Curiosity kills the shady guests and resurrect them.

a Simple Favour - Hotel Artemis - Overlord
pop culture daily @ weekly 045

I was preoccupied with the back catalog to catch up the CW's crossover ... here's what I could sneak in between them:

a Simple Favour

R | 1h 57min | 14th September

(crime mystery x dramedy)

Paul Feig has been known for his comedic endeavours but has been diversifying his track record as of late, with this most recent outing a perfect example of his newfound approach. Combining the genre of crime thriller and subtle comedy effectively in my own opinion, having the perfect leading actress is crucial to carefully carry out this project and find the balance between these two opposite end of the spectrum, and Anna Kendrick is just the right woman for the job. Playing opposite Blake Lively who is at her snarky and unapologetic best, they play off of each other wonderfully well while Henry Golding have a solid supporting role that is not being talked about as much as his effort in Crazy Rich Asians. This is essentially a delightful film for me as I am charmed (as always) by Anna's bright and tireless personality and follow her journey in befriending someone that is out of her social circle and create a surprising friendship which convince her to go on a search when she goes missing out of nowhere. I have to mention that the second half of the feature goes into a direction that I do not see it coming, as they go from one extreme to another, for better or for worse. I am right on the rollercoaster ride from the start and I am just happy as the surprises keep coming in the final third act. Watch it for the mystery and the occasional laugh.

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Hotel Artemis

R | 1h 34min | 08th June

(futuristic isolated crime thriller)

John Wick's Hotel Continental is what first comes to mind when a hotel caters exclusively to criminals is mentioned in the premise, changing the scale of the profession with virtually the same rules enforced within the ground of the establishment. This is roughly what we can expect if they make a spinoff feature of the hit hitman series (pun intended) and focusing on Lance Reddick's character in the originals, seeing the espionage world from his perspective and how he runs the place. Replace him with Jodie Foster and gives it a bit of noir-retro twist on the decor and technology and sets it in the city at the brink of civil unrest, then voila! We see the puzzle pieces being introduced in the shapes of these 'criminals' admitting themselves to be treated by the Nurse (that's one thing that separates Artemis with Continental) and the slow unraveling of these variables interacting and of course conflicting with each other, with the result of a perfect storm especially after the second half when everything fall into place and it kicks into full gear, paying off what has been teased before. The cast is great especially Jodie with a heartwrenching scene as a highlight while the others have a number of action scenes to showcase their martial prowess in Sofia Boutella and Bautista specifically. It's a universe that I would be looking forward to delve back into it since it is a well realised world for me. That John Wick spinoff could work after all!

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Overlord

R | 1h 57min | 14th September

(ww2 zombie thriller)

These two genres have been thoroughly represented in their respective heydays and while they might have overstayed their welcome for some, this combination surprisingly works well enough that it might makes you think why you hasn't much more crossover like this. Full disclosure, please be aware that this is mainly a war film with human experimentation twist that adds a whole wrinkle to the later part of the feature. The opening is a perfect introduction as one of the best scenes of the year, getting you into the mood and atmosphere of war right away with the chaos of war taking countless lives in the air, ground and sea! The change of pace however could be jarring to some as we follow the survivors trying to infiltrate the base of operation, offsetting the extreme high of the first ten minutes with slowburn of tense thriller by being behind enemy's lines. Come in for a war film rather than a full fledged zombie flick. When the veil over what's inside the tower has been lifted, that's where all hell breaks loose and just like Hotel Artemis, that's where it goes full force with the premise. I enjoy the journey but that third act certainly worth the price of admission. Their concept of zombie is really out there!

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Well, that's all folks! Thank you for your time and please do come back for my future posts! :-)