Movie Review - A Haunting in Venice

I've enjoyed the previous two Hercule Poroit films, but thought they could be better. They were just a little too bland and played out exactly as I expected. I wasn't going to see this film in theaters, but reviews on YouTube made it sound like they put a little something extra in it, so I decided to give it a shot.

A Haunting in Venice is a 2023 horror mystery film based on the Agatha Christie book Hallowe'en Party. It is rated PG-13 for scary imagery and is appropriate for teens and up.

Analysis

Horror. This film is a horror film, and the kind of horror film I really like. It was spooky, mysterious, and not at all gory.

Mystery. This film is also a mystery, but the mystery doesn't take over until halfway thru the film which helps to keep the film engaging and entertaining. The solution to the mystery is not obvious like the other two films.

Characters. The characters were all very interesting and well developed. The actors and actresses all did a great job playing their various roles. I found myself caring about what happened to them.

Overall

A Haunting in Venice is a 2023 horror mystery film based on the Agatha Christie book Hallowe'en Party. It's half horror movie and half mystery which helps keep the film engaging and interesting. This is the kind of horror film I really like--it was spooky, mysterious, and not at all gory. The mystery doesn't take over until halfway thru the film which helps to keep the film engaging and entertaining. The solution to the mystery is not obvious like the other two films. The characters were all very interesting and well developed. The actors and actresses all did a great job playing their various roles; I found myself caring about what happened to them. Overall this was a very enjoyable movie, and I'm glad I saw it. I recommend this film and give it 4 out of 5 boxes of popcorn. 

   

Movie Review - Death on the Nile (2022 film)

 

I really enjoyed Kenneth Branagh's first film, Murder on the Orient Express, and I love ancient Egypt, so I thought I would enjoy Branagh's latest effort.

Death on the Nile is a 2022 film directed by Kenneth Branagh and adapts the Agatha Christie Hercule Poirot novel of the same name. It is rated PG-13 for mild violence and language and is appropriate for tweens and up.

The Film

Story: I've never read the book, so I don't know how it compares to the original story, but I felt the mystery was really intriguing with no obvious murderer and several twists and along the way. The reveals were truly revealing at the end, and yet none felt like cheats.

Cast & Acting: This was a well cast film with everyone feeling like they fit, but no one was a standout or really felt like they were perfect for the role other than Kenneth Branagh himself and Tom Bateman playing Bouc, both iconic in their roles.

Art Direction & Cinematography: The film was beautifully shot with gorgeous scenes of Egyptian ruins, an elegant riverboat, and a great club. The director tried hard to frame every shot in an interesting way. Most the time it worked with only a few shots feeling forced.

Pacing: I felt this movie was a little slow. It always felt like it was slightly dragging, and I never found myself completely lost in the film.

Conclusion

Death on the Nile is an enjoyable film. The mystery was very intriguing with no obvious murderer and several twists and along the way. The reveals were truly revealing at the end, and yet none felt like cheats. This was a well cast film with everyone feeling like they fit, but no one was a standout or really felt like they were perfect for the role other than Kenneth Branagh himself and Tom Bateman playing Bouc, both iconic in their roles. The film was beautifully shot with gorgeous scenes of Egyptian ruins, an elegant riverboat, and a great club. The director tried hard to frame every shot in an interesting way. Most the time it worked with only a few shots feeling forced. I felt this movie was a little slow. It always felt like it was slightly dragging, and I never found myself completely lost in the film. I give it 4 out of 5 boxes of popcorn.

    

Movie Review: Murder on the Orient Express (2017 film)

I am a huge fan of murder mysteries and the early Twentieth Century, so when I saw the trailer for this film, I said to myself, "Self, you should go see that."

Murder on the Orient Express is a 2017 murder mystery film based on the novel of the same name by Agatha Christie staring Hercule Poirot. It is rated PG-13 for mild violence and suspense and is appropriate for tweens and up.

The Good

Kenneth Branagh. Kenneth Branagh brought Poirot to life. He captured the brilliance and superior brain power of the character without making him unlikable or superhuman. I could watch another dozen movies with him in them.

Michelle Pfeiffer. Michelle Pfeiffer is one of the greatest actresses to walk the face of this planet. I don't know why she isn't staring in more films. She gave such a strong and varied performance that sent chills down my back and made me feel for her.

Art Direction. This is one of the most visually stunning films I have ever seen. From Istanbul to the steam locomotive, everything looked like a painting come to life. When I imagine the 30s or listen to old radio broadcasts or read pulp fiction from the early 20th Century, this is how I imagine it looks. The visuals alone make this movie worth watching.

Cinematography. This movie was beautifully shot with really well thought out camera angles, movements, and cuts. Watching this movie is like watching a master class in how to shoot a well-crafted film.

Music. The music did not feel old, yet it felt appropriate for the period. It was classic in that respect.

The Bad

Expected. If you've ever read the book or seen any of the earlier adaptions, you know who the killer is so there isn't the suspense or tension of most murder mysteries. Also, this film played out exactly how you expect it to, so that made it a little less interesting than it could have been.

What I Would Like to Have Seen

I with there had been more character development. The film was filled with very talented actors and actresses that didn't have the opportunity to show how great they were. Those that did get sufficient screen time really shined.

Overall

Murder on the Orient Express was a beautifully shot film filled with some of the best acting I've seen in years. The film is so well directed, constructed, and shot that watching it is basically a course in how to masterfully craft a movie. The story is pretty straight forward with the revelation of whodunit not much of a surprise. I give this movie 4 out of 5 boxes of popcorn.