"Murder on the Orient Express" Review by Tim Hellman

'MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

A new cinematic version of Agatha Christie's classic 1934 murder mystery novel, which has been adapted into films three times before. Kenneth Branagh directed, produced and stars in the movie; as the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. Poirot is in charge of investigating a murder on the famous Orient Express. It was written by Michael Green, who's recent writing credits include co-scripting 'BLADE RUNNER 2049', 'LOGAN' and 'ALIEN COVENANT'. The film also features an all-star supporting cast including Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, Willem Dafoe, Josh Gad and Johnny Depp. Ridley Scott also served as a producer on the flick, and it was shot on 65mm film. The movie has received mostly positive reviews from critics (although none are really raving about it), and it's also done modestly well at the Box Office too. I found it to be well made, and mostly (at least mildly) entertaining, but I'm definitely not raving about it either.

The story begins in 1930s Jerusalem, where the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (Branagh) is solving a case. He's then expecting to go on a highly anticipated vacation. Before he can go on it though, he's given a telegram asking for his assistance on another case. His friend Buoc (Tom Bateman), who now directs the famous 'Orient Express', offers him a three day ride to his destination. Poirot meets a variety of different characters on his trip, including an American criminal named Samuel Ratchett (Depp). Ratchett asks the detective for his help, in acting as his personal bodyguard, but Poirot declines (stating that he doesn't aide criminals, he only catches them). Later Ratchett is killed, and the train is derailed by an avalanche. While the passengers are all stranded there, Poirot conducts an investigation to find out who killed Ratchett, and of course it has to be someone who's still on the train.

The movie is beautiful to look at; it looks like a classic big screen epic at almost all times. Branagh is of course a very talented filmmaker, and actor too, and he doesn't disappoint here. Most of the rest of the celebrities have little to do though; with the exception of Pfeiffer, who's always good in almost everything she does (it seems like). The story is a classic mystery as well, but (as I already said) it's been done multiple times before, and there's nothing really new here. I did have a mostly good time watching it though, but it's also nothing that will stay with me for very long.

New Poster for Kenneth Branagh's Upcoming Film "Murder on the Orient Express"

20th Century Fox recently released the first trailer for Kenneth Branagh's "Murder on the Orient Express". The film stars Branagh,Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley and Josh Gad.

"Murder on the Orient Express" hits theaters on November 10th.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: CluesAreEverywhere.com

Plot Synopsis:

What starts out as a lavish train ride through Europe quickly unfolds into one of the most stylish, suspenseful and thrilling mysteries ever told. From the novel by best-selling author Agatha Christie, "Murder on the Orient Express" tells the tale of thirteen strangers stranded on a train, where everyone's a suspect. One man must race against time to solve the puzzle before the murderer strikes again. Kenneth Branagh directs and leads an all-star cast including Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley and Josh Gad.

First Trailer for Kenneth Branagh's "Murder on the Orient Express"

20th Century Fox recently released the first trailer for Kenneth Branagh's "Murder on the Orient Express". The film stars Branagh,Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley and Josh Gad.

"Murder on the Orient Express" hits theaters on November 10th.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: CluesAreEverywhere.com

Plot Synopsis:

What starts out as a lavish train ride through Europe quickly unfolds into one of the most stylish, suspenseful and thrilling mysteries ever told. From the novel by best-selling author Agatha Christie, "Murder on the Orient Express" tells the tale of thirteen strangers stranded on a train, where everyone's a suspect. One man must race against time to solve the puzzle before the murderer strikes again. Kenneth Branagh directs and leads an all-star cast including Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley and Josh Gad.

"Murder on the Orient Express": Official Trailer

"Into the Woods" Review - Written by Tim Hellman

'INTO THE WOODS': Two and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

Musical fantasy film based on the popular Broadway musical, of the same name, by James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim. It was directed by Rob Marshall (who also directed the 2002 Academy Award winning musical 'CHICAGO') and written (for the screen) by Lapine. The film takes multiple classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales and combines them into one twisted story (with singing throughout). It stars Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Chris Pine, Christine Baranski, Lucy Punch, Tammy Blanchard, Tracey Ullman, Johnny Depp and many others. It's gotten mostly positive reviews from critics and is considered a likely Oscar nominee for Best Picture (and multiple other awards). I hated it!

The story revolves around a baker (James Corden) and his wife (Blunt). The two desperately want a child but can't have one; due to the curse a witch (Streep) placed on the baker's family, years ago. The only way the baker can get rid of his family's curse, is to collect four items for the witch; a white cow, a red cape, yellow hair and a gold slipper. So the baker and his wife set out to obtain the coveted objects and while doing so they cross paths with Cinderella (Kendrick), Rapunzel (Mackenzie Mauzy), Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), Jack (Daniel Huttlestone) and many other classic fairy tale characters. Things take a really dark turn.

I respect and enjoy musicals, when they're well made, but this is just painful to sit through. I don't mind that the writers took classic fairy tales and updated them, with a modern dark twist, but I still don't think it's very interesting or funny. The movie feels a lot like a 'one joke' 'SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE' sketch, stretched into an over long movie. The humor is really forced (and cheesy) and the characters do a lot of irrational, pointless things. The songs aren't very good and the third act is just plain boring. It is well acted and nicely filmed though (although it kind of feels like a network TV movie). I really didn't enjoy it much and I definitely don't think it deserves any rave reviews or prestigious award recognition.

Official Stills and Poster for Lionsgate's Upcoming Release "Mortdecai"

Lionsgate recently released stills and the official post for the upcoming film "Mortdecai". The upcoming action/comedy stars Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor, Olivia Munn, with Jeff Goldblum, and Paul Bettany. "Mortdecai" hits theaters on February 15th.

For more information on the film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://mortdecaithemovie.tumblr.com/.

Plot Synopsis:

Juggling some angry Russians, the British Mi5, his impossibly leggy wife and an international terrorist, debonair art dealer and part time rogue Charlie Mortdecai (Johnny Depp) must traverse the globe armed only with his good looks and special charm in a race to recover a stolen painting rumored to contain the code to a lost bank account filled with Nazi gold.