Tag: PeterDinklage

Roofman

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

From director Derek Cianfrance comes a heartwarming true crime caper. Jeffrey Manchester (Channing Tatum), an army vet and struggling father, starts robbing McDonald’s to make ends meet. After escaping prison, he ends up living in a Toys R Us while he figures out what he’s going to do next. What he doesn’t expect is meeting and falling for divorced mom Leigh Wainscott (Kirsten Dunst). Suddenly his double life is on the line and it’s only a matter of time until somebody recognizes who he really is.

I had really been looking forward to this film. The fact that it was based on a true story only heightened my interest. I was ultimately expecting a cute romantic comedy mixed with some true crime, so imagine my delight when I got so much more than that.

Tatum’s performance as the titular Roofman is a career best. I had no prior information about Jeffrey Manchester and why he embarked on this life of crime. To discover that it was all to provide for his daughter just made so much sense. He was constantly feeling like he could never measure up and I think Tatum really made that clear in his delivery. Though at times I couldn’t help but feel bad for him, he was able to switch the tone at the drop of a hat by providing some hilarious moments. Dunst was solid as Leigh; I hadn’t seen her in a film in a while and she was just as great as I remembered her to be. The two shared such a charming chemistry with one another. I really loved watching their scenes and rooted for them so much.

The supporting cast were just as good. LaKeith Stanfield starred as Steve, a former army vet and friend of Jeffrey’s. He’s there for Jeffrey after the prison break though I wasn’t ever sure if we could trust him. Peter Dinklage was Mitch, the store manager of the Toys R Us where Jeffrey lived. He was not a particularly kind man, but I thought he perfectly portrayed the douchey boss. Juno Temple played Steve’s girlfriend Michelle. She didn’t have much screen time which was unfortunate because I do like her as an actress. And then there was Uzo Aduba as Eileen and Ben Mendelsohn as Pastor Ron who Jeffrey meets when he joins Leigh’s church. They were a lovable pair who seem very accepting of everybody.

I couldn’t resist the early two thousand vibes that the film boasted. From the Toys R Us store (do they even exist anymore?), to the quick blink and you’ll miss it Blockbuster and the Red Lobster sequence, I felt like I had been transported back in time. Even the way in which it was filmed gave it that retro feel which I loved.

Roofman truly surprised me. It was funny, but it was also quite emotional. It was obvious from the beginning that Jeffrey was in an impossible situation and to see how he coped with that involved many ups and downs. All he wanted was to make his family proud and I feel like even though things didn’t work out the way he wanted them to, they understood why he did what we did. I recommend checking this one out!

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️.5

Wicked: Part One

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The biggest movie of the year has arrived and when I say it’s amazing, I mean it! Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire and the stage musical of the same name, Wicked has been given the big screen adaption by director Jon M. Chu. Born green, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) has faced many hardships growing up. When she’s given the opportunity to study at Shiz University, she meets and befriends the popular Glinda (Ariana Grande). But dark forces are at work in Oz and after a chance meet in with the Wizard, Elphaba and Glinda find themselves at a crossroads.

As a fan of the stage production and of the Wizard of Oz, I was curious to see how this film would pan out. I was initially unsure of the decision to split it into two parts, but now that I’ve seen it, I think it was a great idea. So much happens in both acts, it would have been hard to make any cuts. This gave the audience a chance to really get to know the characters and for them to have proper growth.

Erivo and Grande were the perfect match as our leading ladies. Erivo’s portrayal of Elphaba was exactly as it should have been; powerful yet understated at the same time and full of heart. Her rendition of Defying Gravity, which just so happens to be one of my favorite songs of all time, not only gave me chills, it made me cry too. Grande, on the other hand, absolutely understood the assignment as Glinda. She stole the show. Her comedic timing was brilliant and all her mannerisms were just over the top in the best possible way. They will certainly both get some nominations come awards season.

The rest of the cast are outstanding too. Jeff Goldblum is fabulous as the Wizard and I can’t wait to see more of him in part two. Michelle Yeoh is mysterious as Madame Morrible while Jonathan Bailey is delicious as Prince Fiyero. Shout outs also go to Ethan Slater as Boq, Marissa Bode as Nessarose and Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond.

Oz and its surroundings are a magical place and the world building was out of this world. A kaleidoscope of colors from the poppy fields of Munchinkinland to the shimmering Emerald City, I was ready to pack my bags and walk down the Yellow Brick Road. Throw in the unique costumes and classic soundtrack and I was transported.

Words cannot express how epic Wicked: Part One was. I was worried it wouldn’t live up to my expectations, but it did. I truly believe it’s one of the best stage to screen adaptions ever. Run, don’t walk to your nearest cinema – this isn’t one you want to miss.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

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Sixty four years before Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), there was another victor in town. Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) wasn’t always a tyrannical dictator. Wanting what is best for his family, he sees a chance at improving not only their future but his own when he is chosen as a mentor for the tenth annual Hunger Games. Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) is everything that Coriolanus is not. Somehow he still find himself drawn to her.

The grand return to Panem was one I wasn’t sure how to feel about. I remember being hesitant about this prequel because Snow wasn’t a character I cared for in the first four films. Why would I want to read about him? I did become curious, however, when I heard they were adapting the novel for the screen.

While I cannot speak as to whether or not they stayed close to the source material, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed the film. There was a lot to fit into its two hour and twenty seven minute run time, but I think it flowed moderately well. The first two parts were jam-packed. Unfortunately the momentum was lost in the final act and we were left with a rather abrupt ending.

The casting was pretty spot on here. Blythe was a great choice for our lead. I’d not seen him before and appreciated that he was able to keep things going. Zegler, on the other hand, is an actress that I have grown to love over the years. She is so talented and I love that she was able to show off her incredible singing voice in this role. Other standouts include Viola Davis as the creepy Dr. Gaul, Hunter Schafer as Corio’s devoted sister Tigris and Peter Dinklage as Dean Casca Highbottom.

With brilliant set design and special effects that totally transported me back to the Capital and the Districts, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is definitely one of the stronger entries of the franchise. It had constant high energy that had me gripping my seat, a diverse cast of characters and a touching love story that I couldn’t help rooting for. Of course I wish we’d seen more of Snow’s downfall, but I still had a good time.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

Cyrano

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The story of Cyrano de Bergerac is one that is known by many. Though he has a way with words, Cyrano (Peter Dinklage) struggles with his appearance and worries that it will prevent him from winning over the woman of his dreams, Roxanne (Haley Bennett). Meanwhile, Roxanne has fallen in love with Christian (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) at first sight, and Cyrano jumps at the chance to intervene. He’ll write letters to Roxanne on Christian’s behalf and she’ll never know that it’s him. As his feelings grow, however, so do the complications of this agreement.

Musicals are a big plus for me. Incorporating various numbers throughout was a fresh and interesting take. Having witnessed Haley Bennett’s singing chops in Music and Lyrics, I knew that she would knock this out of the park. Kelvin Harrison Jr. was a great accompaniment to her and even Peter Dinklage did what he could with his songs. In fact, Peter Dinklage’s overall performance was absolutely wonderful. I’ve been a fan of his since Game of Thrones, but his portrayal of Cyrano solidified that he can helm any project.

I love the way in which this was filmed. Like something from a dream, the colorful and old fashioned costumes as well as the lavish locations used throughout, I thought it was a great choice. It made me yearn for a time and place for which I have only ever seen or read about.

This new version of Cyrano was one that surprised me, delighted me and also made me feel kind of sad. It is quite the story and I appreciated the changes that director Joe Wright took to bring it into the 21st century.

Rating: ♥♥♥

I Care A Lot

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I didn’t know what to expect from I Care A Lot. All I knew was everyone and their mother was talking about how amazing Rosamund Pike’s performance in it was. Frankly that was enough to gauge my interest. What I didn’t bargain for were the emotions this film took me on. I was gripped from the get go and can’t get over how eye opening it was at the same time.

Marla Greyson (Rosamund Pike) is a legal guardian who always gets off scot-free when she screws over her clients. Up until now she and her partner – in crime and in life – Fran (Eiza Gonzalez) have never had any problems. When Marla decides to target Jennifer Peterson (Dianne Wiest), however, she lands herself in hot water. Jennifer’s son Roman (Peter Dinklage) is a powerful gangster who will stop at nothing to make sure his mother is safe.

This movie is pegged as a comedy thriller and I definitely agree with that. At times it seems as though the comedic aspects don’t quite fit in, but I am glad that they are there because it is a nice balance to the darker nature of the story.

To reiterate what everyone has said about Rosamund Pike’s performance, I do believe that this is one of her best yet. We may not see her in a lot of projects, though when we do, she always gives 110% to whatever the role is. In some ways, I like how the character of Marla has been compared to Amy Dunne from Gone Girl. They are both conniving, ruthless and badass. I definitely think that Rosamund’s Golden Globe nomination is well deserved. In addition, the rest of the cast are brilliant too.

I think that what struck me the most about I Care A Lot is that it is based on true events. Being an elderly person in the United States is no easy feat these days because people really do pose as legal guardians in hopes of getting money. On top of this being eye opening, it was also educational and kind of scary.

I Care A Lot was a surprise for me. The fact that it was unlike what I was expecting it to be in the best way possible was just a bonus. It took me on a rollercoaster journey and I really loved every moment of it.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥