Jessica Chastain

Ava (2020) – Movie Thoughts

Posted by absolutebadasses on August 22, 2020

Posted in: Movie Reviews, Reviews. Tagged: ass kicking movies, assassin, ava movie, Colin Farrell, Common, film collector, film director, film fan, films, Geena Davis, hit woman, Ioan Gruffudd, Jess Weixler, Jessica Chastain, Joan Chen, John Malkovich, like, love, ma, movie, stephen goldblatt, Tate Taylor, the girl on the train, the help. Leave a comment

Ava is a deadly assassin working for a black ops organization, taking on high profile hits. When a job she’s given goes horribly wrong she is forced to fight for her own survival – Tate Taylor has sharpened his filmmaking skills with 2011’s THE HELP, 2016’s thriller THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN and last years horror MA so I was more than excited and slightly intrigued to see how he faired with his first foray into action films : having watched both movies in recent weeks I found AVA more enjoyable than The Old Guard (which I did enjoy) It’s just that AVA packed the sharper bite, the pace was better and the action scenes were gritty and uncomplicated with Stephen Goldblatt the DP contstantly working his magic with each shot : I also enjoy seeing an actor a little out of their comfort zone so watching Jessica Chastain take on this troubled assassin in a lead kick-ass action role was rather fun, of course Jess looked great and the role was certainly no stretch : AVA is packed with delicious fight scenes with Colin Farrell involved in more than one titantic tussle with the hotel room scene nearing the end of the movie one of my favourites : also there’s this terrific supporting cast with John Malkovich as Ava’s handler, Common (a little under used in my opinion) as the ex-boyfriend, Geena Davis and Jess Weixler as Ava’s mum & sister respectively and Ioan Gruffudd & Joan Chen in small but scene stealing roles : the film’s story follows a familiar path, betrayed assassin seeking justice (so there’s nothing new on that front) but if like me your a sucker for action movies that use less brain power, entertain with a fiesty lady holding the reigns to boot then Tate Taylor’s AVA won’t disappoint ★★★★

ps…. a little bit of trivia for you: the film and lead character was originally titled EVE but for some unknown reason the studio changed it to AVA

February 14th : 2019

DARK PHOENIX : Simon Kinberg
Sophie Turner, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender & Jennifer Lawrence

So with giddy excitment I’m pleased to say that the X-Men will return to the big screen early next year in what promises to be a mind blowing start to a new trilogy of films starting with Dark Phoenix the compelling story of Jean Grey played by the Games of Thrones actress Sophie Turner and judging by this trailer I have now watched several times Kinberg’s movie could eclipse all the X-Men movies that have come before it……

This is Simon Kinberg’s directorial debut with his storyline centered around “The Dark Phoenix Saga” written by Cockrum, Byrne & Claremont and not only does Dark Phoenix look dark, gritty and packed full of emotion but the casting of Jean Grey look spot on with Turner looking made for this role – There’s a storm approaching where friendships will fall, trust will be broken and team X-Men will be tested like never before – Dark Phoenix is already high on my list of most anticipated movies of 2019 and this trailer excites me to the point of wanting to watch all previous movies featuring these cool as hell mutants – Hope you enjoy the trailer and three new stills below !!

Although I’m a huge fan of both Hellboy movies, Blade 2 and Pacific Rim for me Guillermo Del Toro is at his best when tackling the genre of the Gothic Horror or Dark Fantasy – in 2001 came his deliciously gripping The Devil’s Backbone and in 2006 the weird and wonderful Pan’s Labyrinth both shot on a relatively low budget and both demonstrating this filmmaker’s eye for detail & his brilliant knack of telling a good story that entwines interesting, peculiar and watchable characters into his narrative – so when the first stills and trailer hit the web for his latest my excitement was at fever pitch – would Del Toro’s Crimson Peak live up to the expectations I had placed upon it? and how would the cast changes effect his way of thinking and the movie in general?

Del Toro’s movie takes us back to the late 1800’s, where personal tragedy sends a young aspiring author into the arms of a mysterious stranger, his loving sister and a new home in England

Crimson Peak is a beautifully crafted horror movie, reminiscent of the classic movies back in the 30’s and 40’s – it’s imaginative sets especially the Gothic mansion really does send shivers down the spine, Del Toro manages to create this living, breathing structure that’s partly open to the elements, devilishly spooky & so atmospheric – the attention to details is impressive and the film submerges you into it’s story almost to the point you actually feel like your living in Allerdale Hall – part of the movies story is Edith’s ability to see ghosts and theses scenes are handled sublimely well, in particular the moment at the beginning of the movie when Edith is visited by her mum and the scene in the corridor of Allerdale both gave me goosebumps, the effect is spine tingling – the movie also contains a pretty graphic and violent death scene that may shock some viewers, and although you can see it coming its delivered with devastating effect – the films backbone though is it’s cast, especially the trio of Wasikowska, Hiddleston & Chastain who’s chemistry unite, making you believe in the scenario’s their characters find themselves in – I wish somebody could have taken a picture of me in the cinema watching the films taut but electrifying finale – the range of emotion from Wasikowska & Chastain’s characters are terrifyingly good – Overall Guillermo Del Toro’s Crimson Peak is one hell of movie, it may not be Del Toro’s masterpiece but it’s a fabulous, haunting trip nevertheless and deserves to be hailed as one of the best in it’s genre ★★★★

When the Master of Horror Stephen King calls the film “gorgeous and just fucking terrifying” you know Guillermo del Toro’s latest gothic horror CRIMSON PEAK is going to be something very special – first of what a great cast Mia Wasikowska who was recently blowing us all away with her performances in Only Lovers Left Alive and Map to the Stars, Charlie Hunnam the star of Del Toro’s Pacific Rim, the gorgeous Jessica Chastain who’s roles in Zero Dark Thirty and A Most Violent Year were remarkable and last but least the superb Tom Hiddleston who also starred in Only Lovers Left Alive with Mia and rocked playing the villain Loki in Thor & The Avengers – I for one can’t wait for this beauty, take a look at the posters below

Interstellar (2014) – Movie Review ★★★★½

“We will find a way, we always have“

Director: Christopher Nolan – Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Mackenzie Foy, Michael Caine, Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, Anne Hathaway & Jessica Chastain – Synopsis: Nolan crafts yet another sublime movie mind twister that’s all about following your heart and delivering on a promise made – Interstellar is a cinematic ride that delves deep into the heart of the darkness of space, it pulls on the toughest of heart strings and is a visual cocktail of mesmerizing imagery that’s beautiful to watch – the cast delivers tenfold with relative newcomer Mackenzie Foy and veteran Matthew McConaughey giving the movie it’s emotion & backbone igniting the screen with compelling performances that allow the viewer to feel engaged & invested in their journey – once again the magic of a Nolan picture is further enhanced by its score with Hans Zimmer bringing us a fresh & at times loud original sound that accompanies the movie beautifully – Overall: INTERSTELLAR is the most ambitious, audacious thought provoking science fiction movie for many years – it deserves to be seen on the big screen – so go on what are you waiting for !!