peterp-450-298716

Just please give us a call if you find out anything when you get there. Like where we can go to be safe.

Nothing like a decent disaster movie every now and then. A film that can satisfy the disaster tourist in you. The number of such films that have already been made is countless. The causes of global destruction are varied. There were devastating earthquakes ("Earthquake" and only recently "San Andreas") that lifted up plateaus and ripped apart entire metropolises. Boats that sank because of a huge wave ("The Poseidon Adventure") or a stray lump of ice ("Titanic"). Erupting volcanoes ("Dante's Peak"), oncoming ice ages ("The Day after Tomorrow"), tsunamis ("Lo Imposible"), or (and more appropriately at the moment) a rapidly spreading, deadly virus ("Contagion"). The storyline of such disaster films is generally the same. In the first place, you already know what's going to happen and so you wait patiently for the catastrophic moment to kick in. Next, you're witnessing the effects of the announced disaster. And secretly you feel that blissful moment realizing you are only a silent witness and not physically present. And each time, it ends well for the protagonists (with some random victims though). They manage to escape death in a miraculous way. Such films usually end with apocalyptic images that show how devastating it all was.

In my opinion, "Greenland" fell outside the category of films that follow such a storyline. It rather fits in the list of films in which you can also find "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World". You are aware of what drama is going to take place. But it won't be really spectacular. The action-packed scenes in which fragments of the approaching comet hit Earth are rather scarce. A bit like in "Armageddon", where topics such as almost impossible human missions and self-sacrifice were more central than the disaster part itself. In the latter, the spatial trip with a space shuttle was pushed to the foreground. In "Greenland" it's the Garrity family's trip to a certain place where John (Gerard Buttler) and his family are safe from the imminent destruction of all living things on Earth. In short, the approaching disaster shifts to the background and drama takes over. Admittedly, in many ways.

As befits a clichéd disaster film, you first have the family aspect. Usually, it concerns a family with relational problems. This is also the case here in "Greenland". What John has actually done, isn't explicitly stated. But rest assured, the longer the arduous journey takes, the more the mistrustful spouses grow closer together. I think that's also a mandatory item that must be included in a disaster film. The film focuses more on the side effects of such a disaster that takes place all over the world. The hysteria and panic that arises. The looting and the massive exodus with the known monster traffic jams. The indignation felt by friends of John and Allison (Morena Baccarin), who attended a birthday party after John receives a personal message from the authorities to get himself and his family to safety in a secret place. One parent's plea to bring her child to safety had more of an impact on me than the rest of the movie.

The rest of the film shows the arduous journey to this secret place full of obstacles and adversity. Naturally, the son Nathan (Roger Dale Floyd) suffers from diabetes and the vital medication shouldn't be forgotten. And yes, you can expect problems related to that medication. In such a way that it'll get on your nerves. Reaching the military airport to claim their reserved seats on a transport aircraft is also not without a struggle. And at some point, it all gets a bit too much. Just when you think this family has dealt with enough setbacks, the following presents itself. And although the makers have tried to give this film an extremely realistic character, it also contains some unrealistic situations, such as the chaos at the airport. I fear that if we are confronted with such a situation, in reality, a multitude of citizens would be in front of the control barriers. And the way things get resolved during these tumultuous times also sometimes seems a bit unbelievable and too good to be true.

Maybe my expectations for this movie were a bit too high and it turned out to be a rather disappointing experience. They've made an emotional rollercoaster rather than a disaster film "Avant la lettre". But turn off your brain, and it'll be quite enjoyable. And although Gerard Butler is usually associated with mindless action films, he knows how to convince in this film. Just like he did in "The Vanishing". The very sympathetic family man who, thanks to heroism, manages to restore the broken trust. "Greenland" is certainly not a bad film, despite the shortage of action-packed and apocalyptic images. I found "2012" much worse, even though "Greenland" feels quite melodramatic at times. But this film isn't boring. Before you know it, the 2-hour movie is finished. Unfortunately, this disaster movie wasn't unpredictable compared to the oncoming comet.

More reviews here: movie-freak.be

We're so glad to have you in the building.

It was two months. Two months that I didn't feel the urge to write down a nuanced and honest opinion about a movie I've seen. Maybe it was a lack of motivation because of the limited feedback on my previous writings. Maybe it was because of the enthusiasm with which I threw myself into a "Horror Challenge". A "Challenge" in which I finally watched 89 films in a period of about 7 weeks. And after these 7 weeks, I realized that I really enjoyed watching 50s and 60s horror. Coincidentally, the movie "1BR" passed during this event and there were words of praise for this horror. Enthusiastically I accepted the invitation from Alok Mishra (one of the producers) to send me a link to a screener. And of course, I'll be doing something in return by writing this review. So first of all, thank you Alok for forwarding the link.

Now some will claim that I'll write a positive review out of gratitude for having obtained a free link. Or because it's that time of the year where people ought to be mega-kind. However, nothing is less true. If "1BR" was a complete crap movie, I would describe it like that without any problem. Before Alok suffers from a panic attack, I will immediately reassure him. "1BR" is a decent film with a surprising twist. Despite the lack of too gory moments or demonic, paranormal revelations, it turned out to be a frightening film. One where you feel uncomfortable about the whole situation. However, I cannot tell much about the story itself. That would only spoil the fun. It's best that you watch this film without knowing anything, so it'll hit you without warning. What Sarah (Nicole Brydon Bloom) doesn't realize when she moves into an apartment of "Asilo del Mar" is that her situation will look very different real quick. Sarah is a timid young adult who wants to start a new life in L.A. far from her family. She wants to make it as a fashion designer and is determined to leave her past far behind. A lopsided relationship with her father caused her to travel to the city of angels. Something that becomes clearer later in the film.

As a spectator, you don't need to wait really long before it starts to escalate. After 30 minutes, the mood changes from pleasant to downright unpleasant. There is no indication that Sarah walked into the lion's den. The other residents of the complex are helpful, hospitable, and over-friendly. To be honest, I thought that actually felt scary. I can't imagine such a community in our current narcissistic and self-centered world where everyone suffers from extreme navel-gazing. The atmosphere in this building is of a high "Melrose Place" level. There's even a central swimming pool, around which all residents can enjoy social gatherings and cozy barbecues. Those residents are introduced to you in slow motion at the start of the film and are a mixed bag of people. Including the retired actress Edie (Susan Davis) whose health is clearly deteriorating. The helpful, attractive neighbor Brian (Giles Matthey) for whom Sarah immediately has an attraction. And even the landlord Jerry (Taylor Nichols) does his utmost best to make Sarah feel at home in her new home.

There are only a few disturbing factors, according to Sarah. First of all, the creepy Lester (Clayton Hoff). A resident who keeps an eye on her like a one-eyed pirate. Then there are the disturbing noises at night. She was told this is due to poorly maintained pipelines. And then the main fact that no pets are actually allowed in this building, which means that Sarah is forced to keep her cat Giles carefully hidden. Something that does not go unnoticed and is the beginning of a kind of psychological terror. The unknown actress Nicole Brydon Bloom delivers an excellent acting performance and is the most defining person in this film. She shows a range of emotions throughout the whole film. First enthusiasm. Then bewilderment. And after that, desperation and resignation. And in the end, the bold survival instinct emerges suddenly. Not only Bloom's acting is sublime at times. Also, the way the side characters play their split personality is simply magnificent.

Once again, the fact a screener was sent to me, isn't the reason for my positive comments. Believe me, This movie managed to surprise me. It looks slick. And to be honest, I didn't know which way it would go until the last minute. The uncomfortable feeling I had is partly due to the realistic image that is being created. The feeling you have when you end up in a situation and you don't know how to rescue yourself from that terrible predicament. The only (minuscule) minus I could cite is that the denouement immediately reminded me of "The Invitation". But that's such a negligible element that I can only say you should definitely check out this intriguing movie.

More reviews here: movie-freak.be

You know what's great about her? She doesn't talk. She just listens. That sounds perfect for you.

Life is full of unexpected turns. As an 18-year-old, I rented the adult cartoon "Tarzoon: Shame of the Jungle" just for fun. Probably because of the titillating vamp on the cover, lying naked on a huge platter and carried by figures that looked like penises. No one could suspect that a voice actor in this cartoon would become one of my most popular actors. If there's one comedian who manages to make me chuckle without any problem, it's Bill Murray. Like in "Stripes" and "Ghostbusters". Or the incomparable film "Groundhog Day". However small his role may be in a feature film, he always manages to create an unforgettable scene, such as in "Zombieland" for example. Put Murray in a horror, and his typical way of acting makes it a completely different experience. Just watch "The dead don't die" and you'll know what I mean. In short, a versatile actor who takes a film to a higher level with his contribution.

This year I came to the conclusion that I had never seen the movie "Lost in translation". A film directed by Sofia Coppola (daughter of) with Bill Murray and the very young Scarlett Johansson in the leading roles. Even though there was something slightly comical lurking beneath the surface of this film, the subject matter was far from comical. A film about two individuals who are right in the middle of an identity crisis. A film about love and loneliness. Loneliness not only because of the life situation they both find themselves in, but also because of the fact that they are in a country where they don't understand the language, culture, and general way of life. Two lost souls who discover, sense, and encourage each other. I admit, I was moved after seeing this masterful film. Finally, after a long time a film that rocked my socks off. A thought-provoking film that'll resonate for a pretty long time. Yes, some movies do that to me.

And then 17 years after the release of this magisterial film, we get a renewed collaboration between Sofia Coppola and Bill Murray. "On the Rocks" is not as magical as "Lost in Translation". But somewhere deeply hidden it does have points of contact with the latter. Here, too, Laura (Rashida Jones) is in the middle of a crisis. Both in terms of her marriage and her writing career. The suspicion that her husband Dean (Marlon Wayans) just pretends to have lots of work since starting his own company, just to cover up an affair, grows stronger. And writing a new book isn't easy either. The day she tells her father Felix (Bill Murray), a charismatic wealthy art dealer with an untameable flirtation habit, about her suspicions, he throws himself wholeheartedly into the case with full dedication. Before Laura realizes it, she is embroiled in a wild search for the truth.

"On the rocks" isn't such a depressing and melancholic story as "Lost in translation". There's more humor in it. How another mother at school tells Laura every morning about her love life. The interesting facts about human behavior and the evolution of relationships between men and women Felix tells about every time unexpectedly. The wild chase in a "not so suspicious-looking" red, noisy convertible through the streets of New York. Perhaps it's rather light, uncomplicated humor. Still, it's subtle at the same time. The chemistry between Laura and her father feels unforced and authentic. And this won't come as a surprise: Bill Murray nailed it once more. He demands full attention every time he comes into the picture. His characteristic acting and the way in which he can charm random people with his smooth talk is simply superb. And it's not just the female population that falls for his smooth-talking. The way he manages to turn a police officer's mood from being reprimanding to being helpful is just sublime.

"On the rocks" is about marital troubles, a complicated father-daughter relationship, and also about how people get lost in the turbulent and chaotic society in which they live. It's not another masterpiece of Coppola, but surely it's another successful cooperation between Coppola and Murray. I quietly hope that they will work together again in the future.

More reviews here: movie-freak.be