Tag: Hugh Grant

OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERE (2023)

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Directed By: Guy Ritchie 

Written By: Guy Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson, Marn Davies

Cinematography: Alan Stewart

Editor: James Herbert

Cast: Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza, Josh Hartnett, Hugh Grant, Cary Elwes, Bugzy Malone, Eddie Marsan, Max Beesley, Peter Ferdinando, Lourdes Faberes

In the film, super spy Orson Fortune must track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapons technology wielded by billionaire arms broker Greg Simmonds. Reluctantly teamed with some of the world’s best operatives,Fortune and his crew recruit Hollywood’s biggest movie star Danny Francesco to help them on their globe-trotting undercover mission to save the world.

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One is kind of surprised by this film as I have to say this is one of the more disappointing movies that Guy Ritchie has ever made, especially as it seems in his wheelhouse. One can see why this was buried and quickly forgotten. As it’s no one‘s best work.

The problem is that this film is just so many things at different times, but then never quite commits to any of them. It’s more of a comedy than anything else, but not with necessarily funny jokes, just situations are ridiculous, and so is the behavior at times, the film constantly feels like a misstep as it is more comedy than action

When there is action, it just feels so basic and not noteworthy, he doesn’t feel that strategic or catching. It just seems more means to an end. 

As you have Jason Statham in the film, and while there’s gunplay, it’s more or less guns than anything.

The film is more ensemble with Josh Hartnett, Aubrey Plaza, and Hugh Grant, so they have their scenes and roles in which they get to shine or show their worth, but again, they never hit the Mark because everything is so broad that there’s nothing that contains the story really.

once guy Richie took over he rewrote the script and still told the cast to pretty much improvised and it feels that way the technical aspects are there, but the dialogue is OK but not quite brilliant repartée

Then the villains are set up, but they keep switching, and none of them are really that effective, it’s almost like they spent so much money trying to get stars in the lead roles that they only had so much money and couldn’t get any other big names to play the villain role.

so watching the film, you know what’s going to happen; there’s no real suspense to anything. It’s sort of like watching the Equalizer films, where Denzel Washington, if you can take out a room and 17 seconds, what hope do the villains at the end have, or put up as a challenge, and it’s the same in this room 

So that this film it’s more of a time waster than anything as nothing quite sticks and plays, smooth and glossy and even every time they seem to set up maybe a character trait it’s quickly forgotten or not used as early in the film one of the reasons that don’t want to use Jason Statham’s spy, character or reluctant is because he seems to try to use excuses and sicknesses to get out of missions, But we don’t get introduced to any of those aspects

Aubrey Plaza’s character seems to have a flirtatious nature where she’s fallen for someone, but we’re never given any reason. Dialogue works for the script and characters. 

Hugh Grant seems to be having a ball with fun villain characters as with more recent roles, he seems to be at least he’s trying to do something different but ultimately it feels like it’s there for no reason . 

While Josh Hartnett is part of the cast and he helps add to the stars name in the cast while also letting him play more comedic role than he has in the past he seems to be in the mission that’s why he’s there but then he’s given very little to do except ask questions and stand around so maybe get some expositional information Then give him or drag him into action sequence car chase really and his character has an about face and that at first you could see as being one-sided, but I guess in the end it kind of makes sense. as it does help open up the film to a new demographic

End it so much once they take out the villain it’s like it feels like there should be more but that’s pretty much it now let’s try some more comedic high jinx.

It just feels like everyone is not necessarily out of their element, but not given anything really to do even though the film seems to want to use their image or public image and talent to help poor or lift the material as otherwise this just comes off as a bland espionage story and script that could’ve been starting and made by anyone there’s nothing quite that special to it.

Now this film did come out when there was a pandemic, though it was filmed after the pandemic. It was postponed for release and finally did in 2023, luckily for it and quickly got released on streaming and was forgotten as this film just feels like a well-funded, but sorry excuse for entertainment, though seems to fit perfectly along with other streaming films as there doesn’t seem to be any passion or much originality

It’s not a horrible film as it is watchable, but it’s just so basic and bland that there’s very little reason other than, again, a time-waster popcorn movie.

Grade: C- 

HERETIC (2024)

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Written & Directed By: Scott Beck & Bryan Woods 

Cinematography: Chung-Hoon Chung

Editor: Justin Li 

Cast: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East, Topher Grace, Elle Young 

Two young religious women are drawn into a game of cat-and-mouse in the house of a strange man.

This is a film. One wishes they could’ve made it as at first it seems so simple, but as it goes along, you realize how twisted everything is and that it also exists on a delicate balance

The script is intricately written and can go a million ways at any moment. Luckily it stays on a certain path makes it all the more intriguing. 

There will be many who will be In Tune with its debates and theories. At least in the first half of the film. 

It’s a tight thriller that sues its Location inventively and makes it claustrophobic. As with the design of the location the Film, characters, and story offer up their mazes to try and solve. The camerawork by Chung-Hoon Chung makes the spaces seem sumptuous and a world unto themselves. 

Hugh Grant finally gets a role where he doesn’t have to play off either his public persona or what audiences know him for he gets to play a role with the recent villain role, which gives him some really good meat on which to chew and show off his skills and remind you that he is a good actor.

As he shows the human equivalent of mansplaining. That most women will identify with if ever had a date, friend, or family.

A member who wants to show off his smarts and theories and is truly trying to impress about a subject you are not necessarily interested in but must show superiority in. 

It’s not perfect in the third act. That is where the film gets a little wobbly and brings the film back down to earth and reality. It is impossible to keep up the momentum Of the first half completely without having to offer some Explanations. as well as offer the audience the release that they desire. To make it mroenofna crowd pleaser. 

I won’t call it a fun ride but one that keeps your interest throughout and will want to have conversations about after. Even if not as shocking as you might expect. 

The writer-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods have truly made a film worth investing your time and attention. Much better than their previous films, A QUIET PLACE which they wrote and 65 Which they wrote and directed and this film Is leaps and bounds above the special effects-laden 65 starring Adam Driver. 

Grade: B 

WONKA (2023)

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Directed & Story By: Paul King

Written By: Paul King & Simon Farnaby

Based on Characters Created By: Roald Dahl

Cinematography: Chung-Hoon Chung

Editor: Mark Everson

Cast: Timothee Chalamet, Calah Lane, Olivia Colman, Keegan Michael-Key, Sally Hawkins, Tom Davis, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Jim Carter, Natasha Rockwell, Kobna Holbrook-Smith, Rakhee Thatkar, Hugh Grant, Rowan Atkinson, Freya Parker, Matthew Boynton, Rich Fulcher

Willy Wonka is the mastermind behind some of the most delicious and innovative chocolate creations the world has ever seen. But before shaking up the chocolate industry and making a name for himself as a confectionery genius, the ambitious young creator had to defy all odds. As a result, Willy transformed his wildest dreams into reality with a bold vision, determination, and unexpected help from new friends. After all, hard work and a dash of magic can make anything happen. Because, as Willy already knows, it only takes a dream to make a difference.

One thing I can definitely say about this movie is that it has its charms it won’t. It doesn’t erase the memory of the first WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY but it still feels more pure and miles above Tim Burton, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY  doesn’t feel as predictable. Nor as made by the committee.

The film is a musical, which was a bit unexpected, but makes sense, and it does use a few of the original films’ classics throughout, though in quite a different way that does instill nostalgia, but also tries to make it its own. 

At times, it does feel like a big Broadway musical, but under a greater production and a grander vision, you could easily see this making its way the reverse way and going from a movie into a Broadway show.

The film perfectly fits Director Paul King’s style as it feels like a fantasy and a living storybook come to life. It’s as big and silly as the two PADDINGTON films that he has directed so this one is a little less comedic, even with all of its outrageousness. Though no nightmare scenes as the previous two films had.

Can’t help, but put a smile on your face in Timothee Chalamet actually works in the lead role, even though he is tasked with pretty much always being happy no matter what throughout even when disappointed. he’s not as iconic as Gene Wilder Daffy goofy, but ultimately wise and quirky Wonka but again we’re at the origins of Wonka as a character so he has a happier disposition, and is still full of hope at the beginning of his career.

This is a film that is fun for the whole family. It’s pretty much an offensive and feels magical throughout. It literally is another generation’s version of Wonka, or as this is more of an original story than an actual remake or reboot, which is refreshing, even if it is still Dealing with an existing IP.

Hugh Grant is here as comedic relief as an Oompa Loompa, and he mostly works as this is the most we’ve ever really heard an Oompa Loompa speak other than singing. The film is full of quirky characters that feel straight out of a children’s book, and have outrageous looks to follow. though again, he seems to be relishing and playing a more comedic supporting role just as he did, and PADDINGTON 2 only here he is, isn’t the villain

The production design and visual effects are excellent. The songs are catchy, but not as memorable as the originals again, I say this now, but at heart eventually, time will tell, and also the fandom of this film, if there will be one as great as the classic film in which men grew up with.

It’s a film that is definitely worth checking out. It won’t leave you mesmerized, but if this is your type of movie, you won’t leave sad or disappointed. 

Grade: B 

THE GENTLEMEN (2019)

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Written & Directed By: Guy Ritchie
Story By: Guy Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson & Marn Davies
Cinematography: Alan Stewart
Editor: James Herbert & Paul Machliss 


Cast: Matthew McConauhey, Charlie Hunnam, Hugh Grant, Eddie Marsan, Henry Golding, Colin Farell, Michelle Dockery, Tom Wu, Jeremy Strong, Chidi Ajufo, Lyne Renee 

A talented American graduate of Oxford, using his unique skills, audacity and penchant for violence, creates a marijuana empire using the estates of impoverished English aristocrats. However, when he tries to sell his empire to a fellow American billionaire, a chain of events unfolds, involving blackmail, deception, mayhem and murder between street thugs, Russian oligarchs, Triad gangsters and gutter journalists.

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