A Monster Calls (2016) - Starring Liam Neeson, Sigourney Weaver, and Felicity Jones

[Chaotic]

I will once it hits blu-ray.

[MEB]

My wife and I just finished watching this on Blu-ray. It is an absolutely fantastic film! Incredible storytelling! I regret not seeing this in the theater because the film deserves the support.

The Booth Bijou gives 'A Monster Calls' 5 out of 5 stars! Bring your hanky!

Mark

[Todd Tomorrow]

Only saw this yesterday and it may be the most under appreciated movie of the year. Yes, it got good reviews, but nobody went to see it and nobody talks about it at the end of the year.

I can see why it underperformed. Adults think it’s just a kids film and the film is probably too dark and sad for many children. And boy is it sad, I can’t remember the last time a film made me cry like this one did. Special mention of the animated sequences, which are beautiful. It made me think why did CGI feature film animation have to go down a route where everything has the same cutesy look when there could be films that look very different ?

The film’s only flaw is Sigourney Weaver who is terribly miscast, probably gives her career worst performance and who really can’t do a British accent. Could have seen Helen Mirren in the role. Just as well the film mostly focuses on the kid, who is great in the lead.

[Dead By Shaun]

Originally Posted by Todd Tomorrow

Only saw this yesterday and it may be the most under appreciated movie of the year. Yes, it got good reviews, but nobody went to see it and nobody talks about it at the end of the year.

I can see why it underperformed. Adults think it’s just a kids film and the film is probably too dark and sad for many children. And boy is it sad, I can’t remember the last time a film made me cry like this one did. Special mention of the animated sequences, which are beautiful. It made me think why did CGI feature film animation have to go down a route where everything has the same cutesy look when there could be films that look very different ?

The film’s only flaw is Sigourney Weaver who is terribly miscast, probably gives her career worst performance and who really can’t do a British accent. Could have seen Helen Mirren in the role. Just as well the film mostly focuses on the kid, who is great in the lead.

I share many of your same thoughts on this. I caught it in the theater for the one week it played in my town, bought the blu-ray day one and watched it three times since. Easily in my top 5 for the year. I love this film! I'm looking forward to seeing what J.A. Bayona does with Jurassic World 2 next year.

[civiclx]

Originally Posted by Todd Tomorrow

Only saw this yesterday and it may be the most under appreciated movie of the year. Yes, it got good reviews, but nobody went to see it and nobody talks about it at the end of the year.

I can see why it underperformed. Adults think it’s just a kids film and the film is probably too dark and sad for many children. And boy is it sad, I can’t remember the last time a film made me cry like this one did. Special mention of the animated sequences, which are beautiful. It made me think why did CGI feature film animation have to go down a route where everything has the same cutesy look when there could be films that look very different ?

The film’s only flaw is Sigourney Weaver who is terribly miscast, probably gives her career worst performance and who really can’t do a British accent. Could have seen Helen Mirren in the role. Just as well the film mostly focuses on the kid, who is great in the lead.

Oh boy, after reading this, I might have to check the synopsis again and considering giving it a watch.

[Monterey Jack]

Originally Posted by Dead By Shaun

I'm looking forward to seeing what J.A. Bayona does with Jurassic World 2 next year.

Sadly, you just KNOW he's gonna be a journeyman studio puppet on that.

Still, if the film's assured box office take is enough to allow Bayona to do more small, personal movies like A Monster Calls, so be it.

[Todd Tomorrow]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

Sadly, you just KNOW he's gonna be a journeyman studio puppet on that.

Still, if the film's assured box office take is enough to allow Bayona to do more small, personal movies like A Monster Calls, so be it.

I’m under no illusion that JW2 will be anything as artful as this, but hopefully Bayona will bring a bit more style, menace and atmosphere to this installment than the rather bland last film had.

[Monterey Jack]

Since the last movie made about two billion dollars or whatever, no way will Universal allow Bayona to rock the boat...hell, look at how Disney uncharacteristically allowed Rian Johnson free creative reign on The Last Jedi (after the micro-management on Rogue One and Han Solo to "give fans what they want"), and how fierce the fan backlash on it was. It'll probably have more elegant visuals, and a smattering of slightly-deeper characterization, but when this much money is on the line, it doesn't matter WHO is behind the camera...the studio notes will be VERY precise.

[Todd Tomorrow]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

Since the last movie made about two billion dollars or whatever, no way will Universal allow Bayona to rock the boat...hell, look at how Disney uncharacteristically allowed Rian Johnson free creative reign on The Last Jedi (after the micro-management on Rogue One and Han Solo to "give fans what they want"), and how fierce the fan backlash on it was. It'll probably have more elegant visuals, and a smattering of slightly-deeper characterization, but when this much money is on the line, it doesn't matter WHO is behind the camera...the studio notes will be VERY precise.

Nobody is saying he is going to “rock the boat” but Bayona himself already said JW2 will be a darker, more horror oriented take on the franchise. Early stills and trailers indicate that the film will have a darker, more moody look in line with Bayona’s previous films.

One forum member seems to be obsessed with showing how this doesn’t look like the previous JP films by posting still comparisons and “corrections” of early publicity.

Of course JW2 will still fall in line with the franchise, but there is nothing wrong with a few tweaks to the formula. JW may have been a financial success, but it doesn’t appear to be a much liked film now.

[Mr. Chaverria]

JW was a step back into JP. That's all it was. It didn't do anything that actually felt like it was worth existing aside from a business standpoint. Creatively... it's just there. I liked it but it was average.