Joyce Hauchart Reviews

Beef (2023– )

Best Netflix show this year

[10/10 · 17 April 2023]

This is such a good show...you will binge. Impossible to stop. A friend of mine said..."the writers probably started with the first episode". This might seem normal or funny but when you watch it all becomes clear. What a script, what a performance, what incredible twists.

To top it all it brings us a bit out of comfort. Do we relate to our Asian community? Can we understand them?

And then isn't everyone caught in this ratrace, rich or poor?

The answer is obviously yes.

But it has never been told in such a funny and dramatic way.

The last episode has a David Lynch atmosphere. Really special

Turn on your screen and enjoy.

1985 (2023)

Bad dialogues

[6/10 · 12 March 2023]

Great actors good script. But who the duck wrote the dialogues???? In every scene I was asking myself who says something like that... Nobody. Such a shame for the actors who all did a tremendous job. The pace of the show and the editing require are fabulous . Well done guys. Make up and requisitions the same. You nailed it. The soundtrack is also extremely well done. A great show.... I live in Belgium and remember those times very well. Is it truth or fiction? I think most of it is very true...Luckily those times are past. For people who are interested in that period I recommend "Niet Schieten" or "Don't Shoot" by Stijn Coninx.

Loft (I) (2008)

Loft - what can you expect when five men share an apartment?

[9/10 · 31 October 2008]

What you can expect from this movie is a lot. First of all it's a thriller whodonit which last 2 hours. At the end of the movie you feel like is this over already??? That's a bloody good sign.

And then there's a lot more... five men share a loft where they meet their fancy women (read mistresses), they all have different personalities and that's a lot to take in a movie, but they are so well pictured and so well drawn in the script(Bart De Pauw) that they all become our friends sooner or later. Then include the wives and the mistresses, it's a real challenge to think who DID it.

Apart from that and without giving out any clues, it's so well acted, and the LOFT where most of the scenes are shot feels like a tremendous dangerous being. The LOFT has an extra role in this movie, believe me.

This movie, as a good friend told me, is not "The Usual Suspects" but it's close... very close. I thought about this a lot and then I think of course it is not the Usual Suspects, nobody wants a remake of that movie.

Loft is different but you will like the characters, not one second bores you except maybe the knife combat which takes a bit too long.

I especially enjoyed the Düsseldorf bar and the Casino scene. Great cinematography.

For people who enjoyed this I recommend the movie "Shades" with Mickey Rourke, I preferred this one a lot more than The Alzheimer Affair. But then, that's me...

The Opposite of Sex (1998)

Opposite of Actors

[8/10 · 21 January 2004]

Did anyone ever comment on the totally miscasting of Martin Donovan?

This movie works, it is hilarious and has great one liners BUT something went totally wrong with Martin Donovan. When he grins he's pretending to be a shadow of Mr. Bundy and when he's sad he's trying to look like a dead Mr. Bean. Now if you like the overacting of these two fellows you will probably not like this movie at all.

Michael Donovan does not overact or underact or interact. Actually I don't know what he's doing there. Toothache? Hemorrhoids? This actor can do a whole lot better (Insomnia), so let's blame it on direction.

Apart from that, this is a "must see" movie. The simple plot with nice twists works extremely well and Lisa Kudrow and Christina Ricci are at their best. Rent it, see it buy it.

So maybe, the opposite of genders works best for director Don Roos...

The Memory of a Killer (2003)

Finally a great Belgian "policier"...

[9/10 · 20 October 2003]

It takes a lot of guts to make a Belgian "policier". It's like making an American western without John Wayne, or a French flick without Jean Gabin or Alain Delon.

New times, new directors, new actors... Director Van Looy found his actors. Not only are they good, they are outstanding. Much will be said about the three main actors: Jan Decleir, Koen De Bauw and Werner De Smedt, but look closely at the supporting roles. Hilde De Baerdemaeker is one of the coming Belgian ladies... read my lips!

The script is based on a book by author Jef Geeraerts but for once the adaptation is better.

The dialogues are tongue in cheek, and for fans of "NYPD Blue" or "Homicide" this movie is a real treat. When the lights come on in the theater you want to look at your TV guide and check when the next episode is due...

The camera is nervous, it follows the action closely and the music is very well chosen. Also, without being chauvinistic, it's wonderful to see all the action take place in one of the largest European cities: Antwerp.

One of the best Belgian movies yet? Yes. A nice build up of characters, situations, drama. It's not easy, but it has been done.

Director Van Looy found his real commitment, a police thriller. You can compare this movie with "Memento" (the memory loss) or "Se7en" (the dualism between the two investigators) but better yet to "The Insider". Watch it: you will find out why.

A Special Day (1977)

Up to date statement

[9 May 2003]

Ashamed to admit it, this was the first time I saw this movie. Strange, giornata particolare rings a strong bell. It has a title that every movie buff knows or should know. I thought I had seen it decennia ago, but obviously that was not true. I dare any filmmaker to create a spellbound film like this one with so few locations and (admitting) two extremely good actors. This one has to be in the top hundred of best movies ever. It makes a statement which is still very much up to date. I agree with rrogiers, it is very strange no more people commented on this movie.

Well, I did and if you have the chance, watch this.

Dead of Winter (1987)

Glad I watched this one on an exceptional hot summer night

[7/10 · 31 July 2001]

The critics for this movie in the local newspaper and also on IMDB said this movie is a give away thriller. I totally disagree. It may be true that it takes too much time before we are confronted with the new personage Steenburgen has to play, but overall this is a nice Mousetrap. The actors are very well casted on I was sometimes surprised with the plot twists. Music helps keeping up an eerie atmosphere. Don't watch this movie if you're alone at night

Boys (1996)

Funny -

[8/10 · 7 July 2001]

I watched this movie late at night and thought it was very funny. The schoolboy characters are sharp as well as their dialogues.

The music is great fun, and the photography is great. The story line may be a little thin, but this does not matter. Listen to the music, the hide and seek in the first hour is almost theater and the kids are great.

But, I did not like the ending. Too romantic and incredible but nice movie to watch when there's nothing else on TV.

In Belgium this movie got two stars, I think it deserves 3 stars, only for the great dialogues.

Plump Fiction (1997)

The user's comments are wonderful

[6/10 · 21 June 2001]

Big laugh over all this comments.

Yes, it is a fun movie if you have seen Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs and Natural Born Killers. The scene at the diners in the beginning is hilarious.

But then I must admit that throughout the film I was not always laughing so much.

I just expected more. Seeing all the actors trying to impersonate the "real" ones, works for a minute, but then it's over.

Again I expected more. But then again, it's the best parody I ever saw.

And then, just to read the comments, guys you hate it or you love it, which means the movie has character. It's personal, it works for you or it doesn't. This has more to say about you than the movie. Relax, enjoy, get popcorn when it gets to heavy or sigh, I wish I was part of that crew or cast. Imagine how much fun they had.

As for the 3$ for a rental, you can get lots of things worse for 3$. Believe me.

Prizzi's Honor (1985)

No matter what...perfect

[10/10 · 20 June 2001]

No matter what all the negative comments or critics, I always enjoy this movie. Nicholson's Brooklyn accent is perfect, the dumb guy he's playing is perfect.

La Houston and La Turner are perfect. The soundtrack is perfect and John Houston's direction is also perfect.

Everytime I see this movie, small things fascinate me.

Look again and see how the dressers and the location people did their jobs. It's....perfect.

The Bridges of Madison County (1995)

Valentine's Day

[7/10 · 14 February 2001]

We (my husband and me) saw this movie which was programmed on Feb 14, 2001. He did not like it, he thought it was too slow and he doesn't care for La Streep.

Streep is burned in Europe, I don't know how she does in the U.S. I loved this movie but if you have this on VCR or any other movie with Streep on VCR, watch how many times she touches her face. Also watch HOW she touches her face.

Believe me girls, if you ever touch your face like Streep does, you are pathetic, theatrical or ready for a three months vacation.

Anyway, I liked this movie, specially for the dialogues. And... one of the best love scenes. They care for each other and they bring out the best of themselves.

I wonder why they needed the flashbacks, obviously it got better sold with the children finding out about their mother, but it's a nice Valentine story. 7 out of 10.

Homicide: Life on the Street (1993–1999)

So glad, I live in a country that still offers reruns

[16 January 2001]

Like everybody before me told, this is THE best police story ever made.

The photography, the personages, the direction and last but not least the music. It's the first series where I noticed that a song was completely played, while all the actors kept moving, doing what they have to do, but without dialogues. If you are a scriptwriter it's a dream when you can accomplish this. The action counts. But then, as a cherry on a pie, the dialogues are perfect too.

Too bad we get this only once a week and then at a past midnight hour.

I was very surprised to learn this series originated from a book. Got that information from this web-site. I'm still full of praise but on the go for the Amazon book store. :-)

The Audrey Hepburn Story (2000 TV Movie)

THE STORY

[14 January 2001]

First of all I was very surprised to read all these negative comments about Jennifer Love Hewitt's performance.

I think we should not forget that she is PLAYING Hepburn, not BEING her. Of course there are flaws, but JLH has wit, is spontaneous, can dance, and if you let yourself get involved in the story she sparkles.

The problem with this movie is not the actors but the script. They lead us to believe that in this almost 4 hour "documentary", in Belgium we see it without commercials, la Hepburn was holier than Mother Theresa. Besides eating some sugar buns under the table at age 5 (?) and drinking one glass of whiskey while flirting with Holden at an afternoon party, what did she do wrong? She's so perfect in this movie, you never wish to have a daughter like her.

The scene where she's delivering undercover messages are hilarious. With all respect for Audrey Hepburn, some of this might be true, but in that period a person would never deliver five messages for fear of being caught. The way it worked was to deliver one message and the next person would take care that he or a friend would deliver the next. I'm not a historian, but my parents told me a lot about these things.

I'm not saying Audrey's story is not true, I don't know, but when watching the entire movie it was clearly dipped in a romantic sauce, with lots of sugar on top.

The scene when she visits her father in Ireland is also very strange. This man sent her several letters (destroyed by her mother) and when she finds out she miscarriages from her first baby. (or was it really the fall from the horse?) When they finally meet the movie focuses on the fact that he does not want to see her again. Why taking all that trouble to write to your estranged daughter, make her come to Ireland, and then tell her goodbye?

It's not clear, or we should not know, or I don't know what really happened, but again Hepburn is the obedient daughter. After so many years she even tells him: Please, father, if you have things to do, continue, I will be happy just to watch you. I had another hilarious fit when he then calls the dog and starts to brush him while continuing a conversation with her. I expect doing the dishes together would be too cliché, but this is really something I cannot believe.

As another viewer commented, it would have been a lot better to get Audrey's entire life, especially what she did for UNICEF, her divorce, her second marriage, her second divorce.

This would have portrayed the real Audrey and not some absurd innocent girl (which she wasn't) and have a lot more impact.

Several times in the movie people tell her, girls want to be just like you, you portray a hope for so many persons. I certainly don't agree with this after seeing this movie.

The title after all is very well chosen: Audrey Hepburn, THE STORY.

Donnie Brasco (1997)

Agree with Ange 8

[8/10 · 11 January 2001]

Holy Smokey.

I saw this interrupted without commercial and I used the scenes where the family (the real one) gets together to have a snack or whatever break.

This first communion was incredibly bad!

On the other end, Ange did you notice the subtlety where he (Depp) asks his daughter, Who created you. She answers God, etc. etc. It's a small dialogue, but actually I believe Depp thought he was God at that moment. The answers from his daughter are great if you follow that theory.

Pacino reminded me of Dustin Hoffman in Midnight Cowboy. Loser till the

end. But graciously.

Depp acts extremely well but it's hard to believe he has a wife and 3 (three) daughters waiting for him. He's too young. Anyway, I never knew this was a true story until I saw the end.

Anyway, I liked it.

Things Change (1988)

Great Entertainment

[7/10 · 11 January 2001]

I loved this picture. Mantegna and Ameche are so opposite and I really can't share the view of other people that Ameche is performing a "Being There." Ameche is much smarter, he realizes from the start something is wrong. First he declines the offer but he knows perfectly well these people will shoot him (remember the scene with the smoking lady). Then, the movie starts, and he's in charge, and he keeps in charge, he accepts a luncheon with a Don in LA., he finds money to get back to Chicago, he uses his coin to call the Las Vegas mob.

Nice, entertaining, two and a half stars. I laughed quite a bit. Must be my Italian roots.

Junior (1994)

Weird how people react to this movie and apple pie

[6/10 · 15 December 2000]

When reading the comments I saw lots of pro's and lots of contras. But the comments are quite strong so it is worth reading them carefully.

Then again, what does it mean, some people like apple pies, some don't.

I watched this movie on TV, there was nothing better to watch, and at first I thought this is crazy I have ten 4-starred videos that I can watch tonight, but I stayed on.

It's just a bit of fun. I also wanted to see the combination Schwarzenegger - Thompson, which really works. Add De Vito and you're in for 3/4ths of an apple pie. Add Reitman and you have a complete apple pie.

The cream on top is not provided, mainly because the antagonist, the evil guy at the University does not work.

I don't think it's worth a rental, certainly not a buy, but better than Prozac.

La Bamba (1987)

Fake

[4/10 · 1 December 2000]

I totally agree with Anonymous 10 April 99.

I saw this movie for the first time today, I was born in the fifties, but this does not matter. We all know Ritchie is going to die in an air crash, but from second one we are confronted with planes flying over the school yard.

I was told this is a pretty accurate biography but I truly can't believe it. It's like a bible story, the good and the bad son.

Ritchie could not have been that good and his brother couldn't have been that bad.

What I miss in this film, and I'm sure that was true, that the family hung together. Too much melodrama, sorry no tears, and I even weep when the Wheel Of Fortune does not strike right.

Crimson Tide (1995)

Sorry - total downer

[4/10 · 10 November 2000]

We laughed our heads off. This script is so incredible you either zap to CNN or go to sleep.

My dad was a sea captain for 30 years, he could not believe his eyes when he saw the movie.

During his experience as an officer he once claimed command over the ship, the captain drunk 3 bottles of whiskey/daily and (sorry) s**t on his desk. Of course this was not on a nuclear mission.

For instance, the fire in the kitchen, fire is the most important thing on any ship, nuclear or not. To give a drill at that time is just Hollywood script. When a captain is put under arrest, he IS under arrest, you take all his keys and open the safe where the guns are kept. This is stored within minutes in a well guarded room. He CANNOT escape, it's just like in prison.

Funny thing is, my dad also had a dog on board, however, we see how Hackman let him pee in the control room. This is not done, ever. My dad cleaned all the mess the dog made wherever he was.

Hackman and Washington make the three stars this movie is credited for, all the rest is bulls**t.

When we do know that 23 people were still alive on the Koersk, this film gets an extra dimension.

If you want to see a real thriller about a submarine rent: Thas Boat.

Only You (1994)

Unpretentious Cinderella story

[8/10 · 3 November 2000]

I was not planning to see this movie, but after a few minutes I could not resist watching this predictable story. If you have a lazy afternoon or evening, it's even worth renting.

The scenery is great, so great I thought The Italian Tourist Bureau must have sponsored it. It's a Cinderella story, but although the plot is thin, it has just enough twists to keep you watching.

There is one hilarious sound mix. Thomei's boring fiancee, a podologist, is helping a patient, the patient is hurt and starts a high 'AHHHHH' continued with a view of Rome and an Italian Song that starts with the same high A.

Marisa Thomei even reminded me in some ways of Audrey Hepburn. The dressers must take credit for that.

There is also a lesson: American airports don't let people on an airplane when they say you're in love and you want to be on THAT plane, the Italian airports wave them out.

A Couch in New York (1996)

Ackerman gives in and out

[8/10 · 27 October 2000]

Ackerman (director) is one of our most respectable women directors in Belgium. I never knew she made this film and as one person mentioned, if you live in low budget Belgium film country and you can make a movie with Binoche and Hurt, who would not jump out of his chair.

The story line is unbelievable but I don't care, so was Matrix I. To say that Binoche can't act, as I read somewhere on this forum is a great understatement. It would NOT have been better with Julia Roberts.

Actually we could have been watching this sort of comedy at the theater. It's certainly low budget (except for the wages of the stars) 90 % is filmed indoors at the same locations.

I could not believe this was an Ackerman movie. She is very much known as a detailed dialogue women. Once in a while we see this happen, but then it does not fit in this movie. This movie needs action, swift editing etc. Remember Barefoot in the Park? That one worked, for some reason this doesn't. Problem is I cannot put my finger on what it was that disturbed me: not the actors, not the story, not the locations.

I very personally think Ackerman had to give in to make this production, she would have made a totally different film with disturbing dialogues but she was not allowed to do so.

Conclusion: I love all the work of Ackerman but she should never have done this one. A couch in New York needs more spark.

No hard feelings, Chantal.

PS: I have to share this with you. My husband walked in after 30 minutes and saw William Hurt in Binoche's flat. His one and only comment was: You're watching a movie with Hurt in Paris? Yep he did recognize Hurt and Paris in one shot. I'm getting tired of attics and attic views. Paris has changed a bit. I'm sure this is again an American must.

Dead Man Walking (1995)

True Facts

[10/10 · 9 September 2000]

I read all the comments on this film and indeed it's a masterpiece. One Oscar well deserved. It's not pro or anti the death penalty (I'm very anti) but as one commentator said, what if.... it's your child?

This movie is based on a true story, or rather drama. Ever thought how this movie affected the families involved - victim or murderer?

I hope it helped them to reconstruct their lives. I wonder how they are feeling now, years later

Bound (1996)

The Fabulous Wacko's!

[9/10 · 5 September 2000]

Most reviewers talk about the lesbian scenes, this is not what the film is about; these scenes last only a few minutes.

This movie is about trust and winning against the mob with a great scheme that two people in love (although we're never sure) re-adapt constantly when their scheme falls slowly apart due to unexpected plot twists. I sat on the edge of my chair; the best film noir of the nineties.

Best writing credits, best camera work, best editor.

The scene where the two women plan their work and is cut by the real action, and goes back to their planning and so forth is brilliant.

Casting is great as well.

Now it's a MUST see film. Top-ten list of the nineties.

Clear and Present Danger (1994)

Good entertainment

[9/10 · 26 August 2000]

I fully understand that people who read the book don't appreciate this movie, I believe it's true for 90 % of book adaptations.

Anyway, it's the sort of movie I like, clean, all scenes are meaningful, Harisson plays the cool fish, but he's the extreme of the heroism played by Dafoe.

Fun part of this movie is how the computer kid solved the password in 5 seconds during the first part of the movie, while he was given all the personal "paper" data on the people involved and then was challenged with a serious job at the end. The voice recognition session made me laugh too.

Why don't we have these sort of programs at home?

Anyway, good action, entertainment, swift changes, it's never dull. Open a bottle of Muscadet, nicely cooled, sit back and enjoy.

Diary of a Country Priest (1951)

Book and film equals - astonishing

[9/10 · 13 August 2000]

I read the Bernanos book when I was 16, subject to a lot of emotions as every girl at that age. Bernanos wrote literature but we did not fall asleep, as everybody else during the obligatory French book list. 30 years later, today,I discovered this movie. I am glad I stayed up late to watch it. Although there are so many fade outs - fade ins and the main actor is mostly speechless or voice over, this is a rare jewel. Can a movie be better than a book? Often not, in this case they both deserve sublime credits. I did not mind the voice overs - it's written as a journal, and it never disturbed me.

I saw this movie today and it was hosted by a catholic organization. I'm not catholic and the film (as the book) learn us to see some aspects. Devotion, absolute belief and as far as I am concerned hypocrisy.

I gave it a 9/10. If you like older b/w films with a deeper sense, go and try to rent it. Fact is, tomorrow I'm going to reread Bernanos.

Breaking Free (1995)

Visual impaired people, a horse, a juvenile delinquent and love.

[6/10 · 8 August 2000]

Simple story line: 17 year old boy gets into trouble, convicted, ends up in horse camp where blind children reside, meets blind girl, falls in love. Does not sound too good. We are also told we need to say visual impaired vs. blind.

I would recommend this movie for a class of 14 years old to see what can happen when someone gives up a crime career and finds happiness with horses and a blind girl. :-) I don't have to tell you there are bad guys, who try to get the hero back to street life, or the "right" guy who challenges him at the camp.

Too nice, too good, only remarkable acting by Adam Wylie, then 11 years old but acting as an 8-9 year old boy. Fun to watch with the kids. Rainy afternoon movie.

Good work for the horse trainers on the set! Ghost, the horse steels the show and Jeremy London tries to look like Tom Cruise.