j-nouwens-461-33148 Reviews

Hugo (2011)

Top 500?!

[3/10 · 6 September 2012]

Really?! Nice visuals, but I don't watch films for visual effects. I would like to see story, drama, tension, beauty, heart, soul, and purpose. This has none or very little of it. Acting was pretty bad. Unbelievability factor: huge.

A few days ago I watched The Departed (2006), another one by Scorsese. Once such a big name, but these two are major disappointments for me, or actually I don't expect much anymore. The masses run away with this sort of shallow fare, it lowers the standards more and more.

Pity.

Some scenes in here were eye-jarring, like complete overacting.

I must now move on to greener pastures. Bye.

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Superb

[10/10 · 2 September 2012]

After watching Brokeback Mountain, I bought a collection of short stories including Brokeback Mountain (Proulx). That's a compliment :) I thought the film is tremendous. One of my favorites that came out relatively not too many years ago. Some others are City of God; The Last King of Scotland; and Drive.

I must say I watched Brokeback Mountain a while ago, and only recently started reviewing here, so I can't go into as much detail as some others here are doing on this film and neither do I much like that. I just want to point out to potential viewers that I highly recommend this one and they can, if they are of the opinion as me, check out some other films I think are ... superb.

Anyways, acting in the film is top. Cinematography, poignancy, depth, all excellent. I don't remember much of the soundtrack, alas.

All in all, a gem of a film.

It was either due to Jake Gyllenhaal's performance in Brokeback Mountain, that I finally went out to see Donnie Darko (2001) or the other way around, but I have to say the guy has already appeared in quite a few notable films. Don't miss out on DD, October Sky (1999), Zodiac (2007).

Warrior (2011)

Pretty darn good

[7/10 · 31 August 2012]

I can't with a straight face say this is a classic, nor with a beat-up (or even a drunk) face. However, it's definitely good. Earns **** out of ***** from me and I was impressed by Nolte's performance. The two brothers are fine, too, though. Acting is solid in Warrior, except for, IMO, most notably the kids and the blonde, but those are minor roles.

Probably the best fighting film since Rocky (1976), but there are not that many good fighting films, I think. I mean, it used to be a guilty pleasure of me to watch some crappy fighting movies when I was a lot younger, but just for fun.

Anyway, I think some shots or scenes were too shallow. It's also a bit predictable. It engaged me, though. No worries.

Recommended.

Primal Fear (1996)

Decent thriller, with fine performance by Norton

[5/10 · 31 August 2012]

I guess I don't much like courtroom dramas. They're usually full of the usual stuff. This was no exception. Pretty standard fair, okay acting, but feeling like acting. Actually quite flat and unrealistic.

Some cheap shockers, too. Meh. Not impressive in any way. Too long and boring in places. Chase scene in the beginning is one example of that. I yawned audibly.

'Romantic' stuff between Gere and the smoking lady was laughable, like hahahah this is crap.

Anyway, fine performance by Norton, the one saving grace of this film. Music was good, too, though.

But the ending, well, okay, okay, if they want to play it that way... It ain't impressing me.

*** out of ***** and now I am mild.

Weekend (II) (2011)

Pretty good

[6/10 · 29 August 2012]

While not spectacular, Weekend is realistic, with plenty of food for thought, occasionally funny, and emotionally engaging. I think it slowed down too much near the end and there it lost some power. Ending was solid, though.

I'd recommend it. Not a classic, but you might learn a thing or two from this film.

The acting and chemistry between the actors wasn't lacking. It's not graphic or shocking in any way, I think, and neither does it need to be, but I need to point out it feels a bit tame.

But do make up your own mind, so go see it. It won't be a waste of time.

The Snowtown Murders (2011)

Dark, dark, dark

[6/10 · 28 August 2012]

Not exactly a film about Santa Claus and his merry green elves up north. Nope. It's from Australia, the continent overflowing with creepy crawlies and apparently also a lot of white trash. I can't recommend this film. I just thought to watch it on the grounds of it being said to be a recent powerful film from the land of down under. It has solid acting and a slightly menacing atmosphere. Moved too slow, though.

Again, it's really not a family film, unless you're the Adams Family, and in my opinion not terribly good, but it is a film with guts and a heart and a look into some really dark corners of civilization.

Or maybe it's one big, long commercial for cigarettes...

***, mate.

Inception (2010)

Nah

[3/10 · 28 August 2012]

Of course, I had heard lots about this movie and actually love track #12 from the OST (by Zimmer), but I'd never made an effort to go watch it. Something in my mind told me it wouldn't be worth it. Besides, I'm not much impressed by DiCaprio's acting skills.

Still, after a long while I wanted to see what the fuss is about. I am checking out numerous films people recommend as 'best of 2010' to me.

Inception was waaaaay too shallow for me. It's a superficial action film that admittedly looks visually nice, but there's no real drama. It actually bored me. Left me cold.

If you want to see a 2010 film including DiCaprio, go see Shutter Island. Much, much better, but not great, which is too bad.

Anyway, I don't want to spend too many words on this Inception creation. Yawn.

Drive (I) (2011)

Wow

[10/10 · 28 August 2012]

This is still only my third review here on IMDb, but after two negative ones (Black Swan + Inception) I need to cheer you guys and gals up and what better way than to recommend Drive? Awesome film. Awesome characters. Awesome music. Tense, terse, exciting, brutal, beautiful.

I highly recommend it. Dialogue is sparse, but I like it. I've heard some folks are turned off by Drive, while others love it. Guess there's only one way for you to find out, so ... sit down your arse and have some food in a bowl and a beer and enjoy :) I've watched quite a few films starring Ryan Gosling after Drive and am usually impressed, especially with Blue Valentine (2010). Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011) was a disappointment.

Anyway, Drive! Go see it.

Shutter Island (2010)

Flawed

[5/10 · 28 August 2012]

I think Shutter Island is quite a mixed bag, but overall I was fairly pleased with it. Strong beginning and ending. Unfortunately, the stuff in between rather sucked. It's actually quite a mess in there. If only it had been not so muddled and more taut and believable, Shutter Island would've picked up more points.

Still, good asmosphere, solid acting, creepy characters, good setting, amazing music. Listen to 'On the Nature of Daylight' and you know what I mean.

Recommended, but with reservations.

Hey, at least it's better than Inception and Black Swan combined.

Black Swan (2010)

Not worth your valuable time, even if you like watching Mila Kunis engage in pussy licking

[2/10 · 28 August 2012]

All right, here I go. Just joined IMDb to write reviews. Seeing all the overly hyped fanmails here about this and some other films, such as Inception (2010), did the trick.

** for Black Swan, which is one helluva over-hyped bag of annoying, juvenile, boring gimmicks, and possibly it gives you the experience of wanting to strangle the Portman lady, whom I've never seen in a marvellous acting performance. Sure she appears in some goodies: Léon, V for Vendetta, and ... and ... whoops, guess she's not that great, but she sure is popular. Strange. I admit she got brains.

I don't do spoilers and summaries*, but I will warn you about what I think are wastes of time. More importantly, I'd like to point out waaaaaaaaay better films to you.

In 2011, 'Drive', 'Blue Valentine', 'Tyrannosaur', to name but a few.

Oh, and the lesbian/sexy stuff in Black Swan....? Don't make me laugh. If you'd like to see Mila Kunis in a better vehicle, see After Sex (2007).

Black Swan, my arse. Now I got to click to Preview button, right?

* Guess I have to do one, after all. Oh boy, now IMDb tells me it's too long. Well, well, well: "One ballerina leaves, another one desperately tries to take her place as the black and white Swan in Swan Lake. While she dances perfectly (ahem), she ain't that dark, but some not-so-hot lesbian stuff and more 'sexy' stuff later which has Hollywood in a sweat, the film takes off like a crippled blind swan who suffers from severe mental stuff..." Is that too long? And how many words too long?! Please edify me. I'll try again.