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Sarah (7798 KP) rated Molly's Game (2017) in Movies
Jan 6, 2018 (Updated Jan 6, 2018)
A bit of a disappointment
Considering all of the other things Aaron Sorkin has been involved in, I was expecting big things from this and sadly it was a bit of a disappointment.
Jessica Chastain is great as expected, and Idris Elba and Kevin Costner do well too despite limited screentime. Costner even gets some of the funniest lines. The story itself is interesting, it just isn't well executed. It's far too long and gets very boring at times. I was expecting something very smart, stylish and witty but it isn't really any of those things. It tries hard with the wit and humour but really falls flat and doesn't live up to Sorkin's usual standard.
Also I have to say it, but was all the cleavage really necessary? That is the only reason my other half came to watch it with me, and he's openly admitted he'd have found it very dull otherwise...
Jessica Chastain is great as expected, and Idris Elba and Kevin Costner do well too despite limited screentime. Costner even gets some of the funniest lines. The story itself is interesting, it just isn't well executed. It's far too long and gets very boring at times. I was expecting something very smart, stylish and witty but it isn't really any of those things. It tries hard with the wit and humour but really falls flat and doesn't live up to Sorkin's usual standard.
Also I have to say it, but was all the cleavage really necessary? That is the only reason my other half came to watch it with me, and he's openly admitted he'd have found it very dull otherwise...
Erika (17788 KP) rated Crimson Peak (2015) in Movies
Jun 14, 2018
I feel kind of bad for Crimson Peak, for one, it was marketed completely wrong. Universal marketed it as though it was a horror movie, when it couldn't really be farther from it. The inspiration for it was Rebecca and the Mysteries of Udolpho, it was a gothic romance. I liked Tom Hiddleston and Mia Wasikowska in it, but Jessica Chastain... I have nothing nice to say about her performance.
The twist was.... creepy. I can't help but wonder what the film would have been like if Benedict Cumberbatch hadn't dropped out.
The twist was.... creepy. I can't help but wonder what the film would have been like if Benedict Cumberbatch hadn't dropped out.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Zero Dark Thirty (2013) in Movies
Jan 27, 2018
Persistence (2 more)
Compelling story
Jessica Chastain
If you lived in the USA after 9/11, the fact that Osama bin Laden was alive was like an open wound. Many Americans felt like there would never be closure to the events at the World Trade Center until he was brought to justice.
The sheer persistence of the CIA and the Justice Department in never giving up even after years of trying to hunt him down and tragedy within their own ranks is a testament to American will, drive and ambition.
Whatever your personal feelings on torture, this film walks the line of being objective and lets the viewer draw their own conclusions.
Very compelling film.
The sheer persistence of the CIA and the Justice Department in never giving up even after years of trying to hunt him down and tragedy within their own ranks is a testament to American will, drive and ambition.
Whatever your personal feelings on torture, this film walks the line of being objective and lets the viewer draw their own conclusions.
Very compelling film.
Blazing Minds (92 KP) rated X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019) in Movies
Nov 1, 2021 (Updated Nov 3, 2021)
The IMAX version of the film looks and sounds great, Hans Zimmer’s score for the movie is fantastic and sounds superb in the IMAX cinema, but sadly the movie is let down by several things, one being Jessica Chastain’s character, I just found her so one dimensional and didn’t enjoy her screentime, which is a shame as Chastain is a superb actress with the right roles. I would have loved to have seen that Jean and Logan’s chemistry brought in to play, we saw that with the original movies, but with Hugh Jackman being a lot older now, I suppose it may not have looked right, but then again we have seen some amazing CGI in making cast look younger in the Marvel Cinematic Universe!
Charlie Cobra Reviews (1840 KP) rated It: Chapter Two (2019) in Movies
Jul 7, 2020
Pennywise Returns - Not As Scary As Chapter 1, But Still Great
It Chapter 2 is a 2019 supernatural/horror movie directed by Andy Muschietti from a screenplay by Gary Dauberman. It was produced by New Line Cinema, Double Dream, Vertigo Entertainment, and Rideback, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film stars Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, and Bill Skarsgard.
The evil clown Pennywise returns to terrorize the town of Derry, Maine after being defeated by the members of the Losers' Club 27 years ago. The childhood friends have long since gone their separate ways but are called home to keep their promise by Mike Harlon who never moved away. Not quite remembering everything from their past but each traumatized by their own scars, the Loser must conquer their fears and destroy Pennywise for good.
This movie was great. Personally, I think chapter 1 was better, but this film definitely didn't disappoint. Right from the beginning it set the tone with a opening scene of a gay couple being severely beaten. I really liked the casting and who they chose to portray the children of the Losers club, they did a great job. The acting from everyone was good, Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and Bill Hader's performances were superb. I enjoyed how this movie expanded on the lore of Pennywise and his origin. Even with a long run time, it didn't feel like a super long movie. To me some of the most enjoyable parts were the flashbacks where you got to see the younger cast. It was good that they had a big part in this movie too. I give this movie an 8/10 and it also gets my "Must See Seal Of Approval".
The evil clown Pennywise returns to terrorize the town of Derry, Maine after being defeated by the members of the Losers' Club 27 years ago. The childhood friends have long since gone their separate ways but are called home to keep their promise by Mike Harlon who never moved away. Not quite remembering everything from their past but each traumatized by their own scars, the Loser must conquer their fears and destroy Pennywise for good.
This movie was great. Personally, I think chapter 1 was better, but this film definitely didn't disappoint. Right from the beginning it set the tone with a opening scene of a gay couple being severely beaten. I really liked the casting and who they chose to portray the children of the Losers club, they did a great job. The acting from everyone was good, Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and Bill Hader's performances were superb. I enjoyed how this movie expanded on the lore of Pennywise and his origin. Even with a long run time, it didn't feel like a super long movie. To me some of the most enjoyable parts were the flashbacks where you got to see the younger cast. It was good that they had a big part in this movie too. I give this movie an 8/10 and it also gets my "Must See Seal Of Approval".
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Zookeeper's Wife (2017) in Movies
Oct 13, 2018
Duller than it should be
For such for such an interesting true story, this film should really be fascinating and interesting too, but sadly it isn’t. Instead of focusing on the efforts of the husband or of the resistance in general, this film instead chooses to focus on the wife. Whilst she most definitely was involved, to me her role didn’t seem as pivotal as others and this made the film a little dull. It is undoubtedly a harrowing tale, but this didn’t come cross in the film whatsoever. The script wasn’t great and even Jessica Chastain, who I usually quite like, couldn’t make this any better. In fact I think she made it worse... and I know it’s a true story, but all this film did was made me worry about all of the animals that died during the war ?
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021) in Movies
Feb 13, 2022
Good Performances, Thin Script
Jessica Chastain is, in my opinion - and with all apologies to Glenn Close - the best actress working today that has yet to win an Academy Award. Having been nominated twice previously (Supporting Actress for THE HELP in 2012 and Actress for ZERO DARKY THIRTY in 2013 - a performance I thought she was a shoo-in Oscar winner for, she would lose to Jennifer Lawrence for SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK), Chastain has earned her 3rd Oscar nomination for portraying Tammy Faye Bakker in THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE. It would be absurdly bizarre if THIS was the role she would win for.
Telling the story of Tammy Faye Bakker, the heavily made-up spouse/partner to disgraced Televangelist Jim Bakker, THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE has, at it’s core, some TERRIFIC performances by Chastain, Andrew Garfield (Jim Bakker), Cherry Jones (Tammy Faye’s mother) and Vincent D’Onofrio (Jerry Falwell), it’s a shame that these performances couldn’t be performed with a better written and directed film.
Directed by Michael Showalter and Written by Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato and Abe Sylvie (which might explain part of the issue), THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE just doesn’t go deep enough into the characters portrayed, but - instead - opts for the superficial, opting to paint each character in one dimension. There is the “not attached to the real world/idealistic” Tammy Faye. The “he seems nice on the surface, but there is something else going on underneath” Jim Bakker. The “evil/power hungry” Jerry Falwell and the “never approving” Mother.
All of these, on the surface, are the makings of a good film, unfortunately Showalter and the 3 writers never mine the depths of these characters showing other sides and/or connecting the characters to each other.
Which is a shame for the performances of all the main characters are terrific and would have been much more so had they had better material to work with. Chastain, rightfully, has been Oscar nominated for her turn. She won’t win, but she is deserving of the nomination and would have been a quite serious contender had she had better material.
Which, ultimately, makes this film fall flat. The ingredients were there, they just weren’t put together well enough to make a satisfying experience.
Letter Grade: B- (for the performances)
6 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank (ofMarquis)
Telling the story of Tammy Faye Bakker, the heavily made-up spouse/partner to disgraced Televangelist Jim Bakker, THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE has, at it’s core, some TERRIFIC performances by Chastain, Andrew Garfield (Jim Bakker), Cherry Jones (Tammy Faye’s mother) and Vincent D’Onofrio (Jerry Falwell), it’s a shame that these performances couldn’t be performed with a better written and directed film.
Directed by Michael Showalter and Written by Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato and Abe Sylvie (which might explain part of the issue), THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE just doesn’t go deep enough into the characters portrayed, but - instead - opts for the superficial, opting to paint each character in one dimension. There is the “not attached to the real world/idealistic” Tammy Faye. The “he seems nice on the surface, but there is something else going on underneath” Jim Bakker. The “evil/power hungry” Jerry Falwell and the “never approving” Mother.
All of these, on the surface, are the makings of a good film, unfortunately Showalter and the 3 writers never mine the depths of these characters showing other sides and/or connecting the characters to each other.
Which is a shame for the performances of all the main characters are terrific and would have been much more so had they had better material to work with. Chastain, rightfully, has been Oscar nominated for her turn. She won’t win, but she is deserving of the nomination and would have been a quite serious contender had she had better material.
Which, ultimately, makes this film fall flat. The ingredients were there, they just weren’t put together well enough to make a satisfying experience.
Letter Grade: B- (for the performances)
6 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank (ofMarquis)
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Mama (2013) in Movies
Apr 15, 2018
I thought I'd heard a lot of good things about this film, but watching it recently, I must have been horribly mistaken.
This is a poor excuse for a horror film. The plot is ridiculously weak and silly and it's this way right from the very opening scene. I do think Jessica Chastain is a good actress, but not in this. She isn't given a massive amount to work with and does badly with what she does have. The CGI is very poor for the most part and is often laughably bad, and the scares are just predictable. What really killed this film for me though is Mama herself. She isn't in the slightest bit scary or creepy, and instead looks that odd and weird that she's actually quite funny. She just looks terrible, and it kinda kills a horror film when the main terror is laughable.
This is a poor excuse for a horror film. The plot is ridiculously weak and silly and it's this way right from the very opening scene. I do think Jessica Chastain is a good actress, but not in this. She isn't given a massive amount to work with and does badly with what she does have. The CGI is very poor for the most part and is often laughably bad, and the scares are just predictable. What really killed this film for me though is Mama herself. She isn't in the slightest bit scary or creepy, and instead looks that odd and weird that she's actually quite funny. She just looks terrible, and it kinda kills a horror film when the main terror is laughable.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Ava (2020) in Movies
Apr 28, 2022
With the exception of a couple of half decent action scenes, Ava doesn't have much going for it. It's feels generic, it feels phoned in, and above all, it's just quite boring.
It has an engaging enough set up, but somewhere around the half hour mark, it just kind of trails off into limbo, as a pretty stacked cast are subjected to a lackluster script. Seriously, Jessica Chastain is doing the best she can with what she's been given, but considering Ava also stars the likes of John Malkovich, Geena Davis, Colin Farrell, Joan Chen, Ioan Gruffudd - all heavy hitters who don't make much impact. The whole experience is just uninspired.
It's not a complete train wreck, but since John Wick exploded into cinemas, these kind of films have been a dime a dozen, and Ava doesn't do nearly enough to rise above its peers.
It has an engaging enough set up, but somewhere around the half hour mark, it just kind of trails off into limbo, as a pretty stacked cast are subjected to a lackluster script. Seriously, Jessica Chastain is doing the best she can with what she's been given, but considering Ava also stars the likes of John Malkovich, Geena Davis, Colin Farrell, Joan Chen, Ioan Gruffudd - all heavy hitters who don't make much impact. The whole experience is just uninspired.
It's not a complete train wreck, but since John Wick exploded into cinemas, these kind of films have been a dime a dozen, and Ava doesn't do nearly enough to rise above its peers.
Erika (17788 KP) rated X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019) in Movies
Jun 8, 2019 (Updated Jun 8, 2019)
Better than Last Stand
Last Stand didn't exactly set a high bar for the Dark Phoenix story line, and luckily, this film surpassed it. To be honest, the only reason they got my butt in a seat was for Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy.
The story goes the way you expect it to go. I'm not completely convinced Sophie Turner is a good actress. I'm also glad that they killed Raven (not a spoiler, it's common knowledge), though it wasn't quick enough in my opinion.
I'm unsure as to why Jessica Chastain was cast (or why she's ever cast in ANYTHING); her 'villain' was completely useless. The movie didn't even need that subplot, they would have had a better movie without it and her. Pro-tip: don't introduce new characters in the last film of a saga because no one will care enough about them. Seriously, I felt like my time was wasted having to watch her.
I will say, this film FINALLY gave us good scenes with the X-Men kicking some ass, all using their unique powers. They really gave Nicholas Hoult something to do, and he was great!
Finally, the reason I was there, McFassy. This was one of McAvoy's best Professor X performances, he wasn't black or white, he was more gray and it really worked. They didn't give Magneto much to do, but I loved that they introduced Genosha. This will be below the 'see more' line, so, the best flexing his power scene was when he lifted the subway through the concrete, it was almost on par with the submarine being lifted out of the sea in First Class, and pulling up the Auschwitz gate in Apocalypse.
The last scene shows the entire new saga go first circle. Of course, it's very Dark Knight Rises, but it was perfect. I'm only rating it a 6 because of that.
The story goes the way you expect it to go. I'm not completely convinced Sophie Turner is a good actress. I'm also glad that they killed Raven (not a spoiler, it's common knowledge), though it wasn't quick enough in my opinion.
I'm unsure as to why Jessica Chastain was cast (or why she's ever cast in ANYTHING); her 'villain' was completely useless. The movie didn't even need that subplot, they would have had a better movie without it and her. Pro-tip: don't introduce new characters in the last film of a saga because no one will care enough about them. Seriously, I felt like my time was wasted having to watch her.
I will say, this film FINALLY gave us good scenes with the X-Men kicking some ass, all using their unique powers. They really gave Nicholas Hoult something to do, and he was great!
Finally, the reason I was there, McFassy. This was one of McAvoy's best Professor X performances, he wasn't black or white, he was more gray and it really worked. They didn't give Magneto much to do, but I loved that they introduced Genosha. This will be below the 'see more' line, so, the best flexing his power scene was when he lifted the subway through the concrete, it was almost on par with the submarine being lifted out of the sea in First Class, and pulling up the Auschwitz gate in Apocalypse.
The last scene shows the entire new saga go first circle. Of course, it's very Dark Knight Rises, but it was perfect. I'm only rating it a 6 because of that.
Lee (2222 KP) Jan 8, 2018