00s Movie Review - 28 Days Later

Director: Danny Boyle
Genre: Horror/ Thriller
Runtime: 113 minutes
Year: 2002
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Brendan Gleeson, Christopher Eccleston, Megan Burns, Alex Palmer, Noah Huntley, Christopher Dunne, Emma Hitching, Alexander Delamere, Kim McGarrity

Description: Four weeks after a mysterious, incurable virus spreads throughout the UK, a handful of survivors try to find sanctuary.

Review: Jim wakes up, 28 days after an epidemic infection outbreak, in a hospital in London. When he leaves the hospital, he sees that the streets of London are abandoned, trash everywhere, cars and busses in the middle of the street. When he visits a church he is confronted with the aftermath. People with serious rage are coming after him. When he flees, Jim meets Mark and Selena. They tell Jim what really happened and the three join forces. When they visit Jim’s parents, who killed themselves, they decide to go out and find more survivors.
A lot of horror films don’t have the best script or story, but the movie is scary anyway. “28 Days Later’ doesn’t have an ingenious plot either, but it’s very well shot. The power is especially in the silences. Normally music and sound effects build up tension, but here it’s absolute silence. You have to focus on the dialogue, which makes you more involved with the characters. And the strong cast also helps making this movie as believable and convincing as it is. Unlike a lot of horror movies, this movie has characters with depth and you actually care about them. And the performance are also great.
This is a must for every horror fan, it’s definitely one of my favorite horror movies.

Rating: 5 / 5

00s Movie Review - Eight Legged Freaks

Director: Ellory Elkayem
Genre: Action/ Horror/Comedy/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 2002
Starring: David Arquette, Kari Wuhrer, Scarlett Johansson

Description: Venomous spiders get exposed to a noxious chemical that causes them to grow to monumental proportions.

Review: Monster movies are popular, monster-like creatures attacking the city. Whether it’s sharks, crocs, dinosaurs, dragons or giant insects, we’ve seen it all. And when it comes to those monster movies, there are more bad ones than good ones.
They can also be divided in different categories. There are the serious monster movies that are actually good, comedic monster movies that are good, bad monster movies that take themselves way too seriously and bad monster movies that mock themselves. “Eight Legged Freaks” fall in tat last category.
It’s a comedic monster movie and it’s not very good, but it never takes itself seriously and that’s why it’s better and more enjoyable.
The town in “Eight Legged Freaks” is under the attack od giant spiders, who have grown due to toxic waste. It starts out innocent, they attack local dogs, cats and even ostriches. But eventually the local citizens are the victims of the murderous spiders.
The film is cheesy and cliché and it looks like a B-movie. But that’s not really true. It’s a fun mix of horror, science fiction and a big dose of humor. The spiders look real, but sometimes the effect look a bit outdated. It probably won’t stand the test of time.
Don’t expect layers or deep characters. “Eight Legged Freak” is still a monster movie, a perfect popcorn flick.

Rating: 3/ 5

80s Movie Review - The Goonies

Director: Richard Donner
Genre: Adventure/ Comedy/ Family
Runtime: 114 minutes
Year: 1985
Starring: Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman, Jeff Cohen, Kerri Green, Jonathan Ke Quan, Martha Plimpton

Description: In order to save their home from foreclosure, a group of misfits set out to find a pirate's ancient valuable treasure.

Review: A year before Steven Spielberg, who wrote “The Goonies”, delivered us this movie, he worked on “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”. That is clearly visible. The excitement, the effects and the décor could all be in an Indy film. But this all doesn’t mean that “The Goonies” is pretty much the same. The biggest difference is the audience. Much younger viewers are targeted. Indiana Jones would never go looking for a captain named One-Eyed Willy or is chased by an over-the-top group of bad guys called the Fratelli’s. All ingredients for a movie with a youthful mentality.
When “The Goonies” was released, it wasn’t a huge success. It wasn’t until it was brought to VHS that kids started watching it. Nowadays “The Goonies” has a true cult status and it’s loved by young and old, the kids from the 80’s included. And it deserves that status. The adventure that the kids are on brings a good old eighties feeling to you. It’s easy to identify with the cowardly Chunk, the cool and know-it-all Mikey, inventive Data and even the cheeky Mouth.
Don’t expect a deeper story, but a family film like this doesn’t need that. “The Goonies” gives you that youthful feeling again, a great film to watch.

Rating: 4 / 5

Movie Reviews - You Were Never Really Here

Director: Lynne Ramsay
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 90 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Alessandro Nivola, Judith Roberts, Ekaterine Samonov, Alex Manette, John Doman, Jason Babinsky, Vinicius Damasceno, Kate Easton, Jonathan Wilde, Dante Pereira-Olson, Leigh Dunham

Description: A traumatized veteran (Joaquin Phoenix), unafraid of violence, tracks down missing girls for a living. When a job spins out of control, Joe's nightmares overtake him as a conspiracy is uncovered leading to what may be his death trip or his awakening.

Review: Scottish director Lynne Ramsay doesn’t scare away from controversy. In her films she often takes on themes like poverty, suicide and grief.
In “You Were Never Really Here”, she uses another heavy theme: the illegal sex industry and the exploitation of children within that world. And there is also a strange fight for power going own, if that’s not enough.
We follow lead character Joe, a war veteran whose mission is to rescue the girls from the hands of the perverse people working in the industry.
Joe is played by Joaquin Phoenix, who gives away an intense performance. He has his own demons to deal with, but he goes a long way to save the children from this nasty world. His inner rage make him reach his goals.
Ramsay doesn’t scare away from violence either. Joe’s rescues are brutal and graphic. But the violence is not just there for the violence. This film is not for the faint of heart and the overall film isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
“You Were Never Really Here” leaves a lot of questions unanswered and at the end, I didn’t really know what I just saw. It’s a strange film, that somehow reminded me of “Drive” or Scorsese’s and DePalma’s oeuvre.
The film is heavy on the eyes, there is a lot you need to take in. And even with the film being only 90 minutes long, it feels like three hours. “You Were Never Really Here” is a film that I probably need to watch again sometime, because I found it pretty weird and hard to digest.

Rating: 3 / 5

00s Movie Review - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Director: Mike Newell
Genre: Adventure/ Family/ Fantasy
Runtime: 157 minutes
Year: 2005
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane, Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson, Timothy Spall, Ralph Fiennes, Miranda Richardson, Robert Pattinson, Stanislav Ianevski, Clémence Poésy, Mark Williams, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Bonnie Wright, Jason Isaacs, Tom Felton, Matthew Lewis, Warwick Davis, David Tennant

Description: Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) finds himself mysteriously selected as an under-aged competitor in a dangerous tournament between three schools of magic.

Review: Harry Potter has been challenged before, but the challenges he has to face in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” are from an entire different caliber.
The fourth installment in the series is a big spectacle. We start at the Quidditch World Cup, but quickly go back to Hogwarts. There Dumbledore tells the student about the Triwizard Tournament. Three different schools, including Hogwarts, will have to face three challenges. Three champions are chosen, but the goblet of fire spits out one more name: Harry Potter. No one knows how his name got in the cup, because he isn’t allowed to participate. Harry has to compete.
Although the movie is a visual spectacle and there is a lot of action, the emotional development is minimal. This was an important film in the series, because of a certain character reveal. But “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” isn’t the most memorable of the bunch. And the movie is very long with its two and a half hours.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movies to Look Forward to - November 2018

November has two movies I'm super excited for, two movies I've been dying to see since I heard about them. But it has more in store for us. Here is a list of films to look forward to in November.

November 1st – Bohemian Rhapsody
Director: Brian Singer
Starring: Rami Malek, Joseph Mazzello, Mike Myers, Aiden Gillen, Tom Hollander
Description: A chronicle of the years leading up to Queen's legendary appearance at the Live Aid (1985) concert.

November 1st – Halloween
Director: David Gordon Green
Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer
Description: Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) comes to her final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago.

November 1st – The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
Director: Lasse Hallström, Joe Johnston
Starring: Mackenzie Foy, Keira Knightley, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, Jake Whitehall, Richard E. Grant, Matthew Mcfadyen, Miranda Hart
Description: A young girl (Mackenzie Foy) is transported into a magical world of gingerbread soldiers and an army of mice.

November 15th – Destination Wedding
Director: Victor Levin
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder
Description: The story of two miserable and unpleasant wedding guests, Lindsay (Winona Ruder) and Frank (Keanu Reeves), who develop a mutual affection despite themselves.

November 22nd – Widows
Director: Steve McQueen
Starring: Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Liam Neeson, Jon Bernthal, Colin Farrell, Robert DuVall
Description: Set in contemporary Chicago, amidst a time of turmoil, four women with nothing in common except a debt left behind by their dead husbands' criminal activities, take fate into their own hands, and conspire to forge a future on their own terms.

10s Movie Review - Loving Vincent

Director: Dorota Kobiela, Hugh Welchman
Genre: Animation/ Drama
Runtime: 95 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Douglas Booth, Josh Burdett, Holly Earl, Robin Hidges, Chris O’Dowd, John Session, Helen McCrory, Eleanor Tomlinson, Aidan Turner, Saoirse Ronan, Joe Stuckey, James Greene, Martin Herdman, Bill Thomas

Description: In a story depicted in oil painted animation, a young man comes to the last hometown of painter Vincent van Gogh to deliver the troubled artist's final letter and ends up investigating his final days there.

Review: The works of Vincent van Gogh are recognizable. They used Van Gogh’s paintings for “Loving Vincent”, the first hand painted movie.
I always appreciate and respect people who make animated movies. Hand drawn, computer animations, stop motion, claymation, it always leaves me thinking about all the work, love and passion that went into the project. For “Loving Vincent” it took 125 painters to create about 65 000 frames for this 95 minute animation.
For the story, they mixed truth and fiction. We meet the son of Van Gogh’s mailman, who has to deliver the painter’s last letter a year after his death, to his brother Theo. The young man, Armand, travels to Paris to investigate Van Gogh’s legacy.
When it comes to styles, it’s divided in two parts. The here and now is based on Van Gogh’s painting style. Flashbacks are shown un black and white drawings/ paintings. This last isn’t Van Gogh’s style.
The film is being very clever in ‘thinking outside the frame’ so to say, to imagine what happened outside the frames of Van Gogh’s masterful paintings. And how it would have looked from someone else’s point of view.
The result is a dynamic film, where Van Gogh’s paintings show an unique world. This is combined with an educating and exciting story. I really want to see a making-of of this film, because this cost so much effort and energy.

Rating: 4/ 5

00s Movie Review - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Genre: Adventure/ Fantasy/ Family
Runtime: 142 minutes
Year: 2004
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon, Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, Richard Griffiths, Fiona Shaw, Oliver Phelps, James Phelps, Chris Rankin, Bonnie Wright, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Matthew Lewis, Tom Felton, Timothy Spall, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Warwick Davis, Mark Williams, Pam Ferris, Julie Christie

Description: It's Harry's (Daniel Radcliffe) third year at Hogwarts; not only does he have a new "Defense Against the Dark Arts" teacher, but there is also trouble brewing. Convicted murderer Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has escaped the Wizards' Prison and is coming after Harry.

Review: “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” is the third movie in the series and a darker film then the previous two. The film is a lot more intense and can be scary for younger viewers. The film is very different from the book, director Alfonso Cuarón focused more on the action then the exact story in the book.
After an unfortunate accident with aunt Marge, 13 year old Harry Potter flees the Dursley house. The way to Hogwarts is already very eventful, but the real problems start when he arrives. A dangerous wizard, Sirius Black, has escaped the prison of Azkaban and he is looking for Harry. The Dementors, the scary guards of Azkaban, also guard Hogwarts but they also seem to be focused on Harry. The new professor, Remus Lupin, teaches him to defend himself against them.
Lots of introductions in “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”. The monster book, the magical Hippogriff and the Grim. Two new teachers: Sibyll Trelawney and Professor Lupin. And again exciting adventures where Harry is joined by his friends Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and Hagrid.
Harry Potter is growing up. And I don’t mean just the character, the film too. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are four years older than the first film. And the film doesn’t feel like a kids movie anymore.
Director Chris Columbus has been replaced by Alfonso Cuarón. The books by J.K. Rowling get more intense and heavy and you can see that in the film. The movie lost his light touch and there aren’t as many funny moments like there were in the first two films. Rowling asked Cuarón not to copy the book to film literally, but capture the essence and spirit of the Potter universe. And that’s exactly what he did. Some essential elements where left out and the ‘die hard’ Harry Potter fans might not like it.
The movie is a visual spectacle with great décor and beautiful special effects. The acting is also good. Special mentions are newcomers Gary Oldman and David Thewlis, as Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. Michael Gambon replaced Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore, after he passed away. Good choice, but I still miss Harris a little bit.
The film is meant for the family, but it can be a bit scary for the younger ones. Although the books is my favorite of the series, the movie isn’t. Yet it’s another great film in the Harry Potter franchise.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Reviews - Love, Simon

Director: Greg Berlanti
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Nick Robinson, Jennifer Garner, Josh Duhamel, Katherine Langford, Alexandra Shipp, Logan Miller, Keiynan Lonsdale, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Talitha Eliana Bateman, Tony Hale, Natasha Rothwell, Miles Heizer, Joey Pollari, Clark Moore, Drew Starkey, Mackenzie Lintz, Cassady McClincy, Alex Sgambati, Jamila Thompson, Emily Jordan, Patrick Donohue

Description: Simon Spier (Nick Robinson) keeps a huge secret from his family, his friends and all of his classmates: he's gay. When that secret is threatened, Simon must face everyone and come to terms with his identity.

Review: Filmmakers often struggle with the portrayal of gay characters. They mostly fall into two categories: the funny sidekick that we don’t take too seriously or the man or woman that struggles with his or her sexuality.
Luckily that is slowly changing. It’s a breath of fresh air to see a gay character for whom it’s not an issue who he likes. Simon is mostly blocking his own path. He is close with his parents, he loves his sister and he has a strong bond with his group of friends.
Like Simon states in his voice-over: he is a normal guy, with a secret. Simon knows for a while now that he likes boys. When he discovers on social media, that there is another gay boy in his school, Simon decides to e-mail him anonymously.
“Love, Simon” starts as a standard teen drama, but it’s so much more than that. The guy Simon is e-mailing with, he calls himself Blue, gives him more confidence about his true identity. But when classmate Martin finds his e-mails, he starts to blackmail Simon. And it’s not that he is ashamed of being gay. That not the reason why he doesn’t want Martin to spill the secret to the entire school. It’s his thing and he wants to tell his loved ones when he thinks it’s the perfect time. Because Simon knows that everyone will be okay with it. But he also knows that everything will change when he tells his friends and family, and he simply doesn’t want things to change.
What makes this film so special is that it stays away from the many clichés that this genre normalyl brings. Gay people are often portrayed in a very stereotypical way, but this film shows that homosexuality comes in many forms. There is another boy in Simon’s school that’s gay. He is very extravagant and very different from Simon. But they have one big thing in common. And this movie never mocks it. Everyone can be themselves, as long as you let yourself.
Director Greg Berlanti didn’t turn “Love, Simon” into a sentimental or melodramatic coming-out story. Simon is someone everyone can relate to, just as a lot of other characters in this film. It’s an honest and heartfelt story. Berlanti manages to bring Simon’s thoughts and experience to life. And also credits for Nick Robinson, who portrayed Simon in a very likeable, natural and strong way.
“Love, Simon” is a very important film, that takes on this topic very well. I loved this movie!

Rating: 4,5 / 5

Movie Reviews - Darkest Hour

Director: Joe Wright
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 125 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ben Mendelsohn, Lily James, Stephen Dillane

Description: In May 1940, the fate of Western Europe hangs on British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman), who must decide whether to negotiate with Adolf Hitler, or fight on knowing that it could mean a humiliating defeat for Britain and its empire.

Review: After the audio visual spectacle “Dunkirk”, there is “Darkest Hour”, an opposite in the theaters. The same historical turning point, but a smaller film with a more intimate setting. And director Joe Wright exchanges the harsh realistic atmosphere, for a more melodramatic feel.
Winston Churchill has been portrayed by many actors: Brian Cox, John Lithgow, Timothy Spall, Brendan Gleeson, Michael Gambon and many more. And then there is Gary Oldman, the man who won an Academy Award for his portrayal. Although Oldman doesn’t look at all like Churchill, the make-up artists did a masterful job in transforming him into the former British Prime Minister.
Oldman had to be creative with his voice and body language, to become Churchill. And he does this very well. He mumbles, has a lisp, tramps. It’s hard to see Oldman, and easy to see Churchill. Which means Oldman succeeded. Only when he raises his voice, it’s very clear Oldman. But it’s focused on subtlety, which was very cleverly done by director Joe Wright. And in this subtlety, there is room for Oldman to be eccentric and funny. Oldman’s performance is well balanced.
“Darkest Hour” works a bit too hard sometimes, to win over the audience. But the cinematography is impressive and consistent. As is the make-up and editing.
This is an ‘acting movie’ with a lot of talking, that is good because of its leading actor. Without him, this would be a mediocre and forgettable film.

Rating: 4 / 5

00s Movie Review - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Director: Chris Columbus
Genre: Adventure/ Fantasy/ Family
Runtime: 154 minutes
Year: 2002
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Griffiths, Fiona Shaw, Toby Jones, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Julie Walters, Bonnie Wright, Tom Felton, Jason Isaacs, Robbie Coltrane, Kenneth Branagh, Matthew Lewis, Alan Rickman, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, John Cleese, Warwick Davis, Mark Williams, Chris Rankin

Description: Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) ignores warnings not to return to Hogwarts, only to find the school plagued by a series of mysterious attacks and a strange voice haunting him.

Review: “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” is again a guarantee for a fun family night. And I love nothing more than to step into a magical place like Hogwarts.
This time we learn about a secret chamber in Hogwarts, build by one of the founders of the school: the rather unsympathetic Zalazar Slytherin. Slytherin didn’t like that the kids of ‘normal’ people could join the school. The secret chamber has a monster in it, that is out to kill children, or at least petrify them. The secret chamber can only be opened by a direct heir of Slytherin. When the first student of Hogwarts is found petrified, it’s clear that the evil heir has returned.
“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” goes into a variety of situations but never loses the main storyline. The character get enough time and space. The young cast is again strong, led by Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.
Richard Harris convinces again as Dumbledore. This was the last Harry Potter film for him after his death in 2002. Alan Rickman is perfect in his role as Snape and Maggie Smith is fantastic too as McGonagall. Kenneth Branagh is one to mention. He plays the self-loving douche Gilderoy Lockheart, who isn’t as heroic as you might think.
The setting are again beautiful. “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” is again a great Harry Potter film, fun for fans of the books as well as non-book lovers.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Reviews - Solo: A Star Wars Story

Director: Ron Howard
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 135 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson, Donald Glover, Paul Bettany, Jon Favreau, Linda Hunt, Warwick Davis, Thandie Newton

Description: During an adventure into the criminal underworld, Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) meets his future co-pilot Chewbacca and encounters Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover) years before joining the Rebellion.

Review: After Disney got the rights to “Star Wars”, it’s not sitting still. A new trilogy and a bunch of standalone films. The new trilogy is doing really well and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” was also very good. There we followed rebels trying to stop the building of the death star. Director Ron Howard took the story of a young Han Solo, probably the most popular character in the franchise.
Han Solo, one of Harrison Ford’s most memorable roles, is know as a smuggler and pilot of the Millennium Falcon, which he flies with his co-pilot Chewbacca. In “Solo: A Star Wars Story” we meet Han, before the story of “Star Wars: A New Hope”.
Han has to flee criminals and has to leave his girlfriend Qi’ra behind. He swears to return one day and get her.
“Solo: A Star Wars Story” is a so-called origin story, so we get to see how it all began for Han Solo. How he met his pal Chewbacca, how he meets Lando Calrissian and how he gets the Millennium Falcon. Alden Ehrenreich isn’t very well-known yet, but he is a good choice for the role of young Han Solo. He has to stubbornness, arrogance and charm. But he misses one thing: Ford always portrayed Solo as being ‘annoyed’ of some sort (now what?). It’s hard to explain, but I felt like he was missing it here.
Donald Glover is the best choice for the young Lando Calrissian. And it’s sad that he doesn’t get that much screen time. And Woody Harrelson doesn’t disappoint either, as always.
The story for “Solo: A Star Wars Story” is relatively thin. The references to the original films are fun, especially for nostalgia purposes. But Han Solo’s character doesn’t get enough depth.
That doesn’t mean that “Solo: A Star Wars Story” isn’t a good standalone film. It has everything you want from a good action/ adventure film. Wild chases, shoot outs and great visuals.
“Solo: A Star Wars” is probably not the film that Star Wars fans were hoping for, because a better look at one of the most beloved movie characters in film history is lacking here. As a standalone film it’s good, but within the Star Wars universe it’s not at the same level as the other films.

Rating: 3/ 5

Five to Watch - Movies About Pursuing Your Dreams

“A Star is Born” has just hit the theaters and I can’t wait to see it. This movie gave me the idea for this theme: movies were characters chase their dreams. These films are a true inspiration to those who want to pursue their dreams. I picked films I find very good and somehow they flew under the radar, are underrated or seriously overlooked. Here are my five picks for movies about pursuing your dreams.

Big Fish
Throughout his life, Edward Bloom has been a man of fierce passion and tall tales. In his later years, he remains a huge mystery to his son William. In an effort to get to know the real man, Will begins piecing together a true picture of his father from flashbacks of his amazing adventures. Edward is a man who did everything to have a happy life.

Under the Tuscan Sun
Frances is a writer who just saw her marriage fall apart. She goes on a trip to Tuscany and impulsively decides to buy a villa and build her new life there. Secretly, this would be a life I want to live. It’s such a dreamy place to live. .

Warrior
This is an amazin sports drama that supassed all expectations. The film isn’t about touch fighters who can crash all those who stand in their way. It’s about relationship between fathers and sons, brotherhood, fighting for your family, making dreams reality and second chances. .

The Pursuit of Happyness
It’s based on the real life of Chris Gardner, a single father struggling with homelessness while raisin a toddler. It’s one of the most heartwarming and motivational movies ever. The struggles of the father-son duo and his perseverance to follos his dream, even during the toughest of times. It will motivate you to keep pursuing your own.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
So often we dream about changing our life and take a 180-degree turn for one step forward. This is a story about a little man who pulled himself together and decided to change his life for the better. Walter Mitty is a hero of a real life fairytale, a tale which miracles are possible and can be found right under your nose.

90s Movie Review - Ransom

Director: Ron Howard
Genre: Thriller/ Crime/ Drama
Runtime: 117 minutes
Year: 1996
Starring: Mel Gibson, Renee Russo, Gary Sinise, Lili Taylor, Liev Schreiber, Evan Handler, Donnie Wahlberg, Delroy Lindo, Brawley Nolte, José Zuniga, Paul Guilfoyle

Description: When a multimillionaire man's (mel Gibson) son is kidnapped, he cooperates with the police at first but then turns the tables on the kidnappers when he uses the ransom money as a reward for the capture of the kidnappers.

Review: Two million dollars, in unmarked bills. That’s the kidnapper’s demand when they take Tom and Kate Mullen’s son Sean. Else, Sean won’t return alive. Mullen decides to make the trade, but when it goes wrong he no longer trusts them. And he takes matters in his own hands.
Instead of giving them the two million, he puts a price on the kidnapper’s head and will give the money to the one delivering Mullen the person responsible.
Because the identity if the kidnappers and its leader is revealed within the first hour, you think it will loose tension. It doesn’t. There is a cat and mouse game going on and Mullen not settling for a simple trade is adding to that tension.
Mel Gibson and Gary Sinise are the stars here, they are really strong in their roles. “Ransom” is a real solid thriller, with a great 90s vibe.

Rating: 3, 5/ 5

00s Movie Review - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Director: Chris Columbus
Genre: Adventure/ Fantasy/ Family
Runtime: 152 minutes
Year: 2001
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman, Tom Felton, Saunders Triplet, Fiona Shaw, Harry Melling, Richard Griffiths, Derek Deadman, John Cleese, Sean Biggerstaff, Warwick Davis, Zoë Wanamaker, John Hurt, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Bonnie Wright, Chris Rankin, Matthew Lewis, Mark Williams, Julie Walter

Description: Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, young Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Review: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” is the first movie in the Harry Potter series. Based on the books by J.K. Rowling. She wanted to be involved with the making of the movies, so that they stayed true to the source material.
Harry is introduced to us, we learn about his past. Director Chris Columbus takes his time for that, because people who haven’t read the books should understand.
The actual magic starts when Harry visits Diagon Alley and platform 9 ¾. Daniel Radcliffe is a good Harry Potter. Off course he doesn’t have a lot of acting experience, but that doesn’t matter. His friend Ron Weasley, played by Rupert Grint, is a pleasant surprise, but Emma Watson as Hermione Granger is probably the biggest discovery. Tom Felton, who plays Draco Malfoy, probably has the most experience. He is perfect for the mean role of Draco.
Then the adults. Robbie Coltrane is exactly the Rubeus Hagrid J.K. Rowling described. His raw appearance and voice fit the character perfectly. Richard Harris has the friendly, warm and sophisticated charm for Dumbledore. Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall and Alan Rickman as Professor Snape, both also excellent cast. Especially Rickman is very convincing.
It’s obviously a well-cast film and Rowling can be proud of the first film. I really love this first Harry Potter adventure.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Reviews - Taal is Zeg Maar Echt Mijn Ding

Director: Barbara Bredero
Genre: Comedy/ Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 90 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Fockeline Ouwekerk, Egbert Jan Weeber, Tarikh Janssen, Peter Faber, Annet Malherbe, Martijn Hillenius, Tina de Bruin

Description: Anne (Fockeline Ouwekerk) wants to quit her job at the Glossy because she can't write the way she wants, but when she gets to work together with the handsome Rick she changes her mind.

Review: Language and how people look at it. There are two kinds of people who are constantly minding the language. There is a know-it-all that always corrects others and really can’t stand bad grammar. And there is the observants. They constantly listen to all the words and sentences used around them, that express someone’s feelings but often don’t make sense.
The writer of the best-selling book with the same name, Paulien Cornelisse, is obviously in the last category. She wrote a bunch of columns and they eventually came together in a book. She even had a follow up book.
How do columns translate into a romantic comedy? Like I stated before, the book was a huge success in The Netherlands (I loved it, as someone who also fits in that last category). So when you’re a filmmaker, it’s pretty silly if you don’t use it as source material for a film.
Lead character Anne is very sensitive when it comes to language and can’t help herself when she hears nonsense around her, to state it out loud. You can here author Cornelisse in her narration. But it’s added to a very superficial and flat plot. It turned out to be a very standard and often cliché romcom.
Anne works for a fancy fashion magazine, as a writer. She feels like she can do more and wants to quit her job. But when she gets the chance to fill on for a co-worker and work together with the handsome photographer Rick, she decides to stay after all. And then there is her family. Her father, who is has a strong bon with, is suffering from dementia. Her mother can’t handle it and leaves for India for a few weeks. Anne’s brother and sister don’t care much for their father either, so she has to do it all by herself. Luckily for her, she gets help from her friend and colleague Timo.
The whole love triangle between Anne, Timo and Rick is super predictable and has been done way too many times. And no originality there. The strongest storyline in this film, is the one of her father. He is starting to lose the ability to put feelings into words and has a hard time to find words. And the bond between him and Anne is really beautiful.
With such great source material, it could have been a great film. Sadly, it wasn’t. Peter Faber, who plays dad Werner, saves the day. Because the scenes featuring him are the best. And I do like the narration, because that’s when you here Cornelisse speak.

Rating: 2,5 / 5