Gert-haesendonck Reviews

Valkyrien (2017– )

must see

[8/10 · 14 December 2017]

I added the «comedy» tag to this series. Originally the description read «drama», but it's so much more than that: if you watch this series, you'll (hopefully) notice how funny, smart and unpredictably original its dialogue is. Generally, I'm not a fan of any actor, I rather believe in good casting. Yet I need to mention that Pal Sverre Hagen does (again) a magnificent job. He appeared on my radar while watching «Kraftidioten» (English: «In order of disappearance»), a movie in which he plays a psychopathic drug dealer in an incredibly humoristic fashion. The story of Valkyrien may be a little farfetched, personally I think it's exceptionally original in its writing. It is very off beat, unpredictable, even philosophical. In short: very smart and funny. All actors are very well cast and do a marvelous job. Superb writing and a must see if you're in for something original.

The Wire (2002–2008)

Best book ever read on TV

[9/10 · 24 October 2006]

English isn't my native tongue, so I'll keep this brief (allthough keeping it brief ain't exactly my strongest suit): I'm 37 years of age, I've seen a lot, lived a lot: Never have I seen a series so realistic, so full of...everything: No heroes, no beautiful people , not one Hollywoodian cliché. Briefly (like I said): to paraphrase a comment someone already stated; "This is the best book I've read in years... ." PS: I've read on IMDb that The Wire will have a fifth and final season: Too bad the fifth will be the last, 'cause given what we've seen in 1,2,3 & 4, I figured there could easily be a sixth. Ed & David, do you copy? Or should I say: "Do you feel me?" Or like Isaac Hayes sings while Andre is visiting Proposition Joe, in order not to get whacked: "Don't leave me this way!"

Nip/Tuck: Quentin Costa (2005) Season 3, Episode 15

Cheap Idea, Expensively Dressed

[6/10 · 14 August 2006]

I just borrowed these series from a friend and I really do not understand what all the fuss is about: Basically I think this is just a "cheap idea ("extreme make-over" poured into a series-format)expensively dressed". I generally tend to agree with the IMDb ratings, but in this case overrated is the exact term. I find the story lines very poorly written, as well as a lot of the dialogue. If you can't show nudity, than suggest it, but in this series everyone has sex (or makes love for that matter)with their underpants or bra on in scenes that last far too long. If you'd be hoping'to see some tits, save your breath guys. Scenes that last too long without really advancing the story, are in my opinion, one of the major shortcomings of Nip/Tuck. If you're in favour of more complex and multi-layered story lines where every shot or dialogue is more or less essential to the story (The Wire, Six Feet Under),watching this is just a waste of your time..I mean really.