runoson Reviews

D-Day: The Unheard Tapes (2024)

Band of Brothers

[9/10 · 10 June 2024]

I thought I would watch a little bit of this series after I had finished dinner. I couldn't stop and was completely engaged and watched the series from start to finish.

The series gives you a lot of different perspectives of the battle of Normandy. Based on real interviews with veterans from both sides. The actors mimicking the lines from the real interviews do a great job and underline the grim message that comes across with such power.

This is a must if you enjoyed Saving Private Ryan or the Band of Brothers series.

The details in the stories being told are incredible, as the veterans use every sense to describe the horrors of war and the beauty of true comradery.

Payback (I) (1999)

Better Than I Remembered

[7/10 · 8 August 2023]

After having read almost every Richard Stark novel with Parker, which Mel Gibson's character is based on, I had to give this movie another shot.

I watched "Payback" 20 years ago and wasn't impressed at all, but now with all the Parker novels under my belt, I found the movie surprisingly entertaining.

Mel Gibson portrays the Parker character from the novels perfectly. A load of cool supporting actors, like Kris Kristofferson and James Coburn, make the film even more intriguing.

The movie starts off with a bang and has enough twists and action to keep you entertained throughout.

Give the movie another shot, and for God's sake don't miss out on the great Parker series novels by Richard Stark!

Contract to Kill (2016)

Absolutely awful!

[1/10 · 27 August 2017]

Steven Seagal made some semi-cool action movies in the late 80's and early 90's, but this is one is about as bad as it gets.

Sure, you can watch this if you want a good laugh. But if you like Seagal you'd be better off watching "Nico" or "Under Siege" once more instead of this garbage.

Seagal is in fact the best actor in this thing, and that says a lot. Just listen to the two, soon to be dead, guys in the opening scene, and you'll understand how bad the actors are in "Contract To Kill". In addition to that the special effects are laughable (watch the plane explosion), the dialogue awful (f**k this, f**k that) and the editing is poorly done.

Fast forward to Seagal's fighting scenes. They are still pretty fun to watch.

Loft (I) (2008)

Dark thriller with lots of twists

[9/10 · 5 December 2013]

Some of my favorite films are "The Game", "Seven" and "Fight Club". Dark mystery films with a lot of twist. "The Loft" follows the same pattern and does so successfully.

The themes of the film are friendship, love and cheating in a twisted plot that repeatedly keeps the spectators on their toes. Don't read the summary of the film at IMDb as it gives away a bit too much. Actually, you should never read the summary of a film 'cause they always give away too much.

Even though I don't understand the language in the film the actors manage to convince me and entertain me. The female lead character, Veerle Baetens, is especially enchanting. I first got a glimpse of her in another great film called "The Broken Circle Breakdown", where she was equally electrifying. Matthias Schoenaerts is perfect as a simple brute, a role which he has to some extent repeated in other films like "Bullhead" and "Rust and Bone".

"The Loft" is shot beautifully with lots of different lenses, crane cameras and lighted in a way that underlines the tension and the feelings of the actors.

I had a good time watching this one and I believe you will too.

Now You See Me (I) (2013)

Spectacular yet incredibly silly

[4/10 · 3 October 2013]

This one is more for a young audience since the tricks are so over the top it all becomes extremely silly. Yet a beautiful work of art, but as a film it falls short.

Maybe superstitious people tend to like this film more than I do. To me the film could have been great if it had been at least somewhat believable. Now it's almost laughable and the great effects cannot hide that the film is a stinker.

Nothing new is presented and the film follows the well known pattern with some surprises to spice things up.

I had high hopes but as extremely disappointed. Too bad.

That Metal Show (2008–2015)

Great show for metal heads!

[10/10 · 8 February 2013]

If you're into hard rock and heavy metal - this is the show for you. Two comedians and a hard rock nerd host this show and are joined by great rock and roll guests, e.g. Axl Rose, Ace Frehley, Lemmy, Slash, Lars Ulrich and the late Ronnie James Dio.

The show has evolved during the years and has been a masterpiece since about season seven.

That Metal Show (aka TMS) is like Dave Letterman but with funnier hosts and better guests.

People in the USA can watch for free on VH1's site, it's available for download here and there(...) for the rest of us, Check it out!

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998 Video)

Surprisingly good

[7/10 · 3 February 2013]

Lion King II is darker and scarier but lacks the humor and music from the first film.

Everybody knows the first film but this one is a bit under the radar. I don't know why since it works well and follows the same pattern as the first one. Good versus Evil with strong sidekicks and villains. I especially like the weird offspring of the evil Scar.

The film contains all the ingredients of a likable Disney film - humor (less than in the first, though), good vs evil and a love story.

All in all, it's a good sequel and should get more attention that it has been receiving. 7/10. If your kids liked the first one they will surely enjoy this one as well.