I have to admit that I wasn’t really looking forward to watching Birth of a Nation. Because of its racism it is a controversial movie, but at the same time it’s also one which has been very important to the medium of film. Plus it’s also a movie with a running time of tree hours, which is very long for a silent movie. I decide to take my time watching it on a lazy Saturday afternoon and just experience it. Continue reading
Category Archives: Crime
Overdrive (2017) – Review
One of the newest additions to the Fast & Furious family was Scott Eastwood, son of Clint Eastwood. He played a character who, to me, was only an annoying addition and he did not convince me of his acting talent. Fortunately, it was a supporting role, but in Overdrive (which happens to also be about a group that has a strong passion for cars), he plays one of the main roles. Does he show another side here? Continue reading
The Mermaid (2016) – Review
Although everyone will not know director/actor Stephen Chow, his films Shoalin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle were quite popular a couple of years ago. After these he directed a number of films, with most of them not reaching the same level of popularity. One of them is The Mermaid, in which he presents the viewer with another bizarre story. Continue reading
Wheelman (2017) – Review
The quality of the newer Netflix films is slowly starting to reach the level of the series they make. For a long time their own films (with a few exceptions) were often disappointing, but it turns out that more and more of their titles are movies you’ll want to see. Does that also apply to one of their latest films, Wheelman? Continue reading
American Made (2017) – Review
Thanks to Netflix and its drug series, Narcos, stories about the South American drugtrade have become popular. The history of Pablo Escobar and related documentaries were a great success for the service. So it is a good moment to use this popularity is what the people behing American Made probably thought, in which Tom Cruise plays the leading role. Continue reading
Condorman (1981) – Review
Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, Iron Man, all superheroes who are well-known to big audiences thanks to the many superhero movies that have been released during the last decade. In 1981 the movie landscape was very different. Fans of superheroes might be able to see them in TV shows, but hardly on the big screen. Disney released Condorman though. And although it has a link with comics there is a reason that many people have never heard of this “superhero” film. Continue reading
Blade Runner 2049 (2017) – Review
The influence of 1982’s Blade Runner on the look of science fiction films has been enormous. In addition, it is a film that is widely praised by film lovers who can have a lot of discussion about what is the best version to watch and whether the character played by Harrison Ford, Deckard, is a replica or not. It is a classic and the announcement of a sequel was received with mixed reactions. Understandable, since too many sequels have been made that did not meet expectations. Yet there was a lot of hope that this might be a movie that would be worthwhile. The reason? The film would be directed by Denis Villeneuve who really hasn’t made bad films (Arrival, Sicario, Prisoners, Enemy and Incendies). In addition he would work together with cinematographer Roger Deakins and maybe that cooperation could lead to something that reached the same level of the original. Is that the case? Continue reading
Unlocked (2017) – Review
When Unlocked played in the cinemas earlier this year, I was curious about this action film with Noomi Rapace in the lead, but not enough to make the trip. Now that the title is available through VOD it was a nice moment to see it. Should I have watched it on the big screen? Continue reading
Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017) – Review
Contemporary, violent and exciting were the three qualities that I attributed to the original Kingsman film. A title that surprised me in a positive way and I looked forward to the sequel. Of course you know in advance that the initial surprise will not be there anymore (the same was the case for Guardians of the Galaxy 2 for example), but that does not have to be bad if that sequel knows how to entertain. Does Kingsman: The Golden Circle succeed in that? Continue reading
Good Time (2017) – Review
Although Robert Pattinson became known to the general public as Edward Cullan in the Twilight Saga films, he also played very different roles in films such as Cosmopolis, Life and The Lost City of Z. In Good Time he collaborates with the Safdie brothers, who have been making low budget films in New York for ten years. This film meant a major breakthrough for them, but Pattinson also is amazing here. Since I read as little as possible about a movie beforehand, it took about fifteen minutes before I recognized him. Continue reading