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Archives for : Jamie Dornan

Movie Review: “Belfast” & “King Richard”

“Belfast” is director/writer, Kenneth Branagh’s newest film that tells the story of a young boy and his working class family during the troubling late 1960s. “King Richard” follows tennis legends, Venus and Serena Williams’s journey to success and how their father, Richard Williams, helped guide them there. I review both Oscar contending films.

“Belfast” is currently playing in theaters and “King Richard” opens in theaters and on HBOMax November 19, 2021.

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Movie Review: “Fifty Shades Freed” Brings the Franchise to Sizzling End

It’s been a fun 3 years, but we finally close the book on the provocative “Fifty Shades” franchise.

When we last saw Anna (Dakota Johnson) and Christian (Jamie Dornan) in “Fifty Shades Darker” they were rekindling their romance. Anna started a new job at a publishing company where her creep of a boss, Jack Hyde (Eric Johnson), came on to her. While Anna dealt with him, Christian dealt with some troubling ladies from his past. Eventually, the two over came those obstacles and the film ended with the couple getting engaged.

Now we are at the beginning of the end. “Fifty Shades Freed” opens with a montage of Christian and Anna’s wedding followed by what looks like a dream honeymoon in Europe. However, the newlywed’s aren’t in bliss for too long once they find out Jack Hyde is back and pissed at the couple for “ruining his career”. This puts a damper on married life all together, as Christian continues his controlling ways and has Anna continuously followed by his security.

Besides this bigger plot, there is a lot of other stuff going on. This is the negative part of turning a book into a movie, you can never fit everything in. And even with cutting things from the third book, they jammed a lot into only and hour and 45 minutes (the shortest of the 3 films). In a nutshell, Christian and Anna buy a house, another couple gets engaged, Anna gets a job promotion, there are spur of the moment trips, a pregnancy, and of course, lots of sporadic sex.

Oh, and if for some reason you thought the previous films lacked in sex scenes, this one makes up for it and then-some. It seems married life has only made them hotter! They are making love any chance they can, in the car, with ice cream, red room of pain, etc. Though Dornan’s acting is weak, especially in comparison to Johnson’s spot on performance, their sexual chemistry continues to heat up the screen. In a tantalizing scene where Anna is forced to use her safe word, I nearly shouted “Red” myself.

Unfortunately, out of the three films, I had the most problems with “Fifty Shades Freed”. It was by far the most rushed installment and slightly anticlimactic. The film makes you feel like it is building up to a showdown between Jack and Christian, but instead glances over their shocking history and squashes any conflict in a mere 60 seconds.

That being said, “Fifty Shades Freed” is still just as fun as the first two movies and it’s a great “Girls Night Out” flick. And once again, we are treated to an incredible soundtrack that distracts us from whatever nonsense is happening on screen.

“Fifty Shades Freed” has its flaws and by no means is it a “good movie”, but it is a solid end to a ridiculous romance. The story stays true to the books and ultimately, Christian and Anna are given the happy ending all us fans so desperately wanted to see.

Rating: 3/5

“Fifty Shades Freed” hits theaters February 9.

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Movie Review: “Fifty Shades Darker” – A Foolish Tale Laced with Sex and Thrills

Ana and Christian are back in an even hotter and more ridiculous film!

Let’s get one thing out of the way before I begin. Yes, E.L. James’ Fifty Shades book series is unrealistic and incredibly cheesy. And Fifty Shades Darker encourages even more eye-rolls with its Lifetime style drama. However, this time around the film has added enough excitement and sex to where you can let go of reality, and just have fun with this Made-for-TV quality movie.

When we last left off on Fifty Shades of Grey, Ana (Dakota Johnson) had broken up with Christian (Jamie Dornan) after discovering how much pleasure he got from giving her so much pain. She realized she couldn’t be in a submissive relationship with him.
 
As we pick up with Fifty Shades Darker, some time has gone by and Ana seems to have moved on with her life, working for a handsome, yet questionable boss (Eric Johnson) at a publishing company. But it’s at her friend Jose’s (Victor Rasuk) photography exhibit that we find out Christian has been lost without her. Christian wants Ana back and is willing to have a relationship with no rules, no punishments, and no secrets. Essentially giving Ana the “vanilla” relationship she always wanted. Of course, this now “normal” boyfriend/girlfriend status isn’t going to progress smoothly by any means.
 
The two sexual love birds, who literally are going at it during any spare moment, must deal with an inappropriate boss, a former submissive girlfriend (Bella Heathcote), and “Mrs. Robinson” (Kim Basinger) – the woman who turned Christian into the sex hungry dominatrix. All three of these new characters create thrilling turmoil and more intrigue, as opposed to the previous film’s lackluster conflict of “will they or wont they” stay together.
 
Though some may find all the different struggles going on in the film messy or idiotic, I found them extremely entertaining. I mean Christian and Ana go through so many near death experiences that you almost can’t blame them for wanting to continuously have sex. It could be their last time! And as Ana says in the film, “We haven’t had enough time.”
 
Speaking of sex! Fifty Shades Darker turns up the heat with plenty of steamy sexual sequences that will have audiences either immensely uncomfortable, or anxiously awaiting their own bedrooms. Director, James Foley, allows for more provocative sex scenes by introducing a few new toys and intensifying the couple’s “love making”. The scenes are tastefully filmed and still limits the nudity to topless and butt shots. And might I add, Jamie Dornan looks better than ever! The man is ripped and the film clearly wants to show off the efforts from his intensive work outs.
 
Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan have grown as actors since their last performance as these characters. They are what truly makes this film watchable. They succeed in delivering every cringe-worthy line with such conviction, that you might not notice the stupidity of what actually was said.
 

As much as I can ridicule Fifty Shades Darker, there’s no denying the moments of satisfaction. Though, this is still very much a film for fans of the book, the intended audience should sit back, throw away your thinking caps and enjoy the hell out of this electric and tantalizing romance.

Rating: 3/5

Fifty Shades Darker opens in theaters on February 10.

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Review: “Fifty Shades of Grey” is an Arousing Adaptation that May Only Pleasure the Readers

Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson star in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey

Bondage, Flogging, and Spanking, these are a few of Christian Grey’s favorite things.  But when Anastasia Steele comes into his life, his particular routine in sexual activities begins to fluctuate.

Those who have read Fifty Shades of Grey have anxiously been waiting to see Christian and Ana’s story come to life on the big screen.  Though readers anticipate the film, they also worry about how the “movie version” of their beloved tale will stay true to the book.  In this case, fans are concerned with the casting, the chemistry, and just how graphic the sex scenes are going to be.  E. L. James’ best-selling novel did an incredible job at describing a hot, titillating romance, which originated from a Twilight fan fiction series.  Well you can be rest assured that the film exudes enough heat to warm up your entire theater.

Both Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson, who play Christian and Ana, have great chemistry.  Their instant attraction to each other is believable, and the relationship never feels forced.  These two characters meet all thanks to fate.  When her best friend, Kate (Eloise Mumford), gets the flu, Ana fills in for her journalism assignment interviewing Christian Grey, a 27-year old billionaire who is going be the guest speaker at their college graduation.  After an unforgettable and intense interview, Christian makes a few surprise appearances in Ana’s daily life, making their attraction grow stronger.  Christian quickly puts a halt to their “situation” and tells Ana to stay away from him, as he is no good for her.  That break lasts about all of two seconds.  Ana gets drunk and calls Christian to tell him off.  He comes and saves her from the drunken state she’s in.  The next morning the two share a passionate kiss in an elevator.

You ain’t seen nothing yet!

Ana should be relishing in that fact that she has just found her dream man.  Christian is handsome, charming, and rich.  The only problem is, this young billionaire has got a dark past and can only be in a dominant/submissive relationship.  So while Ana hopes to have the normal dinner and movie dates, all Christian can think about is whipping her in his “playroom.”

As for the sex scenes, director Sam Taylor-Johnson plays it safe.  They are tastefully done in an effective way that shows us just how sexy and twisted Christian is.  Nudity is limited to topless and butt shots.  Sorry ladies, don’t expect to see Christian full frontal.

Unfortunately since Dornan’s role is meant to be controlling and lack emotion, he comes off stiff.  It is Johnson who shines and gives a break out performance as Anastasia Steele, giving an at times irritating character humor and likability.

Here’s the thing.  As a fan of the book, I was enthralled by this film.  They cut out all the bad parts of the book and focused on the emotional struggle of the couple’s relationship. However, I find some of my fellow critics to be warranted in their negative reviews.  The plot of the story is thin and a tad redundant.  Ultimately, we’re watching a girl date a guy that she’s hoping will change for her.  It is an interesting character study, especially on the troubled Christian Grey, who can’t seem to let anyone in.  That just may not be enough for the regular movie-goer.

If you go into Fifty Shades of Grey with an open mind and have fun with the story, then there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy the movie.  Given that there is an added kink to this romance, that aspect of the film is something different to look forward to.   And for the fellas who are being forced to watch, I’m sure you will be rewarded with plenty of enjoyment after the film is over.

RATING: 3/5

Fifty Shades of Grey opens in theaters tonight at 8pm.

“Fifty Shades of Grey” Official Trailer HD