Movie Review: The Intern (2015)

Plot: 70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker has discovered that retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the game, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules Ostin.

The Intern was touching, sweet and a kind movie. It is a feel good film, the characters are set up to succeed, and really, don’t expect any plot twists. What made this film stand out for me is the warmth of Robert De Niro’s Ben – a retired 70 year old who applies in a senior intern program at Jules’ (Anne Hathaway) wildly successful but very new company. Anne Hathaway is really also quite wonderful in her role as Jules, and it manages to bring up so many things that successful women have to face – the guilt of working long hours when you have a young child, the judgement you face from other mothers with less ambition, the questions you need to endure as a CEO which a male CEO would never have to face, the emasculation your husband is doomed to feel because his fragile ego can’t deal with your success, and the scary feeling that you are employing hundreds of people who depend on you making good choices.

But The Intern doesn’t stop there. It is about making older people feel relevant and important, how important it is for retired people to feel that they still have a cause – that is something that sits very close to my heart – and also a reminder that older people have knowledge and skills that we would do well to pay attention to.

The cast, lead by Hathaway and De Niro, really contribute to the heart that makes this film work. I would love to have the style and class Rene Russo has when I’m all grown up, Adam DeVine is there for some funny laughs – this guy has the best facial expressions – and Andrew Rannellis, Christina Scherer, Nat Wollf, Jason Orley and Zack Perlman as more colleagues bring a variety of dramas and meltdowns and adventure to the film. JoJo Kushner is such an adorable little girl – like if I can be guaranteed I’d have such a cute child I would maybe even consider having one. Anders Holm has the unfortunate task of playing the emasculated husband, and he was for the most part really sweet and I was impressed by how well Matt was dealing with having a successful wife until he was a douchebag and I was revolted – but he was cute at least.

The Intern has some problem with pacing at some times, not all the scenes are shot very well and there is a ridiculously positive tone to all the events – so not really the perfect movie, but  I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it sweet, strong messaged and fun to watch.

Have you seen this? What did you think?

Rating: 6.5/10

August 25, 2017August 19, 2017 by Natasha Categories: 2015, Movies, movies, Review, ReviewsTags: 2015, Adam Devine, Anders Holm, Andrew Rannells, Anne Hathaway, Christina Scherer, Jason Orley, JoJo Kushner, movie, Nancy Meyers, Nat Wolff, Rene Russo, Reviews, Robert De Niro, Zack Perlman 7 Comments

Movie Review: Scorch Trials (2015)

Plot: After having escaped the Maze, the Gladers now face a new set of challenges on the open roads of a desolate landscape filled with unimaginable obstacles.

Thoughts:

Littlefinger. I somehow know that he’s going to be a villain. No hope that he has moral fiber. Aiden Gillen wasn’t the most satisfying villain. There is something about polo necks that lacks the essence of masterminded evil, and more importantly, Gillen seems unconvinced about his role.

Security doors in Scorch Trials are opened by mere handles. Seems very secure.

The scene where they are relinquishing their only weapon to their friend that is becoming a zombie – Can we just talk about how stupid this is? Shoot the guy, he’s indicated that he wants to die, and take your weapon. You know, to protect yourself.

The best thing about this film is that they found water in the very first building they entered.

Let’s just quickly focus on these buildings – why are they looking like that? I need to know how buildings can be utterly destroyed by the sun. Windows are out, buildings have fallen over each other. There wasn’t a specific war, earthquake or tornado. Those are the things I’d think would lead to buildings being completely destroyed.

This villain woman. Does she think she’s Gandalf the White?

This Teresa chick. She’s irritating AF with her judgy little face. Her biggest issue is that she lost her mother due to zombitis. Well, sorry, but now every teenager must give up their enzymes??

The new girl is at least better than Teresa. She obviously has more moral fiber than Teresa, and all in all I’d like her more to end up with beautiful Thomas. I’m appreciative that we finally have a girl in this movie that isn’t completely repulsive or evil.

Thomas Brodie-Sangster – I like him. He does a good job with being a leader and a voice of reason.

So here’s my issue with the whole Scorched world – why am I seeing green trees in this scene?

New definition for Dystopia: A story perpetuating the myth that teenagers matter.

Rating: 6/10

Both movies so far have been really lopsided. The first one is arguably better, but I am still not all that sure what the hell is going on. I think reading the books would help, but I’ve heard from reputable sources that I’d pull my hair out with the writing that is going on in there. Apparently Scorch Trials are also one of those “incredibly loosely based” adaptions, so reading the books won’t help all that much. I do know now that Thomas is planning to fetch Asian Zac Efron and save his life. And hopefully pop Teresa and Gandalf while he’s at it.

October 14, 2016October 9, 2016 by Natasha Categories: 2015, Movies, movies, Review, Reviews, UncategorizedTags: 2015, Aiden Gillen, Dexter Darden, Dylan O’Brien, dystopia, Giancarlo Esposito, Ki Hong Lee, Movies, Nathalie Emmanuel, Patricia Clarkson, Reviews, Scorch Trials, The Maze Runner, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, zombies 13 Comments

Movie Review: Terminator Genisys (2015)

Plot:When John Connor, leader of the human resistance, sends Sgt. Kyle Reese back to 1984 to protect Sarah Connor and safeguard the future, an unexpected turn of events creates a fractured timeline.

Rating: 6.5/10

Terminator Genisys serves as a tribute to Arnold Schwarzenegger just like The Expendables served as a tribute to Sylvester Stallone… unfortunately, as with The Expendables, it is more a Hunger Games tribute than anything else. Genisys made me think the following things:

• For all his faults, Jai Courteney has the most incredibly sexy voice
• And body. Anyhow.
• The scenes with a young Arnie is disconcerting. No amount of CGI can take away the afflictions time has done to him, and you know what? I was way more comfortable seeing Arnie as his older version later on.
• Speaking of GCI, it is everywhere. There are so many action sequences in the film that it is confusing and exhausting.
• Naked time travel. Really? Although, I could naked time travel with Jai Courteney. *innocent whistling*
• Emilia Clarke – loved her as Sarah Connor. It is the time of the feminist and Sarah does not need anyone’s saving. She’s badass to the point of being abrupt and saves Reece’s ass more than once.
• The story is really confusing – am I right in thinking it basically eliminates the entire previous Terminator work. Was it really okay to turn John Connor like that? It felt like utmost betrayal.
• I’m convinced Sony is Skynet. My phone is so globally connected and thinks for me most of the time. If I disappear, Sony took me out. Send help.

I didn’t hate Terminator Genisys. It made me want to rewatch all the old Terminator films – I think I saw one a few years ago but the majority is still back in my youth. Genisys isn’t strong enough to justify a complete reboot of the franchise – even though the CGI is fancy but does not cover up that the actors didn’t have good material to work with. It is overly long, contains one too many action sequences and never really gains pace. I think a few things could have been better explained and that there are a number of questions I would have liked seen answered – the time travel concept is really interesting.It isn’t bad and it isn’t offensive, but it doesn’t have the wow factor that the old ones do, and the sad fact of Hollywood will always be that none of these reboots will really do what the old ones did.

May 16, 2016May 15, 2016 by Natasha Categories: 2015, Movies, movies, Reviews, UncategorizedTags: 2015, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney, John Connor, Kyle Reese, movie, Movies, Reviews, Sarah Connor, Terminator, Terminator Genisys 8 Comments

Movie Review: The Final Girls (2015)

Plot: A young woman grieving the loss of her mother, a famous scream queen from the 1980s, finds herself pulled into the world of her mom’s most famous movie. Reunited, the women must fight off the film’s maniacal killer.

Rating: 7/10

What I liked about this movie:

The fun they had – it is pretty obvious these kids were having a blast.

The mocking undertones.

Malin Ackerman – I really do enjoy her and it was good seeing her. She’s not the sturdiest actress, but she’s able to handle these light roles with aplomb.

Nina Dobrev is in fine form as the perky bitch. She is also one of the most beautiful young women in Hollywood, and even if she wasn’t, she definitely has a level of talent worth taking notice of. It is good to see that she’s not just dropping off the grid after her risky departure from Vampire Diaries.

I’ve never really seen Taissa Farmiga outside the one time I watched an American Horror Story episode, but she was great and took to the lead with gusto.

That young blonde eye candy guy was also pretty cute,  but I did feel like a pedo bear thinking he’s cute.The Hilarity

I wish the guy who was so enthusiastic about Horror films did not die as quickly (or whatever). Had a lot of fun with him on screen.

I realize how uninspired this review sounds, but please know that I did enjoy it!

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February 24, 2016February 19, 2016 by Natasha Categories: 2015, Movies, Reviews, UncategorizedTags: 2015, Adam Devine, Alexander Ludwig, Angela Timbur, Bryce Romero, horror, horror comedy, Lauren Gros, Malin Ackerman, Movies, Nina Dobrev, Reviews, Taissa Farmiga, The Final Girls, Thomas Middleditch 10 Comments

Best films of 2015: 1 – 10

Happy Thursday everyone! Somehow we all miraculously made it through the first week back at work. Let’s keep it up! To make your day worth it (jke), here is my top ten for 2015.

Note: I somehow lost my original post, so this may or may not turn out great.

10: Jurassic World

Original rating: 7.5/10

Does it still hold? It might eventually fall to a 7

What I Liked: Jurassic World managed to revive the franchise and is blockbuster entertainment at its’ finest. I adored Chris Pratt in here, and he is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.

What I didn’t like: The more time passes the more the film seems incredibly sexist.

9: Kingsman: A Secret Service

Original rating: 7.5/10

Does it still hold? I actually think it deserves an 8

What I Liked: This was a really unexpectedly great film. The film is classy and very sassy and a tounge-in-the-cheek look at spy films. Colin Firth is especially in fine form. He can certainly consider more such roles!

What I didn’t like: That last scene where Buggsy goes and does the dirty with the Queen or something felt misplaced in the film.

8: Ballade vir ‘n Enkeling

Original Rating: 8/10

Does it still hold? It really deserves an 8.5/10

What I liked: The showcasing of South-African talent and the nailbiting events. I really can’t wait to give this disturbing and heart-wrenching story another watch.

7. Avengers: Age of Ultron

Original rating: 8/10

Does it still hold? I think I would rate this a 7/10 if I watched it again.

What I liked: Marvel has the ability to go really big and really grand. They are a powerhouse right now and it is obvious in anything they release in the market right now. I know everyone isn’t such a big fan of this film, because it has a number of valid issues, but I really did have a good time when I saw it in cinema.

What I didn’t like: It is excessively long. And the brave South-African cops are all lies.

6. The Man from U.N.C.L.E

Original rating: 8.5/10

Does it still hold? Yeah

What I Liked: The classy feel of the film, the hilarity, the Russian accent, the Cavil. I’m also becoming such a huge fan of Alicia Vikander that I will watch anything with her in right now.

5. Mad Max: Fury Road

Original Rating: 8.5/10

Does it still hold: 9/10

What I liked: YASSS everything.

What I didn’t like? There is nothing. Nothing.

4. Inside Out

Original Rating: 8.5/10

Does it still hold? Definitely

What I liked: This is such a surprising film and I really don’t like animations as a rule.

3. Ex Machina

Original Rating: 8.5/10

Does it still hold? Yep

What I liked: It is a well acted movie on A.I. and really worked out well. It is weird and Oscar Isaac shines. The ever delightful Domnhall Gleeson and Alicia Vikander are great in their respective roles.

2. Star Wars

Original rating: 9/10

Does it still hold? Yes

What I liked: Primarily that it is a great film that can be watched even if you don’t know everything about the franchise.

1. The Martian

Original Rating: 10 / 10

Does it still hold? 9.5/10

What I liked: The Martian is truly everything I could ever want in a movie.

Well, there you go. Let me know your favorite films of 2015!

January 7, 2016January 4, 2016 by Natasha Categories: 2015, Reviews, UncategorizedTags: 2015, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ballade vir 'n enkeling, Best of 2015, Chris Pratt, Inside Out, Jurassic World, Kingsman: A Secret Service, Mad Max: Fury Road, Movies, Reviews, Star Wars, Star Wars: The Force Awakens 17 Comments

Best Films of 2015: 11-20

20. Fifty Shades of Grey

Original rating: 6/10

Does it still hold? It might eventually fall to a 5.5

You are all right now: fuck this, not reading this shit. It gets better. Let’s focus on that this film, while being terrible, was not as bad as it could have been.

What I liked: Dakota Johnson did her best and she’s the best part of the film. The score was also really well done and is the only other saving grace in the film.

What I didn’t like: The line is LONG here. Jamie Dornan has no charisma on screen, he looked so freaked out to touch Johnson and he was frigid. Then the directing didn’t help things along either, sack that director. You can go read the list of complaints by clicking on the link above though, because I can’t remember everything that annoyed me, but I will mention that movie remains a movie about the glorification of abuse.

 

19. San Andreas

Original rating: 6/10

Does it still hold? It might eventually edge up to a 6.5

What I liked:

Dwayne Johnson and his type cast roles work well because Dwayne Johnson is excellently type casted. He is so big and brawny but with a nice guy attitude that he works exceptionally well as a hero. A really big one.

AllesandraDaddario. I really enjoyed her in here and she was such a strong female character.

What I didn’t like:

It is exactly the same as every other action movie out there. A bit of variation would have made this movie really cool, but it was written in the same formulaic tone that always works, but rarely excites.

 

18. Paper Towns

Original rating: 6.5/10

Does it still hold? No. Thinking back I enjoyed this less than number 20, so eventually it might drop to a 6.

What I liked: Not too much. Mostly just Cara with-the-difficult-surname’s eyebrows.

What I didn’t like: I’m just too old for these kid movies. Over it. That and Margot Roth Spielman was a terrible character.

 

17. Cinderella

Original rating: 6.5/10

Does it still hold? Yeah

What I liked: My beautiful Robb Stark as Prince Charming. Gosh. Although extremely under-utilized, I also really enjoyed Cate Blanchett as the stepmom. Helena Bonham Carter is always a treat on screen and she didn’t disappoint either.

What I didn’t like: Disney did not change one single thing. It is truly the live version of the animation, and yet if they took another angle I would likely have loved it way more.

 

16. Magic Mike XXL

Original rating: 6.5/10

Does it still hold? Yeah

What I liked: These guys obviously worked much harder at being more original and it came across. The embarrassment threshold a person should possess to sit through this is still very high, but it was quite entertaining.

What I didn’t like: Not much really. The acting was terrible but it certainly wasn’t a prerequisite to the success of the film.

15. The Longest Ride

Original rating: 6.5/10

Does it still hold? Eh. Not sure.

What I liked: Brit Robertson, Scott Eastwood, YAY. I liked both characters.

What I didn’t like: The story didn’t mesh very well, was badly told and was boring in a few places. Nicholas Sparks needs to stop making movies for the sake of getting his books made into movies.

 

14. Me, Earl and the Dying Girl

Original Rating: 7.5/10

Does it still hold? It might fall to 7 in the future.

What I liked: The fact that it was about friendship not romance. Since I lost someone to cancer I don’t find movies about cancer interesting at all, I find them distasteful because they are so unrealistic. Yet this movie wasn’t as offensive and managed to be sweet. It has a very indie vibe to it and that worked great as well.

What I didn’t like: It felt a bit long. That’s mostly all that I recall in hindsight.

 

13. Mockingjay Part II

Original rating: 7.5/10

Does it still hold? Eh. Not sure. It was good though.

What I liked: the slightly altered ending made Katniss seem like a much nicer person, the fact that they kept to all those deaths that occur in the book because some of them were hard to include and the feeling of how everything in Panem is at an end – the film had a great somber tone going for it.

What I didn’t like: The film loses track with some of the characters. I’ll even suggest that they should have included some extra dialogue to take you to where Gale ended up. It is a big mistake in the book and shouldn’t have been taken into the film.

 

12. Pitch Perfect 2

Original rating: 7.5/10

Does it still hold? Yeah. My favorite comedy of the year.

What I liked: The fact that there is a franchise out there that celebrates female friendships and team work as well as being about something that doesn’t have a penis. The hilarity of Fat Amy and her antics, the ridiculousness of the acapella wars and everything that accompanies it just makes the franchise great.

What I didn’t like: Really not much to complain about here. It worked really well and falls technically into my top ten for the year with that rating.

 

11. Age of Adaline

Original rating: 7.5/10

Does it still hold? Maybe an 8

What I liked: It was a genuinely good film and Blake Lively shone. I truly enjoyed her and she was perfectly cast. Michiel Huisman is drop dead gorgeous yummy, and he suited that role of a lover perfectly. The film isn’t for everyone, but it was a great experience for me.

What I didn’t like? I really liked this movie, so there isn’t anything to bitch about right now.

Tune in tomorrow for the top ten!

January 6, 2016January 4, 2016 by Natasha Categories: 2015, Movies, Reviews, UncategorizedTags: 2015, Age of Adaline, Cinderella, Fifty Shades of Grey, Magic Mike XXL, Me Earl and the Dying Girl, Mockingjay Part II, Movies, Paper Towns, Pitch Perfect 2, Reviews, San Andreas, The Longest Ride, Top Movies 9 Comments

Happy 2016!

Happy 2016 everyone!

I really hope everyone had a fantastic couple of days to start out the new year. I spent some time with my bestie, and we primarily loafed, which is awesome because that is exactly what we needed and honestly how we always roll. Thanks for a most awesome time bestest!!

New Years’ Resolutions?

Anyone still do these? I really don’t. I think it is a surefire way to jinx something. I prefer to call them goals because that is a much better and attainable term. So here are my goals for 2016:

This blog: Take it bigger and better than last year. It upped 5000 views from last year’s stats, so I am quite happy about that. It is really such a fun way to connect to everyone out there and having an avenue to talk about my opinions about books, movies and series.

I also want to add a snippet to every Monday’s post about what you can expect for the week – but my blog scheduling can be really just when I want it to be, so I’m not promising anything 🙂

Lifestyle: I just want to live a happy and healthy life. I really would like to take more adventures and see new places – I’ve discovered some places in South-Africa for the past couple of years and would love to really continue that habit. I live in such a incredibly beautiful country that it isn’t a hardship at all to travel locally. I would also love to do a couple of races around Johannesburg – it is a fun way to test fitness levels while providing a way to see more of the city.

Movies and books: As always, I would love to see and read more new things, and venture into avenues I wouldn’t usually go into. I’m still combining my Blindspot 2016 list, so let me know if you have any suggestions.

#100HappyDays

Yep, I’m also doing it and yep, I’m also going to recap on here. (I hope to do it weekly). I think it is such a great and easy way to notice the things that make you happy, no matter how small it is. You can follow my progress on my Instagram account if you want to as well. 🙂

So, there you have it. My totally not new years’ resolutions GOALS. What are you planning for the year?

Upcoming this week:

Tuesday, 05 January 2016: Blindspot 2015 final feedback

Wednesday, 06 January 2016: Movies of 2015, Parts 11 – 20

Thursday, 07 January 2016: Movies of 2015, Parts 1-10

Friday, 08 January 2016: Films I want to see this year.

January 4, 2016January 3, 2016 by Natasha Categories: 2016, Life Lately, UncategorizedTags: 2015, 2016, Goals, New Year's Resolutions, Random 11 Comments

Movie Review: Magic Mike XXL (2015)

Plot:Three years after Mike bowed out of the stripper life at the top of his game, he and the remaining Kings of Tampa hit the road to Myrtle Beach to put on one last blow-out performance.

Rating: 6.5/10

The thong wearing boys in bandannas are back. Whether we really wanted them to or not, they are and they are humping more than ever. Anyone who labels this franchise as good really shouldn’t be allowed to speak out loud, and I’m guessing they think Fifty Shades of Grey is the best movie of the year, but XXL isn’tthat bad. Sure, brain cells die and straight men won’t watch it no matter how whipped they are, but it can be fun if you take a good dose of humor in. Maybe some wine as well, as Andie MacDowell’s character discovered.

 

I will go as far as to say that XXL is slightly better than the first movie. It works hard for some humor, and although the delivery is terrible in places, it was cute. The cheese is nearly as bad as The Expendables franchise, and I cringed in some places. Most of it comes from Joe Manganiello, who talks ALL THE TIME. I’m not sure why they upgraded him from all that grunting in the first movie. He’s the type of guy who just needs to grunt and girls are going to be happy. With plenty of references to his extra-large… package… and extremely corny lines, this guy is all over the place. I mean: “you want to pop the hood” is an actual line in here. Priceless. I’m not overly surprised how bad it all goes down as his main claim to fame is being Alcide Herveaux in True Blood. Matt Bomer gets time on the screen too, some character lines, which was nice – he is one of the few in here who has acting skills. He also looks like Prince Charming. Gorgeous.

Then there is the delightful Channing Tatum, a man with so much charm and boyish good looks he can do anything and make it work. He seemed a bit bored with this movie, but he was cute and entertaining all the same.

Then there is the fairly large female ensemble cast – starting with Amber Heard who made a much better lead female character than the very irritating Brooke in the original Magic Mike. Heard, who plays Zoe, is really not annoying, and that is just great. Her role in here is murky since there is no involvement between her and Mike. She’s just a girl who is charmed by Magic Mike, but no sexy sexy apparently. Which turned out fine – I really hope all women out there get that male strippers are not there to love you.

Jada Pinkett Smith also has a role as a sexy lady with lots of money who helps out Mike and his friends when they need it. Then there is Andie MacDowell who just really made me cringe with her stereotypical older wine loving mama. Elizabeth Banks also does a surprise pop-up, which I don’t really understand but rolled with it.

Anyway, don’t watch it if you are a straight male, or a female that takes offense quickly. It is hilarious though, embarrassing and perfect for a girl’s night full of silliness. No one ever got hurt by looking at gorgeous male bodies, did they?

 

PS: Maybe just their dignity.

December 16, 2015December 14, 2015 by Natasha Categories: 2015, Movies, Reviews, UncategorizedTags: 2015, Alcide Herveaux, Amber Heard, Andy MacDowell, Elizabeth Banks, Jada Pinkett Smith, Joe Manganiello, Magic Mike, Magic Mike XXL, Matt Bomer, Movies 12 Comments

Movie Review: San Andreas (2015)

Plot: In the aftermath of a massive earthquake in California, a rescue-chopper pilot makes a dangerous journey with his ex-wife across the state in order to rescue his daughter.

Rating: 6/10

General things in Disaster Movies:

The big, strong hero with a sad, sad past:

Check. Dwayne Johnson is Ray, ex-military (major points for that) and also lost a daughter in a drowning incident for which he blames himself – sympathy vote! – He also has incredible muscles and a killer smile, as well as a fuck all attitude except when it comes to his family.

Regardless of his acting abilities, I always enjoy Dwayne Johnson. The Rock knows his target audience and he always ends up delivering. I also find his beautifully straight teeth beautiful, and it is so obvious that he is having the best time when he is on screen it is hard to begrudge him his work.

The Silly Wife Who Dared To Want a Fulfilling Relationship and Now Wants to Leave:

Stupid woman. Why does she dare to want to move on when her husband basically ignored her since their daughter’s death? Pfft.

Carla Gugino, starring as Emma, said SWWDTWFRNWL, did a decent enough job, but it felt that she was only there to act frail to The Rock’s strong leadership. Also – gasp – she was running in heels the entire time – DID THEY NOT LEARN FROM JURASSIC WORLD?!

act like she’s your daughter, act like she’s your daughter!

Beautiful Daughter who Needs Saving

Alexandra Daddario played Blake, and I actually enjoyed the role the most of the entire movie. She saved the day, the two guys that tagged along knew she had the knowledge and afforded her the authority, and even acknowledged at the end that they would be deader than dead without her.

International scope and Kidlet

Colton Haynes plays young professional Joby, who immediately falls in love with Blake’s sunny nature and amazing blue eyes. He is British, acknowledging Ally ties and all that.

Required kid is played by Art Parkinsin, Joby’s little brother Ollie, and although annoying AF he is as tolerable as he can possibly be.

Alexi, played by Alex Utgoff, is included to show Putin that we can all work together if we want to.

The Smart Professor and Hardworking News Anchor

Check and Check. Paul Giammati is the Professor of something in here and Archie Panjabi is the News Anchor that needs to get the news out. Both did well enough, but I think this is where the story went flat.

Preposterous Storyline

It is based on actual fact but the whole San Andreas fault line causing such spectacular damage right now is sillier than people who don’t like Harry Potter. It was really smart to localize the disaster to one area rather than the entire planet, and having the San Fransisco Bridge collapse is always a nice touch. The CGI was a bit pathetic, but as that was to be expected, no harm was done. San Andreas has very little humor, not much in the way of real plot development and the biggest failure to me was the university scenes – it felt displaced in the movie. If you look at this movie as a piece of fluff and don’t take San Andreas up too seriously you will end up enjoying it as a cheesy fest full of bulging muscles. Not a bad thing, come to think of it!

PS: Captain Hindsight thinks that this movie has a lot of things in common with both Taken and Lucy. Any comments on that?

November 26, 2015November 22, 2015 by Natasha Categories: 2015, Movies, Review, Reviews, UncategorizedTags: 2015, Alex Utgoff, Alexandra Daddario, Carla Gugino, Colton Haynes, Movies, Paul Giammati, Reviews, San Andreas, The Rock 8 Comments

Movie Review: The Man from U.N.C.L.E

Plot: In the early 1960s, CIA agent Napoleon Solo and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin participate in a joint mission against a mysterious criminal organization, which is working to proliferate nuclear weapons

Rating: 8/10

Things I liked:

The Score

Let’s start out with the score – it was absurdly fantastic. It was a compelling mix of weird Russian/USSR songs and 1960’s style songs perfectly supplemented the action.

The Fashion

So much love. The Twiggy style fashion worked to perfection and Vikander’s beehive made me want to do it myself (I fortunately restrained myself). I love that time period fashion!

I really wish men could wear suits all the time. I really appreciate a good man in a good suit, and especially these old fashioned suits just work. Such class.

Directing& Storyline

Guy Richie is a master. I love the split screens and the way action was choreographed, as well as the rich tone that the film had. The story itself was fun. It is well thought out, clearly developed and mixes humor and action very well. The little plot twist had me fuming –that bitch! – then forgiving her and going back to admiration. It gets so preposterous at times – two highly trained secret agents bitching about which outfits their female counterpart should wear, Solo having a little drink and snack while the whole world is crashing down around him and the constant competition between the Allies.

Casting:

This brings the movies I’ve seen with Alicia Vikander in up to two and I am impressed here as I was in Ex Machina. She’s a very good and talented woman, as well as incredibly beautiful, and she held up very well against Hammer and Cavil.

I’ll do a whole other post about how delicious the men were in this movie, but let’s just say here that if Armie Hammer walks up to me and speaks in that Russian accent I will jump his bones after the fainting that was a direct result of his sexiness. OMFG.

I really did enjoy him also on a non-pervy level, he is talented and I found the character layered and hilarious. The way his temper was just waiting to boil out and take people down with it was something I found very amusing.

Henry Cavil. Sigh. This cast was purely chosen on the genetic lottery, because this man – how can he be so perfect? Did they copy and paste his genetic sequence specifically for “Chiselled Chin”, “Dreamy Eyes”, “Perfect Mouth”, “Perfect Build” and “General Breath Taking Beauty”? I’m sure they did, I’m sure they did.

Solo was also a really fun character, so full of debauchery and completely fine with it. No doubt about it, Solo is an extremely talented criminal that is using his talents currently to keep him out of jail – so respectable.

Hugh Grant comes in, classes things up because he is British, adds another amount of hilarity and plot twists, heads out again, just to return later. I haven’t seen him in anything for a while, and it was nice to spot him.

Elizabeth Debicki was a fantastic villain. I am happy that they chose a woman to be the villain, and how cold she was. So cool.

Conclusion:

The Man from U.N.C.L.E is very enjoyable to watch. It has great laughs, some surprising touching moments and good performances by the entire cast, but especial note to Cavil, Vikander and Hammel. Cavil’s performance is especially important – the man needs to show he can be more than Superman if he wants a career after his run as the Kryptonite-intolerant superhero. Definitely recommended and a really good addition to the 2015 repertoire of movies.

November 17, 2015November 15, 2015 by Natasha Categories: 2015, Movies, ReviewsTags: 1960s, 2015, action, Alicia Vikander, Armie Hammer, Elizabeth Debicki, Henry Cavil, Hugh Grant, Movies, Nazi, Reviews, Spy, Spy Film, The Man from U.N.C.L.E 15 Comments