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Reviews
The Da Vinci Code (2006)
Not so good, disappointingly so
A lot about this movie could have been done better. What I missed from it were: good chemistry between cast members, and a truly gripping storyline. In fact a lot could have been learned from how The Bourne Identity was done. The Discovery Of Heaven meets The Bourne Identity, but worse than either. Not one character playing as interesting as Onno, or Bourne, or Marie. The hunt and chase scenes never reach the level found with Bourne. There is enough there in terms of good actors and story content, so ultimate the producers and director are the main culprits. A pity, good and interesting stories converted to good movies are far in between as it is.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
Fiddling on the snare of boredom
Astoundedly awful and mindlessly boring rehash of part 1. I felt being treated like a toddler, with all the endless repeats of jokes and plot twists which on first occurrence might have put a smile on your face (if that). ***spoiler*** By the time the main characters were digging up the chest I had lost interest to the degree that I actually fell asleep, but was quickly awoken by my viewing partner. The rest of the movie I spent either mildly smiling in disbelieve or staring holes through the screen because of boredom as yet another tentacle was clawing around for I care not who. And then to think that a sequel is going to release the tension of the cliffhanger ending.
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)
A futuristic marvel, made through a mind from the past
What a wonderful refreshing movie! Like a parallel world, larger than life, out of the mind of science fiction writers from ages past. Advanced "Atlantic" technology brought back from underneath the ocean, fully integrated into the late thirties. A world with the Industrial Age super-sized, where machines rule (or at least try to), in the absence of computers and such. Super-heroes coming to the rescue of whole continents, without capes and super-human strength: International Rescue from before the Space Age. A mingle of color and black & white, highly stylized acting too, completely out of the blue, and, a very welcome refreshment.
I wholeheartedly agree with Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times, when he writes:
"It's like a film that escaped from the imagination directly onto the screen, without having to pass through reality along the way."
I cannot wait to see more coming from the very creative minds of Kerry and Kirsten Conran.
Titanic (1997)
Saw it again, still one of the best movies ever!
Saw Titanic again just now, and I can say I enjoyed every moment of it. Showing the old wreck, the -now very old- female survivor, the bringing back of memories and actually being there, wonderful! A True Masterpiece!!! Even the love story holds up, where so many people try to dish this part of the movie. Ok, so Di Caprio isn't overly talented, but Kate is a marvel, and the story-line interweaves the dramatic love story very grippingly with the even more dramatic impending doom of 1500+ on board who cannot get out.
This used to be my no. 2 all-time favorite, after Schindler's List, but now the first 2 LOTR movies make it my current no. 4. And well deserved.
This movie aged much better than f.i. Jurassic Park does.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Brilliancy messed up, Extended Edition to the rescue?
What should have been the peak of the trilogy got butchered (on the cutting floor?), and left me with mixed feelings.
Some people here already summed it up:
*SPOILERS*
* The opening scene (Deagol - Smeagol) should have been part of TTT, as it is unfitting for this late stage in the story. * 'The Voice of Saruman' should not have been cut. * Too many things left unexplained, like Denethors behaviour. * The lighting of the Beacons took too much time. * Ill-pacing of the movie in general. * The battle in front of Minas Tirith should have been in a dark(er) setting, just like in the book. And it should have appeared to last (much) longer, as it did in the book. Now it feels rushed. * Frodo and Sams journey through Mordor should have taken more (screen) time. * Viggo Mortensen's performance at Aragorns crowning looked to be very poor. A great waste, because he had been doing so well before. * The movie should have ended with the crowning scene, and several farewells, preferably mixed with naration (showing in short images the future of each main character). The current endless endings if anywhere belong in the Extended Edition.
That said, I think this movie has at least 1 1/2 hours of brilliant stuff in it. The climbing of the stairs, and the preceding departure of the witch-king from his castle are probably my favorite scenes.
Hopefully the Extended Edition will fix many of its flaws, as I rate ROTK well below the first two installments.
Ronja Rövardotter (1984)
Brilliant and unspoilt family movie.
Gosh, what a refreshing movie!!!
We live in a time that some countries forbid children to sit on Santa's lap, because of what they consider 'proper conduct'. This movie is in so many ways the opposite: unspoilt, free, warm and caring.
Children as the adolescent main characters, with adults mainly behaving like small children. This movie is about fun, adventure and values in live, and is family entertainment at its best!!! Cudo's and many mad props to those who created it. And I'm not even starting about Peter Jackson's the Lord of the Rings (so many years later) or those funny creatures that question everything.... Go see it!!!!!! (why is there still no DVD?)
Blade (1998)
Probably the worst movie it has been my displeasure to watch..
Full of disbelieve I put the dvd-player on fast-forward after only 5 minutes of this utter garbage of a film. Not since the awful and noisy start of Romeo + Juliet (1996) had I questioned the sanity of the director and the audience that could endure this.
I'm glad to say I didn't watch Blade in the cinema as I had Romeo + Juliet then, so I could quickly scan if any of the movie was watchable and returned it damn pronto to the video store.
One thing I know for sure: anyone who likes this is fully incompatible with me. So far this is the only movie that I have given a 1/10.
Shichinin no samurai (1954)
The Greatest Movie of all time?
Seldom have I watched a movie of such epic stature. Only 3 1/2 hours long and packed front-to-back with bull-gripping, rice-twirling action and the subtlest of humor. Timeless.
Kurosawa's usage of the black-and-white media is the most colorful to date, the characters truly belong to this movie, and sub-plots are never too complicated or confusing. I finally got to understand why hara-kiri is such an important part of this civilization, having been on the brink myself watching this movie. ***SPOILER** It has nothing to do with honor (as popular believe will have it). **END OF SPOILER***
While the others in my company stopped watching in utter disgust (or were bored stiff) and went to sleep I continued to watch this great Japanese pre-western, waiting for the climactic end.
Only some doubt remained if I could have spent those extremely tedious and uneventful 207 minutes in some better fashion. Nah...
Die Another Day (2002)
Easily one of the best Bond movies.
Having heard so many negative stories I was surprised to see how well this movie was. Maybe a bit too many explosions in the beginning, but that is typically Bond, just like many other 'shortcomings' in the rest of the movie. For a "Bond" this is a very good movie.
I liked script, good - and bad 'guys', the acting, and the futuristic aspects (Icarus, etc.). It's just like Moonraker and Octopussy again, only this time done with the latest in special effects and good performances all around. Jaws traded in for Hale Berry, I'm not gonna complain! :-)
Bowling for Columbine (2002)
Finally: One American not out of touch with reality...
Yesterday evening I watched Bowling for Columbine about part of the "craziness" of the American population, as we see it from abroad: guncontrol and obsessive media. This morning I read stories about restarting the nuclear weapons production, with 10.000+ nuclear weapons already in possession!
With this movie there is at last a tool to open up peoples eyes to sanity. I hope the message is not misunderstood, and that guncontrol isn't singled out, because -really- the (mighty powerful) obsessive media is the prominent factor here. That's where the root of the problem lies: the loss of touch with reality of the people of the United States.
Cudos to mr. Moore for nailing it with such precision!
The Pianist (2002)
Highly impressive, insight - humanity - holocaust, "anti-war statement"!
Highly impressive: even a second viewing didn't take much away from this clear window upon humanity and survival during the holocaust. This movie was made to last, and will rise the imdb charts once enough people have seen it. Brody is magnificent, I hope he can keep his face more-or-less anonymous.
Another great statement to show the dangers of war and hatred!
Thelma & Louise (1991)
Negativism at its worst
Hailed by women, to me seems one of the worst examples of mindless man-banging in existence. In style with the anti-men/pro-women tv-series like Cagney & Lacey and other frustrated-women-strike-back productions of the last 15 years.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Truely epic, will see 2nd time for full appraisal
I'll make it a short one:
1. Initially a lipsync problem ticked me off a little (especially with Gollum). 2. Absolutely loved what they did with Gollum's character development, further on in the movie. 3. Amazing graphics and epic scenery (fights, some HUGE animals), although at times a bit chaotic. 4. Loved the atmosphere created by all the clearly different armies and creatures. 5. Will have to watch it again to see if some of the chaos and things I didn't get were my misinterpretation or defects in this cut of the movie.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Too long...
This movie lasted about half an hour too long, imo. There just wasn't enough content to stay captivated the full 2.5+ hours, especially when you've read the books. Where the first movie could have used an extra half hours, this one is way too thinly stretched.
Some examples: - The scene with the potion to hear what Malfoy knew about the curse could have been left out entirely. - There was a serious lack of notion that events where taking place during a school year. Only small reference was made to following classes and stuff, and the ones that were present mainly had to do with a cure for Petrification and the 'marvelous' Lockhart.
Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (2001)
Snatch meets love story
Saw it last night. I am a bit disappointed because so many people were so positive about this particular movie, here and elsewhere.
"Snatch meets love story." For me that is not an ideal mix: stressful; love comedies. Though there were a lot of characters, situations and images that were a treat to watch. No real love story with depth, but some wonderfully romantical moments. A cocktail, for those who find pure to sweet, or who are easily distracted.
Apart from some less original content (Snatch-stuff, gnome and commentating voice) a lot is there that is great to watch and original, so I will rate this movie an 8.
Snatch (2000)
Flashy commercial style, directing overshadows (flat) acting.
Watching this (often) fast paced movie, I got too much the impression that acting was being overshadowed by all these prominent smart-cuts, transitions from one scene to the next. The only real joy to watch (acting-wise) was Brad Pitt, playing the gypsy boxer. Benicio del Toro was a big disappointment as a leading cast for his mere cameo appearance, and a lousy one at that.
Calling this movie innovative or "highly original" is giving way too little credit to earlier movies like Lola Rennt.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Super quality, but there should be a 'long version'.
The first two hours of the movie: (score: 8 1/2)
During the first part (until the mines of Moria) I watched it mostly detached from what was happening on the cinema screen. It was great stuff, but I found myself mainly comparing it to the book I read (a long time ago).
I very much liked the quality of detail of stuff that made it in the film. I didn't like the speedy travel from the Shire towards Rivendell, a slightly too superficial introduction of some people and their weapons at Rivendell, and the speed of travel through the snowy mountains. All in all, during this first part things were just a bit too hasty for me. I felt I was looking at no more than a very good attempt of puting the Lord of the Rings to film.
The last hour of the movie: (score: 10)
In Moria this changed however. The entry to the mines was done like it should, the Cave Troll was done superbly as was the sequence at the final bridge. What followed were some of the best movie sequences I have ever witnessed: The loss of Gandalf, the conversation with Galadriel, the 2 huge statues, the betrayal of Boromir and his ultimate sacrifice. All these were done with such stunning power that I have very little to compare it with. Better than Schindler's List, which is the best I have seen from Steven Spielberg, and uptil now my favorite movie and director.
Conclusion:
In my opinion this movie sets new standards for high quality visuals, drama and music (during the most dramatic moments).
Should a 'long version' of this movie be made, paying special attention to my complaints of the first part, I would give this movie a perfect 10. Some parts at the end were done so amazingly well that I will still give this movie a 9 1/2. Thanx Peter Jackson!!