Movie Review - Amsterdamned 2

Director: Dick Maas
Genre: Thriller/ Action/ Horror/ Crime
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 2025
Starring: Huub Stapel, Holly Mae Brood, Ruben Brinkman, Tatum Dagelet, Pierre Bokma, Pieter van der Sman, Patrick Stoof
 
Description: A killer is terrorizing the canals of Amsterdam, with young detective Tara Lee on the case. They call in the help of former detective Eric Visser, now retired, who dealt with a similar case over thirty years ago.
 
Review: In “Amsterdamned 2” there is yet another killer on the loose, taking his victims in the canals of Amsterdam. Detective Tara Lee is lead on the case. Retiree Eric Visser returns to Amsterdam to help out, since he dealt with a similar case in the 1980s.

This film didn’t need a sequel. This was made purely for nostalgic reasons. And although very entertaining and enjoyable, “Amsterdamned 2” is doing much of the same as the first film. The plot is weak and the conclusion is very unsatisfying.

Thr return of Huub Stapel is the highlight though, and he has great chemistry with Holly Mae Brood. Both performances are solid. Many nods to the original, with the humor and another canal chase scene.

“Amsterdamned 2” was not necessary, but still fun. You do need to have seen the first, to understand some plot points and some nods, but overall an enjoyable film if you liked the original.

Rating: 3/ 5

Movie Review - Alles is Zoals het Zou Moeten Zijn

Director: Ruus Schuurman
Genre: Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 108 minutes
Year: 2020
Starring: Barbara Sloesen, Jan Kooijman, Sanne Langelaar, Jelle de Jong, Julia Akkermans, Tom van Landuyt, Bram van der Heiden, Patrick Stoof, Allard Geerlings, Holly Mae Brood, Victoria Koblenko, Meral Polat, Emma Deckers, Anne van der Burg, Kharim Amier

Description: Immediately after the birth of their first child, Iris’ (Barbara Sloesen) boyfriend Pieter (Jelle de Jong) confesses that he never wanted this child and has been having an affair for a year. And he will be leaving soon for Africa with his new love.

Review: The Dutch film industry is doing well, but that doesn’t mean we love everything that comes from it. Currently we are having an overkill of romcoms and however they aren’t all bad, “Alles is Zoals het Zou Moeten Zijn” belongs on the bad pile.
In this romcom, Iris has just delivered her first child. Her boyfriend Pieter tells her that he never wanted the baby and is leaving for Africa with his new love, who he has been having an affair with ever since Iris turned out to be pregnant. Pieter abandons her, where television producer Iris drowns in her own sorrow and grief in her far too big house. The tide seems to turn when a handsome man enters her life. Iris tries to get her life back on track, as a new mom, with her disobedient dog and a high demanding job.
Iris is so obsessed with her own problems in her luxury world, that it’s somehow really hard to sympathize with her. This film is clearly taking inspiration from “Soof” (a successful Dutch film and a lot of fun) and “Bridget Jones”, but the lack of successful humor is obvious. The film is filled with privileged, successful, rich people, who nag a lot. And it gets on your nerves. With that, the story is super messy and there are too many subplots.
When it comes to romcom clichés, “Alles is Zoals het Zou Moeten Zijn” ticks a lot of boxes. A handsome yet caring love interest, a career driven woman with whom suddenly everything goes wrong, a group of friends that are supposed to be the funny note. And I have no problems with clichés, but they have to be done well. And here they just aren’t.  
A romcom with a bad script, a messy story, characters that you simply can’t relate too or empathize with. “Alles is Zoals het Zou Moeten Zijn”, is not a success and a complete waste of my time.

Rating: 1,5 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 103: De Reünie

Director: Menno Meyjes
Genre: Thriller/ Drama
Runtime: 98 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Thekla Reuten, Daan Schuurmans, Patrick Stoof, Marie-Mae van Zuilen, Daantje Idelenburg, Myron Wouts, Joep van der Geest, Tobias Kersloot, Eli Rietveld, Lara Leijs, Vivian Verkooy-Puppe, Dirk Marks, Jorik van der Veen

Description: Upon returning to work after an absence Sabine (Thekla Reuten) must deal with new emotional obstacles and matters from her past. Unlocking these doors exposes her to truths she may not be prepared for and the consequences of not letting the past go. Unanswered questions about her friend's disappearance, and a new romance leads Sabine to dark places.

Review: Simone van der Vlugt is one of Netherland’s most successful thriller authors. “De Reünie” was her thriller debut. And I was really excited to see it be turned into a movie, eleven years after its release.
There is a lot of shifting between now and then, in this story. In the present we see how the shy Sabine is coming back to work from a depression. And her boss and co-workers don’t exactly make it easier for her. But the handsome Olaf van Oirschot, one of brother’s high school friends, makes work more bearable. In the past we see young Sabine and her best friend Isabel. She went missing and the crime was never solved. With Olaf back in her life, Sabine keeps thinking about her high school years. And then there is that invitation for a high school reunion.
Nothing against Thekla Reuten and Daan Schuurmans, who portray Sabine and Olaf as adults. But it’s the scenes from the past that leave the biggest impression. Not only because it shows us that time period very well. But also the young actors performing well and how the characters get more depth.
“De Reünie” is in heart a murder mystery, but that elements is a bit lost in the film. That way the climax is a little bit predictable. But overall the adaptation is done very well.

Rating: 3,5/ 5