Director: Rian Johnson Writer: Rian Johnson Released: November 2019 Starring: Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, Lakeith Stanfield, Katherine Langford, Jaeden Martell, Christopher Plummer
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I love whodunnits!
My friend and I have read multiple Agatha Christie novels, and while we always try to figure out the culprit before the end, we never seem to be able to get into Agatha Christie’s head.
After hearing that Knives Out was a sort of Agatha Christie mystery, I decided that I had to watch it.
While it has all the tropes of a murder-mystery, it is in fact far from being a classic or typical murder-mystery.
As a result, I found it a tiny bit disappointing. Because Agatha Christie novels are perfect in every way, and Knives Out seems to try to one up her… Which is impossible to do without the story becoming over complicated or outlandish.
The thing is, the entire plot is given away too early – or at least that’s what I thought. As though we were told too much too soon. Of course, it all makes sense when the final twist at the end knocks you off your feet. But still, I was looking forward to be taken along for the Agatha Christie ride.
Nevertheless! The enormous amount of twists and turns are sure to keep you hooked, so long as your suspension of disbelief remains.
I loved the cast and characters – Toni Collette has always been a favourite of mine, and Daniel Craig did a surprisingly good job of being an investigator from the deep south! The mansion itself seems to be a character on its own too – the aesthetic is spectacular.
Overall, it’s a good popcorn movie that you don’t have to think about too much. Every scene has been carefully choreographed, with a huge attention to detail.
Director: Zack Snyder Writers: Christopher Nolan and David Goyer. Based on Jerry Siegal and Joe Shuster’s Superman Released: June 2013 Starring: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Antje Traue, Ayelet Zurer, Christopher Meloni and Russell Crowe
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I went to the Man of Steel premiere that I was eagerly awaiting. We dressed up as a character (me as Lois Lane) and joined a large audience of Clark Kents, with only two Supermans and one Lex Luthor.
The trailer showed extensive fight scenes, which I was concerned would dominate the entire movie. I also wasn’t sure how original this film could possibly get since there have been countless remakes.
I was correct in expecting a much more serious tone, which seems fitting with the recent flood of darker superhero movies on the market like Spiderman, Batman (The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises) and Iron Manmovies. These superhero films seem to focus on the hero’s flaws and humanity.
Although, I do enjoy the scene when Clark Kent has his first day at the Daily Planet, and Lois says:
“Welcome to the planet”
Henry Cavill is the best Superman yet. This guy has the moves down! The furrowed brow, the all-American look and expressing the inner turmoil, yet still retaining the famous righteous attitude of the hero. However, this version of Superman did not have the hair curl on his forehead… That was mildly disappointing.
Cavill is super buff in this movie, unlike many former representations. The suit has changed into a darker blue, which looks like skin-tight armour rather than a cotton onesie. Yes, Clark has since figured out that underwear on the outside is an unpopular fashion statement.
When the full extent of his powers were realised, he was not immediately able to fly. Instead, he makes mistakes, jumping miles into the air and crashing down, which seemed more realistic.
The soundtrack is incredibly powerful and epic. It supports the movie perfectly! (By Hans Zimmer).
The storyline was surprising. With no Lex Luthor or Kryptonite. Instead, there was a more extensive back story about Krypton, what happened and why Superman is the way he is, which is not a major element in most other Superman versions.
Superman’s flashbacks were well done, and the filming had an am-cam look to it with quick zooms and re-focusing on the hero when he takes off from the ground suddenly or flies over head. Sort of puts you in the environment, as though you’re a part of the crowd on the ground.
The biggest disappointment was this; Amy Adams. She doesn’t look like a convincing Lois. Perhaps I’m used to Lois with dark hair. In conjunction with this, the fundamental character of Lois was totally uninspired. She was weak, awkward and generally stupid. I was expecting the female lead to be updated, to become a strong side-kick like Pepper Potts (Iron Man) or the strong female lead of Cat Woman (The Dark Knight Rises).
Instead, Lois Lane has not moved much further from the sixties where she is domineered by the male characters, with unconvincing actions and cringe-worthy dialogue. She appears to be an incompetent reporter, despite the attempt of remedying this perception by Lane casually mentioning all of the awards she has won as a journalist.
Shut-up, Lois.
I think I would have enjoyed the film more if there was more in-depth detail of the hero’s emotions, and development of the villain who didn’t seem complex enough to become totally believable. The extensive fight scenes (like in Star Trek Into Darkness) became an uphill struggle toward the end. Seriously, about half an hour of the film could have been easily cut. It did become exhausting to stay focussed through these scenes, but I didn’t hear any complaints from the boys I went to see the movie with.
Overall, a solid movie. Although a little long, with little character development, it was entertaining and a welcome update for all Superman fans.
NZ Film Freak 