The Devils (1971)

The Devils (1971)

A roller-coaster ride in France's medieval corruption (8*)

"What am I watching?" Is a question you might ask frequently in this film. The story seems simple: in an attempt to centralise power in France, a cardinal orders the walls of a city to be brought down. To do this, a priest defending the city should be convicted of witchcraft.

If one would only see the written dialogues, the film could still be 'normal'. However, it isn't.

First of all, it's intense. Heavy-worded dialogues follow up on each other and are brought in an almost vicious way. Action happens quickly. The shots are cut at a very quick pace.

Second, the amount of nudity, sexual behaviour and profanity might shock many viewers. Their purpose is to show the corruptness of religion.

Third, the music is just... disturbing. It adds to the disorientation in the movie as well as the whole photography.

Now, the question is: was it all worth it? My opinion: yes. Although this film is not to be viewed by persons who are easily upset or have an aversion for 'weird' films.

The pace and profanity were even a little too much for me. But it fits the purpose: to show the hypocrisy and corruption in the heart of the church, leaving you wondering if it really was like that in that period in time.

Another thing that left me wondering: why are Cardinal Richelieu and one of his priests wearing John Lennon glasses that could only have been made in the 20th century?

The Longest Day (1962)

The Longest Day (1962)

Authentic WWII film (8*)

A film about just one day, but an important day. The film gives sometimes brilliant, sometimes anecdotal accounts of the 6th of June 1944.

Thanks to the personal focuses, involving many personal stories, forgotten details, important decisions, and many other insights, the film manages to fascinate.

The film is epic in its scale, with a lot of scenes in which many resources were invested. It is not epic in the sense of heroism, and that's a good thing. All levels of command are portrayed, each one with their own tough decisions to be made.

Another bonus is the absence of moral judgment, thanks to the often-lacking German points of view in WWII films. The inclusion of the French resistance is also noteworthy.

Acting is great, and history-lovers will have a great evening watching this film. I wish I could say this was the day that decided WWII, but I'd rather refer to the more recent film 'The Imitation Game'.

Coup de torchon (1981)

Coup de torchon (1981)

French comedy - or is it? (6*)

French humor is like coffee: you either like it or dislike it. As the film starts, one can quickly make up its mind about whether it's enjoyable to watch or not. But it isn't what it seems.

A corrupt cop in Western Africa with little respect or authority turns to vengeance. It describes the film perfectly. However, just like the description of French comedy, it isn't what it seems.

The dark humor, film-noir in a town filled with light, the little rhymes in the dialogues: it's been thought over, earning good ratings from critics. It's understandable, when it's mixed with symbolism, philosophical discussions and a very realistic scenery.

Add the blatant racism and the actors' excellent performances, and we're mixing too many things. For some reasons, it felt like watching a play at the theater, as well due to the intense dialogues.

However, it fails to capture the attention. The film misses direction. The actors seem distant. Despite so many good ingredients, the end result isn't convincing. But it is surely to those who like a mix of genres.

12 Angry Men (1997)

12 Angry Men (1997)

Good remake (8*)

One can't escape a comparison with the earlier same-titled film of 1957. The 1957 version was innovative - how can you keep 12 men in the same room for almost the whole movie? - and generally considered a masterpiece.

The 1997 movie is the updated version, close to the original. So don't expect too many surprises from that end.

Both movies are very thought-provoking. About the judicial system. About human relations. About prejudices. About justice. It makes it worth to watch at least one of them.

The film manages to capture your attention despite the limitation, both in time and space. Even though it is a remake, it leaves you smiling.

The story is rather simple: 12 members of the jury have to decide unanimously whether to convict a young man to death, or not.

If it weren't a remake, I'd give it a 9.

Easy Rider (1969)

Easy Rider (1969)

Cinematic road movie (8*)

Two bikers set on a road trip in the USA. What starts as an adventure becomes a discovery of American culture at the end of the sixties.

Beautifully set in the southern states, the film invites viewers on to the main actors' road trip. It is definitely worth seeing the movie in HD: views on landscapes are carefully mixed with the story.

With many scenes shot close to the actors, it's easy to 'feel' within the story. Overall, the length of the scenes suited the movie well. Some camera cuts were inventive but maybe a little annoying.

The actors' performance was great, portraying open-minded Peter Fonda and hesitating Dennis Hopper. They give the film a peaceful progress. The different persons and communities they meet were very credibly put together, resulting in authentic 'clashes' and 'mixes' of cultures.

The music fit the film. 'Born to be wild' is an obligatory participant.

It's a great movie to get a cultural trip into the '60s USA.

Spectre (2015)

Spectre (2015)

Predictable, disappointing Bond movie (4*)

Not that one would expect a multi-layered dramatic masterpiece, but this Bond movie was quite a disappointment even to Bond standards.

After two above-average movies (Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace), it's hard to keep the same level. However, the number of pointless action plots, the predictable story line(s) and the poor acting make it a difficult one to watch.

Starts off well in a well-thought scene, followed by too many action scenes and too little creativity, too little character development and too many clichés. The Bond girls fail to bring an extra layer. On the day of your beloved's funeral and after an assassination attempt, would you sleep with someone? OK, it's a Bond movie, but...

Much more could have been done with the plot. Bond's 'message from the past' is a missed opportunity. Moneypenny's relationship is a missed opportunity. The soundtrack is a missed opportunity. And this is just in the start of the movie.

What was enjoyable, was the outside scenery of Rome and the opening scene as well as some good camera work. Unfortunately, there wasn't much more noteworthy in 2,5 hours.

Even hard to watch for 16+ die-hard Bond fans.

Gettysburg (1993)

Gettysburg (1993)

Epic historical film to watch again (9*)

If there's only one word to describe this movie, it's epic. In all of its meanings: length, dialogues, significance, music, scenery, massive battlefields and so on.

The length (over 4 hours) probably scares potential viewers, as well as the locations: most of the footage was shot in the surroundings of Gettysburg.

However, the film is nothing less than a tour de force. It brings a balanced mix of personal stories, military strategy and battle scenes. Both the Union and Confederal sides are portrayed in a neutral manner.

The film captures the viewers' attention from beginning to end. The incredible eye for detail, the relentless tension, the battle's background story and many other aspects make it a film to watch again. Martin Sheen's interpretation of Confederate General Lee is also one of those reasons.

Both the horror and the glory take their place in the movie. Even if the film was produced over 20 years ago, the political aspects are still relevant today in the United States of America.

For history lovers, this is nothing less than a must-see.

Badlands (1973)

Badlands (1973)

Intriguing thriller 8*

The movie invites the viewer on a road trip by following a serial killer and the impressionable girl accompanying him.

Main actor Martin Sheen delivers an excellent performance. His portrayal of a typical psychopath leaves viewers with many questions, and adds intrigue to the sometimes surrealistic movie.

The music, going from classic music to jazz, helps to turn the movie into a thriller. With Sheen's female counterpart Sissy Spacek's voice-overs, the movie mixes different genres and points of view.

An additional reason to watch the film is the beautiful scenery, from which the film's title is derived. Filming occurred in Colorado, and nature lovers might enjoy the movie.

An interesting watch with thoughtful character developments.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

Classic 70s horror (7*)

In this remake of the 50s horror movie, a health inspector witnesses the invasion of alien 'body snatchers', who capture human beings.

Despite being a remake, the film is well-adapted to a 70s public. The scenery, the dialogues and especially the music turn this movie into a rather enjoyable thriller with a good portion of suspense.

Often, it has the same feel as the 70s zombie movies. Longer shots, time for showing the environment, and the music that nowadays sounds very offbeat to a horror movie. Also, the camera movements are sometimes experimental for that time.

The production managed to get talented actors, who add depth that is usually lacking to nowadays' horror movies.

Already seen the 50s movie? It's still enjoyable. The story was rewritten so that there are still plenty of surprising scenes.

All in all, it is good entertainment and a must for 70s horror movie fans.

Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)

Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)

Thought-provoking war movie (8*)

At the end of the second world war, the Japanese armed forces make a stand on the strategic island Iwo Jima. With an imminent American invasion, a Japanese commander with an American affiliation takes the leadership of the island.

Although one could expect a 'traditional' war movie similar to Saving Private Ryan, it's none of that. The central theme of the movie is the clash between Japanese tradition and 'modern' values.

Through the use of personal stories, the film carries a strong message against the atrocities of war. But it also shows that individuals can make a positive difference in war. The many dilemmas the characters face show an interesting side of war.

Thanks to the smaller and bigger decisions the main actors have to take, this drama takes viewers within the Japanese's heads while fighting for their countries and families staying at home. Should they follow their values, their convictions, their leaders or their thoughts? 

Courageous choice to produce the movie in Japanese, dialogues are authentic, and emotions are real.

A thought-provoking movie, not a b-film to just fill an empty evening.

Land of the Dead (2005)

Land of the Dead (2005)

Decent zombie film (6*)

Looking for an average zombie movie? You'll be pleasantly surprised. The movie has a few interesting aspects. Acting is reasonably good - thanks to the talented cast. The scenery is authentic and realistic. The film is well-written, resulting in a decent number of story lines. Many scenes are inventive and nice to look at.

Because the film takes place a long time after the zombie outbreak, the most annoying zombie movie mistake is avoided: people acting in the movie have never seen a zombie movie. Usually it takes half a film for the characters to realise there is an outbreak. Not of all that in this one.

The story in two sentences: a businessman built a safe city after a zombie apocalypse. However, zombies become intelligent and this starts to threaten the city.

One big minus: the uncountable number of inconsistencies. Why do you put loud headphones on when you're waiting for someone in Zombieland? Why do zombies play tuba? Why do people shoot in the air with limited bullets? Why don't you cut someone's leg/arm when it's infected? And I still don't get the walkie-talkie system where you don't have to choose who you're calling.

On top of it all, a soldier going to the ground infested with zombies, when he could have stayed safely in his tower. That's where it got painfully hilarious.

An above-average zombie movie - if you're not too much bothered by inconsistencies.

Billy Elliot (2000)

Billy Elliot (2000)

Feel-good yet intelligent film (7*)

Set against the backdrop of the strikes at the UK's mines, young boy Billy Elliot discovers his love for dance. He finds opposition within his dysfunctional family but the love isn't set to die out.

The most remarkable of this entertaining movie is the young protagonist's (Jamie Bell) performance. It stands out to the others' more hesitant portrayals of struggling individuals.

The emotional evolutions the characters undergo sometimes lack credibility. However, it is compensated by the creative depiction of the raw reality of the UK's 1980s.

Another strong point is that the film takes the children's point of view. Often insecure, they try to cope with the big and small things in life. At the same time, the adults around them display emotional struggle as they haven't managed to cope.

This is no movie for children, despite the character's young age. Interesting themes as family, hopes, unprocessed emotions are mixed together in this enjoyable feel-good movie.

The Flowers of War - Jin ling shi san chai (2011)

The Flowers of War - Jin ling shi san chai (2011)

Good setting, less good movie (6*)

Producing a movie about sensitive historic conflicts is always difficult, since views on the events are usually written from the point of view of the winners of the war or conflict. In this case, the Chinese victims of the horrible massacre at Nanking of 1937. 

On the other hand, the losing party (the Japanese in this case) might have difficulties admitting the brutalities and bestialities that happened. Coming to terms with the past is something rarely achieved by movies. Compare this with movies on the Holocaust: there are many, but very few of them capture the real horror. La Vita è Bella is just one example. Same for this movie.

In this view, it is already an achievement to bring a "Hollywood-style" movie in cinemas about this topic. The horrors that happened are largely unknown to the greater public.

However, the movie in itself was a bit of a disappointment. The dialogues were not well worked out. The multiple languages used in the movie (English, Japanese and Chinese) did not interact well, making the chemistry between the actors difficult. 

The actors did make an effort, although Christian Bale could have done a little more. The Japanese soldiers seemed like caricatures with little character development. 

The lack of chemistry affected the connection with the viewer. Many clues and scenes were just too obvious and overly predictable, and you never really feel like you're standing in Nanking.

However, one good point is the use of light throughout the movie. Also, some scenes were surprisingly good, the battle scene in the beginning is just one example. 

So this movie is a nice one to watch if you like historical movies, but don't expect to be amazed.

Predestination (2014)

Film review: Predestination (2014)

Thought-provoking, creative science-fiction (8*)

15 September 2016

Predestination is a film that proves science-fiction can be entertaining without special effects. The number of main actors involved and the absence of modern CGI techniques made this movie a challenge to the film's crew and producers to achieve a thrilling experience. And they won the challenge.

With a minimum of music and good acting, the story intrigues and unravels in a timely manner. A good portion of surprising plot twists make the story complete and interesting. Ethan Hawke gives a decent performance, but it's Sarah Snook that fascinates and brings the movie on a higher level.

The film also raises some philosophical questions and can make you think. The main actor's dilemma's, the good dialogues and the consequences of the actor's choices add up to a movie to talk about after seeing it. 

If you need to see an interesting thriller, and you're not in need of too many special effects, this is a perfect movie.

Celda 211 - Cell 211 (2009)

Film review: Celda 211 - Cell 211 (2009)

Excellent thriller (8*)

This gripping story of a prison officer hiding as an inmate during a revolt will keep you at the edge of your seat. The pace of events regularly accelerates and will keep you from breathing.

The film mixes the genres personal drama, thriller and action in an excellent way. Spanish actor Luis Tosar gives a terrific performance as the prison's kingpin. The protagonist, Alberto Ammann, makes it easier for viewers to feel involved in the prison's claustrophobic setting.

The movie stands out of the pack of other prison dramas, also by adding the Spanish political situation as an external factor to the mix. 

The music fuels the tension and is definitely one of the movie's strong points. 

Knowing Spanish at a native level will certainly help you to enjoy this movie. For example, the prison's kingpin uses 'agua' to dismiss an official. It's the key word for illegal street vendors to warn each other that policemen are arriving.

An excellent thriller, especially for those who like the genre.