sterrekooi Reviews

Dusk (2010)

Intriguing, above-board, daring

[8/10 · 25 March 2011]

This movie was partly shot on my high-school, and, having been an extra in it, I was of course looking forward to seeing it. Knowing what the story was about, and prepared for what would probably be a vehement cinema visit, I went to see it with some friends.

If I would have to choose one word to describe this film, it would be Wow. I believe this film is able to take away all the skepticism we see in opinions on Dutch movies. This movie is raw, it is honest, and, like my summary above says, above-board. The killing scene is very shocking, it actually affected me physically; my heart was pounding, I almost couldn't believe what I saw. I've only had that with a couple of movies in my life (including "Black Swan" and I believe "Titanic" as well). Man, this is so good...the acting is wonderful on nearly every point of the movie. Having in mind that we're speaking of actors aged 17-21, I feel a lot of admiration for what they've achieved with this film (especially when I realise I wasn't quite a fan of two of them beforehand). Gaite Jansen again proves herself a big acting talent, and I think we can be very proud of having such a beautiful and gifted girl among our Dutch movie stars.

One might think: if you loved it so much, why not rate it 10? Well, I rarely ever rate 10, and I didn't do it here, because of a few reasons: at a few points, the dialogues were beside the mark. The director and actors specifically said they wanted to show how such "normal" teenagers like those in the movie can perform such a cruel deed, but for me, the dialogues felt uncomfortable at some points...it seemed to be too jerky, though I won't deny that might also be part of the mechanism this movie wants to show its viewers...the scapegoat mechanism, the story of a group of friends which such derails that a horrific crime is performed.

Don't watch this movie if you can't stand shocking images. Like I wrote, this movie is above-board; the killing of Jessie and the liquidating of her body is an 8-minute scene in the movie. Also, the showing of Jessie's inanimate and corrupting body makes one swallow twice. Do watch it if you like good movies, and if you are prepared and willing to let go of your possible sceptical view on Dutch movies. This one's different than quite a lot of the other ones made before.

The King's Speech (2010)

Beautiful

[9/10 · 24 February 2011]

With 12 Academy Award Nominations, it is no wonder I suppose that my expectations of this movie were high. The movie narrates of king George VI, father of United Kingdom's current Queen Elizabeth II, and mainly about how he overcame his stammering. We see the king in his long sessions with speech therapist Lionel Logue (a fantastic performance of Geoffrey Rush) and in his palace among his family, struggling with his shame and frustrations.

Someone who had seen this movie before I did, said to me: "It's a great movie. No one gets killed, no one falls in love, and yet it is a great movie." And it is. If it were not for the marvelous directing and camera work, it is for Colin Firth. My goodness, what an amazing actor; the way in which he portrays George VI with all his sides (his ferociousness as well as his fragility) is frankly moving. If he indeed wins the Academy Award for Best Actor, I will be extremely happy. It seems Colin Firth has been underestimated a lot since the start of his career; he finally gets the recognition he deserves. Absolutely brilliant.

En then we have of course Geoffrey Rush, whom I mentioned before, and who is funny as the unconventional but dedicated speech therapist. And there's Helena Bonham Carter, of whom I've never been a fan, but who also deserves praise for her performance.

As for the film itself, it's certainly been directed by a still very young, but talented actor. The camera work is lovely, as well are the decors and the lightning.

I could start talking about that I sometimes felt this movie was leaning too much on Colin Firth's performances and that the story line seemed a bit boring sometimes, but I won't; the many good points of the film surpass its few less good points.

The Lovely Bones (2009)

Disappointing, but not that bad

[6/10 · 10 April 2010]

I was really looking forward to seeing The Lovely Bones. It's almost out of theaters already over here, so I took my chance yesterday and went to see it. And unfortunately, it was quite of a disappointment.

There are several things about this film which are very good and several things which are very bad.

The ending, where Ray and Susie kiss (when Susie is actually Ruth), was really showing some sort of "we-hadn't-had-a-kiss-in-the-film-yet-so- now-we-just-put-it-in-the-end"-air. Though sweet, it was totally unnecessary and it kind of ruined the end for me.

Another thing that annoyed me was, though sometimes very beautiful, the sudden shots of heaven, which sometimes seemed to add nothing to the story. We see a shot of Susie's parents and then suddenly we see her running in slow-motion through some white, undefined space. It sometimes made me feel like I was watching a videoclip.

Nevertheless, the acting in The Lovely Bones is quite good. Very good actually. Stanley Tucci deserves a huge praise for this. He was so nice in The Devil Wears Prada, and in this movie, he actually IS a villain. The viewer seems to be able to take a really good look inside the mind of a child killer. Everything is right about his acting; his timing, his looks, his nasty chuckling. The scene in which he is in the "cellar" with Susie under the cornfield is intense, and really, really scary. All good for Stanley, he proves himself to be an amazing actor.

Saoirse Ronan is lovely as Susie. I was more impressed with her when she played in Atonement, but yet, she shows a talent. I'm sure we'll hear more from her.

Overall, this movie was a disappointment because of the view of the Inbetween, which was also very beautiful on the other hand. It's hard for me to form an opinion and to say what made me feel disappointed about this movie. You'd better see it for yourself.

As It Is in Heaven (2004)

Sublime, beautiful Swedish masterpiece

[9/10 · 9 January 2010]

A famous conductor decides after a heart attack to go back to the village where he was born to live a quiet life. There, he comes in Dutch with the local church choir, that will change his life.

I had no expectations when I saw this movie for the first time yesterday; I like watching foreign movies that are not English, and I've already seen a couple of Swedish movies in my life, but this one was the best so far.

Where to start? In my opinion, this film is a jewel, thanks to many things, of which one is the outstanding acting. Michael Nyqvist is perfect as the thoughtful, almost shy and devoted conductor Daniel Daréus. Beautiful Frida Hallgren is enchanting with her pretty smile and her subtle acting. The choir members are all well-developed, interesting characters with their own story each.

This movie tells a story, a beautiful story, about music, love, pain, memories, death, about a man who devoted his life to music, and who tries to create a calm existence in the village where he was born, while trying to make peace with the past and with the way his life has been till then. Kay Pollack shows us that the Swedish are outstanding movie creators. Go see Så som i himmelen, it's a movie that makes you think about life and love, and that's also comforting, in some way.

Australia (2008)

Fantastic movie

[9/10 · 2 January 2009]

Although I'm not a big fan of Nicole Kidman, I do like her now more than I did before; in "Australia", she proves herself as a very fine actress. This movie is simply fantastic. Besides the great acting and the wonderful story it tells, the stunning breathtaking views on the amazing landscapes of Australia make this a beautiful film. It's a long movie, but every scene adds something. Hugh Jackman stars as the Drover. He's an amazing actor. I'd seen him in The Prestige; I didn't like that movie, but now that I've seen Australia, I'm sure; he's on my favorite actors list. The way you first dislike Kipling Flynn (Jack Thompson) because of his heavy drinking...but when he and Nullah (played by the adorable Brandon Walters, a debuting young actor who plays his part extremely well) start to become friends and Kipling gets killed, you feel so sorry for him, because he turns out to be not only a heavy drinker, but a man with a great heart and a lot of humor. I could write a book about this movie, but I won't: I can only say that I highly recommend this movie; Baz Luhrmann has made a fantastic movie with great actors. The views of the beautiful Australia are amazing. Go see it.

P.S. I prefer Hugh Jackman with a beard. Although he's fine without it too. ;).

Black Book (2006)

Bad film, fine actress

[6/10 · 2 January 2009]

I wanted to see this movie, so I was happy when I saw it would be broadcast yesterday. But now I've seen it, I must say that it turned out to be a disappointment. Everyone was thrilled about Mr. Verhoeven's movie with Carice van Houten in the leading role...it opened the road to Hollywood for Carice, so I thought it would be good...but it wasn't. The whole film is like a comic; you just don't feel anything with what's happening. Paul Verhoeven is good at making beautiful pictures, but I missed this movie just misses content. It doesn't take you, you just feel like watching a theater play. Apart from that; I did think Carice was a good actress before I'd seen Blackbook, and I still do. I'm just a fan of her; she's a very pretty, talented woman, but her talent just doesn't come out in this movie. Practically in the next scene after Rachel's/Ellis' family is killed, she's cheerful again. Right, she says: "I'm unable to cry about it," but this just doesn't make sense; her whole family has been killed and she's smiling again in the next scene! This might be a part of Verhoeven's directing, but it just makes you feel; this doesn't make sense. Yet, I love Carice's acting. I'm just a fan of her, but I found it a pity. This movie is a missed chance to make something really beautiful.

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Beautiful story, wonderful acting, but sometimes weak

[8/10 · 25 December 2008]

I was thrilled to see this movie, since I'd heard a lot about it. So I was very happy when I read it was going to be broadcast on the television last night. Now that I've seen it, I can say that I did like it. But it wasn't what I'd expected. The actors are all really good; the death of Heath Ledger is a big loss for the world of acting. He did an excellent job as the reticent Ennis and he proves himself as a great actor. Jake Gyllenhaal is very good as well. The beautiful landscapes of the Canadian Rockies in Southern Alberta are amazing to see, and there are a lot of moving moments in this film. However, sometimes I found it a bit flat, though I can't really explain why. You just have to see it for yourself, it's a good movie with very good actors, but it's not perfect, as some people call it.

Radeloos (2008)

Best so far of "Afblijven", "Timboektoe" and "Radeloos"

[8/10 · 19 October 2008]

I didn't have high expectations about this movie. I'd seen "Afblijven" and "Timboektoe", which are from the same company, and I wasn't too enthusiast about those movies. They were fine, but I thought the acting wasn't too great. I was surprised by how well the actors played in this movie. Marloes van der Wel is really good as the uncertain Yara. She's absolutely well-casted. The movie is grown-up, yet sometimes there is a child ambiance. The movie is about teenagers becoming adults and the problems they have to deal with. Though sometimes a bit overdone and soft, this movie appeals to teenagers of our society, which makes it a big success. Starring opposite well-known actors Renée Soutendijk, Monic Hendrickx and Victor Löw, the young actors prove that they can act. My compliments for Dave Schram and the rest of Shooting Star Film Company.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

Outstanding, fantastic acting and full of excitement!

[9/10 · 30 July 2007]

I was really excited to go seeing this movie, because I've always loved the Harry Potter books/movies and I'm a huge fan of Emma Watson (Hermione Granger). So today was the day. Already in the beginning, the movie is exciting, when Harry en Dudley get attacked by Dementors. And the excitement doesn't stop there: the whole movie is full of exciting moments, flashes, lines and whatever more can be exciting. I'd almost say that the most beautiful thing of this movie is the outstanding acting of everyone. With every movie, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson grow (not only literally, but also in their acting) and I'm not surprised about the great reviews of Order of the Phoenix. Gary Oldman (Sirius Black) is obviously fantastic: his way of talking/doing things is almost moving, and the feeling between him and Daniel Radcliffe is really special, as if they are really godfather and -son. With his movie comes a new character named Luna Lovegood, portrayed by the lovely fourteen year-old Evanna Lynch, whom got casted for this part out of 20.000 other girls. Her remarkable appearance, her high, soft voice and her dreamy eyes make her exactly the right person to play the part of Luna. She's pretty much like I thought Luna would be like, and she's really doing very well. And then we have Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore). Thinking he wasn't the right person for this part (too restless, much more different than Richard Harris was, he was always more like I had Dumbledore in mind), I sort of changed my mind today. He's an outstanding actor and has a very remarkable, beautiful voice. Daniel Radcliffe is doing a very good job as Harry for the fifth time. I hope those who've seen Equus in London, the piece in which he's naked, will be able to get that picture out of they're head for a moment and enjoy watching Daniel as Harry Potter, and not as the sort of mental Alan. Emma, my lovely favorite actress, is once more outstanding as Hermione. She really seems to UNDERSTAND this character, she's thought about it, and that's the right thing to do when it comes to acting: make sure you understand the character you're playing. So does Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange, though a pretty small part, played very well. David Yates prooves that he's a good director, and I am really happy that he'll be doing the next HP movie too. Overall, this movie is great, though it was a pity they cut out a lot of things that are in the book. The kiss of Harry and Cho is sweet and kind and romantic, I loved it. The movie is one big story full of excitement, wonderful music and outstanding acting. I recommend it certainly.

Afblijven (2006)

Lovely film which shows we've got talents in our country

[7/10 · 2 July 2007]

I saw this film for the first time in October 2006. The whole Dutch film business was talking about it: it was the first book of Carry Slee, a very popular Dutch writer who writes mostly for teenagers, of which was been made a film. Shootingstar, the production company of "Afblijven!" had organized a big casting day in March 2006. This is because they wanted to look for new talent in our country and give a chance to children who wanted to be in a movie and were not member of a casting agency. After three rounds, Sem Veeger, at that time 14 years old, was chosen to play Melissa, the girl which it is all about in the story. Apart from a Youth Theathre Education, Sem had never done anything with acting in a movie before, so it was kind of special that they picked her out of eight hundred other children. Sem has talent. She's got an enormous amount of power on screen, she really sort of "sucks you to her face": something in this girl makes you wanting to look at her. She's also pretty and has a nice voice. But there were parts she didn't do well, and it has been shown more than once that there are still a lot of things to learn for her. But she's got time of course! I think they picked the right one. Sem is a nice, intelligent girl who was ABLE to do this. She had fun on set and she grew more and more sure about herself. Did you know that she broke her calf muscle and had to do a dancing scene? Brave girl :). Matthijs van de Sande Bakhuyzen is one of the most talented people in this film. He is the son of the director Willem van de Sande Bakhuyzen who died last year. Afterall, this film is very nice. I already saw it six times. Sem is some sort of an example to me, because she's my age and I also want to be an actress. This film's got a lot of weird texts, that is not the most strong point of it. The acting is not always good, but the story is really nice.

The Illusionist (2006)

Weak ending, exciting story

[8/10 · 4 February 2007]

The story is very exciting: it's quite bleak and you're thinking the whole time: What's going to happen now? But the end ruins everything. Please don't put such an happy ending to such a bleak movie! It was like Romeo and Juliet, but without the dying. It's just not believable to pretend someone's dead but she appears not to be at the end! Besides this horrible end everything was fine: Edward Norton is intimidating and slightly mean as Eisenheim, and I also loved Jessica Biel besides her non-speaking features: her emotion is the same every time. I'd already seen Paul Giamatti in Lady in the Water (2006, together with Bryce Dallas Howard), in which he was great, and here he was too.

The Good Girl (2002)

Wonderful

[8/10 · 20 January 2007]

I don't have much to say about this film: it's wonderful. Jennifer Aniston proves that she's one of those rare, non-diva actresses with a beautiful face and interesting features. She's great as the nervous Justine, who slips away of the right path and falls into a deep hole of lies. Jake Gyllenhaal is stunning too: he shows that he's a man of many sides: after one of his last films Brockeback Mountain, everyone got to know him. He's great as the depressive, mental-ill Holden, he's such lovely together with Jennifer Aniston! Though he's bad in the film, you really find it a pity when he commits suicide at the end. This film is wonderful: there are a lot of messages in it, which you've got to find out yourself. It seems to be again one of those non-saying Hollywood drama's, but it's more: it's a wonderful story, a film people want to see again.

Lady in the Water (2006)

Wonderful, charming and exciting

[9/10 · 24 September 2006]

I was deeply impressed by this wonderful movie. I first thought it was going to be awfully scary, but it wasn't: it was just a very beautiful, nice fairy-tale about this sea nimf Story whose lost the way and wants to go back to the Blue World, the place where she lives. I loved the way Bryce Dallas Howard portrayed her: this beautiful young actress made a deep impression on me and I certainly want to see other movies of her. Paul Giamatti is really good and funny as Cleveland Heep, he's a great actor if you ask me. I highly recommend this movie, since it's a beautiful fairy-tale. My compliments for director and writer M. Night Shyamalan, I loved this film.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Disappointing, but nice.

[7/10 · 2 March 2006]

I was really curious to see this movie. I had been waiting for it for months, I had seen all the trailers, I had looked up every thing of information about it...And then the day came I got to see it. It was the 1st of December 2005. I went to the cinema with a couple of friends, expecting very much...well, I've got to say that I liked it very much, but it was also quite disappointing. The whole film, especially the beginning, went so fast, you could really see they had to hurry a bit with making it...it was really, as actress Emma Watson said, going like 'tsjaktsjaktsjaktsjak', the scenes didn't really fit together, they were all standing apart, if you know what I mean. But this got better in the second part of the film. I liked the second part better. The Yule Ball scene was awesome (it was really my favourite): I was really impressed by the beauty of the set, though I already had seen it in the trailers...Emma Watson, whom plays Hermione Granger, could be given the prize of 'Most Beautiful Girl of Hogwarts' Yule Ball', she really looked stunning in her beautiful pink dress. What can I say about Emma Watson: I am such a huge fan of her, so it's normal I'm prizing her, but she really HAD such acted in an outstanding way. I liked the line 'Ronald would like me to tell you that Seamus told him that Dean was told by Parvati that Hagrid was looking for you' very much, it's such funny and nice. What I want to say about the three young lead-actors in general (Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma) is that they've really grown up. Daniel is sixteen years old, Rupert is seventeen and Emma is fifteen. Remember the time they were only eleven! Such wonderful how a kid can grow up...they've also grown in their way of acting. Such very nice. As I said, I liked the second part of the movie better as the first part. The Task-scenes were quite spectacular, I thought the Dragon looked quite real (I know, dragons don't excist, but I mean real in the way of a real creature). It was quite exciting, and so were the other two Task-scenes. The maze-scene was very nice...well-acted, and scary...the graveyard scene was even more exciting and scary...and in a way quite moving, I don't know why...I thought Robert Pattinson, whom plays Cedric Diggory, acted like he was death really well, it was such scary! One of the last scenes, where whole Hogwarts is sitting in the Great Hall, and where Dumbledore is speaking about Cedric, was moving too. Then something about the director, Mike Newell. A month after I'd seen Goblet of Fire I saw 'Four Weddings and A Funeral', also directed by him. I thought this film was wonderful. I won't say it's better as Goblet of Fire (I can't help it, I'm a fan, though GOF was disappointing), but I will say that Four Weddings was just directed better. So we don't know: maybe Mike Newell's a better director for comedies. Overall, I thought this movie was very nice, moving, scary, funny...but also disappointing.

The Sound of Music (1965)

Wonderful, amazing, fantastic, great movie!

[10/10 · 6 January 2006]

Well, what can I say about this movie? I think it's great. It's my favorite movie. Like my mother, I can see it thousands of times without finding it dull. The music is such brilliant, especially because of Julie Andrews' amazing voice. I actually can't say something negative about this film...it's full of magical, wonderful music, everything fits, wonderful actors, wonderful story...the end is wonderful, when they get away over the mountains...the songs are fantastic...every time I see this film I look at it with so much enthusiasm...I have seen it 20 times or more, and it doesn't get dull, as said! The strict captain and the singing, life-enjoying Maria...it is wonderful how they get together. They fall right away for each other, and when they tell each other about their love...just wonderful. I am 100% positive.