Category Archives: Violence

by - 8 Comments

Hardcore Henry (2015) – Review

Review Hardcore Henry

Is it still possible to innovate after more than 100 years of film? In all those years so many creative minds have brought their visions to the screen that you could assume that we’ve reached the top of what’s possible. But still some filmmakers succeed in making your jaw drop to the ground because they tell their stories in new ways or by effectively using certain techniques like never seen before. The Wachowski’s managed to stun by using two techniques and combining them (still cameras and computers), which brought something fresh to the table.

During the last couple of years the capabilities of digital cameras have quickly grown. Drones enable directors to make shots for which they used to hire helicopters, special setups allow for shooting 360 videos making it possible for the viewer to direct the action. High resolution cameras have become so small that you are able to stick them to your body. That last one is exactly what the makers behind Hardcore Henry have done and the end result is the first full length, first person action film. Continue reading →

by - 0 comments

Belgica (2016) – Review

Review Belgica

Ever since I saw The Broken Circle Breakdown, directed by Felix van Groeningen I´ve been slowly working my way through his work. There still isn´t a movie by his which makes me feel as much as that film, but that doesn´t mean I think his other movies are bad because they aren´t. But The Broken Circle Breakdown simply managed to move me so much. After reading several positive reviews about his latest film, I was curious about Belgica. Continue reading →

by - 17 Comments

Suicide Squad (2016) – Review

Review Suicide Squad

While the various heroes go head to head in the movies, this is also the case with the studios. Disney’s Marvel Studios has had hit after hit since they started the Marvel Cinematic Universe. DC (together with Warner Bros) has tried to do the same, but when you take a look at their past five films Jonah Hex, Green Lantern, The Dark Knight Rises, Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, then you can see their track record has been anything but impressive. That’s also the reason that I approached this film somewhat carefully. For the last year it has been almost impossible (trust me, I’ve tried and kind of succeeded) to disregard and stay away from it and I hoped that this finally would be a DC movie I would be able to enjoy again. Has Suicide Squad managed to do that? Continue reading →

by - 2 Comments

Maigret Sets a Trap (2016) – Review

Review Maigret sets a trap

For some Rowan Atkinson will always be Mr.Bean. When I was watching a review copy of the film and my father in law walked by he was waiting for something funny to happen. I had to make clear to him this wasn’t going to happen. Of course Mr.Bean was an iconic role, but I’m always able to separate actors from well-known roles. What’s Atkinson like in this detective? Continue reading →

by - 2 Comments

Jason Bourne (2016) – Review

Review Jason Bourne

When the original three Jason Bourne movies came out they had a lot of impact on how others made movies. Director Paul Greengrass became well-known for his way of shooting, quickly labeled shaky cam. Because of that action looked more dynamic and raw. But also the character of Bourne in this spy thriller has had a lot of influence. You can see that realistic approach of Bourne during fights and using the situation in the first Bond movie starring Daniel Craig. After the third Bourne movie both Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon decided they had told Bourne’s story and stepped away from the franchise. The studio decided to make The Bourne Legacy starring Jeremy Renner, but it was disappointing. Both Greengrass and Damon probably felt an itch to return as they are now here for the fourth movie starring the titular character. Continue reading →

by - 0 comments

La resistance de L’air (2015) – Review

Review La resistance de L'air

We all search for a certain type of stability in our life. For some that might be a steady job and others are looking for it emotionally. Once you’ve reached it you sometimes take it for granted. You don’t always think of unexpected situations which might change everything. There are a lot of people who face financial issues when their partner unexpectedly dies or leaves them and find out they have a mortgage they aren’t able to pay. Of course you make your choices thinking of possible risks and deciding if it’s worth it. It depends on the person how they deal with setbacks. Do you give up or will you start searching for ways to solve it? Continue reading →

by - 1 Comment

Eye in the Sky (2016) – Review

Recensie Eye in the Sky

Wars are as old as mankind and preservation and/or expansion of territory and ideals often forms the basis for them. Since the second world war the way they are fought has changed dramatically. It used to mean that when a country would be in a war you would lose soldiers, but this isn’t always the case anymore. The introduction of drones is a good example. The pilots are safely on the ground on the other side of the world (something Good Kill showed) and the only loss you can experience is of your equipment and possibly some damage to your public image if a mission does not go as planned. Unfortunately the news shows that it sometimes does go wrong. Although there are rules to war, it is a situation in which emotions run high, parties want to achieve their goals and that sometimes might lead to an attempt to stretch the rules. That is also the case in Eye in the Sky. Lees verder

by - 1 Comment

Neerja (2016) – Review

Review Neerja

This review contains spoilers (if that’s possible for real life events)
Neerja, with Sonam Kapoor in de starring role, tells the dramatised story about the hijacking of Pan Am flight 73 by four armed men. On september 5th 1986 they entered the plane at the airport of Karachi. Their goal was to free prisoners and with 361 passengers on the plane they have the means to get that done. Neerja Bhanot was the purser on this flight and thanks to her actions the number of victims was dramatically lowered. She didn´t survive the events, but this movie gives the viewer a good idea about what she did in this situation. She was the youngest person to receive a prestigious award for bravery posthumously. Continue reading →

by - 0 comments

Central Intelligence (2016) – Review

Review Central Intelligence

There are some actors or actresses of whom you’ll see their films blindly. This has long been the case for me with Nicolas Cage (but not anymore), but I am still able to enjoy movies in which Jason Statham, Schwarzenegger or Stallone star. The same is the case for Dwayne Johnson. The former wrestler has proven himself after The Scorpion King and is able to, just by his presence, to make them at least bearable (Ballers, I’m looking at you). He is an action star who is also able to do successful comedies and recently announced his own YouTube channel with a bombastic trailer. Someone who isn’t afraid to do something crazy while at the same time making sure it doesn’t feel artificial. Central Intelligence is his latest comedy in which he has worked together with comedian Kevin Hart. With its tagline “Saving the world takes a little Hart and a big Johnson” the tone is immediately set, but does that mean an enjoyable comedy? Continue reading →