Tag: James D’Arcy

Oppenheimer (2023) | REVIEW

Cillian Murphy is outstanding as the titular theoretical physicist in Christopher Nolan’s OPPENHEIMER — PHOTO: Universal Pictures.

Directed by Christopher Nolan (Dunkirk; Tenet) — Screenplay by Christopher Nolan.

In 1965, famed physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer appeared on a television broadcast, and, on said broadcast, he gave an account of how people reacted and what went through his head during the so-called ‘Trinity Test’ in 1945, when Oppenheimer and a group of physicists had successfully created and detonated the first nuclear weapon. Oppenheimer claimed that a specific line from the Hindu scripture the Bhagavad Gita popped into his head: “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” It is a chilling quote that has echoed through generations and had a life of its own. For the twelfth feature film in his oeuvre, the immensely popular auteur filmmaker Christopher Nolan opted to tell J. Robert Oppenheimer’s story. It’s a film about a man full of paradoxes, such as how he became a political figure with strong left-wing disarmament views but was also the man who is known for having willfully created a weapon that once dwarfed all others and forever changed warfare and foreign policy. But it is also a film that gets to the heart of the rot of the American soul in the 20th Century. It is an intimate account of the complicated headspace of a historically significant genius, but it is also a haunting and damning cautionary tale about learning the wrong lessons, naivete, guilt, covetousness, and ripple effects. It is an astoundingly brilliant achievement and much more than your average biopic.

Continue reading “Oppenheimer (2023) | REVIEW” →

Best Callbacks, Hints, and References in Avengers: Endgame – Special Features #51

This post is filled with spoilers for Avengers: Endgame. Do not, I repeat, do not read this list until you’ve seen Avengers: Endgame. Full spoilers below.

Okay, so we’ve all seen the movie right? I think right about now is a good time to actually talk about the little nods or references that were particularly fun or strong in Endgame. However, if you’ve not yet seen the film, then don’t worry at all, the article will be ready when you are. Anyhoo, the following is an unranked list of easter eggs, callbacks, and references that stood out to me. Let’s get to it.

Continue reading “Best Callbacks, Hints, and References in Avengers: Endgame – Special Features #51” →

REVIEW: Dunkirk (2017)

Theatrical Release Poster – Warner Bros. Pictures

The following is a review of Dunkirk – Directed by Christopher Nolan.

Christopher Nolan is one of the most celebrated directors of the 21st century thus far, and it is for a good reason. In my opinion, Christopher Nolan hasn’t made a bad film yet, and I would even go as far as saying he has made multiple masterpieces and very few missteps in the last fifteen-to-twenty years. While Dunkirk doesn’t contain the most impressive story, it is an amazingly impressive film. Dunkirk is a technical masterpiece and the best film of the summer of 2017.
Continue reading “REVIEW: Dunkirk (2017)” →

REVIEW: Agent Carter – “A View in the Dark”

Agent Carter - Reviewed

The following is an episode review of Marvel’s Agent Carter (Season Two, Episode Two) available on ABC and Netflix Denmark.

In “A View in the Dark”, S.S.R. Agent Peggy Carter (played by Hayley Atwell) teams up with a new ally to retrieve the powerful and mysterious Zero Matter from Isodyne, after having learned that perhaps Daniel Sousa’s (played by Enver Gjokaj) new relationship is more serious than she had thought.  Continue reading “REVIEW: Agent Carter – “A View in the Dark”” →

REVIEW: Agent Carter – “The Lady in the Lake”

Agent Carter - Reviewed

The following is an episode review of Marvel’s Agent Carter (Season Two, Episode One) available on ABC and Netflix Denmark.

At the beginning of this new season, after having apprehended Dottie Underwood (played by Bridget Regan), Peggy Carter (played by Hayley Atwell) is transferred to the Los Angeles department of the S.S.R., which is now being run by Daniel Sousa (played by Enver Gjokaj), due to a case involving a female body having been found in a frozen lake. Meanwhile, Jack Thompson (played by Chad Michael Murray) now must attempt to interrogate Miss Underwood without the help of the show’s titular character.  Continue reading “REVIEW: Agent Carter – “The Lady in the Lake”” →

REVIEW: Agent Carter – Season One (2015)

Agent Carter - Reviewed

The following is a season review of Marvel’s Agent Carter, available on ABC and Netflix Denmark.

Marvel’s Agent Carter started as a Marvel One-Shot about the S.S.R. Agent Peggy Carter, it was a spin-off of Captain America: The First Avenger. Not unlike Agent Coulson, Peggy Carter has been known to show up in various capacities in Marvel Cinematic Universe films, even those that have little to do with Captain America. But the ABC show is the character’s playground, and it is so refreshing to see a show like this one actually have a fair bit of success, at least critically.  Continue reading “REVIEW: Agent Carter – Season One (2015)” →

REVIEW: Marvel’s Agent Carter – “The Blitzkrieg Button”

I'm Jeffrey Rex Episode Review - Agent Carter - ep 4
On the 18th of February 2015 Danish Netflix released the episodes that have aired on ABC of Marvel’s Agent Carter. This is my first time watching and reviewing it, though I am aware of the fact that most Americans have had the opportunity to watch it.

Though it’s nice to see Howard Stark, played by Dominic Cooper, again, I didn’t really like the opening of the episode – sure Carter is as cool as ever, but I didn’t like how Jarvis was acting in the negotiation – actually I thought James D’Arcy’s character was subpar in this episode.

The little ‘game’ at the Griffith was entertaining – though Howard doesn’t seem like his own character – more like a caricature of his son. If he is to have a huge role on this show then he needs to be more than that.

Back at the SSR station I wasn’t very pleased to begin with. I didn’t particularly care for the Sousa-interrogation, though it was nice to hear more about Enver Gjokaj’s character. Thompson’s character did the only sensible thing, and his part in the interrogation was what we needed – sure Thompson can be very arrogant, but he was the smarter Agent of the two during the interrogation.

One of my biggest pet-peeves is seeing Americans act as a Germans. There are a lot, and I mean a LOT, of great German actors – or even just central-european actors – that could’ve done a greater job than Jack Conley as Ernst Müller.

This episode did have a great way of making it feel important in the grand scheme of the MCU. By adding the vial of Steve Rogers’ blood the whole operation felt important suddenly – Peggy’s reaction was spot-on. This was when Dominic Cooper finally did something worthwhile – his argument in the case of the Rogers-vial was much more sound than his portrayal in the beginning of the episode. Hayley Atwell was perfect, I really mean that – and her argument in the giant discussion was touching, incredibly so.

And STAN LEE!! I love that man, great to see him at the very end. Oh and what about Dottie Underwood? That was one hell of a surprise. I wonder who she really is.

Can ABC please greenlight a second season?

B

I’m Jeffrey Rex

REVIEW: Marvel’s Agent Carter – “Time and Tide”

I'm Jeffrey Rex Episode Review - Agent Carter - ep 3
On the 18th of February 2015 Danish Netflix released the episodes that have aired on ABC of Marvel’s Agent Carter. This is my first time watching and reviewing it, though I am aware of the fact that most Americans have had the opportunity to watch it.

As explained after Bridge and Tunnel, I am starting to like the vibe Carter and Jarvis are giving off when they’re together. The dialogue is fun, and D’Arcy is very entertaining. At the beginning of this episode, he was as stellar as ever when delivering humorous dialogue.

As Jarvis was interrogated I was worried that it would fall flat – that it wouldn’t feel as real as it should. Thankfully, the show managed to keep us entertained during the interrogation. They handled it rather well. Jarvis is a very interesting character, and I’m glad that Chad Michael Murray had something to do in this episode by interacting with D’Arcy’s character.

I really enjoyed the debate by the pier between Jarvis and Carter – Jarvis was spot-on – and his subsequent phonecall to Sousa was hilarious. Jarvis and Carter are winning me over, I am starting to really like this show. Sidenote, is it just me or did you also find it weird that Sousa and Krzeminski were signalling that they were on their way to the pier? The SSR should be secret and silent, not loud like they were going to the pier.

The death of Krzeminski adds to the drama of the show, and also aids Carter somewhat. Hard to know how to react to that scene. His death means her secret is safe for now, though the reaction of Rose and the gals was tough to stomach.

The silence was chilling. The fact that they blamed Stark for what happened is good for the show, so I’m not complaining. I liked that Peggy “English” opened up to Angie at the end of the episode, Peggy needs to open up – she seems like too much of a loner (as I’ve mentioned before). This was a great episode. Great story, great character interaction and a great episode conclusion.

A-

I’m Jeffrey Rex

REVIEW: Marvel’s Agent Carter – “Bridge and Tunnel”

I'm Jeffrey Rex Episode Review - Agent Carter
On the 18th of February 2015 Danish Netflix released the episodes that have aired on ABC of Marvel’s Agent Carter. This is my first time watching and reviewing it, though I am aware of the fact that most Americans have had the opportunity to watch it.

We need more great female characters, and I fully expected one to come out of Agent Carter. One of the things I love about this show is how they write Carter as a strong female character – she’s equally smart, and like she proved in the premiere she doesn’t need anyone’s protection. She’s perfectly capable.

One of the great things about episodes following the pilot – and what’s great about sequels in general – is that they don’t have to explain themselves or their characters. This can help any show settle in, and in Bridge and Tunnel this show becomes much more settled. No actions are forced, and the plot is much more nimble and free-flowing on the screen.

I love The Captain America Adventure Program radio opening – it fits in perfectly with the time period – and I like to see how the general world is coping with people like Cap having fought for them. Having Carter as the star, the hero, when hearing the radio program later in the episode was also perfect. Atwell is great again, and her little attempt at finding the supposed photograph of her at the club was as fun as it should be.

I am beginning to really like Jarvis, who is actually quite fun in this episode. He wants to help, he feels that it is his responsibility – which doesn’t always jibe with the very capable loner, Peggy Carter. I want to see more from Lyndsy Fonseca’s character – and she did appear quite a lot in this episode – I really like that actress.

This show is really pleasing me, even though I don’t care a lot about Leviathan yet. The characters are interesting, and the way they write Peggy Carter is stellar – this show is entertaining, much more than Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was 2 episodes in.

B+

I’m Jeffrey Rex

REVIEW: Marvel’s Agent Carter – “Now Is Not The End”

I'm Jeffrey Rex Episode Review - Agent Carter - Episode One
Today, the 18th of February 2015, Danish Netflix released the episodes that have aired on ABC of Marvel’s Agent Carter. This is my first time watching and reviewing it, though I am aware of the fact that most Americans have had the opportunity to watch it.

For the uninitiated, Marvel’s Agent Carter is about Margaret ‘Peggy’ Carter – the love interest of Steve Rogers in Captain America: The First Avenger. They decided to create the show due to the popularity of the Marvel One-Shot titled Agent Carter. Now back to basics. I really love the cast of Agent Carter. Hayley Atwell is back as Peggy Carter, and is joined by James D’Arcy, Chad Michael Murray and Enver Gjokaj. Gjokaj already appeared as a NYPD cop in The Avengers, so that should be annoying for True Believers.

Peggy is a strong character, and the show, thankfully, doesn’t hide that. She’s confident – the hero of her own story. D’Arcy’s Jarvis has a weird introduction, but quickly evolves into the lovable British assistant he was meant to be. Gjokaj’s character is very nice to Peggy, whereas Chad Michael Murray’s character is much more arrogant – and definitely a hotshot.

The information dump in this episode is huge, which is to be expected when watching a show about the 1940s – and especially since it’s about the timeline of Captain America: The First Avenger. But – the scene introducing Carter’s roommate has one awful line of information dump – one that’s absolutely unnecessary.

There are some nice reference in between the story and its information dump – and I actually thought this episode did much better than the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. pilot in appeasing me, and appealing to my interests. This show definitely has potential, and it should improve in due time – seeing as it isn’t as tied down to the MCU timeline as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. Finally, I’d like to add that the villains of the show aren’t that original. Their internal interaction was basically stolen from Fringe – and they don’t seem scary.

B

I’m Jeffrey Rex