recruit seems to be a prequel to the Jack Ryan story.

Young Jack, played by Chris Pine, drops out of university after the terrorist attack of 9/11 to become a marine. After being severely injured he is recruited by the CIA to finish his studies and become an undercover agent on Wall Street with the goal of finding money used to fund terrorist activities. The clever young man finds such funds and after one airplane journey to Russia his safe office working days are over. He had to confront an as-clever Russian with nothing to lose, played by the movie’s director, Kenneth Branagh, and his ruthless son, to save the day.

Shadow Recruit is a fast paced, action packed movie and reminds one of those good action movies of the ‘olden days’. It has a good story line, is enjoyable to watch and even if it wasn’t intended that way – is a great tribute to Tom Clancy, who died on 1 October 2013.

 

I give the movie: 4/5

 

Directed by: Kenneth Branagh

Written by: Adam Cozad, David Koepp & and based on the characters from Tom Clancy books

Actors:   Chris Pine, Kevin Costner, Keira Knightley, Kenneth Branagh,

Age restriction: V13

 

Parental Advice: Keep the age restrictions.

Language: Swear words here and there.

Nudity: None.

Sex: None.

Violence: Yes.

Offensive Stuff: Over the top violence from the main baddie.

 

5/5 Don’t miss! Do whatever to go and watch!

4/5 Good, watchable, but it may have something to put someone off, or may just not be your cup of tea.

3/5 OK, but if you have something else to do, reconsider and watch it when it comes out on DVD or on TV.

2/5 Pff, why would they waste time to make it and why would you waste your time and money to see it?

1/5 Don’t even bother. You have to be paid to watch this and then be recompensed for your time.

0/5 Need I waste words?

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Movie Review: Red 2 [2013]

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This is one of those few times that I have to let go of my view that the sequel are normally not as good as the original.

With most of the cast from RED (Retired, Extremely Dangerous) back in this movie, it was such fun to see some of my most favourite actors in action together again. I was obviously nervous about the outcome, but after asking around to hear what friends thought of Red 2, my family and I set off to the cinema with great expectation. And now it is official – RED 2 is even better than its predecessor! Those ‘retireds’ are still extremely dangerous – and funny.

I am not going to give away much of the plot, otherwise I will spoil your fun, but the usual culprits are there as always: the world is in danger; the world must be saved; the RED-team is the key to saving the world; there are friends who turn out to be foes; there are foes who turn out to be friends; there are lots of action; there is heavy automatic machine gun fire that doesn’t kill any friends; there is a lot of enemy blood; there is a point-of-no-return and then there is the end. (I hope I didn’t spoil it for you.)

This is an action rom-com and although they appear cool and tough, the actors never really take themselves too seriously. With the exception of Morgan Freeman, who’s character died in the previous movie, all the oldies are back – Bruce Willis as Francis (Frank) Moses, who started playing house with his Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker) after their last adventure, the obsessive conspiracy theorist, Marvin (John Malkovich), the cool Brit, Victoria (Ellen Mirren) – who sometimes make James Bond look like a wimp – and her Russian lover, Ivan (Brian Cox). New faces are those of Catherine Zeta-Jones (Katja), a foe played by Byung-hun Lee, and the absolutely marvellous, Anthony Hopkins (Baily), who is brilliant as always. They were all in fact excellent, but the surprise package of the movie is definitely Mary-Louise Parker, who had grown so much since her role in the first movie that she takes pretty much centre stage now and who may have snatched away the show from in front of the seasoned stars’ noses. And she is funny on top of it.

The movie is a bit too dark and violent for young viewers, so rather save it for date night or late night when the little ones are asleep. My favourite piece of ‘off’ dialogue is between Sarah and Victoria after Sarah faked an assassination on Frank, Sarah and Marvin.

Sarah: Where did you get the bodies?

Victoria: From my freezer.

Red 2 is good entertainment if you disregard the over-the-top violence and the many, many, many dead bodies.

I give it: 5/5

Actors: Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker, John Malkovich, Ellen Mirren, Brian Cox, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Byung-hun Lee, Anthony Hopkins

Age restriction: PG13

Director: Dean Parisot

Writer/s: Jon Hoeber & Erich Hoeber

Parental Advice: Always keep to age restrictions.

Language: Swearing, violence.

Nudity: None.

Sex: None.

Violence: Low.

Offensive Stuff: Violence.

5/5 Don’t miss! Do whatever to go and watch!

4/5 Good, watchable, but it may have something to put someone off, or may just not be your cup of tea.

3/5 OK, but if you have something else to do, reconsider and watch it when it comes out on DVD or on TV.

2/5 Pff, why would they waste time to make it and why would you waste your time and money?

1/5 Don’t even bother. You have to be paid to watch this and then be recompensed for your time.

0/5 Need I waste words?

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Movie Review: Now You See Me

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This is a movie about the intriguing world of ‘magic’. Being a Bible believer, I don’t like watching stuff that I don’t believe in or don’t approve of. So, I was a bit sceptic to go and see it, but our son dragged us along on family night, and I decided to try and enjoy it.

I was pleasantly surprised. Now You See Me is a well, cleverly written movie, with a nice, surprising end. The story line is strong, the acting brilliant and suspense exhilarating. You keep wondering what trick on earth they could come up with next.

Now You See Me is the story of four struggling ‘magicians’ who got hired by an unknown employee to pull some majestic tricks to get revenge on someone they don’t even know. They are hunted by a has-been magician and a sceptic cop – for different reasons, while they entertain and win over audiences wherever they go.

I definitely expect a few Oscar nominations for this one. It is one of my movies of the year.

I give it: 5/5

 

Actors: Jesse Eisenberg, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Woody Harrelson

Age restriction: PG10-12

Director: Louis Leterrier

Writer/s: Ed Solomon, Boaz Yakin, Edward Ricourt (screenplay), Boaz Yakin, Edward Ricourt (story)

 

Parental Advice: Always keep to age restrictions.

Language: Swear words are uttered.

Nudity: None.

Sex: None.

Violence: Low.

Offensive Stuff: If you don’t ‘believe’ in magic, like me, don’t worry. They explain the tricks at the end.

 

5/5 Don’t miss! Do whatever to go and watch!

4/5 Good, watchable, but it may have something to put someone off, or may just not be your cup of tea.

3/5 OK, but if you have something else to do, reconsider and watch it when it comes out on DVD or on TV.

2/5 Pff, why would they waste time to make it and why would you waste your time and money?

1/5 Don’t even bother. You have to be paid to watch this and then be recompensed for your time.

0/5 Need I waste words?

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Movie Review: Elysium

Elysium-Poster

For someone who actually hates sci-fi movies, I enjoyed this one too much. It is the second Neil Blomkamp movie that I watch against my will and the second one I have to admire. I watched District 9 out of pure patriotism, because Blomkamp is South African born and although I didn’t like the movie very much, I was very impressed with everything that was accomplished.

Elysium is the story about an earth which had known its best days and an alternative habitat that was created by and for the rich. On earth things really can’t get any worse. There is famine, crime, sickness and poverty, while on Elysium all that is eliminated by an euphorically created world without all that. Every house on Elysium has a ‘medical reconstructing bed’ which fixes all illness – a commodity very much coveted by earth dwellers, who would do anything to go there. Those who make it (illegally) suffer the consequences practices by the cruel rulers.

As always, Matt Damon, delivers an excellent performance, but it is the antagonist, with his very disturbing accent, played by Charlto Copley, who stole the show. (Maybe it is just because he is South African and I am patriotic and he swears using the double ‘k’, middle ‘a’ word and sings the whole Jan Pierrewiet song in Afrikaans to sooth a child, but anyway…)

Elysium is definitely watchable – even if you aren’t a sci-fi fan like me. The story line is great and the whole movie is a creative explosion.

I know the ‘medical reconstruction bed’-thingie is so far-fetched, but I can’t help to dream about one to cure my ailments…

I give it: 4/5

 

Actors: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Charlto Copley

Age restriction: 16LV

Director: Neill Blomkamp

Writer: Neill Blomkamp

 

 

Parental Advice: Always keep to age restrictions.

Language: Swear words are uttered in various languages.

Nudity: Low.

Sex: Low.

Violence: Yip, there is.

Offensive Stuff: Copley’s terrible, disturbing accent and the swearing.

 

5/5 Don’t miss! Do whatever to go and watch it!

4/5 Good, watchable, but it may have something to put someone off, or may just not be your cup of tea.

3/5 OK, but if you have something else to do, reconsider and watch it when it comes out on DVD or on TV.

2/5 Pff, why would they waste time to make it and why would you waste your time and money?

1/5 Don’t even bother. You have to be paid to watch this and then be recompensed for your time.

0/5 Need I waste words?

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Movie Review: The Internship

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This movie may seem like one big Google ad, but there is definitely more to it than just a marketing gig. Billy and Nick are two very good, but very archaic salesmen who only found out that their company had closed when trying to sell a new range of watches to a client.

Being over forty and not having many skills and they had to find jobs quickly, something that is not so easy anymore in America’s declining economy. But, ever the opportunists, the two stay positive and land an interview for an internship at the big search engine company, Google. Some geek there decides to give them a chance with some disastrous and real funny consequences.

Billy and Nick just don’t know what giving up means and when the one gets a bit low and wants to give up the other is always there to neatly shepherd him back to their dreams. The movie may be a bit optimistic and unreal with regard to the two main characters’ abilities and their hopes to land jobs at a company of Google’s status, but they remind us to never stop believing, to keep going, to never stop dreaming and to never give up.

Although the scene in the club drags on for just a tad too long and may be a bit too explicit, it does serve a purpose within the framework of the movie and to get the Billy and Nick’s very nerdy team to start functioning as one.

What makes this movie even more watchable is that the viewer gets a look into the wonderful and until now, mysterious world Google created for themselves. What a workplace! I don’t know if Google will find this big ad a blessing or a curse, because after this movie, they may be flooded with applications from hopefuls without any talent for the IT world. Heck, even I want to work there, and I have the best job in the world!

I give it: 4/5

Parental Advice

Although this is overall a very good movie with quite a positive message, as a parent I will not recommend that under 16s watch the movie, mostly due to the scene in the club. Children probably see more at home when watching TV and DVDs, but still.

Language: There definitely must be a few swear words, but I can’t even remember them now.

Nudity: None, although the dancers in the clubs are sparsely clothed.

Sex: There is a bit of sex talk and suggestive behaviour (in the club scene).

Violence: Not much more than a punch to Billy’s face and in poor Nick’s… you know where…

Offensive Stuff: There are no real religious or other remarks (other than the above mentioned) that will offend people of any religion.

5/5 Don’t miss! Do whatever to go and watch!

4/5 Good, watchable, but it may have something to put someone off, or may just not be your cup of tea.

3/5 OK, but if you have something else to do, reconsider and watch it when it comes out on DVD or on TV.

2/5 Pff, why would they waste time to make it and why would you waste your time and money?

1/5 Don’t even bother. You have to be paid to watch this and then be recompensed for your time.

0/5 Need I waste words?

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Movie Review: Despicable Me 2

Prequels and sequels are more often than not NOT better than the original first movie. (The only recent exception to this rule was when the makers of Madagascar 3 made a wonderfully, funny movie to make up for two somewhat dull predecessors.)

Despicable Me 2 is funny, enjoyable, witty and watchable, although it isn’t nearly as adorable as he first one. Who is adorablererer though, is little Agnes – to me the star of this movie.

The makers had tried to come up with a well written plot and they succeeded so-so, but Despicable Me 2 will always be just that – another sequel.

Is it worth watching?

Despicable Me 2 is definitely better than most recent animated movies and is more appropriate for children than many other ‘children’s’ movies on the circuit. There are enough funny jokes in to make Mom and Dad sit through it too.

Enjoy the silliness of the minions, kids!

I give it: 4/5

Parental Advice

This is a good movie for a family evening. It doesn’t contain scary stuff which will cause nightmares to the little ones and no hidden messages either. Although, there is a very angry chicken on the loose…

Language: Acceptable.

Nudity: None.

Sex: None.

Violence: That angry chicken… No, really. It’s okay.

Offensive Stuff: Nothing really, except if you want to find something.

5/5 Don’t miss! Do whatever to go and watch!

4/5 Good, watchable, but it may have something to put someone off, or may just not be your cup of tea.

3/5 OK, but if you have something else to do, reconsider and watch it when it comes out on DVD or on TV.

2/5 Pff, why would they waste time to make it and why would you waste your time and money?

1/5 Don’t even bother. You have to be paid to watch this and then be recompensed for your time.

0/5 Need I waste words?