nilsrauwoens Reviews

Hart's War (2002)

Very good movie

[13 June 2002]

This movie is basically a courtroom drama, set in the concentration camps during the Second World War. It was very well acted and I couldn't foresee what was about to happen!

I'm a big Bruce Willis fan and he gives a very strong performance here!

I've seen Colin Farrell in Tigerland and I think he's a very good actor, so I'm looking forward to "Minority Report" now!

I will also check out all the Katzenbach books I can't lay my hands on!

Go see this movie, people!

In Love and War (1987 TV Movie)

Woods should have gotten the Golden Globe in 1988 for this movie

[9 February 2002]

This is a well-written, very well-acted TV-movie. Judging by the very small amount of votes, this movie is not shown very often. I had the chance to see this on a rainy Friday afternoon and I loved it. It's the story of a soldier, played by James Woods, who is taken prisoner by the North-Vietnamese in the 60s. His wife at home in the States, knows he is trapped in a prison camp, but she was not allowed to reveal this in public. The diplomatic relations between the US and the Vietnamese were not to be disturbed. The movie tells the story of the tortures "Jim Stockdale" had to endure in the prison camp and how the wife tries to cope with the situation. Woods is often accused of always playing the same, arrogant-type "James Woods", but in my opinion he is one of the best actors around. This movie really proves he can play a character with more than one dimension. The actress who played the character of the wife, also did a very good job.

I recommend this movie to anyone. It's a well-acted, well-written movie with some historical background. This should be aired more often !

The Man Who Wasn't There (2001)

One of the worst movies I have ever seen!

[1/10 · 25 December 2001]

In my mind, the Coen brothers have made one excellent movie: Barton Fink.

Fargo: I still don't understand what the fuss was all about, I didn't think it was very funny. Blood Simple was a half successful thriller. The Big Lebowski had its moments, but it wasn't a good movie. Then we come to O' Brother, which doesn't interest me at all and this movie. It was awful. The story was just lame, with some really weird subplots (like the UFO). Billy Bob Thornton however, did an excellent job and James Gandolfini was good as always. It also looked great, in black and white. Tony Shalhoub had some funny moments, too. The big problem here is the story, which basically doesn't exist. The night before I went to see this movie, I saw Apocalypse Now Redux. I could certainly tell the difference!

Manhunter (1986)

Best of the three Lector movies

[24 November 2001]

There are three Hannibal Lector movies: Manhunter, Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal. Hannibal was one of the worst movies I have ever seen. It was completely ridiculous. Silence of the Lambs was okay, but it was too slow. Jonathan Demme has made better movies than that. Then we come to Manhunter, a fabulous movie with some very good acting from William Peterson and especially Joan Allen. It has got the best plot of the three. Michael Mann also made some other good movies, such as "The Insider".

It's really a shame that they are going to do a remake of this film. It's not so out-dated. This will just be made to get as much money as they can get from this stupid Lector hype. Don't touch this!

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: Live in New York City (2001 TV Special)

exhilarating concert registration

[10/10 · 14 September 2001]

After 13 years, Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band have reunited for an extensive tour through Europe and the United States. I've had the pleasure of seeing them in Paris and it was wonderful. There is no other performer who can get a crowd going like that at his 50s.The tour ended with a 10-night-stand in New York City, all of them sold out. The last concert was recorded and is now "Live in New York City". It's an exhilarating concert registration, but it's not a "Live Greatest Hits". He only plays The River, in an alternate, longer version and Born To Run.When I first saw it, it all came back to me from Paris, especially his interacts with the crowd.It all ends with a 20-minute-version of Tenth Avenue Freeze-out from his masterpiece "Born To Run", which includes an Al Green medley. The last 2 songs are new: the beautiful Land of Hope and Dreams and the controversial American Skin(41 Shots). But still, there is no band like The E-Street Band.