Search
Search results
Erika (17788 KP) rated 12 Strong (2018) in Movies
Jan 28, 2018
For one, I'm glad this was realistic. It's was pretty good storytelling and it was quickly paced. I <3 Michael Pena in everything. Michael Shannon did a great job too, and I like watching Chris Hemsworth in general. It wasn't Black Hawk Down good, but it was good enough to warrant another viewing.
Erika (17788 KP) rated The Shape of Water (2017) in Movies
Dec 21, 2017 (Updated Dec 21, 2017)
I wanted to love this movie, like everyone else, but... I didn't. Compared to Pan's Labyrinth, Cronos, and even Crimson Peak? No. It was really hyped up. The only character I was really interested in was Michael Shannon, his performance was amazing. The visuals were stunning, as always in a Del Toro movie, but yeah. It was good, just not 13 Golden Globes good.
Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated Nocturnal Animals (2016) in Movies
Jul 26, 2017
Jake Gyllenhaal (2 more)
Michael Shannon
Aaron Johnson
Overrated (1 more)
Amy Adams
The Disturbing Side of The Mind's Eye
When this movie was released, critics were falling over themselves to praise it and while I did enjoy certain aspects of the movie, as a whole I feel that it is quite overrated. The movie is split into two sections, the real world and the fictional world that takes place within the book that Gyllenhaal's character is writing. The story that takes place within the book is gripping and exciting, but the artsy real world setting annoyed me everytime that they cut back to it, I also found Amy Adams to be quite wooden in this performance. The stand out in the movie is definitely Michael Shannon and he steals every single scene that he is in.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Jonah Hex (2010) in Movies
Feb 28, 2021
A recent re-watch of Jonah Hex went something like this:
- a lot of stuff happened before that title card that it's already incoherent
- wait, Michael Fassbender is in this?
- I can't see what's happening
- ah sweet, it's the dude from Mastodon.
- wait, Will Arnett is in this?
- Megan Fox really drew the short straw on a lot of her movie projects
- is that Michael Shannon!?
- ah sweet, it's the dude from John Wick.
- wait, Jeffrey Dean Morgan is in this!?
- once again, couldn't see what the fuck was happening because of the piss poor lighting, but Jonah Hex is nearly dead again, apparently.
- Ah cool, here's a mid-runtime action heavy sequence, still can't tell what's happening.
- wait....nope, it's over.
Christ, this movie is a blurry mess that's impressively hard to follow considering its short runtime. I love the Jonah Hex comics, I tend to enjoy Josh Brolin and John Malkovich, how is this such a trainwreck?
That Mastodon soundtrack is badass though.
- a lot of stuff happened before that title card that it's already incoherent
- wait, Michael Fassbender is in this?
- I can't see what's happening
- ah sweet, it's the dude from Mastodon.
- wait, Will Arnett is in this?
- Megan Fox really drew the short straw on a lot of her movie projects
- is that Michael Shannon!?
- ah sweet, it's the dude from John Wick.
- wait, Jeffrey Dean Morgan is in this!?
- once again, couldn't see what the fuck was happening because of the piss poor lighting, but Jonah Hex is nearly dead again, apparently.
- Ah cool, here's a mid-runtime action heavy sequence, still can't tell what's happening.
- wait....nope, it's over.
Christ, this movie is a blurry mess that's impressively hard to follow considering its short runtime. I love the Jonah Hex comics, I tend to enjoy Josh Brolin and John Malkovich, how is this such a trainwreck?
That Mastodon soundtrack is badass though.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Shape of Water (2017) in Movies
Mar 12, 2018 (Updated Mar 12, 2018)
Fish porn :D - not Del Toro's finest
I'm possibly in the minority when I say I didn't particularly enjoy this film though I really appreciated the themes explored such as prejudice, otherness, and boundless love. Not to mention, highlighting disability, racism and homophobia.
However, as a big fan of @Pan's Labyrinth (2006), @The Devil's Backbone (2001) and @Cronos (1994) - this felt like it had a bit of Hollywood stardust and Guillermo Del Toro seemed to dumb down his usual style i.e. turning to good versus bad.
Although Michael Shannon acted well, he was a bit of caricature of a villain. But I did like the flipside of the Soviet scientist being the hero. And at the end of it, it did appear like a non-comedic, Rated-R version of @Splash (1984). Not my cup of tea.
However, as a big fan of @Pan's Labyrinth (2006), @The Devil's Backbone (2001) and @Cronos (1994) - this felt like it had a bit of Hollywood stardust and Guillermo Del Toro seemed to dumb down his usual style i.e. turning to good versus bad.
Although Michael Shannon acted well, he was a bit of caricature of a villain. But I did like the flipside of the Soviet scientist being the hero. And at the end of it, it did appear like a non-comedic, Rated-R version of @Splash (1984). Not my cup of tea.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Fahrenheit 451 (2018) in Movies
Aug 15, 2018
Too much of a slow burner...
It’s been a long time since I read (and hugely enjoyed) the book, however I’m afraid the same can’t be said for this. Although I don’t remember too much about the book, I’m sure I recall it being a fairly dark and gritty dystopian future quite like the one in 1984, but this depiction makes it out to be a little too slick and advanced, and not quite dark enough. I appreciate that the book was written some years ago, but I feel like this version has taken in too much of our idea of future technology instead of sticking closer to the source material. I’m known for not liking films that don’t stick close enough to the books, so maybe that’s affecting my judgement.
Michael B Jordan does okay although I feel he’s a little young for how I imagined Montag to be. Michael Shannon is good as the Captain but i think his character motivations are very well defined and they come across as a bit confused. The plot itself is well explained but the problem is it’s quite slow paced and seems to come across as dull and drags at times. Yet Montag’s motivations seem to too quickly change from devoted Fireman to deviant.
Whilst I don’t think this is a terrible adaptation, it’s not one I’d recommend unless you’ve read the book. The only thing this has done is prompted me to read the book again!
Michael B Jordan does okay although I feel he’s a little young for how I imagined Montag to be. Michael Shannon is good as the Captain but i think his character motivations are very well defined and they come across as a bit confused. The plot itself is well explained but the problem is it’s quite slow paced and seems to come across as dull and drags at times. Yet Montag’s motivations seem to too quickly change from devoted Fireman to deviant.
Whilst I don’t think this is a terrible adaptation, it’s not one I’d recommend unless you’ve read the book. The only thing this has done is prompted me to read the book again!
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated The Shape of Water (2017) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
At a top secret research facility in the 1950s, a lonely janitor forms a unique relationship with an amphibious creature that is being held in captivity.
A wonderful way to end the month. This was bizarre, and amazing, just as you would expect. Another one this month that I agree deserves all the award nominations it received.
Considering two of the main characters are essentially mute there was nothing left unsaid. The chemistry of everyone on screen made for amazing viewing.
Seeing Michael Shannon in this after his rendition in 12 Strong only days before was a little confusing, and throw in Zod and you've got a very odd mix going around your head. But wow, did I love to hate him! And I was pleased to see a lot of "couldn't happen to a nicer guy" moments. But seriously... was I the only one who wanted to throw up when... no spoilers, watch it and see... 😰
I can't really place something in this film that I didn't like. It was funny, and heartfelt, and heartbreaking... with a smidge of musical thrown in... you'll be tapping your toes along in no time.
A wonderful way to end the month. This was bizarre, and amazing, just as you would expect. Another one this month that I agree deserves all the award nominations it received.
Considering two of the main characters are essentially mute there was nothing left unsaid. The chemistry of everyone on screen made for amazing viewing.
Seeing Michael Shannon in this after his rendition in 12 Strong only days before was a little confusing, and throw in Zod and you've got a very odd mix going around your head. But wow, did I love to hate him! And I was pleased to see a lot of "couldn't happen to a nicer guy" moments. But seriously... was I the only one who wanted to throw up when... no spoilers, watch it and see... 😰
I can't really place something in this film that I didn't like. It was funny, and heartfelt, and heartbreaking... with a smidge of musical thrown in... you'll be tapping your toes along in no time.
Blazing Minds (92 KP) rated Knives Out (2019) in Movies
Nov 1, 2021 (Updated Nov 3, 2021)
I have to say that with its brilliant cast including Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, Ana de Armas and of course Christopher Plummer, Knives Out, for me is one of the best Whodunit movies that I have seen for a long time on the big screen, I’ve seen many theatre productions in this genre and the last movie that I saw like this that had me as excited as Knives Out was Clue with Tim Curry.
This is a movie that has everything you could want from the genre, the mystery, the shifty money-grabbing family, the backstabbing and of course the intrigue of who committed the crime in the first place, yes there are those moments when you do start putting one and one together yourself, but with the subtle twists and turns in Knives Out it still keeps you guessing.
This is a movie that has everything you could want from the genre, the mystery, the shifty money-grabbing family, the backstabbing and of course the intrigue of who committed the crime in the first place, yes there are those moments when you do start putting one and one together yourself, but with the subtle twists and turns in Knives Out it still keeps you guessing.
Lee (2222 KP) rated The Shape of Water (2017) in Movies
Feb 8, 2018
Sally Hawkins (1 more)
Michael Shannon
Beautiful and Enchanting
The Shape of Water really is one of those movies where I feel the trailer doesn't really do it justice. From seeing the trailer, I wasn't really sure how much I was going to enjoy the movie. Like I'm sure many others will be, I was persuaded that I might be wrong by the 13 Oscar nominations it recently received. I shouldn't have had any doubts to be honest. Pan's Labyrinth, also directed by Guillermo del Toro, is one of my favourite movies and The Shape of Water shares many similarities with that. A beautiful and enchanting mix of fairy tale, love story and monster movie.
Sally Hawkins plays Elisa Esposito, a mute woman who works nights as a janitor for Occam Aerospace Research Center along with friend Zelda Fuller (Octavia Spencer). At home she lives a simple life, watching musicals with her gay neighbour Giles (Richard Jenkins) and finding joy in the simple things in life. One day a strange creature is brought into the research center to be studied, surrounded by military and medical personnel. Colonel Richard Strickland has accompanied 'the asset' from it's previous location, and appears to have developed a serious dislike to it. He carries an electrified cattle prod, which he takes great delight in using on the creature. In return though, the creature does manage to remove two of Stricklands fingers, and also inflicts serious injuries on others.
But Elisa takes pity on the creature and over time tries to befriend it, bringing him hard-boiled eggs and teaching him sign language. When she learns that plans for the creature involve vivisection, she hatches a plan to help him escape, and from that point their feelings for each other develop into love. A true Beauty and the Beast style fairy tale.
I found myself absolutely captivated, swept along by the story, and everything about it is just beautiful. Sally Hawkins is incredible, portraying such varied emotions without speaking, she provides much of the films humour, and shines in the more serious scenes too. Doug Jones does what he does best as the creature, but the real monster of the movie is Michael Shannon as Colonel Strickland. Terrifyingly brilliant.
For me, I'm not sure if this beats Pan's Labyrinth, but The Shape of Water is certainly worthy of all the praise, and hopefully the awards, it receives.
Sally Hawkins plays Elisa Esposito, a mute woman who works nights as a janitor for Occam Aerospace Research Center along with friend Zelda Fuller (Octavia Spencer). At home she lives a simple life, watching musicals with her gay neighbour Giles (Richard Jenkins) and finding joy in the simple things in life. One day a strange creature is brought into the research center to be studied, surrounded by military and medical personnel. Colonel Richard Strickland has accompanied 'the asset' from it's previous location, and appears to have developed a serious dislike to it. He carries an electrified cattle prod, which he takes great delight in using on the creature. In return though, the creature does manage to remove two of Stricklands fingers, and also inflicts serious injuries on others.
But Elisa takes pity on the creature and over time tries to befriend it, bringing him hard-boiled eggs and teaching him sign language. When she learns that plans for the creature involve vivisection, she hatches a plan to help him escape, and from that point their feelings for each other develop into love. A true Beauty and the Beast style fairy tale.
I found myself absolutely captivated, swept along by the story, and everything about it is just beautiful. Sally Hawkins is incredible, portraying such varied emotions without speaking, she provides much of the films humour, and shines in the more serious scenes too. Doug Jones does what he does best as the creature, but the real monster of the movie is Michael Shannon as Colonel Strickland. Terrifyingly brilliant.
For me, I'm not sure if this beats Pan's Labyrinth, but The Shape of Water is certainly worthy of all the praise, and hopefully the awards, it receives.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated The Shape of Water (2017) in Movies
Dec 28, 2017
Visual splendor (1 more)
Great acting
Contains spoilers, click to show
When you see a Guillermo del Toro film, you usually know you will be met with striking visuals, intense characters and ride an adventure you have never been on before. Such is the case with The Shape of Water.
The mute heroine protagonist is played with such brilliance by Sally Hawkins, she is sure to win an Academy Award for this film. The love story between her and her unusual companion is clever, unique and so engaging you cannot look away for even a moment.
Michael Shannon is also diabolical as the military officer determined to have his own way with the fate of the reptilian creature.
I wouldn't have minded some more backstory on the creature. It was said he was found in South America and was worshiped like a god, but that's all that was said. Some may argue the film lacks a significant point; however, I disagree.
Sometimes the journey is good enough and the emotional payoff after the climactic events was more than sufficient for me.
The mute heroine protagonist is played with such brilliance by Sally Hawkins, she is sure to win an Academy Award for this film. The love story between her and her unusual companion is clever, unique and so engaging you cannot look away for even a moment.
Michael Shannon is also diabolical as the military officer determined to have his own way with the fate of the reptilian creature.
I wouldn't have minded some more backstory on the creature. It was said he was found in South America and was worshiped like a god, but that's all that was said. Some may argue the film lacks a significant point; however, I disagree.
Sometimes the journey is good enough and the emotional payoff after the climactic events was more than sufficient for me.