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Gareth Evans doesn't so much as dip his toe into horror than actually leap head first into it's depths for his fourth film.
Thomas Richardson's (Dan Stevens) sister has been kidnapped and is being held for ranson by a sinister cult on a remote island led by Michael Sheen's Prophet Malcolm. Richardson must journey to the island undercover and rescue his sister.
Apostle is a very different propostion to his Raid films and is a dark brooding beast of a film. Evans is very much assisted by cinematogapher Matt Flannery and also the menacing score by Aria Prayogi & Fajar Yuskemal.
Evans builds suspense from the get go with his collaborator and there is more than a flavour of The Wicker Man on display here and I detected somewhat of a slither of Enter The Dragon in a few scenes.
The director no stranger to gore, plunges the viewer into some blood soaked mayhem. Though the story takes an unexpected turn that you may or may not be willing to follow.
It's not going to be to everyone's taste and the first hours leisurely but never boring first half might force some to give up, although Evans rewards with a thrilling final hour that builds to a violent and bloody crescendo.
There is some great support from Michael Sheen and Mark Lewis Jones is terrifying. Although it is the films star Stevens that really sells this. Stevens has shown that leaving Downton Abbey early was indeed a wise move, he has been building up quite a varied CV, is charimatic turn in The Guest being his most notable alongside a live action Disney smash.
His wild eyes and tightly wound persona here keeps you transfixed and he commands the screen. I don't really see a better actor out there at the moment to take on the mantle of a certain secret agent when it's current incumbent hangs up the tuxedo.
With Evans declaring recently that he is done with the Raid and the once proposed 3rd film has now been abandoned, who knows where he'll go next. Apostle isn't going to set off the same reverberations as The Raid, although it showcases a hugely talented film maker who it would be a shame to lose to the hollywood machine. Having him directing comic book films or franchise fodder would be a real waste.
He has a unique vision that deserves to be mined and not diluted, long may he be able to exercise that.
4/5
Did you like it?
A humorous Estonian film about a tricky relationship between an adult son (a music critic) and his somewhat offbeat and bohemian father (a musician). Enjoyable, great actors.
Leave No Trace (2018)
Debra Granik's drama about a father with PTSD (Ben Foster) living in a forest with his daughter. Good.
The Green Fog (2017)
A movie made by using clips from a lot of other movies. It was... strange.
Museo (Museum) (2018)
A Mexican movie about two guys who steal invaluable objects they then are unable to sell. Gael García Bernal stars, also has Simon Russell Beale in a supporting a role. Pretty good.
Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool (2017)
A based on a true story movie, directed by Paul McGuigan, co-produced by Barbara Broccoli. Annette Bening and Jamie Bell are both really good here.
Puzzle (2018)
A lovely movie about fitting pieces into right places. Kelly Macdonald as the lead, Irrfan Khan and David Denman supporting are all excellent. Really liked this.
Sink or Swim (Le grand bain) (2018)
A French movie about a group of middle aged men with various issues and problems who take up synchronized swimming. Their young female coaches also have problems. A warm movie with humour, I liked it. Features Mathieu Amalric, Guillaume Ganet, etc.
First Reformed (2017)
This is a heavy movie to watch, with a strange ending. Ethan Hawke as the lead does a great role.
Diamantino (2018)
A quite surreal Portuguese movie about a not very bright sports star and, and those attempting to take advantage of him.
Arctic
Mads Mikkelsen (very good as usual) as a man trying to survive after a plane crash in the Arctic - a realistic, not an action movie take on it. Intense, held my attention.
The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales (Le grand méchant renard et autres contes...) (2017)
An adorable, funny, entertaining French animated film. Absolutely loved this.
Tigers Are Not Afraid (Vuelven) (2017)
A Mexican movie about children who've lost their parents due to the drug war - not as depressing to watch as that probably sounds. Combines fantasy and horror elements to more realistic depiction. with sprinklings of humor thrown in, too. I liked it a lot.
Ága (2018)
This really should be seen in theatre, and I'm glad I did. About an elderly inuit couple, living in an isolated place in a traditional way while the world is fast changing.
I'm a pretty big fan of HOUSE OF DRACULA. Depending on my mood I sometimes prefer it to HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN, simply for it's more compact and streamlined structure. I love the sets, lighting and music. Great performances by all involved. Funny thing here, Lon sports his suave mustache. This must have been shot while he was doing the Inner Sanctum series.
I always liked John Carradine's Dracula. I actually enjoy his Count in BILLY THE KID VS DRACULA more in some ways than in this film. Good shout out to Lon Chaney, though. Completely underrated in SON OF DRACULA, I thought.
I wasn't blown away and maybe the it was more the technical level and performances that impressed the most. I agree it wasn't wholly original.
I did enjoy the slow building menace of it and boy did it look gorgeous, the cinematogaphy and production design made the most of it's budget.
I can't say I noticed personally where it was going that soon but Stevens is just magnetic and like I say he blows all the competition away for the next Bond in my view.
He's got that steely look in his eye, a great voice, the right build and looks to pull it off.
He has the charisma as well, he's shaping into a real great actor in my view.
Granted if you want another Brosnan like in the shape of Cavill then so be it, I don't and I think Stevens could offer a rounded portrayal that doesn't just have to be like Craig he could pull off dead pan humor and also I'm sure he wouldn't disappoint the ladies.
As long as he doesn't suddenly go stratospheric between now and when they need the next Bond I can't see a better candidate out there.
Although on the evidence here and other roles I wouldn't be surprised if someone snaps him up for a role that could do just that before the position is vacant.
Really good first half but, ironically, the script writer could not answer their one question. A movie with no ending...........
First viewing for me of this epic entry in the Marvel superhero ensemble saga since its theatre release, and in glorious 4K to boot. The film is better than I remembered it. The Russo brothers really do a wonderful job of bringing it together, and all the actors and characters are on point and memorable. There is a sense of dark foreboding which permeates the film, beginning with the first scene of carnage on the Asgardian spaceship and carrying through as the Titanic Thanos fulfills his ambition to rebalance the universe using the Infinity Stones. Every crisp detail is beautifully displayed in this enhanced viewing format, and Alan Silvestri's score matches the on screen proceedings perfectly. If there's one minor criticism I have, it's that The Black Order don't get enough screen time, and the Wakandan jungle finale isn't quite to my liking (I would have preferred something in the city, similar to the post-credits scene with Fury and Hill). I'm nitpicking though. Overall this is a top notch film worthy of its 2018 box office crown.
I loved those guys as a kid, but that is what it is-for kids. The title is misleading. Their names in the movie are Wilbur and Chic and they don t meet Frankenstein, but the monster. Typical misconception.
By the way, is Patton Oswalt related to Abbott?
I was surprised at out how much I enjoyed it. Shocked and confused to see Darth Maul though.
He should have been more in it, it might have saved it.
Loved it, not as much as some of the other Marvels ,not one I would buy,but very enjoyable.
I think it needed a better score n theme to it x the end theme score was awful.
I had been looking forward to revisiting this Dan Brown adaptation for some time, but held back until I could get a copy of the film in 4K format. The original blu ray, released around the time the format took off, isn't the best, with excessive grain. This version is far superior, but is still not quite up to the best this format can deliver. There are a lot of stylish night time scenes here, which benefit from the minor upgrade. While I much prefer the pace and action in sequel Angels and Demons, Ron Howard directs his first Brown outing with confidence, deftly weaving in required flashback exposition with polished contemporary scenes. It's a movie which makes one think, and Avika Goldman's screenplay provides sufficient room for it to breathe. The film drips with atmosphere and is ably supported by an absolutely first class emotionally uplifting Hans Zimmer score (Chevaliers de Sangreal is a masterpiece, and doubly so when playing opposite scenes of Paris at night). The entire cast is on point and carries the entry above the mundane; Tom Hanks as always brings an everyman weariness to his excellent portrayal of Professor Robert Langdon, the famous symbologist. Audrey Tautou is also superb as Police Nationale cryptologist Sophie Neveu, who is more than she seems. Other noted scene chewing supporting thespians include Ian McKellen, Alfred Molina, Jürgen Prochnow, Jean Reno & Paul Bettany, and all are in top form. The Brown adaptations capture a lot of elements that I enjoy in Bond films (intelligent hero, beautiful smart co-star, exotic Euro trash villains, dark forces, subterfuge, ambiance, stylish locations, wonderful cinematography and score etc. etc.).
I love THE DA VINCI CODE, even though (or maybe because) I have never read a Dan Brown novel and even though I am typically not into farfetched conspiracy theory plots. Yet the film grabbed me almost immediately. I agree with all the great elements you listed.
What I find astonishing, however, is that this film also attracted a lot of damning reviews and, in fact, was banned and boycotted in some parts of the world. Certain Catholic groups responded by posting lists of errors and such online; others protested against the film. This is particularly funny since the Catholics produce their own films which try to sell us some biblical hocus-pocus like it's the real thing. So the liars are calling someone else a liar. Wow. Look, I don't care which parts of the film are "true" and which are completely fictional. A convincing script is a convincing script and never mind if it's true or not. The sequel's main plot device is scientific nonsense too, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the film or feel an urge to boycott it. So each time I watch and enjoy THE DA VINCI CODE, the added bonus of annoying some Catholic bishop in America puts a smile on my face.
Besides, I think that when you actually do some thinking, something Catholics bishops rarely seem to do, THE DA VINCI CODE rather promotes faith in my opinion, albeit in a liberal form of sorts and not tied to the dogmas of the Church. I must admit that my initial response when walking out of the theatre was one of soft appreciation for certain groups within the religious community. And then the responses to the film got published and I was back at square one. ;-)
I also like ANGELS AND DEMONS and INFERNO, but THE DA VINCI CODE will remain my favourite. I guess Sir Ian McKellen is partially responsible for that.
I too was disappointed (but of course not entirely surprised) with the boycotts and backlash which occurred upon the film's release. You're on the money in saying that the film (and successor Angels and Demons) do indeed promote a sort of 'free thinking' faith, as opposed to strict dogma. It's subtly there in how Langdon reacts to the church and to the elements within it which he comes up against. He understands how insignificant we all are in the universe and the awe inducing magnificence of it all. He also feels an obligation to inform people of their inherent cognitive biases and typical irrational misconceptions.
One of my favourite scenes in the series is his opening speech to students, where he points out how we can misread symbols. I also love the scene in Angels and Demons when he is walking down the Vatican corridor, accompanied by Olivetti and Vincenzi of the Vatican Gendarmerie Corps, commenting on Pope Pius's 'great castration':
"Are you anti-Catholic, Professor Langdon?" "No. I'm anti-vandalism."
I think one of the reasons I really enjoy these films so much is that I can relate to Langdon. Hanks makes it easy of course. These are intelligent thrillers which also dish out enough of the red meat to be successful.
I love this film, and the supporting cast (including Sir McKellan) is certainly a large part of that. I really hope they adapt Origins, but given Inferno didn't do as well, it may not happen.
@bondjames That is precisely what I really enjoy about actors like Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington and Liam Neeson. Whether they are in films aiming for Oscars glory (Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, Training Day) or in the thriller/action film genre (Angel & Demons, The Equalizer, Non-Stop), they always deliver top-notch performances.
Well I guess I am caught between the moon and New York it’s crazy but it’s true...
I sat down to watch this 81 Classic with my in laws and my wife it was an ok film I find Moore some times tiresome but I love his genuine moment with the butler over all a weak recommend
Films I have seen in 2018 (I don't think I am splitting up bond and non bond this year as I don't know how many I am actually gonna see)
1. Batman Begins
2. Casino Royale
3. The A-team
4. Mission impossible fallout
5. The final girls
6. Clue
7. A simple favor
8. The Saint
9. Taken 2
10. The Shadow
11. Batman Under The Red Hood
12. Batman Gotham Knight
13. The Meg
14. Big trouble little China
15. Taken
16. Ferris buller's day off
17. Valley girl
18. Nonstop
19. Batman Mask of the Phantasm
20. Unknown
21. Classic Artists presents Yes
22. Stand By Me
23. Before Sunrise
24. A walk among the Tombstones
25. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
26. Arthur
27. Goonies
28. 9012live
29. Before Midnight
30. Revenge of the nerds
31. Grease
32. Before Sunset
Before series
1. Before Sunrise
2. Before Midnight
3. Before Sunset
Stephen King movies
1. Stand By Me
Corey Feldman movies
1. Stand by me
2. Teenage mutant ninja turtles
3. Goonies
Movies from 2018
1. Mission impossible fallout
2. The Meg
Taken Series
1. Taken 2
2. Taken
Liam Neeson (sort of) retrospective series
1. Batman Begins
2. The A-team
3. Taken 2
4. Taken
5. Non Stop
6. Unknown
7. A walk among the tombstones
Batman/Dc films ( as I can guarantee I will see more then just Batman Begins this year)
1. Batman Begins\
2. Batman Under the red hood
3. Batman Gotham Knight
4. Batman Mask of the Phantasm
Films in 2018
1. Mission Impossible Fallout
2. A simple favor
3. The Meg
8/10
Dear me, what is this crap? It was even worse than I feared. I was persuaded by a friend but now want my two hours back.This is one more film I've seen recently (the other one being The Meg) which is making bucketloads of moola for reasons which are unfathomable to me. I suppose there could be some pent up demand for cheap creature scares for some reason (JW2 was a huge hit this year also) but still... On a positive note, Hardy is very watchable in this and further confirms my view that he is a versatile actor. His bemused Eddie Brock is almost likable and one sympathizes (slightly) with his predicament. Michelle Williams is also great as always. However, it's just not good enough I'm afraid. The only salvageable element for me is some humour here and there. Best to avoid.
Better than I expected and a good performance by Renner. He does need better roles like this. Plus stunning scenery.
Caught this a few months ago. Great film
It was okay. Nothing special about it.
I enjoyed a lot how the tension built slowly but not tormentingly slow, and the feeling of danger right from the start. I also liked the acting and cinematography, despite everything being a bit bleak.
I was positively surprised by the ratios of thriller, horror, realistic violence, and over-the-top violence. Everything was there in the right amount for my taste.
Never knew Winston Churchill went on the London Underground and charmed members of the public