Hello all,
I know I’m late with the Bridge of Spies review, but I was out later than expected and had to be up even earlier and for that I’m sorry. The reason I was out so late was because I wanted to do a double review of it and Goosebumps as well and so I made a decision and decided to see both only to find out after I had to be up early. After that, I saw an opportunity to also catch Crimson Peak as well, and so to make up for being late, I’ve decided to go all out and do my very first triple review. Now if you want to read one particular review and not the others, I’ll make sure to highlight the beginnings of each one to make them easier to find, because needless to say, this will be a much longer review than usual. That being said, let’s begin.
GOOSEBUMPS REVIEW
Plot Summary - Zach Cooper (Dylan Minnette) has just moved to a small town, and almost immediately meets his neighbour Hannah (Odeya Rush) and her closed off and angry father (Jack Black.) When Zach one night hears Hannah and thinks she might be in trouble, he breaks into her house with his friend Champ (Ryan Lee) and makes a discovery: Hannah’s father is R.L. Stine, and the original copies of his goosebumps book, when opened, bring the monsters in the stories to life. When the books get opened and the monsters get released, it’s up to them to save the town and stop the monsters.
Pros - Okay, i’ll admit, my plot summary might not give the movie much justice, but trust me, this is probably the best execution of such a meta idea in the past while that I actually hold it up as one of the better examples. The look of the film is really cool too, as it manages to pull off the mysterious small town ouvre at first and then as it gets more intense it captures the dread of the situation quite nicely for a film like this. The cast is also really solid, Jack Black particularly as the oddball Stine. The film has also quite a nice charm about it, and for the most part the humour works, but even when it doesn’t it can still make for a bit of a laugh in the strangeness of it.
Cons - The film plays out more like an adventure film than a horror film, and while I didn’t mind that so much anyone expecting a horror film is bound to be disappointed. The end is also a touch on the happily ever after type ending, and while it was a nice one, there was one particular moment in the film that I hoped would have been seen through till the end.
Final Score - 9/10
I was going to give it an 8, but the film defied my expectations so much I gave it a 9 for effort. Again, the ending was a bit much for me, but overall I’d honestly recommend for anyone young or older.
Bridge of Spies Review
Plot Summary - Based on the true story of James B. Donovan (Tom Hanks), the film tells the story of him defending accused Soviet Spy Rudolf Abel in court, and how he later organized a trade of Abel for two american prisoners.
Pros - Honestly, the easiest way to say this is that I liked pretty much everything about this film. Even some of the things that people think usually would ruin movies, when they do it in this one they manage to do it well, particularly introducing new characters later and later into the film.
Cons - Now, as with any american historical film, there’s always bound to be minor blemishes on the story for the sake of the storytelling and dramatic tension and such, so before watching films like that I always like to keep in mind that the version of the story I’m watching is still just that, a movie. I encourage anyone who has more interest in this story after seeing it to do there own research into it to find out the whole story.
Final Score - 10/10
I find myself really liking this movie regardless of any historical edits. At the end of the day, it’s just a movie, and one I particularly enjoyed.
Crimson Peak Review
Plot Summary - In the late 19th century, Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska) is a believer in ghosts and an aspiring writer. She falls in love with and eventually marries Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) and after the death of her father, moves into his old dilapidated house where he lives with his sister Lady Lucille Sharpe (Jessica Chastain.) Things are not all that they appear to be, as ghostly apparitions appear to Edith, and she begins to unravel the mystery of the house and it’s occupants.
Pros - The film is gorgeous. The cinematography in this is fantastic, and manages to keep you in suspense throughout most of the film, and manages to maintain it’s on point atmosphere. The acting is really on point here, my favorite being Chastain as the creepy and mysterious sister who's clearly hiding something. The story of the film for the most part is interesting and keeps you guessing and invested in the outcome.
Cons - The third act of the film is, admittedly, a bit of a let down. I won’t spoil it here, but while it wasn’t bad, it sort of makes you change your way of thinking about what’s going on in the film with mixed results. The film also never really rises above being creepy, as it never really has any moments where you’d find yourself sitting there completely drenched in fear like more intense horror films.
Final Score - 7/10
I would’ve given it an 8, but the ending is a bit rough and hampers the rest of the well done film quite a bit.
Holy crap that took me a long time to write, and with that I also find myself not immediately knowing what I’ll be seeing next, so I might do something else in the meantime. Also, seriously debating doing something drastic for review number 100, I have some ideas bouncing around so you’ll have to wait and find out.
Until then, I’ll see you folks at the movies.
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