the-antichrist-is-near Reviews

Little Darlings (1980)

Decent coming of age movie

[7/10 · 14 December 2023]

Little Darlings is a nice and entertaining movie that succeeds very well in combining lighthearted food fight/sex jokes-type of comedy with more serious coming of age teenage drama.

I think the director made a good choice not actually showing sex or nudity, which keeps the movie from getting sleazy. Initially I felt that a bit more background to the characters might have been nice, but, also with an eye at the nice pace of the film, in the end I think the viewer gets to know just enough.

Cinematography and direction is nice, and the whole cast gives a very decent performance, with the two protagonists in particular.

High Life (2018)

A true waste of time and resources

[3/10 · 14 December 2023]

It's been a while since we've watched a pretentious pile of garbage like this movie. There is a feint understanding of what the director might've wanted to convey in terms of story and meaning, but judging on how much Claire Denis has had to explain in interviews, one could wonder about how much she succeeds in that. Furthermore, one could argue about the quality of the movie when things are so vague and overly symbolic, without actually being abstract.

The biggest question that doesn't get explained is why the crew members aren't actually allowed to have consensual intercourse to try and create offspring to continue the journey. With that question hanging in the air throughout the movie, the doctor's character feels less powerful and her actions seem more cartoonish.

The main ethical question that the movie seems to revolve around is glanced over in the end. All this, after having to sit through almost 2 hours of slow moving story set in a boring space void with boring unimaginative space craft.

I'd recommended watching Moon (again), instead of this thing.

Captain Marvel (2019)

Don't watch as a 'stand alone'

[3/10 · 8 December 2023]

The only super hero movie I have seen before was The Dark Knight. I know nothing about either the DC or Marvel cinematic universes and lore. Therefor, I do expect all these related movies and origin stories to be watchable by themselves. In case of the aforementioned Dark Knight, that was totally the case, but with this movie it's like watching an episode in the middle of a TV series that you haven't seen anything else of... Nothing in this movie is really explained properly to an extend that you would end up with a nicely rounded up story line. There's too many inside jokes and important story pieces that are only put together by knowing the lore and that seem very irrelevant in the movie by itself.

It's a shame really, because Samuel L Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn are delivering great performances. Brie Larsson is okay at best, but doesn't stand out and seems somewhat uncomfortable in her role as superhero. Asides from that, the score is extremely boring, the direction is chaotic and boring and the special effects/CGI looks like it came straight from some MMORPG's...

Anomalisa (2015)

Trying too hard

[5/10 · 4 December 2023]

Anomalisa really isn't a bad movie. It's very well made (although I do wonder about the ecological consequences of 3d-printing every shot) and feels very real, despite being animated.

It has an interesting story, but that's also where the problems arise. It feels like a lot of things, concerning the protagonist's mental well being, are being brought up. They are definitely interesting, but altogether they all seem to get stuck in some sort of idea phase, without a follow up or resolution.

Taking that psychological layer away, you're just looking at a man who harms others, because he is unable to deal with his own issues. He (ab)uses a fan to unload his mental issues and physical needs on and cheats on his wife in the process, before returning home and acting very sad.

I can understand that this movie might be trying to raise awareness for mental health issues, but being as open-ended and unresolved as this movie is, makes everything just seem irrelevant.

The Last Legion (2007)

Trainwreck

[1/10 · 4 December 2023]

The acting in this movie is one of the very few things one could be remotely positive about. Sadly, it doesn't even show that well, being buried under lousy dialogue and outright terrible direction.

The chaotic direction of this movie makes every scene feel out of place. This is further emphasized by the abrupt changes in the musical score.

Things aren't very well explained at the start, while there is way too much happening at once. It slows down a little in the second act, where the dubious decision to travel back to Britannia over land is being made and where all sense of how much time has passed is gone. In the finale we see the same chaos in direction, which just makes the movie feel very pompous and pretentious; almost laughable.

It's a shame, because filling in the story of Romulus 'the last emperor' Augustus could be interesting; just not in this way, with an overload of fantasy and magic and an ending that's unnecessarily bending stories together...

Sex Education (2019–2023)

Didn't make it to S04...

[4/10 · 23 November 2023]

-- Watched up to S02E01 -- Many reviewers here are saying that S04 is complete crap compared to the earlier ones. Personally, I didn't even make it past the first episode in series 2.

Series 1 was already walking a thin line between being funny and witty and somewhat decent, but then sometimes going over that line and being over the top with all it's coming of age stuff. Anything happening to normal kids between 10 and 18 seems to happen to these kids within a month.

I decided to give it another chance after the first season, but the first episode of season 2 already feels like such a parody of itself... The cartoonish wanking overload and the equally cartoonish butt naked old guy falling through the coffee table is just too much; not to mention the mass paranoia over an STD...

Lie with Me (2005)

Piontless plot like most pretentious soft-core movies

[4/10 · 22 November 2023]

To start with the positives... Cinematography and directing of this movie is really nice and does a good job setting the right, very gloomy, mood. Furthermore, the nudity and sex scenes are well done, but they also point out the rather mediocre acting in dialogues. The protagonists seem very comfortable when they don't have to talk, but when they open their mouths it just feels forced and unnatural.

The bad acting in the dialogues is just a symptom of the bigger problem that is the hollow plot. There isn't too much sex to have a decent movie, but everything asides the sex scenes feels like filler without progressing any plot too much. Needing a voice over narrating throughout the whole movie isn't something that shows a lot of proficiency in story telling.

Ben-Hur (1959)

Masterpiece, but unsatisfactory ending

[8/10 · 16 November 2023]

Ben-Hur feels more like a mini series, than an actual movie. Not just because of the entracte, but also because of the story telling and the jumps in time; and obviously also because of the running time. This is not a negative though, because it is very engaging throughout.

Especially for a movie made in the late 50's, this must have been one of the grandest and most epic production up to that point. Beautiful scenery, majestic decors and tons of extra's to take you straight back to a time 2000 years ago. It's grand and majestic, but all done tasteful and classy and allows for the story to get very personal too.

Overall, a definite masterpiece; cinematography, acting, the story itself, directing and convincing supporting roles (Balthazar, the Sheik, etc.).

The only thing holding me back from giving it a perfect 10 is the ending which to me felt overly spiritual with the sudden healing of Juda's family members. I can see how it plays into the story of Juda's overall healing and washing of the feelings of vengeance, but being a very non-spiritual person myself, it kind of pulled me out of the story I was so invested in...

The Dreamers (2003)

Lacking the further you're in

[5/10 · 14 November 2023]

Directing and cinematography of this movie are amazing. As is the soundtrack with all your favorite 60's psychedelic and blues rock artists passing by. There is very clever use of old cinema footage, filling in at the moments they are being mentioned.

Nothing wrong on those parts and there isn't much to complain about the performances of the three protagonists either.

Sadly, the story, while being intriguing, is also quite the let down. On a personal level: as other reviewers commented too, there is a lot going on that doesn't really lead anywhere. A lot of seduction and tension, but it's only really blooming between Matthew and Isabelle. In the bigger picture, the relationship between the three, being set to the background of revolutionary and freedom needing Paris, is an interesting one, that actually is thought provoking and growing. Unfortunately that stops just after the clinginess between the twins is being questioned. It could have and should have gotten even more interesting from there, but in the end, from there on it just feels like the writer is unsure how to tie the knots together anymore...

Metropolis (1927)

Almost centurial, but still relevant

[10/10 · 3 November 2023]

What a masterpiece this movie is. Beautiful art-deco inspired film sets that do a very good job showing a huge futuristic city. Amazing acting all around. Innovative direction and cinematography. Even with camera's not being able to move around yet, Fritz Lang manages to portray a very engaging and well-paced story. Amazing montage and editing.

Asides from the stylistic brilliance, there is a story that seems to get all the more relevant again. It's weird that a hundred years later, people are still slaving away in factories, while the rich sit in their ivory tower...

This apocalyptic vision is an absolute must see for everyone; preferably in a recent (and thus more complete, post 2008) version.

Flodder (1993–1999)

Not the best, but certainly entertaining

[7/10 · 3 November 2023]

To start with the bad news: not every episode of this series is that good; but overall this series does hold up a decent level over 5 seasons.

The writing is simple, but usually has a decent plot and directing is good enough to keep you entertained.

Even though the acting is a bit over the top at times, I do think Flodder's big popularity in the 90's really is a result of very solid performances by the actors. There is a visibly great chemistry between all characters.

If it wasn't for Coen van Vrijberghe de Coningh's unfortunate death in the late 90's, the whole series might've possibly been continued for another few seasons.

Wednesday (2022– )

Not like this

[4/10 · 3 November 2023]

This could have been a very decent series if it wouldn't have tried so hard to milk the Adam's Family thing... A series about a girl from a weird family entering some sort of Hogwarts where different groups of different monster/human-hybrid species are sort of fighting each other would have been a decent plot line. This series just strays way too far from what I think the original ideas of the Adam's Family were. I honestly don't know where the high ratings come from, but probably from an audience that has never seen the old Adam's Family movies or series and has nothing to compare to, but that has the idea of a kind of Adam's Family in their mind and that thinks this is a proper depiction of it.

Jenna Ortega looks like she is playing a girl who is trying very hard to play Wednesday and fat Gomez who let himself go that much is terribly unbelievable.

Rooie Sien (1975)

Just not that interesting

[4/10 · 3 November 2023]

I very much enjoy the dutch vocal music of the 1920's and 1930's, which could've been a decent part of this movie. Sadly, overall this movie is just not that interesting. The stage songs are rather generic and "Telkens weer" feels incredibly out of tune with all this, because of the over the top production quality. Not weird with the song being released as a single, but also not helping the movie's pace and flow. Asides from that the whole story is rather predictable from start to finish. It's hard to be empathic with Sien and Jan Meier, since there isn't much depth to their characters. Everything just kind of happens and nothing really stands out.

Allemaal Theater van 1945 tot Nu (2004)

Quality documentary

[7/10 · 3 November 2023]

The problem with this whole series is not so much the production value. The arrangement of the different episodes, highlighting different parts of the whole theater history, is done well too. Jeroen Krabbe is a conservative and somewhat 'dusty', but very competent presenter, who can add in some of his own experiences.

I think the reason why this whole documentary feels a little off is that there is a lot of 'old school' actors passing by that can tell great stories about their work in theater just after WW2. These stories are great and show the progression in how theater was made very well. The downside though, is that everything seems very uptight and conservative and that many of these older actors are complaining about how change is bad and how a newer generation didn't do their job well. This opinion is fine, but it's too bad that Krabbe as presenter and interviewer never gets too critical about what the actors are telling him about.

Asides from this, I might be somewhat biased about Dutch contemporary actors and their (lack of) skills; making it feel a little laughable at times to hear them talk about their profession.

All things considered though, this is a very decent series, with many nice shots from early 50's and 60's theater.

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Amazing Bogart

[8/10 · 3 November 2023]

Most reviewers seem to want to point out mainly that Bogart shines in this movie, but I'm almost afraid that that would not give some of the supporting cast enough credit.

Peter Lorre was a familiar face for me, having showed up in Fritz Lang's M before, and plays a great mischievous, almost fairy-like counterpart to the Fat Man, Kasper Gutman. Gutman very confidently plays a villain in control, which makes the story more compelling and exciting.

Granted, the female supporting roles do seem a slight bit too dramatic and stiff in their performance at times. Sam Spade's secretary might be the most charming in this group.

Directing and cinematography is gorgeous, but the plot is, even though intriguing, lacking a bit in the end.

Overall, it's not just Bogart that makes this film worth watching, but one could wonder how well it would've survived in people's minds over half a century if it would have had a different actor playing Sam Spade.

The Spider Woman (1943)

Very entertaining

[9/10 · 3 November 2023]

The Spider Woman is one of the most entertaining in the Sherlock Holmes series starring Basil Rathbone as the main protagonist. It features an intriguing plot with a female villain who seems to very much enjoy the cat-and-mouse game she is able to play with Sherlock.

Directing and cinematography are of high quality. The supporting role of the creepy and annoying little boy is a truly great one that tries very well to keep the viewer, along with Sherlock, on it's toes.

What shines the most in this film though is how comfortable Nigel Bruce seems in his role as the slightly naive, but very loyal right hand of Sherlock. He clearly takes pride in his role and it makes him all the more lovable. Overall, there is great chemistry between Rathbone, Bruce and Dennis Hoey playing Inspector Lastrade.

A Shot in the Dark (1964)

Sellers at his best

[9/10 · 3 November 2023]

And not only Peter Sellers, but certainly also Herbert Lom at his best, playing Chief Inspector Dreyfus, who slowly goes insane hearing of Clouseau's antics.

Viewers familiar with Leslie Nielsen's work can clearly see here, where Nielsen got his inspiration. However, whereas Nielsen seems to end up more as a cartoon character (not necessarily a bad thing, because he does it very well and very consistently), the way Peter Sellers portrays the clumsy inspector Clouseau is much more subtle.

This subtle, but ongoing chain of mishaps and chaos is enough to keep the viewer entertained already, but in this movie will be paired with a very decently written plot line, nice direction and cinematography and likable supporting roles, amongst others by Elke Sommer as the maid.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (I) (1923)

A classic of the silent era

[9/10 · 31 October 2023]

A great performance by Lon Chaney who, also thanks to the amazing make up, plays a deformed and hideous monster, without ever going over the top into cartoon realms. Additionally, very nice performances by the supporting roles.

Cinematography was great, despite all the single shots. Camera movement wasn't possible yet, but great direction certainly makes up for that. Furthermore, the size of this production with it's huge cast and having Notre Dame as it's grand decor, certainly adds to the story it portrays.

Discussing soundtracks for these movies is debatable due to almost never being able to hear the original soundtrack, but the score from the 2007 version of the movie, compiled by Hunsberger and conducted by Israel was very fitting and really elevated the movie even more. Film quality in general was great in this version.

Easy to Love (1953)

Boring and full of filler

[1/10 · 30 October 2023]

I can understand that some other people reviewing this movie would say that the water skiing and swimming choreography is delightful and amazing; which it is, however... If you are going to fill up half your movie with it, you might as well call it a documentary. The romantic plot is at times so thin that it feels like part of it has been cut out during montage. Main characters go from being head over heels about one person to falling desperately in love with another and back like it's the most normal thing in the world. Everything considered it's just a very boring movie with characters that are very hard to relate with or to feel empathy for.

Dangerous When Wet (1953)

Boring

[4/10 · 1 October 2023]

Overall, this movie is just really not that interesting. There's some nice jokes and gags, a bit of romance, an extremely small bit of suspense... Sadly none of that can elevate the razor thin story line everything is built on.

Regardless of how weird it would be to just let someone swim 20 miles without proper preparation (let alone letting the underage daughter try the same), it also feels a bit forced; furthermore, in the end it's all just about money and disregard for the actual achievement...

Everything just flows on like a quiet river, but there is just nothing exciting or unpredictable happening.

The dream sequence is nicely done, but it's already very telling that that would be the pinnacle of this movie...

Prayer Cushions of the Flesh (2006)

I don't get it

[3/10 · 14 September 2023]

Prayer Cushions Of The Flesh is a 30 min long black and white movie based on an erotic novel. I did not read this novel (yet) and wonder very much if that would've made the movie easier to understand.

Now, without prior knowledge, everything is just gloomy and vague and hard to follow. The direction is a little messy at times and the combination of people mixed in with 2D cardboard props doesn't help with getting a nice flow in the film either.

Ultimately this seems more like a piece of visual art, rather than a movie. Unfortunately, aesthetically speaking the movie is rather average too....

Forbidden Planet (1956)

Very nice, but overrated in the reviews

[8/10 · 5 September 2023]

Some reviews make this movie sound like it's the be-all and end-all of early (pre-60s) sci-fi... Everything from the 20s-50s leads up to this and everything after is a direct result of this movie... Purely looking at the special effects in the second half of the movie, I might agree, but that's pretty much the only thing I can think of.

The set design overall is very 50s oriented and not very timeless; which is quite a problem if your movie is situated in 2300.

The story line picks up once the main issue is unrolled, but never really elevates from this concept phase. There is hardly any noteworthy side-story and the main story is finished in a rather simple and unsurprising way.

Nielsen stands out in the spaceship crowd and Walter Pidgeon plays a convincing Dr. Morbius.

Overall an entertaining movie, but again something that could've been so much more with a slightly more intricate story.

The Glass Key (1942)

Very nice

[9/10 · 29 August 2023]

As others have mentioned, The Glass Key is a timeless story.

It takes a little to get into it, with a start that seemingly makes you choose between two villains. Once Beaumont steps up as the conscience of the film, the story starts to flow better too and the movie is more able to pull the viewer into it.

The story seems to slowly be directed in one way, but uncertainty about the ending keeps it exciting.

Pair this with very solid performances by all protagonists and you have a great film-noir with a story that is far from dated, even 80 years later.

Extra points for Veronica Lake and her dresses.

The Glass House (2001)

Could've been so much better

[5/10 · 29 August 2023]

The Glass House starts out as a promising movie. A movie that slowly drags you into the prison that some children end up in. Also, judging on a lot of the other reviews, a subject that certainly needs more movies made about it, so people learn that (foster) parents are capable of these things.

Unfortunately though, in the details, the movie seems very lacking. Sobieski is able to carry the movie decently, but also seems to struggle with a script that has some plot holes or obvious flaws to keep the story going.

Overall it's good that movies on this subject are made, but this one seems very unpolished, especially with the story. This is unfortunate, since despite the somewhat mediocre direction, the cinematography and set are great and really aid the creepy vibe of the story.

Masterclass (2005)

Absurdism layered too thick

[5/10 · 16 August 2023]

Being a big fan of Hans Teeuwen and of most of the Dutch actors in this movie arguably has a very counterproductive effect on my opinion of it.

As other reviewers stated, in the end it's all not that original. It's a drama teacher that goes too far, after being invited by an actor that is too weak to keep control of the situation.

We have some of the best actors in the country performing here, but in the end it all seems a bit like a hobby project, at times reminding me of the Dutch improvisation theater show 'De Vloer Op'.

Everything together makes me wonder if the movie might've worked out better with a cast of 'unknowns'. Having famous actors perform the role of famous actors causes the absurdism to lay too thick on top of everything.