My Cousin Rachel

Aside from the beautiful cinematography of Mike Eley and Writer/Director Roger Michell’s enigmatic script and Rachel Weisz’s presence, I found My Cousin Rachel to be a bore.

 

That is primarily due to Actor Sam Clafin’s portrayal of the central character, a young man going on 25, who too quickly falls in love with a woman (Weisz), who he thinks was responsible for the death of his benefactor (Tristram Davies). 

Was she or wasn’t she?  I didn’t care.  I only wish he died instead of her.

I give My Cousin Rachel a 3 out of 5 only because I may have not been in the mood for this type of drama.  And, actually, the rest of the cast, including Iain Glen and Holiday Grainger, was excellent.

The Mummy

It started out well, but Director Alex Kurtzman’s The Mummy got crumby, pretty quickly.   

While the effects and sets of Production Designers Jon Hutman and Dominic Watkins were fabulous, the cinematic look chosen by Cinematographer Ben Seresin was more fitting for a comedy than a horror film, which demands a grittier look.

But, that’s not the worst of it.  Either Kurtzman doesn’t know how to handle male talent or the male actors weren’t into it.  Tom Cruise, Jake Johnson and Russell Crowe give possibly the worst performances of their collective careers.

However, the fault is just as much for the inept script by David Koepp, Christopher McQuarrie and Dylan Kussman from a ridiculous story by Jon Spaihts.

If it weren’t for valiant tries by Sofia Boutella and Annabelle Wallis, this film would have been a complete disaster.

As it is, The Mummy gets a 3 out of 5 only for the sets and effects.

Wonder Woman

Director Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman is a fabulous film on all levels. 

Working with Writer Allan Heinberg’s excellent script with its great balance of action and substance, the beautiful sets of superb Designer Aline Bonetto, all dramatically captured by Cinematographer Matthew Jensen, plus great performances by Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen, David Thewlis, Saïd Taghmaoui, Eugene Brave Rock and Lucy Davis, Jenkins has molded together a taut thriller. 

 

But, the piece de resistance is the absolutely perfect performance by Gal Gadot as Diana, Princess of the Amazons.  Of the Casting Directors Kristy Carlson, Lora Kennedy and Lucinda Syson, I’m not sure who brought Gadot to the picture, but whoever it was deserves a special award for doing so.  Gal is both tough and tender, as well as always sexy.  Simply amazing!

The story, itself, has more meaning than the typical superhero film, as well.

Though woman were responsible for most of the wonder of this production, it is, by no means, a chick flic.  It is one of the best action films of the year.

I give Wonder Woman a 4.7 out of 5.